After the autumn rain, the weather had noticeably cooled, and with the Autumn Examination approaching, the capital saw a clear increase in scholars dressed in academic attire.
"Miss, we received thirty-seven more name cards this morning." Hua Zhi had just finished breakfast when Bao Xia entered, carrying a small box. These days, her greatest joy was collecting the cards from the gatehouse—a task she refused to let anyone else take over.
"Thirty-seven? That’s even more than before." Ying Chun smiled, her eyes crinkling, and the other maids in the room laughed along. They were all happy for their mistress. Even in adversity, so many still remembered her.
Hua Zhi gently stroked the box, her expression relaxed. With these thirty-seven cards, the total had reached ninety-one—and this was only the third day. With six days left until the Autumn Examination, the numbers were likely to increase daily. They could do no more than this restrained yet unwilling gesture to support the faith they held in their hearts.
As she had done the previous days, Hua Zhi personally replied to each card, signing her own name.
On the seventh day of the ninth lunar month, Hua Zhi waited quietly at the estate’s entrance.
She didn’t need to guess how much of a stir this had caused outside. She remained composed amidst it all, and when Gu Yanxi arrived, he didn’t mention a word about it.
Since he didn’t bring it up, she didn’t ask, treating it as entirely ordinary.
"I need to go to Yuzhou. Haoyue has provided a lead."
"About the Chao Li Tribe?"
"Yes." Gu Yanxi’s expression was grave. "Yuan Shifang, Tong Yi, and the maid serving the princess—they all came from Yuzhou."
Hua Zhi looked at him intently. "What happened?"
Gu Yanxi lifted his head.
Hua Zhi leaned forward and touched the corner of his eye. "It’s red here. What has angered you so?"
"Red" was an understatement—Gu Yanxi’s eyes were bloodshot, and he looked utterly exhausted. He covered A Zhi’s hand with his own and said softly, "I thoroughly investigated every member of the imperial family and uncovered six remnants of the Chao Li Tribe. Combined with those found earlier, the number of spies they planted within the imperial household is close to twenty. If we had discovered this any later… the consequences would be unimaginable."
"And now…"
"We’ll screen them again. There may still be some we missed." In this matter, he would rather be safe than sorry—no mercy for the guilty!
The Chao Li Tribe had gone too far!
"I suspect there aren’t many Chao Li Tribe members left hidden among us." Hua Zhi didn’t rush to withdraw her hand, resting her cheek on the other. "Most of the remnants we’ve uncovered so far were found close to members of the imperial family. This suggests they targeted the royal household specifically, which indirectly proves they lacked the manpower for broader arrangements. Otherwise, why would we only find them near imperial relatives?"
Gu Yanxi nodded slightly. "I’ve already investigated key officials and found only one."
They exchanged a glance, both feeling a sense of relief. If there were many more like this, they truly wouldn’t be able to handle it.
"When are you leaving?"
"Early tomorrow morning. If anything happens, seek out Wang Rong—he will assist you fully."
"Don’t worry. Here in the capital, the only one I can’t withstand for now is the emperor himself. Given the current gathering of scholars, I doubt even he would dare act against me, no matter how displeased he might be."
Gu Yanxi smiled wryly. A Zhi saw everything too clearly.
Since they had met and grown close, separations were frequent. They had grown accustomed to this pattern of interaction. Apart from an added layer of longing, Hua Zhi’s life remained largely unchanged.
"Miss, Third Young Lady is here."Third Miss? Hua Zhi’s mind was so preoccupied that she felt a moment of confusion—which younger sister was Third Miss again?
When she saw the person, she matched the name to the face: Third Younger Sister, Hua Ling.
Fourth Aunt had mentioned a few times that the sisters took turns managing household affairs, and their performance was quite commendable. Their relationships had also grown much more harmonious. However, the tasks they handled happened to be the ones Hua Zhi disliked, and since she was often away from home, she rarely interacted with them.
"Elder Sister."
Hua Zhi smiled gently. "It’s rare for you to come looking for me. Is something the matter?"
Hua Ling glanced at the thick stacks of documents piled on the desk and nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Am I disturbing you, Elder Sister?"
"Not at all. I was just about to take a break. Sit and talk."
Hua Ling sat down anxiously, unsure how to broach the purpose of her visit.
Ying Chun, perceptive as ever, served tea. The warmth of the teacup comforted Hua Ling slightly. She lowered her head and said, "Elder Sister, I dreamed of Grandmother last night. She seemed to be in great pain. I... I want to go to Great Clumsy Temple to pray for her."
Hua Zhi recalled that she, too, had dreamed of Grandmother recently. In the dream, Grandmother had said she was suffering...
Seeing Hua Zhi remain silent, Hua Ling mistakenly thought she disagreed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she lifted her head, her voice choked with sobs. "Elder Sister, please let me go. Grandmother loved me dearly when she was alive. I... I feel so heartbroken seeing her suffer in the dream. I want to help her, Elder Sister. I... I... Waa!"
Hua Zhi sighed softly. She had never been one to seek others’ company, but Hua Ling and Hua Xin were both sweet-tongued and renowned for their talents. Naturally, Grandmother had doted on them. Remembering this fondness was a good thing—how could Hua Zhi possibly refuse?
"I’ll arrange for two guards to accompany you. If I recall correctly, Great Clumsy Temple doesn’t accommodate overnight guests, does it?"
"Yes, yes." Hua Ling’s tears turned to joy as she smiled through them. "I’ll leave early in the morning and return in the afternoon. I won’t linger on the way."
"Alright, wipe your tears now. Su Momo, please prepare the necessary items." Noticing the redness in Su Momo’s eyes, Hua Zhi had a thought and added, "As it happens, I need to send some items to Master Banruo. It wouldn’t be proper for a young lady like Third Younger Sister to go alone. Su Momo, please accompany her and take on this task. Also, bring extra incense money and ask the master to perform a ritual for Grandmother."
Su Momo responded with a choked "Yes."
Hua Ling left with light, brisk steps. At the doorway, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance back. Though they lived under the same roof, opportunities to see Elder Sister were scarce. She was always busy—managing the family’s businesses, preparing supplies for the elders in the north, resolving various household issues. Most of her days were spent in the front courtyard, while the rear courtyard remained as tranquil as ever.
They couldn’t be of much help, so they focused on handling their own tasks as well as possible, avoiding adding to Elder Sister’s burdens.
If it weren’t for last night’s dream, she wouldn’t have disturbed Elder Sister. Elder Sister was truly so busy.
"Liu Xiang, inform Lan Qiao that all the mushrooms delivered tomorrow should be set aside. Also, withhold a portion from the vegetarian kitchen’s share. Load a full cart for Su Momo to take. And pack some mushroom powder and a few jars of that mushroom oil too."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi touched the bracelet on her wrist that she never removed, then picked up her brush to write down the method for preparing mushroom oil, along with several recipes for cooking mushrooms. She planned to have Su Momo deliver these tomorrow as well. She had not forgotten how Master Banruo had stepped in to support them during Grandmother’s funeral—a kindness she still held in her heart.That was truly the most difficult time for the Hua family. It was the arrival of Master Banruo that prevented Grandmother from leaving in too much disgrace.
PS: Added the third watch. Guess what the plot will be next.
OpenNovel