Chapter 93: Attack and Defense
During her stay at Yinshan Pass, Hua Zhi spent most of her time sleeping, then visiting the residence to chat with relatives and share updates about family members they were concerned about.
While walking through town, she noticed many people observing her. At the inn, whenever she descended the stairs, a momentary hush would fall. Their gazes held curiosity or admiration, but no malice.
Before her journey, she had deliberately studied numerous books about Yinshan Pass. She understood its geographical significance, was familiar with the local terrain, could recount the legendary deeds of the Wu family who had guarded this place for over a century, and had even gathered extra knowledge about local customs—all to avoid any missteps that might further complicate the Hua family's settlement. Being a woman, she knew some places prohibited female presence, but fortunately Yinshan Pass wasn't among them.
She had also worried about potential difficulties with northern locals. The Hua family consisted entirely of scholarly types who'd suffer greatly in any conflict. Yet upon arrival, she realized she'd fallen prey to stereotypes.
The people here were indeed tall and robust—braving freezing temperatures bare-chested to rub snow on their bodies—but their physical strength didn't translate to bullying exiled families. Instead, they subtly protected newcomers, as if accepting them as their own.
In truth, the situations were similar. Few exiled to this place ever returned to prosperous regions, ultimately putting down roots here to grow old and die.
The Hua family had likely been categorized similarly, Hua Zhi thought, but she would never resign herself to this fate.
Even if the Emperor's decree couldn't be revoked, he would eventually die! At fifty, he'd already reached the average lifespan for Daqing Dynasty rulers. When his successor ascended the throne, she would find a way.
She would ensure Berlin went far, far away, making him visible to the new emperor—to present their petitions and have their words heard.
Exiting the inn, she faced a pale white sun offering little warmth, yet her heart felt illuminated as if filled with sunlight. Hua Zhi noticed more smiling faces among the passersby.
"I should return now."
Gu Yanxi wasn't surprised. Having stayed three days with their purpose achieved, given the Hua family's circumstances, Hua Zhi couldn't remain idle.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
Hua Zhi glanced at him but ultimately said nothing, gathering her cloak as she walked toward the nearby residence.
Seeing her enter the house from the gateway, Gu Yanxi turned to leave. He too had arrangements to make.
Today was a rest day. Even those normally without breaks had requested leave to stay home—per the Old Master's requirement.
The younger generation stood in the courtyard, eyes occasionally darting toward the main gate. When Hua Zhi entered, they greeted her warmly. She smiled at these brothers she'd rarely seen more than once a month previously. As she reached the main hall entrance, the heavy curtain was lifted from within.
Hua Bolin stood there like a young poplar, eyes shining. "Elder Sister."
"You seem much recovered." Entering, Hua Zhi bowed ceremoniously to the roomful of elders.
Hua Yizheng's voice carried delight. "Not just these children—even my coughing has eased considerably. The physician you brought is quite skilled."
Ignoring Fourth Uncle's beckoning gesture, Hua Zhi stood by her father. "She'll remain here awhile, perfect for properly regulating your health. We must eradicate the illness completely.""Not going back together? Does she have a place to stay here?"
"You needn't concern yourself with that. Let her be. The person backing her holds considerable status, and her martial skills are excellent. It's unlikely anyone could take advantage of her."
Hua Yizheng was an intelligent man and immediately understood, ceasing further questions.
Hua Pingyu finally found an opportunity to speak. Clearing his throat with restraint, he instructed calmly, "Bolin, bring your elder sister a chair so she may sit while speaking."
If it were only the immediate family elders present, Hua Zhi would have dared to sit, as they were family and no one would fault her. But today, the entire Hua family had gathered, including elders from collateral branches. How could she presume to sit as their equal? Just as she was about to remind Bolin to bring a small stool instead, she saw her half-brother already placing one beside their father's feet.
Hua Zhi smiled at him, and Hua Bolin's eyes brightened even more.
She routinely answered questions—some newly raised, others asked repeatedly—until noon, when everyone temporarily ran out of inquiries. Only then did Hua Zhi announce her decision: "I plan to return tomorrow."
The room fell silent. Hua Pingyu instinctively asked, "So soon? You haven't been here many days."
"While at home, I worried about all of you; now that I'm away, I worry about home." Hua Zhi's lips curled in a self-mocking smile. "Grandmother is, after all, getting on in years. I must return to assist her."
"It is time to go back. The colder it gets, the more hardship the journey will bring," Hua Yizheng declared, then instructed, "Chen Shan, check on the meal's progress and hurry them along."
"Yes, sir."
"You've had several days to ask your questions. After the meal, disperse. Those who wish Zhi Er to take items back should prepare them—nothing too heavy."
Everyone assented in unison.
After a somewhat subdued meal, Hua Zhi followed her grandfather to his quarters.
Hua Yizheng pointed to the chessboard. "Come, keep your grandfather company for a game."
Hua Zhi was truly a person of two facets: she could write both wild, sweeping cursive and delicate, elegant script; her chess style could either be steadily defensive or aggressively offensive.
In past games with her grandfather, she had mostly employed defense as offense, but today she shifted tactics, launching a thunderous assault from the start.
Her strategy was bold and expansive, with traps laid openly—avoiding one only led to falling into another, and by the time one escaped a trap, the surroundings were already tightly encircled.
Hua Pingyang, who had entered a step later, grew increasingly astonished as he watched. This version of Zhi Er was like a newly sharpened blade—utterly keen and formidable.
Their father could still match her move for move, but had it been him, he would likely have already lost.
Hua Yizheng was also more focused than ever, thinking five or ten moves ahead with each play. Having immersed himself in the game for decades, this skill was unsurprising. Yet gradually, he realized Zhi Er was doing the same: the moment he made a move, she countered instantly, matching his pace when he accelerated and clinging tightly even when he slowed.
"It's a draw." Staring at the board filled with black and white stones, Hua Pingyang struggled to describe his feelings. Zhi Er had actually fought their father to a stalemate.
A faint sheen of sweat glistened on Hua Zhi's forehead—she had truly given her all.
"Grandfather was going easy on me.""I didn't let you win - this is my usual standard." Hua Yizheng's gaze never left the chessboard, or more precisely, it was fixed on that black dragon formation. The move he had used to block it was quite forced, giving him a faint sense that he might not be able to contain it. Had he been any slower, he would have already lost.
"Zhi Er, how much of your true ability did you use when playing with your grandfather before?"
"One hundred percent." Hua Zhi rubbed the rough chessboard, somewhat missing the warm-to-the-touch chess set her grandfather always used. "Defensive play has always been more difficult than offensive play. Comparatively, I'm more skilled at attacking."
Hua Yizheng looked at her and smiled. Given the Hua family's current situation, merely playing defense wouldn't be enough to turn things around.
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