"Has Shaoyao forgotten everything from her past since waking up?"
"Indeed, and she suddenly developed an interest in poison arts. What she previously aspired to be was the first female general of the Daqing Dynasty."
Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. They were all wounded souls, each carrying their own sorrows. How many people truly sailed through life without encountering storms?
Gu Yanxi looked at the human skin mask in the box and steered the conversation back. "Even those furthest from the imperial throne are born understanding certain royal matters. The more favor I gained from the Imperial Uncle, the more wary the elder princes became. My only recourse was to remain unseen and form no connections. After my family's misfortune, I voluntarily joined the covert guards for training. Even if your grandfather had seen me, it would have been just a distant glimpse during the celestial worship ceremony years ago - no wonder he didn't recognize me. Besides, what nobleman would deliberately mar his appearance? That would be cutting off his own prospects."
Suddenly Hua Zhi understood. Scholar Lu's face wasn't ruined by others - he had scarred it himself. One requirement for official appointment in the Daqing Dynasty was unblemished appearance, not even minor scratches permitted, let alone half a face damaged like his.
"So they no longer view you as a threat now?"
Gu Yanxi smiled. He knew A Zhi would comprehend without explicit explanation - her political acumen was astonishing. "They remain wary, but of a different nature. I now command the Seven Constellation Bureau."
Hua Zhi recalled her grandfather mentioning the Seven Constellation Bureau, describing it as a double-edged sword hanging over all officials. While its existence was necessary, its drawbacks couldn't be ignored. She had thought it similar to the Eastern and Western Depots of the Ming Dynasty, but upon discreet inquiry discovered differences.
The Seven Constellation Bureau wasn't established at the dynasty's founding but emerged three generations later. Only the Emperor could wield this sword, and its handlers had always been royal clansmen, generation after generation maintaining absolute loyalty to the sovereign.
If the Eastern and Western Depots were like mad dogs at the emperor's beck and call, the Seven Constellation Bureau represented the emperor's most reliable trump card. Becoming its commander signified possessing the emperor's absolute trust.
And Hua Zhi knew precisely how rare such trust was.
Her gaze lowered as she thought of her family thousands of miles away.
"A Zhi, some matters cannot be rushed, but opportunities may still arise."
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. She had consistently told her family she would find a way to bring them back, yet understood the immense difficulty. The Emperor's word was law - in this world of supreme imperial authority, the emperor could never err. Both thunderous punishment and gentle rain represented imperial grace that all must accept, however reluctantly.
She had even considered waiting for the old emperor's demise and the new emperor's accession if all else failed. With a new monarch, the imperial decree could be overturned.
Her plan involved accumulating wealth while gradually seeking breakthroughs. And now, it seemed she might have found one.
A smile touched Gu Yanxi's lips. He loved seeing A Zhi regard him so intently, even when she sought something from him.
"I'll have Little Six remain here."
Countless thoughts flashed through Hua Zhi's mind. Was Scholar Lu's statement merely literal, or could it mean...
Gu Yanxi stood up, looking down at the woman whose expression remained unchanged but whose eyes revealed turbulent waves. With such sharp perception, it was truly regrettable she wasn't born male. Yet he felt profoundly grateful she was a woman."I hope you can nurture a second Hua Bolin, A Zhi. No matter who ascends to that position in the future, the Hua Bolin you've taught will have limitless prospects."
"Lu Xiansheng." Hua Zhi stood up and called out to the departing figure. "You're playing with fire."
Gu Yanxi turned to face her. "No, it's merely that the traditionally impartial Seven Constellation Bureau has developed a preference. Given the current circumstances, does it matter who takes the throne? Little Six is better than the alternatives. Besides, success or failure has nothing to do with you or me."
Watching him open the door and leave, then seeing it close behind him, Hua Zhi sat down and drained her cold tea in one gulp. She understood Lu Xiansheng's meaning.
If this succeeded, the Hua family would have rendered meritorious service for supporting the emperor. The return of the Hua family members would be a certainty. Even if it failed, she would merely have sheltered a prince with nowhere to go, and the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau was already aware beforehand. She presumed Lu Xiansheng would find an appropriate opportunity to gain official approval for this matter.
A prince who had lost his mother consort, yet whose maternal family was the indispensable and untouchable General Sun - whoever ascended the throne would need to appease him. Consequently, the Hua family who helped Sixth Prince couldn't be blamed. Thinking it through this way, this endeavor held great promise!
Unconsciously refilling her cup and bringing it to her lips, the cold tea slid down her throat. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down. She couldn't rush. She mustn't rush. She should set this matter aside for a couple of days, not rush to make a decision.
She couldn't lead the Hua family down a path of no return. Better to proceed slowly - she needed steady footing.
Liu Juan was approaching for the third time. Seeing the study door still closed, she asked softly, "Sister Ying Chun, hasn't the young lady emerged yet?"
Ying Chun glanced at the tightly shut door and nodded gently. "She should be out soon. Have Fu Dong make preparations."
"Yes."
Just as she spoke, the door creaked open and Hua Zhi emerged, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight. "Have I missed mealtime again? Is Fu Dong about to smash her cooking pots?"
Liu Juan covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Knowing you were discussing important matters, Sister Fu Dong has been waiting for word to start cooking. This maid will go inform Sister Fu Dong now."
Ying Chun, noticing her mistress looked weary, stepped forward to support her and complained quietly, "You haven't rested all morning. You must properly rest after the meal."
"I wasn't that busy. Where's Cao Cao? Hasn't she come out of her room?"
"She did. She asked this maid to tell you she needs to return home to fetch some medicinal ingredients she's missing for her remedies. She'll come back later and requested we save dinner for her."
Hua Zhi recognized this as an excuse - when did Cao Cao ever need to fetch ingredients herself? Usually, she just had to mention it and someone would deliver them. Hua Zhi didn't expose the pretense, but thinking of Lu Xiansheng's earlier reaction, she frowned again, suspecting it probably related to Cao Cao.
When Fu Dong came to set the table, Hua Zhi said, "Prepare more of Cao Cao's favorite dishes this afternoon. She's in low spirits - we should cheer her up."
"Yes, this maid will make her favorite fried meatballs."
"It seems to me she loves everything, as long as it's made by you." Watching the blush spread across the maid's face at the praise, Hua Zhi smiled. "Is everything well at Green Moss Alley? The account books show income has increased quite substantially again.""Yes, with the recent improvement in weather, more people are going out for leisure. This maid has taught them several new dishes that have been selling very well." Fu Dong's eyes sparkled with joy. She had always felt she was the least useful among the young lady's four chief maids, but now she could use her beloved culinary skills to earn silver for her mistress, filling her heart with indescribable delight.
Hua Zhi had a sudden inspiration. "You could try making seasonal dishes according to the solar terms, but don't rely solely on seasonality—the key is still good flavor. Only delicious food can attract customers. Are the peach blossoms blooming now? Let's start with peach blossom cakes as our first offering. Make them in limited quantities daily, and stop when the peach blossoms fall."
"Yes." Whenever food was mentioned, Fu Dong's eyes shone brightly, completely shedding her usual timid demeanor.
Hua Zhi picked up her chopsticks and added, "You could also brew a few jars of peach blossom wine. After the mourning period ends, I'll use it to invite Grandmother for a drink."
"Yes."
PS: These three chapters have covered many events. I had to mind the plot threads laid earlier, ensure coherence between preceding and following text, tie up all loose ends, and plant new clues for future developments. Kongkong truly wrote until mentally exhausted, constantly on the verge of collapse. I hope the writing still satisfies the young ladies and makes them willingly offer their monthly votes.
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