After hastily making arrangements, Gu Yanxi left with his men. The situation with Wang Hai was unclear, and he needed to rush over immediately. The matter at Pengkou couldn’t be delayed either, leaving no time for more than a few parting words.
Shaoyao quickly pulled two porcelain bottles from her sleeve and pressed them into Hua Hua’s hands. “The one with the strong smell is for Master Yu,” she said before darting out after Yan Ge.
Watching the two disappear around the corner, Hua Zhi turned to find Yu Weiwei staring at her blankly. Smiling, Hua Zhi approached her. “I said I’d tell you my identity when the time was right. I am Hua Zhi, and Hua Ling is my younger sister’s name.”
“Zeng Xianglin said you were the eldest daughter of the Hua family…”
“I am. You’ve heard of me?”
Yu Weiwei’s expression wavered between laughter and tears. “The eldest daughter’s reputation has long spread. How could we in Jin Yang, so close to the capital, not know? It really is you!”
Being praised to her face as someone of great renown was not a pleasant experience, at least not for Hua Zhi. She awkwardly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and asked, “Did you suspect?”
“I began to suspect after you came to see me that night. Surname Hua, from the capital, and so capable—it matched the rumors about the Hua family’s eldest daughter. But I didn’t dare believe it, afraid I was overthinking.” Yu Weiwei covered her face, her voice choked. “It was only because I thought you might be her that I trusted you so completely.”
“I didn’t realize I had such persuasive power.” Hua Zhi chuckled softly and placed a handkerchief in Yu Weiwei’s hand. “Do you know where Qi Qiu is?”
Yu Weiwei looked up, her expression hardening. “I don’t know. He suddenly told Uncle Wu he needed to speak with the household servants. Curious about his intentions, I asked Uncle Wu to comply. But as soon as everyone gathered, Zeng Xianglin arrived with his men. My father and mother were in his grasp. They separated the servants and locked them in side rooms. I thought… I thought they had just fainted or were merely imprisoned. There wasn’t a sound—how could I have imagined… imagined they were…”
Yu Weiwei crouched down, sobbing uncontrollably. They were servants, yes, but the Yu family was small and close-knit. Uncle Wu was like family to her, Xiao Tao had grown up with her, Nanny Lin had nursed her, and she had eaten Su Momo’s cooking all her life…
Now they were gone. All of them.
Hua Zhi didn’t know how to comfort her. She could only pull Yu Weiwei to her feet and turn her toward her parents, who still sat unconscious, leaning against each other on the ground. “You don’t have time to grieve, Weiwei. The Yu family needs you.”
Taking out the bottles Shaoyao had given her, Hua Zhi opened them and sniffed. She handed one over. “Antidote. Take it.”
Yu Weiwei accepted it without hesitation and drank it down.
Hua Zhi smiled, her tone softening further. “This one is for your father. I must leave now to attend to other matters. Your family needs help in this situation—do you have anyone you trust?”
“I’d like to ask you to send a message to my maternal grandfather. I need to borrow some people from him.”
“Is he in Jin Yang?”
“Yes, the Qin family in the southern part of the city.”
Hua Zhi nodded. “Write the letter immediately. I’ll have someone deliver it.”
Without another word, Yu Weiwei glanced at her parents still seated on the ground and hurried back into the house to write.
Hua Zhi adjusted her cloak, then noticed something amiss. Looking down, she realized she was wearing Yanxi’s—her own lay discarded on the ground, stained with mud and splattered with blood, no longer wearable.She lowered her head deeply, still faintly catching the lingering cold fragrance of Yan Xi. Thinking of the dangers he might face, Hua Zhi resolved that even if she couldn't fight alongside him, she must at least secure his rear.
"Yu Mu."
"Your subordinate is here."
Hua Zhi handed over the token. "Take control of Jin Yang. Close the city gates. Detain all officials of Jin Yang at the government office. Additionally, deploy Manor Guards to guard the Zeng Family—allow entry but no exit. Have people announce throughout the city: local residents return to their homes, outsiders return to their lodgings, and villagers outside the city gather at the East Market. I want a completely still Jin Yang in the shortest time possible. If anyone resists, beat them into submission!"
"Yes."
At that moment, Yu Weiwei emerged with a letter still wet with ink. She hadn't even bothered to put it in an envelope, blowing on the ink as she approached. Lifting her head and seeing Hua Zi handling affairs, she tactfully stopped.
Hua Zhi didn't notice her. "Confiscate the Zhu Family's properties. Interrogate Zhu Ling separately—extract as much information as possible. Also, send someone to wait outside the city gates. When General Lu arrives, request him to immediately dispatch troops to surround the horse racing track. One hundred elite soldiers aren't enough—I need five hundred. Keep three hundred of them for our use later."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi buried her face in her cloak for a moment before looking up to continue issuing orders. "Jia Yang, find Qi Qiu. Regardless of his status, under no circumstances allow him any opportunity to send messages to the Chao Li Tribe."
Jia Yang shook his head. "The master has ordered that either I or Yu Mu must remain by your side for protection."
"If Qi Qiu manages to send out information, Yan Xi will face a prepared Chao Li Tribe. One side exhausted from long travel, the other well-rested and waiting—who do you think would be at a disadvantage?"
The answer required no thought. While the Seven Constellation Bureau could dominate the Da Qing in terms of martial prowess, facing the Chao Li Tribe would make one-against-two difficult.
Hua Zhi turned to signal Yu Weiwei over. "Shaoyao left me some protective measures. Even against the Chao Li Tribe, I dare to fight."
Hearing this, Jia Yang felt somewhat reassured. He knew Shaoyao's capabilities all too well. Bowing quickly, he departed. Though the young lady was now their master too, in his heart, The Heir remained paramount. Where The Heir's safety was concerned, he dared not be careless.
Taking the letter from Yu Weiwei, Hua Zhi handed it directly to Yu Mu without reading it. "The Peng Family isn't far from here. Borrow their manpower for this task. Before the elite troops enter the city, you may first recruit a few people from the Peng Family."
"Yes." Seeing that the young lady had no further instructions, Yu Mu turned and left.
Hua Zhi walked to the corridor, bending to help Madam Yu up. She glanced at Bao Xia, who understood and went to assist Master Yu. Yu Weiwei hurried over to help—her father was tall, and even reduced to bones, he carried considerable weight.
"Hu... young lady, could you please help my mother to my room?"
Young lady again. Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. Would future generations come to think her surname was Da and her given name Guniang?
But she didn't correct her. What Yu Weiwei needed now wasn't a friend, but someone more capable who could take charge. Since she was being cast in this role, she would play it.
After settling the two elders in bed, Hua Zhi watched Yu Weiwei tucking them in and asked, "Did you know Zeng Xianglin has been missing for two months?""Though I was still young then, I recall the story wasn't about a disappearance—it was said he had gone out and failed to return as expected. When he finally came back, he fell gravely ill. They say that illness damaged his foundation, which is why my cousin-in-law has never borne children all these years, and he has taken no concubines."
Yu Weiwei's face showed a trace of sorrow. For many years, her eldest cousin had been her pillar of support in the Yu family, and she had always been extremely close to the Zeng family as well. As she grew older and understood more, she couldn't help but envy her cousin-in-law deeply. In this world, the only man she knew who refused to take concubines was her eldest cousin. She had even once dreamed of finding a husband like him, yet the truth was so heartbreaking.
PS: Though it may sound like an excuse, Chapter Two is indeed written—unrevised. Three updates tomorrow.
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