Shaoyao followed him out through the side gate and grew anxious when she saw The Heir continuing to walk ahead. She quickened her pace and tugged at the corner of his robe. "I need to hurry back for my meal..."
Gu Yanxi stopped helplessly and looked at her. She had only been staying here for a day and was already using the word "return." If she stayed longer, would she even remember which way her own home faced?
"Remember my current name. Address me as Yan Ge in daily interactions, and treat me as an ordinary companion."
"Can I call you Yan Ge?"
"If I say you can, then you can."
Thus emboldened, Shaoyao cheerfully called out, "Yan Ge."
Something flickered in Gu Yanxi's eyes, but Shaoyao, preoccupied with returning for her meal, didn't notice and only wished he would let her go quickly.
"You aren't wearing your Veiled Hat."
Shaoyao instinctively reached up to touch her head—it was indeed missing. Yet she had passed several people on her way here who had even greeted her respectfully. Had any of them shown even a hint of disgust or fear, she would have noticed. But...
Gu Yanxi's lips curved slightly. "Go eat."
"Oh." Shaoyao obediently turned back, still pondering the servants' reactions. As she entered, she paid closer attention: the gatekeeper bowed to her and went about his duties as usual.
Walking further inside, everyone she encountered bowed and addressed her as "Miss Shaoyao." The strongest reaction was simply avoiding eye contact, but no one showed any displeasure or aversion on their faces.
Shaoyao's steps grew increasingly light, and she eventually used her qinggong technique to bounce joyfully into her friend's courtyard.
"Hua Hua."
Hua Zhi came to the door to greet her. "Go wash your hands quickly. Liu Xiang, ask Fu Dong to serve the meal."
"Yes."
Shaoyao immediately spotted her Veiled Hat resting on the shelf. Her eyes sparkled as she pulled her friend aside to whisper, "Hua Hua, your family's servants aren't afraid of my face."
"Are you happy?"
Shaoyao nodded vigorously. She was overjoyed. Although she never wore it at home either, that was different—most residents there were her companions, and the servants were specially trained. Even then, there had been gossip initially until The Heir harshly disciplined everyone. But she had been at the Hua family for less than two days!
Hua Zhi's heart softened under Shaoyao's puppy-like gaze. She led her to wash hands while saying, "It's perfectly normal. Making a fuss would be the impolite thing."
Shaoyao smiled with squinted eyes. She knew this wasn't ordinary, but if Hua Hua said it was normal, then it was normal.
"You don't need to wear the Veiled Hat when visiting the Hua family anymore. It can block wind in cold weather, but it's so uncomfortable in the heat."
"Mm, okay."
With no lessons in the afternoon, Hua Zhi took Shaoyao for a nap on her heated brick bed. Waking up, she saw Shaoyao curled up in a ball at the edge—a sleeping posture revealing deep insecurity. No matter how optimistic and strong she appeared daily, the events she had experienced must have left marks. Hua Zhi couldn't imagine how traumatic it must have been for her mind to choose to forget.
Tucking the quilt around her, Hua Zhi quietly slipped out of bed and signaled Ying Chun to bring her clothes to the outer chamber.
While dressing, she softly instructed, "I'm going to Grandmother's room. Tell everyone to keep their movements quiet."
"Yes."The Old Madam had just risen when she saw her granddaughter and immediately understood her purpose. Not only did she know about the male visitor who had come to the residence that morning, but her daughters-in-law were also aware. The wives of the second and third sons had come earlier, voicing their objections both overtly and covertly, but she had firmly dismissed them.
Her granddaughter’s decision was not wrong, and she understood the girl’s concerns. With four children in the household falling ill all at once, it was hardly an overreaction to take precautions.
"Did Grandmother rest well?"
"Very well. The autumn heat is still intense—no matter how important the matter, you needn’t come over in such weather. Don’t let yourself get sunburned."
Hua Zhi felt a warmth in her heart. She knew perfectly well that her grandmother must have been aware of Yan Xi’s visit to the residence. By speaking this way, she was tacitly giving her approval.
"It’s almost October now—the sun isn’t strong enough to burn anyone. Perhaps later, Grandmother, you could take a stroll outside too. It would be good for your health."
The Old Madam smiled and nodded. "I’ll follow your advice."
Hua Zhi smiled back, taking the ginseng tea offered by Su Momo. She blew on it gently before handing it to her grandmother, waiting until she had drunk half a cup before stating her purpose. "Shaoyao knew I wanted to hire a martial arts instructor, so she went behind my back and called someone over—a companion of hers. His skills are far superior to those of an ordinary instructor. Compared to the people Grandfather might hire, Shaoyao’s companion is someone we can trust more readily, so I agreed. When he comes tomorrow, please go to the front courtyard to take a look and assess him."
"What is Shaoyao’s background? And what about this person? Could they bring trouble to the Hua family?"
"I don’t know their exact origins, but from my interactions with them, I can tell they are not wicked or malicious people. In my view, what does their background matter? What does our Hua family have left for others to covet? Everyone in the capital knows the Hua family is under the Empress Dowager’s protection—even His Majesty tacitly acknowledges it. Who would be foolish enough to provoke the Hua family at a time like this?"
The Old Madam thought it over and realized it was true. She had been overcomplicating the matter, but when stripped down, it was just as her granddaughter said. With this worry gone, anyone willing to lend the Hua family a hand at such a time deserved to be remembered with gratitude.
"Since you’ve considered it carefully, then proceed with confidence. I think that female doctor is quite remarkable—she’s worth befriending."
"Indeed. How many people can maintain such innocence after enduring so much hardship? Most people in this world fall short of her. I’m willing to extend some trust to the companions she trusts."
The Old Madam patted her hand and suddenly changed the subject. "Your second and third cousins have gained some modest reputation for talent in the capital. I was thinking of having them try teaching at the clan school. What do you think?"
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. "What are their own thoughts on this?"
"Of course, I would only broach the subject with them after you’ve agreed," the Old Madam said, as if it were only natural. "You have many responsibilities. I thought it would be good if they could relieve you by teaching the children when you’re busy."
Hua Zhi neither agreed nor objected outright. "Grandmother’s intention is thoughtful. Why don’t you speak with my two cousins and have them prepare? Let them try teaching at the clan school in two days. We can all go and observe. What do you think?"
"Excellent," the Old Madam replied with a smile, feeling immensely satisfied. She had initially worried that Zhi Er might be unwilling to let her sisters stand out, but now it seemed she had underestimated her granddaughter’s magnanimity.Hua Zhi was well aware of her grandmother's probing, but she genuinely hoped the two could prove competent. With household affairs bound to increase and a trip to the northern frontier looming, she would welcome anyone capable of sharing the burden.
Alas, her grandmother was likely to be disappointed. Her grandfather’s assessment of the two younger sisters was: "They’ve learned all the characters, but don’t quite assemble them well."
Hua Zhi had read their short poems—in the world she once knew, they might have been praised as talented. But in the Daqing Dynasty, where every scholar could compose verse, their skills were far from remarkable. Better to follow her example and avoid public embarrassment than to showcase mediocrity.
PS: Seeking monthly votes.
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