Chapter 316: The Reverse Scale
Zeng Xian’s final wish was to be buried with his wife. Hua Yizheng assigned his youngest son to handle the matter. Since Zeng Han had fallen under Zhi Er’s care—and by extension, the Hua family—it was appropriate for them to take charge.
After the physician confirmed Zhi Er’s condition had improved, the Hua family tactfully dispersed, leaving only Wu Yong behind.
“The Seven Constellation Bureau will take over from here. Cooperate with them.”
“I’m more than willing,” Wu Yong replied, dragging a chair to sit below Gu Yanxi. “But, Heir, are you certain about this? You just dealt with the First Prince at the start of the year, and now you’re targeting the Second Prince… It is the Second Prince, isn’t it?”
Gu Yanxi remained silent.
Wu Yong didn’t mind—silence was answer enough. “The Emperor only has six sons. They can’t withstand your repeated purges. Don’t let the flames eventually consume you.”
“A prince who invites wolves into the house is better off discarded. Later, seek out Gu Chengde and ask if he’s uncovered any evidence or leverage. I’ll take all I can get.”
Wu Yong also wished for the Second Prince’s demise. The mere thought of such a person being a candidate for heir apparent made his scalp crawl. Yet, he felt the Heir was moving too recklessly; one misstep could arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.
He considered advising further, but seeing the Heir’s unshakable composure, he swallowed his words. A dragon has its reverse scale—touch it, and you die. Hua Zhi was likely the Heir’s reverse scale. Though Wu Yong didn’t know the Heir’s exact position in the Seven Constellation Bureau, it was surely high-ranking. Since the Heir had made this decision, he must have weighed all consequences. There was no need for Wu Yong to say more.
“What else do you need me to do?”
“They’ve operated at Yinshan Pass for years—they couldn’t have done nothing. Investigate.” Gu Yanxi looked over. “Make sure every charge is solid.”
“Understood.” Wu Yong stood and glanced at Hua Zhi, about to leave, when the door was kicked open with a bang. In strode a travel-worn figure, her veiled hat swaying—none other than Shaoyao.
Shaoyao tossed her hat aside, stormed to the bedside, shoved Gu Yanxi away, and immediately began taking Hua Zhi’s pulse. Soon, her anger turned to astonishment. “You used that medicine on Hua Hua?”
Without waiting for Gu Yanxi’s reply, her fury reignited. “How badly was Hua Hua injured? How could you let this happen?!”
Gu Yanxi endured her shouting—this was his fault, after all.
Sensing someone’s gaze, Shaoyao, still in no mood for pleasantries, glared directly at Wu Yong. “General Wu, you’re recovered? Then take it easy. Don’t overindulge and deplete your kidneys until you can’t even lift a sword.”
“…” Wu Yong felt so wronged he wanted to cry out for justice. Heaven knew, since the poison was cured, he had been extremely restrained, rarely visiting the rear courtyard even once every ten days or half a month—how could he be overindulging?
“Out, out! Why are you still standing here?” Shaoyao slung off her medical kit, rummaged through her bundle, ignoring items that fell to the floor, and busied herself with an array of bottles and jars.
Wu Yong glimpsed a bellyband among the items, then suddenly something flew toward his face. He leaned back just in time to avoid it. By the time he straightened up, the bellyband had vanished from the floor, and he was shoved out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him.
Gu Yanxi shot him a cold look. Wu Yong felt inexplicably guilty, rubbed his nose, and clasped his hands. “This official will take his leave to attend to matters.”
“Do not return unless necessary.”"Yes." Wu Yong responded with utmost eagerness. No need to come when there was nothing to do—that naturally meant he could come when there was something to handle. At a time like this, finding some business to attend to couldn't be easier.
Shaoyao's arrival allowed Gu Yanxi to breathe a sigh of relief. He didn't trust other physicians, but with Shaoyao keeping watch, he could finally attend to other matters.
Still, he needed to wait until Shaoyao had finished her diagnosis before he could leave with peace of mind.
The door opened again after what felt like an eternity. Shaoyao shot him a sidelong glance, her expression clearly displeased. "Do you remember how you scolded me last time when I failed to protect someone? Well, I'm giving every word of it back to you now!"
"How is A Zhi's condition?"
"If her condition were still bad after using that precious pill, you'd have every reason to weep." Though still somewhat huffy, most of Shaoyao's anger had subsided, and her words lost their sharp edge. "You had other medicines with you. Hua Hua's condition at the time shouldn't have reached the point where that particular pill was necessary."
"I couldn't think of anything else in the moment." The memory of A Zhi's lifeless state made his heart ache with every recollection. How could he possibly weigh which medicine was appropriate? All he could think was to use the very best.
Shaoyao felt torn between heartache for Hua Hua's injuries and pity for the torment her elder brother was enduring. She said bitterly, "Serves you right for not waiting for me! Serves you right for deliberately sending me away! Thank goodness Hua Hua is alright, otherwise..."
Wiping her reddened eyes, Shaoyao issued another stern warning: "In this lifetime, I'll only ever acknowledge one sister-in-law. If anything happens to her, you can remain a bachelor forever! I'll poison every woman who dares marry you!"
The door slammed shut once more. Only when alone did Shaoyao dare let her fear show. From the moment she entered the city, she had heard nothing but accounts about Hua Hua. After learning the full story, her legs grew so weak she couldn't even mount her horse, ultimately resorting to running the entire way here.
Others only knew Hua Hua as the head of the Hua family, but they didn't understand that for her and Yan Ge, Hua Hua was as essential as the water they needed to drink daily. Both she and Yan Ge clung to Hua Hua, desperately drawing sustenance from her to keep their spirits alive.
She could no longer remember how she managed each day before knowing Hua Hua, but she remembered every day after meeting her—those joyful, fulfilling moments when it felt like she was smiling constantly. Yan Ge had only begun to change toward her after meeting Hua Hua too. He had always treated her well before, but never with closeness. Later, he would pat her head, and it was from then on that she truly felt Yan Ge was her brother.
During her frantic run, she had thought: if Hua Hua were truly gone, if Hua Hua were really no more... she would preserve Hua Hua's body from decay and delve into obscure medical arts. Since the term "resurrection" existed, such a phenomenon must have occurred before. Her master said she had talent—perhaps she could actually achieve it.
But if Hua Hua were gone, what meaning would her own life hold? Better to join Hua Hua as companions. Maybe they could become ghost sisters, leaving Yan Ge to suffer alone. Though what if Yan Ge followed them? He would surely find a way to send her off again and monopolize Hua Hua. This time, she wouldn't fall for his tricks...
Thank goodness, thank goodness these wild thoughts could never become reality. Hua Hua was still alive!
As long as she lived, even if only by a thread of breath, Shaoyao could pull her back. Being ghost sisters could never compare to being sisters in life!Shaoyao climbed up and lay down beside Hua Hua, carefully avoiding her wounds as she held her close. Breathing in the familiar scent of medicine, her heartbeat, which had been erratic since entering the city, gradually steadied. The exhaustion from the hurried journey washed over her, and just before drifting into sleep, she hazily swore with determination: Whoever was behind this, making her Hua Hua suffer such severe injuries—just wait until she found out who they were!
PS: Third watch—isn't Kongkong amazing? Reaching out for the guaranteed monthly votes.
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