Chapter 381: The Emperor's Interest
Such a major incident naturally created significant ripples.
Countless scholars who had come for the examinations temporarily lost interest in their studies, gathering in small groups to discuss the central figure—the eldest daughter of the Hua family.
While some disapproved of her aggressive stance, the majority were delighted.
They had long heard of the eldest daughter's reputation, but hearing about it was nothing compared to witnessing it firsthand. Did you see? Did you see? The eldest daughter actually managed to suppress Lord Wei. Calling her a shrew? Bah! Would it really be right to wait at home for a sister whose reputation had been ruined, as the eldest daughter said?
Criticizing the eldest daughter for being forceful? If not for her strength, the Hua family in the capital would have long been devoured. She fiercely protects her family, resolutely confronts those who bully the Hua family, and courageously fights for her kin—what is wrong with that?
Look at the children of the Hua family, all wearing identical clothes stained with ink, clearly having rushed from the academy. What does this signify? It shows that the Hua children have not forgotten their roots. And seeing how they protect the eldest daughter, it’s evident how well she has raised them. With such descendants, how could the Hua family truly fall into ruin?
Even those who still believed women should defer to men had to admit that the Hua family currently needed someone like her. To put it bluntly, sacrificing the eldest daughter alone could save the Hua family—it was worth it.
Precisely because they knew she was the one willingly sacrificed, they found it even harder to blame her.
The matter had spread throughout the capital, and the increasingly unpredictable Emperor in the palace had also learned of it.
"How truly amusing," the Emperor chuckled, his brows drooping. "How did a family of scholars like the Hua family raise such a daughter?"
Lai Fu no longer dared to speculate on the Emperor's thoughts. Hearing this, he bent his waist even lower, not daring to respond.
The Emperor laughed a few more times before leisurely asking, "I’ve heard that the Hua daughter is known as the God of Wealth, with the ability to turn stone into gold?"
Lai Fu smiled cautiously, weighing his words carefully. "Whether she is truly that remarkable, this old servant does not know. I’ve only heard that several business ventures she undertook this year have been profitable. She moved the Hua family’s branch from the east of the city to the south, and to this day, there has been no word of the Hua family facing any disgrace due to financial difficulties."
"Oh? She supports the entire branch?"
"Yes. Previously, a Hua daughter voluntarily became a concubine to the Feng family’s young master. This was spread by the Feng family’s young master himself."
"A Hua daughter as a concubine?" The Emperor’s smile turned cold. "Is she not afraid of angering Hua Jingyan back to life?"
Lai Fu lowered his gaze. "The Hua family’s eldest daughter publicly severed ties with her on the day she left to marry."
The Emperor was quite surprised. Both were her sisters, yet she expelled the one who became a concubine while risking her life to protect the one who was bullied. Quite principled, indeed.
"I’ve heard many scholars have sent name cards to the Hua family."
Lai Fu’s back was already damp with sweat. Unable to discern the Emperor’s true attitude toward Hua Zhi, he replied as cautiously as possible, "Yes, the Hua daughter’s response to all was the same: she arranged to meet the scholars on the seventh day of the ninth month."
Knowing about the name cards, the Emperor was also aware of the reply’s content. The examinations began on the ninth, yet she scheduled the meeting for the seventh. Hua Zhi was no fool; she must know that the Hua family no longer had the standing to host Scholarly Discussions. Moreover, Pure Conversation Gatherings were traditionally held after the Autumn Examination. What was her purpose? To win hearts for Hua Yizheng? As a mere woman?No, she wouldn't be so overconfident.
The Emperor looked on with keen interest—he was actually somewhat looking forward to it.
An attendant came to report, "Your Majesty, Lord Wei has come to confess his faults."
"Send him away." The Emperor frowned, then reconsidered and amended, "Tell him I trust him and he should handle matters as he sees fit."
"Yes."
Lai Fu's heart skipped a beat—which family was the Emperor actually favoring? If he favored the Wei Family, this was clearly setting a trap. But if he favored the Hua family, it didn't seem that way, and there was no reason for it.
"Lai Fu, what do you think about having that Hua family woman earn silver for me? I'm quite poor these days."
Lai Fu didn't know whether the Emperor's words were sincere or not, so he could only reply accordingly, "It would be her honor to serve Your Majesty."
"That may not be the case." The Emperor laughed heartily, "Hua Yizheng personally taught her—her temper is probably as strong as that old man himself."
Lai Fu bowed deeply, not daring to respond.
Fortunately, the Emperor didn't continue the topic and instead said, "On the seventh, send someone to see what tricks that Hua family woman is playing."
"Yes." Seeing that the Emperor had no further instructions, Lai Fu bowed and withdrew.
Just as he reached the doorway, the Emperor's voice drifted leisurely after him, "My Yan Xi cannot be wrong. If anything is amiss, it must be others at fault. Lai Fu, remember that."
Lai Fu's heart pounded like a drum, and he barely managed to keep his legs from giving way. He stood frozen, not daring to move.
"Dismissed."
Once outside the door, Lai Fu leaned against the corridor pillar, still not daring to breathe too loudly. The Emperor was warning him not to get too close to the Heir! The Emperor valued the Heir and would not tolerate anything that might weaken his influence. That the Emperor gave him such a warning was already showing him considerable favor.
He needed to find a way to inform the Heir, but now he couldn't even mention that the Emperor had taken notice of the eldest young lady's talents...
Lai Fu suddenly looked up—had the Emperor... seen through something?
Swallowing hard, Lai Fu felt his back drenched in cold sweat.
Inside the imperial study, the Emperor still wore a smile, but he couldn't conceal the coldness in his eyes. His Yan Xi was perfect in every way, and anything he deemed unsuitable, he would personally remove.
Hua Zhi brought gifts to the Chu family clinic, which she hadn't visited in a long time.
Doctor Chu looked at this young woman, whose demeanor had transformed so dramatically, unsure whether he felt more comforted or regretful. If she hadn't been backed into a corner, she wouldn't have become so unyielding. If Old Master Hua knew, he would surely be heartbroken.
"Doctor Chu." Hua Zhi bowed respectfully. "You seem less energetic than before."
"I caught a chill the other day and have been coughing a bit." Doctor Chu invited her inside. "How is Old Master Hua?"
"He's well. Grandfather asked me to thank you—your medicine has been a great help. This year, we'll need you to prepare as much frostbite ointment as possible."
Doctor Chu looked at her. "The amount you brought would be enough for the entire Hua family to use every day."
"Many people there suffer from frostbite—few have hands and feet that are intact." Hua Zhi stepped over the threshold and took a seat inside. "Actually, I came today to discuss this with you. Your frostbite ointment is far superior to what's available there. Would you be willing to sell the formula?"
Doctor Chu understood immediately. He casually pulled out paper and brush and wrote down the formula. "No need to buy it. Take it as a gift."In this era, physicians with high medical ethics were not uncommon, and Hua Zhi had no intention of tarnishing this virtue with silver. She thought she would later obtain a prescription from Shaoyao to repay Doctor Chu.
"I will deliver this prescription to Commander Wu, so it may benefit the region."
Doctor Chu smiled, "Being able to offer some small assistance to the frontline soldiers is my good fortune."
"Doctor Chu is truly noble."
"Previously, when you shared the method of using alcohol to reduce fever with me, I did not stand on ceremony with you like this."
Hua Zhi was never skilled at such formal pleasantries and promptly dropped the subject.
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