Chapter 320: Coexistence and Perish
A sudden thought flashed through Hua Yizheng's mind, causing him to straighten his posture abruptly. "You intend to make Zhi Er unmarriageable?"
Gu Yanxi's smile remained unchanged.
"You want the capital to fear Zhi Er?"
"You wish to tarnish her reputation?"
With each question, Hua Yizheng's heart sank further. This person had never left Zhi Er any retreat path. If they ended up together, it would be one thing; if not, how could Zhi Er continue living normally?
"Heir, do you truly cherish Zhi Er?"
So he had guessed his identity. Gu Yanxi felt pleased seeing Old Master Hua worrying about A Zhi. "I cherish her more than my own life."
"And this is how you show your affection?"
"Old Master, you underestimate A Zhi. Even now that you know she possesses considerable martial skills, excels in business, endures hardships, takes responsibility, would sacrifice her life for family... you still underestimate her."
Hua Yizheng wanted to say he understood, but after opening his mouth, he closed it again. He knew there was more, but didn't know what else.
Gu Yanxi chuckled softly, "Do you know what nickname A Zhi has in the capital? The Thorny Rose. Those noble sons all want to approach her but dare not treat her lightly. Not because they've improved, but because they're afraid of getting pricked. Does A Zhi not know this? She knows. She said if this way can make everyone remember the Hua family without drawing excessive attention, it's fine. She fears she's not formidable enough—that after the Empress Dowager's protection expires, someone might target the Hua family. You know how common this is in the capital. Having been in court so many years, you're not without political enemies. With many watching, those who want to act won't dare be so reckless."
"As long as she can protect her family, she doesn't care about her reputation. She long ago abandoned thoughts of marriage, saying she'd hand over the Hua family to Berlin when he grows up, then buy a small residence to live with her maids who also don't wish to marry. Do you think she's completely unaware of my feelings?"
Gu Yanxi smiled, "She knows. It just doesn't conflict with her plans, so she doesn't mind."
Hua Yizheng had to admit this aligned with Zhi Er's way of doing things. The fiancé they previously carefully selected for her probably meant nothing to her either.
Precisely because it meant nothing, she ended the engagement so decisively, bearing no resentment toward the Shen family or Shen Qi.
Sighing, Hua Yizheng's shoulders slumped, making him appear several years older. "The Hua family's situation isn't as good as Zhi Er claims, is it? Could the Heir share some details? We should know what Zhi Er has been enduring beyond our sight."
"It's not that I'm unwilling to be truthful—the Hua family's situation is genuinely good. The clan school echoes with reading voices, the inner quarters are peaceful, all branches are united, far more harmonious than ordinary families."
"Zhi Er hasn't concealed anything?" Hua Yizheng stared intently. He didn't wish for family troubles, but such perfection made him more uneasy—as if only knowing what Zhi Er had hidden could settle his mind.
How could there be nothing? Several thoughts crossed Gu Yanxi's mind before he revealed one: "Hua Jing is dead."
Hua Yizheng's heart skipped a beat. He never imagined his eldest daughter would... How could she... Given her temperament, she should have been the most prosperous among the Hua family!
"She hanged herself.""Song Zhengzu!" Hua Yizheng slammed the table and stood up, his beard quivering with rage.
Gu Yanxi's lips curved slightly. "She originally intended to hang herself at the Hua family residence. My subordinate discovered it in time and prevented her from succeeding."
Before his anger could subside, these words made Hua Yizheng's hands begin to tremble. He closed his eyes for a moment, suppressing the overwhelming emotions. "I beg the Heir to explain in more detail."
"Hua Jing wanted to gain more benefits from her maternal family, but the Old Madam refused and severed ties with her. The Song family treated her far worse than before, so she believed her maternal family had brought this upon her and sought revenge through suicide. A Zhi burned her life tablet and expelled her from the clan."
In just a few words, the matter was made clear. But having spent a lifetime in officialdom, Hua Yizheng knew well how much lay hidden beneath the surface—how much effort Zhi Er, who hadn't yet established herself firmly at the time, must have expended to turn the situation around.
"A Zhi doesn't wish to speak of it, so you should act as if you know nothing. May I ask if the Old Master now agrees to draft the memorial?"
Hua Yizheng ran his hand over the rough armrest of his chair and said solemnly, "I will write it. But I wonder if the Heir could first give me some insight—how far will this matter go? That person will surely resent Zhi Er for ruining his plans and will never let her off."
"By the time A Zhi returns to the capital, those who need dealing with and matters that need resolving will have been settled. If you trust me, Old Master, cooperate fully with Wu Yong to fortify Yinshan Pass into an impenetrable stronghold. Don't give the tribes beyond the pass any opportunity to exploit. This will be the Hua family's chance. Your family rules don't require you to merely endure blows when cornered."
Gu Yanxi stood up. Hua Yizheng wasn't someone who would wait helplessly for rescue when in dire straits—he was already saving himself, otherwise he wouldn't be assisting Wu Yong in managing Yinshan Pass. Though concerned that the Great Qing Dynasty might lose a loyal official family, he trusted A Zhi even more.
"Heir."
Gu Yanxi turned back at the doorway.
"In March, when General Sun sent someone to visit me, they relayed a message. He said the eastern border has been unusually quiet these past few years, making him somewhat uneasy. He drills troops daily without respite. Recently, Pingyang learned from General Wu that the Seven Constellation Bureau captured Yuan Shifang, Governor of Yu Province, claiming he's a remnant of the Chao Li Tribe. Now the northern border is also growing unstable."
Hua Yizheng emerged from behind his desk and looked intently at Gu Yanxi. "I'd like to ask the Heir your view on this matter."
"That's precisely why I want the Hua family to help Wu Yong guard Yinshan Pass well—so the court can focus on dealing with the Chao Li Tribe without worrying about its rear. Since Emperor Taizu could drive them out back then, they certainly won't be allowed to make a comeback now!"
Gu Yanxi took two steps back into the room. "A Zhi shows considerable talent in military strategy. I presume the Hua family members are not merely versed in classics and historical texts. Use all your abilities to assist Wu Yong in defending Yinshan Pass—don't let the enemy set foot across it! When the time comes, it will be your moment to return to the capital."
Hua Yizheng suddenly smiled. "The Heir needn't have added that last sentence—I would have done this regardless. His Majesty probably doesn't know that the Hua family has another ancestral injunction passed down from generation to generation since our ancestor Hua Jingyan: The Hua family shall stand or fall with the Great Qing Dynasty. This was our ancestor's promise to Emperor Taizu on his deathbed. But the Hua family has never faced such turmoil before, and I fear I cannot wait until my dying moment to establish this injunction, lest I have no face to meet Emperor Taizu after death."
Looking at the man who somewhat resembled the emperor in his youth, Hua Yizheng felt a pang of regret. There was a time when ruler and minister had been in perfect harmony."Why must Your Majesty guard against me."
Gu Yanxi's eyes stung as if pricked by needles. He blinked several times involuntarily, yet ultimately found himself unable to utter a word. With cupped hands and a deep bow, it remained unclear whether this gesture was made on his own behalf or in representation of the Emperor.
PS: Still feels a bit rough, but that's it for now. Updating one chapter first.
OpenNovel