Although Hua Zhi said she was not in a hurry, Butler Xu was worried about her, so she went back to her room to think about it.
Hua Zhi motioned Fu Dong to come over, "You should also look around to see if there is any nearby. I'm going north soon. If you haven't found a shop before I leave, don't stop. It will probably be in mid-August..."
Hua Zhi suddenly remembered what Haoyue said that the Xiangyang dike would burst in August. Unlike Yan Xi who was half-believing and half-doubting, she believed it. This was the first time Haoyue's prediction appeared in the public eye. If it was not accurate, it would damage his reputation.
"It may be a little later. The ingredients will be delivered from the south around September. We don't have much time. If there is a suitable shop, it would be best to buy it. You guys can discuss this matter and settle the bill with Nian Qiu. In addition, some of the seafood should be alive when it is delivered. I asked them to prepare sea water. The shop needs a larger backyard and part of the place needs to be air-controlled."
After thinking for a while, Hua Zhi said, "I'll find some time to draw a blueprint, and you can be flexible and do whatever you think is best."
Fu Dong remembered it clearly and nodded in agreement.
Gu Yanxi appeared at the door. Hua Zhi glanced at him, then gave Fu Dong a few words before letting her go out.
Several senior maids, including Nanny Su, were reluctant to listen or say much to Gu Yanxi. Whenever the two met, they would watch from a distance to avoid suspicion for the young lady.
After serving the tea, Nanny Su stood outside the door.
"There's nothing urgent that needs to be dealt with right away. Why don't you take a good rest first?"
"If you don't deal with it, it will just stay there. It will be even more uncomfortable to keep worrying about it." Hua Zhi walked out from behind the desk and sat next to Yan Xi. "You're still talking about me, but you're not any more relaxed than me. Aren't you still here now?"
After looking at each other, they both laughed. It was true that they were both destined to be hard workers.
"I told the emperor about Ling County, and he agreed with your proposal."
"Of course he agrees to leave a good reputation for generations to come, as long as he doesn't rush into making decisions that would waste time and money."
Gu Yanxi's smile gradually faded. If he had not used the matter of the Chaoli clan to convince the emperor, his uncle would have really wanted to start the construction right away. The national treasury was full and the country was in a prosperous and peaceful state. What he lacked was just such a merit that would be remembered forever.
But unless the Chaoli clan is eliminated, this matter cannot be addressed.
"I didn't report the matter of Haoyue."
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow, "Want to keep it for yourself?"
Gu Yanxi stroked her brow gently, "She must stay in Daqing, but she must not fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives. If the emperor knew about Haoyue's existence, it would surely cause a bloody storm. If Haoyue was one of us, it would be fine, but she is not. I don't trust her."
Hua Zhi understood his concerns and no longer had the heart to tease him. Haoyue was a time bomb. He could do without her, but he had to keep her under control.
"If His Majesty knew this from other people..."
“Not yet.”
This means that there will still be a chance in the future. In fact, it is better for such a person to keep his mouth shut forever, but Hua Zhi also understands the reason why Yan Xi wants to keep her. In August, if her prediction comes true, Yan Xi will definitely dig more things out of her mouth. Moreover, since she dared to plan to lure Qi Su Si away, she must have her own trump card. She cannot be touched before she knows it clearly.
He is a powerful character and not easy to deal with, Hua Zhi thought.
"I asked the Seven Constellations to record your contribution to Ling County. The emperor has not mentioned it yet. Now is not the right time."
Hua Zhi looked at Yan Xi who looked serious, "What happened?"
How should Gu Yanxi explain that he found that his uncle was even more suspicious this time when he came back, even to his grandmother... If he mentioned the Hua family at this time, not only would it not be beneficial, but it would also make the emperor focus on the Hua family again, which was definitely not a good thing.
He simply changed the subject, "I met Shen Qi."
Hua Zhi blinked, "And?"
Gu Yanxi just looked at her without saying a word, but one could actually see some grievance in his expression. Such an expression on such a manly face was really... hard to describe.
Hua Zhi covered her eyes and could not bear to watch any longer. She confessed honestly, "He happened to be at Bai Shishu's place, so he came over. He came just to listen to what they said about going north, so it made sense for him to come."
Gu Yanxi also knew what kind of person Ah Zhi was. She would never have anything to do with Shen Qi even if she wanted to be single for the rest of her life. But the moment he saw Shen Qi, he felt so jealous that he wanted to beat him up.
Even at this moment, he felt that his whole body was emitting a sour smell, comparable to the pickled vegetables that Fudong had made.
Hua Zhi was good at criticizing people but not at comforting them. She came close to him and seeing that he still looked unhappy, she took the initiative to pull his sleeve, hooked his little finger and pulled it. When she noticed that her finger was immediately hooked tight, she smiled and talked about the business with Bai Mingxia.
"I can earn half of the profit if I give him that price. If it is large, the profit will be considerable. But if he is in trouble, I would rather not earn this money."
Gu Yanxi was coaxed into a state of being soaked in honey, so she no longer had any temper. After thinking about the situation of the Bai family, she said, "Bai Mingxia's plan should be to split up the family."
"Will Mr. Bai agree?"
"If he doesn't agree, someone will make him agree. Besides, he has suppressed Bai Mingxia for many years and feels guilty about him. If the separation can let his youngest son live freely, he may not disagree. He may even compensate Bai Mingxia."
Come to think of it, if you put yourself in their shoes, one gave a future, the other shouldn't give more money? If the eldest brother of the Bai family has any objections, he will be beaten back.
Thinking of this, Hua Zhi felt relieved, and there was an 80% chance that this deal would be successful.
Hua Zhi moved her hooked fingers, and they were hooked tighter. "This time we're going north..."
"Let's go together."
"Actually, I can do it alone. I can dress like a man and be more careful with my words and actions, and then I won't have to worry about any disputes."
Gu Yanxi shook her head, "Let's go together."
"But now is a time of trouble, can you not be here?"
"The Seven Constellations are different from the Dark Guards and the Imperial Guards. Everyone in them is capable of standing on their own. They won't be in chaos even if I'm not here." Gu Yanxi moved his hands, and the hooked motion turned into a big hand holding a small hand. "The Chaoli tribe is a big threat, and it can't be solved in a short time. I'm more worried about you than the Chaoli tribe."
"It makes me sound like a troublemaker."
Gu Yanxi's eyes lit up with a smile, "You don't cause trouble, but trouble will cause you trouble. I feel more at ease following you."
Hua Zhi really didn't have much confidence, so she just followed him. She was almost used to being followed. "Tentatively scheduled to leave in five days, can you arrange it?"
"Can."
Nanny Su coughed outside, and Gu Yanxi glanced at the clepsydra. "Are you going out tomorrow?"
"My cousin is getting married tomorrow. This is the first happy event after the Hua family incident, and it is the only one left. It would be fine if I wasn't at home, but since I am at home, I must go."
Gu Yanxi kept it in mind, thinking that she would have to ask someone to bring a gift later. She stood up and pulled Hua Zhi up as well, "Stop busying yourself, go and rest."
"I know, I'll go."
PS: I haven’t finished writing the third update yet, and setting this flag is just a slap in the face. I’ll make up for it tomorrow morning.