From Jin Yang to the capital, the contrast between desolation and bustle was stark. Hua Zhi stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the lively scene without moving for a long while.
She couldn't help but make comparisons in her heart—between Jin Yang and the capital, between the revelry here and the devastation in Jin Yang, between the peace and joy of the capital's residents and Yan Xi's uncertain fate... Whenever she thought of Yan Xi risking his life in battle, she couldn't stop her mind from wandering, even feeling resentment.
At times, she truly wished she could bury the palace under a ring of Black Powder and send them all to the heavens.
Chen Qing waited a moment but received no instructions, so she stepped forward cautiously. "Miss, the wind on the ship is strong. Staying out too long might lead to a chill..."
Hua Zhi closed her eyes, forcibly suppressing the turbulent, violent emotions within. She turned and handed Yan Xi's seal to Chen Qing. "Take this. Bring silver, Zhu Ling, and Xu Ze to the palace. Report the events in Jin Yang to the Emperor in detail—the more detailed, the better. Make sure all the credit falls squarely on Yan Xi. Don't give Zhao Jingyu any opportunity. Understood?"
"But you..."
"The Emperor likely wouldn't want any credit attributed to me. Placing it on Yan Xi is the same. Also, ensure Zhu Ling's family and Xu Ze are well settled, along with addressing the status issues for Zhu Ling and the others." Hua Zhi looked back toward the dock. "I'll have someone notify Little Six to meet you outside the palace. He will handle the arrangements."
"Yes."
As Hua Zhi was about to call Bao Xia to disembark, she turned and noticed Xu Ze had arrived at some point, standing there hesitantly as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Of course—she had summoned him without explaining the reason, no wonder he felt uncertain.
Approaching him, Hua Zhi bowed slightly. "My apologies, Lord Xu. There's no need to overthink it. I brought you to the capital to gain a clearer understanding of Jin Yang's situation over the years through you, as no one knows it better than you do."
As the former deputy who had arrived in Jin Yang even earlier than Yuan Shifang, Xu Ze was indeed well-suited for this task—and he... wanted to do it. His ideals, his ambitions, his prime years had all been wasted in that archive. He too wanted the Emperor to know of his existence.
Hua Zhi smiled slightly and turned to the Zhu father and daughter nearby. "If Lord Zhu trusts me, let your daughter come with me for now. You may be too preoccupied to look after her in the coming days."
"If I distrust anyone, it would never be you, Miss." Zhu Ling gave his daughter a gentle push. Having been briefed earlier, Zhu Fang did not act willfully but obediently picked up her bundle, lowered her gaze, and stood behind Hua Zhi.
Hua Zhi nodded to both of them and led the way off the ship. A carriage was already waiting, and surprisingly, it was Xiao Shuang who stood by it.
"This humble one greets the Miss."
"No need for formalities. Why are you here?"
Xiao Shuang glanced at the carriage. "My master estimated you'd return within the next couple of days and has been waiting since morning."
Hua Zhi's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the carriage. Before she could react, the curtain was lifted, and Little Six jumped down, bowing deeply. "Master, you've finally returned."
Annoyed, Hua Zhi poked his forehead firmly. "So idle? What are you doing here? Do I need to teach you the principle that a gentleman does not stand beneath a precarious wall?"
Little Six's eyes sparkled with joyful laughter as he guided her toward the carriage. "I just knew you'd have no patience for that Zhao Jingyu. The moment he arrived, you'd return. Sure enough, I hadn't even waited an hour here before you arrived."With a sidelong glance, Hua Zhi ultimately took his arm to board the carriage. Remembering Zhu Fang, she turned back and instructed, "Xiao Shuang, find a carriage to escort Miss Zhu to the Hua family."
"Yes."
Zhu Fang’s gaze discreetly fell upon the young man before her. Born into such a family, whether by choice or circumstance, she had learned a great deal and naturally recognized the understated yet distinctly princely-style casual attire he wore. So Hua Zhi’s identity was actually… a royal tutor?
With this realization, the last trace of resentment in Zhu Fang’s heart dissipated. If she truly held such a position, then she was convinced.
The carriage slowly departed from the dock. To avoid suspicion, the curtain was not drawn shut. Little Six sat by the door, cautious not to leave any openings for malicious gossip.
Inside the carriage, a thin blanket and a scalding hand warmer had been thoughtfully placed. Chilled from the wind on the boat, Hua Zhi immediately wrapped herself tightly and hugged the hand warmer to warm up. "How was Jin Yang’s Governor Zhao Jingyu appointed?"
Speaking of serious matters, Little Six’s smile gradually faded. He replied in a low voice, "It was personally appointed by His Majesty."
"Without any discussion?"
"None. It was decided directly during the grand court assembly, and the Governor Seal was bestowed at the same time. Many ministers jointly pleaded with His Majesty to revoke the order, but he paid no heed. Moreover, from that day to this, he has not made an appearance. Even I have not been able to see him."
"He hasn’t attended court? Have memorials been reviewed?"
Little Six shook his head. "None of the submitted memorials have been reviewed."
Hua Zhi rubbed the hand warmer thoughtfully. Although the Emperor was not particularly accomplished and could hardly be called a wise ruler, he had never been one to act arbitrarily. Otherwise, he would not have temporarily shelved his strong desire to excavate the canal due to various constraints. Why, then, was he so dismissive of dissent in this matter?
What had the Fourth Prince done to sway him to his side, even at the cost of disrupting the crucial balance? Or perhaps… the issue lay with Haoyue?
This wouldn’t do. They were too passive in this situation.
Hua Zhi sat up slightly. "Chen Qing will soon enter the palace to present the silver. You must take this opportunity to secure official approval for the identities of Zhu Ling and the others from the Emperor. His Majesty is in a good mood now, so this matter is highly likely to be settled."
Little Six, who had grown adept at thinking ahead, immediately responded, "But to His Majesty, eliminating these individuals might seem more convenient…"
"That depends on how you present it. While their existence may seem of little use, if they can step out of the shadows and no longer be controlled by the Chao Li Tribe, assisting them would be of great benefit to Daqing. If they remain hidden, they could become the greatest liability if war breaks out between the two nations. It’s better to have one more friend than one more enemy. You must make the Emperor understand this."
Little Six nodded thoughtfully.
Seeing his reaction, Hua Zhi elaborated further on the reasoning. "Take Zhu Ling, for example. If we treat him as a member of the Chao Li Tribe, he will inevitably see us as enemies. How then could we obtain the list of names he knows from him? And how can we be sure that list won’t lead to uncovering even more individuals? If Zhu Ling hadn’t told me that Pengkou was a trap and the real silver was hidden in Songzhu, who knows what price the Seven Constellation Bureau would have paid this time? Would Yan Xi have been able to emerge unscathed?"Clenching her back teeth, Hua Zhi forcibly suppressed her worries deep within her heart. "From the moment they were born, they were manipulated. Throughout their growth, they endured all kinds of coercion. Some even lost most of their maternal clans. If someone could pull them out of this abyss, why would they willingly serve the Chao Li Tribe? Even setting aside these matters of right and wrong, Little Six, let me ask you this—on a personal level, do you feel any sympathy for them?"
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