The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 195 : Hurt

Translated by : Mazu

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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Trigger Warning: suicide.

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While the guards exchanged looks, Jiang Ruan walked up to the person and stopped in front of them. Jiang Ruan lowered her head to look down at the person and inquired in a low voice, "Bai Zhi, you don't dare to look me in the eyes?"

The guards who were standing to the side were startled. All the subordinates in the Jinying Wangfu were familiar with Bai Zhi as she had come with the Young Furen as a dowry maid. Aside from Tian Zhu who was originally Xiao Shao's, Jiang Ruan's four maids were all well-known within the Wangfu. Usually, Bai Zhi was the calmest and quietest in temperament amongst the four, and she was also the most charming and beautiful. Many of the guards had come over to deliver things in the hopes of winning her over. Bai Zhi had also obtained Jiang Ruan's trust and had been her oldest companion maid since Jiang Ruan was little. Since the set up to catch a mole had been arranged by Jiang Ruan, when they heard Bai Zhi's name the guards were all taken aback.

Even though the person on the ground did not respond right away, Jiang Ruan was neither anxious nor impatient; instead, she calmly and amicably waited. After some time, the person finally tidied up their clothes and slowly stood up, revealing a familiar face.

Bai Zhi's facial expression was as gentle and composed as usual, as if she had just finished a task for Jiang Ruan. Furthermore, there was no sign of the panic associated with being caught. She simply looked at Jiang Ruan and remarked, "Miss, you're so smart to have apprehended me."

"This. . ." When the guards realised that the person was indeed Bai Zhi, they were all perplexed and stared at her as though she were someone unfamiliar to them, but nonetheless still wary that she might do something to harm Jiang Ruan. Just then, Lian Qiao and the others who had heard the news dashed over and were shocked when they saw Bai Zhi surrounded by the guards. Being an impatient person, Lu Zhu wasted no time in asking, "Bai Zhi Jiejie, how could it be you?"

Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi had grown up together and naturally had a strong bond of friendship. When Lian Qiao came upon this scene, even with the shock the first thing that came to mind was that Bai Zhi had been wronged. She asked anxiously, "What exactly is going on? Bai Zhi, is this all some big misunderstanding? Miss is here and she will definitely help you clear your name. Speak up quickly."

She was really and truly anxious and quickly wanted to help Bai Zhi get rid of the accusation because in Lian Qiao's view, Bai Zhi had no reason to harm Jiang Ruan, let alone being a mole as reported by the informant. However, Bai Zhi did not provide the clarification she had hoped for. She simply smiled and said, "It's not a misunderstanding. I'm the mole that was planted by Miss' side. She is always perceptive and this time is no exception. She did not apprehend the wrong person." She glanced at Lian Qiao before murmuring, "I'm sorry I lied to all of you."

"How is this even possible?" Lian Qiao, unable to stay calm, grabbed Bai Zhi's sleeve. She was agitated, and regardless of the number of people present she held nothing back. "You and I have cared for Miss since we were children, and everyone could see how well you took care of her. At that time, in the rural residence you were so devoted to helping Miss deal with others. Thus, after all these years, I am qualified to talk about your character. Bai Zhi, are you facing some kind of hidden difficulty*? You and I have been friends for many years, and Miss regards you as her own. If you tell her, Miss will definitely help you. Has something happened to you?"

*难言之隐 (nányánzhīyǐn) – a hidden trouble hard to mention (idiom); something too embarrassing to mention.

Bai Zhi paused briefly, before exerting some strength to push Lian Qiao's hand away from her sleeve. "I have nothing to say and I don't have any hidden difficulties. Since you do not trust me, do you not trust Miss? When has she ever captured the wrong person?"