Upon returning home, Hua Zhi was greeted by everyone as usual. Seeing her in good spirits, they all felt relieved and gathered together for an early dinner. Nowadays, Zeng Han and Little Six practically lived with the Hua family, so they naturally joined the family feast.
After handing the letters to Fourth Aunt to handle, Hua Zhi accompanied her mother back to her room. Along the way, she listened to her mother’s gentle murmurs: "During your absence, the various branches of the family and my maiden family suddenly resumed contact. I remembered you had said to cut ties, so I asked Lin Shuang to keep an eye on them. Before anything suspicious came to light, your Fourth Aunt simply closed the doors and refused to entertain anyone. She said these people were targeting you, and any misstep could bring you trouble. I don’t understand these matters well, but I feel your Fourth Aunt has had it hard—bearing hardships on my behalf and doing things that offend others. Since you’re back, you should properly thank her. She truly cares for you."
"Yes, I understand. I’ll go see her later."
"No need to rush. You’ve just returned—everyone knows you’re tired. Resting properly to recover is what matters most. Your Fourth Aunt won’t hold it against you." Madam Zhu felt a pang of sorrow as she touched her daughter’s icy fingertips. Hua Zhi used to be like a little stove, her hands always warm. But now… this past year of relentless work and exhaustion had taken a toll on her health. Madam Zhu blamed herself for being useless, unable to help in her daughter’s or son’s affairs.
"By the way, Steward Xu brought me a letter from Berlin a couple of days ago. It was full of cheerful words, as if everything outside were perfect. Though I’ve never traveled far, I know the outside world isn’t that rosy. He’s filial, afraid of worrying me. I won’t spoil his intentions and pretend not to know. Zhi Er, you’re clever and decisive—guide him well. I know you two siblings are close, and he listens to you. Teach him properly. In the future, if he dares treat you poorly, I’ll disown him."
This was probably the harshest words her mother could utter. Hua Zhi hugged her. Her mother wasn’t the type to become strong for her children’s sake, but Hua Zhi didn’t see that as a flaw. No matter how far she ventured, no matter how many schemes she devised, no matter how hardened her heart became, whenever she looked back, her mother remained this soft, gentle presence—her anchor and her home.
"Father is quite popular at Yinshan Pass. There are even young women offering to wash his undergarments."
Madam Zhu lightly swatted her shoulder in mock punishment, then rubbed it affectionately, glaring at her. "Your father isn’t that kind of man. In the past, he might have taken a concubine, but now, with his temperament, he’d never bring a woman in to suffer—what he considers suffering."
Though delicate as a dodder vine, she was resilient and proud. Hua Zhi laughed, "I haven’t finished. Father is so frightened he now washes his clothes in his bathwater before daring to go out."
Madam Zhu’s eyes instantly curved into smiles, sparkling with trust and longing. Even separated by a thousand miles, their emotions remained intertwined. Hua Zhi thought, perhaps this was what love looked like in this era.After seeing the person into the room and keeping her company for a while, Hua Zhi said as she was leaving, "Don’t worry about Berlin and me. I trust his character. Even if one day his nature changes drastically, I won’t be unable to live because of it. Your daughter, after all, has the reputation of a wealth god who can turn stone into gold. Others will be the ones seeking me out, so please rest assured."
Madam Zhu nodded with red-rimmed eyes and agreed, but as soon as Hua Zhi left, she slumped over the table and wept. The mere thought of the siblings possibly falling out pained her deeply—how could money ever replace the loss of a loved one’s closeness?
Gu Yanxi first went to the Seven Constellation Bureau through the secret passage. After donning his mask, he headed to the imperial study as usual, only to be informed that the Emperor was currently with Moon Consort.
Assessing his imperial uncle’s likely state of mind, he proceeded directly to Moon Consort’s Like Orchid Palace as he often did. The palace attendants hurriedly announced his arrival, and after a brief wait, he was granted permission to enter.
Gu Yanxi gave a faint, mocking smile. She didn’t even know anything yet, but she was already so eager to assert her influence over him.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Hmph, so you still remember to return?" The Emperor’s anger flared as he slammed the table and raised his voice. "Passing by your own home without entering—do you still have any regard for Us?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Even if I didn’t enter before, haven’t I returned now? You fret when I’m away, yet scold me when I’m here—what is a man to do?"
Gu Yanxi looked up at Haoyue, who was smiling cheerfully. To speak so casually to the Emperor, and for him to appear so content with it—what remarkable skill she had acquired in such a short time.
Haoyue smiled at him, picked up a piece of dried fruit, and offered it to the Emperor. The Emperor ate it, and his temper softened accordingly.
As if only then noticing his nephew still kneeling, the Emperor frowned. "Why are you still kneeling? Get up."
Gu Yanxi rose and cupped his hands respectfully. "I have urgent matters to report and request that Your Majesty move to another location."
Haoyue instinctively wanted to make a sharp remark but restrained herself, her rationality overcoming impulse. Unaware, she dug her nails into her palms.
"Can it not be said here? A Yue knows how to keep secrets."
"This matter is of grave importance."
For Yanxi to describe something as "of grave importance" meant it was no trivial affair. The Emperor understood the seriousness and stood up, brushing his sleeves. After speaking a few gentle words to Haoyue, he departed. Gu Yanxi inexplicably felt as though he were witnessing a couple bidding each other farewell.
Haoyue saw them to the door, and as soon as they were out of sight, her expression turned cold. So, that Hua Zhi had returned as well? The eldest daughter of the Hua family—in her previous life, she was an obscure figure, but in this life, she was making quite a stir. Could it be that...
In the imperial study, Gu Yanxi showed no intention of engaging in small talk with the Emperor and went straight to the point. "While I was still at Yinshan Pass, I received a letter delivered post-haste by A Zhi, stating that there were anomalies in Jin Yang. I have long suspected Jin Yang’s deep ties with the Chao Li Tribe and did not dare delay, immediately rushing to Jin Yang overnight. Following the clues she uncovered, I dug deeper and discovered the problem was far more severe than anticipated. Are you aware of the tax revenue situation in Yuzhou over the past few years?"
"No one has informed Us." The Emperor, though mediocre, was no fool to have ascended the throne. Realizing his nephew had gone to Yuzhou for official business rather than for Hua Zhi, his lingering resentment dissipated. He directly ordered, "Summon Zhu Bowen."
Lai Fu immediately moved to arrange it, only to hear the Heir add, "Request that Lord Zhu bring the tax records for Jin Yang from the past ten years."
"Yes."
"Continue.""Yes, I personally witnessed that Jin Yang has now become a gambling city. The entire city is engaged in gambling, with everything being used to open betting pools. Most workshops have closed down, and farmlands have been left uncultivated. This is certainly not the work of a single year. Logically speaking, some problems should have been detectable from the land taxes and commercial taxes."
"Fang Hongzhi!"
Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze, filled with rage that such a catastrophe had been buried due to personal interests. He wished he could exhume the corpse and whip it!
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