Xiao Yun was stunned when she heard the question Nan Hua asked. Dazedly, she looked up and saw Nan Hua was still looking at her with the same expressionless expression as before.
By now, she could no longer remember much of the image when Nan Hua smiled brightly like a child. The image she showed was nothing more than one that showed her indifferent expression that hid everything that she might feel.
"Sorry, Miss… I always fail to protect you." Xiao Yun's body trembled slightly as tears threatened to pour out. She looked away, no long wanting to look at Nan Hua.
"You don't have to apologize to me."
Because the one whom she should apologize to was the real Nan Hua, who was no longer here.
Nan Hua's eyes flickered and she pulled her hand back. She didn't know what had happened in the past since she had no memories of the time and the others near her always avoided talking about it. But from the way they acted, she could guess that there must be something that happened in the past.
Something that affected the real Nan Hua and involved the others.
"Miss…" Xiao Yun felt miserable thinking about Nan Hua's words. She knew that she couldn't do anything whenever they came to bully her Miss. Even though she always tried to do her best, she was always helpless.
All she could do was to accompany Nan Hua, doing nothing.
And hearing Nan Hua's words, she felt even more miserable. She knew that Nan Hua might not blame her anymore since it has been a long time ago, but Xiao Yun couldn't bring herself to forget about those things.
"I'm going to sleep." Nan Hua waved her hand.
"Yes, Miss. Please rest properly." Xiao Yun carefully bowed and then left the room, leaving Nan Hua alone.
'Should I investigate more about what had happened to the real Nan Hua?'
Nan Hua had never thought of doing this in the past, but she wanted to know more now. What did they hide so much that they tried their best to never talk about it? The image that she saw when she received part of the real Nan Hua's memory was not exactly good.
It was horrible.
However, was it really important for her to find out about what happened to the real Nan Hua? She had to strengthen the Nan Family first if she wanted to avoid the crisis that would occur soon.
…
The next morning, Nan Hua dressed simply. She met with her twin brother and cousins on their breakfast. When they had done eating, Old Master Nan wanted to bring them along to tour the city.
"Tour the city?" Feng Ao Si furrowed his eyebrows. He looked at the others and tilted his head. "Is there even anything good in this city?"
"Ah Si." Nan Si Qiao looked at her son with warning gaze.
Feng Ao Si shut his mouth. Even if there was really nothing good with the city, it was indeed not his place to say it. It was just that, he felt like he wanted to say it. He didn't want them to roam around without any purpose.
Nan Luo smirked. "We can just play with the other children here. I heard that there are some games that we can play together."
"Even if you can play with the boys, do you plan to bring Hua'er too?" Feng Ao Si asked in disdain.
"She can play too!"
"Do you forget about how noble ladies have to protect their images?"
Nan Luo was stunned. He then turned to look at Feng Ao Si with annoyance. "How come you're the one who remember it when you're usually so stupid?"
"You're the stupid one."
"No way, it must be you. If not, how can you be sent here?"
"Nan Luo! Do you dare to accept a challenge?"
Feng Ao Kuai listened to their conversation calmly. He knew very well that the two of them would never be able to end this peacefully. Though, he had to admit that he was quite surprised that Feng Ao Si actually knew about the noble ladies' conduct.
Did he purposely try to remember it?
"I'll be meeting with the officials." Old Master Nan looked at his daughter and grandchildren. "You all can come with me if you want. If you don't want, you can just stay here."
"We'll come with you, Grandfather," Nan Hua said softly.
"Me too!"
"Didn't you say that you want to play?" Feng Ao Si asked in disdain.
Nan Luo scoffed. "I want to accompany Hua'er. If she didn't want to play, why should I go out and play by myself?"
"I'll come too, Grandfather," Feng Ao Kuai added.
Feng Ao Si was stunned and quickly said, "Me too! Grandfather, let me come with the others."
At this point, Nan Si Qiao was already resisting the urge to smack the three brats in front of her. Couldn't they adhere to the etiquette lessons which she had painstakingly taught them?
How was their speech any different than rogues right now?
She felt embarrassed.
Old Master Nan laughed. "Come."
The four of them followed Old Master Nan while Nan Si Qiao chose to stay behind. She had no intention of following the others to meet with the officials. As a woman, she really has nothing to say to them.
The officials were all working in the large main hall. It might be quite suitable to say that as a small palace just based on how the building was built and the large courtyard around it. There were several people who were moving in and out of the place.
It was clearly a good place to be.
The officials there were all acting polite and greeted Old Master Nan along with the others. This time, neither one of the three young masters dared to neglect their etiquette lessons.. It was fine when they were alone but if it was outside… their grandfather would spank them even if their mother let it be.