Nan Hua could never understand how the servants could spend hours just to doll someone up. Thankfully, she was mostly training in the residence so the servants didn't use any make up and tied her hair in rather simple design. The clothes that she picked was also one that would allow her to move easily.
The temperature had grown much colder and the servants were all wearing thicker clothes. They still had to work, so they have no other choice but to brave themselves through the bitter temperature and continued to work.
Ning Shu Pavilion was still as calm as ever. There was only Tong who walked in and out to do what Old Master Nan tasked him to do. When the steward saw Nan Hua, he quickly bowed.
"Young Miss."
Nan Hua nodded. "Is Grandfather inside?"
"Old Master is inside. Would you like me to escort you inside?"
"No need."
Tong left after being rejected by Nan Hua since he still has a lot of things to do. Entering the pavilion, Nan Hua headed straight to the detached area where she, Nan Luo, and her grandfather usually ate.
This time, Nan Luo was not there yet and only her grandfather was sitting there. He smiled brightly when he saw Nan Hua coming.
"Hua'er, come here."
Nan Hua blinked at Old Master Nan's gesture. He wanted her to sit on his lap? Slowly but surely, she walked closer and Old Master Nan picked her up to his lap. His aged hand held her firmly but gently.
"Grandfather," Nan Hua greeted.
Old Master Nan nodded and smiled lightly. "Hua'er, if you want to do something so dangerous, you should inform me first. I'm worried that you'll hurt."
"I'm fine."
Fine…
For some reason, Old Master Nan thought about what his wife said to him in the past. When a woman said that they were fine, more often than not, they were not fine. It was just there were some matters that couldn't be said openly to other people and thus, they could only brush it off.
Old Master Nan felt his heart ached as he rubbed Nan Hua's head tenderly. "You don't have to worry about the aftermath. It's just a prank from the second prince and it wouldn't happen again in the future."
A prank that involved numerous people's death?
Nan Hua was speechless.
"However, the Capital City would be unsafe. After New Year Celebration, I'll send you and Ah Luo to Yi Shang Temple that's located not far from the Capital City. There will be other young masters and misses from other families who'll stay there." Old Master Nan fondled Nan Hua's small hand tenderly.
"It wouldn't be for long and after the matter of the court settled down considerably, you all can return."
Nan Hua nodded. Because of the imbalance at the court, some high ranked officials sent their children away to temples. There were several temples around the capital city and naturally, all of them would be picked in accordance to which one they had the most connection with.
This was to prevent their children from suffering and if they suddenly got involved in some scheme, their children would at least have a chance to escape. Naturally, each of them had already warned their children and made ample preparation in case something bad happened to them.
Nan Hua didn't know the details, though.
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Also, I heard that you ask Hou Lin to investigate more about Hai Family? What do you want to know about them?" Old Master Nan asked softly.
"Everything."
Everything?
Old Master Nan was silent for a moment before he started to tell his granddaughter. The Nan Family was considered as a big family and had a lot of members. They thrived because the previous head was a general and also helped to settle down a rebellion. It was because of this achievement that Empress Dowager Hai could enter the palace and become one of the Imperial Concubines.
While the position seemed low, it was also the request of the woman herself. Of course, a lot of people also looked down on her at that time because as a high ranked noble woman, she was trying so hard to become a concubine.
However, Imperial Concubine Hai was favored greatly by Prince Yang Xuan (at that time, he hadn't ascended to the throne). Because of this favor, the Hai Family could thrive by relying on their connection to the Crown Prince.
What happened later on… was fairly obvious.
The Hai Family lost their family head and the younger generation couldn't match up to them. Empress Dowager Hai had two close brothers, one of them was the first Commander, who had died last night. The second one become the adjutant.
Two of her cousins become the Second and Third Commander Hai respectively. The fourth commander was her nephew, who was still relatively young. And after the ordeal last night, only the second and fourth Commander Hai were still alive.
"But Hai Family didn't only consist of military commanders."
Some who had further relationship with Empress Dowager Hai also become officials and some of them also owned several shops. Some women who were married to Hai Family also expanded Hai Family's relationship.
In short, they had a lot of connections.
Listening to her grandfather telling her everything, Nan Hua then realized that Hai Family was more powerful than what she thought. Because of the women that was married in or married away, they had some connections here and there.
Dealing with them wouldn't be easy.
Old Master Nan saw Nan Hua's gaze and laughed lightly. "This is not that strange. Most big families will do the same to expand their influence and to make sure that they're not backstabbed by others. In short, it'll be like you have a piece of me and I have a piece of you, so you should support me. There are many other influential families who also do the same thing."
Nan Hua nodded.. She understood that point but it was not what she was thinking right now.