Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery Butterfly
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Xiao Bao was busy until evening. After dinner, he went to coax Xiao Yu, who was sulking and refusing to eat. Xiao Bao followed her around, feeding her with a bowl. Xiao Yu never behaved this way in front of others; she always acted mature, even in front of Master Jin and Madam Jin. Only in front of Xiao Bao would she behave like a child, being willful and playful.EKegWUiUNhpmKYFTYiwWvjlmNQGQmG

It wasn’t until Xiao Yu fell asleep that Xiao Bao could finally catch his breath.YwguACQTfEVRiCnnpWnsvyNfTPRhwG

After returning to the Jin mansion today, he had been busy with various tasks and hadn’t had a moment of free time. He hadn’t seen Huai En all day. Having spent every day together recently, he felt very uneasy. Although it was already late at night, Xiao Bao still wanted to find Huai En, even if it was just to hold him while sleeping.KoITrQogQseKezXlFXvvDBvHPntZUS

Unfortunately, when he reached Huai En’s separate courtyard, he was greatly disappointed. Huai En’s room was empty. Who would be out so late at night? Xiao Bao grabbed Zuo Ying to ask, but Zuo Ying’s attitude was indifferent and disdainful.DtMGURMJFrLJtgKldabjCDALSqLcgb

This greatly angered Xiao Bao. Although Zuo Ying and You Ying were around the same age as Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, their attitudes were completely different. When they looked at someone, it seemed as if they were examining their ancestry, and when they didn’t look, it was as if you didn’t exist in this world. Truly, the type of master determines the type of servants. Xiao Bao decided to complain to Huai En and whisper some words in his ear, planning to deal with these disrespectful servants later.hJrJfYJIslcsWlcIVKPFXbAschkfMo

Unable to find Huai En, Xiao Bao didn’t want to return to an empty room alone. He really wanted to talk to Huai En, to share what he had done today. He also wanted to know why Huai En went out in the middle of the night.pVHDWwyxGnkKcPSzGuVmLQghMsMBRq

Xiao Bao pushed open Huai En’s door and lay on his bed without undressing.MMPqeZHzeVzBFHLXDRqGGhnfRfkpGD

His father’s health was deteriorating, and things that seemed distant now had to be considered. When his parents were gone, what would become of the Jin family? He no longer wanted to marry anyone else, only wishing to stay with Huai En for the rest of his life. But his parents, no matter how much they doted on him, wouldn’t let him be so reckless.JabBnSTNQuDaiHPMypnrEmgElCJBZh

Hugging Huai En’s quilt, he could faintly smell his scent. Xiao Bao buried his head in the quilt, his mind in turmoil, and eventually fell asleep thinking about it all.wXrpaDEzmCbcEBusWPnFBmlfcwlsyK

When Xiao Bao woke up the next day, he felt a great warmth beside him. He opened his eyes to see Huai En’s exquisite face close to his. There were dark circles under Huai En’s eyes, showing his exhaustion. His breathing was soft and steady, indicating a deep sleep.cvlbNAlONJGhWuINwkxPLScPcSLhPP

A warm feeling spread through Xiao Bao’s entire body. He suddenly realized that this was the essential scene he wanted in his life: waking up every day to see Huai En’s peaceful sleeping face. This was the life he desired. For this, he would find a perfect solution.jHFZpDaoHLxRMswDFzvdDefOOyLBfp

Huai En’s arm was still draped over Xiao Bao’s waist. As Xiao Bao propped himself up, Huai En sensitively opened his eyes.RaUEbtnifOdGefYXFrjtYERzefjJAV

His eyes couldn’t immediately adjust to the light, so he squinted at Xiao Bao.lfQsVfnNbyAKjaTcNyUWCQrVpOSIhx

Xiao Bao covered Huai En’s eyes with his hand and said softly, “I’m going out for a bit. Sleep a little longer.”zUgBrlJyRTDTUHOimlgeEtEsviXzPc

Huai En nodded slightly and whispered, “Come back soon.”jFKZQVYzWoHAIqJiagLbxwiltjfpcZ

Xiao Bao kissed the corner of his mouth, got out of bed, tucked Huai En in, and quietly left.ZDkTlwoOwvDMOsClxEEWfapXcRYpgF

“Is everything prepared?”hjmDBmMwmfFabnpvcIJZIzvmQFimwO

“Yes, young master, everything is ready.”rzxaUmjRqBzmjEaRnmLzQLvlCzOnFc

Xiao Bao looked at the sky. It was afternoon, and the sun was not too harsh. “Good, it’s just the right time. Let’s go.”asFvgDNROwZbcDXgGVaKiAhuCjUCDO

“Young master!! Young master!!”hSdrwOcVPNddAWNRUqoggYLSRCBySv

Xiao Bao turned to see his servant running over in a hurry.NhszrHypRXOLSnGiViasLRcROGpXUv

Xiao Bao frowned, “Xiao Tie? What’s the fuss about? Speak slowly.”DMJxLNmAksiCsqmtiJihgBaeAPFLNn

“Young Master,” Xiao Tie panted, “we just received a message by carrier pigeon. They arrived in Yu Xia yesterday, but Doctor Zhang is not there.”eDVVJDyYhDEpGzqjukTgmEUwfsoinm

“What?!” Xiao Bao snatched the note from his hand, glanced at it, and angrily threw it to the ground. “Why did he go to Dian Nan? Plague? What plague?!”WDTDXJWVHfJrQAEcGrgsaVpBNegBvI

“Young Master, the court has sealed the information. We’ve discovered that a plague has suddenly broken out in the eastern part of Dian Nan, spreading very quickly. Now, a large number of refugees are flooding into Qian Zhong, and the court has already sealed the city. It’s said that Doctor Zhang went there to treat the plague.”oFNlRpcVMRNVRkpEQOzPnxsneTYNvp

“Dian Nan… plague…” Xiao Bao’s face changed instantly. “Su Yin is still in Dali. He said he would definitely return within a month. Now, it’s almost a month, and there’s no news from him. And now there’s a plague…”QKGOYoDYcIMhzLnbKVaEyywfScIWoZ

Xiao Bao turned to Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, “Where is Su Yin’s attendant, the one named Xiao Zhao? Quickly bring him here.”iRfxzVSEZyWAdakxzHLnchGOkGaJUU

Zhao Cai quickly responded, “I’ll go right away.”yrreubhPAXZlLxzNfLTQDrbsjwWkeh

Xiao Bao waved his hand, “Never mind, just take me to where he lives.”PKAovQNOvTAndkdqitPYqKCRwNdNLm

A group of people marched towards the courtyard where Su Yin’s attendant lived. Before they reached the courtyard, they saw someone hurrying out.BEPsRKtPwAqIvBcPcgeHxEDNRpcgGa

Jin Bao, with sharp eyes, saw the person and called out, “Xiao Zhao.”bYQbhhPFtBklyfqBtCFXxMtLdRNWIa

The person paused, turned around, and, after a moment of hesitation, quickly ran over.ZafThHFFsPMEqOQjicSJfEUSeQjUyK

Xiao Bao anxiously asked, “Xiao Zhao, do you have any news from your master? Didn’t he say he would return in a month?”srCfwjvssMcakOgRsnyTtOjPWSPCPP

Xiao Zhao hurriedly replied, “Young Master Jin, I was just about to find you. An outbreak occurred in Dian Nan, and Prince Li is overwhelmed with duties. My master cannot leave under any circumstances. I just received a secret letter from my master to Young Master Jin today.” He pulled out a small rolled-up piece of paper from his sleeve.VZbZcmYoXnfAOspkKrjUUyIzwqhXuR

Xiao Bao asked in surprise, “Just this?”DiHrFbEzraXtyfRTLQTPNlHaPipxge

Xiao Zhao smiled bitterly, “Young Master Jin, the eastern part of Dian Nan has been sealed to prevent the refugees from scattering. Only pigeons can fly out. It’s temporarily impossible to send a message by person.”diWqNvDXsBfepOkZhHxCjmtsulCstf

Xiao Bao quickly unrolled the paper. It contained only a few words: “Xiao Bao, I cannot leave for now. Once the plague stabilizes, I will return immediately. Do not be deceived by him. Be extremely cautious.”ordgMenxcdJrPodXsLLgeKkBmPzhOl

Xiao Bao felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was worried about Su Yin being in the epidemic area and his life being at risk. On the other hand, he was saddened that no one around him had any affection for Huai En.ZIUMuGuJRekHsuHqThWmkFavRpOhqu

Collecting his thoughts, Xiao Bao asked, “What is this plague like? Will Su Yin be in danger?”eggKWLTXUfhGoBTLnxbFlnOoPIEJbX

“We still don’t have a clear picture. The plague spreads very quickly, but as long as it is treated promptly, it won’t be fatal. My master should be fine. However, the government’s funds are still on the way, and many people have already died because they can’t afford treatment…”OrlYqesHBBsITITpBTsOYfvFgOCsoA

Xiao Bao nodded and said, “Send a reply to Su Yin, telling him that I’m fine. I will be raising funds in the Jiangnan area these days and will send the money to Dian Nan as soon as possible.”HPYMJOrEvSkDUXJZCZChxhPUdzEMTJ

Xiao Zhao hurriedly replied, “Young Master Jin, the court has ordered that this matter not be publicized. Young Master Jin will need to find another excuse for fundraising.”AJQATPEhSPpHxjKEOtBKMCZJWcNTtE

Xiao Bao said, “Don’t worry, I have my ways.”MaWMwfWSYiJPHCgxFZlnixVWkmvBrA

Xiao Bao initially planned to discuss this matter with his father immediately, but Zhao Cai reminded him in time that he still needed to go to Master Liu’s place to get the dietary treatment recipe for his father.khPmbkswnVqfjnIyjeGQUKbuWQuJhj

Xiao Bao thought about it and realized that he was already twenty years old. He had only known how to eat, drink, and have fun before, no wonder his parents didn’t trust him. If he wanted to stay with Huai En, he had to be able to support the entire Jin family himself without being forced to marry Xiao Yu or any other woman. Maybe now was the opportunity. If he could raise a disaster relief fund for Su Yin, he would surely earn his parents’ respect. If he then expressed his willingness to settle down, humbly learn, and inherit the family business, promising not to be irresponsible anymore, his parents might stop pressuring him, giving him and Huai En a chance.CqXyUpugugVUfUDkszUYbWruVyAfwn

With this in mind, Xiao Bao felt increasingly confident about this plan. Without further delay, he set off for the east of the city.WuQvWizlngRXfnTywrbyaZQLwvkAhR

Upon arriving at Master Liu’s house, he was told that Master Liu had rushed out for some business at his pawnshop. Master Liu’s son came out to greet him.gLCiVcOPNrpEzUrjPyagMKbNnSkAlM

The two had some acquaintance before, and after some pleasantries, Young Master Liu invited him inside.tcKNjmCcBNfuTyeNQdnaQztUXwHRyW

As soon as Xiao Bao entered the main hall, he was a bit dumbfounded. Why were there so many people sitting around? Looking closely, he realized they were all his old drinking buddies, smiling at him.vaJPGdvFvFqeUfZaxXVvhklJJBYKiG

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