Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

Nan Hua looked at Shangguan Die for a moment then nodded. "I wish you success, First Young Miss Shangguan."

Shangguan Die chuckled. She watched as Nan Hua walked away before reclined on her seat. When she was talking with Nan Hua, there were times when she thought that she was facing someone like her grandfather. But thinking about her own grandfather and what he could do, she felt that she was hallucinating.

How could it be that a young girl gave out the same pressure like her grandfather, who was a war veteran?

But there was part inside her that felt that way when she saw the occasional gaze Nan Hua gave to her. Even until now, she could not guess what was inside Nan Hua's mind at all and that always made her perturbed.

"Miss, it's time to rest."

"I'll go back." Shangguan Die nodded and stood up. The warmth in her face had long gone as she looked at the servants around her. No matter what, she would never allow these servants to take advantage of her.

While Shangguan Die was busy, Nan Hua had reached the quarter where she would be staying for the time being. Since there were not many people, the temple prepared one of the best place for her to stay.

Even though the two girls looked like they were close, only they themselves knew that they were simply using each other. Nan Hua was using Shangguan Die to cover up her real ability by having Shangguan Die be the one in charge. With Shangguan Die personality, it was easy for her to do so. In addition, Nan Hua was also learning about things that her aunt didn't completely cover due to the difference in generation.

On the other hand, Shangguan Die was asking for Nan Hua's help to help her recover her face. It was what Shangguan Die wanted the most. She also provided with enough information regarding Shangguan Family.

The details that Nan Hua couldn't get were all provided by her for free during their talk as they brushed about those topics from time to time.

Yet, they looked close in the eyes of outsiders.

Shangguan Die didn't mind it at all because she knew that only by letting herself be used by others would she be able to get what she wanted. What was the point of not doing anything and merely lamented on her loss?

She wanted to achieve what she wanted.

Even if it meant that she had to pay with a huge price.

"Miss, would you like to rest?" Xiao Yun asked.

Nan Hua nodded. Since she would be staying in the temple for who knew how long, it would be better for her to adjust her schedule for now. Hmm, how about if she picked some herbs?

There were a lot of herbs.

It seemed that her schedule for tomorrow had been set.

…

Or it was.

The next day, Nan Hua had only gathered some herbs when she noticed that a carriage had arrived and that someone was looking for her.

"Someone is looking for me?" Nan Hua repeated. If she was not wrong, she didn't really have many friends who could visit her openly aside from her brother and cousins. Mu Fei Jiu definitely couldn't come here because she was busy with the matter in Mu Family.

They were not idle during this time as they had to seize the chance to gather more political power.

"Yes, Miss."

Nan Hua looked at her servant for a moment before walking in the direction that they told. Upon seeing the person who came, she blinked her eyes, wondering why Old Madam Long would be here.

"Grandmother?" Nan Hua called out.

"Hua'er!" Old Madam Long was overjoyed when she saw Nan Hua. Before she could stand up, she could see her servants were glaring in her direction. They were already against her coming here, so she had to at least make sure that they wouldn't be over worried.

Nan Hua sped up her walking and stopped before Old Madam Long. "Grandmother, why are you here?"

"Silly girl, I'm here to pray for my health!" Old Madam Long grinned.

Nan Hua blinked her eyes. She knew that Old Madam Long was lying. She was not really a pious person who would be praying at the Temple every single time. Besides, the temple to the Capital City was still a considerable distance.

Old Madam Long came here because she was here.

"Grandmother, you don't have to come here." Nan Hua patted Old Madam Long's hand. "I can pray for Grandmother's health."

Old Madam Long laughed faintly. "Come with me inside. The wind is cold outside."

It was already mid Spring, so the temperature was no longer that cold. in fact, it was pretty warm outside. However, Nan Hua didn't refute Old Madam Long and followed the old madam inside the building.

"Did your father give you permission to leave?"

"No."

"I see."

Nan Hua looked at Old Madam Long. It seemed that the old madam had already guessed that Nan Hua would not get any permission from her father to visit her, so she chose to come here. It was risky, considering Old Madam Long's health, but it was also pretty good for Old Madam Long to stay here.

At the very least, the air was very fresh here and there were no concubines who would bother Old Madam Long.

"How about if we paint together, Hua'er?" Old Madam Long asked faintly.

Nan Hua glanced at Old Madam Long and nodded obediently. Thus, the two of them spent their time drawing and painting. It was only now Nan Hua learned that the painting technique was actually changing from time to time. What her aunt taught her and what Old Madam Long taught her were slightly different yet similar.

For some reason, Nan Hua felt that no matter where she was, she would be learning something new.

In the evening, Shangguan Die came to visit. From her expression, it was clear that she was feeling uneasy in front of Old Madam Long's presence.

"Is this your friend, Hua'er?" Old Madam Long asked in a low tone.

Nan Hua nodded. "Yes, Shangguan Die is my friend, Grandmother."

Grandmother?

Shangguan Die felt that for Old Madam Long to allow Nan Hua to call her as grandmother and then came here, the two must be very close. She felt that Nan Hua was truly one of the kind. To be able to appeal to her grandmother in law even before marriage…

What a feat.

"I see." Old Madam Long sighed. "I'm already old and can't stay with you continuously. Go and take some walk with your friend, Hua'er."

"Yes, Grandmother." Nan Hua looked at Old Madam Long helplessly.

"Don't worry about me. I'll still be here when you come tomorrow. We shall continue painting and talk about other things."

"Okay, Grandmother."

Walking out of the building, Nan Hua glanced at Shangguan Die. Her gaze seemed to be inquiring why the latter was looking for her.

"Madam Qu came to pay a visit not long ago." Shangguan Die chuckled. "It seems that she's trying to shade you in front of me, acting like a good mother and all."