Back in the room, Bao Xia immediately shut the door, her heart pounding like thunder — those men’s gazes had been far too brazen!

Hua Zhi pushed open the window and looked outside. The air here was too damp, and her body was feeling slightly out of sorts, though it was nothing she couldn’t endure.

The water flask had been filled before they went out. Bao Xia poured a cup and held it out to her young mistress. “Miss, please drink a little more.”

Hua Zhi took it absentmindedly, and then paused just as she brought it to her lips. She lowered her head to look at it. “Is this water from inside the room?”

“Yes.” Bao Xia was a little nervous. “Miss, is something wrong?”

Hua Zhi gave a slight shake of her head. She was simply in the habit of caution — in an unfamiliar place like this, she didn’t dare touch anything from outside without thinking first. “Leave it. We’ll wait until Shao Yao returns.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Hua Zhi sat down at the table. Looking at Bao Xia, who had quieted from her usual chatter now that they were away from familiar surroundings, she felt a quiet sorrow in her heart. People were probably all like this — they only grew when they had nothing to fall back on. She wished she could shield the people around her and let them live freely according to their hearts, but when circumstances were what they were, everyone had no choice but to adapt. There was nothing to be done.

Someone knocked at the door. Bao Xia glanced at her young mistress, and Hua Zhi gave her a small nod.

Walking to the door, Bao Xia called out, “Who is it?”

“It’s a waiter from the inn, miss.”

“What is it?”

“Reporting to the young lady — someone has sent a calling card for you.”

Bao Xia looked back at her young mistress, anxious uncertainty in her eyes. She understood perfectly well that a mighty dragon cannot intimidate the local serpent — and they were far from being any kind of mighty dragon. In the capital, anyone who wanted to move against their young mistress still had to contend with various considerations. But here in this southern region, who could say what might happen?

Hua Zhi refused without a second thought. “Please convey my apologies to the gentleman — I am merely passing through this place and would not wish to impose.”

The footsteps gradually faded. Only after Bao Xia made certain the door was firmly shut did she come back, saying quietly, “Miss, I’m a little frightened.”

If she could have her way, she would wish the young mistress never set foot outside the capital for as long as she lived. Only by leaving like this did she realize that even after the Hua Family’s fall, the capital was still the safer place for them. There, they had old connections, the groundwork the Hua Family had laid over the years — even if people tried to suppress them, they had something to stand on. Not like now, when locked in this room she still felt as though danger lurked at every corner.

Hua Zhi patted her hand and said nothing.

She could not claim her own heart was entirely at ease, either — but this was the path she had chosen to walk. Whether it was blades or fire ahead of her, she had to press through. There was no better road open to her.

When someone knocked at the door a second time, mistress and maid exchanged a glance. Bao Xia set aside every trace of fear and walked to the door. “Who is it?”

“This is Qin Gang of Zhenyang. I wonder if I might have the honor of speaking with the young lady?”

Bao Xia was about to politely decline when Hua Zhi’s voice rang out first. “On what matter do you wish to speak? And in what capacity? Or perhaps it is a local custom in Zhenyang for gentlemen to invite passing young ladies for conversation?”

The man’s voice faltered before it resumed. “The young lady misunderstands — I am simply admiring your grace and bearing. No offense is intended.”

“Oh?” Hua Zhi glanced at Bao Xia, and Bao Xia, biting her lip, opened the door. The table sat directly across from the door, and the moment it opened, the two came face to face.

Hua Zhi did not flinch or look away. The corners of her mouth even curved upward, though her eyes remained cold — utterly without warmth. “I have only ever heard that matchless beauties in establishments of pleasure are competed over by wealthy young gentlemen. Surely this gentleman is not placing me in the same category as those who trade in flesh?”

Bao Xia was startled, then shot a furious glare at the man outside. She hadn’t thought of it that way at all — so they had looked down on her young mistress to this extent! Truly despicable!

Qin Gang had not expected this woman to have such a sharp tongue, and was entirely caught off guard. Yet at the same time, he felt that this manner suited her perfectly — a person who was meek and submissive could never carry herself with such presence.

He was perceptive enough not to step inside, and instead gave a bow from beyond the doorway. “The young lady truly misunderstands — how could your grace compare to those women…”

“Then does Zhenyang have a custom of gentlemen inviting ladies for conversation?”

“Certainly not…”

Hua Zhi’s lips curved. “Then please, Master Qin.”

Bao Xia immediately shut the door, cutting off his line of sight. She pressed her ear against it for a moment, and only when she was certain everyone had left did she let out a breath of relief. “Miss, once a precedent is set…”

“It buys us some time.” She had made her position clear — those men would need to find some face-saving pretext if they wanted to approach her again. She only needed to hold on until Shao Yao or Yu Tao returned.

She could protect herself alone, but she couldn’t protect Bao Xia. The only option for now was to stall.

Bao Xia pressed her lips together. “Should we stay here?”

“Changing inns won’t help.” Zhenyang was only so large — no matter where she went, she couldn’t shake determined people. Retreating would only invite more aggressive pursuit. If that Qin Gang earlier had truly dared to cross the threshold, it might have been a blessing — making an example of him could have scared off some of the more timid ones.

A pity.

The door was knocked at again. Bao Xia asked with practiced ease, “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Yu Tao was back! Hua Zhi felt her heart settle. Bao Xia threw the door wide open with great enthusiasm, reaching out to pull him inside, beaming. “You’re finally back — I thought it was those relentless people again.”

Yu Tao was still turning this remark over in his mind when he heard the young mistress ask, “Who was that man, and where does he come from?”

“I followed him the whole way, and saw him enter the Zheng Family Shipping House.”

In that instant, Hua Zhi understood. On their very first day in Zhenyang, Xu Ying had thoroughly investigated the situation at the Donglai Shipping House, which was how they knew the Zheng Family Shipping House was their competitor — and one with considerable backing.

This was a person she could neither afford to offend nor afford to meet. An idea began to take shape in her mind. Hua Zhi glanced at the sky outside — Shao Yao should be returning soon.

And as she thought it, Shao Yao’s voice preceded her body, calling out “Hua Hua, Hua Hua!” as she pushed open the door, her voice brimming with happiness.

Hua Zhi’s expression softened, and she beckoned her to sit nearby. “Did you have a good time?”

“A very good time — I met a wonderful old physician who answered every question I had and taught me a great deal.” Shao Yao removed her hat and reached for the teacup on the table, lifting it to her lips — then immediately spat it back out. She brought the cup to her nose and sniffed it, and something shifted in her eyes like a brewing storm. That smell always brought certain unpleasant things to mind.

Bao Xia asked anxiously, “Shao Yao, is something wrong?”

“Something was added to it.” Shao Yao looked at Hua Zhi and immediately moved to take her pulse. Even knowing from the fact that Hua Zhi was sitting quietly and calmly that she was probably fine, she still couldn’t rest until she had checked.

“I didn’t drink it.” Hua Zhi glanced at Bao Xia, who looked close to tears, and offered a reassuring look before asking Shao Yao, “What was put in it?”

“Knockout powder. The dose wasn’t large — enough to render you unconscious for roughly an hour.” But for someone with ill intentions, that was more than enough time to do a great deal. Shao Yao rose and moved toward the door — whoever had tampered with the water, the inn’s proprietor could not be absolved of responsibility.

“Shao Yao, that isn’t the most pressing matter right now.” Hua Zhi took hold of her hand. “I need to avoid the Zheng Family.”

“Why avoid them?”