Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C338. Wu Yong's True Colors.

Chapter 338: Wu Yong's True Colors

Wu Yong couldn't possibly be unaware of the rumors circulating outside, and if he didn't know his own feelings before, he certainly understood them after learning about these rumors.

He couldn't believe that he would develop feelings for a girl whose appearance was marred. But even in that state of mind, he still couldn't stay away from the Hua family. He always remembered the promise he made to Shao Yao to duel with her again, and he didn't want to disappoint her by breaking that promise.

So he let the rumors spread, although he felt guilty. If the Shizi found out, he would surely reprimand him. Nonetheless, he continued to come daily and stayed longer each time.

He hadn't figured out what he wanted, nor did he expect Hua Zhi to be so upfront about it, catching him off guard.

"Miss..."

"You don't need to explain anything to me," Hua Zhi interrupted him. "I support all of Shao Yao's decisions, but honestly, I don't think General Wu is her destined partner. I'm just hoping that General Wu will think carefully before acting. I don't intend to intervene, but General Wu should also consider the consequences. Shao Yao is not someone you can handle however you please. If Yan Xi were to find out, who knows what he might do, Shao Yao might just take your life first."

And this was not considered meddling? Wu Yong smiled bitterly. "Miss, you are truly insightful."

"I just hope that Shao Yao doesn't suffer any more. I am willing to support her for the rest of her life." Hua Zhi suddenly changed the subject. "Could it be that General Wu has different tastes from others? Are all the beauties in your household lacking in charm?"

"Of course not..." Wu Yong suddenly stopped himself, avoiding the sarcastic gaze from Hua Zhi.

"It seems that General Wu has many beauties in his household. It's understandable, as the Wu family has only General Wu as the heir; it is natural for him to have more diversions. The game of sand table simulation is quite easy to pick up. General Wu, why don't you go back and teach those beauties well? The taste would be just as good as adding fragrance to the red sleeves."

"Why be so forceful, Miss? I didn't know Shao Yao before I brought them into my household."

"But some people are just not meant to have everything. I think General Wu shouldn't dwell on it. Beauties are pleasing to the eyes, and a person's life is not short. It's a beautiful thing to have different beauties accompanying you for several decades."

Hua Zhi stood up with the support of the armrest. "I believe Shao Yao is ready now. General Wu, please proceed."

Wu Yong seemed to smile, chose the left side of the terrain, and Shao Yao happily bounced over to the right side.

Hua Zhi sighed softly as she leaned against the door, hoping that Shao Yao would find her destined partner. But in this world, faithless men were everywhere, and good partners were hard to come by.

While Wu Yong's character was not bad, men were visual creatures who always looked at appearances first. Even someone with a good character might not be able to resist temptation. She didn't think Wu Yong would be an exception.

A voice came from behind her, and Hua Zhi turned to see Zeng Han dragging a chair taller than himself over. She didn't stop him, and when he reached her, she ruffled his hair, helped her sit down by the armrest. She couldn't stand for long now, and she was grateful that this child always remembered.

Zeng Han carried a small stool and sat down at her feet. Hua Zhi glanced at the book in his hand, which was the half-written Mr. Siqing military book that she had transcribed yesterday.

"Han'er, do you want to be an official when you grow up?"

"If not? My father is an official, and my grandfather Hua was also an official."

Zeng Han made the deliberate choice to address Hua Yizheng as "Grandfather Hua," a title heavy with both respect. When it came to everyone else, though, he played it smart—echoing Hua Zhi's lead with sharp precision.

Hua Zhi nodded in understanding. It was expected that with such a tragic background, there would be resistance to being an official.

"Then do you have anything you want to do?"

Zeng Han thought for a moment with his knees hugged, but couldn't come up with anything. "What do you want me to do?"

"That's for you to decide, take your time to think about it, there's no rush, you have many years to think about this."

Zeng Han just nodded and really didn't want to think about it, so he lowered his head and opened the book to read.

Hua Zhi smiled, touched his head, and thought that he loved to read so much, it would be good for him to take care of the Hua family's book collection in the future.

At this moment, Hua Zhi could never have imagined that Zeng Han would actually guard the Hua family's book collection for the rest of his life.

Even as he climbed the ranks to become one of the most celebrated scholars of his time, Zeng Han never once strayed from his post. He stayed, steadfast as stone, watching over the Hua family’s collection as if it were his own flesh and blood.

He wasn’t born a Hua, didn’t carry their name, but when he spoke of himself, it was always with an unshakable certainty. “I’m Zeng Han,” he’d say, with a glint in his eye and steel in his voice. “And I’m Hua family.”

*

In the evening, Hua Zhi and Shao Yao lay face to face on the bed, the children sleeping on the floor were already asleep, and they spoke softly.

"I remember you mentioned that your master was preparing a remedy for the scars on your face, right?"

"Yes, only the last medicine is missing, and my master said that when I come back this time, he will leave the palace to find it." Hua Zhi touched her face.

It was clear that Shao Yao had a very good foundation. If these scars could be removed, she would definitely be a beauty.

"But the master also said that it may not be possible to remove them all."  Shaoyao touched her face, "I feel it doesn't matter whether the scars go away or not. I've been used to them for so many years, and I don't have to marry anyway."

"… There's no rule that says you don't have to marry, you can marry if you want."

"Why should I marry?" Shao Yao was really puzzled as to why she should marry. She wasn't like those girls from prestigious families who had to marry to survive.

Hua Zhi covered her overly bright eyes. "What if someone proposes to you? Still won't marry?"

"I won't marry. In those years, the Prince of Ling loved my mother so much, but in the end, things changed. I don't have my mother's beauty or her temperament and talent. I can't hope for someone to stay with me till the end. I won't indulge in such dreams."

Hua Zhi chuckled, lowered her hand, and thought that Wu Yong had no chance. If Shao Yao discovered Wu Yong's intentions, she would probably give him a good beating down.

Shao Yao suddenly widened her eyes, propped up her upper body, and asked in a shocked voice, "Hua Zhi, you're not thinking of marrying me off, are you? I promise not to disturb you and Yan-ge!"

"How could you disturb us? Can you break into my closed door?" Hua Zhi pulled her down to lie down, pointed at her nose, and said, "I just hope that if one day someone really catches your heart, don't force yourself to go against your will, don't leave regrets, do what you want to do, apart from life and death, behind you, there is me and your Yan-ge, nothing is too big."

Shao Yao hugged Hua Zhi's arm, leaned her head on her shoulder, and softly agreed.

———TN:
Shao Yao could easily bust down your door, Hua Zhi—don’t doubt it for a second. But she’s holding back, keeping that fiery strength in check.

Why? Because if she dared to cross the line, Gu Yanxi wouldn’t just reprimand her; he’d come down on her like a storm she’d never survive.