Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Hot-tempered Hedgehog

Cao Jingya had never been so humiliated, and her face flushed beet-red with suppressed rage.

"It’s just a meal! What’s the big deal? Fine, I won’t eat!" Cao Jingya slammed down her bowl and chopsticks and stormed off in a huff.

Zhao Nuanyue called out to Cao Jingya’s retreating back, "Wasting food is a disgrace! It’s easy not to value food when you didn’t use your own money and grain coupons to get it. Next time you come for a meal, bring your own food and coupons. Otherwise, don’t even think about joining us at the table!"

When Cao Jingya heard this, she spun around to glare at Zhao Nuanyue and said with a cold snort, "Zhao Nuanyue, just you wait!"

"Heh, I’ll be waiting." Zhao Nuanyue tilted her chin up, looking down her nose at Cao Jingya. "You’re a backstabber. If you want to come after me, then bring it on. We’ll see who deals with whom."

Zhao Nuanyue’s words were defiant.

After hearing this, Cao Jingya actually didn’t dare to say anything more. She just left, her eyes filled with fury.

Once Cao Jingya was gone, Liu Wenqiang gave a thumbs-up and said, "Junior Sister, you’re incredible. In a war of words, we’ve never been able to beat her."

"Heh, it was nothing. From now on, leave this kind of thing to me," Zhao Nuanyue said with a laugh. "When I was a volunteer in Nianqiao Village, there were two shrews who spent all day looking for trouble with us sent-down youths. I scolded them away every time."

"Incredible." Liu Wenqiang gave her a thumbs-up, thoroughly impressed.

Tang Kai Xuan, who was standing nearby, had a calmer disposition, but he too was smiling faintly.

Sun Haoran knew about Zhao Nuanyue’s heroic deeds in Nianqiao Village. He was smiling, but he said with mock sternness, "You and your sharp tongue. It’s pointless to get into a shouting match with someone like that."

"Heh, you’re right, it is pointless. But she tried to walk all over me, thinking I was a pushover. Little did she know I’m a hot-tempered hedgehog—if she prods me, I’ll prick her," Zhao Nuanyue said with a laugh. "I refuse to give Cao Jingya the chance to mock me! If she acted like a proper senior sister, I wouldn’t care how wicked she was inside. I’d at least maintain a peaceful facade. But she does the opposite, always coming here to boss everyone around and acting like she’s right and everyone else is wrong. I can’t stand people like that."

"Sigh. She’s a petty person. Now that you’ve offended her, she’ll surely find a chance to get revenge later," Madam Sun said with a sigh. "She was such a clever, bright little girl. Your master and I don’t have a daughter, and all our apprentices were boys, so we doted on her. I never imagined all our affection would end up breeding resentment."

Zhao Nuanyue wasn’t concerned. While deboning a fish for the Little Red Carp, she tried to reassure Madam Sun and her master. "I know it’s better to offend a gentleman than a villain, but with someone like Cao Jingya, don’t you think she’s been taking a mile for every inch you give her?"

"Exactly, Madam Sun. Even if we swallow our pride and treat her nicely, Cao Jingya will just keep trying to get her hands on our secret formulas," Liu Wenqiang chimed in. "Now that Master has been reinstated and holds such a respected position, even if she wants to play dirty, she won’t dare to do it out in the open."

"I’m just afraid she’ll act in the shadows. You might suffer for it," Madam Sun said, worried. In her eyes, Cao Jingya’s heart had rotten to the core.

"There’s no need to be afraid," Zhao Nuanyue said with a smile. "The country is becoming more stable by the day. It won’t be that easy for her to get away with anything."

"That’s right, Madam Sun, Master, we don’t need to be afraid of Cao Jingya," Liu Wenqiang said. "The Chen Family has been keeping a low profile these days. Last time Mr. Chen fell ill, they even wanted to ask Master to treat him. Master refused, which already offended them. To save face with the Chen Family, Cao Jingya will keep stepping on us to make the Chens happy. We keep letting her, and look what happens—she walks all over us. During dinner, before Master and Madam Sun have even said anything, she starts lecturing everyone. And whenever she’s here, she eats more than half of the best dishes and still complains about the food!"

Tang Kai Xuan also agreed with Liu Wenqiang. He reassured his master and Madam Sun, "Master, Madam Sun, there’s no need to be afraid. Our Immortal Grass Hall has weathered storms for over a hundred years and remains standing, all thanks to our medical skill. Those rich people might have their schemes, but they’re still human, and they get sick. Especially after Master saved Elder Zheng from death’s door, everyone has witnessed the extent of Master’s abilities. Anyone who wants to use us to achieve their own goals will have to think twice about whether they might get sick or face death themselves someday."

Sun Haoran looked at his three apprentices, then patted his wife’s hand, which was resting on the table. "That’s right. There’s no need to be afraid. These aren’t the same times we were living in a few years ago."

Hearing her husband say so, Madam Sun nodded. "Actually, I don’t want to tolerate it anymore either. That Cao Jingya is just infuriating."

With Cao Jingya gone, the atmosphere at the dinner table became much more cheerful.

After dinner, Zhao Nuanyue went to her master’s study. Sun Haoran was going to check on her academic progress and clarify anything she didn’t understand.

After they finished discussing medical topics, Sun Haoran brought up a personal matter.

"Nuanyue, Hua Zhiqiang saw me today and spoke to me about something," Sun Haoran said. "Although he didn’t explicitly say they want to arrange an engagement between you and Hua Yusen immediately, that was the implication." He said this even though he couldn’t be certain that Hua Yusen would ever wake up.

"Oh, that’s to be expected." Zhao Nuanyue nodded, not at all surprised. "They may look down on my family background and social standing, but what they want is someone who will genuinely treat Hua Yusen well."

Sun Haoran looked at Zhao Nuanyue with a pained tenderness. ’This girl understands everything.’

’But sometimes, being too smart is a burden in itself.’

"If you’re still sticking to your previous decision, then the next time the Hua family brings it up, I’ll agree to it for you," Sun Haoran said. This was the path Zhao Nuanyue had chosen for herself after careful deliberation. He would offer advice, but he wouldn’t stand in her way.

’That young man, Hua Yusen, is a good person. If he could wake up, he would be a fine match for her.’

’Even though I’m not confident I can guarantee Hua Yusen will wake up, his condition is constantly improving. It’s only a matter of time.’

’But knowing how the Hua family operates, if Hua Yusen does wake up, they might decide that Zhao Nuanyue’s status offers him no benefits and call off the engagement.’

’Sigh, that’s reality for you. It’s cruel, but what can you do? It’s a shame for such a wonderful girl.’

Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "Yes, please agree to it, Master. I am willing."

"Very well." Sun Haoran nodded. "I respect your choice."

Zhao Nuanyue was relieved to hear her master say that. But then she remembered running into Guo Dongmei during the day and decided to ask her master a question. "Master, how is the Guo Family doing these days?"

"Huh?" Sun Haoran asked in surprise. "Why do you suddenly ask about the Guo Family? Don’t worry, the Guo Family and the Hua family have already called off their engagement. No one will criticize you for getting engaged."

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