Chapter 664: Hand Injury Exposed
After taking a few steps, Hua Zhi paused and turned back, extending her hand toward Yan Xi standing inside the doorway.
Gu Yanxi's eyes flickered as he quickly strode over to take her hand. The two approached the four stunned madams in this interlocked posture.
"Your unfilial daughter has worried you, Mother."
Hua Zhi began to curtsy toward Madam Zhu, but before she could complete the bow, Madam Zhu pulled her up. Seeing her haggard appearance, tears streamed down Madam Zhu's face. "I knew it, I just knew it. You wouldn't have stayed away from home unless it was something serious."
"I'm almost fully recovered." Hua Zhi then bowed to her three aunts, who all hurried to help her up.
Unable to bear seeing her mother cry, Hua Zhi pulled Yanxi forward to stand beside her. "My mother, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt," she introduced them in turn.
Gu Yanxi paid his respects to each as a junior. Though he had restrained his aura, he was still wearing his Regent's Official Uniform, which remained intimidating. The four women instinctively wanted to avoid accepting his bow.
Hua Zhi firmly held her mother in place. "Since he intends to marry me, he is your junior. It's proper for a junior to bow to elders. Please accept it."
Madam Zhu was no longer as oblivious to outside affairs as before. She had heard about her daughter's relationship with the Regent and had even inquired with her father about it. Thus she knew her daughter had received much care from him these past two years. However...
Remembering the late emperor's edict, Madam Zhu felt both fear and resentment toward the Regent. Zhi Er was already eighteen! If delayed another three years, she would become an old maid!
The Regent could take concubines as he pleased, but what would become of her daughter then? Would she become a mother immediately upon marriage? So despite her terror, Madam Zhu forced herself not to retreat. She couldn't show weakness.
Clutching her daughter's hand tightly, Madam Zhu steadied her voice and offered a slight curtsy. "My lord is too kind. Zhi Er has been in your care."
Gu Yanxi sidestepped the gesture. "I haven't done much. Rather, A Zhi has helped me greatly."
Hua Zhi was quite surprised. Unbeknownst to her, her once tearful mother had grown somewhat bolder. With the inner courtyard peaceful and all household branches living harmoniously without messy affairs, she realized she hadn't paid attention to such changes for quite some time.
Seeing her mother's awkward discomfort, Hua Zhi led her to stand with the other aunts. "Why don't you tour the inner courtyard to assess the situation? We need to have the residence properly arranged before Grandfather and Father return."
At this reminder, everyone forgot their fear, faces alight with suppressed excitement. They had thought they might never meet again in this lifetime, yet in just two years—merely two years—they were returning in glory! Such a rapid resurgence was rare even in historical records!
Watching them depart with light steps, Hua Zhi massaged her left shoulder, but her smile froze at Yanxi's next words. "I've seen you rubbing your left shoulder several times today. Is it itching or painful?"
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze. After a moment, she slowly raised her left hand, palm facing upward at chest level. Despite her efforts, her fingers remained curled, unable to straighten no matter how she tried.
Gu Yanxi was horrified. Cradling A Zhi's hands, he demanded harshly, "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?""It happened just these past few days. When Yu Lao suggested I move my arm appropriately, I found it somewhat unresponsive. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, assuming it was because I hadn’t moved it for so long." Hua Zhi flexed the fingers of her left hand, which couldn’t fully straighten and could only form a loose fist, her tone indifferent as if speaking of someone else’s affairs. "It has improved slightly over the past couple of days."
Gu Yanxi slapped himself hard across the face—how could he have failed to notice something so significant until now!
Hua Zhi couldn’t stop him in time. With one hand holding his and the other gently stroking his cheek, she said, "I’m still alive. As long as I’m alive, anything is possible. Don’t rush."
Gu Yanxi turned away and crouched down in front of A Zhi, remaining silent.
Hua Zhi knew she was at fault in this matter, but Yanxi was already overwhelmed with work. She hadn’t wanted to burden him further with her troubles, especially since her condition was indeed improving. Over the past few days, she had tried some rehabilitation methods, and they had proven effective. She had even planned to discuss the situation with Yu Lao today, but she hadn’t expected Yanxi to be so observant and notice it at this moment.
She obediently leaned onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck as she bargained, "I don’t want to enter the palace."
Gu Yanxi paused mid-step. Seeing an opportunity, she immediately pressed her advantage in a soft, coaxing tone, "I want to stay here."
Gu Yanxi sighed inwardly. He couldn’t refuse any request A Zhi made, especially since he knew all too well how deeply she cherished her home. After overcoming countless hardships to finally return, how could she possibly want to leave?
"It’s inconvenient for me to go to the rear courtyard. I’ll have someone tidy up a courtyard in the front for you to stay in for now."
Hua Zhi leaned in and planted a firm kiss on the man’s cheek, using action to express her joy at that moment. Hua Bolin, who happened to emerge just then, immediately covered his eyes and turned away. Elder Sister was truly bold—as expected of her!
Just then, Hua Zhi noticed him. "Berlin, come here."
"Mother and the others must have brought maids and servants with them. Let them handle the tidying up." After offering this explanation, she sent Berlin off to relay the message. She didn’t feel that being carried by a man was undignified—in front of her family, she didn’t care much about such appearances.
What more could Gu Yanxi say? After settling her in a clean spot, he hurried off to personally fetch Yu Lao. Madam Zhu, who had been watching from a distance for some time, finally approached and sat beside her daughter. Stroking Hua Zhi’s thin face, she said softly, "Why is it that you never return without injuries?"
"Who told your daughter to be so weak? They always pick on the easy targets." Hua Zhi leaned against the corridor pillar, grinning shamelessly. Madam Zhu suddenly recalled how, for many years, her daughter had never spoken to her in such a manner. She had always been quiet, proper, her manners and etiquette flawless, yet distant and unapproachable.
Even when discussing her marriage to the Shen Family back then, she had only smiled demurely and said, "I’ll follow my parents’ arrangements." It wasn’t until much later, after Zhi Er took charge of the household, that Madam Zhu struggled to believe this was truly her daughter. How much restraint must one possess to conceal such abundant talent? And Zhi Er had managed it flawlessly.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t resist asking impulsively, "In the past, were you happy?"Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow and straightened her posture, moving closer to her mother. "Of course I'm happy. With Grandfather sheltering us from above, Father and uncles shielding us from the storms outside, and well-educated brothers ready to take over in the future, I never had to worry about anything. I was nourished with fine rice and flour, never having to lift a finger for household chores. I had a vast Library to wander through, and in my leisure time, I'd play a game of chess with Grandfather, drink tea, and chat. That was truly a life fit for immortals. Later, when my marriage was arranged with Father's student, it seemed destined to be the most peaceful and smooth life a young lady from a prominent family could hope for. How could I not be happy?"
Madam Zhu wore a complicated expression, having never known her daughter's previous life was so rich. "And now?"
Hua Zhi glanced at the busy servants nearby and smiled faintly. "As if a burden has been lifted."
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