Chapter 299: A Series of Matters
After more than half a year, Hua Zhi once again encountered Chen Tu in that village. Unlike last time when she knew nothing, this time she could tell from his attitude toward Yan Xi that he was likely from the Seven Constellation Bureau.
After a meal that couldn’t be called exquisite in color, aroma, or taste but was still quite substantial, Hua Zhi stood up and said, “You two chat. I’ll go rest.”
Gu Yanxi picked up the teapot and followed her into the room, pouring a cup of tea and placing it in her hands. “You ate too little.”
“The journey was too bumpy; I have no appetite.” Hua Zhi smiled. “Half the dishes were vegetarian. That was thoughtful of him. Thank him for me.”
“Rest well. We’ll set off early tomorrow and try to reach Yinshan Pass by the day after.”
“Alright.”
Gu Yanxi gently patted her head, then turned and left the room.
Outside, Chen Tu was waiting. The two of them walked one after the other to the side room.
Chen Tu bowed again. “Your subordinate pays respects to the Chief.”
“At ease.” Gu Yanxi sat down at the table. “Did you rush here from Yinshan Pass after receiving the message?”
“Yes.”
Gu Yanxi nodded. “There’s no need for that next time. Just prepare everything thoroughly every six months. From now on, treat this place as a temporary stopover.”
Now that A Zhi knew his identity, there was no need for any more tricks. With A Zhi’s intelligence, she had probably figured out Chen Tu’s identity the moment they stepped in here today.
“Has Gu Chengde been up to anything?”
“Yes. Last month, there were two more assassination attempts against him. Your subordinate has determined that one group was sent by the Second Prince, and the other was dispatched by the Emperor.”
This wasn’t the first time the Emperor had sent people to kill his once highly anticipated eldest son. Gu Yanxi wasn’t surprised, but the Second Prince’s actions this time caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected him to hold back for so long; he had originally thought the Second Prince would act as soon as the eldest prince was exiled here.
He’s improved.
“Tell me about the situation there.”
“Yes.” Chen Tu had already prepared his report and now spoke steadily and firmly: “As you predicted, the Grand Prince believes General Wu is his protector. Your subordinate communicated with General Wu, who acknowledged the matter and even met with the Grand Prince once. Later, when the Grand Prince tried to meet with him again, General Wu declined for various reasons. The Grand Prince realized he didn’t want to be too closely associated with him and stopped visiting. The person who came to him two months ago has not left. Your subordinate has been unable to ascertain his identity.”
“He’s undoubtedly from the capital. No one is foolish enough to risk offending the Emperor at a time like this, no matter how loyal they are to Gu Chengde. As for not being able to identify him… it’s not difficult.” Gu Yanxi’s lips curled slightly. He could easily produce ten or eight such people himself.
Chen Tu bowed in acknowledgment and continued, “Your subordinate focused on having people follow those military officers. On the surface, they show no connection to one another, and some even appear to have poor relationships. But as you anticipated, they have their own method of communication. However, they trust no one outside their small group and don’t bring others in. So far, we haven’t uncovered anything useful.”
Gu Yanxi lightly tapped the table. If they wouldn’t bring people in, then they would give them one of their own. This matter would need to wait until he returned to make arrangements. “Continue.”"Yes." Chen Tu did not look up. "General Wu heavily relies on the Hua family. Old Master Hua has established a series of systems to assist General Wu in managing Yinshan Pass more rigorously. Just four days ago, they began closing the net and caught fourteen spies in one sweep. General Wu was furious and sent a fast-horse dispatch to the capital. It should reach the Emperor’s desk in a few days."
Gu Yanxi’s heart stirred. "Do you know if the memorial mentions the Hua family?"
"I do not know, but this matter is not concealed in Yinshan Pass. Everyone knows about it."
Wu Yong is a clever man; he should have mentioned it. This merit is neither great nor small, but it is enough to show that even in exile, the Hua family remains loyal subjects of the Daqing Dynasty. The Emperor may not reinstate them because of this, but it should somewhat evoke his favorable impression of the family.
"There is one more thing. I only received the news yesterday."
Gu Yanxi raised an eyebrow. "Speak."
"Yes. Chen Feng, who was sent to the grasslands beyond the pass, sent me a message yesterday. It hasn’t rained on the grasslands for three months. The pastures are severely damaged, and the sandstorms are worse than in previous years. We must take precautions."
"Has Wu Yong been informed?"
"Yes."
With the south flooded like that and the north drought-stricken like this, Gu Yanxi stood up and paced a few circles. "Ensure Chen Feng is well-supported. If there are any changes, have him return immediately. The rest is Wu Yong’s responsibility. Additionally, send people into Bingzhou to keep watch—to prevent civil unrest and also observe the actions of Bingzhou’s officials."
"Yes, I will arrange it immediately." Chen Tu, having not seen his leader for half a year, took this opportunity to report in detail matters that had already been submitted to the Seven Constellation Bureau. Some details had not been included in written reports, as the leader was adept at uncovering issues from minor clues. Now, with the chance to report in person, he did not let it slip.
Their discussion lasted late into the night. Yet, the next day, when Hua Zhi rose early, Gu Yanxi had already finished his martial arts routine.
They were now close to Yinshan Pass, but the nearer they got, the more impatient Hua Zhi felt, as if they would never arrive.
To shield against the sandstorms, Hua Zhi wore a veiled hat, while Gu Yanxi pulled up his hood, pressing it low. The others wrapped their heads entirely, leaving only a slit for their eyes. It was stifling, but facing the wind, the sandstorms were too fierce to endure otherwise.
They only removed such disguises when they reached Yinshan Pass at dusk the following day. Gu Yanxi signaled his subordinate to present their travel passes, but the guard did not take them. Instead, looking at Hua Zhi, who appeared somewhat disheveled and weary after removing her veiled hat, he said, "A young lady from the Hua family came at the end of last year. I still have the chilblain ointment she gave me. I remember her."
Gu Yanxi glanced at A Zhi, who was clearly taken aback. This person probably didn’t even remember giving something to others.
Hua Zhi quickly collected herself. "Was the medicine effective?"
"Very effective. It saved me much suffering. I thank you, miss."
Hua Zhi smiled. "I’m glad it helped. My family’s convoy will likely arrive in a few days. We’ve brought plenty—I’ll give you some more then, and you can distribute it among yourselves."
"That would be wonderful. I thank you on behalf of my brothers." The guard was overjoyed, and the several men beside him also bowed in gratitude.Though Yinshan Pass's city gate wasn't as bustling as those of other cities, there were still people coming and going. Upon hearing this was a young lady from the Hua family, they all slowed their steps to look over. The Hua family's reputation in Yinshan Pass was now resounding—who living within these gates dared claim they hadn't benefited from the Huas? If nothing else, the once chaotic market districts had improved tremendously, becoming so tidy that people often felt compelled to dust off their clothes before entering.
Hua Zhi seemed oblivious to such gazes. The moment the soldiers granted passage, she urged her horse through the gate. While galloping wasn't permitted within the city walls, a gentle trot went unchallenged.
While at home, she hadn't felt it keenly; when nostalgia struck, a brief remembrance sufficed. But the closer she drew, the more pronounced became the drumming in her heart and that sense of urgency.
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