C15 What a Joke

Her father's gaze was steady, piercing through her eyes as if trying to reach her very soul, making her heart grow more anxious. She swallowed involuntarily, then heard her father speak.

"I'm giving you one last chance."

She looked up, bewildered, her eyes wide with shock. "Father, could you please explain? I truly don't understand what you mean."

Her father had always favored those with quick wit. Unfortunately, among his two daughters, her temperament was always a bit slower. Yet, aside from her, it seemed he had no one else to rely on.

Because of the circumstances surrounding her birth mother, Zuoyu maintained a cordial facade with her father, but deep down, fear overshadowed respect. Especially since her own brother had been forcibly sent to a merchant family.

For these reasons alone, Zuoyu could never fully side with her father.

"What a fool you are. I've been clever all my life, yet I ended up with a child like you," her father, Cui Qiao, suddenly sneered, dripping with disdain.

In his youth, he had mistakenly married a merchant's daughter. As his career flourished, the merchant's daughter passed away, and he remarried Mrs. Qian. He had hoped she would be gentle and virtuous, blessing the family with a son or two to carry on the legacy. Unfortunately, she only bore him a daughter.

Over the years, he took several concubines, but fate seemed to be against him. None bore him children, which was a constant source of frustration. His eldest son, Qingya, was merely a small-time merchant, unworthy of inheriting his legacy. He had hoped that after his daughters married, he could choose a suitable son-in-law to carry on the family name. But now, all his plans were shattered by Waner’s foolishness.

Waner felt a heavy weight in her heart and instinctively lowered her head. She had never been particularly clever and knew why her father disapproved of her. She tried everything to win his favor. Despite Yaen Ting, the esteemed gentleman from the Earl Mansion, favoring her sister, she still hoped to gain his attention, thinking it might earn her father’s respect. Unfortunately, one wrong step led to another.

"In three days, your mother will take you to Plum Leaning Forest. When you meet the Marquis's wife, make sure to behave well," her father’s voice was as cold as ice in April. Though spring seemed near, the chill was still biting.

"Yes," Waner replied, lifting her numb legs slightly, her eyes vacant.

Awaiting the visit to the Plum Leaning Forest for three days, Cui Zuoyu instructed Zi Luo to head to the storeroom and find the rare herb, the Tianshan Snow Lotus, which the Profound Secret Pavilion had been seeking.

The Tianshan Snow Lotus is said to grow at the peak of snowy mountains, making it incredibly difficult to harvest and taste. Just one is worth a fortune. As she pondered this, Zi Luo entered, her lips slightly pouting as if she had suffered a great injustice. She looked at the silk box with pity, saying, "Such a precious item, and yet Miss is comfortable leaving it in the storeroom."

She let out a helpless laugh, recalling how years ago, she had been upset with her brother for leaving, unaware of what had truly happened. Even though he later tried to give her valuable gifts, those items seemed trivial compared to her brother himself. Now, she suddenly realized that each gift was a token of his love for her.

Carefully, she took the silk box and opened it. Inside lay a crystal-clear snow lotus, its icy aura immediately enveloping her. The Tianshan Snow Lotus is fragile and easily damaged. The silk box seemed even more precious, capable of preserving the valuable herb for up to two years. She wondered what she had been thinking all those years ago, leaving such a priceless item carelessly in the storeroom. Reflecting on it now, she felt a deep sense of regret.

Zi Luo's face lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "This box is truly amazing! It can preserve the Tianshan snow lotus for up to two years without any damage."

Cui Zuoyu's expression, however, grew more pained. If she hadn't been so blinded by her own foolishness, her brother might have become a wealthy man, married a lovely wife, and led a life of success. Instead, he ended up dying in prison, all because of the trouble she brought upon him. Her brother had always been devoted to her, yet she repeatedly let him down.

Carefully, she put the silk box away, her gaze steady as she looked out the window and murmured, "The time is almost here."

"What time?" Zi Luo asked, puzzled.

The time for some people to pay for their deeds.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept outside, carrying large snowflakes that landed on the windowsill and quickly melted. On her dressing table lay the vibrant red plum blossoms Zi Luo had picked from the yard that morning. Their vivid color stood out starkly against the winter white, adding a touch of endless vitality.

There was still no news from the Profound Secret Pavilion. They were tirelessly searching for the Tianshan snow lotus and were likely more anxious than she was. If they received any word from Divine Doctor Sheng, the pavilion would surely inform her at once.

She was suddenly curious about something: the Tianshan snow lotus is known for its remarkable ability to treat incurable diseases. It's intriguing that the Profound Secret Pavilion, typically a money-making venture, would spend a fortune to acquire such a remedy. Perhaps they're just acting as a middleman, planning to sell it at an even higher price. Who knows?

The sooner they could find Divine Doctor Sheng, the better. Her brother's leg condition couldn't be delayed any longer. With this thought, she looked up at Zi Luo and asked, "Did my brother receive the letter I sent through the White Deer Bank?"

It had been three days, and he should have replied by now. The longer it took, the more anxious she became.

"Master is usually very busy managing his business affairs and might not have had the time to respond yet," Zi Luo replied honestly. Cui Zuoyu felt a pang in her heart. Her brother was already suffering from a leg ailment, yet he was still active in business. His reputation was so widespread that even Yaen Ting had taken notice.

"Send another letter and include the calming incense I made. Remind him to take good care of himself."

"Yes."

Zi Luo stepped out, her heart heavy with restraint. It had been years since she last saw her brother, who she remembered as charming and graceful. She couldn't help but wonder how he had changed over time. Only in his presence did she feel like a cherished child, protected and cared for.

In the ruthless Cui Mansion, however, she felt nothing of the sort. Her father, despite having been married to her mother and fathering a son and daughter, showed no affection for her mother. Instead, he took more wives to ensure a lasting lineage—a bitter irony.