Hua Zhi collapsed all her strength into Yan Xi's embrace. She had done all she could, but no matter how formidable the eldest daughter of the Hua family might be, she held no sway over life and death. In this regard, all beings were equal, regardless of poverty or wealth.
Like two small animals licking each other's wounds, they openly revealed their deeply hidden scars to one another. After comforting each other enough, they would once again become the formidable and powerful protectors they were meant to be.
Because there was no one else to protect them.
"A Zhi."
"Hmm?"
"The capital... will still require your efforts."
Hua Zhi looked up at him quietly. What she had always feared was not the responsibilities weighing on her shoulders, but the changes from those around her. She feared the shifts in people's hearts and the sudden absence of anyone close.
Gu Yanxi lowered his head and clasped her hands in his palms. "The late emperor has passed, and the new ruler is young. The Chao Li Tribe will not let this opportunity slip. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay in the capital for long. The Seven Constellation Bureau must inspect and reinforce every region to prevent them from finding any weaknesses."
This was to be expected. Hua Zhi naturally couldn't stop him, but she said, "The capital has its officials and the Empress Dowager. There's no need for me to intervene. The other princes no longer pose a threat, so you needn't worry about anyone causing trouble."
"I trust you more." Gu Yanxi looked up and smiled at her. "My grandmother prioritizes the Great Qing first, then the Crown Prince. The officials each have their own agendas. I only trust that you will wholeheartedly consider Little Six's interests and plan for him. I will hand over all the personnel and covert agents of the Heir Apparent Residence to you, entirely under your command. Combined with the resources the Crown Prince can mobilize, it should suffice even if anything happens."
Hua Zhi did not agree immediately. "Has something happened that I'm unaware of?"
"Not at all, it's just..." Gu Yanxi pressed her hand against his chest. "My intuition tells me something is amiss. I need to prepare in advance."
Hua Zhi looked at him for a moment before nodding slightly. "I understand. I will spare no effort."
"I'm sorry. Knowing me hasn't made your life easier but has burdened you even more."
Hua Zhi lowered her head and smiled. "Who asked me to be willing?"
Gu Yanxi was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. This was truly the sweetest thing he had ever heard. A Zhi seldom spoke such words, but when she did, it made one want to offer their heart to her.
After all, it was the imperial palace. Staying an extra day would already be overstepping propriety. Early the next morning, Gu Yanxi escorted her home. Still wearing his mourning clothes, he did not enter the Hua residence but said at the gate, "There's no need to go to Yinshan Pass again. Both the Crown Prince and I will find a way to bring your family back as soon as possible."
Hua Zhi had been contemplating this matter for several days. She wanted to go, as it had been a long time since her last visit, and she was unsure about her grandfather's health. However, she was well aware of her own condition. After continuous physical depletion, she likely couldn't endure the journey. If she pushed herself to collapse, who would she be showing it to? She would be the one to suffer the consequences.
"Alright, I understand. I'll write a letter to Grandfather and send it through the Seven Constellation Bureau's channels to reassure him."
Gu Yanxi breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed. He would do anything for A Zhi—his only fear was that she would be too stubborn and bear everything alone.With Yan Xi's presence or absence making all the difference, Hua Zhi slept soundly, drifting into deep slumber for two days that were largely spent in bed. This even prompted Shaoyao to pay a visit. The Empress Dowager finally allowed herself some respite, managing half a night's restful sleep. Little Six, having seen his greatest pillar of support, felt immediate reassurance and finally gained the confidence to face his abruptly changed status. Meanwhile, the Seven Constellation Bureau at last began to embody its proper form.
With the return of one person, it seemed everyone's spirit had been restored.
On the day the Spring Examination commenced as scheduled, Hua Zhi entered the palace.
"After the Spring Examination comes the Palace Examination. Has Your Highness selected the examination questions?"
The Crown Prince picked out a dossier, flipped through it, and handed it over. "All the questions are here. Grand Tutor, please take a look."
Hua Zhi made no attempt to avoid the matter, accepting it and reviewing each question one by one before asking, "Has Your Highness decided which question to choose?"
"I wish to create one of my own."
These questions were indeed too mediocre. Hua Zhi closed the dossier and set it aside. "These scholars will be Your Highness's first protégés and will undoubtedly become key pillars of the Great Qing in the future. It is best that they align with Your Highness's intentions."
"Then what about these..." The Crown Prince pointed at the dossier, his gaze hesitant.
Hua Zhi smiled. "Your Highness, you will be the sovereign whose decrees move the world. No one can dictate how you should act or what you should do. No one can control you—not the Empress Dowager, the Regent, nor I. We can only assist you, not tell you what to do."
"But what if my decision is wrong? Should the Great Qing perish with me?"
"Our role is to bear these mistakes for you while you are still at an age where you can err, and to teach you how to avoid repeating them in the future."
The Crown Prince rose and walked to the side. Unlike before, Hua Zhi did not rush to comfort him or attend to his emotions. She simply stood up and remained by his side, waiting for him to accept this reality.
"The Grand Tutor must be under great pressure as well," the Crown Prince turned to look at the Grand Tutor, who seemed somewhat more spirited. "You are the sole Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. If I succeed, few may credit you; but if I fail, everyone will point fingers at you and blame you for the errors. It truly seems like a thankless task in every way."
"There is pressure—I worry that my knowledge may be insufficient to teach you more. But beyond that, there is no need to dwell on other concerns. Consort Zhen raised you well, Your Highness. Your foundation is solid, so how could your future not be bright?"
His mother... The Crown Prince thought of that serene woman with her lovely smile and couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia. Yes, the Grand Tutor did resemble his mother somewhat—not in appearance, but in their essence. They were both truly without ambition, wishing only for peace and freedom, yet neither had attained it. One died in the depths of the palace, and the other remained bound there because of him.
"For this examination, let the theme be: 'How can one tolerate others sleeping soundly beside one's own bed?'"
Hua Zhi bowed in acknowledgment. "As Your Highness commands."
"One only regrets the lack of knowledge when it is needed. Grand Tutor, please begin lessons tomorrow."
"As you wish."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Gu Yanxi finally found the time to act. He arrived at the Like Moon Hall, with Chen Qing dragging the disheveled and battered Fourth Prince closely behind him.
Seeing the room sealed tightly shut, Gu Yanxi waved his hand, and immediately, someone stepped forward to remove the boards from the door.
Inside, Haoyue heard the commotion and rushed forward. "Who is it? Is someone there? Who are you?"
No one answered her.Haoyue didn't need a response either. Just hearing the movement by the door sent her into raptures. She was nearly driven mad by the endless darkness and silence. No matter who was outside, even if it were a dog, she would be grateful to it.
Soon, the movement stopped.
Anxious, Haoyue quickly pressed her ear against the door to listen. Just as she did, the door was pushed open from outside. Unable to retreat in time, she fell flat on her bottom. Light streamed in, and with tears in her eyes, she endured the stinging pain to look at the person at the door—so tall, so imposing, and able to move freely within the palace...
Gu Yanxi!
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