Chapter 236: Poisoning

Upon returning to their room, Bao Xia immediately shut the door. Her heart pounded like a drum. The gazes of those men had been far too brazen!

Hua Zhi pushed open the window and looked outside. The weather here was quite humid, and her body felt a slight discomfort, but it was nothing unbearable.

The water jug had been filled before they went out. Bao Xia poured a cup and handed it to her mistress. "Miss, would you like some more water?"

Hua Zhi took the cup casually and brought it to her lips, then paused and glanced down. "Is this the water from inside the room?"

"Yes," Bao Xia replied, a bit nervously. "Is there something wrong, Miss?"

Hua Zhi shook her head slightly. She was simply cautious by nature and dared not easily touch anything from the outside in this strange place. "Leave it there. We'll wait for Caochao to return."

"Yes."

Hua Zhi sat at the table, looking at Bao Xia, who was no longer chattering away as she was in their familiar surroundings. A sigh escaped her lips. Perhaps people were all like this, only when they had nothing to rely on could they grow. She wanted to protect the people around her so they could live as they pleased, but when the environment was like this, everyone could only adapt. There was no other way.

There was a knock at the door. Bao Xia glanced at her mistress, and Hua Zhi nodded.

Walking to the door, Bao Xia asked loudly, "Who is it?"

"I'm an innkeeper."

"What is it?"

"Replying to the young miss, someone sent me to deliver a name card to you."

Bao Xia looked at her mistress, her eyes filled with anxiety. She understood the saying that a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake, and moreover, they were far from being a strong dragon. In the capital, anyone who wanted to move against their mistress would have various considerations, but in this remote southern region, who could say?

Without a moment's hesitation, Hua Zhi refused. "Please tell the innkeeper that I'm just passing through this place and won't disturb anyone."

As the footsteps faded away, Bao Xia made sure the door was securely closed before returning. She whispered, "Miss, I'm a little scared."

If she could, she truly wished that her mistress would never leave the capital for the rest of her life. Only after leaving it did she realize that even though the Hua family had fallen, the capital was still a safe place for them. There were old friends there, and the Hua family had a deep foundation for many years. Even if there was oppression, they would still have a sense of security, unlike now, where even locked in this room, she felt threatened on all sides.

Hua Zhi patted her hand and said nothing.

She wasn't necessarily at ease either, but this was the path she had to take. Even if there were mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, she had to wade through them. There was no better path to take.

When the door was knocked on again, the mistress and maid exchanged glances. Bao Xia suppressed all her fear and went to the door to ask, "Who is it?"

"I am Qin Gang of Xiuyang. I wonder if I have the honor of having a word with the young miss."

Before Bao Xia could refuse, Hua Zhi had already spoken. "On what matter do you wish to invite me? And in what capacity? Or is it a custom in Xiuyang to invite passing young ladies for a chat?"

The man's voice paused before continuing, "Young miss, you've misunderstood. I'm merely admiring your grace and have no intention of offending you."

"Oh?" Hua Zhi glanced at Bao Xia, who bit her lip and opened the door. The table was directly opposite the door, and as soon as the door opened, the two pairs of eyes met.

Hua Zhi did not shy away and even curled the corners of her lips upward, but her eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth. "I've only heard that those stunningly beautiful courtesans would be sought after by young masters. Could it be that this young master has mistaken me for someone who sells their body?"

Bao Xia was taken aback and then glared at the man outside. She hadn't considered this possibility before. So they had actually looked down on their young mistress like this!

How despicable!

Qin Gang had not expected this woman to be so sharp-tongued. It was completely unexpected, but he also felt that this behavior was quite fitting for such a young lady. If she had been so meek and submissive, how could she have such an aura?

He didn't step inside but made a gesture of respect outside the door, saying, "Miss, you have misunderstood. Your elegance is not comparable to those people..."

"Does Zhengyang have a custom of inviting young ladies to converse with the sons of prominent families?"

"Of course not..."

Hua Zhi's lips curled slightly, "Please, Qin Gongzi."

Bao Xia immediately closed the door and blocked the view outside. She listened at the door for a moment to make sure everyone had left before exhaling in relief, "Miss, once this starts..."

"I can delay it for a while." She made it clear that even if those people were to come closer, they would need a legitimate reason to do so. She just needed to delay until either Shao Yao or Yu Tao came back.

She could protect herself alone, but she couldn't protect Bao Xia, so she had to employ delaying tactics first.

Bao Xia pursed her lips, "Are we still staying here?"

"It's useless to move elsewhere." Zhengyang was so small that she couldn't shake off those determined pursuers no matter where she went. Her retreat would only attract more attention. If Qin just now had dared to cross that threshold, it would have been a good lesson for the rest.

Too bad.

The door was knocked on again. Bao Xia proficiently asked, "Who is it?"

"It's me."

Yu Tao was back!

Hua Zhi's heart settled, and Bao Xia eagerly opened the door, pulling him in with a happy expression, "You're back! I thought it was those persistent people again."

Yu Tao was considering this when he heard the elder Miss ask, "Where is this person from?"

"I followed him all the way and saw him enter the Zhengshi Shipping Company."

Hua Zhi immediately understood. On her first day in Zhengyang, she had gathered information about the Donglai Shipping Company and knew that Zhengshi Shipping Company was their competitor with a strong background.

This person couldn't be offended, but he also couldn't be seen. An idea gradually formed in her mind, and she glanced at the sky outside, knowing that Shao Yao should be back soon.

Just as she thought of Shao Yao, she arrived before her voice did, bursting into the room cheerfully. Hua Zhi softened her expression, beckoning her to sit beside her, "Had a great time?"

"Absolutely, I met a great old physician who taught me a lot." Shao Yao picked up a hat, sipped the tea on the table, and spat it out before sniffing it, her eyes clouding over. This taste always reminded her of something unpleasant.

Nervously, Bao Xia asked, "Miss Shao Yao, is something wrong?"

"It's been tampered with." Shao Yao looked at Hua Zhi and immediately took her pulse. Although she could tell that Hua Zhi was fine, she couldn't help but worry.

"I didn't drink it." Comforting Bao Xia, who was on the verge of tears, Huazhi asked, "What was put in it?"

"Sweat-inducing medicine, a small amount that will just make you dizzy for about an hour." But for those with malicious intent, that time was enough for them to do a lot. Shao Yao stood up to leave, as the innkeeper of this place would be involved no matter who had tampered with it.

"Cao Cao, the most urgent thing is not this right now." Hua Zhi held her hand, "I need to avoid the Zheng family."

"Why do you need to avoid them?"

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