"Why?"
Why? Hua Zhi smiled. Of course, it was because she didn't want to go to someone else's household to be ordered around like a subordinate!
None of these noble families in the capital were easy to deal with. How much would a young bride from another family have to endure to establish herself in her husband's home? She wasn't afraid of those challenges, but she had no desire to get involved, even feeling deep disgust at the thought.
Naturally, such blunt thoughts were best kept to herself. Hua Zhi offered a slightly polished version of her reasoning: "I dislike complicated interpersonal relationships. I dislike scheming for trivial gains. I dislike having to send tonics to comfort my husband after he has favored a concubine, as if to soothe his 'exhaustion.' I dislike being confined to that limited space, facing ignorant women who think the world is no bigger than the capital. What joy could there be in such a life?"
"Coincidentally, I dislike all those things you mentioned as well." Gu Yanxi's gaze remained tender and lingering. "We can explore how vast this world truly is together—see the boundless ocean, the endless green grasslands. We can go anywhere you wish. I won't demand that you confine yourself to the inner quarters, nor insist on a certain number of children, nor expect you to be a virtuous first wife. In our home, you may live as you please and go wherever you desire. You need only bring me along."
Wasn't it tempting?
How could it not be!
Hua Zhi bit the tip of her tongue to maintain her composure. Since coming to this world, her only regret was being unable to travel freely and witness this pristine, undeveloped world untouched by pollution. But that had seemed like a fool's dream.
Thus, the future she had envisioned for herself was to live in a residence built entirely to her liking with a few maidservants who also preferred not to marry. When she grew older and attracted less attention, she would venture out—though her travels would be limited. She had never considered journeying to distant lands.
She wasn't afraid, but she had to consider the dangers. If she possessed Shaoyao's martial skills, she could roam the world freely. Unfortunately, she didn't. With her meager abilities, she couldn't fend off many adversaries.
And now, Gu Yanxi was promising her such a future. Every part of her was stirring with excitement. If not for her responsibilities, she would have agreed for the mere promise of going wherever she pleased.
Yet, it might only remain empty words.
"Has Lu Xiansheng forgotten his own status?"
"There will come a day when I can set it aside."
Hua Zhi lowered her eyes, unsure where her profound disappointment stemmed from, but she was indeed so disheartened that she couldn't even muster her usual smile.
Gu Yanxi rose, came around to her side, and knelt beside her. He took her hands, gazing up at her insistently. "You bear your responsibilities, and I bear mine. But these burdens are not eternal. The Hua family will return. As for me, even if a successor for the Seven Constellation Bureau hasn't been fully trained yet, I still hold the title of The Heir. No one can stop Gu Shizi from taking a wife and having children. A Zhi, trust me. I will steer things in the direction I desire. The future I promise you will surely come to pass.""Five years? Or ten?" Hua Zhi allowed him to hold her hand without resistance. "We can't even predict tomorrow's affairs, let alone those so far in the future. Lu Xiansheng, I'd prefer we form a community of shared interests—I'll earn substantial wealth for you, while you provide protection for me and the Hua family. If you could bring my family members back, I wouldn't hesitate to offer all my earnings to you. I'd even willingly work for you for several more years."
Seeing the man's unwavering determination, Hua Zhi felt a momentary softness. "I don't want to use your feelings to achieve my goals. So, Lu Xiansheng, please don't always let me take whatever I want. I'm afraid one day I might cross that line and become someone even I would despise."
"I'm more than willing to be used by you. If there are matters that require leveraging influential connections, I hope you'll use me."
Gu Yanxi understood this woman well. Others might not see her as embodying the Hua family's traditional aloofness, but it ran in her bones. She was too proud to take advantage of anyone, preferring to state her intentions clearly even when utilizing others, ensuring the exploited party also benefited. If she owed someone something, she would remember it constantly, never forgetting.
He wanted to be that person she could never forget, and he would never give anyone else that opportunity.
"I once read that people grow up to become what they most despise. Back then, I told myself I would never let that happen." Yet later, like all adults, she found those words coming true. Now, she no longer wanted to be that kind of detestable adult.
Hua Zhi lowered her head with a faint smile, her expression carrying a melancholy that Gu Yanxi couldn't decipher but that pained him. "Lu Xiansheng, I don't want to use you, nor anyone else. I hope we can establish a cooperative relationship where we rely on each other—I generate silver for you, and you provide me protection. That's all."
Gu Yanxi enclosed both her hands in his palms. "If that's what you wish, then so be it."
Hua Zhi stared at him in stunned silence, as if surprised by his agreement.
Gu Yanxi smiled tenderly, reaching out to gently stroke her cheek. "I'll comply with whatever you desire."
His hand felt warm and dry against her skin, the callus at the base of his thumb brushing her face without causing discomfort due to his gentle touch. Suddenly, Hua Zhi felt a yearning for such closeness—it had truly been many, many years since she last experienced it. The last memory of being treated this way was when her father was on his deathbed.
This man truly...
Hua Zhi closed her eyes briefly, tilting her head back to withdraw from his palm. As she stood, she smoothly retrieved her hand and took two steps backward, as if physically distancing herself from the man's captivating influence.
Gu Yanxi rose as well, his taller stature imposing an unconscious pressure. Hua Zhi instinctively wanted to retreat further but bit her tongue to resist the urge. "Lu Xiansheng, your tea should be finished by now."
Seeing A Zhi's current demeanor, Gu Yanxi felt an unprecedented joy. He remembered previously asking if anyone had ever made her lose composure—she said yes, though he never witnessed it nor knew who it was. But now, if he persisted just a little longer, that person would be him.
Yet, he couldn't bear to push her!
Gu Yanxi acquiesced to her suggestion. "Indeed, the tea is finished. We can discuss the alliance another day."
"Lu Xiansheng, please."
Gu Yanxi retrieved a box from his robe and placed it on the table, though his words shifted to an unrelated matter. "I'd like to ask A Zhi for some of Fu Dong's pickled vegetables, if that's possible?"As long as she could send this great Buddha away, she wouldn't mind even if all the pickled vegetables were taken. Hua Zhi raised her voice, "Su Momo."
"Yes, young lady." Su Momo pushed the door open and stood outside, keeping her eyes lowered.
"Take Lu Xiansheng to Fu Dong to get some pickled vegetables. Take some of each variety, as much as Lu Xiansheng wants."
"Yes. Lu Xiansheng, please follow this old servant."
Gu Yanxi took one last look at Hua Zhi before following Su Momo out.
The gaze that had been lingering on her finally disappeared. Hua Zhi sat back in her chair, calming her disordered heartbeat.
This had nothing to do with feelings—it was just that a mark had been left in her heart after all.
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