On the first floor, tucked away in the back, there was a room Hua Zhi had specifically set aside for the kitchen staff. Women’s strength was naturally inferior to men’s, and after a busy morning, they needed a place to rest. The male servers could nap anywhere, but women couldn’t do the same.
Hua Zhi was resting in this room at the moment. Bao Xia poured tea and handed it to her young mistress. "Someone must be behind this person’s actions. Who do you think it is, Miss?"
"There will always be those who can’t stand to see the Hua family rise again, and it could also be competitors. We don’t need to worry about this—the Cai and Jiang families will investigate."
Bao Xia suddenly remembered this wasn’t solely their family’s business and nodded. "They’ve gained such a huge benefit for nothing—of course they should contribute some effort."
Hua Zhi lightly tapped her head and was about to scold her when they heard a knock at the door. Thinking it was one of their sisters, Bao Xia went to open it without a second thought. But when she saw a strange man standing outside, she immediately tried to shut the door.
"Young Miss, Elder Lu Xiansheng requests your presence."
The words were spoken just as the door closed. Hua Zhi’s heart leaped, and she sprang to her feet. The only Lu Xiansheng she knew was one person, and his elder…
"Open the door."
Bao Xia wanted to say something, but seeing her mistress’s expression, she immediately fell silent and hurriedly opened the door, though she subtly blocked the entrance, warily eyeing the man who stood a head taller than her.
Hua Zhi looked over Bao Xia’s head at the man dressed entirely in black, her voice strained. "His elder requests my presence?"
"Yes. For the sake of the Hua family, you should know what to do."
It was as if the other shoe had finally dropped. Hua Zhi let out a long breath. Unlike Yan Xi, who trusted the Emperor due to their closeness, she held no goodwill toward the ruler who had torn her family apart. Ever since she and Yan Xi had confessed their feelings to each other, she had been waiting for this day. She never believed the Emperor, seated high in his palace, would truly trust Yan Xi completely.
As it turned out, she hadn’t been wrong. Even if the Emperor had trusted Yan Xi initially and for many years, he had recently begun investigating him.
"Please give me a quarter of an hour. I need to make some arrangements."
Had it been anyone else, An Yi would not have agreed. But since it was Hua Zhi, he was willing to make an exception. The Imperial Guards and the Seven Constellation Bureau had always complemented each other, and in critical moments, the guards even followed the orders of the Bureau’s leader. Since this matter involved the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau, it was, in a way, an internal affair. He had no desire to be overly harsh and silently turned to leave.
Having secured a quarter of an hour, Hua Zhi sat down at the desk, steadying herself. She bit the tip of her tongue hard to stop her trembling hands, the taste of blood jolting her into calm.
"Miss…" Bao Xia cursed her own foolishness for not understanding the hidden meaning in her mistress’s earlier words, only sensing that something was terribly wrong.
"Grind the ink." Rolling up her sleeves, Hua Zhi’s mind raced. Now that the Emperor knew about her, he would not tolerate her presence. She had no idea what awaited her on this summons—there was even a chance she might not return. She had to prepare for the worst.
The businesses she currently managed were all profitable. Even if… even if she were gone, these ventures would be enough to sustain the Hua family. But if she were no longer here, Berlin would likely abandon his ambitions for an official career. With Ying Chun and the others to assist him, and given Berlin’s intelligence, he could still hold the family together.As for the Zhu Family, she believed her maternal grandfather would certainly offer support, but the Hua family could not rely too heavily on them. A mismatch in social status didn’t matter, but they must never feel inferior in their hearts. While her grandfather was alive, things were fine, but if one day he were no longer there, her eldest uncle might develop other intentions. Even among relatives, only a balance of power ensures lasting harmony.
She must tell Berlin to send money to Yinshan Pass at least once a year. Of course, she couldn’t reveal her own news—just as she had suppressed news of her grandmother. They would surely return; even without her, they would definitely come back. At most, it would just take a little longer. She couldn’t control how they would react upon learning these things upon their return—the premise was that they must return.
And Yan Xi…
Hua Zhi’s hand trembled, causing a drop of ink to fall onto the rice paper. She lowered her head to look, then watched as Bao Xia removed the ruined sheet.
Taking a deep breath, Hua Zhi steadied her hand and began writing. The first letter was for Berlin, outlining the family’s business affairs. After a moment’s hesitation, she added at the end: "May you grow into a towering tree, roots deep in the earth, branches reaching for the sky. Your Elder Sister will be watching."
Bao Xia covered her mouth, tears streaming down like rain. She didn’t understand how what should have been a joyous opening celebration had turned into this. She was furious, she was resentful, yet there was nothing she could do but grind the ink with greater force, making it darker and thicker.
The second letter Hua Zhi left for her grandfather—a few brief words conveying the bond between her and the Hua family.
The third letter was for her father. She wondered if that man of few words would waver in his convictions upon returning and learning of her fate. She was actually quite looking forward to it.
The fourth letter was for Little Six, containing only five words: "May the world know peace."
A quarter of an hour was almost up. Hua Zhi reserved the last letter for Yan Xi, but after writing his name, she didn’t know how to continue. That man who claimed he had nothing would surely grieve.
Suppressing the ache in her heart, Hua Zhi slowly wrote: "Knowing you, I have no regrets."
Setting down the brush, she added silently in her heart: May you not be reborn into an imperial family in your next life. May you enjoy kinship, love, and friendship.
Smoothing her sleeves, Hua Zhi gently touched the hairpin in her hair but ultimately did not remove it.
"If I do not return today, fetch Berlin immediately and give him these letters."
"Miss…" Bao Xia fell to her knees, clutching her legs and shaking her head repeatedly.
Hua Zhi looked at the maid who had grown up with her, her heart filled with sorrow. It wasn’t that she wasn’t afraid, not that she lacked fear—it was just that she had no way out. The emperor held her life in his hands; now, she didn’t even have the right to take her own life.
"Support Berlin well."
"Miss, let this servant go with you, together…" Bao Xia scrambled to her feet, not bothering to wipe her tears as she rushed to open the door.
Hua Zhi stopped her, wiping her tears, and said, "Berlin cannot manage without all of you. Be good."
"Miss, take me with you. Ying Chun and the others are still here at home. Take me with you, I won’t speak, I’ll just follow you. Wherever you go, I’ll go. Wherever we are, I’ll serve you…" Bao Xia sobbed uncontrollably, clutching her mistress’s sleeve tightly, refusing to let go.
"It may not come to that. I’m just preparing for the worst." Hua Zhi smiled faintly. "I must make some arrangements."Otherwise, how could she feel at ease? If only she had more than a quarter of an hour—if she could have a day, no, even half a day would suffice—she would have made more thorough preparations.
But things did not go as she wished.
Hua Zhi walked toward the door, listening to the muffled sobs behind her, her heart calm and serene.
To have gained an extra lifetime, to have found a family, to have obtained a fairly good set of relatives, to have acquired a few loyal servants, to have encountered... someone sincere—even if her life were to end abruptly at this moment, she had already profited. Yet, she also felt regret, for she had thought she could obtain even more.
Opening the door and seeing the man outside, she said softly, "Please lead the way."
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