Chapter 616 Heartache
The discord between Ling Wang and his son was widely known, but witnessing it firsthand revealed just how severe it was. However, considering the past conflict between Ling Wang and the late Ling Wangfei, it wasn't hard to understand. The murder of one's mother was an unforgivable enmity. A spineless person might have endured it, but Gu Shizi was certainly not spineless. It was said that from then on, he refused to acknowledge his father. The only time he had set foot in the princely residence was when Ling Wang had obtained an imperial decree from the Emperor under some pretext.
The conflict between father and son had grown so profound that even the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager could not mediate it. Thus, their current estrangement came as no surprise.
Gu Yanxi approached as if nothing were amiss, supporting his grandmother with a gentle tone that carried an unyielding resolve. "This place is heavy with gloom. There's no need for you to stay. Shaoyao, please escort Grandmother back."
Shaoyao scrambled to her feet immediately. Remembering something, she crouched beside the Crown Prince and whispered, "I brought back some delicious treats for you. I'll give them to you later."
The Crown Prince didn't remind her that he was observing mourning rites and couldn't eat many things. Instead, he responded in an equally hushed tone, "Alright," and urged her to quickly see Grandmother back.
The Empress Dowager's gaze shifted among her three grandchildren, and her heart swelled with comfort. Heaven had not abandoned Daqing, leaving behind seeds of hope for the nation. As long as these brothers could support and protect one another, Daqing's empire would endure.
Watching the two leave the mourning hall, Gu Yanxi knelt once more, tearing several sheets of spirit paper and tossing them into the brazier. As he did, he said, "I beg Your Highness the Crown Prince's forgiveness for my earlier actions."
The Crown Prince was taken aback for a moment. He looked up, realizing—yes, he was now the Crown Prince, and Brother Yanxi had become the Regent. Upon his ascension to the throne, they would be ruler and subject.
Pursing his lips, the Crown Prince lowered his head, his expression hidden from view. After a moment, he replied, "Let it not happen again. Do not disturb my late father."
"As you command." Gu Yanxi responded with deference, as naturally as if this were how things had always been. Those observing took note and quietly adjusted their attitudes accordingly. The Sixth Prince was no longer the overlooked royal; they needed to change their approach as well.
The seventh-day rites were conducted with utmost solemnity, lasting until midnight and leaving everyone exhausted.
Returning to his quarters in the palace, Gu Yanxi paused at the sight of a lit lamp. He stood watching for a long moment before stepping inside, his pace quickening until his heart raced as if ready to leap from his chest when he pushed the door open.
"Finished?" Hua Zhi set down her book and stood. Bathed in the lamplight, she appeared even more gentle. "The kitchen has kept food warm. I'll have it brought to you."
Gu Yanxi stepped forward and gently drew her into his embrace. In that moment, his heart finally found its anchor.
Hua Zhi returned his embrace without asking what had happened. They had faced countless trials over the years, supporting each other through every challenge.
After a long while, Gu Yanxi's emotions settled. He pulled back to look at her and sighed deeply. "You've grown thinner again. It's my fault—I always make you work twice as hard."
"I do it willingly, and no amount of gold could buy that." Hua Zhi nudged him to sit, then went to the door and instructed the palace maid, "Bring the food, and send the other portion to the Crown Prince immediately."
"Yes, ma'am."
Sitting beside Yanxi, Hua Zhi asked, "Where's Shaoyao?"
"I asked her to stay with Grandmother."Hua Zhi understood clearly. The Empress Dowager was now like a bow stretched to its limit—it could only be released slowly. Releasing it too quickly or forcefully would have unimaginable consequences. Shaoyao, skilled in medicine and originally a member of the royal family, was the most suitable companion for her.
"I didn't tell her you were in the palace today, or she would have sneaked over to see you long ago. When she comes tomorrow, remind her that the Crown Prince is no longer just a prince. She should be careful not to act too casually."
"I actually think it's good for Shaoyao to act according to her nature. The Crown Prince may not be an ordinary prince, but at heart, he is still that Little Six. As long as he hasn't decided to abandon us, we don't need to rush to draw a line with him." Hua Zhi took Yan Xi's hand and gently stroked the fresh wounds on it. "A person with a contented heart will inevitably be more tolerant than one who is lonely. It's better for a ruler to be tolerant. Besides, Shaoyao isn't someone without judgment. Don't worry; let's wait and see."
Gu Yanxi turned his hand to hold hers, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "You're right. We don't need to rush to push him toward isolation. Let him decide for himself what path he wants to take."
Hua Zhi smiled and was about to speak when she saw a palace attendant enter with a wooden tray. She immediately fell silent. In the palace, even the words they had just spoken were inappropriate.
"It's fine. Everyone here is trustworthy."
The palace attendants bowed to Hua Zhi in unison. She gestured for them to rise, understanding now why her instructions had been carried out so thoroughly. Yan Xi must have given orders earlier, and they regarded her as one of their own.
"Eat quickly."
Gu Yanxi was indeed hungry. Having been away for over a month, eating and drinking as simply as possible, and returning to a period of mourning, he had only eaten something in the morning. He now ate with his head down, not looking up. Hua Zhi picked up a pair of chopsticks, sat beside him, and served him dishes, refilling his bowl whenever it was empty.
Watching A Zhi like this, Gu Yanxi suddenly understood what "peaceful years" meant. He thought, if only life could remain this stable forever. He would give up everything—the title of Regent, the position of Heir—he wanted none of it, only A Zhi by his side.
"The late Emperor's final decree..."
Hua Zhi pushed the bowl toward him, signaling him to eat. "Let's not discuss such matters during a meal."
They might not talk during the meal, but the meal would eventually end.
Watching the tea leaves floating in the cup, Gu Yanxi's heart wavered along with them. Just as he struggled to find the right words, Hua Zhi spoke first. "The marriage of a ruler cannot be delayed. Little Six will likely have to marry by the age of fifteen or sixteen—that's only three or four years from now. I can wait. Whether people call me an old maid or not is their business; I pay no mind to it."
The more A Zhi spoke like this, the more Gu Yanxi felt guilty. She had contributed greatly to the nation, yet she was given the title of Grand Tutor and forced to agree to such conditions by the late Emperor. He didn't know what A Zhi had thought at the time, but he felt indignant on her behalf.
Seeing him look even more wronged than she felt, Hua Zhi laughed. "I truly don't mind. By then, I'll only be twenty-one or twenty-two. As long as you don't think I'm old, it won't concern anyone else. No one would dare come to my face and call me an old maid—the Hua family's gates aren't so easy to enter, and anyone who tries would be driven out.""Let's see who dares!" Gu Yanxi caressed her face. "I can only imagine how heartbroken Old Master Hua will be. Whether he'll be willing to grant me your hand in marriage remains uncertain."
"As the first female official of the Great Qing Dynasty and the current Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, who else would dare take me but you? Still, you'll need to properly appease my grandfather—he's bound to be distressed about me." Hua Zhi's laughter gradually faded as her mood suddenly plummeted. "We've finally reached the homecoming we longed for, but how do I break the news to Grandfather? Grandmother... she's no longer with us!"
Gu Yanxi leaned forward and embraced her. "He will grieve, but he will also rejoice—you haven't disappointed him."
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