Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

"Miss," Xiao Yun called.

Nan Hua shifted her head and looked at Xiao Yun calmly. There was no trace of emotion on her eyes. It was as calm as a lake without any ripple.

"What is it, Xiao Yun?"

"I won't be able to get inside because of my position. However, if you ever need me, Miss, I'll help you with everything I can." Xiao Yun was a bit nervous inside. She knew that because she was nothing more than a servant, she was not allowed to enter the main hall.

Well, she could stay at the edge but not getting any closer. Most of the servants would stay outside because they could accompany their master or misses to the garden if they wished for it.

The only exception was inside that large main hall.

"It's fine." Nan Hua was not worried in the slightest bit. "They won't be able to do anything to me."

Xiao Yun looked at Nan Hua then sighed. Even though she knew that Nan Hua was powerful, she was still worried that there might be something wrong when they were inside the palace. Offending some people might put Nan Hua in difficult position in the future.

"We're here," she suddenly announced, then hurriedly went outside to help Nan Hua climb out of the carriage.

Nan Hua held onto Xia's hand and walked down the steps in a deliberate manner. Her clear black obsidian eyes glanced towards the enormous palace and a fleeting cold light flashed.

The most beautiful place was also the dirtiest and most dangerous place.

"Hua'er."

Both Nan Luo and Feng Ao Kuai had alighted down the carriage. They were looking in Nan Hua's direction because they had to come together. Honestly, they would actually need an adult to accompany them, but Old Master Nan had left first.

Thus, they could only come by themselves.

"We still have a long to walk."

Nan Luo sighed when he looked at the long road right in front of him. The carriage was not allowed to enter the inner palace, so if they wanted to enter the main hall, there was quite a long road for them to take.

Another carriage had arrived behind them. A young man furrowed his eyebrows when he saw the group in front of him.

"First Young Master Nan, Second Young Master Kuai?" A voice called them from behind.

Nan Luo turned around as the light in his eyes dimmed. The person whom he didn't want to meet the most in the world was standing right behind him.

"Young Master Shangguan."

The Shangguan Family had arrived. To be exact, the one who arrived was only Shangguan Yi with his two sisters and their mother. Great General Shangguan should have been in the main hall because of the ceremony from before.

Shangguan Yi hadn't changed that much aside from growing taller. Even though he was a commander, he didn't participate in this battle to take care of the rebellion, which was why he was not in the main hall. He had no other choice but to come with his family member.

As for his rank… he hadn't gotten any promotion and still stuck as 100 men commander, the only rank his father could possibly get him.

Nan Hua turned around and quickly greeted them, "Second Madam Shangguan, Young Master Shangguan Yu, Young Master Shangguan Yi, First Young Miss Shangguan, Second Young Miss Shangguan."

Nan Luo tilted his head to the back and it was only then he noticed that there was a man with wheelchair behind Shangguan Yi. The man was Shangguan Yu, the first son of Second Commander Shangguan and also Shangguan Yi's brother. He was crippled around a many years ago when he was at the battlefield and since then, he stayed in their residence.

Shangguan Yu was 1 to 2 years older than Shangguan Yi, which meant that he was 19 years old. There were not many people who knew about him because he was concubine born and naturally Second Madam Shangguan hated this young man very much.

The young man nodded at Nan Hua's greeting.

Feng Ao Kuai also proceeded to greet them. Even though he didn't like this Second Commander Shangguan's family, he still had to show them enough respect on the surface.

Shangguan Die's face was very ashen. Even though she was wearing a veil, there was still a trace of red across her face that was visible. It was the mark that she had gotten three years ago during the banquet for Princess Yue that destroyed her face.

Probably, that was one of the biggest incident in the noble ladies' circle before Nan Hua left the Capital City.

Shangguan Die's marriage was also unsettled. She was already 17 years old, but there was no one who wanted to marry her because of her face that looked so horrible. Her previous engagement was called off not long after the accident.

And each time Shangguan Family tried to say something, they failed miserably.

Thanks to that, Shangguan Die was still alone even at this age and could only stay behind in Shangguan Family. Even today, she had no plan to come but it was mandatory for everyone to come.

"I didn't expect to see you out here." Second Madam Shangguan looked at the group of children in front of her with contempt.

Nan Luo smiled gentlemanly. "We also didn't expect it, Second Madam Shangguan."

"Let's go inside, children."

"Yes, Mother."

At the furthest back was Shangguan Mi, who was already at the marriageable age. Her gaze looked sharp as if she was not satisfied with this ending yet and planned on more things.

Nan Hua only watched silently, slightly admiring Shangguan Die to be able to survive under Shangguan Mi's fierce attack for the past three years.

"We'll meet on the battlefield soon enough, Young Master Shangguan," Nan Luo remarked as they walked. Even though they keep their distance while walking, it was still possible to talk with each other.