Chapter 73: Departure
By the time Hua Zhi led Shaoyao out of the clinic, the sun had already sunk westward. Chu Shitang escorted them all the way down the steps, saying, "If Miss Shaoyao has spare time, you're welcome to visit this old man anytime."
Realizing his words might be misinterpreted, he quickly added, "To discuss prescriptions with me."
Having never consulted prescriptions with anyone other than her master, Shaoyao was still buzzing with excitement and nodded eagerly, "I'll definitely come again. Please don't find me bothersome, Doctor Chu."
"Of course not."
After boarding the carriage, Shaoyao tossed aside her Veiled Hat and clung to Hua Zhi's arm, chattering excitedly, "Doctor Chu is skilled in medicine and has good character. I want to visit him again."
"So happy?"
Shaoyao nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling.
Hua Zhi had intended to remind her to bring a chaperone for propriety's sake, but seeing her enthusiasm, she held her tongue, deciding she'd simply remember to arrange it herself. "After we return from the northern frontier, I'll take you to Doctor Chu's home so you can become familiar with the route. We must properly greet Madam Chu as well."
Shaoyao beamed and nodded, "I'll listen to Hua Hua."
Hua Zhi increasingly felt like she'd acquired an adopted daughter...
On the day of departure, the Hua household stirred earlier than usual.
The senior maids bustled in and out, repeatedly checking and organizing supplies, fearful of forgetting anything. If possible, they would have gladly gone on this journey in their mistress's stead.
Hua Zhi wore riding attire—a top and trousers—with leather boots, her hair completely tied up and wrapped atop her head, giving her a strikingly androgynous appearance.
Madam Zhu's heart ached at her daughter's leaving, yet her concern for her husband prevented her from asking her to stay. She hovered around her daughter like a headless fly.
Hua Zhi said nothing, sitting before the dressing table to apply makeup. In moments, she concealed her striking beauty, resembling a rather delicate young man.
Satisfied after a final glance, she set down the eyebrow pencil, selected a few items from the dressing table, and gestured for Liu Xiang to pack them—these would be needed for the journey.
"Zhi Er..."
"Please don't cry." Hua Zhi sighed helplessly; she'd always been soft-hearted toward her gentle mother. "It's not like I'm never coming back..."
"Don't say such things! Children's words hold no power—may the wind blow them away." Madam Zhu glared at her. It was inauspicious to speak like that before a journey.
Hua Zhi guided her mother to sit. "Send for Berlin. Let our family share a meal together."
Hua Berlin stood rigidly outside the courtyard, staring at the sky as if it could lessen his sorrow and keep his disobedient tears from falling.
As the eldest brother in the family and teacher to his younger brothers, he no longer had the right to cry.
Knowing him well, Hua Zhi didn't expose the proud young man, instead beckoning him. "Come join Mother and your Elder Sister for a meal."
None of them ate much. Hua Zhi had intended to eat more, knowing that food and drink on the road would be makeshift, but seeing the other two's lack of appetite dampened her own. She finally set down her chopsticks. "Mother, if you're uncertain about any decisions, let Matron Lin handle them. If anyone says anything to you, tell them to wait until I return and speak with me directly."
Madam Zhu nodded tearfully, "I understand. I won't cause you trouble."
Hua Zhi didn't argue about trouble, turning instead to her brother. "You are now the eldest man in the Hua family, Berlin.""I will take good care of my younger brothers and look after everyone at home." Hua Bolin's eyes were red-rimmed. "Elder Sister, I will do well. Don't worry about the family. When you're outside, you must be careful - nothing is more important than you."
He's only ten years old, Hua Zhi thought as she approached and gently embraced him, hiding her own heartache. "If you encounter situations you can't handle, just close the gates tightly and don't worry about the outside businesses. Wait for me to return."
Hua Bolin tightly grasped his sister's sleeve, forcing back his tears with all his might. His desire to become stronger reached its peak at this moment. He wanted to protect his sister just as she protected him, to shoulder all hardships for her, to let her return to her previous peaceful life. He wanted to become the one who could support and protect the Hua family!
Giving her brother's shoulder one final pat, Hua Zhi went to bid farewell to her grandmother.
The Old Madam handed her a letter. "Give this to your grandfather. Go safely and return safely - the Hua family cannot do without you."
"Yes, I will act according to my capabilities." Hua Zhi knelt and kowtowed in farewell. "Grandmother, please take good care of your health. You are the foundation of the Hua family's stability."
The Old Madam signaled Su Momo to help her up. She wanted to give more instructions but realized there was actually nothing she needed to say. This granddaughter was so capable that she didn't need guidance on how to act - on the contrary, she had already arranged everything for the household.
"You must return safely."
"Yes." Hua Zhi looked up at her grandmother, whose age was becoming increasingly apparent. "Your granddaughter takes her leave now."
Shortly after Hua Zhi left, Shaoyao, who had been absent all this time, emerged from somewhere and entered the Old Madam's courtyard. Truthfully, she was very unwilling to make this trip. Hmph, the Heir was always making things difficult for her!
Outside the East Corner Gate of the Hua residence in the alley, several fine horses stamped their hooves and snorted. A single glance was enough to tell these were not comparable to ordinary carriage horses - these were obtained by Shaoyao.
Hua Zhi was accompanied by Shaoyao, followed by six loyal Hua family servants, and behind them were family members seeing them off, including both immediate and branch family members.
Mr. Mu had brought all the children from the clan school as well. He wanted his students to remember who had supported the family during its most difficult times. When they grew up, when their wings hardened, when selfish thoughts arose, they should never forget the Great Miss's contributions to the Hua family.
Hua Zhi said nothing, her gaze sweeping around the circle before she bowed slightly and walked toward the gate.
Hua Bolin chased after her, watching as his elder sister smoothly mounted her horse and rode away without looking back even once.
Madam Zhu wept uncontrollably, causing others to also become teary-eyed. No matter how many personal calculations they might have, at this moment, they were all grateful to Hua Zhi in their hearts.
They had set out early, reaching the city gates just as they opened. Following the flow of people out the gate, Hua Zhi was about to urge her horse to speed up when she saw a rider leisurely approaching her. The person on horseback was all too familiar to her.
"Lu Xiansheng, you..."
"Shaoyao said this is your first time traveling far and begged me to accompany you. Since I happen to be free lately, I agreed."
Shaoyao desperately wanted to shake Hua Hua's shoulders and tell her not to believe it - these words had nothing to do with her! She had never begged Yan Ge! How would she dare ask the Heir to serve as a guard!
But she didn't dare. When Hua Hua looked over, she could only listlessly nod in agreement. "It's safer with Yan Ge along."Hua Zhi still felt it was inappropriate. She could be informal with Shaoyao, but Lu Xiansheng was not someone she could treat casually. Unable to outright refuse, she could only say, "If Lu Xiansheng leaves, our household..."
"Young Lady need not worry. I have asked a companion to take my place for a period of time."
"My grandmother likely won't agree to a strange man entering the household..."
Shaoyao quietly confessed, "I already spoke with Old Madam."
Hua Zhi glared at her. How could she keep such a matter secret from her?
Shaoyao felt terribly wronged with no way to voice her grievance - The Heir had threatened that if she didn't help, he wouldn't allow her to go!
PS: A friend asked me why I was crying. I said I was moved by the sibling relationship I wrote. My friend mercilessly laughed at me, calling me silly. Readers of my novels should know I don't like to put knives in the romantic relationships between main characters - I prefer to tug at heartstrings with family bonds and friendships. In my view, familial love and friendship are often much more beautiful than troublesome romantic love.
Took the morning off and managed to write a chapter. Have a meeting this afternoon, so the next update will probably be in the evening.
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