Chapter 301: Beauty
Hua Pingyang watched her faint smile, and his resistance toward Lu Xiansheng gradually faded. Regardless of what relationship Zhi Er and Lu Xiansheng currently had, he needed to trust that every decision Zhi Er made was thoroughly considered.
The inn was nearby, and they arrived in no time. Gu Yanxi had not only arranged the rooms but also ordered the meals. As soon as the three of them arrived, the food was served. Among the dishes were two that he remembered A Zhi had taken a few extra bites of during their last visit—half meat and half vegetables.
Hua Pingyang frowned when he noticed she was only eating the vegetable dishes. "You've traveled such a long way. How can you not eat something nutritious?"
As he spoke, he reached out to serve his niece some meat. Hua Zhi moved her bowl aside. "Fourth Uncle, please spare me. Afraid I wouldn’t have enough to eat outside, I prepared a lot of meat jerky before leaving. Now I feel like my mouth is full of the taste of meat. Let me eat some vegetables to balance it out."
Hua Pingyang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Why was eating meat like taking poison for her? But he wasn’t surprised—even at home, this girl had always preferred vegetables.
Gu Yanxi glanced at A Zhi, picked up the serving chopsticks, and added some stewed dried bamboo shoots to her bowl. He had specifically instructed the innkeeper not to add any meat to the dish. Though the flavor might be slightly lacking, A Zhi liked it.
Seeing this, Hua Pingyang’s impression of him improved slightly, and he felt more willing to speak with him. "Troubling Lu Xiansheng to make this trip again."
"It’s my pleasure."
"..." Perhaps it was better not to speak.
After the meal, Gu Yanxi went to the kitchen and soon returned carrying two large wooden buckets filled to the brim with hot water. The uncle and niece, who had been talking, were both taken aback.
Watching him go upstairs, Hua Pingyang turned his gaze back to his niece. "He... you..."
Hua Zhi smiled. "It’s just as it seems. Fourth Uncle, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing."
Hua Pingyang, who had intended to say more, held back all his words and sighed deeply. "It’s been a tiring journey. Rest early."
Hua Zhi curtsied slightly, grateful that her uncle didn’t press further. If she had to explain, she’d prefer to do it when everyone was present, so she wouldn’t have to repeat herself to each person.
After a refreshing bath, Hua Zhi slept soundly through the night. When she woke, the sky was already bright, and the sunlight streaming through the window lattice cast shadows on the floor, indicating it was quite late.
Once she had freshened up and opened the door, Yan Xi was already waiting, as if he had calculated the timing perfectly. In his hands was a bowl of steaming noodle dough.
Noodle dough was a specialty of Yinshan Pass. It didn’t look particularly appealing, but it tasted quite good. Hua Zhi had mentioned she enjoyed it during her last visit, and Gu Yanxi had remembered.
"Have a little before we go."
Hua Zhi smiled gently, her eyes soft, and obediently agreed.
Watching A Zhi eat with relish, Gu Yanxi’s expression grew even warmer. "I’ll go see Wu Yong in a while."
"Commandant Wu?"
"Yes, there are some matters I need to discuss with him."
Hua Zhi nodded without probing further. "There’s no need to strive for anything extra for the Hua family. Maintaining the current state is enough. Standing out too much wouldn’t be appropriate, given their status as convicts."
"I’ll handle it with care."
Hua Zhi looked up and smiled. "Actually, it was you who helped my fourth uncle get into the commandant’s residence, wasn’t it?"
"I only asked him to show some consideration. Your fourth uncle earned his position through his own capabilities."
That was true. Away from the constraints of the capital, Fourth Uncle’s talents had finally found their place.
Gu Yanxi pushed the bowl closer to her. "How long do you plan to stay here?""Three to four days should suffice. Feel free to attend to your own matters, it's fine if you return later."
"That timeframe is sufficient. Eat quickly before it gets cold and loses its flavor."
Hua Pingyang approached briskly seeing the open door, but as he reached the threshold, he swallowed all the words he was about to speak. The scene before him—one person eating earnestly while the other watched with a tender smile—struck him speechless. Having been born and raised in the Hua family, he had encountered countless people, witnessed numerous events, and even observed love that vowed to endure life and death.
Yet none compared to the beauty of this moment, an indescribable beauty that words could hardly capture.
But he also worried. Immortal couples who could walk hand in hand through life were far too rare. He had personally seen pairs who once loved passionately end up with one staying behind while the other grew weary, eventually bringing concubine after concubine into the household. The more beautiful the beginning, the more tragic the end. He feared Zhi Er might suffer the same fate.
Gu Yanxi had noticed his arrival long ago. Seeing him remain silent, he looked up and said, "Hua Si Ye."
Hearing this, Hua Zhi looked up, set down her chopsticks, and greeted, "Fourth Uncle."
"Continue eating, there's no urgent matter."
"I'm finished." Wiping her mouth, Hua Zhi picked up a large bundle from the bed and stood. "Let's go. Everyone must be waiting anxiously."
They were indeed waiting impatiently, but no one had come to rush them. Having traveled all the way from the capital, they knew how long the journey was. While horseback riding might seem fast, it came with its own hardships.
"Yanxi, go attend to your affairs. I'll be at that residence and won't go anywhere else."
"Alright."
Hua Pingyang took the heavy bundle, stepped over the threshold, then paused and turned back. "The family has prepared some modest wine. If it's convenient for Lu Xiansheng, you're welcome to join us for a drink."
Gu Yanxi and Hua Zhi exchanged a glance, and he immediately responded, "This evening, I will come to pick up A Zhi. I'll definitely share a drink with the elders then."
Hua Pingyang gave a light hum and turned to leave.
A smile in her eyes, Hua Zhi winked at Gu Yanxi and quickly followed.
Gu Yanxi stood there for a long while, finally letting out a deep, relieved sigh.
The entire Hua family, young and old, had gathered in the main hall, packing it so full that it seemed too small. Some of the younger members had to stand outside the door.
"Elder Sister is here!" Hua Bolin exclaimed softly, stepping excitedly toward the door.
All eyes turned in unison. Hua Zhi smiled at everyone. Compared to her travel-worn appearance from yesterday, she looked especially radiant after a good rest.
"Zhi Er is here? Come in quickly."
Walking through the path cleared by the crowd, Hua Zhi glanced around and had to admit that the Hua family was truly flourishing with descendants.
"Zhi Er pays respects to Grandfather, Father, and all uncles and elders."
Hua Yizheng stroked his beard and nodded. "Sit and speak."
Hua Zhi took the only empty seat at the lower end. Meeting the expectant gazes of everyone, she felt her heart soften even more. Families were different—some, like in her previous life, were filled with schemes and wished death upon each other; others, like this one, cared deeply for their kin even in adversity.
Well, let's start with good news then.
"Fourth Granduncle must have received Qin Mei Mei's letter, right? Just a few days before I left, she got married. I met the groom once—he's excellent."
Hua Yichen of the fourth branch beamed, nodding repeatedly. "I've read the letter. Qin Er also mentioned how well you've taken care of everyone. You spent a great deal of silver to prepare her dowry, giving her the dignity she deserved. This granduncle thanks you as well."Hua Qin's letter was a thick stack, and of course, it contained far more than just that. She described the current situation at home, mentioning how her younger brothers attended the Clan school every day. Far from being disheartened or discouraged by the Hua family's decline, they were instead filled with high spirits and determination. She wrote that Hua Zhi provided dividends from a business venture to support the various households, so they were no longer in the initial state of hardship. She also mentioned that Hua Zhi had recently traveled south for another business matter, staying home for only four or five days before heading north again...
She wrote a great deal, and it was clear that Hua Qin deeply admired her elder cousin. This also made Hua Yichen's affection for this granddaughter of the eldest branch more than just superficial. A person's character can be discerned by whether they talk more and act less or talk less and act more—and Hua Zhi was the latter.
OpenNovel