Chapter 5 Catching Up to See Them Off
Glancing at the sky, she wasted no more time, tightened her grip on the reins, and urged her horse forward. She couldn’t delay any longer—she had to make it back before the city gates closed.
Hua Bolin chased after her for a few steps, his hands clenched into tight fists, his heart filled with worry for his elder sister. Could she, who usually wouldn’t even go to the rouge shop, really catch up to their father and the others?
The customs of the Daqing Kingdom were not particularly liberal. While some young ladies from wealthy families knew how to ride, a girl galloping at full speed on the road was unheard of.
A carriage by the roadside came to a halt. The coachman lifted the curtain, and a tall, strikingly handsome man stepped out briskly. Hearing the rapid clatter of hooves, he instinctively turned his head, revealing a scar that ran from his right ear to the corner of his mouth. Yet, the scar did not mar his appearance; instead, it added a touch of rugged masculinity to his overly handsome features.
Raising an eyebrow, he took a closer look at the rider.
"Master, shall we investigate this person’s identity?"
"Public order in the capital is not my responsibility." Seeing the woman slow down before turning onto the main street, the man knew she was cautious and would not give anyone cause for complaint.
The main street of the city was bustling with pedestrians and carriages. No matter how anxious Hua Zhi felt, she had to grip the saddle tightly and control her speed. Only warhorses were permitted to gallop on this road; neither nobles nor officials enjoyed such privileges, let alone a woman from the Hua family, which had just been raided.
Enduring countless curious glances, she finally made her way out of the city and urged her horse into a gallop.
A true young lady of a noble house would have been terrified, but inside her resided the soul of a mature woman from another world, transplanted fifteen years ago. Though she had devoted herself to becoming a refined lady over the years, she had not limited herself to embroidery, music, chess, or calligraphy. She had read numerous miscellaneous books and pored over every geographical record available on the market. She had even studied the regional maps of the Daqing Kingdom many times with her grandfather. She knew there were several routes to the northern border, but exiled convicts would only take the official road. Following this path, she was sure to catch up.
After galloping for about half an hour, Hua Zhi spotted a large crowd ahead. The convicts in their inner garments and the uniformly dressed guards were clearly distinguishable.
The founding emperor of the Daqing Dynasty had risen from common origins, leading a rebellion against the oppressive former regime. The laws he established were far less severe, with the most popular reform being the abolition of the punishment of exterminating nine clans. When an official committed a crime, only their immediate clan was implicated, and married daughters were exempt from punishment.
For instance, in the Hua family’s case, only the main branch and three collateral branches—one headed by Hua Jiyi’s full brother, one by his half-brother, and one by his cousin—were exiled. Altogether, fifty-four people from these four families were sent away, along with some loyal servants who chose to follow voluntarily.
As she drew closer and saw her grandfather and the others shackled at the wrists and ankles, Hua Zhi’s heart ached unbearably. Her grandfather, who would change his clothes at the slightest crease, had never suffered such humiliation before.
The sound of hooves drew the attention of those ahead. The lead guard raised his hand to halt the procession and rode forward. "Who goes there?"The officer was feigning ignorance. In truth, he had understood who they were the moment he saw the bundles on her person and the horse. Usually in such situations, officers stood to gain some benefits—after all, what family wouldn’t hope for their convicted relatives to receive some care on the journey? Even a dilapidated ship has three thousand nails, let alone a family like the Huas, a century-old aristocratic clan.
Hua Zhi dismounted and curtsied, then took down one of the bundles and offered it. "I am from the Hua family. You’ve had a long journey, officers. Please accept these snacks to refresh yourselves."
The officer took it, squeezed it in his hand, and nodded with satisfaction. "Then I’ll gladly accept. I’ll give you the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Keep it brief."
"Thank you, sir."
Hua Zhi led her horse over to the Hua family members. They all watched her intently. They had been hoping for someone from the family to come, but none had expected it to be the usually inconspicuous eldest granddaughter of the main branch.
Her father, Hua Pingyu, cleared his throat lightly. "Zhi Er, why have you come?"
"Someone had to." Hua Zhi handed out the bundles one by one. Ten members of the main branch had been exiled. When she reached her third uncle, she gripped his hand and pressed on a specific part of the bundle. Understanding, he nodded.
Fifteen years were enough for her to grasp the personalities of her family members. Her father and third uncle took after their grandfather, embodying the typical scholarly temperament. Her second uncle, being an illegitimate child, could neither enter officialdom nor was he particularly outstanding, so his performance had always been mediocre. Even if he had his own thoughts, they stayed within the bounds of what their grandfather permitted.
Only the fourth uncle was an exception. In terms of cleverness and quick-wittedness, neither her father nor her third uncle could match him. Once they reached the northern border, Hua Zhi would rely on him the most.
"It’s cold up there. I’ve brought knee pads, wrist guards, and a set of thick clothes. Mother, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt rushed to make them. They’ve been washed, so they’re not as warm as before. Wear them for a while and don’t rush to wash them."
No one in the Hua family was foolish. They understood and nodded in agreement.
"The Empress Dowager has intervened to protect us. The rest of the family is safe, but we can no longer live in the old residence. We’ve moved to a house in the southern part of the city." Hua Zhi glanced at the officers not far away and lowered her voice. "Grandfather, I want to know what crime you were accused of."
"Zhi Er, don’t pry into court affairs..."
"If Zhi Er wants to know, I’ll tell her." Hua Yizheng cut off his eldest son’s words and replied in an equally hushed tone, "The Emperor has delayed appointing a Crown Prince. The rivalry between the two princes has harmed innocent bystanders. I couldn’t hold back and spoke out of turn, which angered the Emperor. That’s all there is to it."
Hua Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s nothing serious, Grandfather. You were merely a scapegoat. Once this passes, there will be a chance to make amends. Use the silver as needed when you get there. Don’t worry about running out—I’ll earn money. But you must take care of yourselves. Grandfather, you have to promise me."
Despite being in the most humiliating situation of his life, Hua Yizheng smiled. "My judgment has never been wrong, hasn’t it?"
Tears welled up in Hua Zhi’s eyes, and her nose tingled with emotion. Among all the siblings and cousins in the family, her grandfather had singled her out since childhood, personally teaching her, guiding her hand in calligraphy, and instructing her in the arts of music, chess, literature, and painting. She had always believed she hid herself well, never revealing even a hint of her true nature. She didn’t understand why her grandfather had treated her differently.Now she understood. No matter how much she acted like a child, an adult's soul could never truly revert to a child's mindset. When she should have been afraid, she wasn't; when she should have been startled, she remained calm; when she should have been joyful, she showed no delight. How could someone as wise as her grandfather fail to notice her differences?
"Grandfather, I won't let you down."
Hua Yizheng patted her shoulder. "Take care of the family. Your grandmother must be having a hard time."
"I know. Don't worry."
Glancing at the few families keeping their distance nearby, Hua Yizheng sighed. "Help those families if you can. After all, they've been implicated because of me."
"Yes."
Hua Yizheng paced away, saying no more.
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