Blossom in Adversity

C138. Cousins.

Chapter 138 Cousins

Yang Sui'an looked at his cousin, and on the other side, Hua Zhi seemed to sense his gaze and looked back at him, smiling.

Yang Sui'an smiled back, saying, "With my cousin's help, I have my confidence. I believe most people at the Yang's house would be happy if I didn't return. As for Grandfather, I will make time to visit him."

"Sui'an..."

"Mother, this is fine. I would rather owe my cousin than rely on the Yang family for survival."

Hua Xian stared at her son, then at her mother, unsure of what to do.

"The eldest granddaughter can handle more than you think. She protects her own. You are her aunt; as long as she is here, she will protect you. You don't need to worry about the Hua family. They won't watch you struggle."

Hua Xian's heart raced, words of consent and separation bouncing in her chest. She forced them back, knowing she couldn't act impulsively. She needed to think it through.

Hua Zhi hadn't expected Old Master's Third Concubine to bring up the topic of consent on New Year's Eve. After dinner, she led the whole family to the flower hall next door for the midnight watch.

The room was warm, with six fires of various sizes lit. Fruits and snacks were placed on top, and Hua Zhi helped her mother sit near the center, instructing, "Make yourselves at home."

There were no Lunar New Year celebrations, no elaborate festivities, not even fireworks. But precisely because of this simplicity, no one had to worry about being slighted; conversations flowed freely.

It was the first time Shao Yao experienced such a warm New Year. Sitting next to Hua Zhi, her eyes wandered from one table to another around the fireside, chatting ceaselessly.

As she reached for another snack, Hua Zhi stopped her. "Give your stomach a break. We'll be having dumplings later, so save some room."

"I can eat more." Despite her words, Shao Yao stopped, and Zhu Shi, admiring her obedient demeanor, pushed a teacup towards her, saying, "Having a good appetite is a blessing. You're clearly a fortunate child."

Shao Yao grinned foolishly.

Hua Zhi rested her cheek lazily on her hand, cheeks flushed from the sweet wine and the warmth of the fire, exuding a womanly charm in her tone and expression. "Who did you celebrate New Year with before, Caocao?"

"Sometimes with Master, sometimes with the people at the mansion," Shao Yao replied, leaning on the table.

Yan-ge would always celebrate with the Empress Dowager in the palace, so she would either celebrate carelessly with Master or drink and feast with her bunch martial brothers until dawn. A formal New Year celebration was something she had never experienced or perhaps had in those forgotten years.

"Is Master not here this year?"

"He went to save someone. Someone was poisoned, and he was the one who concocted the poison." Upon this thought, Shao Yao remembered the spy by her side and wondered if Yan-ge had found them yet. With Yan-ge's skills, it was unlikely that he hadn't found them after several days had passed.

Hua Zhi immediately changed the subject and talked about other things as they ate and drank, welcoming the new year.

*

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Yang Sui'an returned to the Yang's house to pay his respects. The younger generation of the Zhu family, led by the eldest among them, Zhu Ziwen, came to pay their respects to their aunt.