At a landslide site, Liu Da translated Old Tao's words: "Their ancestors lived here for over twenty years. Eleven people died during the landslide, and later they witnessed this substance catching fire inexplicably. They had no choice but to relocate to their current settlement—this is the fourth place they've moved to."
Hua Zhi's heart stirred as she gazed at the blackened area. "Yu Tao, fetch me a handful to examine."
Without hesitation, Yu Tao went and returned with his garment hem holding a pile.
Motioning him to place it on the ground, Hua Zhi crouched for a closer look. Few substances ignited spontaneously, and coal happened to be one of them. Its appearance strongly resembled coal.
"Recognize it?"
Turning her head toward Gu Yanxi, Hua Zhi hesitated briefly before shaking her head. "Just curious."
The Great Qing Dynasty wasn't an industrial era, so demand for coal remained low. For personal use, mountain timber sufficed. Revealing its potential uses might not be wise—she'd grown cautious since the Black Powder incident.
If coal's existence became known, the privileged would profit while commoners bore the burdens of mining, washing, and all associated risks. In this era where lives were as cheap as grass, no one would speak up for countless dead laborers. Why should she contribute to elite gains while leaving dangers to the people?
Since it wasn't essential, let future generations discover its use when needed.
They stayed overnight in Ling Village. The next day, they continued along the previous route to survey the area broadly. By evening, each had drafted a canal route map. After detailed discussion, they preliminarily settled on a path.
Hua Zhi handed the finalized blueprint to Gu Yanxi. "This should be handled by professionals. When the Ministry of Works takes over, offer this as reference—final decisions must follow their expertise."
Gu Yanxi stored the blueprint and stood. "Care for a walk?"
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow—a walk here?
With a smile, Gu Yanxi extended his hand. She indifferently placed hers in his, and they ascended toward higher ground together.
Bao Xia and Xu Ying exchanged worried glances. Their young lady was far too audacious—an unmarried pair alone at night? Her reputation would be ruined! Yet the lady dismissed such concerns...
Well then, Mr. Lu seemed sincere in his affections—surely he wouldn't disclose this... Bao Xia comforted herself while drowning in anxiety.
The couple reached the barren hilltop where moonlight bathed them unobstructed on exposed rocks, their elongated shadows intertwining inseparably.
Hua Zhi glanced back with a laugh. "Spot any scenic views?"
"I see beauty itself." Gu Yanxi's gaze remained fixed on the woman who appeared ethereal in the hazy moonlight, his hand instinctively tightening as if fearing she might drift away.
No one dislikes praise from their beloved. Acknowledging her mortal nature, Hua Zhi gladly closed the distance and tugged him down to sit on level ground.
Pressed shoulder-to-shoulder, both recognized the intimacy yet neither retreated. Hua Zhi truly disregarded notions of gendered propriety, while to Gu Yanxi, this was his future wife—such closeness posed no issue whatsoever."Will you head north immediately after returning?"
Hua Zhi rested her chin in her hand, gazing at the waning moon in the sky. Another month was ending. "Let's rest for a few days. We'll need time to prepare supplies."
Gu Yanxi drew her closer, letting her lean against his shoulder, and said softly, "After the incident in Yuzhou, I suspected several princes might be involved. When I sent someone to investigate, the Emperor told me not to look into the Crown Prince, saying he had nothing to do with it. That was when I learned the Emperor had sent people to Yinshan Pass. He casually mentioned the Hua family, and it was clear their conduct had pleased him greatly."
Hua Zhi nodded outwardly, but inwardly she thought: This wouldn't be the only time. Even if it hadn't happened before, it would happen again. After meeting Grandfather this time, she needed to remind him—even if they had to appear more mediocre, they absolutely couldn't afford to catch the Emperor's attention again.
"Did the Emperor plant spies there? If he finds out I'm going..."
"You don't want him to know?"
Hua Zhi thought for a moment. "Let him know. The Daqing Code doesn't prohibit visiting exiled family members, nor does it specify gender. It's better for him to focus on me than on other members of the Hua family."
Gu Yanxi reminded her, "If he focuses on you, nothing you do in the capital will escape his notice."
"Sooner or later, some things will come to light anyway." She wanted him to see what kind of daughter the Hua family had raised. If even a daughter of the Hua family could be like this, then who exactly had suffered the greater loss when he exiled the Hua men?
She knew she was being stubborn, but this resentment had been lodged in her throat for a year—she couldn't swallow it! How much had the Hua family sacrificed for the Gu family's empire? Those Hua men had devoted themselves solely to studying the classics, never daring to take a single misstep, and what had they gotten in return? A ransacked home and exile. She thought they deserved better!
The Hua men might accept it, but she never would!
She couldn't oppose the highest authority of this era; there was nothing she could do. But she could be true to herself. She could use herself as a mirror, showing that lofty Emperor that the Hua family he had punished hadn't collapsed—the Hua family that had upheld the integrity of scholars for the Daqing Court hadn't collapsed!
She wanted the Emperor to see it! Even if the cost was stepping into the spotlight, letting him watch her every move!
She was a daughter of the Hua family. Everything she had learned came from them. Her actions, her character, everything about her was born from the Hua family and represented them!
The better she was, the more it proved the Hua family's worth, and the more it exposed how unjust the Emperor's punishment of ransacking and exiling the Hua family had been!
If she could make the Emperor see that, what did it matter if she had to step into the spotlight?
Gu Yanxi gently touched her face and, holding her, looked up at the sky. The biggest obstacle between him and A Zhi was her exiled family. Even if he wanted to marry her now, if her family couldn't return, A Zhi would never agree.
But bringing the Hua family back at this point was impossible. Even if he intervened, the Emperor's decree was absolute—he would never allow the Hua family to return so easily. That would be a slap to his own face!
Thinking of the old man who had always shown him affection, Gu Yanxi sighed and changed the subject. "I haven't reported Haoyue's existence yet. A Zhi, I'd like you to meet her. Perhaps you'll notice something I missed."
Knowing he didn't want to discuss the Emperor, Hua Zhi hummed softly but didn't press him, taking up the new topic instead. "Why do you want me to meet her? Is there something wrong with her?"
"There's something strange about her that I can't quite put my finger on. When you return from the north, take a look for me."Hua Zhi smiled faintly, "Her target is you. She would agree to anything you say."
"Her target is the chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau, and in her eyes right now, that chief is Chen Qing." Gu Yanxi pressed his forehead against hers. "Jealous?"
PS: Releasing two chapters first. The third chapter is only half written. If it doesn't come out today, it'll be tomorrow morning. Ladies, no need to wait up.
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