Extra Chapter 15: Marriage Matters (3)
The fluttering snowfall continued intermittently for several days. The capital, draped in silver with festive red accents, appeared exceptionally beautiful, though the cold was truly biting.
Apart from fulfilling her unavoidable duties as Grand Tutor, Hua Zhi secluded herself in the Library with underfloor heating, going nowhere else. She found great contentment reading with her young disciple or engaging in question-and-answer sessions. Sometimes she even wished this severe cold spell would last longer. Though chilly, everyone knew the Grand Tutor had a delicate constitution, allowing her to righteously decline various external banquet invitations.
Just like the current situation.
"This servant initially didn't wish to bring it before you, but I've received news that Miss Pei Qiu will also attend the Bai family's Spring Banquet this time."
"You always know whom I favor." Despite saying this, Hua Zhi still accepted the invitation and opened it to examine. The phrasing remained conventional. After a quick glance, she closed it and looked up at her chief steward. "Is the information reliable?"
Ying Chun smiled, "Yes. Had I not confirmed this, how would I dare disturb you?"
After brief contemplation, Hua Zhi nodded. "Send a reply. I shall attend punctually."
"Understood."
Not only did Hua Zhi attend herself, she also brought Berlin along. These banquets hosted by noble families under various pretexts essentially served as matchmaking opportunities for young ladies and gentlemen from different households - rare occasions where they could meet openly. Everyone knew the siblings shared a close bond, so their joint appearance was anticipated by many. Consequently, no one noticed the plainly dressed attendant beside Berlin.
After exchanging pleasantries with the Bai family and dismissing their servants, Hua Zhi bowed slightly to the attendant. "I've imposed hardship upon you."
The attendant lifted his head, revealing none other than the Emperor's face. He gestured for the Grand Tutor to rise while removing his hat and examining the curtained pavilion. "Rather distinctive indeed."
Windproof while blocking outside observation - truly distinctive. Hua Zhi lifted a corner of the curtain to observe the exterior. There were only three such independent pavilions, presumably reserved for specially distinguished guests. Clearly, her current status warranted such special treatment.
"Whom does the Grand Tutor wish this emperor to observe?"
"Your Majesty may observe whomever you wish. Rather than learning about someone's character through others' accounts, I prefer you see for yourself. Since you'll be spending a lifetime together, shouldn't mutual affinity matter most?"
"Like the Grand Tutor and the Regent?"
Hua Zhi smiled. "Life must be lived regardless, but having a desired companion by your side surely makes it more flavorful."
"The Grand Tutor speaks wisely." The Emperor clapped Berlin's shoulder. "Hear that? Choose someone who catches your eye."
Hua Bolin retorted mildly, "Your Majesty should choose first. The entire court awaits your decision."
The Emperor patted him again, the audible impact revealing substantial force.
Hua Zhi pretended not to notice. The two had always interacted this way, and Berlin increasingly understood appropriate boundaries, leaving her unworried.
"Your Highness, the Bai family's young ladies have come to pay respects."
Given Hua Zhi's elevated status, she needn't receive anyone personally. The Emperor immediately replaced his hat and conscientiously positioned himself behind Berlin.
Hua Zhi nodded to Bao Xia, who understood immediately, lifting the curtain to invite the visitors inside.
"Daughters of the Bai family pay respects to the Regent's Consort. May the Consort enjoy boundless happiness."Hua Zhi swept a glance over the seven or eight young ladies present and noticed Bai Peiqiu was not among them. She immediately understood—the girl had likely been excluded.
After exchanging a few words with the remaining guests, she lifted her teacup to signal the end of the visit. Subsequent visitors received equally brief exchanges—neither warm nor preferential treatment. Everyone took the hint gracefully, and even those yearning to marry into the Hua family only dared steal a few extra glances at Hua Bolin as they departed.
Having finished one cup of tea, Hua Zhi found the rigid composure of the two men somewhat irritating. So much so that she momentarily forgot her deference to the Emperor, waving her hand dismissively: "His Majesty rarely ventures out. Bolin, take him to experience the Bai family's Spring Banquet."
Hua Bolin and the Emperor exchanged glances, suppressing smiles as they acquiesced. Eliciting helplessness from their elder sister (the Grand Tutor) felt like an achievement—after all, not everyone could manage this.
At such banquets, even revelries aided by wine maintained an air of elegance. Given his status and capabilities, Hua Bolin could seamlessly enter any of the naturally formed social circles. After making the rounds, the Emperor gained some new insights, though compared to what he had witnessed beyond the capital, these appeared rather insignificant.
"Frogs at the bottom of a well," the Emperor remarked with a scornful laugh once they were out of earshot. "Had I not traveled with the Grand Tutor, I might have been like them—smugly convinced of my own superiority."
"Elder Sister often says 'blindly studying classics is worse than reading nothing at all.'"
Both having been taught by Hua Zhi, they shared a knowing smile, their unspoken gratitude hanging in the air. Though their teacher might not rival contemporary great scholars in academic knowledge, she had shown them the world beyond the capital—revealing how vast heaven and earth truly were. To them, this was more valuable than a hundred or a thousand sage maxims.
Approaching a pavilion where voices could be heard, they glanced at the maid. She merely curtsied without any special indication—meaning the visitors inside were ordinary guests avoiding trouble. Seeing no urgency, the two men lingered outside.
Inside the pavilion, Hua Zhi caught Ying Chun's subtle cue and set down her teacup, initiating conversation: "Are relations with the Bai family still strained?"
Among noble families, veiled speech was the norm. Bai Peiqiu didn't understand why the Princess Consort was being so direct, but recalling her father's instruction to be forthright in front of her, she replied candidly: "My grandfather suggested Father rejoin the Bai family, but he declined."
"In that case, you must have known you'd face exclusion here. Why not decline with an excuse instead of giving them opportunities to mistreat you? If Uncle Bai finds out upon his return, he'll be heartbroken."
"Peiqiu thanks the Princess Consort for your concern." She rose and curtsied, feeling the genuine kindness, and spoke more intimately: "It upset me at first, but I've come to realize—only those we care about can truly hurt us. Since that's the case, I'll simply stop caring. Aren't they precisely taking advantage of Father's attachment to make endless demands?"
As if fearing she'd overstepped, Bai Peiqiu stood and curtsied again. "This humble girl has spoken presumptuously. I beg the Princess Consort's forgiveness."
"That's simple truth—no offense taken. Sit and speak comfortably." Hua Zhi observed the girl whose features had matured—her demeanor indeed transformed, as if she'd suddenly gained clarity and found her own direction.
"You should know: with both grandparents living, your mother likely has no say in your marriage arrangements. Aren't you worried the Bai family might use this to control you?""My parents are very worried, but I believe Grandmother can't do much to me. Noble families have many established protocols when marrying off daughters, and the Bai family has more than one marriageable girl. For the sake of my other sisters, she can't make a big fuss over this matter. At most, she'll just make my marriage less pleasant—I'm mentally prepared for that."
Bai Peiqiu actually wanted to plead with the Princess Consort. If the Princess Consort intervened, the Bai family wouldn't be able to do anything, and her father wouldn't need to consider bowing to the Bai family. But she suppressed this impulse—it wasn't yet a moment of such desperation.
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