After finalizing the ship for tomorrow's departure with Wu Zheng, Hua Zhi politely declined his invitation and returned to the inn.
"Rest well today. We don't know what situation we'll encounter in Zhenyang tomorrow, so everyone must stay alert and be prepared for any eventuality."
The group acknowledged her instructions.
Hua Zhi went to the twins' room.
Both were awake. Shaoyao habitually stepped forward to check their pulses, glanced at the older sister, curled her lips in displeasure, and moved aside.
Hua Zhi observed the pair. Fraternal twins typically don't resemble each other much, just like ordinary siblings, yet these two shared strikingly similar facial features. Still, they were easy to tell apart—the sister's timidity and the brother's sense of responsibility were immediately apparent. She understood Shaoyao's dislike for the sister, though she found such reactions quite natural. While not particularly fond of the girl herself, Hua Zhi didn't feel as strongly about it.
"Have you reached a decision?"
The younger brother helped his sister kneel on the floor. "Please take us with you, miss. We're willing to serve as your slaves—to work like oxen and horses for you."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly. "Bao Xia."
"Yes, miss."
"Prepare two indenture contracts for them to sign with their thumbprints. Use the standard rate for purchasing servants in our household."
"Understood." Bao Xia turned to the twins. "What are your names?"
"Our family name is Wu. My sister is Da Shuang, and I'm Xiao Shuang."
Bao Xia promptly wrote two indenture contracts. Along with the documents, she handed twenty taels of silver to the twins—the Hua family's current rate was ten taels per servant.
The younger brother felt even more determined to follow this kind young mistress. She could have given them nothing, yet not only had she provided payment, but she'd offered a generous sum. In Zhenyang, four taels would have been sufficient to purchase a servant.
"Bao Xia, they'll be under your care during this journey. Teach them the Hua family's rules and inform them of certain taboos to observe in the capital."
"Yes, I understand." The first lesson would be about self-references! They had no right to use "I" when addressing their mistress.
Returning to her room, Hua Zhi placed Wu Xiaoshuang's indenture contract before Little Six. "This one is for you to use."
The Sixth Prince's eyes widened in surprise. "But Sister Hua, you purchased these servants yourself..."
"The siblings shouldn't remain together. This Li Xiaoshuang could become quite useful with proper training." Hua Zhi smiled. "Other princes your age already have countless attendants at their beck and call. You have far too few people at your disposal. Since Yan Xi placed you in my care, I must consider these matters for you, so you won't lack assistance when needed. Regarding your maternal grandfather's family—I corresponded with your grandmother before our departure. The Sun family won't be sending additional personnel to serve you for now. Keeping your circle uncluttered will make others less likely to oppose you. Whatever you plan to do, you must first grow up safely and smoothly."
The Sixth Prince's eyes grew moist. He abruptly lowered his head, using the motion of taking the contract to conceal his emotional state. At this moment, he felt profoundly grateful to his eldest and fourth brothers—were it not for them, how would he have ever met Sister Hua?
Seeing his reaction, Hua Zhi was momentarily taken aback before comprehending the reason. She couldn't help but chuckle softly. She hadn't intended to appear magnanimous—the boy had been quietly well-behaved before her for several months, no different in her eyes from her own younger brothers. Moreover, the Sun family had provided protection for her family at Yinshan Pass, so she naturally felt inclined to show more concern for the child. She truly had no ulterior motives.
"Since we're on this topic, Little Six, let me speak more plainly with you."The child lifted his head, his eyes rimmed red.
"Your status determines that you can never be like children from other families. The Hua family is too sheltered. Although Berlin is somewhat clever, he hasn't truly weathered many storms. Don't let the Hua family environment dull your necessary vigilance. The Hua family is a resting place for you, somewhere you can return to whenever you're tired or weary. But your world lies within the imperial city. Some things cannot be avoided by retreating. No one would believe that a prince has no interest in that position. And those few in the imperial palace are people you must guard against for the rest of your life. Do you understand?"
"What about Sister Hua? Does Sister Hua believe I have no interest in that position?" The child stubbornly sought an answer. If even Sister Hua didn't believe him...
Hua Zhi smiled. "I don't need to ponder that question. To use an imperfect analogy: all parents in the world hope their sons will become dragons and daughters phoenixes. If you're interested, to me it's merely one of your aspirations. If you're not interested, there are other paths you can take. As long as you consider yourself part of the Hua family for even a day, even if you want to travel the world, I can ensure you have no worries. Of course, if someday you truly attain a high position, I believe you would protect the Hua family. Isn't that right?"
Tears instantly streamed down the Sixth Prince's face, falling in large drops as if he wanted to shed all the tears he had held back over the years. He had never truly understood the concept of family. The imperial palace could never be home. His maternal relatives cherished him, but they always thought of his princely status first. That embrace his grandmother gave him outside the dining hall was the limit of their closeness.
Since his mother's passing, he had always been alone. A father he rarely saw more than a few times a year, a grandmother he met on scheduled dates, brothers he could never be close with... Counting them all, his closest companions were merely those few guards—and they were not family.
But now, Sister Hua had given him everything he ever wanted. She sheltered him from wind and rain as naturally as breathing, made the most thoughtful plans for him, trusted him, taught him principles, guided him to discover problems... Everything he had once envied Berlin for having, he now possessed.
This feeling was so wonderful it made him greedy, making him unconsciously desire more. He wanted... to prevent others from having it.
But he knew he couldn't.
What Sister Hua gave him now was the care an adopted but close younger brother would receive. If he ever crossed the boundary and caused Sister Hua to no longer see him as a brother, all this would disappear. He could only be a younger brother—this was the closest he could get to Sister Hua.
This was already good enough.
Hua Zhi's smile was gentle and soft, just like when she had disciplined Berlin and waited until he recognized his mistakes and cried pitifully. She pressed a handkerchief to Little Six's face. "Don't hold things in from now on. Even if it's hard to tell me, you can talk to Berlin. Only children have the right to cry and make fuss. When you grow up, if you want to cry, you'll have to hide under the covers to do it."Her words only made the child's tears fall faster. Hua Zhi had no choice but to say nothing more. She knew Yan Xi's intentions and had her own plans for preparing for the worst, but Little Six was simply too obedient. Most of the time, she forgot his noble status and simply saw him as a pitiable child who tugged at her heartstrings. Perhaps this was because she held too little reverence for imperial authority, daring to speak so boldly about pitying a prince.
"Alright now, quickly dry your tears. If Shaoyao sees you like this, she'll tease you mercilessly."
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