Swinging onto his horse, Gu Yanxi used every ounce of his self-control not to look back. He dared not turn around, afraid that one more glance at A Zhi would make it impossible for him to leave.
He would definitely return alive. A Zhi could only marry him, the living him!
As the fluttering banners gradually disappeared from sight, Hua Zhi's heart grew colder and harder along with the fading figure. Her family was at the border pass, her man had gone to the front lines - she no longer had any reason for weakness.
The Crown Prince approached. "Lai Fu, escort the Grand Tutor back."
"I have people accompanying me," Hua Zhi glanced behind her, where Wang Rong revealed himself.
The Crown Prince didn't insist further. Looking at the Grand Tutor whose eyes seemed to burn with fire, and recalling her earth-shattering words earlier, he felt both surprised and... envious. Envious of his cousin the Heir - such a woman as the Grand Tutor was probably rare to find in this world.
After seeing off the Crown Prince, Hua Zhi clasped her hands in salute toward the officials preparing to return to court. The ministers were momentarily stunned - she was performing the court official's salute. The gesture itself was correct, but seeing a woman perform it made them somewhat uncomfortable.
Hua Zhi paid no mind to their reactions. After saluting, she took the lead in departing. She had many matters to attend to and couldn't afford to linger here.
Returning home by the same route, she finished every last bit of the Medicinal Cuisine. She summoned Wang Rong. Chen Qing had followed their master on the expedition, and before leaving had entrusted all affairs to Wang Rong, who now served as acting steward in his place.
"I recall Wu Xing took over the black powder project."
"Yes."
"What's the current progress?"
Wang Rong answered without hesitation: "Both power and range are now controllable."
"What about waterproofing?"
"That's exactly what Wu Xing is currently working to resolve."
Hua Zhi lightly traced the rim of her cup. "Is Wu Xing working alone or..."
"The master assigned four assistants to him."
"Did Yan Xi make any arrangements about this before leaving?"
"The master didn't mention it."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Send word to Wu Xing. Have him leave three people at Yinshan Pass and take the other to Shou'ai Pass quickly... No, have him send someone back to report the black powder situation in detail to the Crown Prince. All formulas must be delivered to the Crown Prince. He alone should go to Shou'ai Pass."
"Yes, I'll send word immediately."
"How goes the grain purchase from Flame Country?"
Wang Rong looked somewhat surprised. "Three shipments have already returned. You didn't know?"
Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. How could she have known? Since returning from Jin Yang, there hadn't been a moment's rest - one matter piled upon another, each more significant than the last. She wished she could split herself in two to handle everything.
"How is Ling Wang's wife doing?"
"She has remained behind closed doors since arriving home."
Too passive. Hua Zhi stood and paced back and forth. This couldn't continue. "I recall Yan Xi mentioning he had someone skilled at imitating handwriting under his command."
Wang Rong nodded. "Yes."
"Have him forge Ling Wang's handwriting to send a message to Ling Wang's wife: 'The youngest child is critically ill.'" If she cared even slightly about her young son, this news would disrupt whatever plans she was making. If she showed no concern at all... then her problems would be much greater.
"Yes."
But this plan never came to fruition. Shortly after giving the order, news arrived from Yangzhou - Ling Wang's wife was coming to the capital, bringing her elderly father and seriously ill mother.Hua Zhi furrowed her brow tightly. She had always believed there was something amiss with Ling Wang's wife, yet after all this time, she still couldn't pinpoint the issue. She could only instruct her subordinates to keep a close watch.
"Young lady, Madam Zhu and Fourth Aunt are here."
Hua Zhi collected her thoughts and rose to greet them. At the doorway, she performed a respectful bow. "I forgot to pay my respects to Mother today. This is my fault as a daughter."
Madam Zhu pulled her up immediately. "Just focus on your work. There's no need to come pay respects every day. With you supporting us outside, I am perfectly at ease."
Hua Zhi detected something unusual in her mother's voice. Looking up, she saw her eyes were red—clearly, she had been crying not long ago. Recalling the events of this morning, Hua Zhi understood: her mother must have heard some gossip.
Helping her mother sit down, Hua Zhi smiled and asked, "What brings you and Fourth Aunt here together?"
"There is something we need to discuss with you," Wu Shi took over the conversation. "The Yu family and Yuan Jia seem to have coordinated. They both sent messages asking what our current plans are."
"Wasn't everything already settled before?"
Wu Shi chuckled. "Have you forgotten that the Hua family is about to be reinstated? They're worried we might renege on the marriage agreements."
"Once a marriage is decided, how can we go back on our word? That would only tarnish the reputation of the Hua family's daughters. Moreover, I've had people look into both families—they are decent and easy to get along with. Even if the Hua family is reinstated, it will only benefit the married daughters, not harm them."
Wu Shi covered a smile with her handkerchief. She had told everyone they were overthinking—the Hua family would never be that kind of clan, and the eldest young lady especially was not. Her concern was always for her younger sisters' happiness. Even if the other families were of lower status, as long as they were diligent, having the Hua family as an influential relative would make it easy for them to rise.
"Since we're on this topic," Hua Zhi rubbed her temples, "Fourth Aunt, could you discuss with them and see if they're willing to postpone the weddings? If they can wait until the Hua family is reinstated to marry off their daughters, my sisters will have a more glorious wedding."
"They might think that's just our excuse."
"There are six rites in a wedding. Completing only three in a short time is the exception. According to noble family customs, it's perfectly reasonable to hold the wedding next year. Now that the situation is much clearer, I can't rush my sisters into marriage just to ease their worries. You can also assure them that the Hua family won't deliberately delay."
"I know how to talk to them," Wu Shi smiled. "Don't worry, they will agree."
"If there are any major items that haven't been prepared yet, there's no need to rush. Once the old residence is returned, we'll have everything. As for jewelry, they can buy more. If there are suitable manors or houses, they can purchase those as well."
Wu Shi naturally agreed. Glancing at her sister-in-law, she remarked casually, "I only just found out how sharp-eyed Sister-in-law is. When we went to buy jewelry earlier, the shopkeeper brought out a set of ruby jewelry and praised it to the skies. Who would have thought Sister-in-law could tell at a glance that it was a cheap imitation?"
Madam Zhu, who had clearly been praised for this before, shot Wu Shi a playful glare. "Why bring that up again? I'm not that amazing—I just know a bit more because I like rubies."
"I like rubies too, but I couldn't tell it was a fake. That's a real skill."
Madam Zhu stole a glance at her daughter, feeling both proud and a little embarrassed. Her keen eye for such things had even earned praise from her father!Hua Zhi looked at her soft-bun-like mother and teased with a smile, "Fourth Aunt, if you get the chance someday, go through my mother’s jewelry box. It’s full of exquisite pieces—I heard she personally oversaw selecting every one as part of her dowry back then."
Madam Zhu’s face flushed crimson. Watching her mother like this, the tightly wound string in Hua Zhi’s heart loosened slightly, and she relaxed her spine, leaning back against the cushion.
She felt a little weary.
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