The sand table remained in its original position.
Wu Yong watched as Shaoyao carried Hua Zhi, chair and all, over the threshold, his lips twitching. "Shall we play a round, Young Lady?"
Hua Zhi shook her head. "Play with Shaoyao instead. Her combat instincts are better than mine."
Shaoyao firmly rejected this praise. "Nonsense. I’ve never beaten you."
Hua Zhi reached out to pinch her cheek. "Take me back to my room first."
Shaoyao grumbled as she pushed her away. Wu Yong turned to Hua Yizheng. "The elder has taught her well."
Hua Yizheng shook his head. "I haven’t taught her anything."
Assuming he was being modest, Wu Yong cupped his hands slightly and headed toward the sand table, where the plain-looking girl had already emerged from the room.
Inside, Zeng Han was sitting on a small stool reading.
Hua Zhi called him over and handed him a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, along with several calligraphy copies. "These are Grandfather’s characters. Recognizing characters isn’t enough—you must practice writing them more."
Zeng Han accepted the writing tools but declined the copies. "I want yours."
"Your handwriting is too restrained and not suitable for you. Grandfather’s calligraphy has reached a master’s level, sought after by countless people in the capital. You don’t know how fortunate you are." Hua Zhi pressed the copies against his small face, grabbed his hand to hold them in place, then let go. She then clumsily attempted to wheel herself toward the desk.
Before she could manage, the wheelchair began moving. Without looking back, Hua Zhi let the child push her, saying, "Someday you can develop your own style, but first, you must learn to write."
Zeng Han gave an indifferent "Oh." His desire for Hua Zhi’s calligraphy stemmed solely from her being the only person he recognized in this world, not from any understanding of calligraphic merit.
Hua Zhi didn’t insist on forcing him to conform. It was fine for someone to grow according to their own nature; she only needed to guide him gently to keep him from straying too far.
Patting his head, Hua Zhi spread out the paper. The child, clearly familiar with the task, began grinding the ink expertly.
Hua Zhi’s goal was to transcribe as many military strategy books as she could remember from memory.
She harbored no illusions that every member of her family possessed talent in this area—she had no expectations for the younger generation at all. Her subtle maneuvering was merely a selfish attempt to free her brothers from hard labor. Whether they returned to scholarly pursuits or dedicated themselves to archery and horsemanship, either would be more useful than pure manual labor.
She placed her hopes on the two older generations. The Hua family’s scholars had never limited themselves to classics and histories. Take her father, for example—he had remarkable expertise in mathematics. She had once seen him calculate calendars, a field completely beyond her understanding, yet he handled it with ease.
As for her second uncle, who had always been quiet and unassuming, his specialty lay in military strategy and formations. She had seen his annotations in several military strategy books—insightful and profound. Though so far, it had only been theoretical, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity?
If just four out of the fifty-four individuals could establish themselves in the military camp, the Hua family would stand firm.
However, these matters weren’t for her to worry about. Her role was simply to transcribe the military strategies, giving her brothers a direction in which to apply their efforts.
On this same day, Gu Yanxi returned to the capital.
He went straight to the Seven Constellation Bureau, where Chen Qing and Qu Qi were already waiting.
"Chief." Qu Qi presented a long box with both hands.
Gu Yanxi took it and gently pressed it onto the table. "Has Second Brother grown impatient?""Yes, there has been no news from Yinshan Pass. He likely suspects something has changed. In recent days, I followed him and observed meetings with numerous civil and military officials, all of whom I recorded in a list."
Gu Yanxi gently tapped the wooden box. "What else has he done?"
"He made several visits to the Fifth Prince these past few days. Somehow, he managed to win the prince's deep trust—I suspect he's seeking a scapegoat."
Gu Yanxi sneered, "Continue."
"Yes. The Tong family sent a young woman to Consort Hui. His Majesty has been staying there nightly with constant rewards. Though it's said the Emperor doesn't consort with her every night, Eunuch Lai Fu mentioned the girl knows some novel tricks. His Majesty appears quite captivated."
"What did Physician Yu say?"
"Physician Yu stated he's a doctor who only tends to the ill. He'll come when the Emperor collapses."
Typical of Physician Yu's blunt manner. Gu Yanxi turned to Chen Qing, "And your progress?"
"As you ordered, we've identified all individuals detained by the Second Prince. They can be freed from his control at any moment."
"Has Zeng Xian's case been fully investigated?"
"Yes." Chen Qing's eyes turned icy. "Minister of Revenue Fang Hongzhi is the Second Prince's primary supporter among civil officials. I discovered he received assistance from the Tong family in his youth—without their backing, he'd never have climbed to his current position. Not a single tael of those seventy thousand silver taels reached Zeng Xian. A minor portion went to Fang Hongzhi, while the majority lined the Second Prince's pockets."
Gu Yanxi gazed at the territorial map hanging on the wall, his focus settling on Yinshan Pass. "I recall Zhu Bowen was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue three years ago."
"Correct." Having thoroughly investigated the ministry, Chen Qing confirmed, "Lord Zhu is the Eldest Young Lady's maternal grandfather. He was uninvolved in the past incidents."
Gu Yanxi already knew this. With Fang Hongzhi's impending downfall, Zhu Bowen stood as a likely successor. He held favorable impressions of Zhu Bowen—few would risk imperial wrath to protect a disgraced friend's family as steadfastly as he had. Such officials were more reliable.
As for the Emperor... Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze. Although His Majesty distrusted the Hua family, he paradoxically favored those who protected them, evident from Zhu Bowen's repeated commendations and greater share of tribute rewards.
"Do we have concrete evidence for all matters?"
"Yes." Chen Qing presented a wooden tray containing dossiers, memorials, and other documents.
Gu Yanxi placed his own retrieved bundle atop the tray, opened the box to meticulously review its contents, then added them to the collection. Donning his mask, he commanded, "Notify the Three Judicial Offices to arrest the Second Prince and bring him to Haoxin Hall for an imperial audience."
"Understood."
Exiting the main gate, Gu Yanxi spotted Lai Fu hurrying toward him. In just a short absence, the eunuch appeared to have aged noticeably.
Lai Fu bowed deeply. "You've returned at last. His Majesty received news and immediately sent me to summon you."
Walking in succession, Lai Fu kept half a step ahead, whispering closely to Gu Yanxi, "The girl at Consort Hui's quarters seems... questionable. This old servant observed her techniques resemble those from brothels. Since that prior incident, His Majesty has been... particularly taken with her recently."
Gu Yanxi halted abruptly. "She's not from the Tong family's main branch?"Qu Qi also quickly looked over, initially finding nothing amiss, and even the Seven Constellation Bureau did not conduct a thorough investigation.
"She bears the surname Tong and was personally sent here by Old Madam Tong. This old servant had the chance to observe her twice while attending to the Emperor up close—her demeanor and bearing appeared impeccable, yet I always felt something was off. It was only after learning about the methods she employed that suspicions arose in my mind."
"Investigate."
In a concealed spot, a figure flashed by and vanished.
PS: Kongkong will be attending an interview in Hangzhou on August 15th. If any of you ladies have questions, feel free to share them in the book review section. The editor may select suitable ones, and of course, if any of you plan to attend in person, you're welcome to come.
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