Hua Zhi believed the Emperor kept Shaoyao by his side because he genuinely liked her, not merely because she was a physician.
Such a sunbeam of a person, with such straightforward thoughts, was the most reassuring company. Putting herself in his shoes, she too would want to keep someone like that close—just a glance would lift her spirits.
She considered asking about the Emperor’s health, but after a moment’s hesitation, she dismissed the idea. Her personal curiosity shouldn’t be satisfied through Shaoyao.
Unexpectedly, Shaoyao volunteered the information without being asked. "He’s as fragile as a clay doll now—one touch and he might shatter. The attendants don’t dare even catch a cold; a single sneeze would be a capital offense. If he himself sneezes, it’s even worse. My examination isn’t enough—the entire Imperial Hospital has to be summoned for confirmation. We have to stay on high alert every day. It’s utterly exhausting."
"Cao Cao, you mustn’t say such things to others. It could bring you trouble."
"I know, but you’re not 'others,'" Shaoyao replied with a radiant smile. "I wouldn’t say this to anyone else—I’m not foolish."
Hua Zhi patted her head, feeling the enthusiastic nuzzle beneath her palm, and couldn’t help but smile. Yes, she wasn’t an outsider—why would she bring harm to Shaoyao?
"If one day he... would they blame you?"
"He wouldn’t, but others might. It depends on who ascends the throne and their relationship with Yan Ge. Hua Hua, don’t worry. In the history of the Daqing Dynasty, there has never been an Emperor who fought to the death with the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau. A newly enthroned Emperor needs Yan Ge’s support in many ways—they’d only try to curry favor with him, not rush to offend him."
Hua Zhi sighed softly. "Ever since I learned of the Seven Constellation Bureau, I’ve felt its position is precarious. Its authority is too great, its prestige too towering. If someone deliberately sows discord and the Emperor wavers, every unique aspect of the Bureau could become a crime."
"Yan Ge has said the same thing."
Hua Zhi’s eyes lit up. "Does he have any plans?"
"Yan Ge said the previous leader, and the one before that, also said the same thing."
"..." Hua Zhi was left speechless, glaring in frustration. "We’re out of rice!"
Shaoyao giggled, nuzzling Hua Hua. "That’s exactly what Yan Ge said. He told me they all know a sword hangs over the Seven Constellation Bureau—one misstep, and lives will be lost. But the Emperor has grown so accustomed to relying on the Bureau that even when he considered measures, they either died in the womb or were eventually abandoned. Hua Hua, please think of a solution for Yan Ge. I don’t want him to risk his life for Daqing only to be constantly suspected and guarded against, living in such discomfort."
"How could I solve a problem that generations before us couldn’t?" Hua Zhi laughed wryly. Unless the one on the throne was exceptionally capable and didn’t need to rely entirely on the Seven Constellation Bureau, then perhaps they could establish new offices at court to share the Bureau’s power, allowing it to return to its original purpose. But truly exceptional rulers were rare, and the chances of one appearing in the royal family were even slimmer. Little Six was clever enough, but for now, he still fell short of exceptional.
"Enough, this isn’t something for us to fret over. By the way, the first shipment of seafood has arrived—it came yesterday."Shaoyao immediately recalled the delicious seafood she had enjoyed in Zhenyang, swallowing hard as she was about to coax for some treats. But then Hua Hua added, "The household is still in mourning, so we can't consume anything fishy. I've sent some to the vegetarian kitchen for Fu Dong to practice with. Starting tomorrow, I'll need to spend a few days at the seafood shop. Though the cooking methods are simple, making it taste good isn't easy. I'll have to give guidance there for a few days."
"...Telling me about it but not giving me any to eat, Hua Hua, that's not right!" Shaoyao wailed, her face crestfallen. She didn't want to return to the palace—only by sticking with Hua Hua could she get good food!
"I remember having meals delivered to you every day."
"But I can't have seafood... delivered to me?" Shaoyao suddenly understood, her crying face instantly turning into a smile. "Lots of it!"
Hua Zhi poked the tumbler doll's head again. "When have I ever shorted you on food? You'll eat until you're sick of it later."
"Never sick of it, never! There are so many varieties!" Golden crispy fried small yellow croakers, crabs with huge claws, boneless sea fish, enormous prawns... Shaoyao drooled, truly wishing she could just stay and not leave.
Liu Xiang came to report, "Miss, Miss Shaoyao, several dishes are ready. You can start eating slowly."
Without needing any urging, Shaoyao cheered and ran off. The maids covered their mouths and laughed—whenever Shaoyao was home, it was always especially lively.
Hua Zhi had also come to realize that compared to missing her, Cao Cao clearly missed the food at her house more.
"Pack more dried meat for her to take away."
"Yes."
Hearing the cry of "Hua Hua, hurry up!" from outside, Hua Zhi leisurely left the room. Suddenly, it struck her that the only snack left at home was dried meat. In the past, her courtyard was never short of food—whatever she wanted to eat, she just had to say the word, and those capable maids would whip it up and bring it to her. But now she was busy, and the maids were busy too. There was none of that leisurely refinement left.
Those carefree days were truly something to miss.
Shaoyao, grudgingly and right on time, returned to the palace carrying a large bundle. Hua Zhi went back to her study to continue listing recipes. For the seafood shop, she didn't plan to make complicated dishes. The hallmark of seafood was freshness—that was all that needed to be captured. What would really take some effort was simmering fish soup, and that still required Fu Dong's skills.
"Miss." Bao Xia hurried in, her expression grim. "Another snack shop opened in the capital today."
"I thought you were used to it by now."
"But this is the sixth one..."
"There will be a seventh, an eighth, and countless more in the future. So what?" Hua Zhi set down her brush and looked up, massaging her sore right wrist.
Liu Xiang brought a hot towel and applied it to her wrist. Hua Zhi held it in place while Liu Xiang used her freed hands to massage each of Hua Zhi's fingers, easing the stiffness that made them hard to straighten.
Bao Xia's agitation subsided somewhat, but she was still indignant. "This time it's different. There are five shops in a row, each selling two types of food, and they've set their prices lower than Green Moss Alley. I'm worried that if this continues, more and more shops will imitate our food.""It's unavoidable. Since we're eating the meat, we have to allow others to drink the soup." However, with five shops in a row, the people behind them probably aren't ordinary commoners. Indeed, everyone can see the profits. Since they can't get a share of the existing business, no one can say anything about them opening their own shops. This is a loss we have to swallow silently. Even though it's obvious to anyone with eyes that what they're selling was learned from her, she has to accept this loss.
Monopoly is never allowed anywhere. Ever since the first shop imitating their food appeared, she had anticipated the subsequent situation. However, the impact on her was much smaller than expected. After reviewing last month's account books, that slight decline was hardly worth mentioning.
"Not just food - I'm afraid someone will imitate the canned goods business this year too. Xu Jie encountered others also purchasing fleshy peaches. But catching up to my flavors won't be that easy. At the very least, the canned market will still be mine next year. By the time they catch up, Uncle Bai will have already captured more than half the market. If you learn about this, there's no need to get agitated - it's just business, not worth getting upset over."
Bao Xia lowered her head in acknowledgment of her mistake. "This maid is too impatient."
Hua Zhi smiled. She knew Bao Xia was anxious on her behalf, but when it came to business, she truly had no fear.
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