The imperial study was deathly silent.
The Emperor had thought this would force the audacious woman to show some fear, but as time passed, her expression of fearlessness did not diminish in the slightest.
She truly wasn’t afraid of punishment—not after securing his promise that the Hua family would not be implicated.
The Emperor broke the silence, "Aren’t you afraid that after your death, I might not keep my promise?"
"I don’t trust you. What I trust is the Daqing sovereign whom the Hua family has served with unwavering loyalty for generations."
The Emperor was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Even now, you’re still fighting for every possible hope for the Hua family. Hua Zhi, your weakness is far too obvious. Controlling the Hua family means controlling you. If only you were a little more ruthless, things wouldn’t have come to this."
"Your Majesty, you are ruthless enough, but aside from Yan Xi, who else do you have? I may not be ruthless enough, but I have the entire Hua family. If I die here today, they will weep for me and remember me for the rest of their lives. What about you?"
Hua Zhi’s smile held a hint of malice and satisfaction. She detested this Emperor who had destroyed her peaceful life, despised him for working Yan Xi like an ox or a horse, leaving him with barely a few days of rest all year, and loathed his constant suspicions, his power to decide life and death on a whim. On ordinary days, she had to hide and play the subservient role, but today, since she was bound to die, why should she hold back any longer?
The Emperor’s expression darkened. "There’s no need for you to provoke me with these words. I understand this far better than you do."
"And yet you’re still angered, because you know full well that I speak the truth."
The Emperor stared at her coldly. Hua Zhi met his gaze without flinching—she was not afraid! Having come this far, she had nothing left to fear!
In the midst of their standoff, An Yi slipped in silently and presented several letters to the Emperor.
Though they were just ordinary envelopes, Hua Zhi recognized them at a glance—they were the letters she had left behind!
Her body swayed slightly as she quickly recalled the contents of the letters. It should be fine, she reassured herself. Yes, it should be fine. When she wrote them, she hadn’t treated them as private correspondence. Well aware of how unreliable such letters could be, she had avoided writing anything that couldn’t be seen by others.
The Emperor glanced at her, deliberately selected the letter addressed to "Respected Grandfather," and slowly tore it open. Shaking out the letter, he read: "Grandfather, reading this letter is like seeing you in person. You indulged and taught me for over a decade, and I have used what I learned in those years to protect the Hua family. What is given and taken was always destined by heaven. I have no regrets, so please do not worry."
The Emperor laughed. "How touching, the bond between grandfather and granddaughter."
"Indeed. It’s something you likely never had the chance to experience."
Ignoring her remark, the Emperor picked up the letter addressed to "Respected Father" and opened it. "Father, reading this letter is like seeing you in person. It must have been difficult for you, with your mind full of sage teachings, to tolerate your daughter’s decision to pledge herself in marriage without your consent. Thank you for risking your life to take a blow for me. May we renew our father-daughter bond in the next life. Take good care of Mother. Your daughter kowtows in farewell."
The Emperor picked up the third letter, addressed to "Berlin." "Berlin, Elder Sister entrusts the family’s businesses to you. As long as you hold onto them, the Hua family will never fall into ruin. The businesses in Green Moss Alley and Oriole Cloud Alley are solely mine. The fruit preserves business was funded by various branches of the family, and the shareholding records are detailed. You can ask Nian Qiu to find them for you. As for the preserves business, you don’t need to manage it extensively—just sell them to Bai Mingxia at the set price."The three businesses of vegetarian fare, mushrooms, and seafood are all partnerships. I have kept detailed records of each, with profits distributed according to shares every six months. For the soap business, a thirty percent dividend is sufficient. In truth, you need not involve yourself in any of these matters. Elder Sister has left Ying Chun and the others to you—use them well, and treat them kindly. You must also fulfill the promises I made: protect every daughter married out from the Hua family with all your strength. If Shaoyao is still willing to maintain ties, honor her as an elder sister. Berlin, may you grow into a towering tree, roots deep in the earth, branches reaching for the sky. Elder Sister will be watching.
The Emperor opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it again. He picked up another letter and stared blankly at the four characters on the envelope: "To Little Six, For His Eyes Only." When he read the contents, his surprise deepened.
"Why did you leave Little Six with the words 'May the realm know peace and prosperity'? Do you have faith in him?"
Hua Zhi closed her eyes and fell silent.
The Emperor sneered, "Do you believe I could arrange an 'accident' for Little Six in Xiangyang right now?"
"I believe it. Who would dare compete with Your Majesty in ruthlessness?" Hua Zhi opened her eyes, her expression calm, as if Yan Xi had never mentioned any plans. "Little Six is a prince. Even if he is unloved and easily abandoned by his own father, he remains of imperial blood. His status alone enables him to achieve what ordinary people cannot. Daqing belongs to the Gu family—what is wrong with me, his former teacher, praying for peace and prosperity from a prince I instructed?"
"Sophistry!"
"That is the answer."
The Emperor snorted, hesitating briefly before opening the final letter. He had imagined many possibilities for its contents, but never this—so simple, yet so deeply affectionate.
Knowing you, I have no regrets.
Even if knowing him brought her utter ruin, she had no regrets. This was her attitude toward their bond, so transparent it disdained concealment.
Suddenly, the Emperor understood why Yan Xi had fallen for her. When one lingers too long in darkness, even a flicker of light becomes irresistible—even if it is a flame they know will consume them. Hua Zhi was that flame; Yan Xi, the lonely traveler who had journeyed too long alone.
Loneliness—who isn’t lonely, except fools? The Emperor chuckled dryly, tossing the letter onto his desk and leaning back deeply into his chair. "I heard the idea to alleviate floods in Lingzhou by diverting the waters and constructing a new canal was yours?"
Hua Zhi blinked. Was something amiss? Was the Emperor trying to implicate someone? Yan Xi?
Her nerves had been strained to the breaking point, and kneeling for so long had drained her strength. Her body was at its limit, her mind sluggish. She dared not reply, afraid any misstep might bring disaster upon Yan Xi.
Seeing her like this, the Emperor felt a sudden pang of envy for Yan Xi. Born into royalty, Yan Xi possessed everything—everything easily obtained, except genuine affection. The Emperor’s harem was filled with beauties, yet not one had come to him purely for who he was. By comparison, Yan Xi was truly fortunate.Hua Zhi's change in attitude was evident. From the very beginning, she had come with the intention of confessing her guilt, hoping to find a sliver of survival. It was only after he proposed that she enter the palace as a consort that she severed her own retreat—not for herself, but for Yan Xi. She felt Yan Xi was undeserving of such treatment and resented the injustice done to him. For a man who had yet to grant her any formal status, she was even willing to stake her life. If one day they were to marry, how fiercely would she protect him?
Such a strong-willed temperament might invite displeasure if she married into another family, but for Yan Xi, who had lost everything—even his home—it held immense appeal. Yet, the emperor, recalling how his usually transparent nephew had deceitfully disobeyed him for her sake, still felt he could not easily let Hua Zhi off.
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