Shaoyao sat on the threshold, swinging a bag back and forth while gnawing on beef jerky.
When Little Six heard that Sister Hua had returned but didn't see her after waiting for quite some time, he immediately guessed where she must have gone. Finding Shaoyao there, he was about to speak when she raised a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. She scooted sideways and patted the spot beside her, inviting him to sit.
"..." Even before sitting down, Little Six could feel the chill from the stone step. Still, he sat as invited, though he prudently folded the back of his cloak into an extra layer for padding, which provided some relief from the cold.
Pleased with his obedience, Shaoyao rewarded him by pulling several strips of beef jerky from her bag. The two sat chewing jerky in identical postures in the cold wind, waiting for the couple inside to finish their intimate moment and remember their existence.
Clearly, that wouldn't happen anytime soon—Gu Yanxi hadn't even told A Zhi that Little Six had left the palace.
"We'll likely need to contact the Lu and Sun families within the next few days," Hua Zhi said, twirling a strand of the man's hair around her finger. With his hair unbound, even the scar on his face couldn't maintain his usual stern demeanor. "In the past, we'd have been satisfied as long as the transportation matter didn't fall into hostile hands after court resumes after the festival, but now I think it's better to keep it under the control of someone we trust. We need to prepare a retreat path for ourselves."
Yan Xi reached up to smooth the furrow between her brows. "I've already made some arrangements. Don't worry—I have no intention of handing this route to anyone else."
Hua Zhi said no more on the subject, as Yanxi was always more adept at such matters than she. "You need to assign more guards to protect Little Six. Now that Haoyue knows he's aligned with us, and with her currently pregnant, I fear she might use palace regulations as pretext to confine him within the palace walls. We can't let Little Six suffer mistreatment in the imperial palace."
They had learned about Haoyue's pregnancy shortly after the palace physicians confirmed it—Yanxi's network was efficient indeed. Yet there was nothing to be said about the matter itself, as the union between man and woman producing offspring was natural order. If anything, one could only remark on Haoyue's robust health, given that no royal children had been born in the palace for years, while she had conceived within months of entering.
"There is one way."
Hua Zhi tugged his ear without any real force. "Don't keep me in suspense. Out with it."
Gu Yanxi caught her hand and met her gaze. "Have Little Six formally acknowledge you as his teacher. Then he can legitimately remain with the Hua family under your instruction. This would benefit both of you."
Hua Zhi frowned. The title of teacher was unimportant—a nominal designation would suffice—but, "The Emperor wouldn't agree."
"Seek forgiveness rather than permission. As long as you don't make any missteps, he'll have no grounds to trouble a royal prince's teacher. He can't silence public opinion. While he might get away with finding excuses for other matters, the teacher of a prince is different. If he were to punish you for this..." Yanxi smiled, though his eyes remained cool. "Many senior court officials have served—or currently serve—as royal tutors. If he arbitrarily executes you today and sets this precedent, who's to say they won't be next? Even for self-preservation alone, they wouldn't allow such a thing to happen."
Hua Zhi's brow remained slightly furrowed. She didn't immediately agree, needing more time to consider the matter.Gu Yanxi smiled without pressing her further. This wasn't the only solution, but it was the best one for A Zhi. Having this status would provide her an additional layer of protection. If their plans succeeded, A Zhi would become the Emperor's Tutor, giving her a foothold independent of the Hua family.
Moreover, he didn't believe anyone was more suitable than A Zhi to teach Little Six.
Hua Zhi sighed as she lowered her head to kiss the man's forehead. "Last New Year was chaotic inside and out because Grandmother had just passed away. We ended up having a messy celebration. I thought this year we could finally have a proper New Year, but now it's even more eventful. I dare not imagine what next year will bring."
"Perhaps by this time next year, everything will have settled."
"I dare not hope for such an ideal outcome." Hua Zhi kissed him again, this time on the lips. Their mouths met tenderly, like two weary souls comforting each other.
Gu Yanxi couldn't help but smile. Among noble families, A Zhi was probably the only young lady who would take such initiative and disregard so-called rules so effortlessly.
"I wonder how Little Six is faring in the palace."
"You can ask him yourself."
Hua Zhi was taken aback. "Little Six is here?"
"He arrived this afternoon."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Hua Zhi shot him a glare, helped him lie back against the headboard, and said, "I'm going to find him."
"He's right outside. Just call him in."
The door opened from inside, nearly causing the two figures frozen stiff outside to tumble in. Supporting each other, they managed to stand upright. Shaoyao shivered violently and immediately pulled Little Six into the room, slamming the door shut with a bang. The chattering of her teeth was audible as soon as she spoke.
"You took so long, Hua Hua. You weren't doing anything naughty, were you?"
Hua Zhi rapped her on the head. With Yanxi in this condition, what mischief could they possibly get up to? Did she expect her to climb on top and take charge? Even if she had the nerve, she'd worry about blood staining the bedsheets!
Realizing her blunder and fearing another hit, Shaoyao stuck out her tongue and dodged to Little Six's side.
Little Six was equally shocked by her remark, glowering at her with displeasure. His hands itched to give her a smack as well.
"How did you get out of the palace? Has anyone given you trouble there? When do you need to return?"
Three questions came in rapid succession. Little Six didn't feel Hua-jie was being nosy; instead, her concern warmed his heart. "It's the second day of the New Year. By tradition, palace consorts can receive family visits. Since my mother is no longer here, I asked Grandmother for permission to visit my maternal grandmother. After having a meal with her, I came straight here. As for returning to the palace..." Little Six glanced toward the bed. "I don't want to go back."
"Will that be alright?"
"In the palace, I just end up sitting around in cold solitude. Father is completely preoccupied with Moon Consort and probably doesn't even remember anyone else. I informed Grandmother before leaving, and she didn't stop me."
Little Six smiled faintly. In the past, he might have felt resentful or upset, but now he had long since come to terms with it.
"Then don't go back. I'd be constantly worried if you stayed in the palace." Considering her current situation, Hua Zhi thought for a moment and said, "After the festival, go to Berlin. You must personally bring back the first successful batch of salt."
"But..."
Hua Zhi cut him off. "No buts. Staying in the capital won't help me much. If you can return with salt, no one will be able to erase my contribution. Even without official recognition or rewards, everyone will know the truth. That's exactly what I want—for everyone to know."The words made perfect sense, but Little Six understood clearly that the real reason was the current uncertain situation. Sister Hua Zhi wanted to send him away from this troubled place so that if they ultimately faced punishment, he would be spared.
However, "I want to face this together with you."
Hua Zhi looked at him with solemn seriousness. "Sending you away isn't because I look down on you, nor is it because I think you can't help and want to drive you out. In fact, you are the most important one. If anything should happen to me, the entire Hua family—young and old—would need you to take care of them. Little Six, you're the only one I trust."
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