Gu Yanxi and Wu Yong deliberated at length over the deployment arrangements. Hua Zhi listened without interjecting.
Even standing on the shoulders of giants, she couldn’t become a general overnight. While she seemed to grasp the discussion, understanding and mastery were two entirely different matters.
Once the plans were settled, Wu Yong took his leave, and Hua Yizheng also departed to attend to his new duties. The room fell into quiet.
“This morning, I asked Shaoyao. She said it might still be a bit premature for you to return to the capital,” Gu Yanxi rose and sat beside A Zhi. “But I still hope you’ll come back with me. Leaving you here worries me.”
During the days he had to return alone, he had been constantly anxious, fearing something might happen to her in his absence. When the Emperor permitted him to head north again, he wished he possessed the ability to fly and burrow into the earth, arriving before A Zhi in the blink of an eye.
This time, after returning, he wouldn’t be coming back for a while. He simply couldn’t rest easy leaving her here. Moreover, she would eventually have to go back to the capital. With Bingzhou’s rugged customs, how could he not worry?
“It is time to return,” Hua Zhi smiled. The capital home was filled with children and women—she was concerned about them too.
“Shall we leave tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Gu Yanxi’s eyes brimmed with laughter, his tone softening further. “I plan to have Chen Qing sound out Haoyue, to see if she has any insights into the current situation. Since she excels at divination, she should be able to foresee something.”
Hua Zhi’s heart stirred. “Do you trust her now?”
“No, I trust you more. Besides, I already have a plan in mind.” Gu Yanxi picked up a cup of tea and handed it to A Zhi. “I won’t sit back and wait for them to attack us. The best defense is a good offense. Once the reinforcements and Wu Yong’s troops are coordinated, and Wu Xing is ready, I’ll strike first—eliminate the tribes on the grasslands to prevent the Daqing Dynasty from being attacked from both sides… A Zhi?”
Hua Zhi laughed heartily, her eyes glistening with tears of genuine joy.
Without explaining, she walked to the desk, pulled out a sheet of paper from beneath a stack of books, and handed it to the man who had followed her.
Puzzled, Gu Yanxi unfolded it. Seeing the three lines written there, he couldn’t help but laugh as well. What is meant by being kindred spirits? This was it!
How fortunate he was.
Hua Zhi tilted her head to look at him, her heart pounding fiercely. It was as if she had witnessed the seed of love sprout, watched it grow, and now saw it bloom. This feeling of watching herself fall was truly wondrous.
She thought, she had come to understand the taste of love—a depth beyond mere liking, right here, right now.
It was this man named Gu Yanxi.
“Gu Yanxi.”
“Hmm?” Hearing A Zhi call his full name, Gu Yanxi instinctively looked up.
“It’s nothing. I just felt like saying your name.” Hua Zhi clasped her hands behind her back, lifted her chin, and walked away. Her smug little expression made Gu Yanxi chuckle inwardly, filling his heart with sweetness.
Suddenly, it dawned on him—he seemed to understand the meaning behind her calling his name. He wanted to respond but didn’t know how. In his urgency, he quickly caught up to her and wrapped her tightly in his embrace. Only then could he be sure that the invisible veil that had always stood between them had finally vanished—this person truly had him in her heart.
When A Zhi’s arms encircled his waist, his joy deepened. A Zhi was never one to conceal her feelings; this was her most straightforward response.
“A Zhi, A Zhi, A Zhi…”Gu Yanxi called out repeatedly, and Hua Zhi responded each time. A sudden wave of shyness washed over her, yet she had no desire to evade it. Though her cheeks flushed crimson, her heart felt at ease.
Shaoyao pressed her face against the door, peeking through the crack for a long while, secretly displeased. They've been embracing for so long—hmph, still holding on! Hua Hua is being taken advantage of completely!
"Are they still talking?" Hua Pingyu strolled over. Startled, Shaoyao straightened up and blocked the doorway, raising her voice to reply, "They're still discussing matters. Do you need Hua Hua for something?"
"Nothing urgent. Let her continue."
Just as he spoke, the door creaked open. Shaoyao shot Yan Ge a glare, nudged him aside, and stood close to Hua Hua.
"Father." An inexplicable embarrassment surged in Hua Zhi's heart, as if she had nearly been caught in a secret romance. Fortunately, she was thick-skinned and showed no trace of it on her face.
"Finished with your matters?"
"Mmm, I was just about to tell you," Hua Zhi changed the subject, "I plan to return tomorrow."
Hua Pingyu opened his mouth but remained silent for a moment before sighing softly. "Can your body endure such a long journey?"
"I've mostly recovered, and Shaoyao will accompany me. There's no need to worry."
"That's good, that's good. I'll write another letter for you to bring back to your mother."
"No rush. Please inform the others as well."
Hua Pingyu nodded. As he left, he glanced at Gu Yanxi. Knowing that Zhi Er would be returning with him brought both relief and concern. As a man, he could best discern another man's sincerity. Gu Yanxi cared for Zhi Er with utmost devotion, but he feared that unforeseen circumstances might eventually tear them apart.
Upon learning that Hua Zhi was returning to the capital, the entire Hua family seemed to finally realize that their eldest daughter was leaving. The chilly atmosphere of the past few days noticeably shifted. Hua Zhi acted as if she noticed nothing, accepting the letters from home handed to her and politely engaging with those who came to bid farewell. On the surface, everything appeared unchanged.
Hua Pingyang looked at his niece's calm expression and sighed. "Why must you do this? Wouldn't it be better to let everyone remember only your kindness?"
"Because I cannot let the Hua family become Hua Zhi's family," Hua Zhi smiled. "I thought Fourth Uncle understood."
Hua Pingyang did understand. He knew this was best for the Hua family, but his heart ached for this niece who calculated every move. Those who see too clearly often suffer the most.
"Fourth Uncle, please tell Grandfather that I truly don't mind. This isn't just empty comfort—if I truly cared, I wouldn't have acted this way. To put it bluntly, it's because my bonds with them aren't deep. If Berlin dared to behave like this, just see how I'd deal with him."
Hua Pingyang chuckled and tapped her lightly, saying no more. He believed Zhi Er's words. She never sought the spotlight or crowded around others, having little contact with her brothers aside from their blood ties. It was unlikely she held deep affection for them, yet the hurt had undoubtedly been inflicted.
Hua Pingyang lowered his gaze. It didn't matter. He was only nine years older than Zhi Er. He would raise his son well, push Berlin to strive harder, and ensure he could be her unwavering support for life.
"Fourth Uncle, you must stay vigilant here. The Daqing Dynasty isn't very stable now, and no one knows what changes may occur." Hua Zhi shifted the topic. "After dividing into inner and outer cities, whether the Hua family resides in the outer or inner city is your decision. I may have overstepped, but you must understand—I've grown accustomed to making decisions while managing household affairs in the capital.""Is Mother no longer managing affairs at all?"
Hua Zhi lied without changing her expression, "Not entirely. Grandmother remains the Hua family's pillar of stability, though she has completely entrusted external matters to me."
"That's as it should be. Mother may handle household affairs well enough, but external matters are likely beyond her capabilities."
"Fourth Uncle, I'll be reporting this to her when I return."
Hua Pingyang glared at her, but seeing her smiling face, he couldn't help laughing himself.
PS: Let's maintain the pace of three updates every other day, though today's three updates haven't been written yet.
OpenNovel