Chapter 243: The Twins

Laughter filled the air as Xu Ying appeared at the door. “Miss Hua, Miss Shao Yao would like to see you.”

Hua Zhi’s laughter subsided, her eyes shimmering. “I guess there’s been some development with those twins. Xiao Liu, you should go with me.”

The Sixth Prince pursed his lips. He knew why Hua Jiejie was smiling, and he also knew that this matter was not simple. But... he was a Gu, and he had seen things that the other members of the Gu family hadn’t. As a prince, he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t seen anything.

These people paid their labor tax to the Great Daqing Dynasty every year, yet the dynasty couldn’t even provide them with basic security. How could the people's hearts remain loyal?

Having read extensively from historical records, he knew that dynasties with unstable public sentiment could not last long. Just as Hua Jiejie often said in class, it was better to be a dog in a peaceful era than a person in a chaotic one. He sincerely hoped for the same.

Shui Guang Village was located by the sea, and all the houses were two-story stone buildings. The inn was no exception, with the lower floor for personal use and the upper floor for guest rooms. There were only five or six rooms in total. Since Hua Zhi and her group of nine people were not accustomed to roughing it, they had booked all the rooms. The twins were arranged in the room at the end that had originally belonged to Bao Xia.

Dark clouds loomed outside, making the room even darker. The mixture of medicinal herbs and blood made Hua Zhi feel a little uncomfortable. She paused at the door before continuing inside.

“Are you awake?”

“The brother is awake, but the sister isn’t yet.” Shao Yao looked unwell.

If one were to compare their injuries, the brother's were more severe, especially the unspeakable part where old wounds had been reopened, leaving the flesh torn and bloody. But in such a short time, she had come to understand that it was her brother who had been protecting her all along. This made her rather disgusted. He was so useless, he might as well be dead.

Bao Xia brought a small stool over to the bed and helped her young mistress sit down. Just as she was about to get another chair for the Sixth Prince, he shook his head, signaling her not to move.

Hua Zhi looked at the boy, who was no more than eleven or twelve years old. Although he was thin, his features were quite handsome. It was rare to see someone who wasn't dark and sallow like the local people. If he had been born into a wealthy family, he would have certainly been a handsome young master. But being born into an ordinary family was a disaster.

"Cao Dahai is dead."

The boy's eyes flickered, and his vigilance did not diminish.

Hua Zhi didn't mind. Her tone remained calm. "Where is your home? I will send someone to find your family."

The boy still didn't speak, and sweat began to appear on his forehead.

Hua Zhi continued, "We won't be staying here for long. We will leave at the latest the day after tomorrow. If you don't tell me, I can only leave you and your sister with Master Wu Dong, Wu Zheng of Antai Fishing Company. Do you know him?"

Perhaps it was Wu Zheng's name that had an effect, and the boy nodded slightly.

"Alright, I'll ask Wu Zheng to come over later when he's finished with his work."

"There's no one."

Hua Zhi didn't respond, but waited quietly for the boy to continue.

"We don't have any family left," the boy's Mandarin was very difficult to understand. "If we stay here, we will die."

As he spoke, the child struggled to sit up. When Huazhi saw him shift position, she realized his intention and quickly had Xuying help him lie back down. "Just lie there and talk," she said gently.

The exertion left the child breathing rapidly, and a flush crept into his cheeks. He didn't know who these people were or what their status was, but the beautiful woman had eyes that made him want to cry. Even in his most desperate moments, he had never cried, but now he felt like he could.

'No, I can't cry,' he told himself. 'If I die, it's over, but my timid sister won't survive without me. She can't live without me.'

Taking a few deep breaths, he forced himself to speak in the official language he had only heard spoken before. "I... I beg you to take us away from here. Sell us into slavery or anything, just take us away."

His voice trembled, and Hua Zhi felt a pang in her heart. What kind of circumstances would drive someone to prefer slavery to staying in their hometown? They must be truly desperate.

"Let's get you well first," Hua Zhi replied, not making any immediate promises. "We can discuss it further when your sister wakes up."

Looking at the child, whose eyes were filled with both anxiety and fear, Hua Zhi softened her tone. "I promise you, no matter what you decide, I'll help."

The child clutched his blanket, wanting to say more but afraid of offending the noblewoman. 'There will be another chance,' he reassured himself.

Returning to her room, Hua Zhi called for Chen Er. "Go find Chen Er."

"Yes," Xu Ying replied.

Chen Er, who had been rushing from one task to another, dropped everything immediately upon hearing the young mistress call for him.

Hua Zhi smiled when she saw him. "You seem to be in high spirits, Steward Chen. Congratulations on your upcoming promotion."

"It's all thanks to the young mistress," Chen Er bowed sincerely.

Hua Zhi accepted the bow graciously and asked Chen Er about the twins.

Chen Er was startled. "They're still alive?"

"You know of them?"

"It's a terrible thing," Chen Er shook his head. "It was a shameful incident for our village of Shuiguang. Cao Dahai had his eye on the twins' mother, and the woman's husband was too timid to do anything. He just watched helplessly as his wife was abducted. The woman hanged herself the next day, and when the twins went to collect her body, Cao Dahai found them. They never returned after that. I thought they were dead."

There were truly all kinds of evil in this world. Hua Zhi smoothed her gown and her expression was calm. "What about the man?"

"He drank himself to death about half a year ago. The fishermen only found his boat."

Shao Yao snorted from the side, her expression clearly conveying her disdain.

Bao Xia coaxed Shao Yao away, and Huazhi turned back to Chen Er. "Does he have any other family?"

"Yes, he does," Chen Er hesitated before continuing. "I wouldn't dare deceive the young mistress, but the women rescued from Yunshun Fishery today... they're all dead."

Hua Zhi walked to the window. The crowd had dispersed, and people were moving about below. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt that their steps were light, as if the deaths of those women had nothing to do with them, nothing to do with the customs of this place.

She couldn't even blame them for valuing human life so little. Here, a woman's life was probably the least valuable thing. But the anger she felt refused to subside.

"In that case, I'll take them with me."

Chen Er bowed deeply. "The young mistress will surely be rewarded for her kindness."

Hua Zhi smiled wryly. Good people often didn't live long. She had always wanted to be indifferent to the world, but she couldn't just stand by and watch them die.

———TN: Kindness is the token of understanding and compassion.