"Then go ahead."
Hua Bolin abruptly raised his head, his face filled with joy, "Elder Sister!"
Hua Zhi straightened his collar for him. "Go if you want to. I'll be waiting for you to return stronger."
Hua Bolin nodded vigorously.
Ah, this youth so eager to grow up. Hua Zhi suppressed a sigh and spoke with earnest concern, "The outside world is different from home. No matter what situation you encounter, you mustn't act impulsively. Decisions made in haste often lead to regret. When you feel anxious, think of me, think of Mother, think of our family members who haven't returned from the northern frontier. Bolin, I would rather you grow slowly but safely at home, step by step. But since you want to go out, I won't stop you."
Gently touching her younger brother's still slightly chubby cheeks, Hua Zhi smiled gently. "Your path must ultimately be walked by yourself. No one can walk it for you, not even me."
That's why she wouldn't stop him, wouldn't make decisions for him, wouldn't hold him back under the pretext of worry. Whether he soared to great heights or struggled through difficulties, it would only concern himself.
Hua Bolin nearly shed tears. He could only continue to nod vigorously, again and again.
Hua Zhi felt she probably shouldn't have children in the future - too much worry, and endless worry at that.
"Discuss among yourselves when to depart. I won't interfere with that. But take more guards with you. Oh, and bring Xu Ying along. He's quite capable in handling matters now. Liu Huai needs to learn more from him."
"Yes, Elder Sister. I'll follow your advice in everything."
"Now you're being obedient." Hua Zhi poked his forehead directly. "Go have dinner with Mother. You'll have to convince her about this trip yourself - I won't help you."
"Yes."
Hua Bolin practically skipped out. Little Six and Yang Suian emerged from the adjacent room. They exchanged a glance but said nothing, one heading out of the courtyard while the other went toward the study.
Seeing him, Hua Zhi smiled. "It seems everyone has something to tell me today."
Little Six smiled faintly and stated his purpose, "I'm going with them."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised at all. She had guessed as much when she saw Little Six enter alone. Considering his status, she was much more cautious than she had been with Bolin. "Little Six, I don't have the right to agree or disagree."
Seeing his hurt expression, she offered no comfort, simply stating, "Not just me. As you gradually grow up and acquire various identities attached to your status as a prince, there will be very few people who can decide what you should or shouldn't do. And given your position, any decision you make will inevitably affect the lives and deaths of many people. I hope you can develop the habit of carefully considering every decision you make."
Little Six looked distressed. "So just because of my status, I can do as I please? Go if I want, not go if I don't? Does that mean in the future I can recklessly do whatever I want and avoid whatever I don't?"
"No one can choose their birth. People can only decide how to act within their unchangeable identities. Among officials, some are honest while others are corrupt. Among scholars, some frequent brothels and become famous for their romantic poetry, while others write influential works that leave a lasting legacy. Among carpenters, some remain mere craftsmen while others create things never seen before. Among imperial princes, some live absurd lives, while others fight on battlefields to protect their homeland."Hua Zhi spoke weighty words with a light tone. Though looking at Little Six, her gaze wasn’t overbearing. She wasn’t born with amorous eyes—rather, her eyes seemed to hold a mountain, an ocean, and a vast expanse of the world. Just being looked at by those eyes made all resentment and unhappiness vanish without a trace.
Seeing him standing there dazed and stunned, Hua Zhi’s heart softened. She beckoned him closer, straightened his clothes just as she would for Berlin, and took his chilly hands in hers.
In this world where boys and girls stopped sharing seats after the age of seven, her actions were already crossing boundaries. She knew it, yet she didn’t shy away.
“Little Six, you are a prince. The princes of the Great Qing Dynasty have always participated in governance. You are already eleven. If your mother were still here, she would have carefully nurtured your judgment, sense of right and wrong, and various skills to prepare you for standing firm in court. If your mother were here, she would have told you not to rely on others for these things—not even me. I’m glad you trust me, but precisely because of that, I must not harm you. Some people are born without the privilege of being willful—like you, like Yan Xi, and like me.”
Hua Zhi smiled faintly, summarizing a year’s hardships into one sentence: “Because sometimes, we cannot rely on anyone, nor is there anyone to rely on.”
At that moment, Little Six was overwhelmed with sorrow—for Sister Hua and for himself.
He had pretended to be innocent, obedient, and sensible, all just to receive a bit more of Sister Hua’s familial care. But now, Sister Hua would no longer allow it. From now on, he could only be the Sixth Prince, not Little Six.
Hua Zhi pulled open a drawer. It didn’t contain official documents or anything important—just a plate of brown, square-shaped items. She took one and stuffed it into Little Six’s mouth. Seeing him frown, she laughed. “Bitter, isn’t it?”
Little Six nodded. “And a little sweet.”
“It’s a type of candy Fu Dong spent a long time developing, made especially for me. Probably not many people would like this flavor.”
But Little Six shook his head. “I like it.”
“I’ll give you some to take when you leave.”
Little Six was taken aback, and the candy in his mouth seemed to grow sweeter.
Hua Zhi picked up a piece of candy and brought it to her nose, inhaling the rich caramel scent. She didn’t eat it but put it back.
“Telling you this doesn’t mean I no longer see you as family. I just hope you recognize your own identity. As long as you’re willing, the Hua family will always have a room for you and a place at our table. But as family, I hope even more that you can protect yourself outside and not be bullied.”
“I understand.” Sister Hua wasn’t pushing him out of the Hua family or cutting ties with him. She just wanted him to have a clear understanding of his identity. She was afraid he would become too dependent on her and lose his own judgment, which would put him at a disadvantage when facing his brothers. He truly understood now.
“Since you understand, I still want to ask: why do you want to go with them? Are you worried?”
“That’s one reason. More importantly, what you see and learn outside is far beyond what teachers can impart. I want to see more of the world while I can still leave the capital.”Indeed, in the Daqing Dynasty, princes were forbidden from leaving the capital without an imperial decree after coming of age, confined to the capital for their entire lives. Hua Zhi shook her head, wondering how the founding emperor could have established such a rule. Without traveling beyond the capital, the princes would assume the entire realm was as prosperous as the capital.
"Very well, bring all your guards with you. Safety comes first."
"Yes."
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