On the way back, Hua Zhi didn't utter a single word. Her expression was cold, and her eyes seemed to radiate a murderous aura. Both Ying Chun and Bao Xia were reminded of that rainy night at the manor. Even the usually talkative Bao Xia tightly sealed her lips, not daring to speak half a word.
Their young lady was truly furious this time.
As she stepped into the carriage and crossed the corner gate, Hua Zhi was nearly knocked off balance by someone rushing toward her. The familiar scent of medicinal herbs filled her nostrils, and she instinctively caught the person in her arms.
"Hua Hua, Yan Ge said you needed me for something, so I don't have to go back now!"
Hua Zhi patted the person who was nuzzling against her coquettishly and led her inside as she asked, "Is everything settled?"
"Yes, my master will be staying in the capital for a while, so I'm no longer needed there." Shaoyao bounced along joyfully, her eyebrows practically flying off her face. It was clear how genuinely happy she was to leave the palace.
Hua Zhi's mood improved slightly. When she entered the front courtyard and saw Yan Xi waiting there, she wasn't surprised.
Shaoyao suddenly leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "Hua Hua, what's going on between you and Yan Ge? He's been so easy to talk to these past few days. Something good must have happened, right?"
Hua Zhi pinched her cheek and led her closer to Yan Xi. "Not busy?"
"As long as those below aren't just occupying positions without doing their jobs, sitting in that position isn't particularly busy."
Yet getting everyone below to work diligently was easier said than done. Even when family and state became nation and state, how many truly put the country before their family? People naturally prioritized satisfying themselves first, only thinking of the country when they had energy to spare. Humans are born selfish—so-called selflessness merely means they don't need something or can gain something better.
Without needing Hua Zhi's instructions, servants automatically prepared pastries and tea.
Hua Zhi was in a bad mood today and didn't want to waste what little good tea leaves remained.
Gu Yanxi glanced at the chattering Shaoyao, who immediately fell silent.
"Yang Zheng didn't agree?"
Hua Zhi sneered. She didn't want to appear too sharp and unpleasant, yet sharpness emanated from every word. "Not just disagree—he even wants to suck the Hua family dry."
Gu Yanxi gazed intently at A Zhi like this. "What do you plan to do?"
"His disagreement changes nothing. I never expected him to relent when I went today—it was just a formality. The marriage was between my aunt and Yang Qi. As long as Yang Qi writes the divorce papers and their separation is finalized, why should I fear even if Yang Zheng wants to turn hostile?"
Hua Zhi met Yan Xi's gaze. "I know Yang Qi has a mistress he's quite fond of—he spends over half the month living with her. I need to borrow two people from you."
"Bringing Wang Rong along will suffice."
"..." Being the Hua family's Wu Xiansheng wasn't easy—not only did he have to teach the children martial arts, but he also had to serve as a hired fighter.
"Cao Cao, your medicines will come in handy."
Shaoyao giggled and untied the bundle on her back, revealing various-sized bottles and jars inside. Hua Zhi had originally thought these were just her personal belongings brought from the palace...
"Hua Hua, tell me what kind you need. If I don't have it, I'll mix it right now—it's simple."
"Something that makes people suffer unbearably but leaves no lasting side effects, and can't be traced by other physicians."
"Is that all?" Shaoyao looked disappointed. This was basic stuff—even the lowest-grade medicines she brought could achieve that effect."He is Sui'an's father, that cannot be changed." For Sui'an's sake, she had to show some leniency. Caught between the Hua and Yang families, he was actually the one in the most difficult position. Though she wished to keep him in the Hua family, in this world, clan loyalty ran deep in one's bones. No matter how well she treated him, she couldn't make him forget his Yang surname or that he worshipped the Yang ancestors.
To put it bluntly, what she wanted to protect was Hua Xian, a daughter of the Hua family. Sui'an was merely incidental.
Shaoyao pouted. If it were her, she wouldn't rest until she had tormented Yang Qi to death and back a few times to vent her hatred. But Hua Hua was the head of the family and had more considerations—she had to understand. At most, once the divorce papers were obtained, she could secretly go torment Yang Qi a few times herself.
Thinking this, Shaoyao cheered up again.
Gu Yanxi glanced at her, fully aware of her intentions but making no move to stop her. What A Zhi couldn't do openly, Shaoyao could handle with ease.
The days grew longer. To please his father, Yang Qi stayed home for dinner before going out, and the sky was still bright.
Thinking of what his beloved had promised him yesterday, Yang Qi felt a surge of excitement, his steps light and brisk.
He strode into the carriage and impatiently ordered the coachman to hurry.
Humming a tune with his eyes closed, his mind wandering to pleasant thoughts, the carriage came to a stop. He grinned—when one was in a good mood, even the journey seemed shorter.
Lifting the curtain and stepping out, he looked up and froze, his smile stiffening. Where was this?
He looked down at the coachman. Wang Rong, sitting on the carriage shaft, grinned at him, revealing a set of white teeth. Instinctively, Yang Qi tried to retreat into the carriage, but Wang Rong flicked his whip, coiling it around Yang Qi's waist. With a subtle force, Yang Qi was safely deposited on the ground without even a stumble.
Wang Rong nodded in satisfaction. Good, his whip skills hadn't deteriorated.
"Who are you? What do you want? I'm telling you, I'm from the Yang family. How dare you kidnap me..." Yang Qi blustered weakly, his eyes darting around the courtyard. It was an utterly ordinary place, and he had no idea where he was, but he was certain it was still in the capital—the carriage couldn't have gone far enough to leave the city.
Hua Zhi emerged from the main hall, flanked by Gu Yanxi and Shaoyao. All three walked unhurriedly, their steps in sync.
Yang Qi understood everything now. Furious, he lunged toward her, but Wang Rong's whip snapped out again, yanking him back into place. This time, the whip remained coiled around his waist, tightening warningly.
Yang Qi didn't dare move, but his rage burned hotter. "Hua Zhi, what do you think you're doing? I'm your uncle!"
"Not for long." Hua Zhi looked at Yang Qi's cowardly expression, unable to comprehend why her grandmother had betrothed her aunt to such a man. "I heard you want to divorce your wife."
"I'll write the letter of divorce as soon as I return!"
Hua Zhi remained unmoved. "I also heard you want the Hua family's resources."
At this, greed instantly overshadowed his fear. Yang Qi lifted his chin arrogantly. "If you can hand over the Hua family's resources, I might consider letting this incident slide. I'll even give you the divorce papers you want."
"I want the divorce papers, but the Hua family's resources? Don't even think about it."
Yang Qi flushed with humiliation and anger. "Hua Zhi, I'm telling you, Hua Xian is finished. I'll divorce her as soon as I get back. She's violated all seven grounds for divorce. Without the Yang family, she has no way to survive...""You're overthinking it." Hua Zhi glanced at Wang Rong, who understood immediately and loosened his coiled whip. Before Yang Qi could react, something was stuffed into his mouth, followed immediately by excruciating pain in his abdomen. The man's fists felt like they were made of iron, pounding blow after blow into his stomach until every organ seemed to ache.
Shaoyao's eyes darted cleverly before she ran back inside to fetch a chair, placing it behind Hua Hua and eagerly helping her sit down.
PS: The next update is only half-written and will be posted later. Ladies, you might want to check back tomorrow. It's the end of the month - quickly empty your pockets! Monthly votes expire after today. Also, tomorrow marks the beginning of June, so I'm already asking for your guaranteed monthly votes for next month!
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