A few people came in and left with Hua Zhi without even sitting down. Zhu wanted to say something but stopped herself, her face full of worry.
The old lady patted her daughter's hand and said, "Zhi'er is not someone who should stay in the inner house. Don't bother with her."
"I'm just worried..."
"Born in such a family, there is no shortage of worries. Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the emperor. Who knows when it will be your turn? Even if you enjoy wealth and glory, you should be able to bear this worry."
Zhu twisted her handkerchief tightly. She was really afraid. She didn't know when she would see her husband again. Her son was not around, and she had only her daughter to support the family. No matter how capable she was, she was still a woman after all. This world had never been kind to women.
In the study, the old man sat at the top, Zhu Haocheng and his brothers sat on one side, Zhu Ziwen sat on the other side, and Hua Zhijing sat at the last seat.
She smiled and said, "This looks like a three-court trial."
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the room became more relaxed. Zhu Bowen glared at her and said, "All the bad traits of Hua Yizheng were inherited by you."
"I'll learn it for my grandfather."
"I'm not afraid of him." Zhu Bowen tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers. "Hurry up and tell me what's going on. The Hua family is closed to visitors. The threshold of my Zhu family is about to be trampled down by others."
Hua Zhi glanced outside.
Zhu Ziwen understood and walked out for a moment, then nodded to a few people when he came back.
Hua Zhi then told Zhu Ziwen everything that happened that night in detail, and Zhu Ziwen was so shocked that he stood up.
Zhu Bowen glanced at him lightly, looked at him seriously, and sat back down before speaking, but his voice also showed a bit of forbearance, "The emperor wants you to enter the palace? As a concubine?"
"yes."
"The leader of the Qisusi has taken off the mask for you. Is he the prince?"
"yes."
"The Emperor knew about you and the Crown Prince?"
"yes."
"So, the Emperor knew about you and the Crown Prince, but he still summoned you to the palace as a concubine?"
"yes."
Zhu Bowen held the handrail tightly. His granddaughter, the granddaughter of the Zhu family and the legitimate granddaughter of the Hua family, who had been loyal ministers for generations, was qualified to be the Crown Princess. But the Emperor allowed her to enter the palace as a concubine at such an old age. What did he want to do
No wonder the prince turned against him. Even if Qi Susi had many faults, everyone had to acknowledge his loyalty and contributions. The prince devoted his life to Daqing, but in the end the emperor wanted to take the woman who was in tune with him as his concubine. How disheartening!
"How are you doing now?"
"Wait." Hua Zhi was calm, not panicking at all. "The decision is in the hands of the emperor. We can only fight back if the enemy comes.
Zhu Bowen almost laughed out of anger, "You look so confident now."
"At least his life is safe. He still needs me to make money for him. As for Yan Xi, no matter if it was just a show or true, everyone in the capital knows that he loves the prince. If he takes his life because of this, the uncle-nephew relationship that has been praised for so many years will become a joke." Hua Zhi smiled, "The emperor can be shameless and snatch people from his nephew, but he doesn't want to be regarded as a heartless person by others, not to mention that there is the empress dowager in the palace."
The Zhu family has discussed this matter more than once, and they also rely on the Queen Mother. As long as the Queen Mother is there, fighting and killing will not happen. Moreover, they also believe that the Crown Prince, who has been in charge of the Seven Stars Division for many years, will not be without a backup plan.
Zhu Bowen paced back and forth for a few times. "He revealed his identity without permission. No defense?"
"Yan Xi once said that the Seventh Constellation was no longer suitable to exist. He had long planned to end it in his hands. If not now, he would find a chance to reveal his identity later. Don't you think that both the court and the emperor are too dependent on the Seventh Constellation?"
Indeed, Zhu Bowen remembered that Hua Yizhen had said more than once that if this continued, there would be trouble.
"You should be prepared. The emperor is not wrong. It is reasonable to put you in jail for disobeying the emperor's order in front of so many royal relatives. Even if it is because of the prince's knife, things will not come to that point, and they will not let it go. Even if the emperor wants to, others will not agree."
"Yes, we will consider it carefully." Hua Zhi looked at her grandfather, "If others come to inquire..."
"I will handle it myself. You just need to find a way to deal with the current crisis." Zhu Bowen shook his hand and sat down again. "Before the seal was sealed, the emperor said that the transportation framework should be set up after the new year. After all, the Lu family is a family of military commanders. Even after years of resignation, their connections and prestige are still there. The Sun family is also in the same boat. This line must be operated well and must not fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives. You should talk to the prince about this, Zhier, this line is very important."
Zhu Bowen emphasized the last sentence, and Hua Zhi nodded in response, "I understand."
She must understand that the Seventh Department is in charge of silver and money, and the people inside are more or less related to their side. Compared with the salt tax, transportation is more important. If she holds this line, she will have a way out if something unexpected happens in the future. If it falls into the hands of others, it will be a road to hell.
After staying at Zhu's house for most of the day, she missed the two people at home, so she simply left her mother, who was reluctant to leave, behind and went home first.
The room was very quiet. Shaoyao was not there and Yan Xi seemed to be asleep.
Hua Zhi slowed down her pace and approached, gently pressed the corner of the quilt and was about to leave. She was not surprised at all when her hand was grabbed.
"It's the same trick every time."
With a little effort, she pulled the person to sit down. Gu Yanxi slowly moved to lie on her legs, looking at the beautiful person from bottom to top. "I woke up when I heard your footsteps. Are you very happy in the Zhu family?"
"Not bad." Hua Zhi touched his face and told him about the discussion with her grandfather. "I'm actually happier about my uncle's attitude. In the past, he always gave me the feeling that he was looking for a way out, but this time he didn't. Could it be that he has thought it through?"
"He should have figured it out long ago. It's too late for the Zhu family to distance themselves from the Hua family now." Grabbing the hand that had been stroking the scar on her face and kissing it, Gu Yanxi smiled helplessly, "No one dares to approach my face, but you didn't seem to be afraid from the beginning."
"How handsome, very manly. I don't like limp men."
"It's my pleasure." Gu Yanxi felt that his mouth was probably grinning from ear to ear. Ah Zhi would always inadvertently say such words that made him so happy that he didn't know what to do. Every time, he felt like there were a lot of things in his heart overflowing.
Hua Zhi gently placed her hand on the wound on his chest, "But this doesn't mean I will allow you to have another one on your body, anywhere."
"I'll be careful."
Hua Zhi looked at him unkindly.
Gu Yanxi was suddenly short of breath, "I promise I will never let myself get hurt."
Hua Zhi's look became even more unfriendly.
"I will try my best to protect myself from getting hurt."
Hua Zhi snorted, barely satisfied.