Yaxi was probably startled by Tang Feng’s attitude and didn’t react for a while. Fortunately, she was inherently a sensible girl. She quickly stood up straight, and her gaze became resolute.

"You’re right, I’m not blind, I shouldn’t be like this. Otherwise, my family would be even more upset seeing me this way."

She calmed down and hurriedly bowed to Bai Ruozhu, "Sister Ruozhu, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened to me."

Fangzi also calmed down, holding her hand, "I was really scared to death at the time. Thankfully, Sister Ruozhu and the others came."

Bai Ruozhu smiled, "I only found you because I heard your screams. Otherwise, it would have been quite a search."

"It was Hui Zi releasing the poisonous insects to frighten us, that’s why we screamed so loudly. She really got a taste of her own medicine. Right, where is Hui Zi?" Yaxi asked.

Fangzi’s eyes showed a hint of hatred, "Killed! She killed our maid, she deserved to pay with her life."

"Unfortunately, I fainted. Otherwise, I would have wanted to kill her myself!" Yaxi said through gritted teeth.

These delicate young noblewomen also had such a ruthless side, but in Bai Ruozhu’s eyes, they were clear about love and hate, never showing mercy to enemies.

She felt very gratified, knowing she wouldn’t have to worry about them being too soft and getting bullied in the future.

Soon, Fangzi and Yaxi’s families arrived. Fangzi’s father and second brother came personally and solemnly thanked Bai Ruozhu and the others before taking Fangzi home.

"Yaxi, take care of yourself. I’ll come see you again tomorrow." If Fangzi wasn’t worried about her frail mother, she wouldn’t have wanted to leave.

Yaxi smiled and said, "I’m fine. You shouldn’t wear yourself out either, go home and warm up. We all got a chill just now. Be careful not to catch a cold."

"Alright, I got it." Fangzi’s nose turned red, and she forced back the tears in her eyes.

Yaxi was always so considerate of her friends. Though she was afraid, she would bravely stand in front of Fangzi and thoughtfully look out for her, fearing Fangzi might fall ill because of all this.

Just like when she considered Hui Zi a friend and Hui Zi fell on her face, she didn’t care that the poetry competition was about to start but hurriedly ran to find the best ointment for Hui Zi’s injury. This was her sincere devotion to friends.

Bai Ruozhu especially appreciated this quality.

Just as Fangzi and the others left, Yaxi’s mother arrived.

"Yaxi, are you alright?" she rushed to her daughter’s side, asking anxiously.

Yaxi smiled, "Mother, I’m fine, thanks to Sister Ruozhu for saving me."

Bai Ruozhu saw Yaxi giving her a look, immediately understanding Yaxi didn’t want her mother to know, fearing the family would worry.

Yaxi’s mother bowed to Bai Ruozhu, "Lady Bai, I can’t thank you enough for this. I don’t even know what to say."

Bai Ruozhu quickly supported her, "Please, no need to be so formal. It’s what I should do. Although the poisonous insect in Yaxi has been cleared, she still needs to rest peacefully at home and avoid exhaustion or emotional agitation."

Yaxi’s mother’s face turned pale, "Poisonous insects? So it was that wretched Hui Zi!"

She gritted her teeth, as if wanting to choke Hui Zi to death.

"Mother, I’m already fine, Hui Zi is also dead, don’t worry too much about it." Yaxi advised.

Yaxi’s mother was finally relieved, saying with satisfaction, "Dead? Good riddance, she deserved it!"

She then looked at Bai Ruozhu once more, bowing formally, "Lady Bai, is it possible for Yaxi to stay in the posthouse and live with you for a few days?"

"Mother, is something wrong at home?" Yaxi’s heart tightened, "Why didn’t Father come?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Yaxi’s mother looked troubled, "I have to ask you to stay calm, Lady Bai said you can’t get agitated."

"Just tell me already." Yaxi urged.

"Today at the court assembly, someone proposed that General Chisong withdraw his troops from the Imperial Palace, which was against protocol. Your father and some senior ministers agreed, but soon after the assembly ended, they were all beaten up. Your father’s head has a big gash. He’s seen a doctor, it’s not too serious, but the doctor said he should avoid drafts and ideally not move around for now." Yaxi’s mother sighed.

Yaxi gasped and then took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.

"General Chisong will eventually get what’s coming to him." She said firmly.

"Don’t worry, he’s already getting his due. He and Hui Zi were working for Song Yi. I think he’s either controlled by Song Yi or plotting something with him. Song Yi is known for breeding poisonous insects and surely wouldn’t miss the opportunity to control Chisong. Chisong won’t have a good end." Bai Ruozhu said.

Yaxi’s mother sighed, "I’ve seen that Song Yi before. He used to be a meek little officer, hiding this deeply no one expected it. Lady Bai, I’m really afraid he has other plots, so I want Yaxi to stay by your side for a few days. I’m not able to protect her myself, I can only beg you."

As she spoke, she tried to bow again, but Bai Ruozhu held her up.

"No need for such courtesy, let Yaxi stay at the posthouse. Come back for her in a few days." Bai Ruozhu agreed.

"Mother, I want to go back and take care of Father." Yaxi objected.

"Don’t be ridiculous. I can take care of your father. If you come back, I can’t handle everything. Only if you’re well can your father and I be at ease." Yaxi’s mother’s eyes reddened; these days have truly been difficult times.

After seeing Yaxi’s mother off, Bai Ruozhu arranged a place for Yaxi to stay and instructed her to rest well.

She suddenly looked at Tang Feng, her face blushing.

"I heard that it was Lord Tang who... carried me back. Thank you." Clearly she meant he "carried" her back but felt embarrassed, changing it to "brought" at the last moment.

Tang Feng smiled, "It’s nothing, you just rest well. Don’t waste our efforts coming to rescue you in the middle of the night."

"Yes, I’ll take good care of myself." Yaxi quickly replied.

Bai Ruozhu’s gaze moved back and forth between the two, spinning several times before she chuckled lowly.

Jiang Yichun, with a face full of lines, pulled her back into the room, "Anyone who knows you would think you’re trying to matchmake again; anyone who doesn’t might think you’re up to something bad."

"I smell the scent of romance." Bai Ruozhu grinned mischievously.

Jiang Yichun was helpless, "Your words could cause trouble. Be careful or Tang Feng might turn against you."

"Alright, alright. The scent of genuine feelings, is that better? You know, Tang Feng is not young anymore. He really should meet a girl who truly cares for him." Bai Ruozhu commented, suddenly feeling like a worried elder meddling in her own child’s affairs.

"Better not to meddle with matchmaking blindly. Yaxi is a Fusang girl, and she’s very filial. How could she leave with Tang Feng?" Jiang Yichun suddenly remarked.

Bai Ruozhu bit her lip, feeling troubled. That truly was a big issue.