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While Hua Zhi was recuperating indoors without stepping out, the Flame Country sent envoys to negotiate peace. The negotiation team led by Hua Yizheng pressed forward relentlessly, forcing the Flame Country to sign a surrender agreement. Starting this year, half of the Flame Country's national grain reserves would be handed over to Daqing, with the Ministry of Revenue overseeing the matter.
Good news came in pairs. At this very moment, victory reports arrived from the western front—the Li Country had been defeated and all cities were recaptured. Thus, the Daqing territory was stabilized.
Gu Yanxi became noticeably busier, but no matter how occupied he was, he would always return to have meals with A Zhi. After leaving his official duties, he would go directly back to the Hua family home and not go out again. Surprisingly, no one criticized him; instead, more and more people joked that the Hua family had acquired a live-in son-in-law.
"What benefits did the Chao Li Tribe promise the Flame Country?" Hua Zhi asked leisurely while sipping her medicinal tea. Compared to ordinary people, she was still thin, but her condition had improved significantly from when she was unconscious.
Gu Yanxi had changed into casual clothes and removed his jade crown, looking very relaxed. "A city. They promised them a southern city."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised. If the Chao Li Tribe had promised joint rule or half of Daqing's territory, the Flame Country wouldn't have believed it. Only such perfectly timed benefits that could tickle their hearts would tempt the Flame Country to take the risk.
"Half their grain reserves—Grandfather really dares to demand," Hua Zhi laughed. "This truly secures a grain warehouse for Daqing."
Looking at A Zhi's face that was now only palm-sized, Gu Yanxi also smiled. Old Master Hua must have been suppressing tremendous anger, and the Flame Country happened to cross him—naturally, they would be skinned alive.
"Minister Zhu has successfully produced that taro flour according to your recipe. The court approved it today to be sent first to the western regions. The newly recaptured cities are in complete disarray. When the Li Country retreated, they took some grain with them and burned what they couldn't take. That area is currently most in need of food, so this taro flour will help them through the transition period."
"The Flame Country probably won't hand over their grain willingly."
"For the first grain delivery, I've assigned the Seven Constellation Bureau to oversee it. If they drag their feet, we'll attack again. Turning the Flame Country into Flame City wouldn't be bad either."
"Oh my, so fierce." Hua Zhi's eyes curved into crescents as she laughed. "I think it's feasible. When the timing is right, give them a chance to act up, then let the Emperor lead another royal expedition to turn the Flame Country into Flame City and expand Daqing's territory. This is an achievement unmatched since Emperor Taizu."
With such a accomplishment to his name, Little Six wouldn't need to struggle like the previous emperor to make his mark. Of course, the canal still needed to be constructed—all these achievements would belong to Little Six. Thinking of this, Hua Zhi smiled even more happily. Sometimes deliberate efforts don't bear fruit, while casual actions yield unexpected rewards—what wonderful fortune.
Gu Yanxi clearly had the same thought. He reflected that perhaps it was because none of them had the Emperor's luck in having a Grand Tutor who considered everything for his benefit.
"I've already had someone draft the betrothal gifts list."
The abrupt change of topic made Hua Zhi blink. The three matchmakers and six etiquettes—why did it seem like several steps were being skipped?
Gu Yanxi smiled, stood up, walked over to A Zhi, pulled her to her feet, then sat down himself and held her in his arms. "I don't want to wait too long."
Hua Zhi touched the nape of his neck. "So you've actually been going through the marriage procedures all this time?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Which step have you reached now?"
"The divination is complete. We're at the betrothal gifts stage."Hua Zhi tilted her head and smiled at him. "A regent marrying a Grand Tutor—has that ever happened in history? Wouldn't you call this a powerful alliance?"
"Indeed." A smile spread through every line of Gu Yanxi's face, his expression softening as if he'd become a different person. As the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau, he was well aware that people in the capital joked about him being the Hua family's live-in son-in-law. What they didn't know was that if A Zhi truly wanted a live-in husband, he would gladly comply—others wouldn't stand a chance.
The door creaked open as Shaoyao groped her way in with eyes tightly shut. "Can I open my eyes now?"
Hua Zhi burst into laughter. Ever since that first day when she'd walked in on Yanxi kissing her, Shaoyao had adopted this method—preferring blindness over knocking!
After examining her patient, Shaoyao stretched comfortably. "You're recovering well. I'll modify the prescription with two different herbs later."
"I feel somewhat relieved physically," Hua Zhi said. "How much longer do I need to recuperate?"
"A year of complete rest."
Hua Zhi was taken aback—so long? What about the Emperor...
Shaoyao rolled her eyes. "Teaching the Emperor won't affect your recovery. Just avoid mental strain and stay out of other affairs."
"With Grandfather back and so many men supporting the household, why would I need to manage anything?" Hua Zhi understood clearly that given the Hua family's current prestige, no one would be foolish enough to provoke them, and she had long formed her own plans.
The family's influence couldn't wane yet—it wasn't time—but neither could it last indefinitely. In these years before she could step back, she needed to prove her worth. Having lived two lives, she still had knowledge to draw upon. When the agreed-upon term ended, she could shed the title of Grand Tutor. Over time, the Hua family's prominence would naturally decline, eventually becoming mired in the petty squabbles common among noble houses—something the Hua family had mastered, second to none.
Compared to supporting the family internally and externally these past two years, being a teaching scholar posed little pressure to Hua Zhi, let alone mental exhaustion.
Yet no one would let the Grand Tutor resume duties at this time. She continued living leisurely within her residence, listening to her mother detail the wedding preparations, murmuring over the thick stack of dowry lists sent from the Regent's residence, learning her wedding was set for the eighth day of the fourth month next spring. Occasionally she discussed court affairs with her grandfather, sometimes drank tea and chatted with her fourth uncle, or immersed herself in the Library with Xiao Han—two bookworms thriving in their element, their expressions nearly synchronized, utterly content.
Her face gradually filled out, her frame beginning to fill her clothes properly. By the eleventh month, though still slender, her complexion had noticeably improved.
On the twenty-fourth of that month, the Hua family held its grand ancestral ceremony, with both main and branch families attending.
Naturally, Hua Zhi couldn't miss such an occasion—this marked her first public appearance since falling ill. The next day, she donned the Grand Tutor's Official Uniform again and entered the palace gates to fulfill her duties.
Two hours daily, regardless of weather.
After the New Year, time seemed to fly.
Amid the pattering rain, Gu Yanxi hurried in under an umbrella, pushing back the person who had come to the doorway. "The air's damp—don't come out. Shaoyao said you mustn't catch cold."
"I'm much better now," Hua Zhi instinctively defended herself before asking, "Why are you braving the rain at this hour?""The yamen has been quiet." Gu Yanxi intended to dismantle the Seven Constellation Bureau and had been reassigning matters that rightfully belonged to other ministries back to them. The results were notable, leaving him with much more free time. However, there was still one matter at hand: "Wu Yong has come to the capital."
Hua Zhi nodded. "You mentioned it yesterday. What about it?"
"Later, the Emperor received him, and he proposed to marry Shaoyao."
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