"We've been having nightmares for days." Shaoyao lay close to Hua Hua on the inner side of the bed, though her words were grim, the smile on her face couldn't be more obvious. Hua Hua's body was recovering, and this recovery was starting from the very foundation—nothing could make her happier. Not even capturing the Flame Country's monarch had brought her this much joy.
Hua Zhi also knew she must have been quite frightening this time. Otherwise, Yan Xi wouldn't have visibly lost weight, and the rest of the family wouldn't look so haggard. Groping around, she patted Shaoyao's arm and immediately noticed something unusual. With effort, she lowered her head to look, her eyes asking what had happened.
Shaoyao maintained a straight face while spinning lies: "I've been on the battlefield, so getting injured is perfectly normal. It's nothing, just a minor wound—almost healed already."
Hua Zhi thought it made sense. Returning alive from the battlefield was already a blessing; minor injuries weren't worth mentioning. As long as both who went to war returned safely, that was all she asked for.
Her other hand slowly moved to find Yan Xi's. How could Gu Yanxi bear to see her struggle? He quickly enveloped her hand in his. Without needing discussion, everyone had unanimously agreed to conceal their self-inflicted injuries.
"Son-in-law... I've been meaning to ask since the first day, what's with this form of address?"
Everyone exchanged glances. Shaoyao's eyes darted around a few times before she swiftly climbed off the bed, taking the maid with her and thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
Such matters were best left to the parties involved to explain themselves.
Gu Yanxi lowered his head with a soft laugh, sitting at the head of the bed to pull her into his arms and kiss her. "We got married. Naturally, that makes me the Hua family's son-in-law."
Hua Zhi's eyes widened. Married? When did that happen? How long had she been asleep?!
Gu Yanxi chuckled deeply against her. It was rare to see A Zhi so utterly confused.
Hua Zhi shot him a weak glare. "Explain. Now!"
"It happened while you were unconscious. When nothing could wake you, I offered myself in a wedding to ward off bad luck." Gu Yanxi pressed his forehead to hers. "My wife, you now have a husband."
"!!!" Shock couldn't begin to describe Hua Zhi's current feelings. Had she really married herself off? But she had no memory of being a bride at all!
Gu Yanxi laughed even harder, the sound bubbling out freely. His earlier worries had been so overwhelming they'd overshadowed the joy of their marriage. Now that the fear had receded, happiness took precedence.
He was married!
He had married A Zhi!
Now they were rightfully husband and wife, with the entire court witnessing the ceremony, the Grand Empress Dowager presiding, and the Emperor as witness—who would dare deny it!
"Once you've recovered, I'll formally wed you with all proper rites and bring you back to the prince's mansion as my princess consort."
Hua Zhi frowned slightly. "Can I not wear the Phoenix Crown?" she asked in a negotiating tone. "It's too heavy."
"I'll have them make you a lighter one."
That was true—no noble family's daughter married without wearing the Phoenix Crown. Her mindset naturally shifting back to her former unobtrusive young lady self, Hua Zhi nodded gently without much thought. She wouldn't make a scene about this.
Covering a yawn, Hua Zhi felt a small thrill of happiness. She was married! She could already feel a blissful, rice-consuming life waving at her from ahead.
With these beautiful thoughts, she drifted back into deep sleep, as if making up for all the rest she'd missed. After waking, she would sleep for long hours every day.Only at this moment did Gu Yanxi spare some attention for state affairs. The south could not be without a commanding general to garrison it, and the various regional battles were all drawing to a close. Plans for post-war arrangements needed to be established. He could not manage every single matter, yet he could not completely wash his hands of them either.
Though the emperor was naturally intelligent, he was still young and had not been raised as the Crown Prince from childhood. His ability to govern and maintain balance was still somewhat lacking. Although the court officials were now united as one, when faced with interests, they would still prioritize their own benefits first. What he needed to do was to keep those people in check, giving the emperor time to explore his path as a ruler—offering guidance when needed and words of caution when necessary—protecting him through this process of growing his wings before he could soar high.
And it was at this time that the Hua family officially made their comeback. Hua Yizheng resumed control of the Hanlin Academy, Hua Pingyu remained a Hanlin scholar, and several collateral branches returned to their former positions. On the surface, it seemed no different from two years ago, yet everyone knew that the Hua family was now peerless.
With two Hanlin scholars in one family, plus a Grand Tutor to the emperor, all the scholars of the realm looked to the Hua family. Everyone watched closely—to see how the Hua family would conduct themselves, and whether the new emperor would develop rifts with them.
External threats had been pacified, internal turmoil had ceased, and the covert struggles among the noble families were beginning to surface.
"Right now, I am still ill, and with the meritorious service for supporting the emperor and protecting the throne, no one would dare to cross the Hua family at this moment." In the pavilion, Hua Zhi lay on a cool couch padded with a mattress. In the sweltering heat of midsummer, others were drenched in sweat just from sitting, yet she still had a thin quilt covering her.
This was her first time stepping out after lying in bed for several days. As soon as Hua Yizheng and his son returned home and heard about it, they came over without even changing out of their official uniforms. The grandfather and granddaughter had never stood on ceremony with each other. After two years of trials, Hua Yizheng would no longer underestimate his granddaughter's abilities in this regard.
"But the pie is only so big. If the Hua family takes a large slice, naturally, there won't be enough for others. The family holding the largest share will become the target of public criticism. This has nothing to do with how great the Hua family's contributions were. When interests are at stake, who cares about that?"
Hua Zhi spoke casually, yet her words hit the mark. People are quick to forget. No matter how great the merits, once the matter is over, they become insignificant. Has the sky fallen? Has the Daqing Dynasty perished? Naturally, the prosperity and continuation of one's family are more important.
Hua Pingyu felt somewhat unfamiliar with this daughter who handled weighty matters with such ease. He simply couldn't connect her with the quiet, well-behaved girl who had once been content within the inner quarters. In the days since his return to court, he hadn't needed to deliberately inquire to learn what Zhi Er had experienced over the past two years. The more he learned, the harder it was for him to imagine how his daughter, who had always been rather inconspicuous, had managed to accomplish all this.
Each and every task had been incredibly difficult. Intelligence alone was not enough, courage alone was not enough, decisiveness alone was not enough—all these qualities had to be combined in one person. And Zhi Er happened to possess them all. Thus, she became the first female official of the court, and thus, she could become the Grand Tutor to the emperor.
But still...
Watching his daughter grow drowsy as she spoke, Hua Pingyu felt both distressed and heartache, wishing he could take her place.
Hua Yizheng similarly felt heavy-hearted. He let out a long sigh and stood up, about to call for attendants, when he saw the Regent striding over purposefully from the moon gate. Silently, he bowed in greeting. Then, with utmost care, the Regent lifted her, quilt and all, into his arms.Hua Zhi, breathing in the familiar scent, didn't even open her eyes. With a soft smile, she nuzzled closer and drifted into deep sleep. She had forgotten she was in the presence of her closest elders and how improper this was according to etiquette.
Fortunately, both father and son of the Hua family were accustomed to it. They had witnessed far more unconventional scenes during medical treatments, so this was truly nothing in comparison.
PS: Just a little bit left now. I'll polish it a bit more, so please don't rush me.
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