“It should be. I hadn't been to her courtyard for a long time. But the seeds were planted the day before yesterday, how could it grow so quickly? " Butler Wang asked.
Hua Mengshi had made some achievements in Qi Arts, and she was now at the second level, the Soaring Cloud. She should know more than the Second Concubine.
But Hua Mengshi also shook her head, "I don't know what the herb is. Let him do as she said… we need more information before we act. "
The Second Concubine agreed with her daughter and told the butler to sell the herb.
The more Butler Wang thought about it, the more confused he got. Why did the Miss want him to sell the herb for her? Of course, it was not proper for a young lady to go out and do such things.
When it was done, Butler Wang handed over a bank note for fifteen thousand taels of silver to Hua Qiyue. The two servants were shocked! Hua Qiyue only glanced at Butler Wang indifferently and did not say anything.
Now Hua Qiyue had enough money for the adoption gifts. She told the servants that if anyone asked, they would say that the seeds were given by a mysterious monk in the Rongfu Temple.
"Miss, where exactly did you get the seeds? How come we never heard you say anything about it? " Lvxin asked curiously.
"I’ll tell you later."
Hua Qiyue gave the bank note to Youshui and told her to send the gifts to the Zhou family.
Youshui smiled slightly and said, "She won't give away her secret soon. Lvxin, don't ask anymore."
Lv Xin nodded. Hua Qiyue laid down and closed her eyes. It wouldn't be long before she could see her son.
Tianci, you were poisoned mute by that slut. Princess Huizhen, Zhou Zhicheng — I’ll make you suffer!
Two hours later, Tianci was brought back by Youshui. The courtyard door creaked as it was pushed open. She looked back uneasily and saw the familiar little face.
The sunlight of the afternoon was scorching. The Long Reds were alluring and the colored glaze tiles looked bright. But when Hua Qiyue looked at the skinny and dark face full of scars, the whole world was gloomy and dark.
Tianci bowed his head when he came in. He gave her a timid look and lowered his head again. His delicate little hands were covered with shocking bruises! He had been so cruelly abused in the past few days!
There were scratch marks on his face. Hua Qiyue looked at her son's thin body, which could be blown away by a gust of wind, and her nails were pinched tightly into her hands.
"Miss, the poor child’s name is Zhou Tianci. I heard that he was abused by his new maid. The maid was beaten to death, but what she had done to him …"
Youshui's face was filled with empathy. She felt that the wounds on his face may never recover.
Hua Qiyue raged inside. A maid had done it? What lies!
Her once adorable and lively son had now become a weak child. All his innocence had disappeared, and his face was filled with fear and trepidation that was inconsistent with his age.
Hua Qiyue felt a sharp pain. She hated herself for not being strong enough to protect him!
Tears welled up in Hua Qiyue’s eyes. Lvxin cried, "Miss, what’s wrong with you?"
Hua Qiyue held back her tears and forced a smile, "Nothing.” She turned to the boy and said, “You… you're Tianci, right?"
Hua Qiyue's voice turned a little nasally, as though she was about to burst into tears. Lvxin and the others assumed that she was just too overwhelmed with pity for the child due to her kind nature."Quick, call her ‘Mother,’" Youshui said gently as she patted Tianci's shoulder. However, the child was so terrified, he reacted like a surprised rabbit. He shot a terrified glance at Hua Qiyue, and then hid behind Youshui.Hua Qiyue's heart sank.Youshui heaved a soft sigh and said, "After all the suffering this child has been through, he has naturally developed a fear of strangers. You must be patient."Hua Qiyue nodded and slowly approached the child. Each step she took felt extremely heavy, as though she bore the weight of the heavens on her shoulders and in her heart.She approached him and took Tianci's hand in hers. Frightened, the child struggled with all his might but she refused to let go of his hand.
Soon, Lvxin arranged for someone to send lunch over and there were fruits, fish, congee as well as a wide variety of food.Tianci's eyes lit up when he saw the impressive spread laid out in front of him. He had been fed dog food or worse over the past four days.He looked up at Hua Qiyue, as though waiting for permission.Hua Qiyue stroked his head tenderly and said, "Go ahead, son. But you mustn't be too anxious… if you eat too quickly, you’ll make yourself sick, understand?"Tianci was delighted. He had not known Hua Qiyue for a long time but the tenderness in her eyes made him feel safe. Then, he started to gulp the food down.Hua Qiyue's heart ached when she looked at him, and Lvxin and Youshui couldn't help but wipe at their eyes.The most important thing right now was for Tianci's throat to be healed, and Tianpi of the Mysterious World was undoubtedly the best person to do that.Hua Qiyu
Tianpi recovered from his laughing fit and could not hold back a smile when he saw Hua Qiyue staring at him. "Why, am I so strikingly handsome that I've taken your breath away?""Taken my breath away?"Hua Qiyue laughed softly and said, "Master, I think you should be a trumpeter.""Why?""Because this is how the phrase, 'Blowing one's trumpet' came about!" Hua Qiyue shot back, and Tianpi was enraged."You wicked girl…""You may choose to beat me or kill me, I don't mind, either way." Hua Qiyue sat down once more and continued to cultivate.Tianpi was left speechless.It was around midnight by the time Hua Qiyue left the jade gourd, and she was surprised to see Tianci sitting quietly on the pallet, looking at her.Hua Qiyue quickly sat up. "Tianci, what are you doing here?"Lvxin said awkwardly, "Miss, young master didn't want to leave with us. I wanted to
Along the way to Prince Nan’s residence, Hua Qiyue heard many people discussing the same topic."I heard that Princess Huizhen has been seen in public together with Zhou Zhicheng. Tsk. I can't believe that haughty princess has fallen for someone as poor as him.""Exactly. The Zhou family are mere commoners. Tsk, it's a miracle that the princess could fall for someone like him.""Ha, Zhou Zhicheng is rather handsome, but it has only been a few days since his wife passed away. This is really indecorous of Princess Huizhen.""Princess Huizhen has always been rude and bratty. Why would she care about what the world thinks of her?""Shh, stop it. Walls have ears."Hua Qiyue held Tianci's hand and her eyes flashed coldly.How dare that cheating couple head out in public together so soon?The child beside her fretted anxiously. He was probably afraid when he heard others mention Princess
Prince Nan looked at her and saw that her eyes were lowered. She looked earnest and sincere and it did not seem like she was putting on an act.Huangfu Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief.This rude girl wasn't here to see him? He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of that."Humph! Hua Qiyue, you must have heard that Prince Nan and I are good friends and that we often meet at his residence to play chess and drink! Was this why you deliberately adopted that—""Your Excellency, I sincerely hope that you would grant my request!" Hua Qiyue repeated, interrupting Huanfu Xuan.Prince Nan's eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard about Hua Qiyue and was surprised to see that she seemed so different from the quiet, insecure woman that the rumors made out her to be.Yun Shimo remained unmoved and said coldly, "Sorry, I'm not going to treat him."Hua Qiyue held up the silk box that con
"You think that just because I have no interest in you, you can throw yourself at Brother Yun?"Huangfu Xuan shouted angrily.The two pharmacy apprentices were shocked. It was improper for men and women to touch each other's hand in passing objects. Yet, this maiden had just flung herself upon their master. They had no idea what to do.Hua Qiyue's body clung to Yun Shimo's. Her perfume drilled into his nose and her hanging hair tickled Yun Shimo's face.He raised his gaze to her face, only to see Hua Qiyue's surprised eyes, as clear as a crystal spring without any lust.Hua Qiyue took a head-on look at Yun Shimo's luminous eyes and jumped up with fear, saying, "I am so sorry. I did not expect... I did not expect... "Huangfu Xuan rushed over and pulled up Yun Shimo, hovering over him like a hen protecting its chicken. "Hua Qiyue, how dare you!"Hua Qiyue was embarrassed — she’d never meant for
Hua Qiyue took Tianci and left, meeting Lvxin and Youshui outside. Their hearts dropped at Hua Qiyue’s dazed look.On the carriage ride home, people pointed and murmured."That’s the daughter of Hua's Mansion. I’ve heard she’s ugly and useless, but… she doesn’t look ugly or useless.""Yes, she’s quite the beauty.""Look at how she holds herself! She’s obviously rich."Hua Qiyue quietly watched Tianci twist his shirt between his fingers.Hua Qiyue knew that there must be many shadows inside Tianci's heart. She’d need to talk to him when they got home."We need a medicine that only the Medicine Saint has. According to Prince Nan, it will likely be very difficult to get. We may need to start getting information about the Ji family," said Hua Qiyue gloomily.It occurred to her that Tianpi might have that kind of medicine. She’d have to ask him about it later.Lvxin grimac
The Second Concubine was livid, but much more calculating than the Third Concubine. Her daughter, Hua Mengshi smiled in an attempt to please Madam Hua, "Grandma, sister Qiyue is so filial. You are very lucky."Madam Cheng agreed with a smile. "My Madam, Mengshi is right. Qiyue is finally sensible now. It indeed benefits our family, especially you. We apologize for our misunderstanding of Qiyue."The Old Madam appeared to be calmed by their words and asked Hua Qiyue and Tianci to sit beside her, ignoring Madam Cheng's complaints about Qiyue's hiding of rare medicinal herbs.Lvxin and Youshui looked at each other, confused. Was what happened to the Third Concubine and Hua Xiaoyi the show Hua Qiyue had told them to expect?The Old Madam sat on the white jade couch carved with a dragon and phoenix. It was no surprise she picked the coolest couch during the mugginess of June.Tianci timidly sat beside the Old Madame. At the