"Don't laugh at me, Mr. Zheng, but I don't have such grand ambitions. I read those books simply because I enjoy reading, and my family had enough books for me to choose from. Day after day, year after year, I ended up reading so many. Since I cannot travel thousands of miles, I can only seek solace in the golden house of books—that's all."
Hua Zhi smiled. "Now it may seem like I've broken free from many constraints, but my mind has also become cluttered with distractions. There are too many concerns to attend to, too many tasks to accomplish. With no one supporting the sky above, how could I possibly calm my heart to pursue scholarly work? All I can do now is hold up that sky myself, so that others in the Hua family can focus on their studies."
Moreover, she had no ambition to challenge the entire societal environment single-handedly. Whatever one gains, they inevitably lose something of equal value—and she had no need for that.
Hua Zhi stood up and bowed gracefully to Zheng Zhi. "Hua Zhi thanks Mr. Zheng."
Zheng Zhi waved his hand, signaling her to sit. "Having been away from the capital for so many years, I never expected such a pleasant surprise upon my return. I agree to this matter, but you shouldn't completely step back either. With such talent, it would be a waste not to use it."
Hua Zhi lowered her eyelids. She had never viewed the clan school as a burden. Sometimes, she even considered teaching as a form of respite—sharing what she wanted to share, subtly imparting valuable knowledge as if nourishing things silently like spring rain, and watching them absorb it like sponges brought her joy. But to ask her to teach the Four Books and Thirteen Classics again...
"Then let's add a miscellaneous studies course. Consider it a way to broaden their horizons."
Zheng Zhi nodded in approval. She knew what to do and understood the limits of what one person could achieve. Hua Zhi balanced this perfectly. What a pity—if she were willing to dedicate herself to scholarship, he would gladly take her as a student. It was rare to encounter someone so agreeable. Truly regrettable.
"To inform you, Mr. Zheng, the other teacher is surnamed Mu—Mu Qing, Mr. Mu. The class schedule will need to be discussed with him. Do you have any thoughts on this matter?"
"No need to worry about that. Mu Qing and I will arrange it."
"Understood." Hua Zhi appreciated Zheng Zhi's decisiveness. She could see that Mr. Zheng was indeed as her grandfather had described—not one to strictly adhere to conventions, otherwise he wouldn't have encouraged her to write and establish her own theories. "The Hua family cannot accommodate outside guests, so I'll have someone rent a residence for you nearby..."
"No need. I have a place to stay."
Hua Zhi glanced at her second uncle, Zhu Haodong, who nodded slightly. She said no more and didn't mention tuition fees either—she would prepare the same amount for Mr. Zheng as for Mr. Mu. As for other matters, her grandfather had likely already made arrangements.
Zheng Zhi's eyes swept around the room. The books here were nothing remarkable to him, but considering they had been accumulated in the few months after the Hua family's property confiscation, he felt another wave of admiration. What a shame Hua Zhi's heart wasn't in scholarly pursuits—he would truly have been willing to accept a female student.
After finishing another cup of tea, Zheng Zhi stood up and returned to the clan school. With his keen perception, he easily noticed that Zhu Haodong had something to discuss with Hua Zhi.
Hua Zhi glanced at Su Momo, who understood and went to guard the door."Zheng Zhi is from the capital. To be precise, he is a posthumous child. His father once served as a tutor in the Zhu Family, handsome and charismatic with countless female admirers. He died when Zheng Zhi's mother was pregnant with him, and his death was rather disgraceful. He left no savings behind, only a widowed wife who was with child. In her grief and anger, she nearly followed him in death. Out of regard for their employer-employee relationship, my father had my mother help arrange the burial and left some silver for Zheng Zhi's mother. Otherwise, Zheng Zhi might not have existed in this world."
So that was the extent of the debt of gratitude. No wonder Zheng Zhi returned despite his reluctance. Hua Zhi nodded, "So he moved back into his old home?"
"After receiving his reply, Father had someone tidy up his family's house. It's perfectly livable now." Zhu Haodong looked at his niece. "Your grandfather said he inherited his father's talent for scholarship. Being a Clan school teacher is beneath his abilities, so we only contracted him for three years. He's used to a free-spirited life, but he understands proper etiquette. Just keep a casual eye on him in private, don't restrict him too much."
"Yes, I understand."
"We have complete confidence in you." Zhu Haodong smiled, then broached his real purpose for visiting. "Regarding the soap business, your grandfather decided to bring in a partner - General Zhou Jing. Have you heard of him?"
"Zhou Jing, the mighty second-rank general in charge of the Central Battalion." Hua Zhi had been studying the officials of the Daqing Dynasty recently and was quite familiar with Zhou Jing, who held real military power. She just hadn't expected her grandfather to partner with a military man.
"I met with the old general myself. He personally promised that if the Hua family ever faces trouble, the Zhou family won't stand by and do nothing."
Hua Zhi was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood. This must be protection her grandfather had secured for her - or rather, protection obtained in exchange for offering this business opportunity. The Zhu family didn't need it, but the Hua family certainly did. Every connection she built was meant to increase the Hua family's capital, and the Zhou family carried significant weight.
"I'll personally thank Grandfather another day."
"We're family, no need for such formalities." Zhu Haodong beamed, quite pleased. Once this business expanded, even if his elder brother rose to higher positions, he wouldn't be able to look down on him anymore. Truth be told, he should be the one properly thanking Zhi Er.
Hua Zhi attended Zheng Zhi's first class. Halfway through, Mu Qing also arrived, and both became engrossed while listening in the corridor.
This was probably the difference between reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles. When Mu Qing taught, he incorporated his own understanding and insights generally recognized by scholars, yet always remained within the confines of books. Zheng Zhi, however, broke through those confines. He interpreted texts based on his years of travel experience. It was hard to say whose approach was better, but undoubtedly, Zheng Zhi's teaching was more vivid.
Hua Zhi even felt her additional class might be redundant.
Noticing Mu Qing's dejected expression when she turned around, she paused briefly before offering candidly, "Mr. Mu, you needn't dwell on it. Not every scholar can travel freely like Mr. Zheng, unburdened by attachments."
Mu Qing shook his head with a bitter smile and walked away.Hua Zhi could no longer persuade anyone—who wouldn’t feel envious? She, too, was envious. She also hoped that one day she could travel thousands of miles, witness the magnificent mountains and the breathtaking landscapes blessed by the Creator—no words in books, no matter how beautiful, could capture even a fraction of their splendor.
But alas, there were too many constraints.
Once she stepped out of this place, she would still have to think about how to earn more money, how to expand and strengthen her network of connections, how to care for the Hua family—young and old, big and small—and how to remember her loved ones far away in the northern lands…
With so many things to worry about, where would she find the time to dwell on the faint longings buried deep in her heart?
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