As soon as Yu Xiasheng left, Hua Zhi sent for Hua Ling, who had grown increasingly composed lately.
Dispensing with formalities, Hua Zhi asked directly, "What do you think of Yu Xiasheng?"
Hua Ling didn't overthink it, assuming her elder sister merely intended to employ him, and replied, "His character seems decent, and he bears no ill will toward the Hua family."
"He was just here," Hua Zhi said with a blink. "To propose marriage—for the hand of the Hua family's third young lady."
Hua Ling froze, then sprang to her feet in realization, her face and neck flushing crimson. Just moments ago, she had praised that man!
"Elder Sister!"
Hua Zhi's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'll have someone look into his background. If he's genuine, then we can discuss it further. If he's a hypocrite, both of us sisters might need to have Shaoyao check our eyesight."
Hua Ling's heart raced. What young woman didn't dream of a suitable husband? She had fantasized too, but after that incident, she had resolved never to marry. Yet the man who had tried to rescue her in her distress—the one who knew exactly what had happened to her—had come to propose?!
Thinking of Yu Xiasheng's refined and handsome face, Hua Ling blushed so deeply it seemed blood might drip from her cheeks. She couldn't conceal her joy. He wasn't like those frivolous, untalented scions of the capital, nor a spoiled heir with countless flaws. Not long ago, he had even placed second in the provincial exams. This man... this man had come to propose to her...
Seeing her like this, Hua Zhi regretted broaching the subject so early. Her intention had been to solicit Hua Ling's opinion, but it was clear she was already too invested. If things worked out, all would be well and joyful. If not, Hua Ling would likely take it hard.
After a moment's thought, Hua Zhi said, "I told Yu Xiasheng we would discuss this after the mourning period ends in November. I told you early because this is your marriage. If you dislike him, I'll find a way to refuse. The one you spend your life with matters most when you approve—no one else's opinion outweighs yours. But keep in mind, until things are settled, circumstances can change. Don't set your heart too firmly on it."
Hua Ling took a deep breath. Though her face remained flushed, she didn't avert her gaze. "Elder Sister, don't worry. I understand what you mean. I'll let fate take its course without forcing anything."
"Keep this tightly under wraps for now. Don't even mention it to your mother."
"Yes, I know."
Hua Zhi nodded and shifted to discussing business matters. The canned goods trade yielded a hundred percent profit, and once production scaled up, money would flow in rapidly. However, she had no intention of selflessly offering this venture up again—after all, that person wouldn't appreciate her generosity anyway. Why warm a cold backside with a warm face?
After shooing away the distracted Hua Ling, Hua Zhi sifted through her desk. Finding no urgent matters to attend to, she decided to indulge in idleness. "Su Momo, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
Having recuperated with good nourishment, Su Momo had grown fairer and plumper, exuding a kindly aura. Hearing the eldest young lady's question, she smiled. "This old servant observes that Mr. Yu seems quite taken with the third young lady. However, though you are shielding her, the second young lady still precedes her in line. It wouldn't be proper to bypass her."
"That's what I thought too," Hua Zhi said, rubbing her temples. "Once the mourning period is over, Grandmother and the Cai Family should send word. But Second Sister is even more complicated than Third Sister."
Hua Xin was a concubine-born daughter!If the Hua family were prosperous, even a daughter born of a concubine could marry well, just like the paternal aunt—the Yang family had been chosen from among many back then. But now, finding a suitable match for Hua Xin would likely be difficult.
Yet difficult as it was, they had to try. Otherwise, how could the third daughter marry if the second remained unwed?
As for the eldest daughter... Hua Zhi didn’t even count herself among them.
When Gu Yanxi arrived that day, he brought someone with him. Hua Zhi took a closer look and recognized the person—it was Xiao Shuang.
He had grown taller, his complexion fairer, and his demeanor had transformed entirely. He performed a grand bow to Hua Zhi, which she accepted.
“Where’s Little Six?” Gu Yanxi asked as he sat down beside A Zhi.
“He’s inside reading. He’s been too diligent lately—you should talk to him and make sure he doesn’t strain his eyes.”
Gu Yanxi glanced at Xiao Shuang. “Go and fetch him.”
Xiao Shuang acknowledged the order, his movements now impeccably disciplined—a world apart from how he used to be.
“Is he ready to be of use?”
“Not yet. Little Six lacks attendants, so I’ve brought him back to serve for now.”
Hua Zhi shot him a sidelong glance. “Xiao Shuang alone isn’t enough. You should assign more people to him. He mustn’t be left defenseless if trouble arises.”
“He’ll have escorts whenever he goes out—rest assured.” Gu Yanxi’s lips curved into a smile at her protective demeanor. “It’s not just my arrangements—the Sun family has also sent people. Before, they had to operate covertly, but now that they’ve openly declared their stance, they’ve dispatched attendants openly. They just haven’t entered the Hua residence.”
“Aren’t the Sun family afraid of arousing His Majesty’s suspicion?”
“Little Six is the Sun family’s last remaining heir. Doing nothing at all would be more suspicious.”
As they spoke, Little Six appeared at the doorway. “Sister Hua, Brother Yanxi.”
“Now that Xiao Shuang has returned, I’ll be withdrawing the servants previously assigned to you.”
Little Six obediently agreed. Sister Hua was always different from others—she had never tried to force attendants upon him.
“By the way, does Little Six have a residence outside the palace?”
“Princes may establish their own households only after turning sixteen.”
Hua Zhi was surprised. “So he only has one place to stay within the palace?”
“Yes.”
“What if the Emperor orders him to move back into the palace?”
“If he makes such a demand, it would mean he wants Little Six dead.” Gu Yanxi’s tone was calm, as if discussing mundane matters. Little Six’s expression shifted several times before he bowed deeply. “Thank you for the warning, Brother Yanxi.”
“In the capital, you must remain vigilant at all times. Loyalty and betrayal can shift overnight—you must first learn to discern character and employ people wisely.”
Gu Yanxi rarely offered guidance, so Little Six committed every word to memory. “If Sister Hua travels north, may I still stay here?”
Hua Zhi smiled. “Of course. The Hua family will always have a place for you.”
Gu Yanxi, however, considered more deeply. “Would you be willing to move into the Heir Apparent Residence?”
Little Six shook his head. He had no desire to go. In his heart, no place felt as secure as the Hua family. Moreover, “The Heir has always remained aloof from worldly affairs. There’s no need to prematurely reveal that he supports me.”
Exchanging a glance with Hua Zhi, Gu Yanxi felt somewhat satisfied. The boy could identify and analyze problems—his mind was sharp enough.
Using familiarity as a pretext, they sent the two off to play with the sand table. Hua Zhi turned to the stern-faced man. “Did the Emperor grant permission?”
“He did, and set a return date.” Gu Yanxi smiled. “He was furious—not at me, but at you. The Seventh Division is about to be implemented, and he doesn’t want you leaving the capital at this time.”"Any random official could handle those matters better than I can, and I'm not even part of the officialdom. There's no need for me to report my whereabouts to him."
Precisely because he understood this, the Emperor could only vent his anger without actually confining her to the capital. He wanted to use Hua Zhi and had now figured out her temperament - if he truly forbade her from going north, she would abandon all these responsibilities without hesitation. While he could threaten her using the Hua family, he couldn't control how much effort she would actually exert. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no intention of pushing her to the brink.
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