Fangzi looked at Bai Ruozhu in surprise, "How is this possible? They are such good friends, what if Yaxi reports us again?"

"So let’s give it a try first. It’s not impossible that some people may have a soft heart and are unwilling to retaliate even when continually framed." Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow. Such people are called ’Saints’, but Yaxi should not be one of them.

"Alright, but we still need to be careful. I’m afraid of being found out..." Fangzi blushed a little, after all, this wasn’t a very honorable matter.

Bai Ruozhu smirked, "If there’s a slip-up, you have to pretend you know nothing. This was all arranged by me alone."

"How can that be!" Fangzi exclaimed, "You’re helping me."

"I just can’t stand her, and I’m merely serving justice." Bai Ruozhu said with a sly smile.

Actually, when she was studying abroad in Mi Country, she encountered someone like Hui Zi. They were both Chinese descendants and she thought they could support each other. However, that person slandered her behind her back, and later nobody wanted to team up with her for projects, almost making her doubt her life, thinking she had the worst interpersonal skills.

Fortunately, since she had studied ancient Chinese medicine with Grandpa since childhood, a professor happened to be researching herbal medicine, allowing her to smoothly join the project. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Later, she discovered the truth, but due to a combination of cowardice and busyness, she chose to swallow her anger. But every time she thought about it, she felt very vexed. She clearly did nothing wrong and wasn’t like that, so why was she ostracized?

She regretted not standing up to resist back then, so when she saw such scheming people now, she didn’t want to let them act arrogantly like before.

"Alright, you rest at home first. Yaxi also sent me an invitation a few days ago. I’ll go see her today." Bai Ruozhu said, getting up to leave.

Fangzi was a little worried but, considering Bai Ruozhu had already made a decision, she didn’t know how to persuade her further.

Bai Ruozhu took a horse carriage after stepping out, and it didn’t take long to reach Yaxi’s home.

After the servants announced her arrival, they led her into the main hall, where Yaxi and her mother were present. They warmly welcomed her and inquired about her health.

Bai Ruozhu answered each question with a smile, and Yaxi’s mother, being smart, said with a smile, "You young ladies will feel stifled inside. Go take a walk in the garden, I won’t disturb your girl talk."

Her tone was teasing, but it instantly brought Bai Ruozhu and Yaxi closer, as expected from a gracious lady of Kyoto.

Bai Ruozhu paid her respects and went to the garden with Yaxi.

"Lady Bai, you should have heard, right?" Yaxi asked cautiously.

Bai Ruozhu smiled, "We’re friends now. I should be a bit older than you, so just call me Sister Ruozhu in private."

"Alright, Sister Ruozhu," Yaxi said boldly.

"Are you asking about the Fangzi family’s matters?" Bai Ruozhu inquired.

Yaxi nodded, "I shouldn’t meddle in others’ affairs, but I’ve understood a lot recently, and it’s become so clear, I’m really worried Fangzi’s family might be in trouble. I used to believe slander and picked on Fangzi a lot. Now I feel very guilty and always think about making it up to her."

Bai Ruozhu smiled, "You’re straightforward, admitting your faults and knowing how to correct them."

Yaxi blushed, "Sister Ruozhu, you don’t know how arrogant I was before, I said awful things about Fangzi. I even... I even..."

She looked embarrassed, "Once, I deliberately tripped her, making her disgrace herself in public."

Bai Ruozhu covered her mouth and laughed, "Girls will have little tiffs; it’s good you’re willing to admit your mistakes."

"But this time it’s different, she actually harmed Fangzi’s second brother during such an important event like a wedding, is this a game? Even if she marries into Fangzi’s family, wouldn’t it ruin not only their peace but her lifelong happiness too?" Yaxi seemed saddened, showing some empathy for Hui Zi.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled, "I heard Watanabe proposed to your family, but after your mother declined, he sought Fangzi’s hand in marriage. I wonder what’s going on here. In the refuge cave the other day, Hui Zi spoke well for Watanabe."

"He’s without class, too selfish, I don’t want to marry someone like that, and surely Fangzi wouldn’t either," Yaxi fumed.

"It’s just unclear who said what to Fangzi’s father, this engagement is about to be accepted." Bai Ruozhu deliberately sighed.

Yaxi’s eyes widened in shock, "Did I end up harming Fangzi again?"

"It’s not your fault. I think Watanabe and Hui Zi make a pair, don’t you?" Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow.

Yaxi, not dull, quickly understood Bai Ruozhu’s implication and remained silent for a while.

"I tell you this because I see you as a friend. I know you feel some sympathy for Hui Zi, so I wanted to give you a heads-up to avoid hurting our relationship over this. But I’m sure to help the Fangzi family; after all, her second brother is innocent, right?" Bai Ruozhu said with a serious tone.

"Let me think about it, alright? I’ll think it over," Yaxi said, hesitating.

Bai Ruozhu got up to leave, smiling, "Don’t feel burdened, this matter is solely my plan."

After Bai Ruozhu left, Yaxi went to her mother and relayed what Bai Ruozhu said.

Yaxi’s mother frowned, "My usual habit is to avoid offending anyone. If you get involved, you’ll inevitably offend Hui Zi’s family."

"But if I do nothing, I might lose Sister Ruozhu and Fangzi as friends," Yaxi furrowed her brow tightly.

"When it comes time to choose, you need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself, or follow your heart." Yaxi’s mother gazed into the distance, lost in thought, "No one in this world can please everyone. As long as the ones you care about think well of you, that’s enough."

The next day Bai Ruozhu received another invitation from Yaxi and knew she had made up her mind.

"Sister Ruozhu, I must help Fangzi, and I must stop Hui Zi from continuing like this. What should I do?" Yaxi promptly asked upon seeing Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu smiled, "You just need to invite some ladies for a gathering, either to admire flowers or a poetry conference; you don’t have to worry about anything else."

"Will she have a ruined reputation?" Yaxi hesitated to proceed.

"Yes, but she brought it upon herself. Didn’t she scheme against Fangzi’s second brother, ruining his reputation?" Bai Ruozhu didn’t hide the truth.

Yaxi gritted her teeth, "I understand."

On the third day, many women in the Capital received invitations from Yaxi for a poem gathering. Such gatherings were not uncommon and were often held at the Yinfeng Garden in the Capital, so many people did not find it strange and began planning to attend the meeting in three days.