Chapter 237: Going with the Flow

Hua Zhi gently but firmly pulled the other woman to sit beside her. Ignoring the redness in the other's eyes, she said, "Xu Ying found out that the fishing fleet is in a coastal village. There are no large ships there, meaning the agreed-upon cargo can only be loaded there. And the Zheng family is the in-laws of the Jingzhou governor. I don't want to conflict with him, it wouldn't be good for me."

Shao Yao's tense body gradually relaxed as she leaned against Hua Zhi's shoulder, saying nothing more.

Hua Zhi wrapped her arm around Shao Yao and stroked her back. She had long passed the age of impulsiveness. When faced with problems, she would first consider what situation would be most advantageous for herself. It wasn't that she was truly calm and collected, but as the captain of a ship, even the luxury of impulsiveness had been lost.

"Caocao, I need your help."

Shao Yao's voice was muffled, "What is it?"

"Originally, I wanted you to find a way to make my pulse seem like I was sick, but since someone has already taken the initiative, let's just go with the flow."

"A sleeping drug?"

"Yes," Hua Zhi said matter-of-factly, "Since they were the ones who administered it first, and it was the local doctor who made the diagnosis, they won't suspect anything."

"I have the drug."

"That's good. Yu Tao, go and call the physician."

Yu Tao responded without a moment's hesitation and turned to leave. With Shao Yao here, no ordinary person would dare to cross the threshold.

"Bao Xia, go to the window and keep watch. Tell me if anyone comes."

"Yes."

Hua Zhi lay down on the bed and looked at Shao Yao with a reassuring gaze. Shao Yao leaned beside her for a moment before finally calming down. She dug out a pill from her pocket, broke off a small piece, and put the rest back. "It's not a good thing. I'll give you an antidote as soon as they leave."

"I'll do whatever you say." Hua Zhi held her hand, her voice gentle yet firm. "When we love someone or hate someone, that person must be worth it. I love you and am willing to sacrifice my life to protect you. You love me and are willing to go through fire and water for me. You hate Prince Ling and wish you could cut him into a thousand pieces. But here in Zhuyang, those people who have nothing to do with us are just like ants. We don't bother ourselves with ants, but if they really want to touch the tiger's whiskers, we'll just step on them and cqrush them. Don't be angry, it's not worth it."

Although her words were so gentle, the meaning behind them was sharp and indifferent. The redness in Shao Yao's eyes welled up and then receded. Her heart gradually calmed down. She had only a few people left, and she cared about them too much, so much that she knew anyone who tried to harm them would have to pay with blood.

She didn't want to show Hua Zhi her bloodthirsty side. She was afraid that Hua Zhi would no longer like her. But now she knew that Hua Zhi knew everything, knew that she wasn't as good or as obedient as she appeared, knew that she was naturally violent, and knew many of her flaws. Hua Zhi had always known, but she had never changed her feelings for her.

So Hua Hua knew all along.

Shao Yao climbed onto the bed and sprawled across Hua Zhi, covering half her body. How could her Hua Hua be so kind? So kind that she wanted to monopolize her and not share her with Yan Ge!

Hua Zhi gently stroked her back, her gaze fixed on the canopy, filled with a desolate emptiness. They had both clawed their way through thorns, leaving blood-stained footprints. They had witnessed too much betrayal, endured too much injustice. They had roared in the depths of despair, and yearned for the end of the world to consume all the filth and beauty alike. What was strange about their flawed personalities? She was simply better at hiding it.

People like them could never truly warm each other. But they could lick each other's wounds and never betray.

"Miss Shao Yao, the physician is here."

Shao Yao grunted and sat up, feeding the medicine to Hua Hua.

It was a strange feeling. It was as if she had suddenly lost all her strength. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she was drowsy. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds at the door, the sound of Bao Xia guiding the doctor in, and then the feeling of her wrist being grasped.

In a daze, she heard the doctor say something. The door opened and closed, and then something cool was fed into her mouth. After that, the heavy feeling subsided, and her body felt noticeably lighter.

"Hua Hua, are you feeling better?"

Hua Zhi opened and closed her eyes, then sat up. She felt no different from before taking the medicine. It was a feeling that couldn't be described in words, only that Cao Cao's skill in making medicine was truly miraculous.

"How do you feel?"

"As if nothing ever happened," Hua Zhi smiled. Without asking the doctor what he thought, she ordered, "Yu Tao, go to the well in the inn and fetch some water to boil yourself. Then go outside and get some food. Be on your guard."

"Yes."

As soon as the man left, Bao Xia closed the door tightly. To prevent eavesdropping, they had always spoken very softly. Now Bao Xia asked, "Miss, do you want the person who poisoned you to know that you've fallen for their trap?"

"Not just the one who poisoned me. I'm afraid it won't be long before everyone knows. It's only natural for me to refuse when the Zheng family comes."

Shao Yao mumbled, "Why go through all this trouble for just the Zheng family? What if Mu Yunyang comes?"

"I'm here to do business. It's best to be amicable if we can avoid trouble." As she spoke, someone knocked at the door.

The three of them exchanged glances, and Bao Xia went to the door and asked in a practiced manner, "Who is it?"

"I am Zheng Qing, a steward from the Zheng family shipping company. I've been sent by my master to invite you to discuss a business deal."

Seeing her mistress nod, Bao Xia understood. "It's not that we don't appreciate your visit, but I must inform you, sir, that my young mistress is ill. The physician has just left, and our servants have all gone to get medicine. I'm afraid she won't be able to get out of bed today."

Manager Zheng was taken aback. Hadn't she just returned from that Dongling Shipping Line?

How could she have fallen ill so soon?

What kind of illness was this?

Suspecting that this wealthy woman of unknown origins might be making excuses, Zheng Qing's expression darkened. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and left.

Having risen to the position of manager, he relied on more than just a silver tongue; he was indeed quite capable. Although he had already formed a preconceived notion that Hua Zhi was feigning illness to avoid him, after overhearing a conversation about her in the main hall, he paused and turned back.

Tapping on the innkeeper's desk, he asked, "What happened?"

The innkeeper, already on edge, was even more anxious. After all, the incident had occurred in his inn, and he couldn't escape responsibility. Moreover, his own hands weren't exactly clean. But even though he was nervous, he dared not disrespect Zheng Qing. With a forced smile, he recounted how Hua Zhi had summoned a doctor.

Zheng Qing raised an eyebrow. So, she was truly ill. This was interesting. "What illness is it?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, sir. They called the doctor from Renxin Hall. You could go ask him yourself, Manager Zheng."

Zheng Qing scoffed and headed straight for Renxin Hall.