Of course there are," Little Six nodded with a solemn expression. "They have it very hard."
"Their greatest difficulty is having no sense of belonging. The people of Da Qing are loyal to Da Qing, and the Chaoli people are loyal to their tribes, but who should these people be loyal to? Even if they have a heart that wishes to be loyal, to whom should they offer it? They cannot choose their birth, nor can they decide their future. Their lives and deaths are controlled by others. For a lifetime with no hope in sight, 'very hard' is an understatement."
Hua Zhi looked gently at the young boy who was so obedient before her. "Little Six, you must have a broader mind. Regardless of their bloodline, regardless of which tribe they come from, as long as they are on the soil of our Da Qing, they are people of our Da Qing. They must abide by the laws of Da Qing and be subject to its governance. In turn, our Da Qing must also protect them and ensure they have recourse when bullied. The people's allegiance is not something to be taken for granted. Only when you truly love the people as your own children will they trust you and rely on you. Don't think the common folk are easy to fool. They can distinguish between good and bad. It's just that their words carry little weight, so even if things are bad, they can't do anything to you, only become estranged from you. When you have time, think about this carefully."
"Yes, Master." After a pause, Little Six added, "I understand what you mean."
"It's good that you understand. If you really can't figure it out, just try to put yourself in their shoes." Hua Zhi lowered her head and smiled. "I'm not very good at being a teacher, nor do I know what I should teach you. I can only explain the principles of matters as they arise. If there's anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask, no matter what it is."
"Yes. I love listening to you talk about these things. They are more direct and easier to understand than the words of the sages taught by those old scholars."
"The words of the sages have been passed down to this day for a reason. You should still listen to them. I also grew up reading the words of the sages. You must not treat them with contempt."
Little Six smiled and agreed, deftly changing the subject. "Everything at home has been fine during the days you were away. I've visited often. Ying Chun and the others are very capable and have managed the household in perfect order."
Hua Zhi was amused by his repeated use of "home," and her heart warmed. Although it had only been a little over a year, Little Six truly considered himself a part of the family. That was very good.
"No matter how good they are, they are my people. Don't you get any ideas."
"I actually did have that thought." Little Six asked tentatively, "Master, you really can't spare one for me?"
"They have followed me since they were young, and their temperaments are like mine. They just want to live a peaceful life and have not a shred of ambition. Before the Hua family's misfortune, they were still begging me not to marry them off. How could maids who don't even want to get married be willing to switch households to serve you? I will not force them."
Little Six sighed. "I knew it."
Hua Zhi chuckled. "Didn't the Emperor reward you with two hundred palace maids before I left for Jin Yang? Are you still short of people to serve you? Even if they are not to your liking, Lady Sun surely wouldn't neglect you."
"There are plenty of people, but few are competent. Besides, with Ying Chun and the others as a shining example, how could I possibly be satisfied with those others? Never mind Ying Chun, even the second-rank maids in your courtyard are better than them."
Hua Zhi just smiled. She naturally knew the strengths of the people she had trained. Compared to stones that only moved when pushed, her maids were incredibly quick-witted. But she couldn't give them to him. She could not place her own people by a prince's side, even if he was close to her and was her disciple.
The carriage came to a stop. Seeing the familiar alley outside, Hua Zhi's heart suddenly pounded. She had been away for over a month, but she was finally home.
The side door opened, and Liu Xiang rushed out to greet them, arriving just in time to help her young miss down. Once Hua Zhi was steady on her feet, Liu Xiang was about to bow deeply, but Hua Zhi stopped her with a smile. "Alright, how long have I been gone? No need for such grand ceremonies. Is everyone at home well?"
"Yes, everyone at home is well." Liu Xiang then curtsied to the Sixth Highness.
At that moment, several more people came out from the doorway. Leading them were the half-gray-haired Steward Xu and Su Momo. Hua Zhi suddenly remembered that two years ago, her grandfather had made a bet with Steward Xu about which of them would get gray hair first. The last time she went to Yinshan Pass, her grandfather's white hair didn't seem to be as much as Steward Xu's. She wondered how he was now.
She personally stepped forward to help the old steward up. Just as she was about to speak, she heard the sound of wheels. Hua Zhi turned to see another carriage entering the alley. After it stopped, Zhu Fang stepped out. She was also taken aback by the scene before her and hesitated to get down.
Bao Xia immediately went forward to attend to her, while Hua Zhi looked at Little Six. "Go meet up with Chen Qing outside the palace. If you have time later, come over for a meal."
"Alright." Little Six cupped his hands in a salute. "Your student takes his leave."
After watching him depart, Hua Zhi walked inside. "This Miss Zhu will be staying with us for a while. Su Momo, please prepare a courtyard for her."
"Yes."
The time spent outside had been enough for everyone in the household to know she was back. She first went to kowtow to her mother, then went to the ancestral hall to offer incense. After sharing a fragrant, late-afternoon meal with her mother in the comforting environment, the fatigue from her travels rushed over her all at once. She trailed off mid-sentence and suddenly fell silent.
Madam Zhu turned away to wipe the corners of her eyes, then beckoned for Lin Shuang to help her lay her daughter down on her own bed.
A few days ago, news from the capital had been flying everywhere. It was only when her sisters-in-law's maternal families came to inquire that she learned what a monumental thing her daughter had done in Jin Yang. It was so big that she couldn't believe it, unable to comprehend how a timid person like herself could have given birth to such a daring daughter like Zhi Er.
She was also excited and proud by association. But only upon seeing her in person did she realize how arduous it was to accomplish those things that were so easily spoken of. Zhi Er had always been composed in front of her; even after a trip to Yinshan Pass, she would return without a change in her expression. But now, she had fallen asleep right in front of her. It was clear just how exhausted she was.
Signaling for the maids to be even quieter, she wrung out a handkerchief and gently wiped her daughter's face. While wiping her hands, she felt the thin calluses on her daughter's fingertips, and her heart ached even more. She was clearly raised in comfort, yet in places she couldn't see, how much hardship had she endured to restore stability to the Hua family? If she, as a mother, weren't so useless, how could she let her daughter toil so hard? If only, if only she could help even a little!
"My lady..."
Madam Zhu covered her eyes for a moment, then ordered in a hoarse, low voice, "Make a trip to the Zhu family and tell my mother that from now on, there's no need to tell Zhi Er about the marriages of the Hua family's young ladies. Wu Shi and I will handle these matters."
Biting her lip, Madam Zhu added, "Tell my mother that Zhi Er is back and is terribly exhausted. I don't understand matters of the outside world, but Father must help his granddaughter. Don't let her be bullied."
A smile couldn't help but appear on Lin Shuang's face. The Old Madam would be moved to tears of relief. "Rest assured, my lady. Now that our young miss is back, there are plenty of ways to make those people outside shut their mouths."
PS: A double update. The subsequent plot should unfold in the capital.
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