When the children saw her, they greeted her with delighted bows. Hua Zhi spoke with them for a while, inquired about their studies, and then let them return to their rooms.
Although Xiao Han hadn’t said a word, Hua Zhi could tell he was somewhat happy, so she smiled along and said, “Later, I’ll have someone select a suitable child from the household servants to be your book attendant. The Clan school has a library—though the collection isn’t large, it should be enough for you. If you wish to borrow books, you can register them yourself in the ledger and mark them as returned when you’re done.”
Zeng Han nodded.
“The children in the family are generally well-behaved, but as a newcomer, it’s inevitable that you might face some exclusion. I know you won’t tell me about it, but Xiao Han, don’t let yourself be taken advantage of, and don’t bottle up your grievances. If you can’t bear it anymore, make a stunning move to show them. You’re clever enough to know how to handle it, aren’t you?”
Zeng Han shook his head. “There’s no exclusion.”
It was just that they didn’t pay him much attention. Wasn’t that normal since they didn’t know each other?
Hua Zhi was taken aback for a moment, then gently stroked his cheek and said softly, “Alright, no exclusion then. But Xiao Han, can you promise me that if anything happens, you’ll tell me?”
“Okay.”
“Also, don’t stay up too late reading.”
Zeng Han nodded again.
Hua Zhi personally helped him wash his hands and face and loosened his hair. The loose strands made the already delicate child appear even softer. Children of his age with fine features often seemed androgynous, but Xiao Han was different—no one would mistake his gender.
“Children in the Hua family don’t have maidservants attending to them. I have many responsibilities and might not always be able to look after you, so from now on, you’ll need to handle some minor tasks yourself. The book attendant will accompany you and help you with things like tying your hair. Don’t worry—he’ll be waiting outside your door first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.”
He was so well-behaved it tugged at her heartstrings. Hua Zhi patted his head. “Sleep early.”
Zeng Han watched her leave and saw the door slowly close, yet he felt no unease. He knew she was very close by and that she would never abandon him.
When she returned to the front courtyard, Yan Xi had already finished his meal and drunk half a cup of tea. Hua Zhi picked up another cup, took a few sips, and then turned to instruct, “Su Momo, select a child around six or seven years old from the household servants to serve Xiao Han. Make sure the child is clever and protective of his master—not one with too many schemes.”
From these words, Su Momo understood her young lady’s attitude toward the newly arrived young master. Not daring to be careless, she acknowledged the order and went to discuss the matter with Steward Xu.
“You’re being too attentive to him,” someone remarked.
“Don’t tell me you think I haven’t been attentive enough to you,” Hua Zhi retorted, shooting him a glance. These past few days, it seemed as if he had eaten too much pickled vegetables—he kept giving off a sour vibe.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yanxi nodded in agreement. “You could be even more attentive to me.”
“Lu Xiansheng, your face has fallen to the ground.”
“Pfft…” Bao Xia, who was serving in the room while maintaining propriety, couldn’t hold back a laugh. She quickly curtsied, stifling her amusement, and retreated from the room.
Every line on Gu Yanxi’s face was smiling. Such ease and relaxation only came when he was with A Zhi. But since she had even brought out the long-unused address “Lu Xiansheng,” he knew he shouldn’t provoke her further.
Clearing his throat lightly, Gu Yanxi shifted to matters at court. “Today at the grand assembly, Lord Zhu submitted a proposal to use old grain stores for disaster relief and suggested purchasing new grain from the Flame Country to replenish the granaries. The Emperor has agreed.”Seeing that A Zhi wasn't surprised, Gu Yanxi immediately understood that this idea had likely come from her. He smiled and said, "After the court session, Lord Zhu requested an audience with the Emperor, intending to make an issue of the iron mine incident where the Flame Country had previously swindled Daqing. The Emperor agreed."
"With the national treasury depleted, the Emperor would naturally agree to anything that could save some silver." Mentioning the treasury reminded Hua Zhi of something. "Yanxi, did you know the treasury now only has nine million taels of silver left?"
"I happened to be present when Lord Zhu met with the Emperor today and only learned of it when he mentioned it." The smile gradually faded from Gu Yanxi's face. Although the Seven Constellation Bureau held great power, its personnel had always been kept within certain limits—a restraint imposed by successive emperors. Consequently, they couldn't oversee everything, let alone monitor the national treasury.
"Even if we can offset part of the silver with old grain reserves, based on previous years' figures, disaster relief funds should range from six hundred thousand to eight hundred thousand taels. That would account for nearly one-tenth of the national treasury. With such severe disasters this year, tax exemptions are necessary to give the people a chance to recover. If we can't purchase large quantities of grain from the Flame Country, and if our enemies discover this weakness... Do you know why I advised my grandfather to use old grain reserves for disaster relief despite being aware of this?"
Gu Yanxi had always thought this move served two purposes: saving disaster relief funds and preventing profiteering during the resale of old grain. Could there be more to it?
Hua Zhi lowered her head with a light laugh. "Yanxi, did you know that sometimes granaries aren't filled with grain? That some granaries contain more stones than grain? If we use old grain for disaster relief now, do you think those people would have time to cover up these deficits?"
She looked up, meeting Yanxi's gaze with a somewhat mischievous smile. "Isn't the national treasury empty? Slaughter a few fat rats and we'll have substantial income."
Gu Yanxi suddenly stood up and approached, gently drawing A Zhi into his arms. "It's my incompetence that has made you exhaust yourself like this."
Hua Zhi bit her lip, relaxing as she rested her head against the man's chest. Clutching his lapel, she murmured, "Yanxi, I feel somewhat panicked."
She feared that even with all her calculations, she might not change the outcome. She feared a bottomless abyss ahead that no one could escape. She feared becoming a casualty of chaotic times. She feared her blood relatives would die or be bullied. She feared Berlin would suffer hardships before ever realizing his ambitions. She also feared Yanxi would die on the battlefield. If it came to such an end, she would rather die before them.
"It won't come to that. Believe me." Gu Yanxi's heart ached unbearably. A Zhi was so proud by nature—she wouldn't show such vulnerability unless she truly couldn't bear it anymore.
He lowered his head to kiss her crown, comforting her, "I'm already working to resolve internal troubles. Without internal worries, what do we have to fear from the Chao Li Tribe? Our ancestors could defeat the Chao Li Kingdom at its peak, and so can we."
"Back then, the founding emperor had my ancestor by his side. Who does the current Emperor have now? You?"
"Rather, I have you by my side."
Hua Zhi laughed self-deprecatingly. "I dare not compare myself to my ancestor—the gap is too vast."
Gu Yanxi lifted her head, firmly meeting her gaze. "Did you know that whenever I'm in the capital, most government decrees are issued by me?"
Hua Zhi froze. What was the Emperor doing..."The Emperor's concentration is easily disrupted these days. Yu Lao says this is a lingering effect of the cinnabar poisoning and cannot be cured. When I'm not around, he can still manage to hold on, but when I am present, he merely makes an appearance at court assemblies. All government affairs are handled by me, and all matters concerning the Chao Li Tribe are entirely arranged and managed by me. A Zhi, I can't bear to see you suffer, but you're the only one who can help me."
Hua Zhi's lips moved, but not a single word came out.
With such an attitude, was the Emperor truly planning to bypass his own sons and directly pass the throne to his nephew?
PS: I've revised the last half-chapter over and over, to the point where I feel like banging my head against the wall. Tomorrow marks the start of a new month, ladies, remember to cast your guaranteed monthly votes for Kong Kong. This month, we've been stuck in second place and couldn't manage to climb to the top.
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