"Weiwei, take your parents and leave this place." Hua Zhi calmly looked towards Zeng Xianglin, "I imagine Young Master Zeng won't object."
Zeng Xianglin shook his head with a smile, "My apologies, but I do object."
This subtle probe allowed Hua Zhi to see one thing clearly - he had no intention of letting the Yu family survive, including her. Everyone in the Yu family had to die. This indicated that Zeng Xianglin didn't want his true nature to be known by outsiders. If it were merely because of the Chao Li Tribe, there would be no need to go this far. The Yu family didn't know about his connection with the Chao Li Tribe. Therefore, it could only be related to her - he didn't want outsiders to know she died by his hand.
Suddenly, a thought struck Hua Zhi - could it be... he wanted to shift the blame to the Chao Li Tribe?
But why?
No matter how she thought about it, Hua Zhi found the reasoning too far-fetched. She signaled Bao Xia to support Yu Weiwei, while Yu Mu and Jia Yang carried Master Yu and his wife to the main hall. Zeng Xianglin just watched with smiling eyes, not stopping them.
Soon they understood why. A group of people filed out from the room, all tall and burly, wearing only undershirts despite the cold weather, their muscles bulging as if they could burst through their clothes with the slightest exertion.
These weren't people of Daqing.
Hua Zhi determined this at a glance. Given Zeng Xianglin's background, these people must be from the Chao Li Tribe.
At the same time, movement came from behind. Over a dozen archers armed with bows leaped onto the courtyard walls, equally tall and strong, their bows appearing much larger than those used in Daqing.
Yu Mu and the others slowly retreated toward the young lady. Hua Zhi's calm voice came again, "Go to the corridor. I imagine Young Master Zeng won't mind letting his aunt and cousin live a little longer."
"Young Lady is truly intelligent. I enjoy dealing with clever people."
This was his agreement. Yu Mu and the others immediately escorted the family of three to the eastern corridor, then quickly returned to the young lady's side, forming a protective circle around her.
Hua Zhi pushed aside Bao Xia who was shielding her in front. It was useless - they had taken the high ground, and no amount of protection would suffice. If the enemy wanted her life, they wouldn't spare Bao Xia's.
"Was the incident at the silver mine your doing, Young Master Zeng?"
"Indeed." Watching Hua Zhi's composed demeanor, Zeng Xianglin took a few steps closer, leaning forward with malicious intent. "There were forty-seven people in the stone quarry covering the silver mine. Not a single one was spared. After all, without significant casualties, how could we have diverted the chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau?"
Contrary to his expectations, Hua Zhi didn't change expression. She just stared fixedly at him, without sorrow or joy, without anger or resentment. "Besides blood debt, what has Young Master Zeng gained?"
"Trying to pry information from me?" Zeng Xianglin's smile widened. He moved even closer to Hua Zhi, sniffing her neck like a wild beast memorizing someone by scent. "I can gain much, more than you can imagine. But... if you're willing to stay, to remain by my side, I'll tell you everything. How about that?"
"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Young Master Zeng is ambitious, while I only wish to eat and drink my way through life."
"Young Lady clearly possesses great talent. Why bury yourself?"
Hua Zhi suddenly laughed. She understood. "I couldn't figure out what you were scheming before, but now I understand. Young Master Zeng's ambitions... are rather too grand, aren't they?"Zeng Xianglin found his relentless pressure had failed to make Hua Zhi retreat even a step, and his interest in her grew stronger. Hearing her words, he didn't overthink it. "Oh? Do enlighten me, Miss Hua. What exactly are my ambitions?"
"Keeping Yan Xi and me trapped in Jin Yang, then pinning the blame on the Chao Li Tribe so the world believes we died by their hands. If someone later stirs the pot, the Daqing court would have to take action—both publicly and privately—or risk losing the people's trust..."
Zeng Xianglin’s face darkened as he forcibly cut her off. "With nothing but a silver tongue, you try to sow discord. Miss Hua, your calculations are indeed impressive."
At this point, Hua Zhi took a step back into the protective circle, her voice steady as she continued, "And what comes next? Naturally, Daqing declares war on the Chao Li Tribe. Jin Yang, far from the front lines, remains a gambling city, with the majority of its gambling revenues flowing into your hands. You could profit from the war, dispense favors from a high position, and openly expand your own influence. When Daqing and the Chao Li Tribe have weakened each other, you would rise in rebellion—and these vast, beautiful lands would likely bear the Zeng surname. I should be the one saying, Young Master Zeng, your calculations are truly masterful."
Everyone present was stunned. Though it sounded far-fetched, her reasoning felt undeniably sound. The Chao Li tribesmen sent deep into Daqing territory were familiar with the official language, and their gazes toward Zeng Xianglin now held clear suspicion.
Zeng Xianglin snorted coldly. "If rebellion could be achieved just by flapping one’s lips, I’d be more than willing to rise up as you described. Unfortunately, Miss Hua, as a woman, you may not know that to start a rebellion, one first needs resources. I have neither followers nor weapons—to entertain such ambitions would be suicide. Your scheme is clever, but you’ve miscalculated."
"You have silver," Hua Zhi chuckled softly. "Surely you’re not going to claim you’re a saint who handed over all that wealth to the Chao Li Tribe? If so, I’d have to admire you even more—a man of Daqing, yet so adept at betraying his own country."
Zeng Xianglin realized his mistake. He never should have engaged her in conversation out of mere interest, trapping himself in this dilemma. He retreated several steps, his voice icy. "If you doubt me, investigate me later. For now—attack."
His words placated the Chao Li tribesmen. Bows were aimed at the group, while others in the courtyard closed in around them.
This wasn’t the largest confrontation Hua Zhi had ever faced, but her opponents were among the most formidable she had encountered. She untied her cloak and held it in her hand, looking directly at Zeng Xianglin as she declared clearly, "In times of chaos, your actions might be called heroic. But Daqing is at peace, its people content. Your behavior incites war. Zeng Xianglin, you are no righteous leader guiding the people toward a better life—you are a selfish, ambitious schemer. You do not deserve to live!"
"And yet, the reality is that I am alive, while you are about to die." Not a ripple of emotion stirred in Zeng Xianglin’s heart. All his former fondness for Hua Zhi had twisted into loathing; he wished for her immediate death. He still wore a smile, but his eyes gleamed with excitement. "They say the Seven Constellation Bureau agents are highly skilled, and Miss Hua of the Hua family is no weakling either. Let’s see just how capable you are. Fire the arrows!"
Yu Mu and the others—four with long whips, four with swords—swiftly deflected the first volley of arrows.Hua Zhi seized the opportunity to run toward the east wing. With the Yu family's people here, if she went west, she would inevitably have to rush back as long as she still cared about their lives—and by then, she would be at a disadvantage. Yet staying outside without any cover was equally unwise.
Shaoyao kicked open the rear door, and the sight inside made her tremble. She swiftly turned around to cover A Zhi’s eyes.
Hua Zhi firmly gripped her wrist and pulled it away, stepping forward to shield her. Gazing at the horrific scene inside, her chest heaved violently. These were the Yu family’s servants—the man had died with his eyes wide open, and the woman... her clothes were torn, her body battered and bloody.
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