Shaoyao wore a woebegone expression. "Hua Hua didn't cry. She only said that if the Hua family no longer needed her, she would leave."
"...When did I assign you the task of making her cry?"
"You said we should let Hua Hua vent her emotions, but she didn't."
Gu Yanxi rubbed his temples. "What's the matter with your master? Can Wu Yong's poison not be cured?"
"The poison can be cured. Master said one portion of the black spider silk poison in his possession is missing, but he doesn't know when it disappeared, much less who took it. He said after leaving the estate, he hasn't had contact with any suspicious individuals. It's highly likely the poison was lost within the estate."
The warmth in Gu Yanxi's eyes instantly vanished. "There's a traitor among us?"
"Yes." Forgetting her fear, Shaoyao charged before Yan Ge with murderous intent. "When we find the person, hand them over to me!"
Gu Yanxi remained noncommittal. Compared to that, he'd rather personally flay the traitor alive.
"The Heir!" Shaoyao grew so anxious she even changed her form of address.
"Fine, you can use them for drug testing."
Only then was Shaoyao satisfied, her expression and aura returning to calm, once again appearing as if nothing in the world concerned her.
Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze to the gleaming silver hairpin in his hand. The only one who could remain consistent through and through was probably Hua Zhi. When content as a daughter of the Hua family, she wouldn't even show her face, willingly living freely in her small world. But when she took charge of the household, she became sharp and formidable, completely indifferent to others' opinions.
Shaoyao herself didn't remember how extreme her personality could be, but he remembered. That person who, even in childhood, would rather destroy herself than drag her bullies into hell—how could she truly be as pure and kind as she appeared before Hua Zhi?
People like them weren't qualified for purity and kindness.
"Yan Ge, I want to celebrate the New Year with Hua Hua."
Gu Yanxi looked up. "Bring plenty of supplies. Take whatever she needs."
"Yes, I'll go then."
"If anyone comes claiming to be sent by me to summon you recently, pay them no mind. If I need you, I'll only send Chen Qing."
Shaoyao frowned. "The Prince's estate again? Is someone dying?"
"Whoever is dying deserves it. It has nothing to do with you or me."
"Yan Ge, I hate them." Even if she remembered nothing, the hatred seemed innate, taking root and growing stronger each day she saw them.
Though their appearances were completely different, no one would doubt they were siblings at this moment—their cold expressions, the curve of their lips, perfectly identical.
"Go find Chen Qing. Take whatever you think Hua Zhi might need."
"Yes, thank you Yan Ge." Shaoyao immediately beamed, running to the doorway before daring to lean against the doorframe and say, "Yan Ge, Hua Hua says she's not getting married. Do your best!"
She had already run far away by the time the words "do your best" left her mouth, afraid Yan Ge might vent his shame and anger on her—hahaha!
But Gu Yanxi didn't move. With the Great Qing dynasty facing impending turmoil, he didn't want to marry Hua Zhi at this time. Being bound by royal regulations would make everything inconvenient—certainly not what Hua Zhi would want.
Shaoyao hurried home briefly, returning with four horse-drawn carriages in tow. Bao Xia came to look and quickly went back to fetch her young mistress.
Hua Zhi's eyelids twitched at the sight of a premium coral tree crammed upside down in the corner. Chen Qing also couldn't bear to look—such wanton waste of precious items, and to embarrass themselves before their master's beloved like this!Yet Shaoyao was still clinging to Hua Zhi with an expression begging for praise, saying, "Hua Hua, I think you can use all of these. Do you like them? Do you like them?"
Hua Zhi resisted the urge to pinch her own cheek to test its thickness. When exactly had she given off the impression that she wanted to empty someone else's storeroom? The value of these items alone was enough for the Hua family to live comfortably for many years without doing anything.
Shaoyao took Hua Hua's silence as agreement and happily turned to call out, "Bao Xia, quickly have someone come and move these inside."
Bao Xia squinted with a smile but didn't move.
Hua Zhi stepped forward, picked up an inkstone placed on top, and said, "Berlin will like this one. As for the rest, please have the steward take them back."
"Hua Hua..." Shaoyao clung to her, about to make a fuss, but one light glance from Hua Hua made her freeze in place.
Chen Qing cleared his throat to suppress a laugh. "My master said all these were earned by Miss Shaoyao through her medical practice over the years. They don't belong to anyone else, and Miss Shaoyao is free to give them to whomever she wishes. Please feel at ease in accepting them, Miss Hua."
"I appreciate the sentiment," Hua Zhi said, pulling Shaoyao in front of her. "Two choices: stay with this inkstone, or leave with all these things."
Shaoyao hurriedly snatched the inkstone and hugged it to her chest, abandoning the cartloads of items as she dashed inside.
The maidservants all stifled their laughter.
A smile also surfaced in Hua Zhi's eyes as she bowed slightly to Chen Qing. "Thank you for your trouble, Steward Chen. Please take these things back. Shaoyao has a childlike temperament—if she tries something like this again, please stop her."
Chen Qing had long anticipated this outcome and wasn't surprised in the least. He merely pulled the last cart forward and lifted the raincloth covering it, revealing some fabrics, food items, and similar things. "These aren't worth much, but please accept this small token of our regard, Miss Hua."
Hua Zhi glanced at the plain-colored fabrics and nodded gently. "Thank you."
While the items were being carried inside, Hua Zhi quickly prepared a return gift for Chen Qing to take back. It included some canned goods, along with various pickled products and snacks made by Fu Dong—all things unavailable elsewhere.
"If your household enjoys them, just let Shaoyao know."
Chen Qing nodded with a smile. "Shaoyao always makes our mouths water with these. I'm afraid we might have to shamelessly ask for more someday."
"You're always welcome."
Hua Zhi returned to her room and couldn't help feeling helpless at Shaoyao's ingratiating expression. Ever since they'd met, she'd felt as if she were raising a daughter.
"Hua Hua..."
"I'm not angry," Hua Zhi smiled at her. "Do you really want to give me things?"
Shaoyao nodded repeatedly.
"Didn't you say you wanted to blend a unique incense for me? Give me that."
Shaoyao's eyes lit up. "You're right! I can blend many special incenses that are good for your health."
"Good."
Meanwhile, Gu Yanxi brought some pickled goods and snacks into the palace. After chatting with his grandmother for a while, he was summoned by the Emperor's messenger.
The Empress Dowager gradually faded her smile and sighed deeply. "Yu Xiang, do you think I should stop this or lend a helping hand?"
Yu Xiang pursed her lips in a light laugh. "I thought you had already given your silent approval long ago!"The Empress Dowager also smiled, then sighed again. "I'm truly conflicted in my heart. That girl's character is beyond reproach, and I don't care whether she's the daughter of a criminal. What's more, she shares old ties with me. But the Hua family... just their surname alone carries too much influence. If Xi'er marries this girl, I'm afraid it would be difficult to explain to the Emperor. Everything he has now is built upon the Emperor's trust in him. Once that trust is diminished, I fear he might..."
PS: Thank you, dear readers, for both the tips and monthly votes. Kongkong feels utterly ashamed! Will definitely double update today!
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