Chapter 492: The Break (Part 1)
At dusk, the crimson clouds had deepened to a dark red hue. The wind blew in gusts—a fine day indeed.
Hua Zhi alighted from the carriage at the palace gates. She glanced upward briefly before following the eunuch inside without breaking stride.
Humans naturally fear the unknown, but once events have unfolded, fear often dissipates. Regardless of the reason for this summons, the Emperor wouldn’t kill her while funds for his canal project remained unresolved.
As for whether he might humiliate her… Hua Zhi lifted her gaze once more to the dark-red clouds. She, too, wished to see how far the Emperor had deteriorated—for rulers often grow more foolish as death draws near.
The imperial family banquet differed little from those of other households. Every royal relative who could still walk had attended. Though the family tree remained lush, its numbers had dwindled significantly since the purge following the Emperor’s ascension—too many had perished, guilty and innocent alike.
Hua Zhi hadn’t expected to be brought to such an occasion.
The banquet had just begun. At the center of the hall, musicians exerted their utmost to entertain the most exalted assembly of the Great Qing Dynasty.
The Empress Dowager occupied the highest seat, with the Emperor half a step below her. Others were arranged in descending order.
Haoyue, the favored consort, had been personally seated beside the Emperor by his decree. Her gaze drifted vaguely toward the entrance, and she was the first to notice Hua Zhi’s arrival.
Discreetly pressing a hand to her chest, the faint ache reminded her of her current wretchedness. Why should she bear this alone? For every mark upon her, Hua Zhi would not escape unscathed.
A smile touched the corners of Haoyue’s eyes as she leaned softly against the Emperor, whispering, “Your Majesty, look—is that not the renowned eldest daughter of the Hua family outside?”
The Emperor followed her gaze and chuckled. “Indeed, it is her.”
With a light clap of his hands, the musicians ceased as one and withdrew in orderly fashion.
The Emperor glanced at Lai Fu, who understood immediately. Though his throat tightened, he announced in an unwavering tone, “Summon Hua Zhi for an audience.”
All the nobles turned their eyes to the hall’s entrance. Little Six nearly rose from his seat.
The Empress Dowager frowned imperceptibly, her gaze flickering to her second son’s side. The Heir’s seat stood empty—Yan Xi had once again failed to appear. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he was surely somewhere in the palace. What was the Emperor planning?
Hua Zhi removed her cloak, allowing the cold wind to disperse the warmth from her body. Her eyes remained downcast, yet her back stood straight as she paced steadily into the hall.
“This commoner, Hua Zhi, pays respects to Your Majesty.”
She knelt upon the ground—respectful, yet without servility. Her demeanor could have served as a model for every noble family’s daughter.
The Emperor recalled Haoyue’s frequent praises of Hua Zhi in recent days and said, “Raise your head.”
“As Your Majesty commands.” Hua Zhi straightened her back and lifted her head, keeping her gaze lowered as protocol dictated, avoiding direct sight of the imperial countenance.
Hmm. Her beauty alone could overshadow many, but what truly captivated was her aura—outwardly compliant, yet inwardly fortified with unyielding pride. Such a person made one wonder if her bones were truly as unbreakable as they seemed.
Haoyue watched as the Emperor rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, a fleeting smile crossing her lips.
“Your Majesty, this is a family banquet. What is the meaning of summoning an outsider?” The Empress Dowager’s voice broke the silence, not accusatory, but merely curious.
“An outsider? Not necessarily.” The Emperor responded with a meaningful smile. “Speaking of which, Mother, you once bestowed favor upon the Hua family. Why not have her enter the palace to serve you?”The Empress Dowager was inwardly startled but maintained her composure. "What use would an old woman like me, spending all day in the prayer hall, have for a young maiden in her prime? Yu Xiang’s company is more than enough."
"If Hua Zhi herself is willing, wouldn’t that be a gesture of her sincerity? Hua Zhi, what do you say?"
So this was the trap laid for her!
Hua Zhi turned and bowed to the Empress Dowager. "When my grandmother was alive, she often spoke of wishing to express her gratitude to Your Highness. Today, I have the honor of meeting you and, on behalf of my grandmother and the Hua family, I offer our deepest thanks for your protection."
Before the Empress Dowager could respond, the Emperor spoke with a stern expression. "What I asked was whether you are willing to enter the palace!"
"It would be my honor to serve in Her Highness’s prayer hall, copying scriptures and chanting prayers for the prosperity of Daqing. I am willing to go and offer prayers for the nation’s blessings."
Brilliant!
All the nobles present, whether friend or foe, had to admire Hua Zhi’s quick wit. With her deft response, her entry into the palace was no longer about the Emperor’s intentions but a separate matter entirely!
The Emperor’s fingers twitched faster, his aged face even showing a flicker of excitement. The Empress Dowager noticed it clearly and grew even more alarmed. Was the Emperor truly planning to snatch someone from his own nephew? If certain words were spoken, how could he ever face Yan Xi, who had risked his life for him?
But it was already too late to intervene.
"You know what I mean," the Emperor said, gesturing to the room full of imperial relatives. "I grant you the right to become one of them."
"Father!" Little Six seized on a reason that held great weight with the Emperor. "Sister Hua can only earn vast sums of silver for you if she remains outside the palace."
"Does she need to personally handle earning silver? She only needs to offer ideas. Where she does that hardly matters," the Emperor retorted dismissively, his gaze fixed intently on Hua Zhi. The Hua family was in his grasp, and the fate of families like the Zhu family, connected to them, rested entirely on his whim. No matter how capable she was, she was still just a woman. Once she belonged to him, whether as a wealth-bringer or a strategist, she would have no choice but to serve him.
Haoyue was right—such a person was wasted outside the palace. As for Yan Xi…
At the thought of his eldest nephew, the Emperor felt a moment of hesitation but quickly dismissed it. For the sake of his grand legacy, Yan Xi would understand. He would not treat him unfairly—what was one woman? He could give him a hundred!
Convinced of his own reasoning, the Emperor leaned forward, as if observing a fish caught in a net. "Well? Have you made your decision?"
The Empress Dowager, suppressing her anger, was about to remind him when the commander of the imperial guards, Fu Gang, entered to announce, "Your Majesty, the chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau requests an audience."
Haoyue covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "He arrived quite quickly."
The Emperor’s gaze swept over her, the menace in his eyes cutting her laughter short. She lowered her head, not daring to provoke further. Her goal for the day had already been achieved. After today’s events, the relationship between the Emperor and the chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau could never return to what it was—it wouldn’t be surprising if they broke ties completely. As for Hua Zhi, who had caused the rift, she would find no favor anywhere and might even be branded a temptress. How satisfying, utterly satisfying!
She needed to plan more carefully. Outcomes could be altered. If she could sow discord between the two and cause the chief to lose the Emperor’s trust, he might never have the chance to rise to that position again.
As she pondered this, she heard the Emperor say, "Tell him to guard the Seven Constellation Bureau well."Haoyue's eyes deepened with amusement, her gaze toward Hua Zhi carrying an indescribable smugness. Hua Zhi abruptly turned her head to meet her stare—cold, detached, as if observing an insect—piercing Haoyue to the point of nearly grinding her silver teeth to dust.
Just wait, Hua Zhi. Just you wait
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