Hua Yizheng rapped the table, making the furious Hua Pingyang swallow the words already on his tongue.
Exchanging glances, Hua Yichen and the others rose to take their leave. Hua Yizheng did not press them to stay. Though they were all family behind closed doors, some bonds remained closer than others.
Hua Pingyang saw them out, signaled Chen Shan to guard the entrance, then turned and shut the door.
Among their own, they spoke more freely. Before even sitting down, Hua Pingyang demanded, "How is Zhi Er faring now? Has the Emperor... made things difficult for her?"
Gu Yanxi sidestepped the heavier implications. "The Emperor intends to use her."
"Using her doesn’t mean he can’t make things hard for her. Without the Emperor’s approval, would the Wei Family dare meddle in the Pure Conversation Gathering?" Hua Pingyang scoffed coldly. "Even more absurd is inviting Zhi Er to attend. What are they trying to do—have her witness how the Wei Family tramples the Hua family? If the Emperor had even an ounce of protective intent, matters would never have come to this."
"Pingyang." Hua Yizheng cut off his youngest son, though his delayed intervention after Hua Pingyang had spoken his piece revealed his own stance. Having endured house raids, exile, and the suffering of his clan, he could bear it all. Serving beside the sovereign, one accepted both thunder and rain as imperial grace. But Zhi Er was a woman of the household. Having already received a special pardon, how could a dignified ruler justify tormenting a young lady?
Loyalty does not waver easily, yet hearts grow cold, and blood runs cool.
He dared not imagine how much effort Zhi Er had to expend in that treacherous capital just to protect the Hua family, or how many schemes she had to devise to safeguard herself under the watchful eyes of powerful families and the Emperor’s cold gaze.
Looking at the man standing upright below the hall, Hua Yizheng, unable to direct his resentment toward the Emperor, could not help but vent his frustration. "It is well known that the Heir is deeply favored by His Majesty. Could you not have intervened to shield Zhi Er even a little?"
"Not even a favored Heir, nor a favored Crown Prince, can outweigh the importance of one’s legacy." Gu Yanxi lifted his head, meeting Hua Yizheng’s complex gaze without flinching. "A Zhi says the current situation may not be entirely unfavorable for her. It has been over a year since the Hua family was convicted. With people gone, the tea has cooled. Sooner or later, someone would inevitably reach out to target the Hua family. Now that the Emperor intends to use her, others would have to think twice before moving against the Hua family. As for the Emperor’s tasks, they are merely a matter of handling a few more major business deals. She can manage it."
Pausing briefly, Gu Yanxi added, "Some matters cannot be resolved overnight. I ask for your patience."
Hua Yizheng gave him a deep look but did not inquire what he intended to do. As long as it was not rebellion against the imperial family, anything else was permissible. They were at the frontlines, defending alongside the troops, while his granddaughter protected their families in the rear. Whoever targeted his granddaughter was cutting off the Hua family’s lifeline. Why should he bind his own hands and feet and deliver himself to them?
After asking further about the situation in the capital, to which Gu Yanxi answered in detail, the latter concluded, "Remnants of the Chao Li Tribe still lurk within Daqing. They are unlikely to make major moves until they are completely eradicated, but they must be rooted out. Wu Yong excels in offense and has largely mastered the skills passed down through generations of the Wu family. He can handle tribes beyond the pass without much issue and could even hold his own against the Chao Li Tribe. However, he is not adept at defense. This is where you, esteemed elder, must step in. We must guard against the Chao Li Tribe using Yinshan Pass as a breakthrough point."Speaking of this matter, Hua Yizheng also set aside personal feelings. "The Hua family will spare no effort."
"Do not underestimate the role of the sand table. Cooperate closely with the soldiers in drills, memorize the terrain within a hundred li around Yinshan Pass and even beyond as much as possible. No matter where the battlefield is, you must have a clear understanding. You should know, Elder, that this matter determines whether the sand table can become a standard military equipment in the future. If successful, the Hua family will surely be recorded in history."
"This is Zhi Er's achievement. I will not claim it for myself, nor will I allow others to take credit for it."
Gu Yanxi's eyes softened slightly. Regardless of how other members of the Hua family behaved, Hua Yizheng was genuinely supportive of A Zhi.
"When will you return to the capital?"
"I need to go beyond the pass. I will come back here afterward. You can prepare in advance what needs to be taken back."
Hua Yizheng nodded without prying further. In fact, he was somewhat surprised that Gu Yanxi had even informed him of his plans.
Hua Pingyu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up. "Does the Emperor know about your relationship with Zhi Er, and does he disapprove?"
The room fell silent abruptly. Under everyone's gaze, Gu Yanxi gave a faint smile. "Yes, the Emperor knows and disapproves. But so what? No matter how opposed he is, he won't arbitrarily assign me a marriage. I won't pay attention to it, for one thing. Moreover, he needs to use me to keep A Zhi in line. If I were to marry someone else, I would lose my usefulness."
Thus, even if his imperial uncle was furious, he never mentioned arranging a marriage for him. If all this were laid bare, every act of kindness and special treatment toward him would seem like a joke.
The atmosphere grew heavy, as if someone had sighed, though no one knew who.
Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger—this holds true for all ministers, and no one is exempt.
Hua Pingyang wiped his face and changed the subject. By the time Gu Yanxi left the Hua family, the sun was already high in the sky.
Hua Pingyang saw him out and, looking at the tall young man standing under the moonlight, said gently, "No matter how capable Zhi Er is, she is still a young woman. Please take good care of her and don't let her suffer."
"Yes." Aside from the Emperor, no one could lay a finger on A Zhi under his watch. The only person he was guarding against now was that one individual. Thinking of A Zhi remaining in the capital, Gu Yanxi pressed his thin lips into a tight line. He needed to finish his tasks quickly and return to the capital as soon as possible.
Leaving aside Gu Yanxi's eagerness to return, it was some time after Zeng Xiangyan took Little Six away that Hua Zhi finally waited for Yu Weiwei. The sweet-faced, round-cheeked girl immediately acted coy upon seeing her. "I said I'd come in the morning, but I didn't specify the time. You can't blame me for not keeping my word."
Hua Zhi couldn't help but laugh, seeing a hint of Berlin in this girl's expression. That boy always acted similarly spoiled and stubborn when he didn't want to go to the clan school and she had to chase him out. Perhaps those who are doted on all share this demeanor.
Seeing her laugh, Yu Weiwei's slight guilt for arriving late dissipated. But she was always a clever girl and wouldn't give others any reason to criticize her. Once they were in the carriage, she explained, "My grandmother went out to visit friends today and insisted I accompany her. As a junior, how could I refuse? I had no choice but to accompany her first."
"Did she take you to meet potential suitors?"
Hua Zhi casually remarked but received no response. She glanced over and saw Yu Weiwei lost in thought, raising her eyebrows in surprise—was it true?
Yu Weiwei snapped out of her reverie, pushing down the thoughts in her heart, and forced a bit of enthusiasm as she asked, "Do you have any silver on you?"
"I have a little.""Those from yesterday weren't nearly enough."
Hua Zhi smiled faintly without responding, yet the confidence in her expression clearly indicated she wasn't short on money.
Yu Weiwei was genuinely intrigued and leaned closer to ask, "How much did you bring?"
"Just a few banknotes. Since you said we're just playing casually, I imagine it should be sufficient."
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