The second floor was half empty.
It had been Grandmother's decision to take the books during the confiscation. For the sake of future generations, she had mostly taken historical records and classical texts, leaving behind few of the personal journals left by the Hua family ancestors.
And Hua Zhi's purpose in coming here was precisely for Hua Jingyan's journals.
She was thoroughly familiar with the Library's shelving habits. Without needing to search, she directly pulled out several volumes, flipped through them, and handed them out. "Look for any records related to the Chao Li Tribe."
Hua Jingyan was born into a scholarly family that had secretly preserved its heritage even under the oppressive rule of the Chao Li Kingdom. Exceptionally talented, he eventually resolutely abandoned his writing brush for the sword. That Gu Ningpei could be undefeatable in battle and ultimately claim the empire was largely due to Hua Jingyan's tremendous contributions.
While the world knew Hua Jingyan as a brilliant man, Hua Zhi felt there was a certain laziness in his nature. Reading books and drinking tea every day, perhaps with a few close friends composing poetry and enjoying romantic pleasures—that would have been his ideal life. This aspect could be seen from the journals he left behind.
Of the twenty-eight journals in total, a full twenty-three were collections of poetry and essays. The remaining included miscellaneous notes and travel diaries, with only one barely touching upon those bygone days. Probably written during a particularly idle period, the handwriting was somewhat careless. He commented point by point on the strengths and weaknesses of their former greatest enemy, discussed several battles he had personally experienced, not only revealing previous strategies to repel the enemy but also listing one, two, three potential tactics to defeat them. There were also some casually mentioned minor details that now might prove useful.
The Crown Prince showed a smile. "Finally, this trip wasn't in vain."
Hua Zhi habitually smoothed every accidentally creased corner before returning the other journals to their place. This small mannerism made the Crown Prince's heart ache slightly—how distressed must the Grand Tutor, such a book lover, have been when entering the Library and seeing books scattered all over the floor?
After scanning the surroundings, Hua Zhi picked up the remaining volume. "Let's return."
At Hua Lin Alley, a figure had been waiting for a long time. Seeing them emerge, he stepped out from the shadow of the carriage.
Shaoyao ran over. "Yan Ge."
Hua Zhi watched expressionlessly as Lai Fu reattached the seal before turning around. Meeting the gaze directed at her, she didn't avoid it but merely glanced at him before looking away. "It's getting late, Your Highness should return."
The Crown Prince had intended to escort the Grand Tutor back to the Hua family first before returning to the palace, but since The Heir had arrived, there was no need for him to worry. "Grand Tutor, rest assured, with the shadow guards accompanying me, I am perfectly safe."
Hua Zhi nodded, signaling for Shaoyao to go back with him. She didn't trust shadow guards; she only trusted her own people.
Though Shaoyao wanted to cling to Hua Hua, she knew she couldn't be willful at this moment. She nuzzled against Hua Hua before following the Crown Prince away.
Hua Bolin's eyes darted between the two, then he rubbed his nose and lowered his head, pretending to be a wooden stake. Even considering his elder sister's reputation, he couldn't avoid this situation.
Gu Yanxi walked over and, without a word, draped the cloak he was carrying over Hua Zhi's shoulders. Seeing that the length fit perfectly indicated he had come prepared.
"The capital isn't entirely safe either. I was worried."
Hua Zhi tightened her grip on the volume in her hand, her anger still simmering, yet she couldn't bear to see him being so cautious around her.
In silence, she boarded the carriage and lifted the curtain to look at the man outside. "Get in."
Gu Yanxi's eyes lit up, and he climbed in within two or three steps. Hua Bolin sat on the carriage shaft and smiled at Chen Qing, who saluted him.In the profound silence of the night, the sound of rolling wheels seemed exceptionally loud. Hua Zhi had never liked carriages that so faithfully reflected the condition of the road outside, which was why her own carriage was always padded with multiple layers. Though she was now riding in a carriage not belonging to the Hua family, she found it just as soft and comfortable, a testament to that person's thoughtfulness in not wishing to subject her to any discomfort even in such matters.
Leaning against the inner wall of the carriage, Hua Zhi handed over the booklet in her hand. "This is all I could find."
Gu Yanxi felt both joy and sorrow, his heart filled with a mix of deep affection and helplessness. He wanted to express it but didn't know where to start, feeling that any words would be insufficient.
"Don't become distant from the Empress Dowager. If I were in her place, I might have done even worse."
Gu Yanxi lowered his head, staring at the booklet whose text was barely legible, his expression unreadable. He wanted to say that he hadn't grown distant from his grandmother, but the truth was, aside from his daily obligatory greetings, he hadn't exchanged a single unnecessary word with her.
Everyone had their reasons, but what fault did A Zhi bear?
"It has always been easier to share hardships than prosperity, and this is only the beginning."
"Why don't you hate them?"
"How do you know I don't?" Hua Zhi curled her lips into a cold smile. "Should I make my hatred known to the whole world?"
Gu Yanxi shook his head gently. "What you feel isn't hatred. Others' resentment carries more weight than your so-called hatred."
"Strength is only strength when applied correctly; otherwise, it's just wasted effort. Have I wasted any effort? Despite the family's confiscation and exile, the Hua family remains the Hua family trusted by scholars across the land. Our reputation, whether among men, women, old, or young, remains untarnished. I, a mere woman, have been appointed Grand Tutor. The Crown Prince is my student, the Empress Dowager feels guilty toward me, and as for you—you've nearly given your life for me. Every ounce of my effort has brought me rich returns."
But it has also drained all your strength. Gu Yanxi pulled her closer to lean on his shoulder, yet when the carriage wheel rolled over a stone, she still jolted slightly. It was as if he had always wanted to shield her from wind and rain, to spare her from life's jolts, but in the end, he had only dragged her deeper into hardship and suffering.
All of this had come because of him. Even his pity felt tainted with ulterior motives.
Looking down at A Zhi, who had closed her eyes pretending to rest, Gu Yanxi swallowed his bitterness along with his unspoken words.
When the carriage stopped, Hua Zhi stepped out, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. "Make a copy of that journal. The original must be returned."
"I understand."
Without looking back, Hua Zhi entered the gate, her back ramrod straight, exuding stubbornness in every way.
Hua Bolin bowed with perfect courtesy and teased in a low voice, "Elder Sister probably doesn't intend to invite The Heir inside this time. Please return."
Gu Yanxi flicked his forehead lightly. "A few days at the palace, and you've already picked up all those pretentious manners."
Hua Bolin chuckled but had no intention of reverting to his old way of address. Some things needed to be observed now, with too many eyes fixed on the Hua family.
Gu Yanxi clearly understood this and didn't press further. "Go inside. You have to enter the palace early tomorrow morning. Take good care of your elder sister."
Hesitating, Hua Bolin glanced at the journal from the Library in Gu Yanxi's hand and asked, "Are you really going to replace General Sun?"
Gu Yanxi wasn't surprised he had guessed. Berlin had always been clever. "Can you suggest anyone else?"Hua Bolin had accompanied the Crown Prince in the palace to thoroughly study all the military commanders, so he naturally knew the current state of military leadership. Precisely because he understood, his heart grew heavy. The Great Qing Dynasty could no longer produce a single trustworthy military commander.
"Enough, these matters don’t require your concern for now. Go inside."
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