Chapter 574: Arrival from the Capital
Hua Zhi turned to Lu Peiyu, "We still need General Lu's cooperation in this matter."
"In five days, I will withdraw my men from the horse racing track."
Hua Zhi looked at Jia Yang, who nodded, "That works. By then, we should be ready at the latest."
"Good." Hua Zhi addressed the group, "Our current challenge is how to transport the silver from the city out unnoticed."
"I might have a solution for that," Zhu Ling offered proactively. "The Chao Li Tribe specially designed a type of cart to smuggle silver out of the city. They wrapped the wheels with a layer of material and then covered them tightly with cloth. Even loaded with a full cart of silver, it wouldn't make a sound. I know where these carts are stored." Seeing that even General Lu was assisting with the silver's destination, it clearly wasn't for personal gain but likely for some significant purpose. Now was the time to show initiative—lending a hand would surely be beneficial.
Hua Zhi was delighted upon hearing this. "Then we just need to wait for the silver to arrive."
The next morning, the silver deliveries began, with the Peng Family being the first to arrive.
Peng Fangming directed his men to carry box after box of silver, stacking them neatly. When he saw Hua Zhi approaching, he hurried forward to greet her. "Miss Hua."
"You've been very thoughtful, Young Master Peng."
"It's the least I could do." Peng Fangming stole a glance at the woman before him. Recently, she had become the most talked-about figure among the families in private circles. Despite such a major incident, she had taken control of the situation without causing the slightest disturbance. They had only just realized how capable a woman could be when she set her mind to it.
"I suspected you might prefer cash, so yesterday I arranged with the bank to exchange some, combined with what we had on hand, we managed to gather enough. However, most of our silver comes from the gambling den and is in small pieces. I hope that's acceptable?"
"No issue at all. Silver is silver." Hua Zhi gave a slight bow. "You've truly been considerate, Young Master Peng. As you guessed, I do prefer cash over banknotes—and gold would be even better."
Catching her hint, Peng Fangming smiled. "Understood. I believe the other families will also prepare cash."
Even if they hadn't planned to initially, they would have to adjust now.
Hua Zhi performed a silent curtsy of thanks. Silver took up too much space, but she couldn't voice that concern herself.
As soon as Peng Fangming left, Hua Zhi stepped forward and opened one of the boxes to inspect it—it was filled with broken silver. "We can't send the silver to the government office; it's too conspicuous. Find Lord Zhu and ask him to designate a location to store it."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi turned around. "Jia Yang, I'll trouble you to personally inspect the goods. Keep a rough tally of the amount. When our manpower arrives, transport half of it away."
"Understood, I'll see to it."
Once word spread that Hua Zhi didn't want banknotes, the families, though displeased, had no choice but to prepare cash instead. Fortunately, the bank owner was one of their own and had substantial reserves, otherwise, they might not have been able to exchange for enough silver.
Jin Yang City remained under strict martial law, but that day, it showed signs of unusual activity. Various carts and wagons carrying silver formed a continuous stream heading toward a residence in the western part of the city. Since the horse racing track was to the west, this was the most convenient route out of the city.
With the overwhelming amount of silver, Jia Yang couldn't manage alone. Hua Zhi first sent Bao Xia to assist, and eventually, she had to step in herself. When Chen Qing arrived with the men from the Heir Apparent Residence, he found her with her sleeves rolled up, squatting in front of a box, busy at work.Chen Qing hurried forward to assist, his peripheral glance catching the dirtied hem of her skirt, which left a sour taste in his heart. At court, everyone was still squabbling over who would take over Jin Yang's responsibilities, yet how many could imagine that his master was already pursuing enemies a thousand miles away? And who would have thought that a young woman like the eldest miss shouldered all of Jin Yang's affairs alone—eating poorly, sleeping little, with few attendants to serve her, and even having to do things with her own hands.
"Why is it you who came? Can the capital manage without you?" Recognizing the newcomer, Hua Zhi smiled, clapped her hands, and stepped aside to jot down a number. She needed to keep track of how much silver was being secretly transported away.
"The former chief of the Seven Constellation Bureau is holding down the fort in the capital. That old man alone is worth a hundred men." Chen Qing stood up and led the thirty men who had come with him in a deep bow. "Greetings, eldest miss."
"No need for formalities." Hua Zhi gestured for them to rise. "You arrived faster than I expected. Good. Hurry and lend a hand—I need to move half of the silver here. For specifics, you can ask Jia Yang later."
Everyone set to work. Chen Qing spotted Bao Xia on the other side and, looking around, realized only the mistress and her maid were in the room.
"What about the men the master left for you? Why are you still toiling like this?"
"Most were taken by him. Yu Mu later went after him to deliver a message, leaving only Jia Yang, who's already swamped with work." Hua Zhi took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands but found it so filthy it would only dirty them further. She tossed it aside and wiped her hands casually on her clothes. "How are things in the capital?"
"Before I left, news of Jin Yang had just arrived. Many are covetous, the Emperor's stance is unclear, and various factions are maneuvering privately."
"Who do you think will end up with it?"
Chen Qing shook his head. "I've thought about it all the way here and can't pinpoint anyone with a clear advantage. It wouldn't be surprising no matter who gets it."
"Has the Emperor shown any recent favoritism toward someone?"
"Not at all." Chen Qing hesitated, then lowered his voice. "The Emperor hasn't been making many appearances lately?"
Hua Zhi perked up. "Is his health failing?"
"I saw him once before leaving the capital when I delivered the master's letter to him. He seemed in excellent spirits."
"Then why..."
Chen Qing's voice dropped even further. "I inquired—the Emperor now only stays at Consort Yue's Like Orchid Palace and hasn't visited any other consorts."
Haoyue was definitely problematic—Hua Zhi was sure of that—but she didn't know in what way. It couldn't just be to ensure no other children were born in the palace; that possibility was too low to warrant such effort. As for the Emperor being infatuated with Haoyue's beauty, that also seemed unlikely. The Emperor had seen countless beauties; at his age, even if he were swayed by charm, it wouldn't be for someone of Haoyue's caliber. She was attractive but fell short of being a peerless beauty. Was it to coax the Emperor into drafting an edict to place her child on the throne? But they didn't even know the child's gender yet...
It just didn't add up no matter how she thought about it!
Hua Zhi picked up a cup of cold tea and took a sip. "Don't the other ladies in the palace object? By rules, a pregnant consort shouldn't be serving the Emperor, right?"
"The Emperor made an exception for Consort Yue. Even the Empress Dowager's reprimand couldn't change it."
The issue circled back again: What reason made the Emperor treat Haoyue so differently? Hua Zhi looked up. "Has Haoyue shown any unusual behavior?""Everything is strictly by the book." Chen Qing smiled bitterly. "Not only are my people watching her, but Eunuch Lai Fu is doing the same. However, Consort Yue has shown displeasure toward Lai Fu, so the Emperor no longer allows him to follow her into the palace to serve. He cannot know what the situation is like in Like Orchid Palace. By the way, I should let you know that Miraculous Doctor Yu has left the palace."
"Left the palace? Did the Emperor permit it?"
"It was the Emperor who ordered him to leave, though he is not allowed to depart the capital. I have brought him back to the Heir Apparent Residence, where there are sufficient medicinal ingredients for his use."
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