After a moment of eye contact, Gu Yanxi spoke in a voice much deeper than usual, "Do you think the south is more dangerous than the east?"
"No, the Chao Li Tribe poses a greater threat. No matter how much we despise them, we have to admit their combat strength is formidable, especially their cavalry. Our Daqing Dynasty needs two cavalrymen to hold off one of theirs, and even that might not be enough against their elite troops. Their horse-rearing skills are innate—despite years of breeding efforts, our dynasty still lags far behind. That's why Daqing cannot afford internal chaos. Once turmoil arises, they will surely take a bite out of us. As for the Flame Country..."
Hua Zhi walked to the window and pushed it open wider, letting the cold air rush in. "I don't know much about the Flame Country. How much does Lu Xiansheng understand about them?"
Gu Yanxi turned and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "I only know as much as he has shown us."
Hua Zhi smiled. See how easy it is to talk with clever people? Though she had no grand ambitions, she understood the principle that "when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken." A nation was just like that—when it prospered, it might not benefit you, but when it fell, you would suffer along with it.
"By the way, I want to buy that cloak. But as Lu Xiansheng knows, my current situation... I'll have to owe the money for now. I'll repay it in full once we return."
Gu Yanxi remained noncommittal. He didn't mention that it was made from snow fox fur personally hunted by the Emperor—something not even given to any prince, exclusively bestowed upon him, truly priceless.
"I've also noted the gold bars in my heart. I'll repay them gradually." Hua Zhi turned to look at him. "I've received so much help from Lu Xiansheng, I don't even know how I can ever repay it all."
"I dare not take credit. The gold bars belong to Shaoyao. Don't underestimate her—she often returns from a single house call with a cartload of gifts."
This was no exaggeration. The imperial consorts now trusted Shaoyao completely, frequently summoning her for minor ailments and rewarding her generously each time. Before they left, he had instructed Shaoyao to bring plenty of gold bars. Given Hua Zhi's temperament, any further assistance from him would only raise her guard. Shaoyao existed in her safe zone—someone she could trust more easily.
Just as he anticipated, upon hearing it was Shaoyao's, Hua Zhi visibly relaxed. Between friends, help could be given freely, and she would naturally do her utmost for Shaoyao in the future.
They fell silent, yet the atmosphere remained comfortable.
At the doorway, Shaoyao peeked in, her brows slightly furrowed, but ultimately decided not to interrupt.
As much as she wanted Hua Hua to become her sister-in-law, she equally feared it actually happening. The imperial clan was too complicated—full of women scheming endlessly, a tiring sight that exhausted her just to watch. She didn't want Hua Hua to live such a life at all.
Yet, if she could become her sister-in-law, Yan Ge would be happy, wouldn't he? She wanted Yan Ge to be happy.
No matter how much the Emperor trusted him or how well the Empress Dowager treated him, Yan Ge essentially had no home—just like her. They were each other's family, yet without a true home.
That was why she clung so tightly to Hua Hua. That was why Yan Ge concealed his identity to stay by Hua Hua's side.
"Cao Cao?" Hua Zhi stepped out and saw Shaoyao sitting on the ground, her expression tinged with sorrow, looking as pitiful as an abandoned child.
Shaoyao sprang up, her gloom vanishing instantly as she beamed. "Hua Hua, when are you going back? I plan to stay here for a while."
Hua Zhi looked surprised. "Why do you want to stay here?""I found a medicinal herb here that only grows in this place. It's about to mature, so I need to wait for it."
Seeing that Shaoyao didn't seem to be lying, Hua Zhi also felt only such matters could truly capture Shaoyao's attention. She helplessly tapped Shaoyao's forehead and turned to Lu Xiansheng, "Does Lu Xiansheng agree?"
Gu Yanxi smiled, "This is quite common for her. Last year, she went herb gathering in the mountains and stayed for three months. Winter had already begun, yet she still hadn't returned. I was afraid she might freeze to death in the mountains, so I gathered some brothers to find her and bring her back."
"Being obsessed with one path will surely lead to achievement. Cao Cao will become very skilled in the future."
Shaoyao proudly lifted her chin, "I'm already very skilled now."
Hua Zhi took her hand and led her downstairs, "Then let's go practice medicine and treat patients, oh so skilled Physician Shaoyao."
"Who? Who's sick?"
The patients were younger members of the Hua family, one of them being Hua Zhi's twelve-year-old half-brother Hua Bolin.
Seeing Hua Zhi, Hua Bolin struggled to get up and pay respects. Hua Zhi motioned for him to lie down, "Don't move. Let the physician examine you."
Although Hua Bolin was the eldest son of the main branch (though born of a concubine), the Hua family's strict rules kept him in check. Additionally, Hua Pingyu had always favored his official wife, so Hua Bolin hadn't grown up spoiled and knew his place quite well.
Hua Zhi only showed particular regard for Berlin and Bojun (Fourth Uncle's son), while having little interaction with other siblings. She rarely even spoke with this half-brother normally. Noticing Hua Bolin stealing glances at her, she pretended not to see and quietly waited for Shaoyao's diagnosis.
"Simply put, it's difficulty adjusting to the climate and environment, combined with a weak constitution. I'll prescribe two formulas—one for drinking and one for medicinal baths—to help strengthen his foundation."
"Good. Let's go check on the others."
The others had similar issues—they were simply too delicate and unaccustomed to hardship, unable to adapt quickly. In the hands of an mediocre physician, their conditions might have worsened, potentially damaging their health foundations. But Shaoyao could use this opportunity to actually strengthen their constitutions—this was the difference between a divine physician and a mediocre one.
Just as the paper was laid out for prescriptions, Hua Pingyu returned, breathing heavily, clearly having rushed back.
The room was warmed by a large charcoal brazier, making it noticeably warmer than outside.
Signaling for Shaoyao to continue writing her prescriptions, Hua Zhi placed an additional chair by the charcoal brazier and helped her father sit down. She then went to fetch a warm towel, "Please warm yourself up quickly."
Hua Pingyu placed the towel over his face, a slight smile secretly forming at the corners of his mouth. This closeness between father and daughter was something they never experienced at home. He had always felt his daughter wasn't close to him, so he maintained distance too—and thus they remained distant all these years.
After he finished wiping his hands and face, a cup of hot tea was placed in his hands.
"Hua Hua, it's done."
Hua Zhi picked up the two prescriptions to examine them. Seeing the ingredients were relatively common, she felt relieved. She summoned Chen Shan and said, "Go prepare the medicine. Get several doses. Keep the prescriptions safe. This one is for treating wind-cold—if anyone in the family catches a chill later, this prescription can still be used. This one is for medicinal baths. By the way, Cao Cao, can anyone use this?"
"Not everyone. Your father and others like him can't use it—only your younger brothers and those like them. I'll write another one."
"Alright, then write another one. It should be usable by my father, the others like him, and my grandfather."
"Understood."
Shaoyao quickly wrote another prescription and handed it to Chen Shan while the ink was still wet. Chen Shan carefully held it like a treasure, afraid of smudging the characters.
"Calculate how many people are in the household. Everyone should use it.""Yes, I'll go right away."
Hua Pingyu sipped his tea with an air of detachment, not once glancing in that direction, yet his ears were perked up to catch every word. Unconsciously, the corners of his eyes crinkled into smile lines.
He had never known someone could conceal their brilliance so well, managing to deceive so many members of the Hua family. But when he remembered this person was his daughter, he couldn't help but swell with pride.
This was his daughter!
PS: Character reveal: Hua Pingyu's trait: Tsundere
Late update again, alas. I ended up rewriting half the chapter during revisions—something felt off, but it's much better now. Empty Stay's Weibo: Migu Author Empty Stay. Reader group: 281120682. Please follow!
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