Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C259. A Sibling's Farewell.

Chapter 259: A Sibling's Farewell

A half-open door creaked as someone knocked. Sixth Prince stood outside, hesitant to enter. "I heard Bao Xia bringing food," he asked, "Has Sister Hua awakened?"

"I'm awake. Come in," Hua Zhi leaned up slightly, supported by Bao Xia, and smiled at the worried Sixth Prince. "It seems your injuries aren't too serious."

"Yes, just minor wounds," he replied. Although his skin was torn and he was in pain, compared to Sister Hua, his injuries were truly insignificant.

The Sixth Prince bit his lip, unable to bear the thought of how heartbroken Bai Lin would be if he knew. Bai Lin had always longed to grow up quickly, to shoulder the responsibilities of his eldest sister and ease her burden. Yet, Sister Hua had suffered such a severe injury while he was unable to protect her...

"Xiao Liu."

The sixth prince quickly responded.

"Don't tell anyone about this when you get back, especially not Bai Lin."

The sixth prince suddenly felt a pang of sadness. "Bai Lin definitely wouldn't want you to keep this from him."

"I don't want to put too much pressure on him." Hua Zhi sighed, refusing the maid's offer to feed her. She stirred the steaming medicinal soup herself. “A child of only ten years old already has enough burdens. Don’t say anything."

"...Yes."

Hua Zhi finally smiled and slowly began to eat, spoonful by spoonful.

Feeling much better after eating, she couldn't fall back asleep, despite having overslept earlier. Hua Zhi picked up a military tactics book and read a few pages before hearing someone speaking outside. It sounded like Wu Xiaoduang's voice. She put down the book, narrowed her eyes, and said, "Bao Xia, let him in."

Bao Xia was annoyed with Wu Xiaoduang for being so inconsiderate. Didn't he know that the young miss was injured?

What could be so urgent that it couldn't wait?

She had initially had a good impression of the boy, but now she glared at him several times.

Wu Xiaoduang kept his head down, feeling a bit of sadness. He knew his older sister was watching and listening from behind the door crack, but as always, she didn't come out to say a word on his behalf, leaving him to face the consequences alone.

One disappointment piled on top of another, and it was starting to wear on him.

Inhaling the scent of the medicine, Wu Xiaoduang thought, This is the last time. This is absolutely the last time.

Without a word, Wu Xiaoduang knelt before the bed, placed ten taels of silver in front of him, and prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling. "My older sister doesn't want to leave our hometown. I beg young miss to grant her this wish."

Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. "If your sister wants to stay, why are you the one begging? Do you want to stay as well?"

"I would be more than willing to leave, but my sister is timid..."

"Isn't this how it's always been? You solve all her problems, and she reaps all the rewards."

Wu Xiaoshuang's heart ached even more. He bit his lip tightly, refusing to speak.

Hua Zhi looked up, "Bring Wu Dashuang here."

Bao Xia quickly left and soon forced Wu Dashuang, who seemed to want to retreat with every step she took, inside.

Wu Dashuang instinctively took half a step back behind her brother and knelt down with him. Her appearance was as if she wanted to hide behind her brother, who was not stronger than her, timid and fearful, not daring to say a word.

Hua Zhi understood. This was probably the way the siblings had always interacted, and no wonder Shao Yao disliked her so much.

"Xiaoshuang said you want to stay."

A tiny 'yes' came out, no louder than a mosquito's buzz. Bao Xia's gaze on her made her even more afraid, and she moved closer to Wu Xiaoshuang.

"Given your behavior, I could simply sell you." Seeing her look up in alarm, Hua Zhi continued, "But I have a good eye for Xiaoshuang. For Xiaoshuang's sake, I'll set you free, as long as you agree to one condition."

Wu Dashuang's eyes were filled with hope. She thought, "I'll agree to any condition."

Hua Zhi smiled, "From now on, you and Wu Xiaoshuang must have no further contact, including letters, and sever your sibling relationship."

Wu Dashuang was startled and instinctively looked at her brother.

Wu Xiaoshuang looked back at her, a glimmer of light in his eyes.

Wu Dashuang turned away and nodded without much hesitation, "I agree."

Wu Xiaoshuang closed his eyes, turned back, and bowed his head, no longer speaking.

"Bao Xia, go draft a contract and have her sign it."

Bao Xia looked at Wu Dashuang with disdain. How could someone like her be worthy of serving the young mistress?

The Hua residence was not a place for just anyone to enter.

Wu Dashuang pressed her thumbprint with great relief, her hand trembling as she received the deed of sale. She was free, no longer a servant.

Bao Xia unceremoniously dismissed her. A moment of silence fell over the room.

"Xiao Shuang, can you bear to leave?"

Wu Xiaoshuang replied in a hoarse voice, "I can."

Hua Zhi looked at the guarantee in her hand and gestured for Bao Xia to give it to Wu Xiaoshuang. "Actually, even if she didn't agree to this condition, I would still let her leave. I don't look up to someone like your sister. Keep this. When you feel soft-hearted, look at it. You should be grateful that you're separating in this way. Otherwise, if one day you were in danger, she would definitely run as far away as possible, regardless of your life or death. Go."

Leaning back for greater comfort, Hua Zhi thought that if Wu Dashuang hadn't agreed to that request, she would have given her to the Xia family for Xiao Shuang's sake. With the Xia family's protection, she would have benefited greatly in the future.

But she didn't want to bother with such a heartless person. Whether she lived or died, what kind of life she would have was up to fate. However, selfish people often do well.

Outside, Wu Dashuang had been waiting for her brother. She had hidden the silver close to her body and had nothing to pack. Even the clothes she was wearing had been provided by Bao Xia later. She dared not go near the inn and waved vigorously when she saw Xiaoshuang come out.

Wu Xiaoshuang stood still, looking at her for a while before walking over.

Wu Dashuang pulled him and ran out of the inn. Seeing that no one was following, she whispered excitedly, "I told you Miss would definitely agree. Xiaoshuang, are you really not staying? If you beg her, Miss will definitely agree."

"If that's what you're going to say, then I'll go back."

Wu Dashuang belatedly realized that her brother was unhappy and figured out why. She shook his hand, like a younger sister acting coquettish towards her older brother. "Oh, Xiao Shuang, how could you be so stupid? She said we've severed our brother-sister relationship, so we really severed our brother-sister relationship? How could that be? When I have the chance, I'll go to the capital to find you..."

"No need," Wu Xiaoshuang looked at the familiar face filled with smiles and felt a strange sense of alienation. "You don't need to come to the capital to find me. I won't see you. Wu Dashuang, you in the future... just take care of yourself. With that silver, your life won't be too hard."

Taking one last look at his elder sister, whom he had never been separated from, Wu Xiaoshuang turned and left, regardless of Wu Dashuang's calls.

The siblings' fate had come to this. For her, he had given his all, without any regrets. From now on, they would each walk their own path.