Hua Zhi was well aware of his purpose for coming. She rose and performed a slight bow. "Master Zheng."
Zheng Zhi dispensed with formalities, returning the greeting before asking directly, "Is that Zeng Han the son of Zeng Xian? How did he come to be with the Hua family?"
"Zeng Xian entrusted his son to me on his deathbed." Mentioning this reminded Hua Zhi of what she had forgotten. She bowed solemnly once more. "It was at your request that I went to visit Zeng Xian, and through this virtuous connection, the Hua family narrowly escaped disaster. We are deeply indebted to you."
"Virtuous connections are forged by one's own actions—what does it have to do with me?" Zheng Zhi waved his hand dismissively. Though he didn't know exactly what had happened at Yinshan Pass, comparing it to the situation in the capital allowed him to guess the general picture. "By having Zeng Han enter the Hua Clan School, do you intend to keep him by your side from now on?"
"As long as he is willing to stay, that is the plan." After a moment's thought, Hua Zhi decided to explain Zeng Han's situation. "His temperament is heavily influenced by Zeng Xian. I want to try to gently guide him while he's still young. Humans live in communities, and he will eventually need to interact with others. Even if he remains unwilling to engage with others after these attempts, it would be good if he could get along well with the Hua family children."
Zheng Zhi's expression shifted slightly. "Nothing else?"
"Such as?"
"Have you considered what path he should take in the future?"
"That is his path to choose—why should I decide it for him?" Hua Zhi smiled. "As long as he doesn't commit crimes, I will support whatever path he chooses."
A sudden smile appeared on Zheng Zhi's face. "I suddenly feel very fortunate to have had ties with the Zeng family, and that I asked you to deliver those items to him."
"I share that sentiment."
"Keeping Zeng Han confined at home won't change his temperament. After my three-year commitment ends, let him travel with me. Broadening his horizons will naturally open his heart, and everything will fall into place."
A thought flashed through Hua Zhi's mind. "Master Zheng, are you...?"
"I wish to take Zeng Han as my student. Would you agree, Miss Hua?"
Hua Zhi felt happy for Xiao Han, but didn't immediately consent. "I need to discuss this with Xiao Han first. He's at a stage where he feels particularly insecure right now. I can't let him think I'm abandoning him or passing him off to you."
"Zeng Han is fortunate." Zheng Zhi cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave. The longer he stayed with the Hua family and the more he understood, the more he appreciated Miss Hua's remarkable qualities. Her way of handling affairs and her breadth of vision surpassed not only most women but also most men. It was as if she possessed a natural ability to see beyond any immediate obstacles—her focus was never on the present, but always on the long-term future. Whether it was Berlin, Sui'an, Zeng Han, or even that unusually positioned Little Six, she treated them all the same way.
If she were a man, if she could hold high office in the future, it would be a blessing for Daqing. What a pity!
Unaware of Zheng Zhi's many reflections, Hua Zhi was counting days on her fingers. The south was now in post-disaster recovery, meaning the floods should have largely receded. The fishing company, upon receiving the news, should quickly prepare goods. Accounting for fifteen to twenty days of travel time, they would arrive after the Autumn Examination but before the results were posted—this timing would actually be perfect for opening the business.
Thinking of the Autumn Examination reminded Hua Zhi of the Pure Conversation Gathering. The Wei Family wanted to replace the Hua family—she wondered if this was the Emperor's directive. If so, then the Emperor wanted to establish another family to weaken the Hua family's influence. Considering it this way, it seemed quite possible.If her memory served her right, the one who succeeded her grandfather as the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy was Wei Rongwen from the Wei family.
Truly, they intended to take over everything from the Hua family.
Hua Zhi picked up her brush and wrote the character "Wei" in bold strokes, then circled it.
She had no intention of telling Yan Xi about this matter. Yan Xi had done everything he could for her—even things he shouldn't have done, risking himself more than once. That was enough. Since the Emperor intended to use the Wei family, if Yan Xi were to act against them for her sake, it would be like slapping the Emperor in the face—far too dangerous.
Setting the matter aside for now, Hua Zhi went to the clan school to fetch Zeng Han. After changing into new clothes, the child, now more settled, appeared in good spirits, his eyes gleaming with a newfound brightness.
"Mr. Zheng is an old friend of your father's. It was at his request that I first went to visit your father. Do you remember?"
Zeng Han nodded.
"Today, he came to see me. He admires your talent and wishes to take you on as his student. Are you willing?"
Without hesitation, Zeng Han shook his head.
"Why?"
"I want to stay with you."
Just as expected. Hua Zhi felt both touched and helpless. She pulled the child to sit down, carefully choosing her words as she spoke gently, "Xiao Han, do you know the meaning of home?"
Zeng Han simply looked at her.
Unbothered by his silence, Hua Zhi continued, "Home is the place you can return to, no matter where you go or how far you fly, when you're tired or weary. The Hua family is your home. But I don't want you to clip your own wings and confine yourself forever within these walls, thinking the world is only as big as the patch of sky above your head—never having seen majestic mountains, never having roamed across vast grasslands, never having felt the boundless expanse of the ocean... Xiao Han, the world is vast, and the capital is but a tiny corner of it. Mr. Zheng is someone who can guide you beyond it."
Zeng Han's eyes flickered with interest, clearly tempted, yet he reached out and tightly grasped Hua Zhi's sleeve.
Hua Zhi chuckled softly, enclosing his small hand in her palm. "My knowledge is far inferior to Mr. Zheng's. His conduct and character are trustworthy, and I would feel at ease with you under his guidance. Home will always be here—it won't disappear. No matter when you return, your home will be waiting, your room will always be yours, and no one can take it from you. Besides, this is all in the future. Mr. Zheng has a three-year commitment to the clan school, with two and a half years still remaining. Even if you become his student, you'll still live at home. If, after two years, you don't wish to travel with Mr. Zheng, I won't force you."
After a moment of thought, Zeng Han finally gave a slight nod. Because you want me to be willing, I am willing.
Hua Zhi couldn't hide her joy, feeling genuinely happy for Xiao Han from the bottom of her heart. Zheng Zhi was different from Mu Qing. Mu Qing had once been entirely focused on the imperial examinations—his learning was systematic, his foundation solid, and his basics well-established. The downside was that it made him rather rigid, though Mu Qing was among the better ones in that regard.
If Mu Qing belonged to the academic school, then Zheng Zhi was of the experiential school. He truly applied his learning in practice, and his rich life experiences shaped his unique perspective. Perhaps he wouldn't produce a top scholar, but he could cultivate good officials.
Xiao Han didn't need to take the imperial examinations or necessarily become an official. If he could learn just a fraction of Zheng Zhi's free-spiritedness and broad-mindedness, it would be enough. Hua Zhi was merely concerned that his temperament might too easily lead him to extremes.
Zheng Zhi was a man of action. Upon learning that Zeng Han had agreed, he came over on his own, signaled a maid to pour a cup of tea for Zeng Han, and seated himself in the place of honor, waiting to receive the ceremonial tea from his new disciple.
Hua Zhi: "..."Yet she still had to serve as the witness. Fortunately, she had already instructed Xiao Han on what to do beforehand. Sitting to the side, she watched as the child knelt on the cushion with both hands holding the teacup and called out "Teacher."
Zheng Zhi nodded with satisfaction, took the tea, and drank half the cup in one gulp. "I don’t have many rules here. Following the Hua family’s rules is enough. If you have any questions, you can always come to me."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi had always thought Berlin’s apprenticeship ceremony was simple enough, but only after seeing this comparison did she realize that had actually been quite proper. Xiao Han’s ceremony was truly minimalistic. Later, she would have to make up for all the formal apprenticeship gifts.
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