For many, ten days pass in the blink of an eye, but for the Hua family, each day felt like a year.
As the Grand Tutor, Hua Zhi could no longer remain secluded in the old residence and began her daily routine of teaching. After several consecutive days of acupuncture treatment, the injury on her hand gradually improved. Everything was moving in a positive direction.
Yet, as the day drew nearer, not only the rest of the Hua family but even Hua Zhi herself lost her usual composure. The Emperor, noticing this, granted her a few days off to wait at home with peace of mind.
As a devoted fiancé, Gu Yanxi had long dispatched people to keep watch. The news arrived that afternoon.
"Have they arrived?"
"Yes, they are forty li from the capital. They should have covered about half the remaining distance by now."
Forty li. Hua Zhi bit the tip of her tongue to calm herself. "Are they all on horseback?"
"Yes."
Twenty li, on horseback—they would arrive soon!
"Reward him. Su Momo, give him a reward."
Su Momo responded excitedly and hastily fetched a Red Envelope, handing it over. The man accepted it cheerfully and tactfully took his leave.
Hua Zhi raised her voice to issue an order, "Inform everyone to assemble in the front courtyard in a quarter of an hour."
"Yes."
Watching everyone move with brisk steps, Hua Zhi herself hurried back to her room and sat before the dressing table. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she touched her face and said, "Help me change, and apply some makeup for me."
"Yes."
Ying Chun glanced at the Official Uniform hanging in the wardrobe and asked uncertainly, "Will you be wearing your Official Uniform?"
"No, dress me in something more formal."
"Yes."
It had been a long time since Hua Zhi had taken such care with her appearance. Before becoming the Grand Tutor, she styled her hair for practicality. After assuming the role, she often tied her hair up for ease of wearing the official headdress, and everyone had grown accustomed to that look.
So when she stepped out of her room, everyone was stunned, including Gu Yanxi, who was waiting outside.
Her brows were lightly traced, and her eyes subtly lined, making them appear even brighter. A touch of rouge on her cheeks gave her a healthy glow, while the color on her lips was softened. Though her commanding presence remained, the pale pink lips prevented her from looking overbearing.
Her attire was equally striking: she wore a pink Plain Gauze Shirt embroidered with Wide-edged Emerald Bamboo Gauze in alternating shades of green and blue, adorned with three layers of Gold and Silver Thread Sweetgrass Clouds. Below, she wore a West Lake Plain Silk Pomegranate Skirt, its pleats concealing a subtle Five-Colored Interspersed Three-Blue Floret pattern, edged with Sky Blue Gold-Woven Lace. When standing still, the skirt appeared plain, but with movement, the hidden flowers revealed themselves. For others, this would have sufficed, but fearing the cold, she added a Sky Blue Outer Coat over it.
This Hua Zhi appeared softer, though the softness was relative to her former self. Given the experiences of the past two years, even if she wished to revert to being the Hua family's eldest daughter, it was difficult to suppress her demeanor in such a short time. Her softness inevitably carried a touch of coolness, and her resolute, decisive spirit still shone through her eyes and brows. This made her appear both enchanting and heroic—a striking contradiction, yet utterly captivating.
Hua Zhi, however, was oblivious to this. Beaming with joy, she walked up to Yan Xi and asked, "Why have you come?"
"To accompany you," Gu Yanxi replied, clearing his throat slightly to mask his earlier stunned reaction. "I estimated they should be entering the city soon."
Hua Zhi hesitated. She wasn’t afraid of appearing side by side with Yan Xi in front of her elders—after all, those who needed to know were already aware. But the upcoming reunion was a family affair, and Yan Xi’s presence might make things awkward..."I won't go over, I'll just stay here with you." Gu Yanxi saw what she was thinking and smiled tenderly. He had spent nearly two years working his way into A Zhi's heart, and now he had succeeded. She would consider his feelings, keep him in her thoughts, care about his dignity...
All these were signs that he occupied a place in her heart.
"But I might not be able to attend to you later..."
"Don't worry about me. I just want to be here with you."
Hua Zhi immediately understood his sentiment and agreed with a curved smile.
Gu Yanxi also smiled. "Go ahead."
Hua Zhi nodded, took a deep breath, and walked toward her waiting family members.
The Hua family gate swung wide open as the family members filed out.
Hua Zhi stood at the forefront, followed by the Hua sons with Yang Suian and Zeng Han in the middle, then the Hua daughters, then the wives of various branches and Hua Xian, followed by the concubines, and finally the servants of the Hua family. A dense crowd gathered, with no one left behind.
Though everyone was extremely excited, they all maintained solemn composure. No one spoke; all ears were pricked and eyes fixed intently on the alley entrance, only blinking quickly when absolutely necessary.
After two years of separation, the reunion was imminent—how could their hearts not surge with emotion?
No one knew how much time had passed—perhaps a long while, perhaps just a moment—when the clip-clop of horse hooves sounded, but the sound approached and then faded away. It wasn't the person they were waiting for.
Before their hearts could sink again, the sound of horse hooves resumed. Unlike before, this time the hoofbeats were heavy, as if many horses were gathering together. Could it be that many members of their Hua family were returning...
Hua Zhi couldn't help but step forward, her hands clasped tightly over her abdomen, feeling slightly dizzy.
Closer, even closer. When familiar figures appeared in sight, Hua Zhi's mind went blank. Instinctively, she led everyone to kneel down, her clear voice unable to conceal its choked emotion, echoing through Hualin Alley: "Welcome home."
Immediately following, childish, youthful, and soft voices mingled with sobs rose in unison: "Welcome home!"
Hua Yizheng gripped the reins tightly, wanting to dismount but unable to feel his legs. He knew he was covered in travel dust, knew he looked disheveled, knew every part of him ached, but he wanted to go help that child up.
Hua Pingyang clumsily rolled off his horse and hurriedly helped his father down, intending to support his slightly trembling father over.
But Hua Yizheng pushed him away and walked alone to his eldest granddaughter. Bending down, he helped her up. Looking at his granddaughter's gaunt, hollow-cheeked face and loose-hanging clothes, his lips moved but ultimately no words came out. He simply patted her arm gently—everything was conveyed without words.
"Everyone, rise."
As people on this side stood up, those on the other side quickly approached. Eyes met with those they cared about most, and only when seeing others' tear-streaked faces did they belatedly realize their own cheeks were soaked.
No one felt embarrassed. They had waited two years for this moment, had once thought they would never see each other again. Their ancestors had protected them; Heaven had not treated the Hua family poorly!
The crowd parted to create a path. Hua Yizheng looked up at the family gate that felt familiar to his very bones and blood for a moment, then walked forward with his hands clasped behind his back. After two steps, he turned back and beckoned to Hua Zhi. Hua Zhi apologized to her father beside her and stepped forward to support her grandfather. Though somewhat unconventional, in this Hua family, her closest bond had never been with her parents, but with her grandfather.Thinking of something, she looked toward the spot where Yan Xi had been standing earlier, only to find him also gazing in her direction. When their eyes met, he smiled, and Hua Zhi immediately beamed with delight, her expression softening.
Hua Yizheng observed their interaction with relief in his heart. Other matters aside, at least this situation had proceeded without any unexpected changes.
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