Hua Zhi lowered her head with a faint smile. "Yet it is precisely such a person who possesses nothing that has separated me from my family, leaving us with no hope of reunion. While Lu Xiansheng cherishes his family, I feel the same."
Gu Yanxi was left speechless.
Hua Zhi stepped past him and walked forward, gazing at the dark crimson hue on the horizon. "Your imperial uncle wields his imperial power to vent his anger arbitrarily, and I, too, take advantage of Lu Xiansheng’s goodwill toward me to act without restraint. I wonder if Lu Xiansheng has ever heard the saying: 'The pitiable often have their detestable aspects.'"
Hua Zhi turned around, her smile gentle yet inexplicably carrying a hint of audacity that Gu Yanxi could perceive. "I will not allow the Hua family to become pitiable. Throughout the history of the Hua family, not a single generation has ever committed acts that others would find detestable. They are merely scholars, educated since childhood in the words of sages, binding themselves their entire lives within those rigid frameworks—whether willingly or not. Later, they even shouldered the responsibility of upholding the integrity of scholars nationwide, becoming role models for all educated people."
Recalling her last visit to Yinshan Pass, where she saw hands once accustomed to holding brushes now frostbitten and cracked in places, Hua Zhi felt a lump form in her throat. "Lu Xiansheng once said that the Fourth Master of the Hua family was the most outstanding of his generation, yet he was not the one who entered official service. This was not only because he was born later but also because he did not wholeheartedly follow the path of the sages. My father did, my third uncle did, and even my second uncle grew up according to the standards set for Hua family men. Only my fourth uncle, the youngest son, was different. His life was vibrant and far more unrestrained than theirs."
Hua Zhi took a step closer, her tone soft yet resolute. "I do not believe that my father’s way is inherently good, nor my fourth uncle’s inherently bad. Yet I cannot deny the greatness of my uncles and ancestors, who dedicated their entire lives to building the Hua family’s reputation. As someone wielding supreme power, one has no right to negate such a family, generation after generation contributing to his reign, simply because of a son’s failings. Therefore, I do not sympathize with how pitiable he may be."
A sudden gust of wind lifted Hua Zhi’s cloak, and the chill helped calm her. She turned her back, tightening her cloak, and thought to herself that her decision was right. How could two people with such different values be together? She was accustomed to equality, or rather, equivalent exchange—how much work one does determines how much one earns, how much effort one puts in determines the reward. Here, however, no matter how much good you do, the emperor’s single word could send you to your death—not just you, but even your family, including the infant in your arms.
In such an environment, she could only accept it, but she could not do so peacefully. Since life and death ultimately hinge on a single whim, why should she bother doing good? Wouldn’t focusing on her own life be the most carefree?
If her grandfather knew her thoughts, he would surely reprimand her severely. So, in truth, she was not a qualified member of the Hua family. She lacked such noble sentiments—worrying before the world worries, rejoicing after the world rejoices. Such sage-like ideals were too distant for her. It felt more practical to concoct some delicious food instead.
Yet, no matter how much resentment simmered within her, when teaching, she still had to impart those very principles. She could live as herself, but the men of the Hua family must inherit the family’s integrity—this was something she deeply respected.
Sometimes, upon reflection, she felt she was not really suited to be a teacher. If she were not careful, she might end up leading others astray.Thinking of this, Hua Zhi turned back, "Knowing what's in my heart, are you still sure about entrusting A Jian to me?"
Gu Yanxi nodded without hesitation, "No destruction, no construction."
"I hope the outcome is what you wish to see."
After all, it couldn't get any worse than this. A bitter taste rose in Gu Yanxi's mouth. Neither his Imperial Uncle nor himself had ever considered such distant consequences.
He knew the Hua family was wronged, yet he didn't find his Imperial Uncle's actions entirely unjust. As subjects of the Daqing Dynasty, both punishment and favor were imperial grace—hadn't it always been this way?
But they had never considered: would the Hua family, loyal to Daqing for generations, not feel disheartened after being punished due to the Emperor's wrath? Would other prominent families feel the same? What about the scholars and students who looked up to the Hua family as their leader?
When the younger generation of the Hua family grew up, would they remain as loyal to the Emperor as their ancestors? If they couldn't, whose fault would it be?
Those who regarded the Hua family as their role model—when they entered officialdom and witnessed the family's fate, would they still be willing to shed blood and sacrifice everything for Daqing?
Without courageous generals willing to risk their lives, without civil officials burning with patriotic fervor—how many more years could the Gu family's reign remain stable?
History had buried too many truths about the tragic fates of royal families after their kingdoms fell. Princes and princesses becoming playthings was commonplace—such humiliation was beyond his imagination befalling future descendants of the Gu family. What if another tribe like the Chao Li Tribe established their own dynasty and declared sovereignty...
The cold wind blew, yet Gu Yanxi's back was soaked with sweat. The decline of a dynasty never happened overnight. Could the exile of the Hua family mark the beginning of Daqing's downfall?
Watching A Zhi tuck wind-tousled hair behind her ear, Gu Yanxi thought to himself: it must be that Daqing's destiny wasn't exhausted yet, hence the Hua family produced a descendant like A Zhi, hence he met A Zhi, and hence Little Six, in his most desperate moment, boarded A Zhi's carriage.
Therefore, he and A Zhi were also destined.
Gu Yanxi took off his cloak and draped it over A Zhi's shoulders. "The Hua family will definitely reunite."
This was his promise. Hua Zhi knew it. She gave a slight curtsey, watching the man mount his horse. Shadowtreader reared up with a long whinny and vanished from her sight in an instant.
"Young Lady." Ying Chun hurried over. "It's late. Time to return."
"Mm." Hua Zhi gathered the overly long cloak and retraced her steps. "Fu Dong, starting tomorrow, prepare two portions of meals for Dongzi to deliver into the city."
"Yes."
The sky grew increasingly dim. The party quickened their pace into the courtyard. Su Momo watched her young lady's back, pondering for a moment, but ultimately said nothing more, merely reminding herself to be more attentive from now on.
"Dongzi, come with me."
Dismissing the others, Hua Zhi led Dongzi to the main hall. She took a sip of scalding tea to warm herself, then looked up. "When you enter the city, someone will come to take the food container. Just hand it to them directly."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi traced the rim of her teacup. "Keep a close watch on the situation in the city. Report anything unusual to me."
Dongzi hesitated before asking, "What kind of unusual things do you mean, Young Lady..."
"Anything that strikes you as odd. Like rumors, unusual movements, and such."
"Yes, I understand."
"You may go."Hua Zhi sat alone in the room for a long time. She believed what Lu Xiansheng had said, yet she wouldn't place all her hopes on others. She preferred keeping the initiative in her own hands.
She also wanted to see whether there would be further developments in the capital, and whether Gu Yanxi would take some action after hearing her words.
Though she disliked this monarchical system, she disliked even more the idea of living in turbulent times.
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