After a long while, Shaoyao resumed their previous conversation. "That child's identity might be somewhat troublesome. Several groups of people have been searching for him in the city these past two days. Whether for his sake or the Hua family's, he must remain hidden and cannot show his face."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly. "Then let him hide here for now. The Hua family might actually be the safest place at the moment. Who would expect a household full of women to dare shelter someone with troubles?"
"I've already mobilized Yan Ge's people to investigate. We should have news soon. Don't worry, Hua Hua, I would never bring trouble to the Hua family."
Before the child's identity could be verified, Gu Yanxi returned. He had reported to the imperial palace and came straight to the Hua residence afterward.
Hua Zhi first had maids bring hot water and warm meals, allowing him to eat and drink his fill and recover properly before inviting him to the study.
After two months apart, Gu Yanxi felt vaguely that Hua Zhi's aura seemed even stronger than before—a tranquility that comes only after deep refinement, sitting there without needing many words to make others feel at ease.
Hua Zhi stood up and gave a slight bow. "Was your journey successful, Lu Xiansheng?"
"Returned empty-handed."
Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised. Her impression of that night at the manor was too vivid, and she had personally experienced Lu Xiansheng's capability. She had always believed that once they took action, they would never fail.
She didn't know that this was indeed Gu Yanxi's first failure in many years. Someone had stood right before him and slapped him hard in the face, yet he didn't even know who they were. The frustration in his heart went without saying.
Hua Zhi rotated her teacup and looked up to instruct, "Bring out that tea set."
Ying Chun brought out a complete tea set from the cabinet. It had been custom-made not long ago and hadn't been used yet.
She loved tea and enjoyed this leisurely way of drinking it. Back at the old residence, she would often read while sipping tea, with Fu Dong preparing a few plates of exquisite tea snacks—an entire afternoon would pass so comfortably.
Back then, the only one who would share a few cups with her was her grandfather. Using it to entertain guests was a first.
Ying Chun brought in a small stove. The water in the kettle was already boiling. With skilled movements and elegant posture, Hua Zhi warmed the cups, brewed the tea, skimmed the foam, poured the tea, and prepared it, finally pushing a small cup toward Gu Yanxi and gesturing with her fair hand.
Gu Yanxi watched her series of movements without blinking. Looking at the dark brown tea liquor in the cup, he picked it up, smelled it, and took a sip. It was very mellow.
This method of drinking tea was quite novel, yet when performed by Hua Zhi, it didn't feel the least bit out of place.
"My people sacrificed several lives to finally uncover some information, but they all died without exception the day before I arrived..."
"Lu Xiansheng." Hua Zhi refilled his tea and looked up. "Is it appropriate for you to tell me these things?"
"If I say it's appropriate, then it's appropriate."
Hua Zhi pushed the tea closer to him. As long as it didn't involve classified secrets, she was quite willing to hear these matters. The more she knew, the better she would understand the situation—this was currently her greatest deficiency and something she couldn't immediately resolve.
"From learning about the Flame Country's malicious intentions to the New Year's Eve when I rushed there, it was barely over two months. Yet they had erased all evidence. Brand new farming tools were displayed there, and with a simple calculation, it was exactly the output from that iron mine. If I hadn't received secret intelligence earlier, I would have doubted whether your suspicions were mistaken."
"They melted the iron arrowheads down and reforged them into farming tools?"
"Correct."Hua Zhi frowned. "Someone knows your movements and has leaked information to the Flame Country."
Gu Yanxi snorted coldly. "Unfortunately, they cleaned up too thoroughly. But their goal was precisely to prevent me from finding evidence—they don't care whether I suspect anything. In that sense, they've succeeded."
Hua Zhi understood perfectly. Anyone with such influence must hold an extraordinary position. Without evidence, a charge of treason couldn't be easily pinned on someone—exactly what the other party intended. She wondered if Lu Xiansheng knew who that person was, and whether his superior could maintain control over the situation.
Let the court officials tear each other apart like dogs, Hua Zhi thought with dark amusement.
"Then this matter..."
"Can only be shelved for now. But the Emperor has become suspicious. The Flame Country has suffered a double loss this time.The resentment Gu Yanxi had accumulated along his journey dissipated significantly after several cups of tea and their conversation. Watching the woman who appeared gentler while bowing her head to brew tea, his voice unconsciously softened. "Wang Rong mentioned you saved a child?"
"It wasn't really me saving him. He boarded my carriage—under those circumstances, I couldn't just drive him away." Thinking about how the child's identity remained unknown after several days, Hua Zhi's brow furrowed slightly. She had always tried to avoid trouble, but sometimes avoidance wasn't truly possible.
As if reading her thoughts, Gu Yanxi said, "Only a few families could make it impossible for my people to uncover an identity for days. Since this matter has fallen into Shaoyao's hands, she won't let it be swept under the rug—she'll pursue it to the end."
"Regardless of who the other party is?"
"Regardless."
Hua Zhi curled her lips upward, pointing toward the sky. "Even that family?"
Gu Yanxi's expression remained unchanged. "Why do you say that?"
Because it's already too obvious, she thought. With the capabilities of the person behind Lu Xiansheng, if it were merely an ordinary noble family, how could it remain unresolved for so long? Only that place—where no official, regardless of rank or status, would dare investigate.
Hua Zhi lowered her head to drink tea, avoiding the question.
Gu Yanxi once again felt that Hua Zhi was far too perceptive. If she hadn't kept this side of herself hidden and lacked a reputation, she would have attracted attention long ago. Yet she revealed this aspect to him, indicating she must trust him to some degree.
This thought filled Gu Yanxi with profound satisfaction. At least in Hua Zhi's eyes, he was somewhat different from others. For now, this acknowledgment was enough.
"At worst, we won't bring the sky crashing down."
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. It seemed she should reassess the status of the person behind Lu Xiansheng—such confidence wasn't something ordinary people possessed.
She poured tea for Gu Yanxi again, her tone sincere yet not submissive. "I hope the Hua family can be kept out of this matter. Regardless of which factions are wrestling for power, the Hua family isn't even qualified to serve as cannon fodder now. I hope Lu Xiansheng can help make this happen."
"Shaoyao should have promised you she wouldn't involve the Hua family."
"Hearing your direct assurance would set my mind more at ease."Gu Yanxi was immediately pleased by these words, the curve of his lips deepening slightly. All the weariness and frustration that had weighed upon him were soothed by this single sentence. Simply sitting across from her, sharing tea, without needing her to be particularly gentle or to understand his every thought—just watching her every smile, frown, or furrowed brow—gave him a sense of belonging.
The image of a home he had never dared to envision seemed to materialize in this very moment.
PS: Thank you to the readers Zanwu166 and Elva0223 for your lengthy reviews. Much love.
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