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.
"From now on, you shall be known as Hua Tianci. Don't be afraid… your mother will protect you henceforth. No one will be able to hurt you again! If anyone dares to hurt you, I will tear them into pieces!" Hua Qiyue said solemnly.
The child looked at her with his large eyes.
"Son…"
Tears rimmed Hua Qiyue's eyes and her nose felt stuffy. In her past life, she’d doted on him and protected him carefully at all times. She’d dedicated her life to making Tianci’s better.
And now Tianci had been tortured by the man who’d raised him and his cruel mistress. As Tianci’s mother, she felt that she had failed in her responsibilities and had been too ignorant!
Tianci looked at her red-rimmed eyes and relaxed when he did not see any malicious intent there. He cocked his head to the side.
Hua Qiyue's gaze fell on his small hands.
The hands that had been as fair and tender as a lotus were now covered with scars. She couldn't bear to think of how much pain he had been through!
Hua Qiyue picked Tianci up, and he was so frightened that he curled up in her arms and did not dare to move.
Hua Qiyue brought Tianci into his new room and placed him on the bed. "Lvxin, tell the kitchen to prepare lunch and send it over…"
She sounded like she was about to burst into tears and Lvxin and Youshui exchanged a worried glance.
Since Hua Qiyue had returned, she was like a completely different person. She was extremely clever and scheming, so much so that Second Concubine and Hua Mengshi suffered for no reason.
However, there was always a sorrowful look in her eyes. Her gaze when she looked at Tianci was so filled with grief and regret, like she was seeing her long-lost son.
This was not the time to speak, so they quietly left the room to give mother and son some time alone.
"Tianci, I'm sorry… you've suffered so much… I'll never, never let you go through such hardship again!" Tears finally formed in Hua Qiyue's eyes and the teardrops grew until they were as large as crystal pearls when they fell.
Tianci stared dumbly this strange woman in front of him. His mother had just passed away and everyone at home treated him harshly. Especially that vicious Princess Huizhen, who would use her sharp nails to dig into his skin, and even feed him poison that caused him to be mute.
It had only been for a few short days, but Tianci felt as though he had fallen from the mortal realm into hell, for everywhere around him was filled with filth and darkness. Pain was his constant companion.
He was surprised that this woman he was now meant to call "mother" had actually shed tears for him. Tianci blinked and stretched out a small, trembling hand to wipe the tears from Hua Qiyue's face.
Hua Xiyue shuddered, then hugged Tianci tight and cried soundlessly.
Tianci seemed to have grown more comfortable with her and patted her shoulder in a reassuring way.
She didn't know how long she had been crying for, but after she stopped, she dropped a soft kiss on Tianci's forehead. "Tianci, from today on… you shall call me "mother," do you understand?"
Tianci looked at her pitifully and Hua Qiyue suddenly remembered that he could no longer speak.
Hua Qiyue's eyes took on a savage glint at the thought of how much he had suffered despite his young age.
"Don’t worry, Tianci,” Hua Qiyue thought to herself, “I will seek vengeance on your behalf. Everyone who made you suffer shall pay the price!"
Despite what he’d been through, she wanted Tianci to retain what innocence he could, and not burden him with thoughts of revenge.
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
The Second Concubine was filled with resentment. She hadn't expected Butler Wang to personally remind Old Madame to attend the charity event. If he had informed her privately, she could have thought of a way to borrow some silver."Now, Butler Wang. What did you say?" The Old Madame was furious and only calmed down slightly after Hua Qiyue softly muttered words of comfort. She glared at Butler Wang, who knelt on the floor.Butler Wang trembled as he kowtowed, cold sweat dripping all over his forehead as he pleaded, "Madame Hua… your servant… your servant has made a mistake. I shouldn't have kept this from you. It is because… the Second Concubine always sends me to purchase her elixirs!"The Second Concubine looked sharply at Butler Wang.She knew he must have taken the initiative to confess in order to obtain the Old Madame's forgiveness first. But the way he brazenly came to the main hall to remind her of the charity implied he’d