On the way back to the inn, Hua Pingyang deliberately slowed his pace. Watching the two walking side by side under the moonlight, he couldn't help but recall what his father had said to the Hua family after dinner that day.
If the Hua family hadn't encountered such changes, Zhi Er could have lived a stable and smooth life—a fairly decent husband, a few obedient and intelligent children, a powerful maternal family, and in-laws who wouldn't make things difficult for her and couldn't even if they tried. Everyone would have praised her for her good fortune.
From her later actions, it was clear that she possessed immense talent but was willing to remain dormant, living a life so proper that no one could find fault with it. Since it was the Hua family that forced her to abandon those rules, they had no right to criticize her for lacking propriety!
If Zhi Er could grow old with this man, that would be best. If they eventually parted ways, Zhi Er would forever be the eldest young lady of the Hua family. Anyone who dared to look down on her even slightly would be immediately expelled from the family!
His father was determined to protect Zhi Er's well-being, even at the risk of being criticized by future generations. It wasn't that he didn't trust the Hua descendants to remember this kindness, but he was simply too heartbroken. The girl who had been unwilling to even step out the door not long ago had suddenly become a towering tree, supporting not only the family in the capital but also the family in the northern lands.
Before her first visit, they had merely been enduring—without goals, without hope, uncertain of what lay ahead, just barely surviving day after day. He had to worry about the future of the Hua family and whether his elderly father could endure it.
But when Zhi Er came, she brought not only gold and silver to make their lives easier but also hope. She infused this hope into their hearts, allowing them to look forward to the future and find peace of mind.
It was after that visit that the Hua family regained their spirit. Resentment diminished, unity grew. The younger generation would tend to each other's blistered hands after work, learn to care for their elders, and take on tasks they had never imagined doing before, all to lessen the burden on others.
This was Zhi Er's achievement.
No one knew how much she had endured or sacrificed in the process of forcing herself to grow, but they understood the hardships involved. They simply didn't know how to treat this girl who seemed to have become invulnerable overnight, so they could only protect her by shedding a layer of their own skin, leaving her the greatest possible retreat.
Watching the man instinctively reach out to support Zhi Er as she stepped over the threshold, Hua Pingyang lowered his head and smiled. As things stood now, it might not necessarily come to that worst-case scenario. Having already recognized Zhi Er's virtues and her uniqueness compared to other women, he didn't believe this Lu Xiansheng would be willing to give up such a precious delicacy for a bland cup of plain water.
"We need to set off early tomorrow morning. Rest well."
"Yes." Hua Zhi bowed slightly, smiled at Yan Xi, and then entered her room.
The two men faced each other for a long moment. Hua Pingyang cupped his hands and said, "I'll trouble you, Lu Xiansheng, to protect her along the journey."
Gu Yanxi returned the gesture. "It's my duty. Please rest assured."
On their last night before departure, even though she knew she needed to conserve energy for the journey, Hua Zhi lay awake for a long time. If possible, she would have loved to stay here a few more days, but there were numerous matters awaiting her in the capital. The network wasn't yet extensive enough—she couldn't afford to indulge herself.
After tossing and turning once more, she finally drifted into a fitful sleep. Some time later, sudden noises from outside jolted her awake. She sat up immediately, confirmed she hadn't misheard, then swiftly dressed and got out of bed. Just then, someone knocked on her door."A Zhi?"
It was Yan Xi. Hua Zhi quickly went over and opened the door. Seeing her alert expression, Gu Yanxi knew she hadn't just woken up. "There might be trouble at the border. I need to go check."
"Take everyone with you."
Gu Yanxi adjusted his sleeves. "I'll leave one behind to stay with you."
Just then, the door next to them opened. Hua Pingyang, fastening his robe, asked, "Is this a night raid?"
"Don't know the specifics yet." Gu Yanxi replied briefly before turning back to A Zhi. "Stay in the inn and don't go out. Act according to circumstances."
"Alright, be careful."
Gu Yanxi nodded to Hua Pingyang, took a few steps forward, then paused and turned back. He placed a dagger in her hand before quickly leaving.
Hua Pingyang's eyebrow twitched, but he said nothing. Instead, he began speculating about this Lu Xiansheng's identity. If it really was an enemy night raid, that should be the border garrison's affair—why was he rushing over? It didn't seem like he was just offering martial assistance either. Which family was he from?
After running through possibilities without finding a match, Hua Pingyang stopped pondering. "Yinshan Pass is relatively secure. Nothing will happen. Go back to rest."
"Yes, you too, Fourth Uncle." But how could Hua Zhi truly sleep? Returning to her room, she sat at the table waiting. The commotion outside wasn't loud, just faint sounds in the distance—likely indeed enemy harassment at the border.
After some restless thoughts, Hua Zhi heard knocking. Assuming it was the guard Jia Yang, left behind by Yan Xi, coming to report something, she hurried to open the door. But the person outside completely surprised her—it was Zeng Xian's son. How had the boy managed to find his way here under such circumstances? Truly, a newborn calf fears no tiger!
She quickly crouched down and asked, "Why did you come here? Is something wrong with your father?"
The child pursed his lips and uttered a few words: "Father said the Hua family is in danger."
These childish words struck Hua Zhi like a thunderbolt. Hua Pingyang, who had opened his door upon hearing the knocking, overheard and pressed with a grim expression, "Did your father say anything else?"
The child shook his head.
Steadying herself, Hua Zhi immediately carried the child inside. "It's dangerous outside. Stay here for now. If that brother from the other day returns, tell him to go to the Hua family immediately. Can you remember that?"
The child nodded, showing not a trace of fear throughout.
Hua Zhi grabbed the dagger and ran toward the Hua family residence. Hua Pingyang and Jia Yang, the guard left by Gu Yanxi, immediately followed.
Though it was only a few hundred steps away, Hua Zhi broke out in a sweat in the cool breeze. The closer she got, the faster her heart raced, terrified she might be too late.
When she heard no commotion and saw the Hua residence peacefully lit, her heart finally settled. She stopped, leaning on her knees to catch her breath.
But before she could fully recover, the situation changed.
From the previously empty alleys on both sides emerged two groups of people, totaling about twenty. They were all dressed in black night attire, faces covered—standard attire for killing and arson.
Hua Zhi bit the tip of her tongue. "Jia Yang, you take the left, I'll take the right."
"Yes."
The two rushed toward their respective directions. The black-clad men probably hadn't expected to be discovered before even entering, let alone having their initiative stolen. They immediately counterattacked.
Jia Yang wielded a long whip, keeping his distance. The technique of coiling and smashing opponents to the ground was his signature move, inherited from his lineage. By the time Hua Zhi closed in on her enemies, Jia Yang had already drawn blood.Hua Zhi aimed every strike at fatal points. She had her principles and her bottom line, but these meant nothing when her family was in danger!
These people wanted the lives of the defenseless Hua family members!
PS: Flipping to the donation page, I saw so many donations. Thank you, ladies.
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