Blossom in Adversity

C193. Don't Despise Him.

Chapter 193: Don't Despise Him

Gu Yanxi hadn't come for two days, although he sometimes wouldn't show up for a few days as usual. But for some reason, this time Hua Zhi paid special attention to it.

She always felt that on that day, the two of them hadn't made things clear, but she couldn't pinpoint what exactly hadn't been clear. So she let it go and just did what she needed to do every day. If she had some free time and Mr. Zheng had no classes, they would play a game of chess, each with their own style and victories and losses.

Hua Zhi excelled in unconventional moves, while Zheng Zhi excelled in setting deep traps. After a game, both of them felt satisfied, so Zheng Zhi spent even more time at the Hua residence. Even if Hua Zhi was busy, it didn't matter to him. He could sit in the study and play a game with either hand or replay the game he lost, finding a new strategy to win, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Hua Zhi watched and suddenly missed Shao Yao.

These two people should get along well.

Shao Yao couldn't resist teasing, and just as Hua Zhi was thinking about her, she heard the familiar cry from the yard, "Hua Hua, I'm here!"

Hua Zhi smiled without saying a word, put down what she was doing, and went to the door to greet the person who rushed in. "Finally, able to breathe some fresh air?"

Shao Yao acted spoiled, but in a place where Hua Zhi couldn't see, she slyly glanced at Zheng Zhi, as she had a mission this time!

Zheng Zhi also looked at her. At that moment, his mind was still stuck in the chess game, and his expression seemed somewhat absent-minded.

Oh, he's not afraid of her either. Shao Yao was in a good mood and didn't feel any ill will towards him.

Hua Zhi instructed Bao Xia to bring some food, pulled Shao Yao into the house, and introduced them. "Cao Cao, this is Mr. Zheng, the new teacher at our clan school. Mr. Zheng, this is Shao Yao, a physician."

"A female physician? Rare." Zheng Zhi stood up and bowed, "Talented people know talented people, I believe Miss Shao Yao must be an excellent physician."

This compliment was quite flattering, and Shao Yao couldn't resist and let out a giggle.

Zheng Zhi smiled, seeing through what kind of girl she was at first glance. He was tactful and didn't linger around to disturb their conversation. Most people would have exchanged a few more pleasantries, but he simply bowed and left freely, looking quite carefree.

Shao Yao ran to the door to watch him leave the yard, then came back to the door looking pitifully, "Why do I have the urge to follow him and wander the world!"

Hua Zhi couldn't contain her overflowing smile in her eyes. Mr. Zheng did indeed have the aura of a hero from the world of martial arts, looking nothing like a scholar.

Shao Yao sniffled and ran out to take some snacks from Liu Juan, then ran back cheerfully, asking, "Will Mr. Zheng stay at the Hua residence from now on?"

"I think so, Grandfather Zhu spent a lot of time bringing him back, they have agreed to a three-year contract."

Three years is quite a long time! Shao Yao's eyes sparkled as she ate.

Hua Zhi pinched her face, "Spit it out, don't talk nonsense!"

"Mmm...” Shao Yao pulled her own face back, swallowed the pastry in her mouth before finally speaking, "What's his background? Has he married and had children? Will he cause you any trouble?"

"Uncle said he's originally from the capital, but for some reason he left. He owes a debt of gratitude to Grandfather for bringing him here. According to Uncle, he's not married, and he'll turn thirty this year."

Shao Yao had known all of this a long time ago. Yan-ge's investigations were meticulous, even finding out what kind of person he was when he was out and about.

Shao Yao also knew that he wasn't particularly well-off over these years, but he had the ability to travel all over the world without stealing or robbing. Sometimes, he would even stay in a small place for a few months as a teacher, not accepting any payment.

He not only appeared carefree but was truly flawless in character.

But it was precisely because of this that Yan-ge was at a loss. He couldn't just use his power to arbitrarily drive away a person of good character from the capital, especially now that he had become the teacher of the Hua family's clan school. If he did so, Hua Hua would be the first to face difficulties.

Shao Yao was also extremely worried. This was the prospective sister-in-law, and if someone else got close...

No, she had to rush back and keep watch!

She absolutely couldn't give Zheng Zhi a chance!

"Hua Hua, I'll come back to accompany you in a few days."

Hua Zhi poured her a cup of tea, "Is everything settled in the palace?"

"Mostly, and my master is there."

In other words, the emperor was fine?

Hua Zhi hid the slight regret in her heart and didn't inquire further.

But Shao Yao rattled on, "To completely clean up the residual elixirs in the emperor's body, my master and I had to put in a lot of effort. Luckily, Yan-ge discovered it early, otherwise no one could have saved him."

"As long as he's okay."

"It's not that simple." Shao Yao, holding a pastry, couldn't eat anymore and her voice became lower, "The root of the injury can't be restored. You didn't see the emperor's condition, even the Empress Dowager looks younger than him."

Shao Yao seemed slightly melancholic; she didn't mention that the emperor had at most two years left to live, feeling a bit sad.

"Yan-ge probably needs to serve as regent for a while. You don't know, he actually doesn't like this job at all."

But many people liked it, even fought to get it, resorting to murder and every means possible. Hua Zhi handed her a pastry, watching her take a bite before saying, "Everyone has their own fate..."

"Huahua." Shaoyao interrupted, "Huahua, don't despise Yan-ge."

"I don't..."

Shao Yao stubbornly cut her off, "Don't despise him."

Hua Zhi fell silent for a moment and nodded, "I don't despise him."

Shao Yao visibly breathed a sigh of relief, lowered her head, and fidgeted with her hands, "Yan-ge started martial arts late, his bones are already hardened. But to oversee the Seven Stars Bureau, he must defeat everyone. He has trained desperately, sustaining countless hidden injuries to get to where he is now. He hasn't read as many books as you, nor does he write poetry, but he is truly good, Hua Hua, he is good, don't dislike him..."

Watching the anxious look on Shao Yao's face, Hua Zhi suddenly understood why Gu Yanxi had been acting so unusually. He wasn't actually trying to provoke Zheng Zhi, he was just being guarded, worried that another man might get closer to her than he was.

This man, who was once clueless during his blissful childhood, faced the darkest side of the world in his youth, and then endured countless hardships, was awkwardly timid in such matters.

His anxiety affected Shao Yao, causing even this bold girl to reveal such emotions.

If she didn't know how much Gu Yanxi truly cared for her before, at this moment, she was acutely aware of it.

This man had placed his entire heart before her, allowing her to trample on it or treasure it.

He had relinquished all control.