The hour had already passed for leaving the yamen, and the group headed straight for the Hua family's residence.
Hua Zhi couldn't help but gently press her heels against the horse's sides, silently urging it to move faster, yet she tightly held the reins to control its speed. The horse snorted, uncertain whether to run or not, alternating between a trot and a few steps before trotting again.
They drew closer.
Just then, five figures walking ahead came into view. Seeing their thin yet straight-backed silhouettes, Hua Zhi instinctively tightened the reins. The horse reared up with a long whinny.
Hua Pingyang, walking at the side, happened to glance back and froze at the sight of the rider. He immediately turned around completely, his voice trembling with surprise and joy as he called out, "Zhi Er!"
The other four spun around instantly, their eyes instinctively searching for the person before locking onto her, fists unconsciously clenching.
Hua Zhi dismounted and knelt in a deep bow, her voice clear and resonant. "Zhi Er, on behalf of everyone from the Hua family in the capital, pays respects to Grandfather, Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Fourth Uncle."
Hua Yizheng reached out with trembling hands to help her up. "You child, how... how..."
He wanted to ask why she had come again, but only upon seeing her did he realize he had been waiting, hoping this granddaughter of his—who often acted in unexpected ways—would return once more to tell him: everything at home is well, everyone is safe.
And now, she had truly come!
As Hua Zhi's father, Hua Pingyu clenched a fist behind his back and coughed lightly into his other hand. Though his face was full of pride, he spoke with forced sternness, "Why are you dressed like this? It's unseemly."
Hua Yizheng glared at his eldest son. "What nonsense! Zhi Er looks fine no matter what she wears!"
Hua Zhi's eyes reddened slightly as she smiled and defended her awkward father. "Father is worried about me. The northern winds and sand are harsh—this attire offers more comfort."
Her clothing was indeed disheveled: practical martial wear underneath, layered with a large black-and-white shawl to shield against both sun and sand. After a day of travel, her appearance was far from elegant.
Hua Zhi understood her father's stubborn nature well and recognized the concern hidden in his words. In those years when she had kept to herself, she had missed out on many things and many people.
"Old Master Hua, has the Hua family young lady come again?"
The speaker was the same person they had encountered on the street last time. Only then did the Hua family notice the crowd that had gathered around them.
Hua Yizheng responded with proud restraint, "I hadn't expected her to return. She didn't mention it in her previous letters. We apologize for blocking the way—we shall take our leave now."
"Not at all, the road is wide enough! Please, carry on."
Hua Zhi stepped forward to support her grandfather's arm, guiding him toward the nearby house where someone had already emerged upon hearing the commotion.
After a few steps, Hua Zhi glanced back. Gu Yanxi pointed toward the inn nearby, and she nodded in understanding.
She made no attempt to hide this exchange, and the Hua family noticed, casting thoughtful glances at Lu Xiansheng. Clearly, something had happened in the past six months that they were unaware of.
Hua Yizheng's thoughts deepened, his heart sinking slightly.
After greeting all the family members and handing over a large bundle of letters, Hua Zhi went to the main hall to formally pay her respects to her grandfather."Enough, enough, let's dispense with these formalities." Hua Yizheng was about to have someone assist her when he remembered there were no maidservants in the household now—it wouldn't be proper to have a young male servant approach Zhi Er, and she hadn't brought a maid with her either. By the time he thought to help her up himself, she had already completed her bows.
Hua Zhi then performed deep bows to her father and three uncles. Even those who wished to decline had to accept under her insistence. At this moment, she represented not just herself but everyone in the family—these courtesies were rightfully deserved.
Though summer nights fell late, it was already getting dark. Seeing his daughter covered in travel dust, Hua Pingyu suppressed his eagerness to learn about the family's situation and suggested, "There's no hurry. Let Zhi Er rest first. Father, don't go to the office tomorrow—I'll go in your stead."
"No need." Hua Pingyang interjected, "I'll go tomorrow to request leave for all of us. The superiors will approve it."
"Very well, youngest son, you go handle it."
"Yes."
Hua Yizheng looked at his granddaughter, "Staying at the same inn as before?"
"Yes."
"Then same as last time—your fourth uncle will stay with you."
Hua Zhi glanced at her fourth uncle and acknowledged the arrangement.
"Go rest early. We'll talk properly tomorrow."
Hua Zhi rose and curtsied, "Please rest assured, everything is well at home. Everyone is fine."
The bitterness that had never fully subsided in Hua Yizheng's heart surged again. She had traveled thousands of miles just to deliver this message—the very words he had been desperately waiting to hear.
Now she had brought them, and he had received them.
"Go ahead."
Exiting the main hall, she found all the younger generation members still waiting outside. It was evident the family elders had protected them well—though their hardships had matured them, they still maintained clear, upright eyes and scholarly demeanors.
Some here were older than her, some younger, so she didn't distinguish between them, offering a general bow to all as she repeated: "Everything is well at home, everyone is fine. Don't worry. I'll provide details tomorrow."
Her half-brothers Hua Bolin and Hua Boxiang responded most enthusiastically—this was their Elder Sister after all!
Leaving the courtyard, Hua Pingyang was about to seize this opportunity for a proper talk with his niece when he spotted that troublesome man. Their previous encounter had left a deep impression—while he worried for Zhi Er, he also felt somewhat reassured.
As a man himself, he knew better than to trust a man's words, yet whenever he recalled this particular man, he found him somewhat credible. Only genuine affection would drive someone to accompany her on such a long journey; only true tenderness could soften the gaze of such a decisive, battle-hardened man—making that gentleness particularly precious.
He just wondered what their current relationship was.
Gu Yanxi clasped his hands in greeting, "Hua Si Ye."
Hua Pingyang returned the gesture, "Lu Xiansheng."
It had been some time since he'd heard that address since A Zhi started calling him Yanxi. Gu Yanxi glanced at A Zhi before gesturing sideways, "The rooms are booked. I've reserved one for Hua Si Ye too."
Hua Pingyang offered a measured thanks.
Their interaction gave Hua Zhi the inexplicable impression of a father scrutinizing the scoundrel who had stolen his daughter. Embarrassed by her own imagination, she quickly changed the subject: "Fourth Uncle, has everyone been well during this time?""Everything is well." Hua Pingyang's expression softened. "Your physician friend is highly skilled. Father's illness has been completely cured, and everyone else's minor ailments have mostly recovered. I've entered the garrison commander's residence, while elder brother and father have been entrusted by General Wu Yong to reorganize Yinshan Pass with remarkable results. The Hua family has gained some ability to protect ourselves."
"That's truly wonderful." Hua Zhi's smile brightened. As long as the Hua family could establish firm footing here, that was enough - she wasn't greedy. Other matters would still need to be contested in the capital.
PS: End of the month, seeking monthly votes.
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