After standing at the doorway for a moment, the Emperor entered the house. At the foot of the stairs, he looked up briefly before slowly ascending step by step with his hand on the railing.
The house had been vacant for a year, covered in dust. Wherever his hands touched the railings, they left clear imprints. Yet the Emperor seemed unaware, climbing unhurriedly to the second floor. Seeing it equally empty, he moved to the railing and leaned over to look down. Lai Fu hurried forward to support him but was waved away.
From this vantage point, most of the first floor was visible. He could almost see Hua Yizheng standing right here, speaking eloquently while scholars sat or stood around him. They were passionate and animated, engaged in fervent discussions. Here, there were no conflicts of interest, no mutual attacks, no pretentious displays. Here, they drank tea in large gulps to quench their thirst before immersing themselves more deeply in discourse. Even their debates stemmed from differing perspectives and ideas, yet they could immediately clasp hands in celebration when finding common ground on another topic.
This was why Hua Zhi was furious that the Wei Family had turned the Pure Conversation Gathering into a distorted imitation. She was angry that scholars were being exposed to the temptations of power before their minds were properly grounded. She probably also resented him for entrusting the Gathering to the Wei Family, leading those who had studied diligently through cold winters astray.
Recalling Hua Zhi's forceful, indignant words, the Emperor gave a slight smile. If the Pure Conversation Gathering was truly as she described, he could understand the source of her anger.
"Exiling the Hua family - do you think I was wrong, Yan Xi?"
Gu Yanxi was surprised by the Emperor's question, but he understood His Majesty well enough to know these words didn't spring from genuine regret. He replied mildly, "Both thunderous punishment and gentle dew are manifestations of imperial grace. I believe Old Master Hua would think the same."
The Emperor easily detected his evasion. With a light laugh, he ran his fingers along the railing, making his already soiled hands dirtier. "The He Family once wielded immense power. When they fell, countless officials pleaded to spare their womenfolk. But what remains of the He Family now? How long has it been since the Tong Family's collapse, yet everything they owned has been divided up? The Fang Family, the Wu Family - weren't they all the same? Only the Hua Family is different."
Turning to face the pile of cushions in the corner, the Emperor continued, "It's been a full year since the Hua Family's punishment. Besides some in-laws trying to take advantage and the traditionally hostile Feng and Wei Families making moves, has anyone else acted? Their restraint shows they're guarding against my accusing them of forming factions. Look at the scholars - when Lady Qin passed away, the entire city turned out to bid her farewell. During the Autumn Examination, they submitted their name cards to the Hua Family as usual. This is their stance. Don't claim this is only because the Hua Family has Hua Zhi. Even without her, the Hua Family could stabilize in the capital, waiting for the day to rise again."
The Emperor smiled self-mockingly. "I cannot tolerate the Hua Family. How do you expect me to? If the Hua Family ever harbors rebellious intentions, this empire would bear their surname - do you believe that?"
Gu Yanxi had always thought the Emperor merely feared the Hua Family's influence among scholars, unaware of such profound concerns. Preventing problems before they arise? Ultimately, it still came down to fear.
"If the Empress Dowager hadn't protected the Hua Family's women back then, what would have happened to them?"
"All would have been exiled."
Gu Yanxi wasn't surprised at all. He twitched his lips as if smiling. "When I went to Yinshan Pass, I heard Old Master Hua say something."
The Emperor turned to look at him."When Grand Ancestor was departing, Hua Jingyan promised him that the Hua family would stand or fall with Daqing. These words have been passed down through generations in the Hua family as a final testament."
The Emperor's pupils constricted, then he laughed again. "If the Hua family were to control Daqing, as long as they don't change the dynasty's name, wouldn't that still mean standing or fall with Daqing?"
Ultimately, he didn't believe the Hua family lacked such ambition. Yet Gu Yanxi couldn't blame him—if any other family had the Hua family's reputation, he would also be wary. That was why he hadn't spoken up when the Emperor punished the Hua family before. But now he trusted A Zhi, and through A Zhi, he trusted the entire Hua family.
The Emperor looked down at the hall below again. He had intended to use the Wei family to undermine the Hua family's reputation, but instead it made him realize the Hua family's importance even more. How ridiculous!
Could Daqing not survive without the Hua family?
At this moment, the Emperor wished he could skin Wei Jing alive. The man usually talked big but performed so poorly when it came to action—he couldn't even control one woman from the Hua family. With such limited capability, how dare he meddle with the Pure Conversation Gathering?
Lai Fu approached meekly to remind him, "Your Majesty, it's getting late."
The Emperor slowly descended the stairs. Pausing at the entrance, he glanced back at the Scholarly Discussion Hall before leaving. If time could be reversed, he would still punish the Hua family. Daqing couldn't afford to have a noble family with such towering reputation—what if one day the balance shifted? What then?
Better to preserve each other this way.
Gu Yanxi didn't tell A Zhi that the Emperor had visited the Hua family's old residence, nor did he explain where the Hua family's problem lay. Even if he were to speak of it, now wasn't the time.
It was only after seeing that Library that he recalled the Hua family's current study, which could be described as crude. The next day, he packed all his books and delivered them to A Zhi.
Hua Zhi accepted them joyfully, immediately asking Steward Xu to have some large bookshelves made. She then enlisted the strong and capable Yanxi to help reorganize the study. Though she thought it might become somewhat crowded after the shelves were installed, she felt it was fine—a study that was too empty wouldn't have the right atmosphere.
Infected by her happiness, Gu Yanxi's mood gradually improved. What had happened was done—no need to dwell on it. What mattered was seizing the future. With him and A Zhi together, the Hua family wouldn't repeat past mistakes.
On the fifth day at noon, Little Six appeared before Hua Zhi, covered in dust and exhaustion. His eyes were filled with panic until he saw Hua Zhi standing safely before him. Then he collapsed to the ground, all his fears pouring out as his body trembled like a sieve.
The moment he received the news, he felt the world spinning. He even forgot to bid farewell to Berlin, abandoning everything to return immediately with the messenger. The journey back and forth took several days, during which he feared changes might occur. He was terrified that Sister Hua might be punished by his father, afraid that the warmth he had recently found was just a fleeting illusion that would vanish when he turned around.
Throughout the journey, even brief rests were plagued by nightmares. Eventually, he didn't dare sleep at all. Some things were nightmares just to imagine—to actually dream of them would be mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Thankfully, thankfully, Sister Hua was safe. The Hua family remained.
Hua Zhi stepped forward and patted the child's head, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. She struggled to help him stand, and Gu Yanxi, seeing her difficulty, came forward to assist.
Liu Xiang brought hot tea, and Hua Zhi asked her to urge Lan Qiao to prepare a meal quickly.
After drinking several sips of tea, Little Six finally calmed down somewhat. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "The messenger spoke vaguely—what exactly happened? How could Father suddenly...""It was I who requested the Emperor to allow your return to serve under me." Hua Zhi briefly explained the situation, "This means you'll need to step into the open from now on. Are you afraid?"
OpenNovel