Bao Xia was directing people to carry baskets of beef inside when she saw Shaoyao running back. She hurriedly said, "Miss Shaoyao, you've come at the right time. The person delivering the beef said they want to see you."
See her? Could The Heir have some instructions? Shaoyao quickly ran to the back door. When she saw the person, her eyes nearly popped out, and afraid she might be mistaken, she lifted the hem of the Veiled Hat.
"Hey... Master... Ah, why are you here?"
Everyone around The Heir knew their master treated Shaoyao differently. Those aware of the inside story held a subtle respect for Shaoyao, and they were all accustomed to her casual manner around The Heir—this was entirely due to his indulgence.
The Heir signaled for her to follow him. After they moved further away, he said in a low voice, "Recommend me to Hua Zhi as Wu Xiansheng."
"No, I won't. Hua Hua is my friend. You can't scheme against her."
"What does she have that's worth my scheming? Or do you want a stranger to enter the Hua family and stir up trouble?"
Shaoyao frowned in distress. "That might not happen either. Hua Hua said she would ask her maternal grandfather to help find someone, and they'll definitely invite someone trustworthy."
"Do you trust them?"
"I haven't even met the person, how could I trust them!"
"Then why are you still hesitating?"
Shaoyao felt something wasn't quite right, but under The Heir's urging, she had no choice but to bring him to see Bao Xia, who was waiting inside the gate.
Although Bao Xia was wary, she still held some trust in the person brought by Shaoyao. However, she couldn't make such a decision herself, so she asked the two to wait there while she immediately went to consult the young lady.
Shaoyao looked around and, like showing off a treasure, whispered proudly, "Do you know what Hua Hua is doing right now? She's acting as a teacher! So amazing—Hua Hua can do everything."
The Heir was eager to divert her attention, but he was also surprised by this. "Didn't they already hire a teacher?"
"There's one, but it's not enough to teach everyone. I went to listen earlier, and Hua Hua explained things so well that I wanted to be her student too, but I'm too old." After a moment of disappointment, Shaoyao became excited again. "Heir, Hua Hua gave me a special nickname! It's just between her and me—unique."
The Heir's gaze was somewhat complex. Seeing Shaoyao so happy made him happy for her too. Shaoyao wasn't easily fooled; she was naturally sharp and had never misjudged who was sincere or insincere toward her. Probably Hua Zhi treated her exceptionally well, which was why she couldn't stop thinking about her and smiled whenever she mentioned her.
Perhaps even Hua Zhi herself hadn't realized that her compassion for the weak was as innate as her fierceness toward enemies. That's why she would risk her life to protect the maids who grew up with her, treated the sincere and suffering Shaoyao with genuine kindness, and even showed softness toward him, whom others avoided at all costs.
As soon as Shaoyao's message came back, he never considered sending anyone else. He wanted to see up close what kind of person she was, to witness with his own eyes how the Hua family would transform under her hands, and to find out how she would deal with family members who held her back. Would she be heartbroken? And how ruthless could she be?
Someone like that probably wouldn't let others see her sadness even if she were hurt—he was inexplicably certain of this.
Seeing Shaoyao looking at him expectantly, urging him with her eyes to ask quickly, The Heir went along with her wishes and asked, "What name?""Caocao, she's Huahua and I'm Caocao." Shaoyao shook her head proudly, "Huahua says I'm just like grass - resilient, tenacious, and full of vitality."
The Heir didn't think this name was carelessly given. In his view, it was actually very thoughtful - without resilience, one couldn't survive in such circumstances; without tenacity, one couldn't live so happily after having their appearance ruined and losing all memories.
"It's a lovely name. May I call you Caocao from now on?"
"No, this name belongs only to Huahua."
A faint smile appeared in The Heir's eyes as he looked up at the approaching figure.
Shaoyao also noticed and happily went forward to meet her. "What did Huahua say?"
Bao Xia curtsied to The Heir. "The young lady said that since this gentleman is Shaoyao's companion, he naturally differs from others. Please follow me, sir."
This side gate directly connected to the front courtyard and wasn't far. After just a few steps, Shaoyao suddenly had an epiphany - wait, this wasn't right! They could have sent one of their own people, so how would this disturb the Hua family? The Heir had deceived her!
Shaoyao secretly glared at The Heir, who turned away pretending not to see.
Bao Xia led them to the main hall. After a maid served tea, she curtsied again. "The young lady will need a moment before she can come. Please wait here, sir. As there are many female family members in the residence, I must ask you not to wander around."
"I will certainly abide by the rules."
Throughout their walk, Bao Xia had been observing the interaction between Shaoyao and this man. Confirming their genuine good relationship eased her mind somewhat. Having a strange man in the household worried not only Old Madam but also those serving the young lady. If anything happened, the young lady would bear all responsibility.
"Shaoyao, the young lady requests that you accompany this gentleman. I'm going to the kitchen to see what Fu Dong has prepared."
"Will you bring some to me when it's ready?"
Bao Xia covered her mouth with a laugh. "Of course. The young lady has long instructed that whatever Fu Dong makes, a portion must be delivered to you, Shaoyao."
Shaoyao's eyes curved into happy crescents. "Huahua is the best."
After seeing Bao Xia off, Shaoyao threw off her Veiled Hat, her grievance almost tangible. "You deceived me!"
"I would never harm her."
"But you can't stay at the Hua family every day!" Shaoyao plopped down beside him. "You have to travel all over for missions, frequently entering the palace too. What will happen to Huahua then? She can't serve as Wu Xiansheng."
"I will make proper arrangements."
Shaoyao couldn't really do anything to The Heir, so she could only sulk. She deeply regretted her decision, fearing she might bring trouble to her good friend - though this trouble specifically referred to when The Heir had missions. Most of the time, she actually felt more at ease with The Heir around.
The Clan school was also in the front courtyard, where the clear reading voices of young children could faintly be heard. The Heir stood up and walked to the doorway, watching servants coming and going along the covered corridors. There was no panic or unrest that typically followed family confiscation, nor any signs of unstable morale. It was as if the Hua family remained the prestigious household that once produced two Hanlin Academy scholars.
This was because she had promptly stepped forward to become the family's new backbone, he thought. The Hua family hadn't had time to descend into chaos before she led them through the crisis. Servants knew their duties, stewards knew whom to report to, and the reopening of the Clan school had restored the family's cohesion.
That woman had quietly extended this influence from the main family to the collateral branches. From what he knew, the other Hua families had become much more restrained recently.Two young maidservants approached, each carrying two plates of pastries. Keeping their heads bowed to avoid looking at the outside guests, they curtseyed and presented the snacks directly to Shaoyao. One of them even playfully winked at Shaoyao.
Shaoyao grinned and winked back. She got along splendidly with all the maidservants, young and old, in Hua Hua's courtyard.
Watching this scene from the side, The Heir's gaze softened further. Such casual ease was something he couldn't provide in his own residence.
PS: Hehe, excited, girls?
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