Gu Yanxi glanced at Little Six and said as casually as if commenting on the fine weather, "Why wait for an auspicious day when today is as good as any? Let's have the apprenticeship tea ceremony now."
Hua Zhi was still mentally reviewing potential collaborators among the capital's prominent families when she heard this, causing her reaction to lag. Meanwhile, Little Six swiftly picked up the steaming tea Liu Xiang had just brewed, knelt before Sister Hua, raised the teacup high, and gazed at the stunned woman with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
Hua Zhi wanted to sidestep this bow—a royal descendant's formal salute was beyond her station—but Yanxi held her back. Mindful of his wound, she dared not struggle too hard.
"A Zhi, I recall you once mentioned a term: win-win," Gu Yanxi tightened his grip on her hand. "Establishing a teacher-student relationship between you and Little Six is exactly that."
She understood the logic perfectly, but had assumed it would remain a verbal understanding rather than such a solemn ceremony. Seeing the child's anxious, almost fearful expression softened Hua Zhi's heart. Sighing, she accepted the tea and took a sip under the boy's ecstatic gaze before looking up. "My hesitation wasn't about unwillingness to accept you as my student. In truth, we've already developed a teacher-student bond over this past year. I just never expected it to be so... ceremonious. I thought we could simply acknowledge it in our hearts."
Little Six immediately beamed with joy.
A smile also appeared on Hua Zhi's face as she bent to help him up. "Let's skip the formalities then. Don't blame me for not preparing an apprenticeship gift—you didn't give me time to prepare."
"No blame at all! I've already received so much from you," Little Six said excitedly. "Does this mean I should call you 'Master' from now on?"
As Hua Zhi was about to say he could choose freely, Yanxi interjected, "Naturally. In a few days when the turmoil subsides, I'll spread the news. If you call A Zhi 'Master' frequently in public, others won't even need verification."
Little Six readily agreed—a teacher-student relationship was far closer than being unrelated siblings with different surnames, especially since he would be her only student.
Hua Zhi turned to the man. "Does it need to be deliberately publicized? Won't that further anger the Emperor?"
"That's why I'm not announcing it immediately. When he calms down, he'll realize having you as a royal tutor is far better than that terrible suggestion others made. For Little Six's sake, you wouldn't hold back knowledge. What the Emperor truly wants is for you to multiply his silver, not necessarily to enter the palace." Gu Yanxi's eyes turned cold—he wouldn't let Haoyue's provocation go unaddressed.
Knowing Yanxi understood the Emperor better than she did, Hua Zhi raised no further objections.
"A Zhi, visit the Lu family tomorrow," Gu Yanxi said with an earnest expression. "With rumors spreading wildly, they must be extremely worried but cannot visit in person. Please trouble yourself to go explain my condition and discuss the transportation matters so they can make arrangements promptly."
The Lu family was crucial for transportation affairs—indeed, only with their involvement could she feel at ease. Yet she had reservations.
"Yanxi, I've always preferred speaking bluntly from the start, and this is no exception. The Lu family already has a stake in the salt business. If they also dominate transportation, it would be all too easy for them to embezzle.""If the realm is at peace with no external threats or internal strife, having the Lu family withdraw from this matter would be appropriate." Gu Yanxi looked at Little Six. "When Duke Anguo learned that the Lu family was to take charge of the transportation affairs, he proactively raised this issue and agreed to hand over the transportation responsibilities when the timing is right. The Lu family has always known what responsibilities are too hot to handle and when they are needed, the Lu family can be utilized."
Little Six nodded in agreement.
"Little Six's disadvantage is his youth—he hasn't had time to cultivate his own faction. You must achieve some results quickly to win over court officials. Before that, you need to swiftly turn the Sun family's influence into your own."
"I understand. If I can return with salt from this trip and legitimately enter the Seventh Division, people will naturally come to align with me."
"Quality over quantity. Don’t accept just anyone, no matter how unworthy."
Little Six smiled in acknowledgment. Sister Hua... no, Master has always held high moral standards for those she associates with, as evident from her choice of business partners.
After some conversation, Hua Zhi left to attend to her duties. Though there were no elders at home, nephews and nieces from various branches came to pay New Year's respects. Her younger sisters diligently remembered her instructions and reported the visitors' intentions as soon as they left. Through this, she gauged each family's stance.
Inside the room, Little Six broke the silence. "By having Sister Hua visit the Lu family, Brother Yanxi, are you trying to announce your relationship to everyone?"
Gu Yanxi smiled, clearly in good spirits. "Why not?"
"If Father Emperor finds out, he might be displeased. After all, he previously mentioned wanting to bring Hua... Master into the palace."
"That was merely the Emperor testing A Zhi. I was too impulsive and misunderstood His Majesty, failing to grasp his considerate intentions."
"..." Little Six twitched his lips. This was truly turning a blind eye to the truth.
Gu Yanxi gently touched his wound. Whether others believed it or not, what mattered was presenting a plausible explanation. The Emperor likely wouldn’t want family disputes aired publicly. This approach preserved his dignity and reframed their conflict in a more acceptable manner, detached from ethical concerns.
Moreover, he had long wanted to declare to the world that A Zhi was his. What a perfect opportunity.
Hua Zhi’s movements over the past few days were closely watched. No one was surprised to learn she had visited the Zhu and Qin families, given their close ties to the Hua family.
But no one expected her next visit to be to the residence of Duke Anguo, where she stayed for lunch before leaving.
Rumors spread instantly. Gu Yanxi’s followers discreetly guided the narrative, and by mid-afternoon, the entire capital was abuzz: the incident on New Year’s Eve occurred because the Emperor, displeased upon learning of the Heir’s affection for the eldest daughter of the Hua family, orchestrated the event to test her. Had she wavered even slightly, the Emperor would never have permitted their union. The Heir had not been informed beforehand, leading to his misunderstanding.
Now that the eldest daughter of the Hua family had openly visited the Lu family, it was clear the misunderstanding had been resolved, and their marriage was imminent.
In the imperial study, the Emperor’s expression was inscrutable. Lai Fu kept his head bowed, not daring to move.
"The Heir has not left his residence?"
"No. According to reports, Lady Shaoyao has been attending to him closely. His fever has subsided."
Despite his severe injuries, he still managed to manipulate the capital’s rumors and resolve the situation so deftly. It seemed all the cunning of the Gu lineage had concentrated in that young man.
Indeed, without such capabilities, how could he have taken charge of the Seven Constellation Bureau at such a young age, barely past his capping ceremony."Go to the storeroom and select some quality medicinal herbs to send to him. Tell him I don't covet Hua Zhi, so there's no need to be so eager to declare ownership. Also, the Seven Constellation Bureau cannot disband at present. Tell him to return and handle affairs as soon as he recovers from his injuries."
Lai Fu bowed in acknowledgment, his anxiously suspended heart finally settling completely back into place.
PS: While revising Chapter Two, I realized the entire chapter was filler without advancing the plot, so I've decided to rewrite it. Will update tomorrow. I get so anxious when the story doesn't progress.
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