Chapter 3041 - 3042: Together Yet Apart

Chapter 3041: Chapter 3042: Together Yet Apart

Bai Ruozhu nodded at Madam Zhong, "Thank you, Madam. However, we cannot stay here forever. I bear an Imperial Decree, and it is not good to defy it. I just hope that when we need to leave, the Zhong Family’s clan elders won’t stop us, otherwise we will have to argue based on reason."

Arguing based on reason was a polite way to say they wouldn’t back down in terms of reason, but Bai Ruozhu was more indicating that they wouldn’t yield in action and might actually face off against the Zhong Family.

Out of respect for Ao Song, she didn’t put it too bluntly.

"I will discuss it with Songsong’s father," Madam Zhong said with a worried expression, evidently indicating that the clan elders of the Zhong Family would be difficult to deal with.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t insist. They had been helping all along, but ultimately, the situation within the Zhong Family was complex.

"Master, Tu Ying and Ao Qi have arrived and are now outside the Zhong Family Gate," Jianqi came to report.

Bai Ruozhu’s eyes lit up, "Tu Ying is here?"

She hadn’t seen Tu Ying for a long time and had been missing Tu Ying. She had thought she would only reunite with Tu Ying in Gaochang City, but unexpectedly, Tu Ying was eager to see her and had specially sought her out.

Jianqi nodded, "It seems the Zhong Family isn’t allowing them in, nor are they allowing you out."

Bai Ruozhu’s face sank, they really were treating them like prisoners. Were they trying to force her to break off relations?

"Let’s go take a look," she said.

Ao Song looked at her mother, "Mother, it’s Sister Ruozhu’s friends who have come. Please tell father, don’t let those old men block them."

"Alright, I’ll go find your father right away," Madam Zhong nodded at Bai Ruozhu and hurriedly left.

"Sister Ruozhu, I apologize for causing trouble for you," Ao Song said, feeling even more ashamed.

"It’s not your fault, it’s because I know too much," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, taking her hand proactively, "Let’s go meet Tu Ying. She will often stay in Gaochang City in the future, so you two can have more interactions."

Ao Song felt even more touched, seeing that Ruozhu wasn’t angry with her, and even wanted to introduce a good friend to her.

When the group arrived at the Zhong Family’s entrance, they found the Main Gate tightly locked, with guards blocking it.

"There is an order within the family that the Main Gate remain closed and not be opened to outsiders," the guard said loudly.

"Is this how the Zhong Family treats guests?" Bai Ruozhu asked with a stern expression.

"The order came from the Assembly Hall, guests are asked not to trouble us," the guard said, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. His voice was loud, and his breath long and steady, indicating he was a practitioner with deep inner strength.

Ao Song stepped forward, "Who gave that order? Open the gate and let them in, I will take responsibility."

"Lady Ao Song, please do not make things difficult for us," the guard replied, still unperturbed.

Outside, Tu Ying’s voice could be heard, "Sister Ruozhu! Are you all okay? What is the meaning of this from the Zhong Family?"

Hearing Tu Ying’s voice made Bai Ruozhu somewhat excited, yet her heart felt unsettled. After such a long separation and finally reuniting, she could only hear her voice beyond the wall. What kind of situation was this?

"The Zhong Family seems to want to imprison us, so this might mean we’ll have to break ties today," Bai Ruozhu said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Ao Song became anxious and decided to take action.

"I told you to open the gate, didn’t you understand?" She shouted and launched an attack towards the guard.

If she was the one to act, it would at most mean defying family orders and facing some Family Law punishment, but if Bai Ruozhu acted, it would really mean breaking ties with the Zhong Family.

This was something Ao Song wished to avoid; she would definitely stand by Bai Ruozhu’s side, but she didn’t want to make things difficult for her parents.

"Be careful, let me help you," the Astrologer, who had been silent all this while, also joined the attack.