Chapter 57: The Eavesdropping Heir
After martial arts training, there was still a quarter-hour break. After having some pastries and resting briefly, it would be time to start studying.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gu Yanxi saw Hua Zhi enter the schoolroom. He leisurely wandered over as well. Everyone in the front courtyard knew he was the martial arts instructor invited by the young lady, so no one stopped him.
As he drew closer, he could hear Hua Zhi’s teaching voice—clear, soothing, and seeping into one’s heart, making one unconsciously listen intently.
Gu Yanxi leaned against the corridor pillar and squinted at the sky. What a pity Hua Zhi was born a woman. If she were a man, the Hua family would be extraordinary! Even this calamity might have been resolved by her in advance. Being confined to the inner quarters was too limiting for her.
It wasn’t until the children’s clamor erupted that Gu Yanxi realized he had been standing there listening for a full hour. It was too late to slip away, so he simply strode out openly from behind the pillar. He didn’t see Hua Zhi but instead spotted Mu Qing.
The two had briefly crossed paths in the morning and were well aware of each other’s identities.
Respecting Mu Qing’s character, Gu Yanxi took the initiative to cup his hands in salute. “Lu Yanxi pays his respects to Mr. Mu.”
Mu Qing returned the gesture. “Mr. Lu.”
They exchanged a glance, smiled simultaneously, and then went their separate ways. The friendship of gentlemen is as pure as water—no need for deep conversations when the acquaintance is still shallow.
Seeing that Hua Zhi hadn’t emerged yet, Gu Yanxi took the opportunity to slip away and headed toward the courtyard in the east where Hua Zhi rested between lessons. At a glance, he spotted Shaoyao grinding herbs in the yard. Not wanting to intrude, he beckoned her over. “Where did these herbs come from?”
“I had someone deliver them. Oh, right, Hua Hua gave me this.” Like presenting a treasure, Shaoyao pulled a book from the pouch where she usually kept various medicines and held it out for Gu Yanxi to see.
“Rao’s Medical Classic?” Gu Yanxi was surprised that this medical text, which he had searched for so long without success, was in the Hua family’s possession. However, given the extent of the Hua family’s book collection, it was indeed possible. “Did they bring all their books with them?”
“They brought most of them. Hua Hua said that out of the twenty carts of belongings they brought, fifteen were filled with books. She told me to read this one first, and she’ll go look for more. There should be others.”
There were few people Gu Yanxi admired, and the Hua family’s ancestor was one of them. Since the founding of the Daqing Dynasty 170 years ago, only five families had maintained their legacy for over a century. The other four had all declined at some point, with the worst nearly losing their lineage entirely. Only the Hua family had steadily endured to this day.
Several generations of emperors had spoken of the Hua family’s ancestor, Hua Jingyan, who once served as prime minister, as a man of great wisdom. As long as the Hua family did not betray their ancestors or abandon their principles and continued to abide by their family rules, they would not collapse. Even one or two generations of mediocrity would not affect their foundation.
Even now, though they had been unjustly implicated, leading to confiscation of their property and exile, and it seemed they had hit rock bottom, Gu Yanxi could tell from the children whose eyes still shone with hope that the Hua family’s resurgence was only a matter of time. These children were the embers of the Hua family’s legacy. Once they grew up, the family would rise again. Moreover, they had Hua Zhi, the one who could stabilize the situation.
Shaoyao leaned in and whispered, “Heir… Yan Ge, were you eavesdropping?”
“I was listening openly.”
“Heh, listening is listening. So, how was it? Was Hua Hua’s teaching amazing?”
“If even you could understand it, it must indeed be of high quality.”
Shaoyao didn’t feel insulted at all and nodded in full agreement. “Of course. In a while, I plan to bring a small stool and sit outside the schoolroom to listen.”
“Why wait for a while?”"In a while, I'll be more familiar with the Hua family. Even if someone sees me, they won't think I'm sneaking around with ill intentions. But not yet—the Hua family's servants are still on guard!"
This was Shaoyao, who was actually incredibly perceptive. Gu Yanxi brushed the medicinal powder off her clothes. "I had someone buy a house nearby. Would you like to come with me to see it?"
"No, I want to stay with Hua Hua."
"..." Gu Yanxi had no choice but to return alone.
This day was the scheduled lesson day for the Second and Third Young Misses.
Hua Zhi arrived earlier than usual. Led by Hua Bolin, the Hua family boys straightened up, their punches growing more forceful.
Gu Yanxi let them continue practicing and walked over to greet her. "Elder Sister."
Hua Zhi bowed slightly. "Today, my younger sisters will be coming to the front courtyard. Could I trouble Lu Xiansheng to keep a low profile?"
Gu Yanxi immediately understood her meaning and replied, "I will leave as soon as the time comes."
"Thank you."
"There's no need for such formality, Elder Sister."
Gu Yanxi dismissed the class a little early and left through the side gate without lingering.
Upon receiving the report, Hua Zhi's impression of him improved further. She appreciated people who understood subtle cues and knew their boundaries. It was a pity such a person couldn't be recruited for her own use.
"Where's Cao Cao?"
"She went to pester Fu Dong. She wants to eat fried small fish." Bao Xia covered her mouth and laughed. During their first meeting, Cao Cao had been terse and aloof, but once familiar, she turned out to be so simple and easily coaxed. She'd been sweet-talking all morning just for a plate of fried fish.
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised at all. With such an enthusiastic foodie around, Fu Dong's culinary skills were bound to improve.
"Don't let her leave the courtyard until Second Sister and Third Sister have departed."
"Yes, I've noted it."
"What is Ying Chun doing?"
"The supplier for the workshop's ceramic jars came to settle accounts. She and Nian Qiu went to handle it."
Hua Zhi didn’t press further. Cao Cao had once praised her for training her maids well—a compliment Hua Zhi gladly accepted. Few in the capital could compare to her attendants. Of course, this was also because she trusted and indulged them, allowing them to handle routine matters seamlessly without her direct oversight.
Liu Xiang entered with light steps to report, "Miss, the Second and Third Young Misses have arrived."
Instantly, the maids in the room straightened their postures, presenting themselves impeccably. Hua Zhi found it amusing but didn’t comment, allowing them to uphold her dignity in their own way.
In the Hua family, it was customary for daughters to be given single-character names and sons double-character names—no particular reason, just a tradition passed down by elders.
The Second Young Miss, Hua Xin, was from the second branch. Though similar in age, appearance, and talent to the Third Young Miss, Hua Ling, she was always overshadowed because her father was a concubine-born. This hierarchy was evident even in the order they entered.
No matter how fast Hua Xin walked, Hua Ling consistently stayed half a step ahead, maintaining her superior position.
"Elder Sister."
They greeted her in unison. Hua Zhi smiled faintly in acknowledgment and stood. "Class will start soon. Head over first. Today, you don’t need to follow the set schedule. Decide between yourselves who goes first and simply teach what you’re good at."
The two exchanged a glance, their hearts trembling with excitement.They had never entertained such wild thoughts before, but upon learning that their elder sister had become a female teacher, a fire ignited within them. If their sister, who had never been known for talent, could become a teacher, wouldn't they—renowned for their abilities—be even more qualified?
Before they could devise a way to win over their grandmother, she unexpectedly gave them the opportunity. They gladly accepted it!
Watching the two depart with high spirits, Hua Zhi sighed, "Youth is truly wonderful."
"..." The maids exchanged glances. Their young mistress hadn't even turned sixteen yet—was she no longer considered young?
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