Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C270. Yan Xi Declares Sovereignty.

Chapter 270: Yan Xi Declares Sovereignty

Apart from Hua Zhi seeming to be the only one not busy, Shao Yao could only see her in the morning every day, and had to wear a veil all day outside. Despite the visible hardship, she remained silent and bore it all. Every time she saw Hua Hua still acting coquettish but looking visibly thinner.

Hua Zhi and Bao Xia had been staying in the kitchen early in the morning, preparing some appetizing foods and cooling drinks together.

"The mung beans need to be ground a little more, when they are almost cooled, take them out and put them in an ice bowl." Hua Zhi turned back at the sound of footsteps, seeing it was the instructions given by Jiang Huanran she quickened her pace, "Boil some more in the morning and chill it, and have Xu Ying send it over at noon."

"Yes, this servant understands, Miss, you should take a rest, it's hot in the kitchen."

Hua Zhi nodded and walked towards Jiang Huanran, "Young Master Jiang, are you feeling better now?"

"Much better." Jiang Huanran had gotten thinner and smiled heartily, "Miss Hua must believe that I am usually not like a sickly person."

"Young Master Jiang, it is because of me that you were affected."

"Please don't say that, I consider it an honor."

In modern times, Jiang Huanran would be a gentleman with a charming demeanor but with boundaries, enjoying mutual games without coercion, neither lecherous nor vulgar. Hua Zhi didn't dislike such a person, and after some time of interaction, she found him trustworthy. However, in this world where men and women were not intimate, they probably couldn't be friends.

The two entered the main hall, and Jiang Huanran immediately noticed the sand table that occupied a large area of the room. After a glance, he restrained his thoughts and turned towards the sand table, comparing it with the map.

Hua Zhi didn't stop him and picked up the book she had been reading earlier. Knowing she would stay here for a while, she had asked Bo Fan to find some books for her. Unexpectedly, the one who brought the books was Xu Yangjun. Some were new, some old, and the old ones had annotations. She recognized Xu Yangjun's handwriting and realized that this must be his personal collection.

For a scholar, these things were crucial, and she wondered why he had done it.

Was he trying to impress her?

It didn't seem like it.

Hua Zhi didn’t dwell on the matter, deciding to simply remember it and return the favor later.

"Miss Hua," Jiang Huanran asked solemnly, "I wonder whose idea this was."

Looking up from her book, Hua Zhi turned to Jiang Huanran, whose expression was grave. A scion of a noble family, even if she wasn't particularly ambitious, her knowledge far surpassed that of ordinary people. This was truly the advantage of starting life at the finish line.

Setting aside her book, Hua Zhi approached the sand table. "Does it really matter whose idea it was?"

More important than the creator was the existence of the sand table itself. It could simulate the mountains and rivers of the Great Daqing Dynasty. If one could fathom the enemy’s internal affairs, wouldn’t it be possible to replicate the enemy’s land on the sand table as well?

Just imagining it, Jiang Huanran's heart raced. The Great Daqing Dynasty was surrounded by unstable neighbors!

Jiang Huanran looked at Hua Zhi with burning eyes. "It was your idea, Miss Hua."

It wasn't a question but a statement. Hua Zhi didn't respond, simply saying, "We'll probably be staying here for a few more days. If you're in a hurry to leave, Young Master Jiang, you can go first."

"I'm not in a hurry at all. Miss Hua, I'm willing to stay as long as you want..."

"There's no need. She has me to keep her company." Hua Zhi was startled and turned to the door, a look of joy gradually appearing in her eyes.

Gu Yanxi, dressed in black and covered in dust, entered from outside, exchanging words with Jiang Huanran but keeping his gaze fixed on Ah Zhi. His eyes never left her. "It's Ah Zhi who's inconvenienced Young Master Jiang. Since Young Master Jiang is not fully recovered, please return to your room to rest. Take Young Master Jiang back to his room."

Yu Tao stepped forward and almost forcibly dragged Jiang Huanran out, who struggled desperately. "Who are you? What right do you have to treat me like this..."

Yu Tao simply covered his mouth and quickly left the room, no matter how much Jiang Huanran struggled.

With the outsider gone, Hua Zhi felt inexplicably uncomfortable, as if she were rooted to the spot. "Why... did you come so suddenly?"

Gu Yanxi walked over and gently pulled her into his arms. He had missed her so much these past few days that he felt like he could melt her into his body.

But Ah Zhi was injured.

She was injured again!

The first time, he was a step too late. The second time, he sent someone to follow, but they still couldn't protect her. It was his oversight. Next time, no matter where she goes, he must follow, no matter where!

After calming down his overwhelming deep longing for her, Gu Yanxi replied, "When you were in Jiangling, Shao Yao contacted someone from the Seven Stars Bureau there and sent me a letter. Knowing you were injured, how could I stay put? I made some arrangements in the capital and came over. I received several letters from you along the way, so I knew you were here."

"I see," Hua Zhi leaned against the man's broad chest, not wanting to move at all. Her tense body finally relaxed.

She hadn't been without pressure these past few days. She was the one who came up with the idea. If this labor-intensive and costly plan didn't work as expected, even with the Seven Stars Bureau taking the brunt of it, she knew she would have to take responsibility.

Although Gu Yanxi's arrival couldn't completely shift the blame onto him, she felt much more at ease.

"Day and night without rest?"

"Yes, day and night, rain or shine," Gu Yanxi chuckled, "Do I smell a bit ripe?"

"There's definitely a hint of masculine scent," Hua Zhi allowed herself a brief moment of indulgence before straightening her back. She pulled him out of the room and told Bao Xia, who was waiting outside, "Prepare the room next door for him and make sure there's plenty of hot water."

"Yes, miss." Bao Xia smiled and bowed to Mr. Lu. It was wonderful; whenever Mr. Lu came, Miss's spirits would lift.

Hua Zhi led him back to her room, "Since you came from that direction, I have a question. Was it raining on your journey?"

"It rained on and off. When it did rain, it was quite heavy. After I received your letter, I had them investigate several other places. We should have news tomorrow at the latest. Don't worry too much."

"I can't help but worry. Shao Yao is afraid I'll worry too much, so she's taken on all the pressure. But how could I not? Sometimes, I even secretly hope it will rain harder, just to make those people anxious."

Hua Zhi shook her head self-deprecatingly. "I'm not truly a kind person. Sometimes, I have a pretty bad temper, I just hide it well."

Gu Yanxi took her hand and kissed it. "It's alright. Shao Yao can handle it. If she really gets mad, she could purge every official in Xiangyang. No official is truly clean, it's just a matter of whether you investigate them or not."

"I can see that. She's a bit reckless when it comes to these matters, which isn't a good thing for the Seven Stars Bureau."

"She's an exception. She rarely gets involved in these things on a normal day. The others in the Bureau just follow the rules." Gu Yanxi smiled. "If there were more like Shao Yao in the Bureau, I wouldn't be able to handle it."

———TN:
Think you can handle 10 more chapters?
#Feeling generous.