Unlike the Regent who rested for only five days, Hua Zhi, the Grand Tutor, took a full half-month break before resuming her duties. She spent half her days at the palace, while the rest of the time she secluded herself within the princely estate, wholly dedicated to organizing her Library.
Xiao Han also stopped visiting the Hua family, instead carrying classic historical texts one by one to fill the bookshelves alongside her master. Occasionally, she would unwittingly open a favorite book and crouch aside, engrossed in reading for a while. The master and disciple shared identical expressions of delight, resembling two rice worms rolling joyfully in a rice vat.
Chen Qing suppressed a laugh at the doorway and reported, "Your Highness, the third master of the Bai family requests an audience."
The only member of the Bai family who dared visit her was Bai Mingxia, so she naturally agreed to see him. Hua Zhi, supported by Ying Chun's hand, descended from the ladder and instructed her young disciple, "Do not climb the ladder. Rest when you're tired."
Zeng Han nodded. Though he still offered no smile or expression, the unease between his brows had vanished. Hua Zhi patted his head, once again convinced that her decision to place him under Master Banruo's care for a period had been correct.
After changing clothes in her room, Hua Zhi asked on her way to the front courtyard, "Did he come alone or with others?"
Chen Qing smiled, "The third master brought his eldest daughter."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised. Ever since learning that Uncle Bai's daughter had disguised herself as a boy to visit the market, she had anticipated this day. She just didn't know what outcome Uncle Bai desired, though there were certain things she couldn't provide.
Entering the reception hall, Hua Zhi's first glance fell upon the young girl standing quietly behind Bai Mingxia—poised and deferential, much like the noble young ladies from prominent families.
Hua Zhi suddenly thought of herself; she had once been just like that.
"Greetings to Your Highness."
Hua Zhi exempted them from formalities. "I thought you had left the capital, Uncle. I didn't expect you to still be here."
The unchanged form of address warmed Bai Mingxia's heart, and his troubled mind of recent days seemed to clear. He tucked his respect deep inside, adopting a tone reminiscent of their past cordial conversations. "Now that I have several capable subordinates, I no longer need to oversee every matter myself. I'll be spending more time in the capital from now on."
"That's good news. My fourth uncle has cut ties with some people and is currently idling away with nothing to do. With you often in the capital, he'll have more company for conversation."
As they spoke, Hua Zhi suddenly turned her gaze to the young girl, just as the latter secretly lifted her eyes. The unexpected eye contact startled her, shattering her composure and deference, and she hastily lowered her head again.
Without turning, Bai Mingxia knew what had happened. He sighed inwardly and introduced her to the Princess Consort, "This is my daughter, Peiqiu."
Bai Peiqiu stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Hua Zhi. "Peiqiu pays her respects to Your Highness."
"Rise." Hua Zhi fiddled with the beads on her wrist and looked at Bai Mingxia. "Uncle, after years of dealing with me, you should know what kind of person I am. If you have something to discuss, please speak plainly."
Bai Mingxia smiled wryly. It was precisely because he knew that he had come seeking an audience today—with anyone else, he wouldn't have dared. "Qiu'er, wait outside."
Hua Zhi glanced at Ying Chun, who understood and stepped forward to lead Bai Peiqiu away.
In the ensuing silence, Bai Mingxia broke it, "Your Highness, are you aware that many families in the capital now have their daughters emulating you?"
"I've heard something of it.""The Bai family is in a similar situation, but my eldest daughter didn't just start recently. When the young lady came to discuss the canned goods business with me back then, I happened to mention it after returning home. Somehow Qiu'er remembered it in her heart. It was only a few days ago that I learned she had secretly visited you several times. When it comes to your affairs, she actually knows much more than I do."
Bai Mingxia shook his head, though a smile still played on his lips. His daughter was learning from the most outstanding woman in Daqing, and doing quite well at it—how could he not feel a hint of pride? Yet this pride paled in comparison to his worries.
Everyone knew that in recent years he had grown close to the Hua family, or more precisely, to the eldest daughter of the Hua family. If anyone with ulterior motives were to claim he deliberately sent Qiu'er to learn from the Grand Tutor for some hidden agenda, the consequences would be more than the already weakened Bai family could bear.
"I wish to find a good husband for Qiu'er, but as the Princess Consort knows my current circumstances, ordinary families don't meet my standards, while those of higher status likely wouldn't consider us. So I'm swallowing my pride to ask for your honest opinion—would the Hua family be willing to form this marriage alliance?"
Though she mentioned the Hua family, Hua Zhi understood he was likely referring to Berlin. Not wanting to outright refuse, she said, "Uncle, have you come to the wrong door? Even though I previously managed household affairs, now that I'm married, it wouldn't be proper for me to interfere in my maiden family's matters."
"Princess Consort, you're being too formal. Everyone knows how much the Hua family values your opinion."
Hua Zhi smiled and dropped the formalities. "I have no intention of letting Berlin marry too early, but young ladies cannot afford to wait."
"As the eldest son of the Hua main branch, younger brother of the Grand Tutor, and the Emperor's study companion, he probably doesn't have complete freedom in this matter."
"I won't allow anyone to force him. The Hua family doesn't need marriage alliances to consolidate our status, and he doesn't need them to secure his position. Even if complete freedom in marriage isn't possible, I hope he can find someone suitable within reasonable constraints. This is the person he'll spend his life with—only he can truly know if they're compatible."
Bai Mingxia could tell this wasn't merely an excuse. The Princess Consort genuinely meant what she said. Her care for her family was well-known—even during the Hua family's most difficult times, she never sacrificed any of her sisters, instead securing good marriages for them whenever possible. If she treated others this way, how much more would she care for her own younger brother?
"But," he persisted, "Qiu'er is well-educated and cultured, perfectly matching the Hua family's values. Moreover, she won't turn twelve until after the New Year—she can certainly wait."
"Your daughter is undoubtedly excellent, Uncle, but she's not suited for the Hua family. Anyone resembling me cannot enter the Hua family." Hua Zhi spoke plainly—how could a son of the Hua family marry someone similar to his own sisters? That would create chaos.
Bai Mingxia was taken aback. He was an intelligent man, but his obsession had clouded his judgment. Now that she pointed it out, he immediately understood. This was truly...
He stood up and bowed deeply. "I was mistaken. Please forgive me, Princess Consort."
"You're just caring for your children—no need for such formality." Hua Zhi gestured for him to rise. "In my opinion, Uncle, you needn't worry too much. Learning from someone should never be about becoming that person. Either surpass them, or gradually grow into the person you want to be. Wouldn't either outcome be satisfactory?""I dare not hope to surpass the Princess Consort, I only wish for her to understand things clearly." Bai Mingxia smiled bitterly, unable to imagine anyone in this world who could surpass the Princess Consort, and he dared not harbor such expectations for his daughter.
Without overstaying his welcome, Bai Mingxia soon took his leave.
Hua Zhi saw him out of the flower hall, where Ying Chun promptly invited Bai Peiqiu from the adjacent room. The young woman curtsied to Hua Zhi and demurely stood by her father's side.
Hua Zhi found this familiar scene somewhat amusing—had she appeared equally... naive in her grandfather's eyes back in the day?
"Want to become the second Hua Zhi?"
Both father and daughter were startled by the sudden question. Bai Mingxia opened his mouth to speak but ultimately remained silent, stepping aside to let his daughter face the Princess Consort directly.
"Yet Hua Zhi wishes she could be Bai Peiqiu."
Bai Peiqiu looked up, her face filled with astonishment.
Hua Zhi tilted her head with a faint smile. "Why not? Bai Peiqiu lives in peace and contentment, sheltered by her parents. Her daily concerns are merely which book to read today or how to improve herself. She doesn't have to endure family collapse, shoulder household responsibilities, travel thousands of miles, or face life-and-death trials. If Bai Peiqiu wants to become Hua Zhi, she must experience all these hardships. Would you be willing?"
Bai Peiqiu twisted her handkerchief tightly. Willing? Of course not. She had thoroughly investigated what the Princess Consort had endured and admired her enough to emulate her as a role model. But she had never considered how she would fare under such circumstances—likely failing at the first hurdle. She lacked the boldness and capability of the Hua family's eldest daughter to support such a large clan under those conditions.
"So why try to become Hua Zhi? Bai Peiqiu can be perfectly fine as herself."
Summoning courage, Bai Peiqiu looked directly at the Princess Consort. Her smiling face held no air of superiority, nor any displeasure at being disturbed. Yet the grace and confidence radiating from her were unmatched. Bai Peiqiu still revered this woman, but now understood her own mistake.
Indeed, no one could become Hua Zhi. No one could imitate her, because no one would share her experiences—and even if they did, they wouldn't possess her ability to turn danger into safety and carve out a place for herself as a woman.
She was Bai Peiqiu, eldest daughter of the Bai family's third branch. Why set such grand goals? She only needed to outperform the other Bai family daughters to make her parents proud.
With a deep curtsy, Bai Peiqiu retreated behind her father. She would carefully reflect on this.
Bai Mingxia also bowed deeply to Hua Zhi. This visit hadn't been in vain if his daughter could learn from it.
Greetings echoed from a distance as Hua Zhi smiled at the man striding toward her. "Not busy today?"
"Finished my work." Gu Yanxi waved off the Bai father-daughter pair's formal greetings without taking his eyes off A Zhi. Taking the hint, Bai Mingxia bowed and withdrew.
At the corner, Bai Peiqiu stole a glance back and saw the powerful Regent smiling while whispering something, his arm around the Princess Consort's waist as they moved indoors. Blushing, she hurried to catch up with her father.
The Prince and Princess Consort truly seemed so happy! How wonderful!
PS: Word count exploded—nearly three thousand characters.
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