On their way back, the curfew had already begun. Zhu Bowen sent the steward with the Zhu family's token, allowing them to pass unimpeded.
Hua Zhi leaned against Yan Xi's chest, swaying with the carriage's motion. Her head still ached, but she had grown accustomed to it and no longer found it unbearable.
Gu Yanxi drew her closer into his embrace to make her more comfortable. "Tell Shaoyao to return to the palace first thing tomorrow morning," he said.
"Are you planning to apologize to the Emperor?"
Gu Yanxi remained silent, only pressing gentle kisses to her forehead.
Hua Zhi sat up and turned to face him. "You intend to apologize to the Emperor for my sake, but it's useless, Yan Xi. The Emperor needs me to earn silver for him. Whether you apologize or not, he won't retract his decree. Rather than you apologizing for me, I'd prefer you do it for yourself."
Hua Zhi placed her hand over his chest. "If you're hurting, change the situation so it hurts less. If there's a wound here, tear it open. Drain the pus if needed, apply medicine if required—it's better than letting it fester beneath a surface that appears healed. I wish I could bear the pain for you, but I can't."
Gu Yanxi covered her much smaller hand with his, lowered his head with a soft smile, and murmured an acknowledgment.
His Imperial Uncle would never understand why he was willing to sacrifice everything for A Zhi. The Emperor, with his three palaces and six courts, countless women in his lifetime, had never been fortunate enough to meet someone like A Zhi—someone who outshone most, who would think of his sorrows even when wrestling with her own grievances, who would comfort him and encourage him to resolve them, even knowing full well that doing so might earn him no favor with the Emperor and could even drive him away from her.
His Imperial Uncle would never grasp that it wasn't A Zhi who couldn't live without him—it was he who couldn't live without A Zhi. From the moment he confirmed his feelings, he had never once considered leaving her. He wanted her, with absolute certainty.
He wanted her as his lifelong companion, to be buried beside her in the same grave after death. Nothing would stop him.
The carriage halted, and the side gate opened from within. Ying Chun and Bao Xia hurried out to greet them. The night had grown chilly, and Ying Chun carried a cloak. Seeing this, Hua Zhi removed the one from her shoulders and handed it back to Yan Xi, allowing her maid to immediately drape the new one over her.
"Go back inside; it's late."
"Alright, you should rest early and let your mind unwind."
"I know." Hua Zhi then smiled at the steward, who hadn't left yet. "Steward, you may return as well. Tell Grandfather not to worry—Yan Xi won't be entering at this hour."
The steward acknowledged with a beam, but he lingered, patting the horse and adjusting the carriage curtains, refusing to leave.
Gu Yanxi understood perfectly—this was Old Master Zhu's way of keeping an eye on him. He tightened the cloak around A Zhi's collar and said, "Go inside. Don't worry about me; I'll carefully consider what to do."
Reassured, Hua Zhi entered the house. Yanxi always kept his word; if he said he would think it over, he truly would.
Meanwhile, no one in the Zhu family had retired for the night. Zhu Ziwen had been summoned by his father's messenger for questioning. He shared only what was permissible, divulging nothing that shouldn't be said. His grandfather had instructed him: matters involving the Imperial family must remain buried deep within.Zhu Haocheng paced back and forth, his brow furrowed. The Hua family's current foundation was as thin as paper—it wasn't that he envied them excessively, but he admired Zhi Er's shrewdness. In just one year, she had managed to create such a thriving situation. What could she achieve in a few more years? With capital growing year by year, her earnings would naturally multiply. That was why he wanted to secure this marriage alliance. A young woman could only manage household affairs for a few years; once Berlin came of age, the Hua family would inevitably be handed over to him. It was laughable that his second brother thought he was after the soap profits, unaware that the Hua family's most lucrative ventures were those two food alleys.
Food was something people never tired of. Though the prices might seem modest, with forty-eight shops operating from dawn till dusk without a moment's idleness, the daily turnover was staggering. Such a scale in the food business was unlikely to be replicated—it was a veritable golden goose laying golden eggs. He wanted his daughter Shan Er to hold it in her hands.
But this was contingent on the Hua family's gradual recovery, not on them falling out of the Emperor's favor and facing irreversible decline.
"Later... never mind, it's not your concern. When your grandfather takes you under his wing again, be more proactive. Don't be as indifferent as before."
Zhu Ziwen sighed inwardly—when had he ever been indifferent?—but acquiesced and took his leave.
Zhu Haocheng went to his wife's chambers. The primary wife, who had assumed he would visit another concubine, was overjoyed and hastily served him hot tea and refreshments.
"You didn't eat much at dinner, my lord. I'll have the kitchen prepare something light."
Zhu Haocheng nodded. "Let the servants handle it. I need to discuss something with you."
The primary wife sat opposite him, waiting.
"Have you considered any suitable matches for Shan Er's marriage?"
"I had some in mind before, but then we discussed pairing Shan Er with Berlin..." She caught on, her face lighting up with delight. "Have you finally come around, my lord? Heaven be praised! I never dared say it earlier, but I never thought much of that Hua family match. The old Hua family would have been impeccable, but now... I'm not one to rank people, and I've never hesitated to support them, but marriage is a lifetime matter. Even if the Hua family earns some money now, how can they compare to established, prosperous families? Our Zhu daughter doesn't need to marry for wealth—we should consider background and whether they can support her natal family. Don't you agree, my lord?"
"The Hua family isn't as bad as you make them out to be. Hold your tongue." Zhu Haocheng shot his wife a stern look. He didn't want to deepen marital ties by marrying his daughter into the Hua family, but he had no intention of severing relations either—their two families were inextricably linked.
"Yes, I'm clumsy with words, but isn't the reasoning sound?" The primary wife, grasping at this sliver of hope, pressed cautiously, "Does my lord think the two are ill-suited?"
"Somewhat unsuitable. But since the matter was already broached, we can't abruptly retract our words. Nor can we explain it to my parents. We need to find a tactful way out."
Hearing this, the primary wife covered her mouth with a smile. "Such matters need not trouble you, my lord. Leave it to me."
"Handle it carefully. Don't upset my parents."
"Of course, you needn't worry."
In another courtyard, Zhu's father was recounting the day's events to his wife, startling the Old Madam so much she clutched her chest. "What will become of Zhi Er?""She already has a plan." But that wasn't the main point the old master wanted to discuss. "I'm afraid the eldest son might cause trouble."
"How could that be? Although Cheng'er isn't as close to Zhi Er as Dong'er, he still looks out for her."
The old master knew his son's temperament well. It wasn't possible that he would ignore his sister's family's plight - he would definitely offer some protection. But if it involved his own interests, his first priority would be how to avoid suffering losses himself.
"They'll probably try to stop Shan'er and Berlin's matter. Don't get upset, but don't agree too easily either."
The old lady was puzzled. "Do you mean we should just forget about this marriage arrangement?"
"Marriage should bring families together, not create enemies." The old master shook his head. The granddaughter raised by the eldest daughter-in-law might not be a suitable match for Berlin. "Zhi Er never wanted this marriage from the beginning. Let's just forget about it and not bother her with these matters. Anyway, Berlin is still young."
The old lady sighed. Exactly! The eldest daughter-in-law was so determined to stop it, yet she didn't realize that Zhi Er never wanted to climb beyond her station. With such an Elder Sister constantly guiding and advising him, Berlin was bound to have a promising future. Just wait and see - they would regret it someday.
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