Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

*Warning: If you don't want to read about a seemingly immoral dealing (that might gross out some of you) …. You can choose to skip this chapter and the previous chapter. However, you might skip some points regarding the story related to Shangguan Die and 'Shangguan Yi.' Plus, there's a small spoiler at the author's note for explanation of the deal *

In fact, Shangguan Die was not surprised.

She had known about this for quite some time.

When everyone else were scared out of the daylights when they saw her face, he never even flinch. In fact, there were only anger and heartache when he saw her. Even though he couldn't get close to her because of the custom here, his gaze when he looked at her was still the same as ever.

Because of that, Shangguan Die knew very well that he cared for her greatly.

Not in the way a sibling would care for each other.

"I know."

"So…"

"I have one task for you, Brother."

"I'm listening."

Shangguan Die bit her lower lips. Her eyes were filled with determination as she looked at her older brother. "If you manage to destroy Shangguan Mi, her mother, and also take care of our mother, I'll give what you want."

"Your mother?" Shangguan Yi furrowed his eyebrows. "If something happens to her, you won't be able to return to Shangguan Family."

"Do you really think that I can return to Shangguan Family?" Shangguan Die asked back.

Unlike his usual frivolous appearance, Shangguan Yi was seriously considering what Shangguan Die asked him to do. Dealing with Shangguan Mi and her mother was very easy for him. It was something that he could do as long as he was given enough time.

With his family members had long given up on him going to the battlefield, he had more than enough time in the Capital City.

Shangguan Yi knew the reason why Shangguan Die wanted him to take care of her mother. He took a deep breath. "I'll take care of it. Where do you wish for her to be?"

"Somewhere far away from those b*tch's hand." Shangguan Die's eyes were filled with malicious gazes. She knew that with her mother's ability, she wouldn't be able to survive being locked for an entire year like this. Thus, the only path of survival was for her to leave Shangguan Family.

But considering her mother's affection for her father, Shangguan Die knew that it would be impossible for her to coax her mother. She could only leave this matter to her older brother because he would definitely be able to figure out something.

As long as those women in Shangguan Family Residence couldn't touch her mother, it would be for the best.

"Fine." Shangguan Yi sighed. He then looked at Shangguan Die deeply. "You better not run, Ah Die."

"I won't." Shangguan Die let out a faint laugh. "Do you really think that I can run when I'm already at the end like this?"

"Got it. You just wait for good news from me."

"Mhm."

Shangguan Yi still wanted to stay here much longer, but he knew that his father would definitely turn the Capital City upside down if he didn't go back. It had happened many times and he was dragged out of the Red District by his father….

That was quite embarrassing.

And if his father knew that he was trying to meet his sister and spent a long time with her, he would definitely be suspicious.

No matter how unwilling he was, Shangguan Yi could only nod, He stepped forward and grabbed a lock his sister's hair. It felt smooth and good in his hand. He kissed it. "I'll go back soon."

Shangguan Die's face turned red as she watched her brother left the room. It was only after he had left did she exhale. She didn't turn around because she didn't have the courage to face Nan Hua's expression.

"Are you thinking I'm lowly to do this?" Shangguan Die asked in a low voice.

Nan Hua was still leaning on the wall with an indifferent expression. She glanced at Shangguan Die. In truth, she had already witnessed countless even more disgusting deals in her past life because of her missions. Some of her targets were in the middle of having some disgusting deals before she executed them.

"No."

Shangguan Die was stunned. She turned around and saw Nan Hua was looking back in her direction with an indifferent gaze. There was no ripple nor disgust nor any other emotion within her eyes. It was only a calm and unperturbed gaze as if she was merely looking at the scenery.

It was completely out of Shangguan Die's expectation.

"You…" Shangguan Die swallowed the words she was about to say as she let out a bitter laugh. "You don't think it's strange?"

"It's your way of survival." Nan Hua looked at Shangguan Die. "Would you have chosen this way if you could do something else?"

"No."

Shangguan Die knew very well that if it was possible, she also didn't want to choose this way. However, she also knew that the only person who genuinely loved her would be him.

Many of the servants who originally stayed with her were either killed or betrayed her.

The noble ladies were only itching for profit and any money or assets she had was dwindling drastically.

Her parents and other family members were disgusted by her but restrained themselves in front of her.

She knew it all.

And many others.

"My life has no future in this place. Rather than watching the one who put me this way scot off free, I would rather use whatever means I have. What's the use of heart and morality when I'm already degraded this way?" Shangguan Die asked with a faint smile.

Nan Hua didn't know what had happened in Shangguan Family Residence for the past three years. But whatever it was, it had caused the previously cheerful Shangguan Die to wither and put on an even thicker mask in order to survive.

She glanced out. "Most of the servants around you are spies. Do you want to deal with them?"

"Leave them be. Even if I kill them, there will just be more." Shangguan Die waved her hand. "Are you worried about me, Hua'er?"

Nan Hua didn't answer.

"I won't let them bully me easily. You should worry about yourself more. Those women in Nan Family Residence is not any better than the Shangguan Family Residence." Shangguan Die snorted. "I heard that Madam Qu is even worse than the concubines in Shangguan Family Residence since they dare to bully you openly."

Nan Hua's eyes flickered, but she didn't respond. Instead, she chose to reply something else, "Take care, Miss Shangguan."

Shangguan Die smiled back. "You too."

She stayed still on her position as she watched Nan Hua walked away, strange feelings washed over her heart. When she first allowed Nan Hua to stay here, she was expecting to see the mocking and disgust because she had heard the deals she made with her own brother.

But seeing that Nan Hua didn't give any reaction, she didn't know whether to feel relieved or strange.

Slowly, she whispered something, a secret that only she and her mother knew.

Shangguan Die watched as Nan Hua continued to walk without turning around.

She didn't know whether Nan Hua heard it or not, but she felt relieved for being able to utter this.

It was as if there was someone else sharing the burden she carried.

She let out a bitter laugh.

She knew that once someone caught wind of this matter, she and her entire family would end up dying because it was a huge crime towards Shangguan Family. In fact, even her own father would surely execute her and her mother for fooling them about his real identity and allowed that person to act as his son. But for some reason, she wanted Nan Hua to know about that. How foolish.

Even she herself didn't understand why she suddenly had that kind of thoughts.

It was strange.

Shangguan Die took a deep breath then stood up. It was time for her to continue her act as the bratty young miss from Shangguan Family who didn't change at all despite her horrible situation.

It was her mask.

And also her original personality.

Or to be exact, her previous personality before everything came crashing down to destroy her.