Wu Yong was well aware of the rumors circulating outside. If he hadn't understood his own feelings before, hearing these rumors had certainly made things clear.
He couldn't believe he had developed feelings for a girl with a ruined appearance, yet even in that conflicted state of mind, he never stopped visiting the Hua family. He always remembered his promise to Shaoyao to accompany her in another battle simulation, not wanting to break his word and disappoint her.
So he allowed those rumors to persist, though with a guilty conscience. If The Heir found out, he would surely punish him severely. Yet despite this, he continued his visits, staying longer each day.
Before he could figure out what he truly wanted, he never expected Hua Zhi to confront him so directly, catching him completely off guard.
"Young Lady..."
"There's no need to explain anything to me." Hua Zhi interrupted him. "I support all of Shaoyao's decisions. However, to be frank, I don't believe General Wu is the right man for her. I'm only saying this hoping you'll think twice before acting. I don't intend to interfere, but you must consider the consequences carefully. Shaoyao isn't someone you can manipulate as you please. Never mind what Yan Xi might do - Shaoyao herself would take your life first."
And she claims not to be interfering? Wu Yong smiled bitterly. "Young Lady sees everything with remarkable clarity."
"I simply don't want Shaoyao to suffer again. I'd be more than happy to provide for her my entire life." Hua Zhi suddenly changed her tone. "Could it be that General Wu has unusual tastes, with all his concubines being exceptionally plain-looking?"
"Of course not..." Wu Yong abruptly stopped speaking, meeting Hua Zhi's mocking gaze before awkwardly turning away.
"It seems General Wu's residence is filled with beauties. Well, that's understandable - as the only male heir of the Wu family, you naturally need many women to continue the family line. The sand table game is quite easy to learn. Perhaps you should return home and teach your beauties how to play - the experience might prove no less delightful than having a charming companion assist with your studies."
"Young Lady, why must you be so confrontational? I took those women in before I ever met Shaoyao."
"But some things simply cannot be had together. I actually think you needn't struggle with this dilemma, General. Beautiful women are pleasing to the eye. A lifetime may not be particularly long, but having different beauties accompany you over several decades would be quite an enjoyable experience."
Hua Zhi pushed herself up using the armrests. "Shaoyao should be ready now. Please proceed, General Wu."
Wu Yong opened his mouth as if to say more, but ultimately remained silent. He cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave.
Hua Zhi slowly moved to the doorway, watching as Wu Yong and Shaoyao stood facing each other. Shaoyao pointed triumphantly at the completely new terrain on the sand table, her face glowing with confidence. "Haven't seen this landscape before, have you? I'll go easy on you - you can choose first."
Wu Yong appeared to smile slightly as he selected the left side, while Shaoyao bounced cheerfully over to the right.
Leaning against the doorframe, Hua Zhi sighed softly. She wished for Shaoyao to find a good man, but faithless men were everywhere in this world while truly good ones were hard to find. Wu Yong's character wasn't bad, but men were visual creatures - they always noticed appearance first. Even men of good character couldn't necessarily control their baser instincts. She didn't believe Wu Yong would be the exception.
A sound came from behind her. Turning, Hua Zhi saw Zeng Han dragging a chair taller than himself toward her. She didn't stop him, simply patting his head when he reached her before using the armrests to sit down. She couldn't stand for long periods anymore, and was grateful this child always remembered.Zeng Han moved his small stool to sit at her feet. Hua Zhi glanced at the book in his hand—it was the half-volume of military strategy books by Master Siqing that she had transcribed just yesterday.
"Do you want to become an official when you grow up, Han'er?"
"No. Father is an official, and Grandfather Hua was once an official too."
Calling Hua Yizheng "Grandfather Hua" was a decision made by Hua Zhi. Aside from addressing Hua Pingyu as "Uncle," Zeng Han followed her lead in all other forms of address.
Hua Zhi nodded understandingly—it was expected. Given his tragic background, it was natural for him to resent officials.
"Then, is there something you want to do?"
Zeng Han hugged his knees and thought for a moment but couldn’t come up with anything. "What do you want me to do?"
"That’s for you to decide. Take your time thinking about it—there’s no rush. You have many years to ponder this question."
Zeng Han nodded and truly stopped thinking about it, lowering his head to open his book and start reading.
Hua Zhi smiled and ruffled his hair. Since he loved reading so much, it might be a good idea to entrust the Hua family’s Book Collection Pavilion to him in the future.
At this moment, Hua Zhi had no idea that Zeng Han would indeed guard the Hua family’s Book Collection Pavilion for the rest of his life. Even after becoming a renowned scholar and author, he never wavered. He didn’t bear the Hua surname, but he declared, "I am the Hua family’s Zeng Han."
That evening, Hua Zhi and Shaoyao lay facing each other on the bed. The child sleeping on the floor had already dozed off, so the two spoke in hushed tones.
"I remember you said your master was preparing a prescription to remove the scars on your face, right?"
"Yes, only the final ingredient is missing. When I left, my master said he would leave the palace to search for it once I returned."
Hua Zhi gently touched her face. It was clear that Shaoyao had excellent features—if the scars could be removed, she would surely be a beauty.
"But my master also said it might not be possible to remove them completely." Shaoyao touched her own face. "I actually don’t think it matters much whether the scars stay or go. I’ve grown used to them over the years, and it’s not like I need to marry anyway."
"...No one said you don’t need to marry. You can marry if you want."
"Why should I marry?" Shaoyao was genuinely puzzled about why she should marry. She wasn’t like those noble maidens who had to marry to survive.
Hua Zhi covered those overly bright eyes. "What if someone proposes to you? Would you still refuse?"
"I’d refuse. Back then, Ling Wang adored my mother so much, yet he changed his heart in the blink of an eye. I don’t have my mother’s beauty, her character, or her talents—how could I expect someone to remain devoted to me forever? I won’t indulge in such foolish dreams."
Hua Zhi chuckled and lowered her hand. Wu Yong didn’t stand a chance—if Shaoyao ever discovered his feelings, she’d probably give him a good scolding.
Suddenly, Shaoyao’s eyes widened, and she propped herself up in alarm. "Hua Hua, you’re not thinking of marrying me off, are you? I promise I won’t disturb you and Yan Ge!"
"How could you possibly disturb us? Would you break down the door while it’s closed?" Hua Zhi pulled her back down to lie properly and tapped her nose. "I just hope that if one day someone truly captures your heart, you won’t force yourself to resist. Don’t leave regrets behind—do what you want. Nothing matters except life and death. You have me and your Yan Ge backing you up. It’s no big deal."
Shaoyao hugged Hua Hua’s arm, resting her head on her shoulder and nuzzling gently. She softly murmured in agreement.PS: The truth about yesterday's missing update: I finished writing, went out for dinner with friends, got carried away drinking too much, came back to revise, and the more I edited the more I felt it was pure garbage—so I deleted everything! Everything! Waking up this morning, I wish I could slap myself twice. If time could rewind, I'd definitely... be more merciful. Four thousand words—could it really be all trash? Surely digging through the garbage pile would yield something salvageable? No need to be so ruthless! Slap... slap... I genuinely don't dare check the comment section today.
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