In the end, Mu Qing could say nothing more. He apologized and withdrew.
Zheng Zhi, however, remained. He had always ignored Gu Yanxi’s presence, and this time was no exception.
"I heard you’re heading north?"
Hua Zhi nodded in confirmation.
"When are you leaving?"
"Likely the day after tomorrow."
Zheng Zhi nodded. "Could you deliver something to an old acquaintance for me?"
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. Although that region was a barren place for exiles, those qualified for exile were few. She recalled that Mr. Zheng did not come from a particularly high-ranking background.
Zheng Zhi offered no further explanation and turned to make preparations.
Hua Zhi glanced at Gu Yanxi, who shook his head. "It’s not surprising. In this capital, everyone has some convoluted connections. Likely, that person isn’t particularly close to him—he’s just taking advantage of your trip to send something."
It sounded like a gesture to maintain a thread of goodwill, but Hua Zhi’s intuition told her otherwise. Still, since Mr. Zheng didn’t elaborate, she saw no need to pry. Everyone had their secrets.
"Leaving the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes. Any issues?"
Gu Yanxi considered his own affairs and nodded. "It’s fine. How many people are you taking?"
"I only plan to bring two guards. Since we’re carrying a lot of goods this time, I’ve asked Xu Jie to arrange for a merchant caravan to travel with us. According to Xu Shu, the caravan is heading to Bingzhou. Once we arrive, we’ll continue on our own."
"Any concerns?"
"We’re not far from Yinshan Pass by then. The family guards haven’t slacked off this past year—they can handle a few petty thieves. I’ve checked the route; there are no major bandits there. They’ll manage."
Seeing she had thought everything through, Gu Yanxi said no more. He took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to her. "It’s done. Take a look."
Hua Zhi gently traced the familiar characters "To Hengzhi" on the envelope, her heart aching faintly. Her grandfather’s courtesy name was Hengzhi, and few still addressed him as such. Now, unbeknownst to him, another had passed away.
A slight weight settled on her shoulder, and then her head was gently pressed into a warm embrace. No words of comfort were needed—this single gesture spoke volumes.
Hua Zhi let her shoulders slump, allowing herself a moment of vulnerability.
Outside the door, Ying Chun blushed, stealing a glance at the embracing pair before turning away, her face flushing even deeper as she vigilantly stood guard, afraid someone might witness the scene.
Only when voices resumed inside did she finally relax.
"It’s very similar. If I didn’t know Grandmother was gone, I’d almost believe she wrote this herself." Folding the letter and tucking it back into the envelope, Hua Zhi looked up with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I can’t imagine how Grandfather will react when he returns and learns Grandmother is no longer here."
Gu Yanxi gently stroked her cheek, as if trying to wipe away all her sorrow. "He will surely grieve, but for your sake, he will endure."
For your sake—not only did you prevent the Hua family from collapsing, but you also built a vast fortune and spared no effort to bring the Hua men back—he will endure. No one could have done better than you.
Hua Zhi lowered her head and gave a wry smile. "I just hope he doesn’t blame me."
"If Hua Yizheng were the type to blame you for this, would you have worked so tirelessly for him?"
"..." How logical. Comforted, Hua Zhi genuinely laughed, the shadows in her heart gradually dispersing.With all major household matters properly arranged, Hua Zhi spent the final day briefing Fourth Aunt on domestic affairs. She emphasized recruiting additional personnel from collateral branches to the manors in preparation for expanding business operations, as well as reassigning staff from the Canned Food Workshop. These tasks would be jointly finalized by Wu Shi and Ying Chun.
Meanwhile, a dust-covered carriage rumbled into the city.
As the curtain was drawn aside, Jiang Huanran’s face emerged, looking utterly miserable. Finally back! He never knew carriage travel could be so agonizing—every bone in his body felt jostled loose!
He swore that even with broken legs, he would never ride a carriage again!
The carriage drove directly into the Jiang Family’s front courtyard. Servants rushing forward to attend were horrified by their young master’s haggard appearance and immediately sent word to the inner quarters.
Just then, Old Master Jiang Xinde—who was home on leave—returned from visiting friends. Seeing his son’s state, he nearly tugged his beard off in shock. "Did you get beaten up while playing the thief?"
Jiang Huanran rolled his eyes. "Your son went to rescue a beauty! A hero, not some thief!"
Knowing his son’s temperament all too well—too straightforward for thievery—Jiang Xinde’s initial alarm quickly turned to concern. Waving the servants away, he personally helped his son inside. "Coming home in such a state after one trip? Let’s see how you explain this to your grandmother."
"Just tell her I saved a beauty." Though Jiang Huanran’s injuries had largely healed, the carriage ride had left him sore. Used to acting spoiled around his father, he leaned heavily against the old man, happily letting himself be dragged along. Only when Jiang Xinde noticed the act and smacked his head did he straighten up.
"Father, let’s not see Grandmother yet. I need to discuss something important in your study."
"Too late. Mark my words—your grandmother is already waiting at the second gate."
The thought of his grandmother’s tears made Jiang Huanran’s steps falter. Now it was Jiang Xinde who energetically pulled him forward. Sure enough, before they reached the second gate, the family matriarch came striding out with her cane, calling "my darling boy" in her endearing accent that never failed to amuse.
Instantly, Jiang Huanran’s back straightened and his legs steadied. He bounced around before his grandmother, working up a sweat to prove his excellent health. After successfully reassuring her, he personally escorted her back before heading to the study where his father—who had witnessed the entire filial performance—awaited.
Collapsing into a chair, Jiang Huanran drained a cup of tea in one gulp before feeling somewhat restored.
"Father, guess who I met during my southern trip."
Jiang Xinde couldn’t be bothered to humor him.
Undaunted, Jiang Huanran chuckled and revealed, "I coincidentally shared a boat with the eldest daughter of the Hua family!"
"The Hua family’s eldest daughter?" Jiang Xinde glanced at him. "Hua Yizheng’s family?"
"That’s the one. The young lady traveled south to negotiate a business deal."
"So she’s the beauty you rescued?" Jiang Xinde moved to sit opposite his son. "Explain properly."
Shedding his usual frivolity, Jiang Huanran recounted the incident at Zhenyang Wharf. Just as Jiang Xinde marveled at a Hua daughter mastering self-defense skills, his son continued with events in Xiangyang."I may not be the most outstanding among my peers, but after traveling this journey with the young lady, I've realized that not only am I no match for her, but even the most exceptional ones in our generation pale in comparison. Father, I have a request."
"Speak."
Jiang Huanran straightened his posture. "I wish to marry Hua Zhi!"
PS: Every author has their own style. I prefer grand narratives of nation and empire, and don't enjoy dwelling on trivial domestic matters. In this book, I've taken this to the extreme, rarely writing about inner household affairs, with many characters becoming somewhat archetypal. Some readers particularly enjoy domestic drama plots, so they naturally don't enjoy this style - I completely understand. Everyone has their preferences, dear readers. Just choose what suits you - those who like it can follow along with Kongkong, those who don't can simply exit the 'Cherish Hua Zhi' page. Let's part on good terms. Perhaps you'll come to love Kongkong's next book. This summer has been exceptionally hot - take care to avoid heatstroke, my dears. Mwah!
OpenNovel