Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Gu Zhuang had been busy running about lately, visiting old friends. Inadvertently, he incurred a “debt of the heart.” The daughter of one of his old friend’s acquaintances had taken a liking to him and sent people everywhere to inquire about his identity.

She even sent invitations several times, inviting him to her home. Gu Zhuang declined repeatedly, but as the saying goes, “that which is unobtainable is always the most desired.” Being a pampered young lady, her competitive spirit was ignited.

After gathering information, she discovered that Zhuang occasionally listened to operas at a certain teahouse and went there to find him. To her surprise, she actually found him. The young lady was frank and sincere; she had fallen in love with Zhuang at first sight. Regardless of status or age, she made a bold confession of her feelings.

Zhuang initially wanted to avoid her, but since she had found him, he realized that if Rong’er were to stumble upon them at the teahouse, it would be impossible to explain. He decided to meet the lady once to clear things up.

The lady did not know that Zhuang already had a wife. One couldn’t blame her; even Zhuang’s old friend didn’t know he was married, as his daughter was only a few years younger than this lady. Time had been kind to Gu Zhuang, leaving his handsome features untouched.

When confronted, Gu Zhuang explained sincerely that he already had someone in his heart. The lady was indignant. Though she knew he had a lover, she was young and headstrong, so she asked directly: “Is she prettier than me? Is she younger than me? Is she more passionate than me?”

Gu Zhuang actually thought about it seriously before answering: “She is not as pretty as you, nor as young as you. But she is carrying my child.”

Hearing this, the lady was heartbroken. This was one thing she truly could not compete with. “Fortune favors the first to act; disaster follows the latecomer.” She left helplessly. Zhuang had only said it offhandedly, not realizing his words hit the mark perfectly.

However, at this moment, Rongrong was not ready to tell Zhuang the news. The trauma of giving birth to Xingyue was still too great. If she told him now, Gu Zhuang would likely take her back home immediately, keeping her away from the situation and never allowing her to get involved.

Rongrong trusted Gu Zhuang’s judgment and knew his suspicions were very close to the truth. Yet she also understood she lacked the power to change the outcome. However, she could go to Nan Nuan. If the executor of the policy was unwilling, there might still be room for a turnaround.

Rongrong asked to meet Nan Nuan in her room that night, and Nan Nuan agreed with a smile. Nan Nuan did not think Rongrong could guess her plan; she assumed Rongrong was merely anxious to remove her poison.

After her daily feeding of Wen Cha, Nan Nuan returned to her room. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a knock came from the door. Wen Cha (who had followed) opened the door for Rongrong and invited her in.

Rongrong’s expression was very solemn, as if something major was weighing on her. She hesitated, unsure of how to speak.

“If Madam has something to say, feel free to speak plainly,” Nan Nuan said, cutting straight to the point after seeing Rongrong’s distress. She suspected Rongrong might have caught wind of her plan. Even if Rongrong couldn’t figure it out, Gu Zhuang certainly could. How could a former Vice-Minister of the Court of Judicial Review lack such insight?

Rongrong then shared Zhuang’s deductions. She noticed Nan Nuan freeze for a moment, which confirmed the truth of the matter. Nan Nuan had expected Gu Zhuang to guess her plan, but she hadn’t expected him to be so precise—it was as if he had seen the entire blueprint, right down to her routes of arrival and departure. Was this a case of “ginger gets hotter with age,” or simply that the old blade had not lost its edge?

“Madam is wise,” Nan Nuan did not deny it; she admitted it openly. Since they had already figured it out, there was no point in playing dumb.

“Miss Nan, why do this?” Rongrong didn’t understand. Nan Nuan did not seem like a cold-blooded person, so why would she hurt innocent civilians for a political goal?

Nan Nuan looked at Rongrong and gave a cold laugh, leaving Rongrong puzzled.

“Madam, I am doing this for you,” Nan Nuan said. “Think about it. If a flood occurs in Qingzhou and you save these suffering people, wouldn’t that greatly enhance your reputation? Furthermore, after a flood, there is bound to be a plague. If you solve that plague, your status will be unshakable. I am helping you. You need not worry about the cost of medicine or grain; I can provide all of it. I am doing this all for your sake.”

The world hustles for profit, and the courts scheme for fame. Nan Nuan did not believe Rongrong would be unmoved by such a condition. How could there be truly selfless people? Some were merely “grand thieves” stealing fame from the world.

In truth, Nan Nuan was not purely malicious; only by making the incident large enough could she deal a fatal blow to the Fourth Prince. The court was a battlefield; one must strike decisively or face endless consequences. Moreover, she wasn’t truly heartless—otherwise, she could have simply waited for the disaster to peak before sending the Crown Prince to win a good name. Instead, she had “invited” the Physician Immortal to save people immediately after the disaster. She had already taken a step back and could retreat no further.

After hearing this, Rongrong knelt down directly. “I know Miss Nan is not a heartless person. I know my request will make things difficult for you and even delay your plans. But I still beg you—for the sake of this land, stop. While everything can still be remedied, kill the corrupt officials, reinforce the riverbanks, and spare Qingzhou this calamity. Should a ruler not love the people as their own children? I do not need fame, even if immediate rescue could mitigate the harm. A flood will still destroy countless homes. I beg Miss Nan to help.”

Rongrong bowed deeply to Nan Nuan. Nan Nuan was stunned, and once she regained her senses, she immediately knelt down as well.

“Nan Nuan cannot accept such a bow from Madam!” Nan Nuan returned the bow. Only now did she truly believe that this selfless Physician Immortal truly deserved her title. This woman had saved countless lives and possessed a truly “benevolent heart.” Nan Nuan felt that accepting a bow from such a person would surely shorten her own lifespan.

As the saying goes, “Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.” Rongrong had saved countless people, distributed medicine for free, and acted with pure altruism. Such a person possessed “great fortune” and “great merit.” Nan Nuan truly could not bear for Rongrong to kneel to her.

“Miss Nan, is it really impossible?” Rongrong mistook Nan Nuan’s reciprocal bow for a refusal. She felt a sudden wave of despair at her inability to change anything.

“I am sorry,” Nan Nuan said, no longer looking at Rongrong. She knew it was cruel to treat a good person this way, but she had no choice. This move had been in the works for too long; she could wait no more.

Rongrong rose and left, rushing into the courtyard. Looking at the soapberry trees, she felt a profound sense of powerlessness—a feeling she hadn’t experienced since she was sixteen. Suddenly, her vision went black, and she fainted.

As Rongrong rushed out, she didn’t notice Wen Cha hiding to the side. Nan Nuan usually accompanied Wen Cha for a while after dinner. Since Nan Nuan had left early this time, Wen Cha had lain in bed for a long while before deciding to find her, only to overhear their entire conversation. Confused, she was about to leave.

“Aren’t you coming in, Cha Cha?” Nan Nuan’s voice called from inside the room. Wen Cha hesitated for a moment before finally entering.

“Is there anything you want to say?” Nan Nuan asked, already imagining Wen Cha’s thoughts of her: cold, heartless, selfish…

“Nuan Nuan, if you are tired, you can lean on my shoulder.” Wen Cha nodded after speaking. Nan Nuan looked at her, startled, and then pointed to the bed.

Wen Cha looked at her in confusion. “Didn’t you say you’d let me lean? Go sit on the bed then.”

“Oh.” Wen Cha sat obediently on the bed, and Nan Nuan sat beside her, leaning against her.

At that moment, Nan Nuan made up her mind to try her best. “Man proposes, but God disposes.” She would try to avoid this man-made disaster. Not only because of Rongrong’s plea but because she hoped to become the person Wen Cha imagined her to be…