Chapter 181: Let's Stay Like This for Now
As the sounds of human activity gradually faded, the carriage continued for a while longer before finally coming to a stop.
Chen Qing's voice came through, "Master, we've arrived."
Su Momo, who had been sitting by the carriage curtain, was the first to alight, followed by Gu Yanxi. Just as she moved to assist her young lady, she saw the man already extending his hand toward the person emerging from the carriage.
As Su Momo stepped forward, Chen Qing swiftly blocked her path, flashing her a toothy grin.
Hua Zhi first lifted her head to survey their surroundings, surprised to find they had arrived at the city wall. Then she looked down at Gu Yanxi. Having already followed him out, and it being late at night, she couldn't be bothered with false modesty. She placed her hand in his palm.
Gu Yanxi grasped it firmly while supporting her arm with his other hand to help her down.
"Lu Xiansheng certainly has unique tastes," Hua Zhi remarked with a faint, mocking smile as she withdrew her hand. She had assumed he would take her to release lanterns or cruise the river.
Gu Yanxi raised an eyebrow and led her toward the stone steps. When he moved to offer support again, he found no opportunity—A Zhi was holding up her skirt with both hands.
Not a single guard was visible on the city wall. Hua Zhi turned in a circle, taking in all she could see. The bustling areas of the city flickered with lights while other parts had already been swallowed by darkness. The view beyond the city walls was limited, with faint white mist swirling in the distance.
Hua Zhi chuckled, "If there were troops hiding outside the city right now, would the guards notice?"
"There are stationed troops outside the city."
"Could those stationed troops stop someone with Lu Xiansheng's skills?"
Gu Yanxi fell silent.
Hua Zhi felt an inexplicable satisfaction—indeed, making others uncomfortable made herself feel better. "What if something happens outside the city?"
The defenses he had always considered impregnable, and which had never failed before, now seemed full of holes when pointed out by A Zhi. Yet Gu Yanxi had to admit her concerns weren't unfounded—just because something hadn't happened before didn't mean it never would.
Leading A Zhi toward the watchtower, Gu Yanxi asked, "What would A Zhi suggest we do?"
"I'm just a woman raised in the inner quarters. How would I know such things?"
"Don't be modest, A Zhi."
"It's not modesty—I'm just good at finding faults." Years of being a boss had cultivated this habit; no matter how perfect a proposal seemed, she could always find flaws. But once approved and implemented, those projects inevitably became golden geese.
"I only excel at business. As for other matters, there are specialists for specialized fields."
Though her words made perfect sense, Gu Yanxi still felt A Zhi wasn't as ignorant about this as she claimed.
"However, I can offer a suggestion," Hua Zhi said with almost mischievous amusement. "If even someone with Lu Xiansheng's capabilities couldn't breach these walls, then they would be truly secure."
Gu Yanxi laughed, "There isn't a city wall in this world that could stop me. A Zhi's standards are too high."
"Exactly why I said I don't understand." Hua Zhi observed the impeccably clean watchtower, thinking it would make a perfect secret rendezvous spot—both discreet and romantic. Tsk, she really was full of negative thoughts today.
Walking to the window, she looked out. The moonlight cast its glow over everything, the hazy scenery seemingly tinged with chill. At first glance, she could only see what was nearby, yet it felt as if she could see very, very far.
She reached out her hand, letting moonlight cover it. Her restless heart seemed soothed by the moon's gentle radiance.Indeed, she shouldn't be angry. No one in this world understood better than her how vast the world truly was—beyond the capital, beyond the Great Qing Dynasty, beyond the neighboring countries. Across the seas, civilizations thrived, and beyond them lay still others. Compared to all this, what was Hua Jing worth?
To bother with something so insignificant—she really was regressing as she aged.
A weight settled on her shoulders as a pure white cloak was draped over her. Hua Zhi turned to look at the man now standing beside her. Unexpectedly, this man understood her deeply. That was why he had brought Shaoyao to her side to lighten the mood with banter, and now brought her up to the city tower. His methods might not be perfect, but they came from a sincere heart.
Had she given him hope?
Hua Zhi looked back toward the world beyond the city walls. She had rejected him, yet here she was accepting his kindness—how despicable!
She used to scoff at the saying "Even the most chaste woman fears a persistent suitor," but now she realized how naive she had been. Faced with a suitor like Lu Xiansheng, even a nun would likely return to secular life.
She was no nun, nor could she withstand such persistent courtship. Yet she truly had no desire to entangle herself in matters of the heart. What should she do?
"Lu Xiansheng, let's keep our relationship at its current stage for now."
"Alright."
Hua Zhi looked at him, surprised by his ready agreement.
Gu Yanxi adjusted the cloak around her shoulders, his voice carrying a hint of laughter. "I told you—I'll abide by your wishes. Besides, you haven't rejected me this time, have you? That's enough for me. I'm in no hurry."
He had waited twenty-four years to meet someone like her—he truly wasn't anxious. Moreover, he had no intention of pressing her too hard. A Zhi was someone who responded better to gentleness than force.
Leaning against the window frame, Hua Zhi looked at him and suddenly smiled. So be it then. She didn't want to torment herself, and her current circumstances didn't require severing romantic ties. What would happen in the future... well, that remained to be seen.
Gu Yanxi smiled back. Moonlight bathed both their faces, making them look like a perfectly matched pair.
Down below, Su Momo was frantic with worry, but Chen Qing blocked the staircase entrance, making it impossible for her to pass. She could only pace back and forth in helpless anxiety.
Amused by her distress, Chen Qing chuckled. "Mom, there's really no need to worry so much. Our master isn't the reckless type. And given the young lady's temperament, if he dared try anything, wouldn't she fight back desperately? Listen—there's not a sound from upstairs."
His words only made Su Momo more anxious. How could her young lady, a mere girl, put up such a fight? And Lu Xiansheng had initially been invited by the Hua family along with Wu Xiansheng!
Just as she was about to muster her old bones and charge up the stairs anyway, footsteps sounded from above. Looking up, she saw her young lady descending, calm and unharmed. Only then did Su Momo's frantic heartbeat begin to slow.
Chen Qing cheerfully stepped aside, winking at the old woman as if to say: See? I told you so.
Su Momo paid him no mind now, hurriedly climbing a few steps to support her young lady.
"Don't worry, everything's fine."
The carriage rocked and swayed all the way back to the Hua family residence. Hua Zhi alighted and gave Gu Yanxi a slight curtsey.
Gu Yanxi raised her up. "Tomorrow I'll have Shaoyao accompany you."
"That won't be necessary. I'm not afraid of the Song family. Besides, many likely know Shaoyao's identity, and I'd prefer not to be associated with Gu Shizi at this time."
"Alright, as you wish."Every time she heard the words "as you wish," Hua Zhi's heart softened. She didn't know how highly he regarded her—the esteemed Heir, the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau—yet he was willing to defer to her in everything. To claim she wasn't moved would be a lie; she wasn't so hard-hearted. She also had a premonition that if things continued this way, she might not truly be able to resist.
But as she had said before, there were too many people in this world who loved each other yet couldn't be together. Their relationship was entangled with too many matters and too many people. As for the future—who could say?
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