The winter nights were long, but even the longest night must eventually end.
The hazy light of dawn, reflected off the snow, appeared brighter than usual, revealing a vast expanse of white as far as the eye could see.
Snow had begun to fall again, drifting down in gentle flurries.
Hearing movement next door, Gu Yanxi stepped away from the window. A breeze swept snowflakes through the opening, where they melted almost instantly.
When Hua Zhi emerged and saw him, her expression showed a hint of helplessness. "It's snowing."
Gu Yanxi didn't suggest she postpone her journey. Snow in the north never stopped after just one fall—lasting three to five days was common. Hua Zhi was worried about her family back home; she wouldn't wait.
"Wear as many layers as you can."
"I already feel like it's difficult to walk," Hua Zhi said with a laugh. Spotting Hua Pingyang coming out of the adjacent room, she quickly bowed in greeting.
"No need to go downstairs. I'll have the inn staff bring breakfast up."
Breakfast here had always been heartier than in the capital, and today's was especially so—large bowls of meat served first thing in the morning.
Hua Pingyang picked up a portion with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl. "In weather like this, you won't last without some meat. Eat a few pieces at least. You too, Lu Xiansheng—have more. We'll be relying on you along the way."
"Just doing my duty," Gu Yanxi replied, not refusing Hua Pingyang's gesture. He picked up a few pieces and ate slowly, his demeanor elegant.
He was true Celestial Aristocracy—his father was the current Emperor's full brother, and his mother was the legitimate daughter of a Duke. Though his mother had passed away early, he was later personally raised and educated by the Emperor himself. All his privileges were on par with those of a prince; in terms of nobility, he was scarcely inferior.
Once he formally took charge of the Seven Constellation Bureau, he answered to no one but the Emperor.
Yet, after Hua Zhi took residence in his heart, all his status, glory, and nobility became constraints instead.
Hua Zhi cared nothing for such things. It was precisely because he understood this that he concealed his identity. What others revered as imperial authority, she even disdained—though she hid it well, and no one detected her irreverence.
Ah, Hua Zhi!
Gu Yanxi's peripheral gaze lingered on the woman beside him. She was eating small mouthfuls of rice, clearly without much appetite, yet forcing herself to swallow the meat. Perhaps even she hadn't realized it—she wasn't good at refusing those who treated her kindly.
And that was his opportunity.
After the meal, they drank a cup of hot tea. Estimating that the city gates would soon open, Hua Zhi prepared to depart.
Outside the inn, the entire Hua family had gathered without exception.
The elders were sheltered under the eaves to avoid the snow, while the younger generation stood on the snowy ground, occasionally stamping their feet or taking a few steps to ward off the bitter cold.
Hua Zhi emerged, bundled in her heavy cloak, and was about to pull up the hood when she noticed the crowd. Forgetting about the hood entirely, she hurried to her grandfather's side and clasped his hands—thankfully, they weren't too cold.
"How long have you been waiting? I said I would come to you."
"Just arrived, to see you off," Hua Yizheng said, looking at his granddaughter, fully equipped for the journey. He had no idea how much hardship she would endure on the road back; what did their brief wait matter?
"I didn't expect it to snow again today. Did you wear enough layers?"
"I'm wearing two padded jackets already. I'm worried I won't be able to mount the horse later," Hua Zhi joked, trying to ease her grandfather's worries. She had already experienced the sensation of galloping through snow on her way here—it was just another trip, and she was mentally prepared.
Compared to that, she was far less adept at handling scenes like this.Looking at her family members with their earnest gazes, Hua Zhi felt a lump in her throat. Given a choice, she would rather the Hua family had never fallen apart, that she could remain the Hua family's eldest daughter awaiting marriage, with her only worry being whether she should accept a husband who had been with another woman.
She was genuinely glad she hadn't had any opportunities to prove herself in the past fifteen years.
She truly wished to remain the Hua Zhi who only needed to play defensive moves in chess and write delicate, elegant calligraphy.
Her gaze fell upon Hua Bolin, who looked at her with anticipation. Hua Zhi extended her hand to him, and he hurried forward to present the letter with both hands. He had originally prepared some small gifts to comfort his mother, but seeing the various packages hanging on the horse, he decided not to take them out.
"Remember what you promised me."
Hua Bolin stood even straighter. "Elder Sister, don't worry. I certainly will."
Hua Zhi also nodded to her other half-brother, Hua Boxiang, who was quieter by nature. He stepped forward without a word to present his letter and softly expressed his thanks.
"Take good care of Father."
"Yes, Elder Sister."
Hua Zhi took a deep breath and knelt on the snowy ground, but before she could kowtow, her father pulled her up. The man, usually so refined that he never even raised his voice, trembled as he whispered, "Don't get your clothes wet. If they get wet and the wind blows, they'll freeze."
"Yes." Hua Zhi lowered her eyes. "Father, take care of yourself."
Hua Pingyu patted her shoulder—for him, this was already the most intimate gesture he could offer his child.
Hua Yizheng watched with a gentle smile and said warmly, "Set off now. Don't rush; safety is most important."
"Yes, Grandfather, take care. Everyone, take care."
Hua Zhi mounted her horse, reined it in, and turned halfway. Lifting her chin slightly, her expression revealed a confidence and boldness she had never shown before. "I promise that the Hua family's century-old reputation will not be tarnished in the slightest by my hands. I promise that the Hua family's sons will still grow into scholars well-versed in poetry and literature. I promise that no one will dare to look down upon the Hua family's daughters. I promise that when you return, the Hua family will still be the Hua family you know—the family honored by the founding emperor as a Family of Scholars!"
Her resolute words brought tears to the eyes of many in the Hua family. Though she was merely an unmarried young woman, at that moment, they felt she stood as firm and unyielding as a pillar holding up the sky.
This was the daughter their Hua family had raised!
They had every right to be proud!
The younger generation looked at the figure on horseback with almost worshipful eyes. They could no longer recall what Hua Zhi had been like before; the image imprinted in their hearts and minds was this very figure before them.
In the future, whenever they felt life was too hard, they would think of this moment, of Hua Zhi who had come to them through the wind and snow and was now leaving through the same, and feel that nothing was insurmountable.
The sound of hoofbeats faded from near to far until they disappeared entirely. For a moment, neither the Hua family nor the onlookers moved.
If anyone had previously thought Hua Zhi's words were exaggerated, after witnessing this scene, they could no longer doubt her. Perhaps her promises were grand, but who wouldn't want a daughter with such responsibility and determination?!
Wu Yong stood alone in the alley under an umbrella, seeing her off. Now he wasn't worried about Gu Shizi having to explain himself to the Emperor; instead, he was more concerned that Gu Shizi might be scorned by this Hua family daughter—ha!
Who was the one responsible for the Hua family's current state of collapse? Wasn't it the imperial family? And what was Gu Shizi's surname? Gu! Once Hua Zhi found out, how could he possibly fare well?Gu Shizi still had a long way to go if he wanted to win the beauty's heart, so why did he look so delighted?
Wu Yong lowered his umbrella a little, suppressing the gloating smile on his face. Watching the female doctor wearing a veiled hat at the inn's entrance, he hesitated and decided not to approach her. Better to meet in the evening!
As the one who had forced her to stay against her will, he actually wanted to hide for a few days.
PS: Those three promises of Hua Zhi—just a few sentences—were repeatedly revised for a very, very long time.
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