It was only slightly light in the sky, and Gu Yanxi knew it was time for him to leave.
When they said goodbye at the gate, Hua Zhi suddenly asked, "Is Cao Cao's last name also Gu?"
Gu Yanxi was silent for a moment and nodded.
"Her face... Who ruined it? Her stepmother? Or her biological father?"
"Why do you ask?"
Hua Zhi smiled faintly, "For a family like yours, apart from being hurt by your own people, who can do anything to you?"
His surname is Gu, which means he is at least a member of the royal family. In this society where imperial power is supreme, even a visitor from another world like her would avoid him, not to mention the natives here, whose awe of the imperial power is reflected in every aspect.
Gu Yanxi had nothing to refute. What Hua Zhi said was absolutely right. No one in the royal family would dare to do that unless they were hurt by their own people.
"Grandma is still alive."
The unfinished words expressed too much helplessness. Hua Zhi felt unfair for Shaoyao, but she couldn't say that Gu Yanxi was wrong. She could only let go of the topic and bowed deeply to say goodbye without saying a word.
Gu Yanxi looked at her and said softly, "I haven't forgotten it for a moment."
He did not say that he had not returned to the palace for several years, nor did he defend himself for his suppression of the palace and the woman's family over the years. He even kept the son born by that woman unknown for several years until the man begged his grandmother and she allowed him to be recorded in the family tree. He also did not say that his uncle knew all these things and condoned him to do so. He did not want Hua Zhi to know that he almost killed his own father after he rushed into the sea of fire to carry Shaoyao out.
But no matter how much he did, the fact was that he still failed to avenge Shaoyao.
Hua Zhi returned to the study and sat quietly in the dark for a long time, thinking about the Sixth Prince, the Hua family, Shaoyao, and Gu Yanxi. She thought she would be calm, but her heartbeat was clearly much faster than usual.
She was extremely close to the top of the world, involved with a royal family member, and even had a prince hidden at home. It was like suddenly being related to the biggest leader in her former society, and she couldn't remain calm.
In this situation, she should be calmer and never think that she is so great and that the Hua family can turn the situation around. Hua Zhi warned herself in her heart that she must not maintain the Hua family on a vague friendship.
Even if you can't avoid it, you must not drag yourself or the Hua family into it. It's a quagmire, no, it's a swamp. If you enter it, it will be a disaster. The Hua family is too weak and can't withstand a single blow.
Taking a deep breath, Hua Zhi stood up and opened the door.
Yingchun and Baoxia were standing guard outside the door, one on each side. There were also two people, one big and one small, squatting in the corridor. They stood up immediately when they saw her.
"Huahua..."
Hua Zhi patted Shaoyao who was coming towards her and looked at the Sixth Prince.
The child looked at her eagerly. The look of wanting to get close to her but not daring to did so made Hua Zhi, who knew his life experience, feel distressed. No matter in which world, unfortunate people always have their own misfortunes. The only difference is that some people bring it upon themselves, while others passively endure it.
"Ajian, why did you get out of bed?"
Instantly, the Sixth Prince's eyes lit up, and they became brighter and brighter. He didn't dare to say that he had eavesdropped on her conversation with Brother Yan Xi outside, nor did he dare to say what kind of expectations he had. He could only use all his self-control to not act too happy, but he was still so happy that the corners of his lips and eyes curved up, and his tone was also upward with a smile, "I've been lying in bed for a few days, and I want to go out for a walk."
"You can't leave this yard, do you understand?"
"Yes, I won't go out."
Hua Zhi smiled at him, "Yingchun, prepare the meal. I'm hungry. Cao Cao, A Jian, both of you come and eat with me."
"Sister, why haven't you eaten yet at this time?" Hua Bailin heard her elder sister's words as soon as he stepped into the yard. He asked with concern, but after asking, he found that there was someone next to her.
He has now gotten used to all kinds of people appearing around his elder sister, and he just gives Ajian a bright smile.
Hua Zhi smiled and waved at him. When he came closer, she introduced him to him, "This is A Jian, A Jian, this is Berlin. He is the only one who comes here. You two are of similar age, so you can talk more on weekdays."
"A Jian." Hua Bolin didn't ask any more questions. He bowed in a proper manner. He was very cheerful. His sincere look made A Jian smile sincerely. "Berlin, I'll bother you more in the future."
“Same here.”
The two smiled at each other. Although it was their first meeting, they did not feel strange at all. One of them trusted his eldest sister very much and believed that anyone who could be looked at specially by his eldest sister must be good. The other had a blind liking for Hua Zhi and believed that those close to her would not be bad either.
Hua Zhi watched with a smile, and waited until the two of them finished their polite exchanges before leading them to the ear room.
Fu Dong was setting up the table with Liu Juan, and when he saw her he complained, "Miss, you are here too late today. The food won't taste as good as when it's freshly cooked even if you reheat it several times."
"Yes, yes, I won't do this next time." Hua Zhi smiled and comforted the maid who was always good-tempered. Seeing that she was coaxed into smiling and curling the corners of her mouth by her words, just to protect Fu Dong's simple happiness, she would try her best to prevent the Hua family from falling into a desperate situation.
After the meal, Hua Zhi nodded to her brother. Hua Bailin understood and moved closer to A Jian to talk to him. This was a new experience for the Sixth Prince. The two of them had no vested interest in each other and did not need to be on guard against each other. They could talk about everything without any scruples. This feeling was truly wonderful.
Then he discovered that Hua Bailin knew a lot and was very well-educated. He thought he had learned everything taught in the study, and he loved reading books on weekdays. But no matter what he said, Hua Bailin could actually connect with it and even had some unique insights. He was secretly shocked, but felt that this was normal. Although the Hua family had fallen, its years of foundation were still there, and Hua Bailin's performance was worthy of his mother's praise of the Hua family.
Hua Zhi waited for more than half an hour before her brother arrived. She knew that the two were having a great conversation, not to mention that Berlin looked like he had met a close friend.
"Eldest sister."
Hua Zhi pushed the tea over to him, and when she saw him drink it all in one breath, she didn't scold him and refilled his cup.
"Eldest sister, who is this person? He is so amazing. I almost couldn't keep up with his train of thought."
"Almost not catching up means catching up?"
"Of course, I was taught by you, my elder sister." Hua Bailin raised his little chin, looking smug.
Hua Zhi chuckled and didn't tell him that it was a prince. She just said, "He will live here for a while, but he can't leave this courtyard. You must not tell others about Ah Jian's existence. This will bring trouble to the Hua family. Remember?"
Hua Bolin sat up straight, and his smile faded. "Can't we send him away?"
"If you send him away, his life will be in danger. Do you still want to send him away?"