Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

The rest of the day went by quietly and Nan Hua didn't really do anything but embroidering. It seemed like how an ordinary young lady from a noble family would do. However, the servants were still keeping tight watch on her.

The next day, Nan Hua spent the day walking around the garden before coming inside, embroidering once more.

In the evening, the servants told her that Nan Shu Cheng asked them all to eat together with him in the main dining room.

"Dinner together?" Nan Hua asked in a low voice.

The servant nodded. "Yes, Miss. Master arranged for all family members to gather in the main dining room once a week to eat together."

Once a week.

Nan Hua blinked her eyes and then recalled that there was indeed such thing. Though, back then, Nan Shu Cheng often skipped this matter and spent his time with the work he had from the palace. Once his position was a bit stable, he started this quite interesting tradition in his house.

Well, she didn't mind playing along.

"I'll be there."

The servant nodded and quickly walked away to tell Nan Shu Cheng about this matter.

Nan Hua stretched her body and then looked outside. Her eyes flashed with interest, wondering what those people would have in store for her. This time, even though she was trying to be ordinary and not do anything, these people would still target her.

So, she would let them target her.

And see how it went from there.

Xiao Yun quickly selected dress for Nan Hua while Mu Yan worked on Nan Hua's hair. There were not many chances in the past to dress up Nan Hua because she was too busy training with her brother and cousin. Now that they had the chance, they did their best to make Nan Hua looked prettier.

The light blue colored dress made Nan Hua looked even more adorable. Accentuated with the light makeup on her face, she looked even more stunning. It might look plain, yet at the same time, it highlighted her natural beauty instead. Mu Yan tied her hair into two buns along with some braids.

"Miss, you look spectacular." Mu Yan smiled.

Nan Hua looked at the bronze mirror and faintly nodded. After seeing this face from time to time, she had long gotten used with her splendid countenance. Thankfully, this was  not outside or there wouldn't be any lack of suitors looking in her direction.

"I'll be going now."

Nan Hua headed to the main dining room. The other family members were already there, sitting quietly. When they saw Nan Hua, astonishment, jealousy, surprise, and many other expressions flashed by their faces.

Madam Qu's fingers trembled when she saw that familiar and hateful face. She could still remember how Nan Shu Cheng was in a daze when he looked at Madam Nan's face. If not because he hated his father's arrangement for him, Madam Qu might not be able to seduce this man successfully.

Even now, she hated it the most when she saw Nan Hua's face.

It would only remind her of that annoying woman.

Nan Xin gnashed her teeth and tried her best to look calm as she lowered her eyes. Every single time she saw Nan Hua, she was reminded of her beauty that couldn't be compared to Nan Hua.

Who could bear such direct comparison?

"You're here." Nan Shu Cheng looked at Nan Hua and paused for a moment. He closed his eyes for a moment before waving his hand. "Sit down."

"Yes."

Nan Hua was calm and composed, not giving out any emotion whatsoever. She took the seat beside Nan Shu Cheng. Even though she didn't like this in the slightest bit, she was the first daughter and without Nan Luo, she would have to sit on his left side.

On the right side of Nan Shu Cheng was Madam Qu. Beside her were the other concubines who had dressed up nicely.

When they all looked at Nan Hua, they were all stunned.

No matter how good they tried to dress up, they would never be able to compare to Nan Hua's natural beauty. It made them a bit awkward yet at the same time relieved. If Nan Hua was not Nan Shu Cheng's daughter, they would definitely feel threatened because of her.

"Nan Hua will be staying in my residence for the time being. I hope everyone will be able to treat her well during her time here." Nan Shu Cheng swept his gaze across the table, looking at everyone one by one.

Madam Qu smiled. "Yes."

Nan Hou Xiang was the calmest out of them all. He glanced at his father then looked at Nan Hua before lowering his eyes. Men were not allowed to look at other women so blatantly aside from their own wife. In terms of education, he was splendid and would naturally not make such low level mistake.

"I understand, Father."

"Don't worry, Father." Nan Xin showed a sweet and adorable smile. "I'll surely treat Sister well."

"That's good." Nan Shu Cheng nodded and looked at the food. He could sense Nan Hua's gaze and it made him a bit uncomfortable for some reasons. "Start eating."

"Yes."

They all began to eat and stayed quiet. The etiquette stated that they were all not allowed to speak during meal time, so Nan Hua used this chance to scrutinize everyone. She had been wondering about why her father would rather pick Madam Qu, but seeing their public display of affection, she seemed to recall her mother.

Madam Nan would suppress whatever feelings she had while she was watching her husband enamored with another person. When the young Nan Hua sat beside her, she would stretch her hand and put it on top of her mother's hand, trying to coax her.

Nan Hua lowered her eyes.

Ever since she came here, the number of time she experienced these flashbacks kept on increasing. It was as if what used to be lost from her were slowly returning one by one at the most appropriate time.