Hua Zhi responded to each of the Empress Dowager's words, knowing full well that these weren't what she truly wished to convey.
Sure enough, after taking a sip of tea with lowered gaze, the Empress Dowager said, "The Crown Prince is still young and his temperament remains unsettled. This is the most critical period, and I'm holding my breath with utmost vigilance, fearing any oversight that might lead him astray. I truly worry—that the weight of the Great Qing's throne might crush him, or that he might bring ruin to this realm."
She gave a bitter smile. "Ling Wang is unreliable; if he refrains from causing trouble, that alone would be an act of filial piety. The other princes are equally undependable. Yan Xi is someone to rely on, but in the future, he'll likely still need to toil abroad for the Crown Prince. When all is counted, within this palace, only we, grandmother and grandson, are left to depend on each other. Yet at my age, how many more days do I truly have to live?"
Hua Zhi cautiously replied, "Your Majesty is destined for a long and prosperous life."
"You're being clever, avoiding the customary 'a thousand years' flattery." Seeing that Hua Zhi didn't take the bait, the Empress Dowager felt both frustrated and pleased. From any perspective, Hua Zhi's sharpness was a boon—she was truly one of their own.
"Having heard of your straightforward nature, I shall not beat around the bush with you."
"Of course, please speak your command."
"I want you to enter the palace daily for two hours to instruct the Crown Prince. There's no need to attend the study hall—the lessons will take place here in my Palace of Blessings and Longevity."
Hua Zhi was taken aback. It wasn't the teaching assignment that puzzled her—as the Grand Tutor, she had mentally prepared for this and even begun drafting lesson plans. But why in the Palace of Blessings and Longevity...?
The Empress Dowager had assumed she would understand, but seeing her expression, it seemed she hadn't grasped the implication.
After a moment's consideration, the Empress Dowager began to comprehend. This foolish girl had likely never considered that angle. Indeed, if one never entertained such peripheral thoughts, how would they occur to her? Yet she needed to spell it out—having caution in mind would make one more careful in conduct, leaving no room for others to seize upon faults.
"The Crown Prince is twelve, precisely the age when youths begin to admire the fairer sex. I know you see him as a younger brother, as family, but others won't view it that way." The Empress Dowager took her hand and smiled. "You, my dear, have a righteous heart. I favor you and look forward to you becoming my granddaughter-in-law. Fewer complications in this process are always preferable, don't you agree?"
"This humble girl was foolish not to have considered this." Her thinking had been habitual—in her eyes, Little Six was only twelve, equivalent to just entering middle school in the world she once knew. How could she associate such a child with matters of affection? But she had forgotten that here, twelve-year-olds could already be betrothed, and fifteen- or sixteen-year-olds could become parents.
Twelve years old—it was indeed the age when youths begin to admire, yet strangely, even after the Empress Dowager's warning, Hua Zhi's first thought was of the rebellious phase that accompanies adolescence. If an emperor were to go through a rebellious phase, it would be disastrous—his power was too great.
Pulling her wandering thoughts back, Hua Zhi assured the Empress Dowager, "This humble girl understands what must be done."
"My concern was never about you causing problems." The Empress Dowager shook her head, patted her hand, and stood. "Speaking of emotions in the imperial family is a luxury. I've never experienced what harmony in common households is like. I only hope that Yan Xi remains well, that the Crown Prince remains well. They are the hope of Great Qing, and my hope as well. Only with these two supporting each other can the Great Qing thrive, and only then can I close my eyes in peace."Hua Zhi heard the helplessness in those words, and understood the Empress Dowager's warning. If she became the cause of discord between the two, the Empress Dowager would never tolerate her. The imperial family had always been ruthless—she understood this, yet couldn't help feeling a chill run down her spine.
For the first time, Hua Zhi had such a clear understanding of Yan Xi's identity. He was no ordinary man; he was the Heir, a member of the royal family who held the power of life and death over the world. And this destined him to be constrained by circumstances beyond his control.
If one day the imperial family demanded his life...
Lowering her gaze, Hua Zhi forcibly suppressed this possibility. Such a thing would not happen. To secure a peaceful and stable life in a secluded corner, they had already endured the most arduous ninety steps out of a hundred. There was no reason to fail at the final ten.
Hua Zhi reminded herself inwardly that it was not yet time to relax—at least not now. If she were to marry Yan Xi... she probably wouldn't be able to relax for a long time.
Habitually pressing her lips together, she suppressed her slight resistance. Letting out a long sigh, she lifted her head to speak but met the Empress Dowager's complex gaze. Feeling inexplicably flustered, she lowered her head again, no longer maintaining her usual composure.
The Empress Dowager turned her back and walked to the doorway, gazing at the exquisitely crafted scenery outside that had never brought her any sense of beauty. She had no desire to alienate Hua Zhi; in fact, she hoped Hua Zhi would grow closer to her. The world was never short of clever people, but it was rare to find those who used their cleverness wisely. To possess such a discerning mind, yet not employ it against one's own people—how precious that was. She, too, wished to have a junior like this by her side, someone whose mere presence could bring joy even in quiet conversation.
But now, with the emperor deceased, the Crown Prince young, and the central palace vacant, as the Empress Dowager of Daqing, she had no choice but to play the villain for the stability of the realm—to scheme and threaten someone who had rendered countless meritorious services.
She could not rely on the Crown Prince to understand the gravity of the situation—that was too uncertain. Hua Zhi was intelligent; she surely knew how to guide Little Six in the future, solidifying their familial bond so that Little Six would never even consider romantic feelings in that direction.
In her heart, the importance of this matter was no less than the emperor's passing.
Little Six might sit on the throne, but it was Yan Xi who could stabilize the empire—at least until the Crown Prince came of age. Personally, she also wished for that child who had suffered so much to find a devoted partner, to marry, have children, and be surrounded by descendants. Thus, she had to preemptively eliminate any possibility that could destroy this future, even if... she had to be the villain.
The Gu family had only these two left to rely on. She could not afford even the slightest risk, and neither could Daqing.
"Just two days ago, Little Six was very sensible. Even without a mother's protection, he grew into a child who understood propriety, was reasonable, loyal to the sovereign, benevolent, and kind to others."
The Empress Dowager turned to look at Hua Zhi, who had now composed herself.
"I also believe he will not lose these fine qualities in the future, because he will still have you, Yan Xi, and me by his side. Moreover, he will have many more virtuous ministers and capable generals than before. There will be no maternal relatives to harm or burden him, and no one will dare claim meritorious service for supporting the emperor in an attempt to achieve any ulterior motives. His path ahead is broad and smooth; he only needs to travel light and learn how to be a wise ruler. I believe he will certainly do very well."
After a pause, Hua Zhi added, "You need not worry. He will not disappoint you."The Empress Dowager felt a lump in her throat, momentarily at a loss for how to respond. What she had schemed tirelessly to achieve was something Hua Zhi had full confidence in accomplishing. Thus, she remained confined within the deep palace, while Hua Zhi, as a woman, could ascend to high positions. How could mere cunning ever compare to possessing grand vision?
PS: I noticed some readers felt the previous chapter wasn’t great. I tried to revise it but couldn’t capture the right tone, so I’ve left it as is for now. This chapter should be better, as I’m finally free of the fever today.
OpenNovel