Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

Nan Hua blinked her eyes and looked at her cousin. "In the future, we won't be able to ride the same carriage again."

"Ah?" Nan Luo was stunned, then he recalled that Nan Hua was almost 13 years old. Even though women became an adult when they were 15, they had to start paying attention a few years before they reached that age. That way, there wouldn't be anyone who would be talking bad about them.

"Hua'er can just disguise yourself." Feng Ao Kuai was not worried.

Nan Hua nodded faintly then looked outside the carriage. Now that she was growing up, it would soon be the time for her to go back to the Capital City and faced those people again. Staying with her grandfather was never a long term solution.

It was merely temporary.

Closing her eyes, Nan Hua silently thought about her next move.

…

The journey to Kuai City took a short time because everyone was in a hurry. The city itself was in mourning atmosphere since Hai Family was the overlord in this quite small city.

After the mistake that Empress Dowager Hai made, she was punished repeatedly. Around two years ago, she was sent to Kuai City and had been staying here since then. Even though Kuai City was Hai Family turf, there were a lot of people who would be trying so hard to make sure that they would not do anything overboard.

That way, Empress Dowager Hai didn't exactly live a pampered life here.

And not long ago, she finally passed away.

Nan Hua looked at the city from inside the carriage. The people there wore light color as if they were all mourning. However, it was clear that some of them were still busy with their usual activities.

For most of them, the death of Empress Dowager Hai worth nothing.

"I can't see them as people who are mourning," Nan Luo muttered.

"Most of them have never even seen Empress Dowager Hai. Her reputation is not exactly the best either." Feng Ao Kuai himself had never met Empress Dowager Hai, so he didn't have any emotion when talking about that woman.

"But they're wearing mourning clothes?"

"His Highness the Second Prince should arrive tomorrow. If he thought badly of you because you didn't mourn with him, it'll be disastrous."

Nan Luo was speechless.

In other word, they were simply wearing mourning clothes to show face and not because they actually wanted to.

"Hai Family Residence is over there."

Nan Luo looked at the building and blinked his eyes. "Are you sure it's not a palace?"

"It's indeed named after Empress Dowager Hai. Even though she's a woman, she's still the mother of a prince." Feng Ao Kuai still remembered plenty of his history lesson from before. Emperor Yang Zhou didn't want to make himself look bad by mistreating Empress Dowager Hai, so he sent her here.

The name was house arrest, and it did look a bit glamorous from outside. It was just, the palace was a bit dull from inside.

Hai Family Residence was right beside it and at some point of time, they merged the palace and the residence. After all, it was only separated by some walls before. This was why this place turned to be really big by now.

"I see."

The carriages stopped.

Feng Qian Kun was the first to alight and talked to the servants there. A man came forward to welcome him and talked while the others got out of the carriages one by one.

"Don't talk unless it's necessary."

"I know." Nan Luo rolled his eyes. Did his cousin think that he was so stupid so as to run his mouth around when he was in other people's territory? He was not that brainless.

The man finally put his attention to the children. He cupped his hand. "My name is Hai Fa Xia. It's nice to meet you, Second Young Master Feng."

"Feng Ao Kuai greets Mr. Hai." Feng Ao Kuai was being polite. He quickly introduced Nan Luo and Nan Hua. "This is my cousin Nan Luo and Nan Hua. They're accompanying me here this time."

"First Young Master Nan and First Young Miss Nan." Hai Fa Xia nodded and smiled. "I have heard about you two."

"It's our honor, Mr. Hai." Nan Luo greeted back.

On the other hand, Nan Hua simply curtsied since she really shouldn't talk with people from opposite gender as an unmarried young lady. Thankfully, Hai Fa Xia also knew the etiquette and would not try to talk to her and put her in difficult position.

Hai Fa Xia waved his hand. "I'm afraid that I can't accompany you for a long time, Second Young Master Feng, First Young Master Nan. The steward will take you to your temporary residence."

"Excuse me, Mr. Hai. is it possible for us to pay respect to Empress Dowager Hai? Even if it's from a distance, we wouldn't mind," Feng Ao Kuai interjected.

"Of course you can." Hai Fa Xia smiled wryly. "However, it'll be better for you to wash up first. When you're done, my sister will bring you there."

"In that case, thank you in advance, Mr. Hai Fa Xia."

The three of them then walked in the direction that Hai Fa Xia had pointed at. The steward was also acting polite as he didn't dare to look at them when he guided the way and only made sure that they were following.

Feng Ao Kuai was silently observing the situation while Nan Luo was acting more blatant than him.

Nan Hua was the one with the least reaction. She noticed how the servants were all very orderly and always tried their best to put their presence the lowest as if they were afraid of getting noticed. Many servants tried their best to stand out in order to be able to get achievement and promotion.

But it was the opposite here.

It was as if there were all afraid of something.

Lowering her eyes, Nan Hua acted as if she didn't notice anything and only headed to the quarter where they could stay. Since she was an unmarried young lady, she got a quarter for herself, right beside Nan Luo's quarter.