Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

The first thing Wen Cha did upon her return was to seek out Gu Zhuang. She told him that an unknown man had approached her foster mother today, perhaps intending to become Xingyue’s stepfather or something of the sort…

It was likely because Xingyue had disciplined Wen Cha so severely before leaving that Wen Cha now reported immediately whenever any unknown man drew near Rongrong. Fearing that Xingyue would settle the score with her later, Wen Cha truly had no desire to become Xingyue’s “stepmother”; she wanted to live for a few more years.

Besides this, she also wanted to see Nan Nuan. Although they saw each other every day, she felt it was never enough. Previously, she could see her just by looking up, but ever since her injuries healed, things had changed…

Rongrong didn’t bother with Wen Cha’s frantic antics. After all, if a woman of this age were said to have fallen for Gu Zhuang, people might believe it; but as for someone falling for herself… well, Rongrong wasn’t that conceited.

Gu Zhuang and Nan Nuan were discussing the matters of the Qingzhou levees. Before they could finish, they heard Wen Cha’s footsteps and ceased their conversation. A moment later, Wen Cha indeed knocked on the door.

Nan Nuan let Wen Cha in, and Wen Cha stole a glance at her. She recounted the encounter with Jiang Gai on the way home.

Upon hearing Wen Cha’s words, Zhuang thought of Jiang Yi. Back when the two were colleagues, Rongrong had once saved Jiang Yi’s life. Jiang Yi had indeed admired Rongrong immensely, though Rongrong herself was unaware.

Rongrong might have “awakened” to love, but she was still oblivious to the hidden intentions of others. This was the thing Gu Zhuang had been most grateful for over the years. However, even though it wasn’t Jiang Yi himself but his son, why did he still feel a bit annoyed? As expected, this Jiang Gai was just as irritating as Jiang Yi!

Fearing that “the fire at the city gate would affect the fish in the moat,” Wen Cha, whose intuition was always sharp, grabbed Nan Nuan and ran, giving no one a chance to take their frustrations out on her.

By the time Wen Cha realized what she was doing, she had already dragged Nan Nuan outside. What had started as a mere instinct became a subconscious act of holding Nan Nuan while fleeing. Seeing Rongrong sitting on the long corridor, Wen Cha hurried to pull Nan Nuan over, hoping to smooth over her reckless behavior.

Rongrong looked up and saw Wen Cha pulling Nan Nuan along. She quickly called Wen Cha over to help her out of the awkward situation.

“Cha-cha, come sit. Have some snacks.” Though Rongrong spoke to Wen Cha, her eyes were on Nan Nuan. Nan Nuan smiled, seemingly unaffected. Wen Cha sat down beside Rongrong.

“Mother, what were you doing out here just now?” Cha-cha asked, mostly just looking for something to say. What was she doing? She could do whatever she pleased.

Rongrong naturally understood Wen Cha’s awkwardness and replied, “I was a bit hungry but didn’t want to eat in the room, so I sat out here.”

“I see!” Wen Cha responded. Nan Nuan didn’t say a word. Wen Cha felt like she was going mad.

Rongrong let out a yawn. “It’s still early; stay in the courtyard and sit for a while. I’m tired and going to lie down.” Understandingly, Rongrong left the space to the younger ones and stood up to leave. Child, in the future, you must never be like your Sister Wen—when you meet someone you like, you must know how to fight for them!

Wen Cha looked at Nan Nuan, not knowing what to say. She felt like she understood Nan Nuan’s thoughts, yet at the same time, she didn’t. Just as Wen Cha was hesitating over whether to speak, Nan Nuan picked up a piece of pastry and held it to Wen Cha’s lips. Wen Cha instinctively bit into it and began to eat. Suddenly, she realized it was Nan Nuan who had fed her. Were they… reconciled?

“Is it good?” Nan Nuan asked. That piece of pastry had actually fallen on the ground earlier; Nan Nuan had picked it up and fed it to Wen Cha. Wen Cha tasted the grit of dirt, but she still smiled and said, “It’s delicious.”

Nan Nuan suddenly laughed. Wen Cha knew that their nearly month-long “cold war” was finally over.

“Nuan Nuan, I was wrong,” Wen Cha said quickly, grabbing Nan Nuan’s hand when she saw her smile. Nan Nuan pulled her hand away and asked back, “What were you wrong about?”

“I was wrong about everything.” Wen Cha had always been one to “know the times and act accordingly.”

Undeniably, this sentence pleased Nan Nuan.

“Cha-cha, I have already asked Madam to remove our Gu. Once the poison is gone, you should leave Qingzhou,” Nan Nuan said with a gentle smile.

Hearing this, Wen Cha stood up instantly. “Nuan Nuan, what do you take me for? We’ve prepared for this flood for so long, and now that it’s coming, you want me to leave? Nuan Nuan, what am I to you?”

“Cha-cha, you were dragged into this by me in the first place. Moreover, the Qingzhou flood is predicted to be too severe. The levees might not hold. There is no need for you to be involved.” Nan Nuan was speaking from the bottom of her heart.

“I am not leaving,” Wen Cha said before turning and walking away. The cold war that had just ended started all over again.

Nan Nuan looked at the pastries on the table and smiled. Piece by piece, she ate the entire plate.

What do I take you for? I take you for the person I love most.

Nan Nuan had expected Wen Cha to be angry. Cha-cha, you can’t run away. You care about me too!

…

At this time, Wen Wu had already arrived in Bingzhou. If possible, Wen Wu truly did not want to return; for some people, remembering brings pain, yet forgetting is impossible.

Wen Wu could not go to the Capital, even though Wen Cha’s impending disaster was centered there. The only person who could save Wen Cha was Rongrong. Wen Wu decided to find Rongrong first to consult with her. She had already calculated the course of events and the outcome; now, she only awaited the incident!

Before heading to Qingzhou, Wen Wu intended to bring Xingyue along. She had calculated that Xingyue faced a catastrophe in her fate this year and wanted to help her avoid it. However, when she reached Rongrong’s home, she couldn’t find Xingyue. The house was covered in dust, proving it had been vacant for a long time.

Wen Wu had no choice but to cast another divination. When she saw the result, she crushed her tortoise shell.

Master, you have gone too far.

No matter what, she had to find her Junior Sister before her Master did. This time, she absolutely could not let history repeat itself.

Initially, Wen Wu had not intended to come to the Central Plains. But with Wen Cha away, she felt a constant sense of unease. Forced to calculate, she saw the results. She knew what was about to happen and had devised a way to respond.

This time, Wen Cha would cause a major disaster and might even lose her life. But as long as Rongrong was there, she could emerge from the danger unscathed.

Ever since Wen Cha was born, Wen Wu knew her daughter would fall in love with a woman; she just didn’t know who that woman would be. Regardless of where they were, they were destined to meet. Therefore, she wasn’t particularly worried about Wen Cha’s romance. She felt no ill will toward her future daughter-in-law. After experiencing years of trials, she had come to terms with many things.

In truth, as a mother, how could she wish for her child to defy the world’s conventions? But since it was the child’s own decision, as a mother, she could only offer support. Even if the whole world opposed it, a mother would stand by her child.

It was only after finishing the divination that Wen Wu realized Rongrong was pregnant.

Someone like Rongrong, who possessed great merit, should logically have a smooth life. However, she had chosen a husband born under a malevolent star who had killed countless people. Wen Wu had not supported their union, but Rongrong loved him, so what could be done? It was a miracle of miracles that Rongrong had Xingyue; to be pregnant again—who knew if it was a blessing or a curse!

Back then, their Master had been determined to kill Xingyue. If Rongrong hadn’t threatened to kill herself, the outcome today would be unknown. And had their Master truly given up? If so, why did Xingyue face this catastrophe?

She had to find a way; the person beside Xingyue was the root of the trouble!

Many things were already predestined. Wen Wu was too late to change them, and she could not change them. Perhaps, however, there was still room for remedy.

Regardless, she had to find Rongrong first.

Wen Wu hurried toward Qingzhou through the night, the unease in her heart growing ever stronger.