As soon as Hua Qin and her husband left, Liu Xiang entered and said softly, "Miss Shaoyao has arrived with the young master. Hearing you were with guests, they went to wait in the side room. Also, the old steward has returned and is waiting outside."
It was indeed inconvenient for Zeng Han to be seen by others at the moment. She nodded, "Have the steward come in."
"Yes."
The old steward entered and respectfully presented the reply card with both hands. "Since Lord Jiang had already gone to his office, the chief steward of the Jiang Family personally went to fetch the reply from him. He said Lord Jiang would definitely attend on time."
Hua Zhi opened the invitation card and looked at it, then placed it in the drawer. "You've worked hard, steward. Please go and rest. If there's anything, just have Li De handle it."
The old steward smiled and acknowledged.
Hua Zhi said no more and stood up to walk out.
The door to the adjacent room was closed, but before Hua Zhi could knock, it opened from inside. Shaoyao's head popped out, nearly pressing against Hua Zhi's face.
Pushing the face away, the door opened fully, revealing the child sitting quietly inside. Dressed in plain clothes, the boy seemed to have lost some weight, his eyes only showing a slight flicker of emotion when they met Hua Zhi's.
He stood up and walked silently to Hua Zhi, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head lightly against her abdomen. There were no overt emotions, no complaints, yet he clearly expressed his closeness.
Hua Zhi was momentarily stunned. Coming to her senses, she immediately patted his shoulder and stroked his head in response.
Shaoyao sounded a bit jealous. "He speaks less than ten sentences to me all day."
Ignoring her, Hua Zhi led the child to the table and sat down, pulling a round stool over and having him sit on it.
"I've had a room prepared for you. From now on, you'll live with me. Are you willing?"
Zeng Han's eyes widened suddenly. He had thought that once his family's residence and properties were returned to him, he would go back to his own home. Was this person still willing to take him in?
"Not willing? Then..."
Before she could finish, she saw the child nodding vigorously, like a chicken pecking at rice.
Hua Zhi smiled and stroked his head again. "Good. There are many children in the household, and the clan school is in the front courtyard. After your family's case is settled, you'll study with the Hua family children. Also, when your family's residence is returned, we'll need to hire someone to set up a memorial tablet for your parents. On the first and fifteenth of each month, and during festivals, you'll need to go back to offer incense. As for your family's properties, my suggestion is to sell whatever can be sold and keep the silver for yourself. But if you ever need to use large sums of money, I hope you'll tell me. I'm much older than you and understand the world better. I may not always be able to help, but I would never harm you."
Zeng Han pressed his lips together and nodded.
"You were fine when we returned to the capital. How did you lose so much weight in just a few days?" Hua Zhi looked at Shaoyao. "Is he sick?"
"He's not sick. I don't know how he managed to eat well even with the food at Yinshan Pass, but living with me at the Heir Apparent Residence with fine rice and flour, he's actually lost weight." Shaoyao pouted. She could guess the reason somewhat—no matter how well others treated him, it couldn't compare to the closeness he felt with Hua Hua, whom his father had entrusted him to on his deathbed. With Hua Hua not by his side, the child must have felt somewhat unsettled, even if he appeared no different from usual.
"Perhaps he's a bit unaccustomed to the environment. He might get better in a few days. Coming to my home is actually suitable—we're all observing mourning together." Hua Zhi smiled and turned to instruct, "Have Lanqiao prepare some vegetarian dishes that children like."
"Yes.""Observing the mourning period for a full year certainly won't do - you're still young and your body can't endure it. Let it be three months instead. I believe your father wouldn't blame you."
Zeng Han naturally followed whatever Hua Zhi said. He remained reticent and maintained his usual calm expression, but being a child after all, he couldn't completely suppress his emotions, and the relief showing through his expression was clearly visible.
Hua Zhi straightened his collar, thinking that he had been wearing only those two sets of clothes she bought earlier throughout this journey. She pulled him up and signaled Liu Xiang to come take his measurements. "My mother and aunts don't have much to occupy them these days. Let them make Xiao Han several new outfits. Oh, and after the mourning period ends, everyone can start wearing brighter colored clothes. Ying Chun, make a note of this - when the time is right, invite Madam Ji to bring some fabric samples to the residence so everyone can choose their own. We'll have winter clothes made for everyone."
"Yes."
After Hua Hua finished with her business matters, Shaoyao sneakily approached to share some gossip. "Early this morning, the steward from Ling Wang's residence came to the Heir Apparent Residence."
Hua Zhi was now thoroughly familiar with the complicated affairs of Ling Wang's household, and knew immediately this couldn't mean anything good. "What do they want?"
"They came bearing the argument of 'parental orders and matchmaker's words' to make Yan Ge agree to an arranged marriage." The mockery in Shaoyao's eyes was nearly overflowing. "Yan Ge didn't even bother to see them personally - he directly had Chen Qing throw them out of the residence."
"Aren't you worried Ling Wang might impeach Yan Xi for being unfilial and disrespectful?"
"He's impeached him before! And it's not certain who ends up worse off!"
That was true. Given how highly the Emperor favored Yan Xi, using this reason to impeach him wouldn't succeed. The Emperor understood that messy situation perfectly clearly, as evidenced by how he protected Yan Xi. It was obvious he disapproved of Ling Wang's actions. If not for the fact that all other brothers had died, requiring one to remain publicly to silence gossip, Ling Wang probably wouldn't still be living so arrogantly.
"Which family did Ling Wang arrange the marriage with?"
"A daughter of the Wei Family."
"..." How remarkably coincidental. First they seize the Hua family's Scholarly Discussions, and now they want to take her man? Hua Zhi lightly tapped her fingers, mentally noting this score. She'd have Yan Xi go to Haoyue later to fish for information about what fate awaited the Wei Family. No, wait - they should first find out which faction the Wei Family actually supported.
However, "Ling Wang should have long understood what Yan Xi's attitude toward him is. Why suddenly think of arranging a marriage for him? Who's stirring up trouble behind this?"
Shaoyao gave Hua Hua a thumbs-up. "Yan Ge said the same thing. He's already sent people to investigate. Ling Wang's only virtue is having some self-awareness - he knows exactly how much Yan Xi hates him. All these years, he's avoided coming to Yan Ge unless absolutely necessary, to avoid causing displeasure."
Shaoyao suddenly sneered, "Thinking carefully, it seems those few times were all for that sickly son of his. Such profound father-son affection."
Hua Zhi pinched her cheek, diverting this topic that easily agitated her. "It's been a while since you've eaten Fu Dong's cooking, hasn't it? Take advantage before the seafood business gets busy - go have her make you some special dishes. She'll be quite occupied soon."
"Hua Hua, you're the best! Then I'll really go now." Shaoyao's eyes lit up, and as Hua Zhi hoped, she immediately forgot all about those troublesome matters.
"Go on, go on. Better than staying here disturbing me."Shaoyao let out a cheer and scampered away joyfully. After being away for so many days, what she missed most was Fu Dong's cooking. Soon, not only would Fu Dong be busy, but she herself would also be tied down. Her master was determined to leave the palace, and she had to take over the position—otherwise, how could her master possibly leave?
Ah, she truly had no desire at all to stay in that wretched palace. Everyone there appeared glamorous and splendid on the surface, but deep down, none were any cleaner than the others. The innocent, the soft-hearted, the kind—they had all perished, either by their own hands or at the hands of others. Those who remained were thoroughly corrupted.
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