Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery ButterflybLUgAbIzSJXSwtKkiWMTeTAXZPxFqR

 klfaeKMSuvqjcAMxJTGzNheTSQlFad

The once serene Su Mansion was thrown into chaos with the arrival of Zong Zheng Shao Yu.WiwTlKQNjeogHXxzEyUOBACzwsaYaw

 waPevImaPXqEDXkXqVfZGYBIJJPKCR

This little troublemaker was impossible to ignore or avoid. His thick-skinned attitude was unmatched, and no matter how cold and indifferent Su Yin was to him, he clung to Su Yin like glue. However, he showed no courtesy to anyone else, especially Xiao Bao, whom he treated with sheer disdain and hatred.exonFBcxKEQIidTEqLJTVxFxEVJOUO

 aMwWIOEMLJJUKoDPYJoAeHjgagZcZc

Luckily, he spent most of his time sticking to Su Yin, leaving little opportunity to trouble Xiao Bao. Moreover, Zhao Cai was always around to protect Xiao Bao. Que Siming, on the other hand, was utterly dismissive of Zong Zheng Shao Yu and basically ignored him. He even forbade Jin Bao from intervening on his young master’s behalf and directly dragged him away.tcXwpeuOTHQUmgfYEvEodlMArtiSlb

 yfxPTJenBIgxXaeSNoFOVmWulpfjVQ

Though Zong Zheng Shao Yu couldn’t lay a finger on Xiao Bao, he never missed a chance to verbally assault him. However, in a war of words, Xiao Bao was no pushover. He wasn’t foolish either; he knew this wolf had entered his domain. If he truly angered Shao Yu, who might sneak attack him at night? The months of repression had stirred a bit of Xiao Bao’s inherent temper, and after a few instances of tolerance, he finally snapped. His pampered young master attitude resurfaced. Though he maintained a facade of calm, he and Zhao Cai shared a deep understanding after more than ten years together. With just a glance, Zhao Cai knew what to do, and the task of exchanging barbs fell to Zhao Cai.IOLhMFOKLpfnsagEbQAlYkQUWFBDYH

 vwnfqhKBrzhNCZZRuVHtJwanyveRww

Unlike Jin Bao, Zhao Cai was clever and quick-witted, with a sharp tongue that far surpassed Xiao Bao’s. He verbally tore into Zong Zheng Shao Yu without using a single vulgar word, infuriating him to the point of explosion. He wanted to hit Zhao Cai, but with Su Yin present, he didn’t dare.cIzazIvGgxqfYwcczfaIkOJEupLWpi

 RYYQsSvknkMRuCchReCeMQKuUGaCeZ

Xiao Bao won this battle handsomely, his satisfaction evident with a smile, while Su Yin watched him in silent amusement.LPGQaFnQjlYZJyzTrXgsKWoTmriaDR

 ycHCGOknLfaNrjROnIoHhZfWTMJwrr

With nothing much to do, Xiao Bao dedicated himself to practicing martial arts. In just two months, he made notable progress. Though the poison attacks were excruciating, combining internal and external forces gradually reduced their duration and frequency.DPJEkRlUirWRKEiUkDJYyHCoeMdlii

 SbzzHeYkwxscwvmXlMFmCgbodzlUYw

Zong Zheng Shao Yu had asked Su Yin about Xiao Bao’s condition, to which Su Yin casually replied that Xiao Bao was sensitive to cold. Shao Yu, of course, saw through the perfunctory answer but wasn’t interested in the specifics of Xiao Bao’s health, assuming he was just a sickly and delicate person, making him look down on Xiao Bao even more.EYDtGbMInTJNGHrceVcafCYJBzofGq

 WvvOAomRDwGtALLUawLxnNQLhaoVYu

Although his observations over these days reassured him that there was nothing untoward between Su Yin and this lowly person, he couldn’t lower his guard. His excellent memory kept recalling the humiliating scene in the cave where Xiao Bao fawned over that man. How could he ever feel secure with such a perfect Su Yin?DXDetPEBxPOmtHBnkQqgibaiNjuhrd

 KbnWBEqMQHgWKiyMSaodhMIiMcQyzl

For the first half month since Zong Zheng Shao Yu moved into the Su Mansion, things were relatively peaceful.amYfZxsYyPvvPSWtJTYeSNGSmIJMOl

 CLNEdhdwXvFXcvZewXEhoGYzpENUbU

With half a month to go before the New Year, Xiao Bao and Su Yin discussed bringing back Xiao Bao’s parents in a few days. Regardless of the circumstances, the family should spend the New Year together. They even prepared a reason for their return, claiming Xiao Bao had caught a cold. With Que Siming’s persuasive skills, it wouldn’t be hard to convince them.AtcYFpwxYIrLkIBHzOnAVFtncNPZHd

 HVWNpIecirgGSFphFzsOAVeeOzaBdh

This was a time for family reunions, and Xiao Bao couldn’t help but compare it to previous years. The difference was like heaven and earth. Even without considering the superficial aspects, his family was still missing one person.DOMuVBMVzMGVvbtjJFstFKcCvccomU

 HBamnyGjEPTAsXTZcplDUUaKvIFIjy

They all knew Xiao Yu was in the Tong Sect, but how could they bring the little girl back? This thought troubled Xiao Bao, but he didn’t dare rush Su Yin. He was entirely dependent on Su Yin for food, drink, and lodging, and he couldn’t bring himself to ask.ntaEvTNsDIKRxfQkfiSsLiKGvgHpjO

 DWjdtpXYvcEpSgoDGWeEqeqwVgshot

If life remained this peaceful, Xiao Bao felt he could quietly live out his days, growing old just like most people in the world. Occasionally stumbling, experiencing short-term pain, but gradually forgetting it as time passed, and then getting back up to continue living.nkRBWFvavybHMuCMjqgwrSxVYGyvgG

 yYpUcrlmYeahadnwYMUiPdXYOxxxim

It was already the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, nearing the end of the year.yjBSBNLcpzZukDOIJuyRTCGqyEFdNd

 UMFsXgibwTLfiTBxdiYVWuxcbKgJAv

Su Yin and Zhao Cai took people to Jingxia Temple to bring back Xiao Bao’s parents for the New Year.NhGVwxwrUlCKteUrrziANhWUxRFouh

 LnQWfikvfLAOUgVhLACfmtbXrWlhPx

But from morning until evening, there was no sign of them. Xiao Bao was anxious until a servant returned, saying that heavy snow had blocked Jingxia Mountain. People could walk, but carriages couldn’t pass, so they couldn’t bring his parents back for now. They would return once the snow melted in a day or two.KCQGidafvqEyGSCEBrVYbTfRwnXBEk

 ARgDcZEcCOjEHYTqSUbQPAyjdHscNi

Xiao Bao stayed inside, sealing all the gaps to keep the cold out, unaware it was snowing outside. If the weather was an obstacle, there was nothing he could do but wait quietly for their return.ISiBfjABgvJgauxsKZlNoqttLAgWpI

 BYCIaHxiVYbWeSHpSTmupVVlbRNlEG

After two days, Xiao Bao grew increasingly uneasy. He had no trustworthy person by his side. Besides the maid who brought his meals and cleaned his room, he saw no one else. Strangely, whenever he sent the maid to fetch Jin Bao, she couldn’t find him.UhmfoBZZGPayaFJwVZZlBMvBLKuEfA

 cELmEbjIWIywTfBLeSmAVgQomMGduM

Xiao Bao was almost completely cut off from the outside world, making him even more restless.PKgsnWANKbGtMkoPRPVQhnbUcSuDhK

 OBGgpVBWvaebEBSzCRlmhvQYiiKHyg

On the third day, someone finally returned, but it was the person he least wanted to see: Zong Zheng Shao Yu.muTbEMkMuSxhECjrAVnuNJQkkMKSSz

 ZIAnelWhMZeBWtGtLaYQbFffHpTxvg

Zong Zheng Shao Yu entered without ceremony, pushing open Xiao Bao’s door.YmIRREOJPgBUfWbhBVDJDnfKeFTwLn

 eruXokYChLeYvpgfyETriCRhVDLJWB

Seeing the cold air seeping in from the outer room, Xiao Bao shrank back toward his bed in fear, asking as he did so, “Weren’t you with Su Yin? Where is he? Is he not coming back?”IlJqUcxKBcqBXRagZWBCDdVNQThggn

 XspVZjYKLGFsolLqsSaXMAdzNBloUa

Zong Zheng Shao Yu ignored his questions and bluntly stated, “I’ve prepared a residence for you in Qianzhong with thirty servants and ten thousand taels of gold. That should be enough for you, right? After the New Year, you need to move out immediately. Stop lingering around my cousin.”DkfjFTYxqDaXMcYzoxuSTjyCjFNhUU

 OjIoHJrHCBUnYgFpHmGqVXBVhtYPsH

Xiao Bao was stunned, thinking, You little brat, will you ever stop? He thought it but didn’t dare show any dissatisfaction. He was all alone now, stuck with this wolf cub who could turn violent at any moment. There was no room for defiance.YFDuXtXCjnAnjaaxJxBnyFNErZUOiG

 nSxXWQqtVjiTxxRsskTQluYxGOqYgH

Imitating Zong Zheng Shao Yu, he avoided answering and instead continued, “Where is Su Yin? Where are my father and mother?”MUsPznFwndcoyIrJVZDzsFbOQuoXBq

 XbTHrQcpdbabWfsybgvBZQadeCKcKf

Zong Zheng Shao Yu’s eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. The image was starkly different from the one he presented when acting coquettishly in front of Su Yin—truly frightening.pDugpHySJLFJSGJKAQqTpcBnILbsQz

 beFniiQRwAFjImrsPNBswjXxOqAjvk

Suddenly, Zong Zheng Shao Yu smiled, a hint of cruelty in his expression. He spoke to Xiao Bao in a teasing tone, “Oh, that’s right. You don’t know yet. Your parents were abducted.”WuQuTLVFcbKKWOicqxBFpoodYYPlKW

 LcncJkFLaEroPOVXBqWzpiQzUqLNBt

 dKISlBsrXssypFkzyGiqVKRsNGSWOs