Blossoms in Adversity

It wasn't quite a long separation, yet they hadn't seen each other for over a month. Shaoyao tactfully gave the two some space.

However, Gu Yanxi showed no intention of taking advantage of this opportunity. Instead, he had a cozy spot prepared in the courtyard—sheltered from the wind and bathed in sunlight—with fragrant tea, snacks, small pillows, and cushions, and pulled her along to bask in the sun.

Hua Zhi rested her chin in her hand, watching Yanxi, who seemed entirely softened by the sunlight. "Have you spent most of your time here since arriving?"

"Yes, I'm a new face here. It's better to keep a low profile."

"Jin Yang may not be large, but to manage things so meticulously in this regard—tsk, if only that effort were put into other matters, who knows what achievements could be made." Taking the hand warmer passed to her by Bao Xia, Hua Zhi felt so warm that a sense of happiness washed over her. It finally felt as though the coldest days were behind her.

Seeing A Zhi like this, Gu Yanxi's eyes crinkled with a smile. In truth, A Zhi was not someone who enjoyed being busy. This was evident from her reputation as the "faceless woman" over the years, which hadn't even driven her to step outside. She preferred living in her own little world, her daily worries limited to what new delicacies to cook. He could easily imagine the kind of life she had led in those earlier years, which made him all the more aware of how much she despised her current routine of constant scheming and bustling.

Others with three-tenths of talent would strive to show ten-tenths, but she, with ten-tenths of talent, begrudged even using one-tenth.

"I heard from Chen Qing that the mushroom farm is outside the city, and they've opened a shop in town."

"Yes, the shop in town mainly handles wholesale orders. Aside from the initial effort to promote it to various households, later on, the stewards and matrons would place their orders directly at the shop. Each day, after the mushrooms are delivered to the city, they're distributed according to the requested quantities. The shop manager then goes to the farm to pick up the goods."

"The shop doesn't sell retail?"

"No, it doesn't."

Hua Zhi gave a thumbs-up. "Targeting the high-end market—clever strategy. I imagine the prices aren't low."

"Twice the price in the capital."

That was indeed expensive. However, when the season arrived, mushrooms could be foraged in the mountains. Commoners could eat them for free or sell them at the market, so they were always accessible. Focusing solely on wealthy households and restaurants not only concentrated the sales but also simplified the process.

Gu Yanxi gently smoothed her hair. "I've also bought the house behind this one, with the main gate opening onto another alley. You should move there."

"What's the reasoning behind that?"

"If you're going to move around outside, you'll inevitably attract attention. Even people you knew before might reconnect. Having two residences is a precaution. Since we both came from the capital and you bear the surname Hua, it's easy for others to connect us to our identities."

Hua Zhi rubbed her face. "I miscalculated when I came last time."

"How could you have known you'd need to come again?" Gu Yanxi smiled. "It's just a pity I can't accompany you when you go out."

"I'm perfectly content with things as they are now. It feels as leisurely as the old days." Hua Zhi leaned over the small table, lost in a beautiful daydream. "If only every day could be like this."

"Just wait a little longer. Once everything is settled, it will be."

"I wonder how much longer it will take."Gu Yanxi wanted to say "soon," but the words stuck in his throat. For this matter to truly be settled, Little Six would have to ascend the throne, and that would mean his imperial uncle had passed away. He wished for an end to all this, yet he also hoped his imperial uncle could live a few more years. But as long as his imperial uncle lived, these troubles would never cease. There was no perfect solution to this dilemma.

Noticing A Zhi's languid posture, Gu Yanxi changed the subject. "Should Berlin stay in Qingzhou indefinitely?"

"I have no demands. Whether he returns or remains there is entirely his decision. He's eleven now—old enough to learn to make his own choices. Since it doesn't involve life or death, any choice is fine."

"After the handover in Qingzhou is complete, he could go to Xuzhou. That's the Lu family's territory, so there's no need to worry about him getting into trouble."

Hua Zhi was still concerned despite her words. After some thought, she decided she would write a letter to Berlin later.

Gu Yanxi leaned over the small table, resting his forehead against hers, his eyes smiling. "Yu Weiwei got married not long ago. Would you like to meet her?"

After a moment's consideration, Hua Zhi shook her head. "I'm not sure yet. Let's see how things go."

"Alright." Gu Yanxi asked another question, "Could you postpone setting a date for going to Yinshan Pass this year?"

"Why?"

Hua Zhi blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like tiny fans, tickling Gu Yanxi's heart. He couldn't resist reaching out to gently stroke her eyelids. "It's uncertain when matters in Jinyang will conclude. You mentioned planning to head north in April—I'm afraid I might not make it in time."

"I could go alone. Just assign more people to accompany me."

"No, I want to go with you."

Hua Zhi's eyes darted playfully. "Then I'll reluctantly accommodate your schedule. But it can't be too late—I still want to make a trip there in the second half of the year."

"Alright."

Over by the corridor, Shaoyao watched the childish pair with her forehead pressed against a pillar, feeling a twinge of jealousy. Hmph, she'd play like that with Hua Hua later too.

The sunlight was too comforting, and her heart too at ease—Hua Zhi grew drowsy.

"Go inside to sleep, don't catch a chill." As he spoke, Gu Yanxi tried to pull her up to go indoors.

"No." Every part of Hua Zhi's body expressed resistance. "It's so comfortable outside."

Gu Yanxi had never been able to refuse A Zhi. If she found it comfortable here, then she should sleep here. He instructed Bao Xia to fetch a blanket, calculated the spot that would catch the most sunlight as it shifted westward, then scooped A Zhi up and carried her there. Settling into a relaxed position, he patted her and said, "Sleep."

Hua Zhi adored Yanxi's utterly unprincipled indulgence. Burying her face in the man's chest, she closed her eyes contentedly. Before Bao Xia even returned with the blanket, her breathing had already deepened into slumber.

After tucking the young lady snugly under the quilt, Bao Xia couldn't help complaining softly, "You shouldn't indulge her in everything, my lord. She can be quite willful at times."

Gazing at the woman whose delicate features were so vividly clear, Gu Yanxi's heart melted with tenderness. "A Zhi has willful moments?"

"Don't be fooled by how capable she seems now—she's more headstrong than most young ladies." Despite her words, Bao Xia smiled fondly. "In winter, when it's freezing, she'd secretly use ice to make strange delicacies. They were delicious, of course, but a young lady's constitution can't handle that. In summer, when she complains of heat, she secretly cuts the sleeves and pant legs of her inner garments shorter. I don't even dare hang those clothes where anyone might see them."He had never seen such a vibrant A Zhi, and Gu Yanxi was filled with regret. One's state of mind is closely tied to their environment and age. Even if everything were to change with time, A Zhi would likely never recapture that same carefree spirit again.

Gazing at her exquisitely beautiful features in slumber, Gu Yanxi leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. One day, he would surely restore her to those worry-free days.