"If mere words could solve problems, we wouldn't be facing so many troubles." Hua Zhi's smile was faint. She didn't laugh at Little Six's naivety - at his age, such innocence was natural. Yet in the face of reality, this innocence appeared pale and helpless.
Little Six knew he had spoken nonsense. Rubbing his face, he asked, "So now we just wait for Brother Yan Xi to arrive? Is there anything else I should do?"
"Continue amusing yourself with Zeng Xiangyan and the others. There's nothing you need to do. If they ask about our return, just say we're waiting for a clan brother to join us." Hua Zhi frowned slightly. "I hadn't expected we'd be delayed here so long. Had I known, I wouldn't have brought you along. You can't stay away from the capital for too long - with such a large prize at stake, many would seize the opportunity to take it."
"But everyone knows this prize has an owner. Can they simply take it?"
"Knowing is one thing, but who ultimately possesses it is another. Even the Emperor only cares about results, not the process. You must protect what's yours."
Little Six bit his lip. He still had too few people at his disposal, always struggling to deploy personnel when needed.
"General Sun and Lady Sun didn't anticipate you'd be forced to shoulder responsibilities so early. Recently, Lady Sun has been consolidating the Sun family's resources. After we return, she'll likely transfer some personnel and assets to you. Then you can entrust the business and finances to me - I'll manage them for you."
"...Alright."
Seeing Little Six's red-rimmed eyes and childish demeanor, Hua Zhi's heart softened. While he remained impressionable and before he hardened completely, she said gently, "Little Six, no matter how far you advance, I hope you never become so isolated that you have no one to confide in. Lonely days are difficult to bear. The Sun family may make demands of you, but remember - you are General Sun and Lady Sun's only blood relative. Even when considering family interests, they would never harm you. The same goes for the Hua family."
Hua Zhi smiled. "Your closeness to the Hua family is undeniable. If you succeed, the Hua family would naturally benefit most. Once or twice might be overlooked, but over time, other noble families in the capital won't stand for it. Then the Hua family will face endless gossip. When lies multiply, even the strongest trust can waver..."
Little Six urgently interrupted, "Sister Hua, I would never!"
"It's not simply about willingness, but about your position and circumstances." Hua Zhi smiled. "If that day comes, remember my words today. The Hua family earned scholars' respect through integrity, loyalty to the sovereign, and devotion to the country. If Hua family members ever breach these principles, everything built upon them will crumble, becoming unworthy of concern. With magnanimity comes greatness. I hope you develop a heart as vast as the ocean, where no one can stir overwhelming waves. Then any attempts to sow discord will merely reveal others as contemptible schemers - not just regarding the Hua family, but in all relationships."
Little Six nodded vigorously. He would absolutely never become such a person, absolutely never!Hua Zhi gazed with a smile at the child who had gradually shed his youthful immaturity. "Never underestimate the common people at any time. Trampling on their hearts, they may indeed appear weak and easily satisfied—content as long as they have enough to eat and wear, able to survive even if they endure some bullying. But if anyone cuts off their means of survival and forces them to unite in resistance, even the strongest army cannot hold them back. Just as Daqing overthrew the Chaoli Kingdom, the common people have always been the foundation of the world. Of Daqing's forty million people, thirty-nine million or more are ordinary folk, while noble families and aristocrats make up only a minuscule portion. That is why it is said: 'Governance thrives by conforming to the people's will, and fails by defying it. The fate of the world often rests on the people's hearts. When the people's hearts are aligned, everything falls into place and prospers.' We need not love them as our own children, but at the very least, we must hold them in our hearts. The common people are not foolish; they know best who treats them well."
"Yes, I've remembered it all here." Little Six patted his chest, which at that moment felt warm, even burning hot. No one understood better than he what risks Hua-jiejie had taken in speaking these words. Had he been less conscientious, he could have used them against her in the future to incriminate her. Yet she had still spoken, braving great taboo to teach him these profound principles no one else had ever imparted. For this alone, he must constantly remind himself not to become an isolated ruler and not to waste Hua-jiejie's heartfelt efforts.
Hua Zhi smiled and let the matter drop.
She would not speak of such things again. After all, Little Six and Berlin were different. Even if Berlin lived to be seventy or eighty, he would always be a younger brother in her eyes, obliged to listen to her words. But Little Six was not the same. She could only plant a seed in his heart while his character was still unformed—how it would grow thereafter was beyond her control.
When the first snow fell in Jin Yang, Hua Zhi finally welcomed Yan Xi, who arrived covered in wind and snow.
But as she stepped forward to greet him, he refused her. "I'm covered in cold—don't let it pass to you. Go back inside first. I'll join you after I've freshened up."
Wanting him to be more comfortable, Hua Zhi quickly had Nian Qiu prepare hot water. She retrieved Yan Xi's clothes from his luggage and warmed them by the brazier, timing it so Little Six could deliver them.
By the time Gu Yanxi finished washing, a table of hot meals awaited him.
Having rushed day and night upon receiving the news, he had relied entirely on his robust constitution to endure. Hunger and exhaustion were inevitable. In front of A Zhi, Gu Yanxi didn't stand on ceremony, eating with his head down.
Hua Zhi continuously served him dishes, wanting to say something, but her heart ached so fiercely she feared she would choke up if she spoke. She simply kept quiet, pushing the soup bowl closer to him.
Her heart was unsettled—for Yan Xi, and for herself.
The emperor distrusted them yet drove them to the brink of death. How could one willingly sacrifice for a superior who showed no goodwill?
As a modern person, she couldn't accept this calmly. She could only repeatedly remind herself that this was an era of imperial authority, where the very things she disapproved of were considered natural and right. Those in power would not reason with her; she didn't even have the right to resign.
It was truly... fucking infuriating.
Her hand was enveloped by the man's warm palm. He had set down his chopsticks at some point, his brow slightly furrowed. "Why are your hands still so cold? And you look thinner too. Have you been going out in this weather?""Not in the past couple of days. Everyone becomes less active when the weather turns cold." Hua Zhi stood up, "No need to rush these matters. You should go get some rest first - your complexion looks rather dreadful."
Gu Yanxi pulled her back, holding both her hands in his palms, "You just ate, take a moment to settle. Tell me about the situation in Jin Yang first."
"No need to be in such a hurry." Despite saying this, Hua Zhi still summarized everything she currently knew.
"You suspect Zhu Ling and that gambling house owner are from the Chao Li Tribe?"
"Regardless of whether they're connected to the Chao Li Tribe, what's certain is that they're the ones behind Jin Yang becoming a gambling city. They're the ones who benefit the most, at least on the surface." Hua Zhi smiled, "Once you get involved, you'll realize Jin Yang could almost be described as thriving. But I had Yu Mu investigate - most workshops in Jin Yang have closed down in recent years, and many shops remain shut due to frequent changes in ownership. This surface prosperity is too hollow."
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