Chapter 528: To Jin Yang?
The Emperor's expression turned ferocious for a moment before he smiled again, "Even if it means you remain childless, cutting off Yan Xi's lineage?"
"Who can truly know what the future holds?"
"You don't care?"
"I do care." Hua Zhi smiled bitterly. "But were today's injuries self-inflicted? That brush with death at Yinshan Pass—was that my doing? Some things cannot be stopped by mere concern when blades and arrows fly. So I can only beg Your Majesty for justice."
"Sharp-tongued. I don't know what Yan Xi sees in you." The Emperor stood. "Since you're injured, rest well."
"Your humble subject bids farewell to Your Majesty."
After the Emperor departed, Old Madam Zhu came to inquire. Reassured that all was well, she went to calm the others. Most visitors today were allies—keeping them steady was crucial.
Shaoyao crouched by the bed, clutching Hua Hua's hand in silence. Sometimes she wished she understood nothing—it would hurt less.
Hua Zhi gently stroked her head. "Don't take it to heart. Resenting a heartless person only wounds yourself."
"I always thought the Emperor truly cared for Yan Ge. Why else would everyone say so? Even the princes schemed endlessly out of jealousy over his favor. Yet in truth, he never valued Yan Ge's loyalty at all."
Hua Zhi had many comforting words, but aside from falsehoods, the truthful ones would only deepen the pain. Ultimately, it was Yan Xi's devotion meeting the Emperor's ingratitude—what good could come of it?
"Enough now. Don't make the wounded comfort you. Apply more medicine—it hurts."
"If it hurts, why didn't you hold back?" Grumbling, Shaoyao fetched the ointment and applied it gently, blowing on the wound to ease the sting.
"Does the Emperor still carry the scent of blood?"
"Yes, stronger than before. When I greeted him, I stood close and noticed it deliberately."
"Chen Qing says the Emperor hardly visits other consorts now. The only times even Lai Fu remains unaware are during imperial consorts' services. Keep a tighter watch on Haoyue. Her origins tie to the Celestial Master—I suspect the blood scent links to her."
"Haoyue is already under surveillance. Aside from occasionally troubling Consort Xu or attending the Emperor, she goes nowhere else. Nothing unusual has been found."
Hua Zhi pondered. "What about her attendants?"
"Normal movements between palace quarters—nothing anomalous."
"Which makes it more suspicious." Hua Zhi murmured, though for now, she had no leads.
"Young Lady, Steward Chen is here."
Hua Zhi pulled the quilt higher. "Invite him in."
As they were in her bedchamber, admitting an outside man breached propriety. Chen Qing halted at the doorway. "Young Lady, our agents have tailed them. We await their contact."
"Maintain close surveillance. Let's see how many pawns they can sacrifice."
"Understood."
"Stir the winds outside into a storm. Say I cling to life by a thread if needed. Also, do not inform Yan Xi of this—he must not be distracted there."
"But—"
"No buts."
Chen Qing acquiesced, inwardly pleased for his master. The Young Lady's caution proved her deep regard for him.As soon as Chen Qing left, Shaoyao climbed back onto the bed and nestled close to Hua Hua. "How are things in Jin Yang?"
"How can any city where gambling thrives be considered good? No matter how advantageous it is for us, it can't be called good." Hua Zhi sighed. "Yan Xi says their gambling den business is booming. Playing cards and Mahjong became wildly popular in Jin Yang shortly after their introduction. They tried many underhanded tactics, but the Peng Family held firm. Now they want to discuss cooperation to make money together. To lure out the people behind them, Yan Xi hasn't agreed yet."
Shaoyao pouted. "I want to go to Jin Yang. Yan Ge hasn't seen what I look like now."
Hua Zhi wanted to go too, gently touching the wound on her chest. Taking this opportunity to leave... seemed like it wouldn't be a problem?
No, she had to wait for Little Six to return first, to secure his merits. After that, the Emperor would deal with the salt merchants, the salt tax and Transportation Department would have new regulations, sugar production was still seeking raw materials, double-cropping rice would have to wait until the second half of the year... She was completely free to go!
"Cao Cao, how long will it take for my injury to heal?"
"Ask me again after two months of proper rest."
"Not that kind of healing. I'm asking how many days until I can move freely."
Shaoyao looked up. "What do you want to do?"
Hua Zhi looked at her, her eyes seeming to sparkle. "Go to Jin Yang."
Shaoyao sat up abruptly, her eyes darting around rapidly. "Will you take me?"
"Yes!"
Shaoyao immediately became energized. "Your wound isn't deep. If it were elsewhere, I could have you out of bed in two days. But this location is different from other places - if it gets infected, it would be very troublesome. Let's rest a few more days before getting up."
After saying this, Shaoyao leaned in closer and asked in a low, conspiratorial voice, "Are we really going?"
"Don't you want to go?"
Shaoyao nodded repeatedly. "I want to go!"
"I want to go too. We'll go after Little Six returns." Before making this decision, she hadn't felt particularly urgent, but now that she'd decided, she wished she could pack up and leave immediately.
"How much longer until Little Six returns?"
"I received a letter earlier saying he was on his way back. Calculating the days, it should be within the next few days, if he hasn't encountered any trouble."
Shaoyao pitifully cupped her face. "I wish we could leave right now."
As if anyone wouldn't feel the same way. Hua Zhi looked down at her chest - if she had known the imperial physician who came was one of their own, she would have made her injury even lighter.
In the Like Orchid Palace, Haoyue brought hot tea to the Emperor's lips. "This is a new calming tea I've prepared. Please taste it and see how it is."
The Emperor took a few sips. "Not bad."
"If you say it's not bad, then drink a few more sips." Haoyue complained, taking a few sips from her own cup. She glanced at the Emperor and asked casually, "Why do you seem unhappy? Who has offended you?"
"People in the palace have their own channels. They learn news from outside almost as quickly as I do. What, you don't know?"
"Those people you mentioned certainly don't include me. I've only been in the palace for such a short time, and without my natal family outside to support me, where would I get such channels?"
That made sense. The Emperor nodded and told her about Hua Zhi being attacked and injured.
"This is really... what kind of grudge is big enough to warrant killing?" Haoyue touched her stomach, as if comforting the frightened child within.
The Emperor also touched her already showing belly and chuckled. "There really is one. Since she chose to take sides and become Little Six's imperial tutor, she should have been prepared for this. Without her, Little Six would collapse by half. There are naturally those who can't tolerate her."
Haoyue's eyes flickered. "Is she that important?""Hua Yizheng probably never imagined what kind of person he had raised." Hua Zhi possessed the Hua family's pride and courage, along with a sharpness and relentless drive that other family members lacked. Perhaps because she was a woman, Hua Yizheng allowed her to follow her interests in reading. While she might not surpass ordinary scholars in eight-legged essay composition, few could rival her breadth of knowledge.
PS: This is the revised draft. Seeking guaranteed monthly votes.
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