Blossom in Adversity

C129. My Maternal Uncle.

Chapter 129: My Maternal Uncle

Having finally gotten the chance to chat with Hua Zhi like this, Gu Yanxi continued on the same topic, "I don't think Bai Mingxia will just keep putting up with this."

"He's a smart man. He won't do anything that would harm both himself and his enemy." In a society so heavily reliant on clan structures, an individual can't accomplish much on their own. Clan power is too great. If Bai Mingxia were to do something that harmed the interests of his clan, he would also find himself without a place to stand.

"But what if his concessions only lead to the other party becoming even more demanding?"

Even a clay figure will lose its temper eventually. If it were her, she would simply make sure everyone had a miserable time. Hua Zhi propped her head up with one hand and gently stroked Lin Ying, who kept poking its head into the carriage.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, warming her skin. The various sounds of the street filtered in, sometimes distant, sometimes close. Suddenly, Hua Zhi found that this ordinary, everyday life was rather pleasant.

Although she had no so-called freedom, no variety of entertainment, no convenient transportation, and even her life was in the hands of the monarch, Hua Zhi still felt good. At least here, she had people she cared about and was willing to protect.

Gu Yanxi lightly squeezed the horse's flanks, bringing Lin Ying closer. He took an oil-paper package from one of his subordinates and passed it through the window. "A signature pastry from Yunlai Restaurant. Try it and see if it's better than what your maids make."

Hua Zhi had a natural love for good food. In her past life, no matter where she traveled for work, she always made time to taste the local cuisine. Coincidentally, she had a keen palate and could almost guess the ingredients used in a dish after just one bite.

With her culinary guidance and Fu Dong's skilled hands, the master and servant had indeed produced many delicious dishes over the years, making the snacks in the Green Moss Alley pale in comparison.

The pastries were beautifully presented. Each small piece, crispy and golden on the outside, revealed a burst of juice when bitten into.

Was that… peach flesh?

And the next one was surprising - pine nuts...

Each pastry contained a different filling, and Hua Zhi understood why some people created rare delicacies like five-nut mooncakes. When it came to food, the essence of culinary arts had been honed in China for over five thousand years.

The flavors were truly delightful.

Hua Zhi lifted the front curtain of the carriage and instructed, "Xu Jie, go back to Yunlai Restaurant buy some more pastries."

Xu Jie hesitated before turning back, "Miss, Yunlai Restaurant doesn't sell pastries to take away."

The horse's head at the window was nudged open, and a well-proportioned hand with a bundle of oil paper parcels was held out.

Amidst a myriad of emotions, Hua Zhi stifled them all and took the oil paper package, whispering, "Mr. Lu always knows what I like."

"Because I knew you'd love it!" Gu Yanxi patted the horse, Lin Ying, who was snorting beside him, and casually boasted, "My master has a big face and can buy anything."

Hua Zhi thought of the masked man with a long bow on that rainy night and wondered why he hadn't stopped Mr. Lu and the Shao Yao from having dealings with the Hua family.

"I personally prefer the pastries made by your servant, they are more delicious."

"They each have their own charm. If these pastries are slightly improved, the taste will be even better. I'll have Fu Dong make some adjustments and send them to Uncle Bai as a token of appreciation."