Jiang Bai later learned that, in the entire school, the most popular and well-liked mother was undoubtedly number one.
Thank you, milk tea! Long live milk tea!
She thought this as she drank her milk tea.
While I was lost in thought, a group of men suddenly entered the milk tea shop. The leader was dressed in official robes, so he must be of high rank. The Third Master of the Ren family, who was also the county magistrate, stood beside him, neither humble nor arrogant. The men behind him were strong and muscular. Apart from the yamen runners, the others were dressed in ordinary clothes, presumably as guards.
When the magistrate saw Jiang Bai, he immediately pointed him out to the official Jiang Bai had guessed. The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, and the official walked straight toward Jiang Bai.
The magistrate asked, "Are you Zhao Yi's wife?"
Jiang Bai didn't answer, but instead asked, "Who are you?"
"This is Lord Hou from the capital. He has important matters to discuss with Zhao Yi. If you know where he is, please tell us his exact location," the magistrate explained.
Jiang Bai bowed to the Marquis and said earnestly, "I don't know where he is either."
"You are his wife, how could you not know where your husband is at all times?" Lord Hou said incredulously.
“I’m his wife, not someone who can read his mind. We don’t have any special connection, so I can’t find him either,” Jiang Bai shrugged.
She asked, "Have I been to my house?"
"I went there, but the gatekeeper said he wasn't there," the magistrate said with a wry smile.
Jiang Bai thought for a moment and said, "The gatekeeper probably didn't lie to you. He really isn't here. If he were, he would have breakfast with me."
She looked around and saw that many customers were attracted by the commotion and, instead of buying milk tea, they swayed toward them as if trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
The privacy here is too poor, and the place is too cramped. Jiang Bai thought for a moment and asked, "Why don't we go back to my house? There's no place here to entertain you."
The group strolled back home.
When Jiang Bai arrived at the front door of his house, he bumped into Zhao Yi, who was rushing back. It was unclear whether this was a coincidence or a notification from the secret guards.
Zhao Yi pulled Jiang Bai into his arms and asked the people in front of him with a cold face, "What are you doing here?"
Jiang Bai then realized that this person had already met with the secret guards and knew the specific information.
To everyone's surprise, Lord Hou suddenly bowed to Zhao Yi and said, "I apologize for the sudden visit, but there is indeed an important matter that requires your help, Chief Zhao."
Zhao Yi's face grew even longer, and he gestured for everyone to go inside: "Let's talk inside."
Jiang Bai and his wife Zhao Yi, the county magistrate, and Lord Hou all sat down in the waiting room, and Zhao Yi didn't even offer them tea.
He said, "You can come to see me, but don't disturb my wife."
Lord Hou bowed to Jiang Bai again: "Madam Zhao, this was truly a last resort after we couldn't find Master Zhao. Please forgive us."
Jiang Bai waved his hand in return.
Lord Hou suddenly stood up, walked towards Zhao Yi, and knelt down.
His head slammed heavily to the ground as he said, "Chief Zhao, His Majesty begs you to return immediately. The national treasury is empty, the border regions are unstable, and the enemy is poised to attack aggressively. We urgently need your help."
Jiang Bai was startled by this situation.
Zhao Yi seemed used to it, his brows furrowed tightly, clearly pondering solutions to the problems Lord Hou had mentioned.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded: "Okay, I understand. I will return to the capital immediately."
-
The group chatted briefly for a while longer, and after seeing Lord Hou and the county magistrate off, Jiang Bai was still in a daze.
She patted her forehead and instructed the servant to pack Zhao Yi's luggage, with Tan Ji directing from the side. Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai found an empty study to discuss matters.
Zhao Yi said, "I don't know when we'll see each other again after this trip. If possible, I'd like our family of four to travel together."
Jiang Bai shook his head: "It's not realistic for us to go together."
“There are many things to deal with here. My first concern is whether it is safe to go to Beijing. If the situation there changes, I am afraid that I and the child will become a weakness that threatens you.”
If Jiang Bai could be kidnapped in such a small place as a county town, the capital city, with its mix of all sorts of people, must be even more dangerous.
"Moreover, I can't just give up my business right away. Even if I have to leave, I have to handle things properly and make a proper handover."
"Furthermore, Ping An and Xiao Le's studies will also be affected."
Zhao Yi wasn't unaware of these drawbacks, but after living with Jiang Bai and his family of four for half a year, the thought of leaving filled him with boundless melancholy and reluctance.
In previous years, hadn't he always gotten through things this way? He didn't even have a house that he could call home, and he was quite used to wandering the world.
But now things are different; he has a beloved person, and that gives him a weakness.
Zhao Yi said, "What you said makes sense."
Jiang Bai was afraid he would be disappointed, so she said, "How about you go to the capital, find out the situation, and make everything ready before the children and I go over?"
Zhao Yi nodded.
Jiang Bai added, "Perhaps the situation isn't as serious as Lord Hou makes it out to be. You'll be back in a few days once you've resolved it."
Zhao Yi instructed, "Those three guards will still stay with you. Call them if you need anything."
"I will write to you after I arrive in the capital."
The two bid each other a reluctant farewell, and Zhao Yi left that afternoon with Tan Ji and Lord Hou.
That evening, Zhao Yi was absent from the dinner table, and the whole family was somewhat depressed.
Zhao Xile said, "Why does Father always have to leave? Why can't he stay at home with me?"
“You have your own things to do, and your father has his own things to do too!” Jiang Bai patiently explained to her.
Zhao Xile pouted and shook her head: "What could be more important than me?"
Jiang Bai did not answer.
She thought to herself: It must be a major event concerning the peace and prosperity of the country.
Lying in bed at night, she was still thinking about it.
What exactly is Zhao Yi's identity? Why would a high-ranking official like Lord Hou kneel before him?
Why does the Emperor need his help?
All of this surrounded her like a mystery.
After Zhao Yi returned, Jiang Bai never asked him what he was doing. At first, it was to avoid danger and prepare for the divorce. Presumably, Zhao Yi was also wary of her. The two of them never reviewed letters in the same place. Later, as Jiang Bai's business grew bigger and bigger, she had no time to care about other people's affairs.
Aside from the initial pile of silver notes Zhao Yi gave her, Jiang Bai had never been involved in anything related to him. On the contrary, Zhao Yi often interfered in her affairs, and even the accountant at the medicinal cuisine restaurant was recommended by Zhao Yi.
The information they shared was so unequal that Jiang Bai began to have doubts about the relationship again.
Is Zhao Yi the same reliable and composed person he appears to be at home, or does he have a second face?
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