Truth to be told, Nan Hua was not entirely clear about the reason as to why Old Master Nan and Nan Luo hated Nan Shu Cheng so much. After all, he was Old Master Nan's son and Nan Luo's father.
However, there was a bit of backstory in the book that she read regarding Nan Family.
It was said that Nan Shu Cheng was the reason of Nan Family downfall aside from Nan Hua, who went crazy because of her love to Long Qian Xing. But the exact detail was omitted from the book because Nan Shu Cheng was only a small side character.
Nan Hua wanted to know more but for now, she had to act accordingly. Besides, she didn't have a good impression of Nan Shu Cheng.
"Nan Luo, it wouldn't be good for you to stay out for a long time. You still need to focus on your study," Nan Shu Cheng finally spoke.
Nan Luo looked at his father and shook his head. "This is my home and Grandfather taught me a lot."
Grandfather.
The difference in address made Nan Shu Cheng furrowed his brows further. It was clear that Nan Luo was trying to alienate himself from him yet the brat attached himself to Old Master Nan.
"It wouldn't be good if other people know that you don't even want to return."
"Their words won't affect me." Nan Luo never cared too much about what other people were talking about him. Of course, he would not cross the line and created too much trouble for himself. However, even if they said that he liked to stay in his grandfather house much more than his father's house, why should he deny them?
Their conjectures might not even be close to the truth, but Nan Luo didn't care. They could say anything as long as they didn't hurt his sister.
Nan Shu Cheng's smile deepened. "It might not mean much for you, but what do you think about your sister? It wouldn't do her good if she has bad reputation."
Hearing that, Nan Luo flinched a bit.
While good reputation was good for him too, Nan Luo knew very well that it wouldn't do good for Nan Hua to have bad reputation. Not only would it make other people look down to her… but if she didn't have the marriage agreement with Long Family, no one would want to marry her.
For a woman in this age, it was devastating.
Old Master Nan listened and shook his head lightly. Nan Shu Cheng was not an official for nothing. He was good at keeping other people on check by grasping their weakness and knew how to use it.
Should he interfere now?
"Granddaughter is worried that Grandfather's sickness will worsen. Grandfather had fought on the battlefield for a long time and returned because of an injury. Why wouldn't it be proper?" Nan Hua looked at Nan Shu Cheng with indifference as she chose to speak out.
Nan Shu Cheng furrowed his brows. That was not wrong, but he didn't want to admit it. "But not everyone knows that. What if they make speculation?"
"When Grandfather returned to the Capital City a few months ago, he didn't hide his arrival. Who would not know General Nan returned after victory due to an injury?" Nan Hua lowered her eyes. "As for others, why would they make conjecture of an unremarkable daughter of Nan Family?"
That's what all the ladies do…
It was what Nan Shu Cheng wanted to say but he didn't think that it would be proper. His father would surely berate him for caring too much about the gossips.
Old Master Nan snorted. "If you're afraid of their reputation, I'll just simply told everyone that I'm recuperating here. Is that enough, Nan Shu Cheng?'
"Yes, Father." Nan Shu Cheng grimaced. Now that even his father had spoken, he knew that he wouldn't be able to do anything else.
"In that case, we'll return." Nan Luo cupped his fist towards Nan Shu Cheng. "We're in the middle of studying and you wouldn't want to hinder our study, would you, Master Nan?"
Nan Shu Cheng looked at his son and had no other choice but to back down this time. "Of course not."
"Let's go, Hua'er."
"Yes, Brother."
Nan Hua didn't even spare another glance at Nan Shu Cheng. She knew some of those information from the novel while the rest was the result of her aunt teaching to let her not lose battles against other women. Be tactful yet at the same time aggressive.
As it turned out, it was also useful against Nan Shu Cheng.