When it was time for bathing, Hua Zhi only left behind a few maids. When she took off all her clothes, the maids understood what was going on. They looked at the red and swollen whip marks and the bruises on her body with angry expressions. Their young lady had a conflict with the imperial palace, and every time she went there she was punished!
"It's nothing. It wasn't a direct blow to the skin. It will go away with some medicine." After wading in the water and enduring the initial sting, Hua Zhi felt better. She let out a long breath and said, "It's just a small matter. No need to tell anyone."
Several maids nodded in agreement, not surprised that the young lady would give such an order. They had to do everything themselves. The masters and maids in the family had no idea how much suffering and injuries their young lady had endured. Sometimes they really wanted to yell at them.
Her whole body was softened after soaking in the bath, and she lay on the bed feeling as if she didn't belong to any part of herself, but Hua Zhi couldn't fall asleep.
For some reason, even now she still didn't feel that the dust had settled. She inexplicably felt that things were not over yet. This feeling troubled her and made her unable to sleep even though she was extremely tired physically and mentally.
Sighing, Hua Zhi simply sat up. Noticing her movements, Yingchun, who was on night watch, had already come over to serve her while putting on her clothes. "But what's wrong with you? I see that you haven't been able to fall asleep."
"I feel so depressed, I'm going outside to get some fresh air."
Yingchun did not try to persuade him upon hearing this, but quickly took the cloak and covered the girl tightly. The young lady did not like to trouble the servants, and she would not have gotten up unless she really could not lie down any longer.
The master and servant, together with Nian Qiu who was guarding the outer room, left the yard together. The moon was as cool as water, and there was no wind. The clear and cold air made people feel very comfortable, and their groggy minds became a little clearer.
"What time is it?"
"Miss, it's three quarters past midnight."
It was still early, and after a little hesitation, Hua Zhi walked towards the front yard. The old woman guarding the second gate opened the door without saying a word when she saw her.
"Lock it, and I'll open it when I get back."
"yes."
Hua Zhi didn't go to her yard in the front yard. She just found a place outside and was about to sit down, but was pulled back by Nian Qiu. Yingchun folded the blanket in her hand and put it under her before helping her sit down.
Hua Zhi was very accustomed to such service. Having lived in a big family like the Hua family for more than ten years, she had always been well-treated like this. Therefore, it was her duty to take responsibility when something happened to the Hua family. After receiving protection for so many years, she had to give something back.
Thinking of her relatives whom she had not seen for a year, Hua Zhi suddenly understood where her anxiety came from, because they had not returned yet. As long as they did not return to the capital, there would be uncertainties. And Xiao Liu would never let them come back before the emperor was buried. After all, they were people demoted by the previous emperor, and they needed an opportunity to come back.
And what she wants to think about is this opportunity.
"Mr. Wang."
With a sound of Pingping, Wang Rong appeared. Wang Rong was sent by Yan Xi to be responsible for the safety of the Hua family. Hua Zhi knew this very well.
He saluted from three steps away, observing the rules and not coming closer.
"Is there any news from Yan Xi?"
Wang Rong shook his head. "No need for anyone to send a message. Once things are settled, the master will rush back as fast as he can."
Calculating the time in her mind, Hua Zhi thought, I hope I can make it to the seventh day, otherwise... I will regret it.
She was not sure what the emperor was thinking, but in Yan Xi's heart, the emperor was a very, very important elder to him, a hero who came from the sky when he was in danger. It was a pity that he could not see him off to the end of his life. If he could not even make it to the seventh day, he would feel resentful for the rest of his life.
"Where are Jia Yang and his men? When will they be able to reach the capital?"
"It will take about ten days. The stuff is heavy and we can't go fast." Wang Rong looked at the eldest girl and asked, "What should we do with the silver after it arrives?"
Hua Zhi lowered her eyebrows and thought deeply. When the late emperor was alive, she planned to hide herself and then send trusted people to buy all the grain, but now...
"Then we'll have a clear path to the little... prince. It's already April, so sending people to Yan Country will just be the right time to catch up with their first harvest. I'll gather some more silver and try to buy as much as I can. I'm afraid I'll have to choose the candidate from among you guys, so you can discuss among yourselves and see who's the most suitable."
After a pause, Hua Zhi continued, "I will ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to send someone to accompany me then."
"Yes, I understand." Wang Rong quietly felt relieved. What he was most worried about before was that the eldest girl's mentality would not change. She forgot that the prince who was weak in front of him was now the crown prince, and a crown prince who would ascend the throne on a chosen day. It was better for her to be far away from the future king than to be close to him.
Hua Zhi sighed in her heart. She somewhat understood Xiao Liu's behavior at that time. Couldn't she treat him the same way as before? Xiao Liu was smart and knew that all these would be lost by him.
"I have always suspected that the Chaoli tribe has hidden people in the capital. You should find a way to communicate with the Qisusi and ask them to protect the crown prince. You should also warn the queen mother that the harem... is best sealed. It's better to stay as far away from the crown prince as possible."
"yes."
"There are many people watching me recently. You should avoid all eyes and ears and send a message to Mr. Chen. Tell him that the Hua family's affairs cannot be mentioned at all for now. Don't rush into anything."
Hua Zhi was not worried about her grandfather, nor about her grandfather's old friends who had been immersed in the officialdom for many years. The only thing she was worried about was that her grandfather's disciple Chen Dayi would not be able to restrain himself. It would be fine if he was alone, but now that the spring examination was approaching, countless candidates had gathered in the capital. If someone used them to subvert the Hua family's army, even if Xiaoliu was willing, she was afraid that she would not be able to let Xiaoliu order the Hua family to come back.
She had to be on guard against someone making this move, as conflicts among civil officials were not uncommon.
"By the way, has there been any movement in Prince Ling's Mansion recently?"
"Yes, I was planning to report to you tomorrow that Madam Ling returned to Yangzhou the day before yesterday because her mother was seriously ill."
At this point in time...
Hua Zhi's heart moved, "Has Haoyue ever had any contact with her?"
Wang Rong frowned and thought for a moment, "According to the news we received before, it should be not. Concubine Yue cannot leave the palace, the Queen Mother does not like Lady Ling, and Prince Ling is not allowed to bring her with him when he comes to the palace to pay his respects. Logically, the two should not have the chance to meet."
"Investigate this matter carefully, and then verify the whereabouts of Madam Ling Wang's trip to Yangzhou this time."
"Yes, don't worry, I have already followed someone."
"Where's Prince Ling?"
"Prince Ling has been in the palace. The news from the palace over there is that the man is not feeling well again."
It is true that Prince Ling cares about the eldest grandson and the youngest son. Yan Xi was in danger outside but Prince Ling did not show any concern for her. He stayed by his youngest son's side every step of the way when he fell ill. Over the years, that woman must have made things difficult for Yan Xi by using the excuse of borrowing peony. A person's heart is born soft, and it will gradually harden after being frozen again and again.
Don't worry, she will be there in the future.
She used the heart that was nurtured by the Hua family to warm him.
PS: Kong Kong, who dares not go to the book review section since the update was discontinued, is having a recurring fever.