Chapter 27: Friend
Shaoyao arrived early in the morning again. Hua Zhi was leaning against the headboard, slowly eating her porridge. She had been consuming nothing but porridge and soup these past two days, and merely thinking of the delicacies Fu Dong usually prepared made her mouth water.
Upon hearing the announcement, she eagerly set down her bowl and had Nian Qiu tidy her up to receive the guest. Over the years, she had met countless ladies and young misses who were all cut from the same cloth, so she was quite curious about a woman like Shaoyao who was entirely different.
In this era dominated by men, few women could break free from the inner chambers and carve out a life of their own.
Shaoyao still wore her white Veiled Hat and carried a medicine chest, her steps neither hurried nor slow. She sat on the round stool by the bed, removed her Veiled Hat, and met Hua Zhi’s gaze directly.
It was indeed a face disfigured by a sharp weapon, yet Hua Zhi didn’t even blink. She had seen worse—faces covered in blood like vengeful ghosts. In comparison, this woman, surrounded by the scent of medicine with clear, lucid eyes, seemed as though she were seated on a lotus throne.
After observing her for a moment, Shaoyao also found Hua Zhi quite agreeable and, unusually, revealed a smile. She took out a medicine pillow and placed it on the edge of the bed, gesturing for Hua Zhi to rest her hand on it.
“Your foundation is well-nourished. You’re recovering nicely.”
“Thanks to your medicine.”
“Of course. My medicine is priceless and hard to come by.”
Hua Zhi chuckled at Shaoyao’s matter-of-fact tone. “It seems I owe quite a debt, but the Hua family is currently penniless, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to repay it for now.”
“Yours is free.” Who would dare charge for medicine The Heir insisted on giving? Shaoyao then pulled out six porcelain bottles of various sizes from her medicine chest. Pointing to the largest one, she said, “For scars.”
Bao Xia was overjoyed and bowed sincerely. “This maid thanks Miss Shaoyao.”
Shaoyao nodded and pointed to the medium-sized bottle. “Apply.”
Then she pointed to the small bottle. “Take one pill daily.”
Hua Zhi sat up slightly and bowed. “Such great kindness need not be spoken—Hua Zhi will remember it in her heart.”
“I’m acting on someone’s behalf.” Shaoyao tilted her head and looked at her. “Do you want to know who?”
“Will you tell me?”
The Heir hadn’t said she couldn’t, but he also hadn’t told her to reveal it. Better not to say, then. Shaoyao shook her head. “I’ll go back and ask first.”
Hua Zhi nodded amiably. She didn’t particularly want to know who it was. Just from last night’s display, it was clear the person was no ordinary figure, and their identity likely had its complications—otherwise, they wouldn’t have covered their face with a black cloth. What the Hua family needed now was peace and stability, not more turmoil.
Moreover, they were clearly targeting last night’s assailant. The situation didn’t seem like a minor grudge. Still, gratitude was due.
“Do you always live here?”
“For now. I need to recover enough before returning.”
“Will you mind if I come every day?”
A smile warmed Hua Zhi’s eyes. Despite her ruined appearance, Shaoyao retained such an innocent heart—how rare. Even if Hua Zhi had her uses, it was evident her master had taken good care of her.
“As long as you’re willing to come, I’ll answer even if you knock at midnight.”
“Knocking at midnight is never a good thing. Don’t make promises lightly.” Shaoyao closed her medicine chest, her tone cheerful, seeming quite pleased. “I’ll come tomorrow.”
“My maid is an excellent cook. Come for breakfast.”
“Good. Then I’ll come even earlier.”
Bao Xia saw her out, making sure she was completely out of sight before Nian Qiu carefully stored the medicine bottles and murmured, “Miss Shaoyao seems aloof, but who would have thought she’s so good-natured.”"Not necessarily truly good-natured." It was merely that they had taken a liking to each other, hence being so amenable. Towards those they disliked, they might not be so accommodating. "Keep your subordinates in check, don't let anyone act presumptuously."
"Yes."
Upon returning, Shaoyao didn't even set down her medicine chest before rushing to the study. As long as he wasn't out, The Heir was usually here.
"You seem quite happy."
Though her expression hadn't changed much, having known her for years, The Heir could see a different sparkle in her eyes than usual.
Shaoyao nodded. "Happy. I'm going to have breakfast at Hua Zhi's tomorrow."
The Heir raised an eyebrow. Shaoyao was most sensitive to people's intentions. Aside from those around him whom she had known for years, she had no other acquaintances. Now that Hua Zhi had caught her eye, he was happy for her. "If you're pleased, you could stay there for a while."
Shaoyao considered it seriously but still shook her head. "You have a mission in a few days. I'll stay when you're free."
Looking at the crisscrossing scars on her face, The Heir inexplicably thought of Hua Zhi's fierce demeanor last night and suddenly understood why Shaoyao had taken a liking to her.
"Heir, can I tell her your identity?"
"Which identity? Did she inquire?"
Around those close to her, Shaoyao became more talkative. "She didn't ask. I asked if she wanted to know. She asked if I would tell her, and I said I needed to come back and ask you first."
Someone with such keen perception might not actually want to know. In the Hua family's current situation, associating with influential figures would not only bring no benefits but might also make the Emperor overthink things. What he could see through, Hua Zhi likely could as well, which was why she didn't ask and even deflected the question.
"No need to tell her. Just treat it as making a friend."
"Friend." Shaoyao repeated the word several times, her eyes growing brighter with each repetition. She jumped up happily twice, hugged her medicine chest, and turned to run off. "I'm going to make medicine!"
In the restored quiet of the study, The Heir set aside the case files with an inscrutable expression. Friend—what a luxurious word that was for him. As The Heir, he had none; as the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau, he certainly wouldn't have any either.
&&&
After lying in bed for another day, Hua Zhi insisted on getting up.
"The fruits are about to be harvested from the trees. Fleshy peaches have a short shelf life. If we don't prepare quickly, no matter how many we gather, they'll spoil." Lifting her arms to dress tugged painfully at her wounds, but she endured it stoically, not wanting to worry her maids who had already grown thinner from anxiety.
According to Bao Xia and the others' wishes, they would have loved to tie their young lady to the bed. But they also knew that the Hua family's already limited funds had been largely invested in this matter. If the young lady, newly in charge of the household, were to incur losses right away, it would be difficult for her to maintain authority later. For the long term, they dared not disrupt the young lady's important affairs.
They just felt heartache. Their meticulously cared-for young lady, whom they had served for over a decade—when had she ever suffered like this?
Nian Qiu carefully adjusted the hem of her clothes and said softly, "You just need to speak and think. For everything else, give orders. With so many people below, they can't all be idle."
"I won't be hard on my own body." If she had a choice, she would have preferred to lie in bed and recuperate. Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. Seeing a figure appear at the door, her face lit up with a smile. "Perfect timing. Liu Xiang, tell Fu Dong to serve breakfast."
"Yes."
Shaoyao entered the room, quite pleased that she could come and go unimpeded today."Why did you get up?" Holding her wrist to check her pulse, Shaoyao showed no sign of concern on her face.
"This injury won't heal anytime soon, but matters that need handling still must be attended to."
PS: Thank you for the monthly votes, ladies. It seems we've reached about forty votes now. Mwah to everyone.
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