Hua Zhi woke again the next morning. After glancing around, she smiled at Gu Yanxi, "Did you chase Shaoyao away again?"
"Didn't chase her. She left on her own." Gu Yanxi told the lie without changing expression. Seeing A Zhi trying to sit up, he stepped forward to help, first supporting her against himself, then placing a pillow behind her back.
"How do you feel?"
"Overwhelming pain." Just from this slight movement, sweat already beaded on Hua Zhi's forehead, though her lips had regained some color.
Just as Gu Yanxi was about to speak, Shaoyao pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Hua Hua awake, she completely ignored Yan Ge's expression, pushed him aside to take his spot, and immediately began examining Hua Zhi. After a moment, she nodded, "You're recovering. But Hua Hua, you'll have to endure this pain. While some medicines could reduce your discomfort, they wouldn't benefit your health, so I didn't include them in the prescription."
"Don't worry, I can bear it."
"I'll go get your Medicinal Cuisine."
Shaoyao came and went like a whirlwind. Gu Yanxi didn't get angry, instead bringing water to feed A Zhi, then placing the previously prepared small table on the bed.
Shaoyao returned quickly, but this time she couldn't push past Gu Yanxi, forced to watch helplessly as Yan Ge fed Hua Hua.
The Hua family knew Hua Zhi was awake from Shaoyao's movements. Hua Yizheng hurried in, pausing at the scene before him. His worries suddenly eased.
The Gu family had never produced sentimental fools. For him to be so attentive, he must truly care for her.
"Grandfather." Hua Zhi quickly swallowed the food in her mouth and avoided the next pursuing spoon, signaling Yanxi with her eyes to slow down.
Gu Yanxi, who had been enjoying himself, gave Hua Yizheng a displeased look. She nearly died for you all, and now she can't even eat properly?
Hua Yizheng coughed lightly, pretending not to notice his unwelcome presence. "How's your energy? How's the wound healing?"
"Look how happily I'm eating—my energy must be fine. The wound hurts a bit. Shaoyao said she didn't use pain-relieving medicine, as it's better for the body." Hua Zhi smiled until her eyes narrowed. She was genuinely happy—her family was safe, and that was what mattered most.
Yet Hua Yizheng felt a lump in his throat. Since Zhi Er didn't want him to worry, he would let her feel at ease.
"Pain is inevitable—endure it. Shaoyao's medical skills are excellent. Listen to her." Hua Yizheng smiled, radiating kindness. "Eat first. I'll come back later."
"Alright."
Before her mouth could fully close, another spoonful came. Hua Zhi shot the man a sidelong glance but ultimately opened wide to take the bite.
Hua Yizheng watched with growing amusement. Between these two, it wasn't necessarily Zhi Er who was at a disadvantage.
In the end, Hua Zhi only managed to eat less than half the jar of Medicinal Cuisine. Her energy was far from what she claimed. Pushing the bowl toward Yanxi, she said, "Eat a bowl. Don't let anyone notice."
Gu Yanxi didn't need to think hard to understand A Zhi's intention. Though he felt such caution toward the Hua family was unnecessary—they weren't that incompetent—since A Zhi said so, he couldn't refuse. Using her bowl and spoon, he ate a bowl, then handed everything to the wide-eyed Shaoyao. "Make less next time. Did you expect A Zhi to finish this jar in two meals?"Shaoyao hadn't yet recovered from the shock of Yan Ge using Hua Hua's bowl and spoon when she instinctively responded, "I originally intended to save half for myself... Yan Ge, this is women's food, for nourishing blood!"
"Already eaten." Gu Yanxi didn't mind at all. Even if it weren't for nourishing blood, but rather something that caused blood loss, he would still eat from the same bowl and spoon as A Zhi. "I need to return to the capital first and will leave shortly."
Hua Zhi understood completely. "Be careful in everything. Don't get yourself trapped. Additionally, the Hua family are victims—don't let us be put at a disadvantage in this matter."
"Won't happen." Gu Yanxi removed the small table from the bed and moved closer, speaking softly, "He can't turn things around."
Even the eldest son with his powerful maternal family ended up exiled. The second son is inferior to the eldest and even less favored by the Emperor Uncle. If he actually had the capability to turn things around, I'd regard him more highly.
"After you return, find an opportunity to visit the Hua family. Tell them... just say Fourth Uncle is ill, and I'm looking after him for a while before returning."
Gu Yanxi raised an eyebrow. He felt somewhat envious of this Hua Si Ye who was around his own age—he had watched A Zhi grow up, and their relationship was exceptionally good.
"Why Hua Si Ye?"
"Because Fourth Aunt handles responsibilities better than the others. Cao Cao, find me paper and brush. I'll write a letter to Fourth Aunt—she'll know what to do."
Shaoyao promptly put down what she was holding to fetch writing materials. The small table was set up again. "You speak, I'll write."
"I'll do it myself. Fourth Aunt recognizes my handwriting." With injuries on her arm and shoulder that caused piercing pain with any movement, Hua Zhi's hand holding the brush trembled. She had to grip it with her other hand to write neatly.
Just then, Hua Pingyang helped his elder brother inside. Seeing her condition, they grew anxious. "Why aren't you resting properly? Isn't everyone in the Hua family skilled with a brush? Why must you push yourself?"
Shaoyao immediately flared up. "Hua Hua isn't pushing herself!"
"Cao Cao." Hua Zhi stopped her and looked up at her father and fourth uncle. "Yanxi needs to return to the capital. If I don't provide an explanation for my delayed return, the family will worry. Fourth Uncle, I'm using you as an excuse, saying you're ill and I'm staying to care for you. But I don't want Fourth Aunt to worry either, so I thought to write her a letter to reassure her."
You've thought of everyone else, but what about you? What about yourself? Hua Pingyang took a deep breath and directly removed the small table. "I'll write it. She'll certainly recognize my handwriting."
"That works too. But Fourth Uncle, don't make my condition sound too serious. Just say I injured my leg slightly and need to recuperate before I can ride a horse."
"Understood." Hua Pingyang fully understood Zhi Er's considerate intentions, but he wouldn't follow them entirely. They all should know and help share the family's burdens.
Hua Zhi felt relieved and looked at Yanxi with unconscious affection. "Please take all the letters back for me. Everyone must be waiting anxiously."
Gu Yanxi adored her like this, but in front of her father, he couldn't overstep boundaries. He could only respond with an even softer gaze. "Alright, give them all to me."
Without Hua Zhi having to say more, Hua Pingyu went out and gave instructions. Soon, a bundle was brought in. Hua Pingyang blew on the ink to dry it, sealed the letter, placed it inside, tied the bundle securely, and handed it to Gu Yanxi.
Gu Yanxi stood up to accept it, then turned to stare at Shaoyao. "Don't leave her side for even a step. If anyone else comes to attack, I permit you to kill freely. Those who have committed treason are no longer citizens of Daqing—show no mercy."Shaoyao nodded emphatically. Although she wanted even more to go back and make Gu Cheng'an suffer a living hell, Hua Hua's health was more important at the moment.
Seeing A Zhi sit up and lean toward him, Gu Yanxi walked over, pressed her back down to lie flat, and couldn't resist stroking her head. "Rest well. Don't get out of bed until Shaoyao says you can. Don't push yourself—be good and don't make me worry."
Hua Zhi nuzzled against his palm, her voice soft as if speaking only to him. "Mm, I'll be good. Don't worry."
Gu Yanxi's heart softened so much he didn't want to leave. With her getting hurt so often, he truly wished he could keep her within his sight at all times—letting her go nowhere, while he himself stayed put, spending his days watching over her.
OpenNovel