Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C249. The Heart of People.

Chapter 249 The Heart of People

"What are you laughing at?" With everyone present, Shao Yao peeked her head in from the door and laughed when she saw Xiao Liu sniffing, "Oh, is Xiao Liu three years old today?"

Hua Zhi glared at her without humor, "Behave yourself."

Shao Yao snorted and ran over to hug Hua Zhi, acting cute, "You always help Xiao Liu, you always help Xiao Liu. Huahua, you're not nice to me."

Hua Zhi flicked her on the head and said to the child, who finally stopped crying and had a slightly smiling face, "Take a break. Later, you and Mr. Wu go borrow Chen Er, let him take you to buy some rare and easy-to-handle seafood. We'll bring some back."

The Sixth Prince awkwardly smiled and agreed, then ran off, ignoring Shao Yao's teasing gaze.

As the Sixth Prince left, Shao Yao became calm. She whispered, "Huahua, don't be too kind to the royal people, they are mostly greedy."

"Who isn't greedy? It depends on how they are greedy." Hua zxhi sighed softly, "Bai Lin is as big as him. I won't mention the past. Besides not crossing the line and living freely, even when the Hua family ran into trouble, I stood in the front. His siblings believe and obey him, he's never alone. But what about Xiao Liu? Besides his empty status, what else does he have? Along with this status comes a danger to his life, he doesn't even have anyone to listen to him."

Hua Zhi shook her head, "No matter how he is in the palace or in front of others, he has always been obedient to me. I give him the response he deserves under this guise, as for the rest, I can't control it, nor do I want to bother. If one day he becomes someone I can't accept, then he won't be the Xiao Liu I'm willing to care for."

Shao Yao listened quietly, then smiled. Her sister was so wise, there was no need for her to worry.

"About Xiao Shuang, you really won't give her to me?"

"I gave her to Xiao Liu."

Shao Yao exploded, "I asked for her first, Huahua, how can you give her to him, you're so biased!"

"The eunuch who served him for many years died protecting him, and the palace hasn't assigned anyone else to him since. Yan Xi does not allow his guards to enter, so he's always on his own. This is not a long-term solution."

Shao Yao understood the hidden meaning behind Hua Zhi's words. Eunuchs were not just servants to their masters, they were closer than family, some even more trusted than family members, such as the relationship between Chen Qing and Yan Ge, the only difference being Chen Qing did not castrated himself.

"Do you want Xiao Shuang to be castrated?"

"No, the palace will naturally assign eunuchs later. I won't make this mistake. Let him follow as a servant for now, and see how they both decide in the future. I won't interfere."

Shao Yao grumbled, still a little unhappy.

Hua Zhi rubbed her head and smoothed her hair, "And that Da Shuang..."

"I don't want her!" Shao Yao exploded again after being somewhat calmed.

"Who said I was giving her to you." Huazhi sighed helplessly, then tapped her head, "Why are you in such a rush, I'm asking if there's a problem with her, you don't like her just because she's timid?"

Only then did Shao Yao become obedient, "When I was treating their wounds, I noticed that compared to Xiao Shuang's injuries – new and old – hers were nothing. It was all on her back, and the day before we cleaned up Cao Dahai, she broke her virginity."

Hua Zhi couldn't hide her surprise, "According to what Chen Er said, they've been in captivity for nearly a year... intimated..."

"It shows how much effort Xiao Ehuang has put into protecting that waste, won't she feel sorry for looking at her brother's injuries? She's so peaceful, taking her brother's protection for granted. Every time I approach, she hides behind Xiao Shuang, looking at me with a guilty face. The anger in me... What did I do to her? Huahua, don't keep her, find a place to put her on a boat, give her some silver, let her survive, that way you can be at ease with your conscience."

"No wonder you dislike her so much," Hua Zhi frowned slightly. "She's made me dislike her too. Weakness isn't an excuse for everything."

"Xiao Shuang won't agree. There's no reason for him to abandon someone he's gone to such lengths to protect, only to throw her away. Let's take her to the capital first and keep a close eye on her. Being timid has its advantages, at least she won't cause trouble."

"Her problem isn't timidity, it's selfishness," Shao Yao still disagreed.

Hua Zhi smiled, "It can't be me who abandons her, it has to be Xiao Ehuang. I want someone useful, not an enemy."

"Fine." Shao Yao pouted, admitting that Hua Zhi had a point. Human hearts were such strange things. Some things you could throw away yourself, but others, even if someone touched them with a finger, you couldn't bear it.

Early the next morning, as the first light of dawn was breaking, Hua Zhi and her group left the inn. She wasn't surprised to see Wu Zheng waiting outside. She knew the profit in this deal, and both morally and out of self-interest, Wu Zheng would be attentive.

"Mr. Wu is always so energetic."

"Hahaha, thanks to Miss Hua." Wu Zheng bowed, glancing at the twins who were lowering their heads so their faces couldn't be seen. "Miss Hua is kind and will be rewarded. I wish Miss Hua a smooth journey back."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Wu Zheng escorted them to the boat, and Hua Zhi gave a slight bow from the bow before entering the cabin.

The journey was smooth, and they arrived at Xiuyang just past midday.

Hua Zhi looked at the dock, which seemed no different from usual, and felt a little more at ease. It seemed things weren't as bad as she'd imagined.

"Xu Ying, go inquire about the northbound passenger ships for tomorrow. See if the schedule has been changed. We..."

"Miss Hua!" A familiar voice came from behind. Hua Zhi turned around somewhat helplessly and met Jiang Huanran's surprised gaze.

"I didn't expect to meet you here again. What a coincidence. Where is Miss Hua going? My carriage is parked outside the dock. If Miss Hua doesn't mind, why don't I give you a ride?"

"You..." Shao Yao, who was about to say something rude, was stopped by Hua Zhi. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Jiang. We'll take our leave."

Jiang Huanran, who wouldn't let go of this opportunity, smiled widely and followed. This was Hua family's eldest miss, someone he could never hope to meet in the capital, yet here he was, thousands of miles away, bumping into her. It was like a pie falling from the sky. He wouldn't be doing himself any favors if he didn't take a bite!

Pretending not to see Miss Hua's refusal, Jiang Huanran followed, "I'm going in that direction too."

Hua Zhi couldn't say anything else, so she let him follow. She kept an eye on her surroundings. She had a nagging feeling of unease. From the information she'd gathered, Zheng Bei wasn't an easy person to deal with.

They rented two carriages and found an inn near the passenger dock to stay. As for Jiang Huanran, who was like a piece of chewing gum stuck to her, she ignored him. A hot face couldn't stay stuck to a cold butt for long.