Gu Yanxi pondered, "They exploit the common people this way?"
With one sentence hitting the mark, Hua Zhi nodded appreciatively. "I had Yu Mu investigate. In the past two or three years, the common people have actually been increasingly strapped for cash. The gambling house appears friendly to everyone and doesn't force people to sell their children, but ultimately it remains a den that sucks the blood of ordinary folks. Moreover, after establishing rules to cloak itself in a deceptive facade, it has attracted even more commoners who initially just wanted some entertainment. But in a place like a gambling house, no one leaves until they've lost everything."
"If the common people are drained dry by them, wouldn't they become incapable of sustaining themselves?"
"If all the wealth of a city falls into one person's hands... that would be enough to accomplish anything."
Gu Yanxi nodded slightly. The Chao Li Tribe wouldn't remain dormant forever. Once they had enough silver to purchase sufficient supplies, stirring up chaos in Daqing would be their perfect opportunity to fish in troubled waters. What did it matter to them if the common people were stripped bare and couldn't survive?
"Have you sent anyone to investigate Zhu Ling and Zheng Xing?"
"I was afraid of alerting the enemy, so I haven't made any moves yet."
Thinking about how their previous attempts to capture people had allowed them to escape, Gu Yanxi also felt a headache coming on. "My biggest worry now is repeating what happened before—only catching a few people on the surface while those hiding in the shadows escape again. They're very skilled at this tactic."
Hua Zhi hesitated for a moment. "I do have an idea. It might not catch them all in one net, but once their interests are involved, they probably won't be able to stay calm. If we keep close watch, we might be able to lure the snake out of its hole."
Gu Yanxi tightened his grip on her hand. "You haven't been sleeping well these days because of all this, have you?"
"It's not too bad. I know haste makes waste."
Little Six, who had been invisible for quite some time, finally couldn't hold back. "Sister Hua, what's your idea?"
"To cut off their source of wealth, we naturally have to target gambling. But I'm worried that if new gambling methods emerge, the people of Jin Yang might become even more addicted in the future."
"That's a problem for another day. Nothing is more important than dealing with the Chao Li Tribe."
Hua Zhi had been hesitant to proceed in this direction precisely because she was overthinking things. Now that she had Yanxi's reassurance, her concerns vanished completely. Jin Yang's problems were internal matters of Daqing, but the Chao Li Tribe were outsiders and enemies of Daqing. Naturally, dealing with the enemy took priority.
"I'll think carefully about how to implement this." Hua Zhi stood up and resolutely pulled the man to his feet, leading him out. "Go rest. It's getting late. Don't think about anything—just sleep until tomorrow morning."
Gu Yanxi chuckled. "How could I possibly sleep that long?"
"You can. Sleeping is human instinct. You're severely sleep-deprived—if you want to sleep, you'll definitely sleep that long, maybe even longer." Hua Zhi brought him to the prepared room next door and pushed the door open. "Don't leave this room until tomorrow morning."
Gu Yanxi affectionately ruffled her hair, unable to resist hugging her. He softly agreed with a "Okay" whispered in her ear.
Little Six, who had followed them out, happened to witness this scene and instinctively pulled his foot back. Many thoughts flashed through his mind—an elder brother's wife is like a mother. If Sister Hua became his sister-in-law, that would be quite nice... right.
"Little Six."
Little Six quickly turned around."Tomorrow, take Yan Xi to see Zeng Xiangyan. You've been under their care for several days, so it's proper etiquette for you as the elder brother to express your gratitude. Find a way to have him take you to that gambling den again, and also the horse racing track. Tell Zeng Xiangyan that Yan Xi's riding skills are exceptional, with few rivals in the capital."
"Alright."
"Don't let anyone catch your tail. Prioritize your own safety."
Little Six's brows and eyes curved with a smile as he responded softly, his thoughts drifting back to what he had been considering earlier. If Sister Hua became his sister-in-law, she would probably treat him even better than she does now.
Gu Yanxi's arrival not only meant having someone who could handle matters inconvenient for Hua Zhi and issue commands she couldn't, but it also gave her a sense of security. The most obvious change was that she could sleep peacefully at night now, as if even in her dreams she knew there was a tall figure beside her, so even if the sky fell it wouldn't crush her.
The first snow in Jin Yang wasn't heavy, drifting down for just a day before stopping. The next day, the sun emerged early.
Gu Yanxi, who thought he would sleep at most three hours, only woke leisurely when the first rays of sunlight slipped through the door crack. Perhaps because he had slept too long, even his usual vigilance had faded, and his mind felt slower than usual. He stared at the unfamiliar canopy for a moment before remembering where he was now, then smiled.
The hurried journey had been exhausting, but seeing A Zhi's surprised and delighted expression, her eyes filled with laughter, made it all worthwhile. Being so eagerly anticipated - this seemed to be the first time in his life.
Savoring the memory for a moment, hearing footsteps outside that sounded like A Zhi, he immediately got up. Dressing and washing at top speed, he paused when about to tie his hair. Thinking of something, he simply put down the comb and went out with his hair loose.
Outside was indeed Hua Zhi, standing under the corridor watching Chen Si and Jia Yang clear the snow. The snow wasn't thick, already beginning to melt under the sun, leaving the courtyard feeling somewhat damp.
Turning and seeing who had emerged, Hua Zhi instinctively smiled. "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than ever before." Gu Yanxi walked to her side, standing shoulder to shoulder, and shook open his cloak to wrap her within it. "Why are you standing outside? Don't be fooled by the sun - melting snow brings the coldest weather."
"Just getting some fresh air." Hua Zhi instructed Nian Qiu who had emerged from the small kitchen: "Serve breakfast."
"Yes."
As she turned to enter the room, Hua Zhi remembered something and looked up. Right, this Heir was accustomed to being served and probably couldn't tie his own hair. "If you don't mind, I'll tie your hair for you. But I warn you, I've never done this for anyone else, so my hands are clumsy."
"I won't mind however it turns out." Having achieved his purpose, Gu Yanxi led her inside, very proactively sitting before the dressing table and handing the comb to the person behind him.
In this era without hair dyes or perms, and given his noble status, Yan Xi's hair was smooth and silky, though coarser in texture than a woman's. The comb glided through effortlessly, and Hua Zhi inexplicably recalled the saying: 'First comb to the end, second comb until white hairs meet eyebrows, third comb with children and grandchildren filling the hall.' It sounded so desperate to marry - even someone as worldly as her felt somewhat flushed.
Gu Yanxi couldn't see this, thinking only that she didn't know how to begin. He laughed, "It's fine, just tie it however.""No, it has to be done properly." Hua Zhi set down the comb, gathering all the hair in her palm. Though she had never styled an adult man’s topknot before, she had tied Berlin’s hair when he was young. Even if the hairstyle was different, she still had some familiarity with the motions.
In the Daqing Dynasty, most adult men tied their hair atop their heads. Scholars of modest means wrapped theirs in square cloths, while those better off used crowns. For someone of Gu Yanxi’s status, the crown was naturally of fine quality—today, he wore a smooth, lustrous white jade crown.
It took Hua Zhi the time of one cup of tea to finish the hairstyle. Fortunately, the result was reasonably secure and not too embarrassing.
Gu Yanxi touched his hair, unconcerned about how it was tied, and took the opportunity to grasp Hua Zhi’s cold hands, pulling her closer. "This will do."
"I’ve done my best." Gu Yanxi smiled and touched his hair again. At this moment, he resembled a tamed large animal, retracting all his sharp edges and allowing her to handle him as she pleased.
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