In the dead of night, Gu Yanxi scaled the Hua family's wall.
Shaoyao wasn't the least bit surprised to see him push the door open and enter. She didn't move from her spot, still hugging her knees with her chin resting on them, watching Hua Hua intently.
Gu Yanxi sat down on the edge of the bed. The two siblings kept vigil like this all night, both worried that A Zhi would have nightmares. And indeed, Hua Zhi did have a nightmare—in her dream, she was already decapitated, floating in midair as she watched Yanxi holding her body and wailing in anguish, while Cao Cao lay in a pool of blood, unknown whether alive or dead.
Her heart felt as if gripped tightly by a pair of hands. Driven by the instinct to survive, Hua Zhi sat up abruptly, taking deep, forceful breaths. Feeling her body fall into a familiar embrace, she opened her eyes.
Gu Yanxi held her gently and asked Shaoyao, who had just finished checking her pulse, "How is she?"
"Her body is somewhat weak, and she's still frightened. When she wakes up... Hua Hua, you're awake? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Shaoyao noticed Hua Hua had woken up and hurriedly asked with concern.
"I had a rather unpleasant dream, but I'm fine." Hua Zhi glanced at the light streaming through the window—dawn had broken. She raised her hand and touched Yanxi's face. "Were you hit?"
"A paperweight struck me." Gu Yanxi covered A Zhi's hand with his own. "It's still early. Would you like to sleep a little longer?"
"No, my time is limited. Cao Cao, call them in."
Shaoyao pressed her lips together and went to open the door. She knew what Hua Hua meant by "limited time"—even if she wanted Hua Hua to rest a little longer, she couldn't bring herself to say it. The Emperor had given his decree, and Hua Hua needed to quickly devise a way to save her life.
Several maids who hadn't slept all night were waiting outside the door, some carrying basins, others holding items—no one was idle. Even Wu Shi had arrived early.
Seeing the door open, they immediately looked over. Shaoyao stepped aside. "Come in."
They hurried into the room. Though startled to see the young lady leaning against a man, none showed any surprise—they had long been aware of the relationship between the young lady and the gentleman.
Wu Shi seldom visited the front courtyard and had rarely seen Gu Yanxi. From their demeanor, she could tell their relationship was likely... but Zhi Er had just narrowly escaped death—how could she possibly say anything harsh?
Hua Zhi sat up straight. "Cao Cao, go tend to Yanxi's injury."
"Alright." Shaoyao obediently headed out but, remembering something, immediately opened her medicine box and pulled out a bottle. She poured out a few pills and handed them to Hua Hua. "Take these."
Without asking what they were, Hua Zhi took them and put them in her mouth. Ying Chun hurriedly brought water to help her swallow them.
Satisfied, Shaoyao left with her medicine box. Gu Yanxi gently stroked the fine cloth wrapped around A Zhi's forehead before following her out.
Hua Zhi herself reached up and touched her forehead. It hurt a little, but not too badly—she must not have hit it too hard.
"Have someone bring in hot water. I need to bathe."
Liu Xiang put down what she was doing and quickly left the room.
"Fourth Aunt, please wait a moment."
Wu Shi hastily waved her hand. "Don't mind me. I'm perfectly fine waiting here."
Hua Zhi remained as composed as ever. If not for the fine cloth wrapped around her head indicating her injury, everyone might have thought this day was no different from any other.
After bathing, Hua Zhi felt much more refreshed. Unwilling to keep Yanxi and Shaoyao waiting, she had the maids help her to the main hall as soon as she was ready and ordered a meal. No matter how grave the situation, she needed to fill her stomach first.
The others had little appetite. Even Shaoyao only managed to finish a bowl of porridge before putting down her chopsticks.Hua Zhi actually had little appetite, but she forced herself to eat two bowls. Her health couldn't afford to fail, especially at this critical juncture.
"Are the other family members aware of this matter?"
Ying Chun promptly replied, "This servant took the liberty of only informing Fourth Madam. Even First Madam has been kept in the dark."
"Well done." Hua Zhi praised before turning to Wu Shi. "Fourth Aunt, I can resolve this matter. However, I'm afraid I won't be able to attend to the inner courtyard affairs in the coming days. Aside from matters regarding my sisters' marriages that should be reported to me, I'll entrust everything else to you. I apologize for the burden."
"This is the least I can do to help." Wu Shi smiled bitterly. Having been raised in an aristocratic family herself, she understood it was better not to inquire about certain matters. She stood up and said, "I'll return to my quarters now. Should you need anything, just send someone to summon me."
"Very well. Thank you, Fourth Aunt."
Wu Shi waved dismissively and turned to leave.
Hua Zhi then addressed her senior maids. "You're most familiar with the businesses under my management. I'm entrusting them to your care. When facing challenges, neither act rashly nor retreat timidly. After all my years of teaching you, ordinary people possess far less knowledge than you do. Have more confidence in yourselves and remember to support each other."
The maids knelt in unison to acknowledge the order. Even those who still felt inadequate for such responsibility wouldn't voice their doubts now - they needed to ensure their young mistress could proceed without worries.
Hua Zhi smiled. "Having served me for many years, I trust you more than my own sisters. You've always been devoted to me, so I'll spare further words. Just know this: whatever others can promise you, I can deliver; what others cannot promise, I still can provide. I hope our bond can withstand any trial, remaining as close in our old age as we are today."
The four longest-serving senior maids, along with Liu Xiang who had been promoted later, all kowtowed firmly. "This servant will certainly live up to young mistress's expectations."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Liu Xiang hasn't served me as long and lacks extensive business knowledge. She shall remain by my side."
"Yes."
"All of you may withdraw."
After the three departed for the study, Hua Zhi looked at Yan Xi. "Won't there be consequences for your absence from the palace?"
"None." Gu Yanxi didn't wish to discuss this matter, being more concerned about current affairs. "Do you have a plan in mind about what to do?"
"I cannot accomplish this alone."
This was the truth, and Gu Yanxi wasn't surprised. Yet seeing A Zhi so composed made him secretly hope she had conceived a solution.
"Matters that should be addressed with national resources naturally require national strength to resolve. Let me first discuss what I excel at - financial matters. May I ask, does the Emperor maintain a Private Treasury?"
"Yes."
"Then have the Emperor surrender it." Hua Zhi said calmly. "The national treasury funds concern the country's foundation and cannot be touched, but the Emperor's Private Treasury should be accessible. There's no reason I should provide capital for conducting the Emperor's business ventures."
Shaoyao nodded vigorously beside them - Hua Hua was absolutely right, couldn't be more correct!
Gu Yanxi weighed this internally. "Giving you complete control is impossible, but utilizing seventy to eighty percent should be feasible."
Hua Zhi felt quite satisfied with this amount. With sufficient funds, matters would become manageable. "Since these are the Emperor's business ventures, I presume he won't restrict what businesses I engage in as long as they're profitable. Operating small-scale food businesses like the Hua family's won't generate substantial revenue.""That's true." Gu Yanxi frowned slightly. "But doing business... is still too slow. The cost of building a canal is far beyond what mere commerce can support."
"Naturally, that's just one aspect of it."
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