Chapter 278: Little Six's Growth
Hua Zhi blinked, feigning innocence. "What is vinegar?"
Gu Yanxi chuckled softly. "Something sour. I had some just the other day."
Hua Zhi shot him a sidelong glance.
"I was practically swimming in vinegar when Jiang Huanran was showering you with attention."
Hua Zhi smiled, nuzzling against his shoulder without offering an explanation. While she genuinely liked Jiang Huanran, it had nothing to do with romantic feelings.
Gu Yanxi had only said it in passing. He understood A Zhi well and would never underestimate her. Gently brushing his cheek against hers, he said, "Little Six has made great progress, and it's all thanks to you."
"Any rewards?"
"Yes." Gu Yanxi kissed her forehead. "This is your reward."
Hua Zhi pushed him away in mock disgust. "Who wants a reward like that? Little Six is highly adaptable. Even without me, he would have turned out fine. By the way, when you see Haoyue, remember to ask her about Little Six. I'm curious about what prophecy she'll make for him."
"I'll remember." Gu Yanxi chuckled. Little Six probably never imagined he’d be so protected by A Zhi. "What about me? You’re so concerned about Little Six, but not about me?"
"Isn’t Haoyue already concerned about you?" Hua Zhi laughed. "Whether she’s a real mystic or a fake one, her faith in you is undeniable. So, I suppose you’ll do just fine in the future."
"What do you think of this Haoyue?"
"Use her if she’s useful, keep your distance if she’s not." Hua Zhi nestled deeper into his warm embrace. "She may not truly excel at prophecy, but since she dares to display such abilities, she must have some confidence. Be careful around her."
"I’m not underestimating her."
Hua Zhi looked up, gazing at the man’s resolute jawline from below. This man, so powerful and unyielding, was always gentle and soft in her presence. If this was what love looked like, she thought, she was willing to pay the price for it.
"Yan Xi, if one day the empire were laid before you, would you be willing to take it?"
"Where would you be at that time?"
"...I don’t know."
Gu Yanxi smiled. "I’ll be wherever you are, no matter where that is."
Hua Zhi lowered her head, wrapping her arms around his waist and falling silent for a long while. She had always felt she was passively accepting this relationship, but in that moment, she knew she had fallen for this man who stood above millions.
Even if mountains, rivers, grudges, and hatred stood between them, nothing could stop love from blooming.
As the moonlight gradually faded, Gu Yanxi carried Hua Zhi down the mountain on his back.
Hua Zhi’s room was located halfway up the mountain. The family had vacated their best room for her, replacing the bedding with patched, faded sheets and using the finest items they owned. Feeling they deserved at least this basic respect, Hua Zhi didn’t let Bao Xia replace their things with her own.
Early the next morning, Hua Zhi sent Xu Ying to summon Tao Laoda and Liu Da.
The two arrived quickly. Hua Zhi got straight to the point. "Aside from the landslide area, are there other places where that self-igniting substance can be found?"
After exchanging a few words, Liu Da replied, "There are two other spots, but both are underground, not far from the landslide area."
Hua Zhi understood—the entire area was likely a coal mountain. Recalling that the finalized river route avoided that region entirely, she felt relieved. Since this resource wasn’t immediately useful, it was best to let it remain where it was. Wasting it would be a shame.Gu Yanxi, who was aware of A Zhi's movements, simply smiled. From her reaction upon seeing that bundle of items yesterday and her insistence on deliberately avoiding that area while planning the river route today, he vaguely understood that A Zhi was not as unfamiliar with those things as she claimed. She likely not only recognized them but also knew how to use them. However, since she chose not to speak of it, she must have her reasons. Given her temperament, he trusted that her actions would not harm the Great Qing Dynasty—knowing this was enough for him.
When they departed, they brought Old Tao with them. Everyone from the stone house came out, bowing deeply in unison to the group. Having had little contact with outsiders, they never considered the possibility that these people might not actually help them. They simply and naively believed these individuals could deliver them from their suffering.
The Sixth Prince’s lips trembled as he raised his voice and called out, "Pack your things—you’ll be able to leave soon."
Though they couldn’t understand his words, they vaguely grasped his meaning. Some covered their faces and wept. Life in such a place was truly arduous. Previously, no one dared to dream of leaving, but now that the opportunity was before them, they realized just how deeply they had yearned for it.
Hua Zhi gently patted Little Six’s shoulder. "Let’s go."
The Sixth Prince grabbed the hand on his shoulder and murmured, "I don’t understand. Why has no one managed to do this all these years when it doesn’t seem that difficult?"
"Perhaps because it doesn’t concern them personally. It’s not just about relocating people from here. These folks have relied on each other for survival all these years and will naturally stick together. They likely don’t understand the rules of the outside world either. To the authorities, they represent instability, so of course, they’re reluctant to take them in."
"But these problems can be solved! They’ll adapt, gradually learn the outside rules, and find their own way to survive. How could they be ignored for so many years just because of those reasons?"
Hua Zhi met his bewildered gaze and found herself at a loss for how to explain. In the end, she could only sigh and summarize with a universal phrase: "You’ll understand when you grow up, Little Six. Take this as a lesson—when you’re older, don’t become like them."
In that instant, the Sixth Prince grasped a truth he wasn’t supposed to understand until adulthood. He glanced back at the indistinct figures still standing outside to see them off and thought, "If growing up means becoming like that, I don’t want to grow up at all."
From Lingzhou to Lixian, Little Six remained silent the entire journey. When Shaoyao tried to tease him, Hua Zhi stopped her. "It’s good that he’s reflecting. Let him think."
Such minor matters didn’t require Gu Yanxi’s personal attention. He delegated the task to Yu Tao and prepared to take everyone to settle at an inn. Little Six voluntarily followed along.
They stayed in Lixian for two days. Hua Zhi focused solely on resting and clearing her mind, neither interfering nor inquiring about anything. Yet, everyone seemed eager to share updates with her, so she learned that all the residents of Ling Village had been relocated to a picturesque foothill in Xixiu Town, where they established a new Ling Village. She also heard that the Seven Constellation Bureau had submitted a proposal to merge Lingzhou into Lixian and had begun construction to lower the terrain along the Wei River in Lingzhou. When floods came again, they would open the sluice gates in Lingzhou County to divert the water into the uninhabited areas of Lingzhou, protecting the downstream regions...
Looking at Little Six, who had tanned several shades darker since leaving the capital and was growing increasingly composed, Hua Zhi didn’t know whether to feel pleased or sigh. Though she had intended for him to live more lightly, she seemed to have inadvertently hastened his maturity.
Given his status, this was probably for the best.Finally able to return home after over a month away, their hearts yearned for home like arrows flying toward their target.
Each day, Hua Zhi rested securely in Gu Yanxi's embrace as they galloped on horseback. Sometimes she would even hide her face completely inside the cloak, pillowed against Yan Xi's warm chest as they jostled along. After growing accustomed to the rhythm, she could even doze off occasionally. Her absolute trust made Gu Yanxi's heart melt, wishing he could install a bed on the horse's back just to let her sleep more comfortably.
In early July, on the day before Hua Qin's wedding, Hua Zhi finally returned to the capital.
PS: This chapter was from yesterday.
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