Chapter 243: Twins
Amidst the laughter, Xu Ying appeared at the doorway. "Miss, Lady Shaoyao requests your presence."
Hua Zhi's laughter faded, her eyes shimmering with amusement. "I suspect it's about those twins showing signs of movement. Little Six, come along and see as well."
The Sixth Prince pursed his lips. He understood why Sister Hua was laughing, and he knew this matter wasn't simple. But... he bore the surname Gu, and he saw what other members of the Gu family couldn't. As a prince, he couldn't pretend to be oblivious.
These common people performed Statute Labor for the Great Qing Dynasty every year, yet the dynasty couldn't even provide them with basic security. How could their hearts ever align with the regime?
Well-versed in historical records, he knew that any dynasty in history that lost the people's support never lasted long. Just as Sister Hua often said in her lectures: "Better a dog in peace than a man in chaos." He sincerely wished for the same.
Shui Guang Village stood by the sea, its houses all two-story stone buildings. The inn was no exception—the ground floor for personal use, the upper floor serving as guest rooms, totaling no more than five or six rooms. With nine people in Hua Zhi's party and her never being one to endure discomfort, she simply booked out the entire place so everyone could stay comfortably. The siblings were arranged in the room at the very end, originally occupied by Bao Xia.
Dark clouds pressed down outside, making the interior even gloomier. The scent of medicine mixed with the metallic tang of blood assailed Hua Zhi, causing her some discomfort. She paused at the doorway before continuing inside.
"Are they awake?"
"The younger brother is awake, but the sister isn't yet." Shaoyao's expression was grim. While the brother's injuries were objectively more severe—especially the unspeakable area where fresh wounds layered over old ones, leaving a bloody mess—in this short time she had come to understand that it was this younger brother who had consistently protected his sister. This filled her with contempt; if he was so useless, he might as well be dead.
Bao Xia brought a four-legged stool to the bedside and helped her mistress sit down. When she moved to fetch another for the Sixth Prince, he shook his head, signaling her not to bother.
Hua Zhi studied the child who appeared no more than eleven or twelve years old. Though thin and frail, he couldn't conceal his handsome features. Remarkably, he lacked the local people's sallow complexion. Had he been born into a wealthy family, he would have been a fine young master, but being born into an ordinary commoner household had become his tragedy.
"Cao Dahai is dead."
The child's eyes flickered, but his wariness didn't diminish.
Hua Zhi didn't mind, maintaining her gentle tone. "Where is your home? I'll send someone to find your family."
The child remained silent, beads of sweat faintly visible on his forehead.
Hua Zhi continued, "We won't stay here long. We'll leave by the day after tomorrow at the latest. If you don't speak up, I'll have no choice but to hand you and your sister over to Shopkeeper Wu—Wu Zheng of An Tai Fishing Firm. Do you know of him?"
Perhaps Wu Zheng's reputation had an effect, as the child gave a slight nod.
"Good. I'll ask Wu Zheng to come by once he's finished his work."
"We have none."
Hua Zhi didn't respond, quietly waiting for the child to continue.
"We have no family left." The child's Mandarin was barely intelligible. "If we stay here, we'll die."
As he spoke, the child struggled to push himself up. Only when Hua Zhi saw him changing position did she realize what he intended to do. She quickly motioned for Xu Ying to step forward and help him lie back down. "Just speak while lying down."After moving a little, the child's breathing became rapid, and some color returned to his face. He didn't know who these people were or what their status was, but this beautiful person had eyes that made him want to cry when he met their gaze. He hadn't cried even at his most desperate moments, yet now he felt like weeping.
Don't cry, he told himself in his heart. If he died, he died, but if he died, his timid sister wouldn't survive either. Without him, she couldn't make it.
The child quietly took several deep breaths and struggled to speak in the official language he had only heard but never used before, "I... I beg you to take us away from here. Even if we're sold as slaves or servants, it's fine, as long as we can leave this place."
His voice trembled, and Hua Zhi felt a pang of sorrow listening to him. How desperate must one be to prefer being sold into servitude rather than staying in their hometown? They truly had no way to survive here.
"Focus on recovering from your injuries first." Hua Zhi didn't immediately agree to his request. She stood up and said, "Wait until your sister wakes up, and the two of you can discuss it properly."
Seeing the child's anxious and fearful eyes, Hua Zhi softened her tone further, "I promise you, whether you stay or leave, I will help you."
The child clutched the blanket, wanting to say more, but held back for fear of annoying the noble lady. There will be another chance, he comforted himself inwardly.
Returning to her room, Hua Zhi called Xu Ying to her side, "Go summon Chen Er."
"Yes."
Chen Er had been extremely busy, but upon hearing that the young lady needed him, he immediately dropped everything and rushed over.
Hua Zhi smiled when she saw him, "Good fortune brings joy. It seems Manager Chen is about to be promoted. Congratulations."
"All thanks to the young lady's blessings." Chen Er bowed sincerely.
Hua Zhi accepted the bow without modesty and gestured for Manager Chen to sit down before asking about the twins.
Chen Er was taken aback, "They're still alive?"
"Manager Chen knows them?"
"What a tragedy." Chen Er shook his head, "This is actually a shameful matter from our Shui Guang Village. Cao Dahai originally took a fancy to the twins' mother. Their father was too cowardly and just watched as his wife was taken away. The woman hanged herself the next day. When the siblings went to collect her body, Cao Dahai saw them. They haven't been able to return home since then. It's been nearly a year now, I thought they had long since..."
This world truly has all kinds of disgusting things, Hua Zhi thought as she lightly smoothed her clothes, her expression calm. "What about the man?"
"He lived with alcohol as his companion and died six months ago. The fishermen only found his boat."
Shaoyao snorted from the side, her expression clearly saying "serves him right."
Bao Xia half-coaxed, half-pulled her away. Hua Zhi withdrew her gaze and continued asking, "Does their family have any other members?"
"There are indeed others." Chen Er hesitated for a moment but still told the truth, "I dare not deceive you, young lady. All the women rescued from Yu Shun Fishing Firm today... have died."
Hua Zhi stood up and walked to the window. The crowd had already dispersed, and people were moving about below. Whether it was an illusion or not, even through the umbrellas, she felt their steps were light, as if the deaths of those women had nothing to do with them, nothing to do with the customs of this place.
She couldn't even blame them for treating human life lightly. Here, women's lives were probably the least valuable, but the anger in her heart simply wouldn't subside.
"In that case, I'll take them with me."
Chen Er bowed deeply, "The young lady will surely be rewarded for her good deeds."Hua Zhi curled her lips slightly. Good people usually don't live long, and she had always wanted to be someone who minded her own business and stayed aloof. However, she simply couldn't stand by and watch people die when she knew staying would cost them their lives.
PS: When has Kong Kong ever abandoned any characters?
Suddenly remembered a book I read long ago called "Scavenger" by Zao Dou. It seems the author hasn't written for quite some time either. Her books are all quite good, with a very pure and beautiful feeling. Girls might want to check them out. I particularly like her "When the Wind Rises." Content warning: This is BL (boys' love) fiction.
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