Hua Zhi truly allowed herself to rest this time, forcibly pressing pause on all the thoughts swirling in her mind. She had no desire to become a tragic figure who sacrificed herself for the sake of others—such legacy in the annals of history held no appeal for her.
If peace could ultimately be achieved, she hoped to live to see it, to savor the tranquility and joy earned through exhaustive effort. She didn’t need others to erect monuments or memorials for her, nor did she want those returning from the front lines to find nothing but a mound of yellow earth.
She wanted to live!
And so, the very next morning, she began exercising systematically. The long, winding corridor was perfect for running. She walked back and forth slowly at first, then broke into a light jog. When her body could no longer endure, she stopped and walked again, repeating the process until her entire body warmed up, only then did she cease.
“Miss, Miraculous Doctor Yu is here.”
In truth, Miraculous Doctor Yu had already been there for a while. Seeing her take such good care of herself brought him joy. Personally, he wished for this young woman, who had given so much for her family, to enjoy good health. Professionally, he hoped she would have a body strong enough to shoulder the heavy responsibilities ahead. As a citizen of Daqing, he naturally desired Daqing to emerge victorious in this war.
Hua Zhi bowed in greeting.
Miraculous Doctor Yu gestured for her to rise. “How are you feeling?”
“My body seems to have loosened up a bit.”
“That’s good.”
Hua Zhi smiled faintly. “Please wait a moment. I’ll change my clothes and join you shortly.”
In the main hall, Miraculous Doctor Yu withdrew his hand after taking her pulse. “Ultimately, it’s still a matter of depletion. The frequent strains over the past two years have taken a toll on your body. Young lady, you must heed this old man’s advice—do not take it lightly, for the sake of your future. A woman’s constitution is not as resilient as a man’s.”
“Yes, I will remember that,” Hua Zhi said, adjusting her sleeves. “If I continue exercising as I did this morning, or even increase the intensity slightly, will my body be able to handle it?”
“That would be excellent, but you must progress gradually and avoid overexertion.”
“Understood.”
Miraculous Doctor Yu packed his medical pillow into his kit and prepared to leave. He still had to visit the palace today to check the Empress Dowager’s pulse—a task his disciple had entrusted to him before departing.
Watching the old man’s slightly stooped figure, Hua Zhi stood up and bowed deeply. “Regarding what happened in the palace before... I’m sorry, and thank you for not exposing me.”
Miraculous Doctor Yu paused, turned around, and looked at the young woman whose head was bowed, her expression hidden. He sighed. “What’s done is done. There’s no need to bring it up again.”
“I took advantage of your kindness.” Had she not learned from Yu Lao about the interactions and conflicts between medicines, had she not subtly guided him to deduce the late emperor’s physical condition and realize he was in a delicate balance, she wouldn’t have dared to gamble by using a catalyst on her clothes to trigger the aphrodisiac effects of musk and disrupt that equilibrium.
She could be ruthless toward the emperor, but facing this old man, she couldn’t help but feel remorse.
“This matter has been weighing on your mind, hasn’t it? Once a decision is made, there’s no use in regret. Excessive worry won’t do your health any good.” Miraculous Doctor Yu sighed again. “His body was already at its limit. Even if you hadn’t acted, he wouldn’t have lasted much longer. But if you hadn’t broken that situation back then, allowing them to succeed, countless lives would have been lost. I know my disciple well—once someone earns a place in her heart, she would protect them even at the cost of her own life. In that case, how could I have remained uninvolved? When you came to me with those questions, I guessed what you intended to do. By not stopping you, I tacitly consented. You have no reason to blame yourself.”Whether it was comfort or the truth of the matter, Hua Zhi felt considerably lighter at heart. She bowed once more in a curtsy.
Miraculous Doctor Yu accepted her gesture, inwardly filled with emotion. If she were truly ruthless and cunning, it would be one thing—but she was merely an empty shell of ruthlessness, with such a soft interior. Who knew how much she had endured inwardly while making those decisive judgments? No wonder she was plagued by excessive worry. Fortunately, her spirit was resilient; anyone else would have long since collapsed under the strain.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Hua Zhi didn’t even step into the front courtyard, spending her time accompanying her mother, chatting with various family branches, and exercising.
When she reappeared before everyone in her official uniform, those two leisurely days seemed like nothing more than a figment of their imagination.
Without rushing to the palace, Hua Zhi first went to the clan school.
The clear, resonant sound of reading could cleanse the soul. Listening outside for a moment, her expression softened involuntarily. It had been quite some time since she last visited—busy and constantly on the move, teaching here felt like a distant memory.
“It’s Elder Sister!”
Someone spotted her, and the reading ceased. A crowd of children, big and small, rushed out together. They eyed her official uniform, wanting to approach but hesitating. Zeng Han, however, had no such reservations. The boy, rarely showing emotion on his face, dashed over and buried his head against her leg, refusing to move.
With him leading the way, the others, already eager, immediately crowded around, calling out “Elder Sister” one after another.
Hua Zhi patted Zeng Han’s head and nodded with a smile at Zheng Zhi and Mu Qing, who had stepped out. Her gaze settled on these clear-eyed children.
Her greatest achievement was not becoming the first female official of the Daqing Dynasty, nor earning vast sums of money, nor gaining fame throughout the land. It was protecting these children at home, allowing them to remain innocent and youthful, safely receiving the Hua family’s legacy within this sheltered space. They would undoubtedly grow into the purest scions of the Hua family—provided, of course, that Daqing emerged victorious from the war.
“Are you all making progress?”
The children, big and small, nodded in unison, chattering about what books they had been reading recently, what they had learned, who they had surpassed in the last exam to claim victory, and so on.
Hua Zhi sat down on a stone bench and listened attentively. Under their expectant gazes, she offered praise where it was due, provided feedback where needed, and gave encouragement where appropriate. Zeng Han leaned against her without a word, trying inconspicuously—yet obviously—to stay close.
“Elder Sister, I want to become an official when I grow up,” a bright-eyed child suddenly declared loudly.
“Then you’ll have to grow up quickly.”
The child nodded vigorously. “When I become an official, Elder Sister can rest.”
Hua Zhi felt a warmth in her heart. “Good. When you become an official, Elder Sister will return to continue being a teacher.”
“Then, Ninth Brother, you go become an official. I won’t—I still want to be Elder Sister’s student.”
The child called Ninth Brother looked conflicted; he wanted to be Elder Sister’s student too!
Hua Zhi chuckled and gently touched the child’s cheek. “It’s time for class. Everyone, work hard.”
“Yes, Elder Sister.”
The children, big and small, entered the room with lingering glances, taking three steps forward only to look back repeatedly. Only Zeng Han stood firm, not moving an inch.
Hua Zhi pulled him closer, pleased to see he had grown taller and filled out a little, though his expression remained far more mature than that of his peers. “Are you well?”
Zeng Han nodded, then reached up and poked Hua Zhi’s cheek. “You are not well.”
“I’ve been very busy lately.” Hua Zhi smiled. “If you want to read any books, go to my study and take them. But remember, don’t bite off more than you can chew.”Zeng Han nodded again.
"The teacher is about to begin the lesson."
Zeng Han remained motionless.
Hua Zhi thought he had something to say and was about to ask when she saw the child patter away.
Without giving it much thought, she walked toward Teacher Zheng who was leaning against a pillar.
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