Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

"I see."

"You're not surprised."

It was a statement and not a question. Shangguan Die was absolutely sure when she saw Nan Hua's reaction just now.

Nan Hua glanced at Shangguan Die. "A person can't hide their true nature forever. Sooner or later, it'll be revealed."

"Is that why you allow her to make a move?" Shangguan Die arched her eyebrows.

Based on observing Nan Hua, Shangguan Die could see that Nan Hua didn't even bother trying to build any relationship with Madam Qu. Each and every one of her action was blocking every advance Madam Qu could possibly make. It caused people to know instantly that Nan Hua and Madam Qu didn't have any good relationship.

"What's the use of maintaining a façade that will shatter very soon?" Nan Hua was too lazy to maintain the act of a filial daughter. Besides, with such a big commotion that happened back then, it would be weird for her to be able to accept the person who had caused her birth mother to die.

Shangguan Die nodded. "I see."

"Are you worried?"

"If it's you, should I be?" Shangguan Die chuckled. She glanced at Nan Hua. "With your capabilities, I'm sure that you have your own plan. However, I do hope that you can still be careful in front of those foxes."

"I will." Nan Hua walked with Shangguan Die and crossed the garden. The Temple felt peaceful yet at the same time, it felt surreal. It was as if this was all nothing but a dream.

But it was also the truth. No matter how much they tried to stay in this place, they would eventually have to return unless they chose to join the temple. And when they returned, the problem that they delayed before would have to be settled.

This was nothing more than temporary refuge.

"Would you trust her words?"

"Over yours?" Shangguan Die arched her eyebrows. "Not a chance. Though, I doubted that other noble ladies will be the same. She's more active in the society and you haven't been in the Capital City for a long time. Without showing your face or even attending those parties, there are not many people who will be on your side."

"I know."

Shangguan Die was looking at Nan Hua as the latter walked towards Nan Hua's quarter. She felt that Nan Hua also understood this point, yet she didn't try to even have a place in the society. For women, their reputation and their social skill would determine their position.

If rumors spread that they were not good, it wouldn't be good for them either.

Yet, Nan Hua was not worried that Nan Xin and Madam Qu would destroy her reputation thoroughly. They had already built an image for Nan Hua from the very moment she left the Capital City. But there didn't seem to be much of retaliation from Nan Hua.

In fact, it seemed to very slow.

"Let's talk at other time, Shangguan Die."

"Sure."

…

Time passed swiftly.

Nan Hua didn't even bother with Madam Qu and Nan Xin, who created trouble because she couldn't eat vegetables all the time. Thankfully, the servants managed to sneak out to search for some additional supplies that allowed them to be able to survive longer in this temple.

For the next few days, she was either with Old Madam Long or with Shangguan Die. Even if Madam Qu wanted to create trouble for her, she wouldn't be able to speak properly in front of the two big personages. In the end, she had no other choice but to leave Nan Hua be and focused on finding method to return earlier.

Nan Hua was staying with Old Madam Long when a servant came. "Madam, there's a letter from Young Master."

"Ah, that brat finally wrote a letter." Old Madam Long put down the brush and took the leather skin. It was rolled nicely before stamped with the candle seal, making one able to know whether the seal had been opened or not so easily.

Nan Hua looked at the letter. Letter using skin was expensive because skinning animals were not easy. Not to mention, the technique to crossbreeds and so on hadn't developed that much. Most people here still relied mostly on farming.

"Hua'er, come here."

"Grandmother, it's your letter."

"That brat mentioned you again in the letter." Old Madam Long chuckled. "It should be fine for you to see."

The servant who followed Old Madam Long twitched her lips. She felt that Young Master Long would definitely be embarrassed if he knew that his grandmother showed his letter to his fiancée.

Nan Hua looked at the letter then at Old Madam Long's expectant face. She shifted her body closer and leaned to the letter. The letter was relatively short, but Nan Hua could see that each strokes were written powerfully. It truly represented a man who was full of vigor and also a strong one.

The beginning was a simple nagging to his grandmother while reporting his situation briefly. He couldn't possibly leak out many things that were related to military, so the introduction was very brief.

The end of the letter was asking about Nan Hua…

Reading the letter, Nan Hua blinked her eyes. She turned to look at Old Madam Long and wondered whether she looked like a small rabbit that was ready to be feasted by beast in their eyes.

Who was so weak that the foxes will catch her easily?

Who was so stupid that she couldn't read the atmosphere and easily persuaded by others?

She really felt that the images of her that was imprinted inside Long Qian Xing's mind was the total opposite of what she actually was. But then again, she couldn't really show her real ability just to anyone.

Even if she wanted to show them, it had to be at the right moment without those shadow guards around.

Old Madam Long chuckled when she noticed Nan Hua's gaze. "Little Lass, Ah Xing is really worried about you. How about if you send a letter to him?"