Finally having the chance to speak with Hua Zhi like this, Gu Yanxi continued along this topic, "I don't think Bai Mingxia will truly keep tolerating this forever."
"He's a smart man - he wouldn't do something that hurts the enemy a thousand while damaging himself eight hundred." In this clan-based society, an individual couldn't accomplish much on their own. The power of clans was too great. If Bai Mingxia did anything to harm his clan's interests, he would lose his footing completely.
"And what if his step-by-step concessions only lead to the other party becoming increasingly aggressive?"
Even a clay figure has three parts of temper. If it were her, she'd rather make sure nobody gets off easy. Hua Zhi propped her head with one hand while gently stroking Shadowtreader with the other, who kept poking his head in through the window.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bringing warmth where it touched. Various sounds from the street drifted in faintly, sometimes near, sometimes far. Hua Zhi suddenly felt that this kind of ordinary, mundane life was actually quite nice.
Though there was no so-called freedom, no variety of entertainments, no convenient transportation, and even their lives were held in the monarch's hands, Hua Zhi still found it acceptable. At least here, she had people she cared about and was willing to protect.
Gu Yanxi gently nudged his horse's flank, bringing Shadowtreader closer. He took a wax paper package from his subordinate and passed it through the window. "Signature pastries from Yunlai Restaurant. Try them and see which you prefer - these or what your maid makes."
Hua Zhi had always been a food lover at heart. In her previous life, no matter where she traveled for work, she would squeeze out time to sample local delicacies. Coincidentally, she possessed a discerning palate - after just one taste, she could roughly identify all the ingredients inside.
With her verbal guidance and Fu Dong's skilled hands, the mistress and maid had truly created many delicious foods over the years. The snacks from Green Moss Alley didn't even compare.
The pastries looked quite appealing - small pieces with a golden-brown exterior, likely fried. When she bit into one, juice flowed out - peach meat? The next one surprisingly contained pine nuts...
Each pastry had different fillings. Hua Zhi began to understand why someone would create that rare delicacy called five-nut mooncake. When it came to food, Chinese culture through five thousand years had always mastered the essence.
The taste was indeed excellent.
Hua Zhi lifted the front carriage curtain. "Xu Jie, go to Yunlai Restaurant again and buy some more pastries."
Xu Jie turned back with a troubled expression. "Miss, Yunlai Restaurant's pastries aren't sold for takeout."
The horse's head at the carriage window was patted aside as a well-proportioned hand holding a string of wax paper packages waved them before her.
Countless emotions rose in Hua Zhi's heart, but she suppressed them all one by one. Taking the packages, she said softly, "Lu Xiansheng always thinks ahead of me."
Because he knew you'd like them! Gu Yanxi patted Shadowtreader, who snorted back at him, quietly complimenting himself. "My master has considerable influence - he can purchase them."
Hua Zhi thought of the masked man with the longbow from that rainy night, wondering why he didn't prevent Lu Xiansheng and Shaoyao from associating with the Hua family.
"I actually think these pastries, though novel, aren't as good as what your maid makes."
"Each has its merits. With some improvements, these pastries could taste even better. I'll have Fu Dong modify them and send some to Uncle Bai as thanks."
"Yunlai Restaurant's pastries will become even more famous then."The two chatted idly like friends until the carriage stopped at the East Corner Gate.
As soon as Hua Zhi stepped out of the carriage, she saw Liu Xiang hurrying out through the gate, a scene that mirrored the day she returned from the northern lands. Her heart raced.
"Young Mistress, the eldest uncle from the Zhu Family has arrived."
Hua Zhi gradually relaxed her tense posture and turned to curtsy to Gu Yanxi. "Once the pastries are ready, I will send some for Lu Xiansheng to taste first."
Gu Yanxi noticed the relieved smile at the corner of her lips and nodded. "Very well."
Zhu Haocheng, the eldest son of the Zhu Family, was nearly forty and carried an air of refined elegance. With no elders currently in the Hua family, he didn't even visit his sister's quarters. Learning that his niece was out, he had a servant escort him to the front courtyard, then followed the sounds to the clan school.
He didn't approach but stood under the eaves listening for a while. Berlin's voice was unmistakable—still carrying a child's tone yet lacking the expected innocence. The most mischievous boy in the Hua family had finally settled down after the series of upheavals.
After listening further, he realized Berlin wasn't just reciting texts verbatim. The boy was actually citing classics to explain meanings to the students. Whether he had memorized them all was uncertain, but his comprehension was evident.
Yet the tutors hired by the Hua family had always been strict in their teaching methods. Where had Berlin learned this approach?
Suddenly, his father's words flashed through Zhu Haocheng's mind. Could it be...
Footsteps approached from behind. Turning, he saw the very person he'd just been thinking of walking slowly toward him.
"Zhi Er pays respects to Eldest Uncle. Apologies for making you wait."
Zhu Haocheng made a slight gesture of assistance before clasping his hands behind his back and walking outward. "I haven't been waiting long."
Hua Zhi led Zhu Haocheng to the study. Though more than half the bookshelves remained empty, everything else that should be there was present.
Hua Zhi personally prepared tea before taking a seat below him. "Today isn't a rest day. What brings you here, Eldest Uncle?"
"When I wish to come, I come."
Indeed—when one wishes to come, they come. It all depends on whether one has the intention. Hua Zhi smiled, feeling a growing appreciation for her uncle.
Noticing the chess set stored to the side, Zhu Haocheng asked, "Shall we play a game?"
Hua Zhi naturally wouldn't refuse. Though she needed to borrow the Zhu family's influence, she had no intention of placing the Hua family beneath them. Improper positioning would damage relations between the families. Yet the Hua family currently held the weaker position—she had to find ways to reverse this disadvantage. Her uncle's invitation to play chess actually worked in her favor.
One's chess style reflects their character. She would let her uncle see clearly what she was made of.
Hua Zhi's chess skills were sufficient to force a draw with Old Master Hua. Since Hua Yizheng and Zhu Bowen were equally matched, and Zhu Bowen couldn't necessarily win even giving Zhu Haocheng a three-stone advantage, the outcome was predictable. On the board, black dragons coiled while white stones lay in disarray.
Even when the outcome became obvious, Hua Zhi didn't concede a single stone, thoroughly dismantling Zhu Haocheng's white pieces.
Zhu Haocheng resigned with a bitter smile, but couldn't even feel embarrassed—the gap was simply too vast.
"You should go play a game with your grandfather someday. Since Old Master Hua left, he's been tormenting me daily at home. He'd be delighted to have an opponent like you."
"I cannot afford to be underestimated, so I must exert my full effort."
Zhu Haocheng sighed. He understood his niece's intentions, though her methods were somewhat brutal. "Your grandfather sent me to discuss the current situation in the capital. Let me first ask you—how much do you understand about the capital's affairs? Which aspects would you like to focus on?""What I know is only what my grandfather told me about the long-standing feud between the Feng family, Wei Family, and Hua family. Beyond that, I know nothing. Previously, there was no need for me to learn these things, and when I finally needed to understand, I didn't know where to begin. Please, Uncle, tell me everything you can recall."
Hua Zhi spoke with complete candor. "I used to think the Hua family could live peacefully behind closed doors, but later I realized I was wrong. Many people have designs on the Hua family's reputation. To exploit our name, they must involve a member of the Hua family, and Berlin is the first in line. I will never allow anyone to set their sights on him."
PS: Two chapters released together, kisses to all the girls.
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