As these thoughts crossed her mind, Hua Zhi's heart sank. Yan Xi's martial skills were undoubtedly exceptional, given his ability to secure the position of chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau. But how many people in the entire Daqing Empire were like him? Even the strongest fighter could be overwhelmed by numbers, and she couldn't help but worry.
Moreover, the Chao Li Tribe had been lurking within Daqing for so long that they had likely studied him for years. With careful planning against an unsuspecting target, Yan Xi might not gain the upper hand.
The more she thought about it, the more restless she became. She wished she could have followed him. Though her martial skills were inferior to many, her mind held knowledge and insights from another era that might prove useful. Sometimes, she didn't need to excel at everything—just proposing an idea or a possibility could inspire those skilled in that area to develop it further. She only needed to be the catalyst.
Closing her eyes, she suppressed the impulse and applied more pressure to her sore shoulder, wincing in pain. After a while, the tension in her shoulder eased slightly.
After dressing, she called Bao Xia in to apply medicine and sat on the carriage driver's seat herself. She didn't know how to drive a carriage, but she could at least keep the horse moving along the road.
The Zeng residence was now in sight. By this time, the Manor Guards dispatched by Yu Mu had arrived and surrounded the compound.
Under the city-wide lockdown, Hua Zhi's carriage without any family emblem stood out conspicuously. Seeing someone in uniform approach, she alighted from the carriage.
"Are you the Eldest Young Lady?"
"That's me." Hua Zhi wasn't surprised they recognized her—Yu Mu had probably anticipated her arrival.
"Subordinate Li He, at your service." Li He glanced discreetly at this young woman whom his superior, who had taken over Jin Yang's duties, held in high regard. He continued respectfully, "My orders were to accompany you if we met."
Hua Zhi nodded, accepting the gesture. "Is everyone from the Zeng family here?"
"I'm not sure," Li He explained. "Our orders were only to surround the residence. Everything else was to await your instructions."
That was just as well. Hua Zhi strode toward the Zeng residence. The other Manor Guards, observing their superior's deference, wisely made way for her with lowered heads.
The main gate of the Zeng residence was tightly shut. Hua Zhi politely grasped the door knocker and rapped three times.
After a moment, three more knocks.
A short pause, then three knocks again.
Finally, the door opened from within. Standing there was the long-unseen family patriarch, Zeng Xinyu, supported by Zeng Xiangyan. His expression was calm. "This old man walks slowly and was delayed in answering the door."
Hua Zhi gave a slight bow. "Hua Zhi of the Hua family."
Zeng Xiangyan's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately said nothing.
Ignoring the Manor Guards surrounding his home, Zeng Xinyu smiled warmly at Hua Zhi. "Seeing you in person is far better than hearing mere descriptions. The Eldest Young Lady truly lives up to the Hua name."
"You flatter me."
"How fortunate the Hua family is." Zeng Xinyu stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.
Hua Zhi crossed the threshold but stopped immediately. "After you."
Without further ceremony, Zeng Xinyu led the way. Hua Zhi followed half a step behind. As they walked, she observed the deep courtyards shaded by trees, the artificial hills and murmuring streams. Despite the impending disaster, the maids and servants, though visibly anxious, continued performing their duties without chaos.
This was no ordinary family built overnight—generations of accumulation had created this foundation. What a pity.
The party settled in the main hall as hosts and guests. After tea was served, the maids silently withdrew to stand by the walls.Hua Zhi raised her teacup and politely touched it to her lips before setting it down. She rose and curtsied toward Zeng Xiangyan, the man who had essentially been used by her. "I apologize for not being entirely truthful with you earlier, Young Master Zeng."
Zeng Xiangyan gave a bitter smile. "There's no need for that, Miss Hua. Upon reflection, I realized you never deliberately approached me, nor did you deceive me. Even when you went with the flow later, it was because Jin Yang truly had issues. Your younger brother merely followed me to understand Jin Yang but never tried to pry information from me. How could I possibly blame you?"
Though this was the truth, her initial understanding of Jin Yang had indeed started with him. Among all those involved with Jin Yang, she only felt a slight sense of guilt toward this second young master of the Zeng family. However, there was no need to emphasize this with words.
She curtsied again and sat back down, turning her gaze to Zeng Xinyu, who sat at the head of the room. "May I request the presence of the Zeng family's matriarch? I have some questions for her."
"Of course, Miss Hua may see her." Zeng Xinyu glanced at the steward, who bowed and left. "If it were any other family, I might worry they were deliberately targeting the Zeng family, but I trust the Hua family."
"Thank you for your trust." Hua Zhi leaned forward slightly in a bow, though her tone held no trace of deference. "First, I would like to ask you: were you aware of Zeng Xianglin's act of treason?"
Both Zeng father and son froze in shock. Zeng Xiangyan abruptly stood up. "Miss Hua, there must be some misunderstanding. How could my elder brother possibly commit treason?"
Hua Zhi trusted her judgment—these two were genuinely unaware of Zeng Xianglin's actions over the years. Even with his blackened heart, Zeng Xianglin had still protected his family.
Adjusting her cloak, she unconsciously lowered her head and took a faint sniff before looking up. "The eldest young master of the Zeng family not only served the Chao Li Tribe but also harbored intentions of rebellion. He has already been executed."
Zeng Xinyu swayed, gripping the armrests of his chair tightly and biting the tip of his tongue to keep from collapsing. Pushing away his second son's supporting hand, he fixed a burning gaze on Hua Zhi. "I knew a little about Lin'er privately mining the silver deposit and had warned him it would attract envy. When the Zeng family was besieged, I assumed it was related to that matter, but to think…"
He took a deep breath and asked hoarsely, "Miss Hua, do you have evidence of Lin'er's treason and rebellion?"
"He was convicted by the Seven Constellation Bureau." Hua Zhi first invoked the Seven Constellation Bureau to firmly establish the crime. Watching the father and son's ashen faces, she continued, "Zeng Xianglin used the lives of over forty people at the quarry outside the silver mine to lure away the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau. He then used Yu Weiwei as bait to threaten me into going to the Yu residence, where he set an ambush with the Chao Li Tribe, intending to frame both our deaths on the tribe and incite war between the two nations. If you don't believe me, you may visit the Yu residence. The Chao Li tribesmen are easily recognizable by their appearance, though you will likely witness another scene of carnage."
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze. "Aside from the three masters of the Yu family, not even a chicken or dog was spared."
"The… the Yu family?"
"Master Yu's illness was not an illness—it was poison. Yu Weiwei's husband, Qi Qiu, was also one of Zeng Xianglin's men. Not long after their marriage, Yu Weiwei was poisoned. Not satisfied with seizing the silver mine, he had no intention of sparing the lives of those three. Even you, sir, may not be suffering from an illness."
The grief-stricken man was stunned by her last words. Not an illness? He had endured this headache for years, often wishing for death when the pain drove him to bang his head against the wall. And now, he was being told it wasn't an illness?Zeng Xiangyan rose and bowed deeply. "Please, Miss, make it clear. What exactly has happened to my father?"
"I am not a physician, only making some conjectures. As for the specific circumstances, we will know only after my people arrive. We shall discuss this matter later." Hua Zhi looked at the father and son. "I am telling you this only to let you know that we have not wronged Zeng Xianglin. His death was not unjust."
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