"By the way, Master, I want to discuss something with you."
Hua Zhi nodded, "Your Highness, please speak."
The prince glanced at Berlin and said, "I want Berlin to be my study partner. It won't be boring to have him accompany me during the daily classes."
Hua Zhi was a little surprised, but felt it was reasonable. The two of them had always gotten along well, and most brothers didn't have as good a relationship as them. They lived in the same room, slept in the same bed, wore their own clothes, traveled together, and had adventures together... Not to mention the prince, even ordinary people would hardly have such a friend. It was normal for the prince to miss him.
However, "Everyone knows that His Highness treats the Hua family with great respect, but I am already the Grand Tutor. If I let Bo Lin become a companion... wouldn't it be inappropriate?"
"Even if I do nothing now, outsiders will think that I let the Hua family take advantage of me. It's better to make it real. At least I won't feel wronged, right?"
… It makes so much sense that I have nothing to refute!
Hua Zhi looked at Berlin, "What do you think?"
Bolin wanted to say that he would follow his elder sister's arrangements, but when he saw Xiaoliu... No, the prince's sparkling eyes, he opened his mouth and closed it again. This expression was very common when he was in the Hua family, but this time when he entered the palace, he clearly felt that the light in the eyes of people with higher status was less, and he didn't seem as happy as when he was in the Hua family.
This is the prince, but he is also Xiaoliu. Hua Bolin grinned at the prince and said, "Big sister, I do."
Before Hua Zhi could say anything, the prince jumped for joy, walked up to Bolin and punched him in the chest several times, his excitement beyond words.
Seeing the prince like this, Hua Zhi silently swallowed her words of objection. Well, she would just study with him. It would just be a little more talk, she could handle it.
Of course, they had no say on whether this matter would succeed or not, so before giving the class she went to report the matter to the Queen Mother in person.
"It was the child who asked for it, right? Why didn't he come and tell me himself?"
"My habit when teaching is to ask about what was learned the day before. He is reviewing right now, so I thought I wouldn't delay him."
The Queen Mother laughed and shook her head. Did she think she knew nothing? Most of the people in Jingxin Palace were transferred from her Fushou Palace. She didn't need to ask deliberately. She would know what she should know. Hua Zhi was really protective of her children. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, who would believe that the eldest daughter of the Hua family was so protective of her children and even protected the Crown Prince.
But it's just as well this way, Dashan. A prince taught by a kind-hearted tutor will never go to the extreme of being selfish and heartless.
"The Crown Prince has the final say on this matter. It's up to him as long as he feels it's good. I don't want to tie his hands and feet and make him the high and mighty Emperor. In the future, you don't need to report such matters to me. I believe you know your limits, and I also believe the Crown Prince is not a fool."
"Yes, I thank the Queen Mother for her trust."
As the news that Hua Bailin had become the prince's companion spread, all the officials took a deep breath. They knew that the prince was close to the Hua family, but the elder sister was the tutor and the younger brother was the companion. What would happen if this continued? The Hua family was a meritorious official, and Hua Zhi's merits in following the emperor, saving the emperor, and teaching were all real. They acknowledged all of this, but was this... too much
Hua Zhi closed the door and refused to see visitors, and did not make any comments, but the prince could not avoid her, and someone submitted a memorial to the court meeting.
The prince held the memorial in his hand without reading it, but looked down upon the neatly arranged courtiers below. He did not want to be suppressed all his life like his father, as it was wrong. He wanted to be a wise ruler, whose orders were as firm as a mountain and whose officials would obey. If he followed their advice to take back his words today, he would have to take them back countless times in the future, and he did not want that!
He doesn't want to be a king like his father!
"I have lived with Hua Bolin, the son of the Hua family, for more than a year. We were taught by the same teacher in the Hua family's clan school. We were both punished by the Grand Tutor to copy books and had our palms spanked. We were competing with each other in knowledge. In order not to be left behind, we secretly read books all night until dawn. My study partner must not only be smart, but also keep up with me and be able to inspire and urge me to keep moving forward. I would like to ask my dear ministers, who else can do this except Bolin? Is it your nephew of the Liu family? Or your student of the Li family?"
No one responded. They were already a lot slower. The Hua family had the best of time, place and people, so they could not catch up.
"I am indeed close to the Hua family. Why not? When I was in trouble, it was the Grand Tutor who brought me home with my wounds all over my body, treated my injuries, and gave me a stable and worry-free life. When it was cold, he made clothes for me, and when it was hot, he made me drink summer tea. I have everything that the Hua family has. I may not meet such a person who helps me in times of need once in my life. I am just a little closer to the Hua family. What's wrong with that?"
The young man's unique clear voice resounded throughout the hall. He spoke slowly and even when questioning, he spoke softly, as if... he didn't care about anyone's objection.
"Or did the Hua family rely on my close relationship to break the law? And bully the villagers?"
The whole hall was still silent.
Gu Yanxi and Duke Dingguo stood in the front row, each taking one side. Both of them lowered their eyes as if they heard nothing. Gu Yanxi didn't need to say anything, as it was not convenient for him to talk about the matter. Duke Dingguo knew about it in his mind, as he learned about it earlier than any other court officials. He went to see the Queen Mother at that time. The Queen Mother's meaning was very clear: the Crown Prince was the one who made the decision on the matter, and the Hua family was not outsiders, so they could be trusted and the Crown Prince would do as he pleased.
Duke Dingguo did not make any further fuss. He had known Hua Yizhen for decades and trusted the family tradition of the Hua family. However, what made him more gratified was the performance of the prince. This matter was not a big deal, but he knew that he could not back down on this matter and he said such words to silence the court officials. Considering the prince's age, this was quite surprising and he had a promising future.
The matter was just revealed with much ado about nothing. Hua Zhi would still bring her brothers to the palace every day and then return home alone. Bolin would stay in the palace to assist the prince with his affairs and would not return until dark.
Gu Yanxi and Hua Zhi, who were equally busy, were in the capital but still did not have much time to meet each other. Gu Yanxi reorganized the Seven Stars Division and thoroughly investigated the palace. He was so busy that he could only squeeze out time to go to Hua's house after dark every day to have dinner with Azhi.
"Haoyue has admitted it."
"Huh?" Hua Zhi looked up in confusion. What was Haoyue doing
"Yes, I didn't have time to tell you." Gu Yanxi sighed softly, "I was just guessing at first, and I was sure after a trick that Haoyue's tricks of using the boy's blood were guided by someone. She confessed today that it was a female official beside her who gave her the idea, but the people in Ruyue Palace have been dealt with by my grandmother, so the clue is broken again."
Hua Zhi frowned, "What is the intention of the person who came up with this idea? And he is from the Chaoli tribe?"
“I can’t think of anyone else besides them.”
Hua Zhi hesitated for a moment and told him about her suspicions about something strange happening in Prince Ling's Mansion. "I just feel that such a tough character has acted too weak in recent years, especially since she became a mother and didn't try to become Prince Ling's Consort. She seems to be a good wife and mother who obeys her husband's orders. This shouldn't be the case. For the sake of her son, she should become a legitimate princess as soon as possible, otherwise her son will be a bastard for the rest of his life. But in fact, she hasn't taken any action in this regard. I think it's abnormal."
Gu Yanxi nodded slightly, "Chen Qing told me about your arrangements for Prince Ling's Mansion, so I'll do as you said. I'll send someone to investigate her background again."
PS: I'd like to say Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. The groundwork has been laid almost completely and the plot will move forward as quickly as possible. Girls, don't be anxious. Actually, Kong Kong is very anxious.