Hua Zhi also ate medicinal food in the palace, which was prepared and delivered to her by Shaoyao herself.
Although the two of them can always see each other in the palace now, they no longer have the environment and time to get along freely like before. Shaoyao is not very happy, but she knows the importance of the matter and never says it, but she sticks to him very much every time they see him.
But now she was very happy, "Grandma asked me to go with you."
Hua Zhi raised her eyebrows when she heard the title. Shaoyao had always addressed her as the empress dowager, but she didn't expect that she would change the title now.
Shaoyao whispered in her ear, "My grandmother asked me to change my mind, saying that there are not many people left in the Gu family, and Brother Yan asked me to agree."
Hua Zhi patted her arm lightly. How could she speak like that in front of the prince? She was about to apologize for Shaoyao, but the prince had already started laughing. "Sister Shaoyao is always so true to her nature. That's great."
Shaoyao waved her hands carelessly, "That's not the case. I dared to beat you before, but I don't dare to do that now."
Hua Zhi was so angry that she couldn't help laughing. What she said was that beating the prince was a big deal, right? However... she had also hit the prince's palm before.
Looking at the nostalgic expression on the prince's face, Hua Zhi did not try to restrain Shaoyao. A person who misses the past shows that he cherishes old feelings, which is better than wanting to cut off all ties with the past once he gains power.
After taking a break from eating, it was getting dark outside, so Hua Zhi suggested, "Let's go now. I'm afraid we'll have to spend some time there."
The prince looked down at his bright yellow outfit that exposed his identity, stood up and said, "I'll go change my clothes."
At this time, Ben was in the Jingxin Hall, and a few of them were waiting in the outer hall. Bolin came over and asked in a low voice, "Eldest sister, can I talk to the prince and secretly bring a few books out?"
"Is there nothing out there?"
Hua Bolin nodded, "It's a unique copy."
Hua Zhi didn't stop him, but just reminded him: "Pay attention to the speed."
"Yes, I know."
Putting down the teacup, Hua Zhi straightened her brother's clothes and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Hua Zhi shook his head repeatedly. How could his hard work compare to that of his elder sister? A few days ago, he secretly asked Sister Shaoyao about his elder sister's health condition. Sister Shaoyao said that in fact, as long as his elder sister put everything aside and rest for a year or two, her body would be well. Before his grandfather and father came back, he wanted to help share more of the work so that his elder sister would have to worry less. He didn't ask for her to recover now, but at least she shouldn't get worse.
After a while, the prince came out wearing a green robe. The clothes looked half-new and half-old. Hua Zhi recognized it as what he often wore when he was at the Hua family. He grew taller this year and his clothes often became too short after he wore them a few times. Later, she asked someone to make a few new ones for him and left some room for the length. Now they fit him perfectly.
"Let's go." The prince looked relaxed, which was unusual in recent days, as if everything would be different after changing his clothes.
Hua Zhi smiled, and couldn't help but feel hopeful in her heart. If only Xiao Liu could remain unchanged... that would be great.
Hualin Lane, this alley that used to be bustling with people and cars has become much quieter because of the incident at the Hua family. The alley is still clean, with no weeds and no moss growing anywhere. The same is true outside the Hua family's gate. If it weren't for the conspicuous seal on the door, you wouldn't be able to tell that this is a household that has been sealed off.
Hua Zhi pursed her lips, turned around and bowed to Lin Jiabu. She only saw these subtle thoughts today. It was really thoughtful.
Hua Bolin then bowed.
They did not move the seal on the gate. Hua Zhi led a few people to the corner gate. The prince stepped forward to tear off the seal and asked Lai Fu to put it away carefully, as he would have to put it back on after they left.
No one has lived there for the past two years, and the house that the Hua family has repaired and maintained every year is now clearly dilapidated.
There were spider webs everywhere, thick dust that could be wiped away easily, broken and upside-down wooden boards, fallen stone landscapes, and pots that were tilted all over the place... Hua Zhi looked at her former home and felt like she didn't know where to settle down.
Hua Bolin resisted the urge to help the fallen bonsai. He looked away and said, "Eldest sister, let's go straight over from the garden."
Can I avoid it even if I go over there? The garden, which has not been taken care of for two years, is probably even more dilapidated than here. At least the area visible to the eye is much smaller here.
"No need to go around, just go this way, Your Highness, please be careful with your steps."
A few people passed through the hall and walked along the corridor for a long time before they saw the two famous buildings of the Hua family - the library and the conversation building.
The two buildings are only a hundred steps apart and are connected by a dedicated corridor.
Hua Zhi suddenly laughed, "Whenever there was a discussion, the door of the library was wide open. If anyone couldn't convince the other, they would run from this corridor to the library opposite to find the classics to prove their point. My grandfather said that the ancestors who built these two buildings said that it's okay for people to get wet, but not for books."
The prince had longed to visit Qingtan Tower for a long time, and his eyes were full of anticipation. "Can I go to Qingtan Tower to take a look?"
"Qingtan Tower does not reject scholars. Berlin, you accompany His Highness in."
"yes."
Watching the two people's backs as they walked into the door, Hua Zhi went to the library opposite. Even if the prince didn't mention it, she would let him go and have a look. She wanted to use these two buildings to let him know the loyalty of the Hua family and let him see that the Hua family had no ambition. While he could still see and hear, she wanted to plant this seed in his heart. As the years passed, this seed took root in his heart, and when he was old, he still believed in his heart that the Hua family would never rebel against his Gu family. It would be unnecessary to confiscate the family's property and exile them once.
Pushing open the door of the library, dust flew. Shaoyao tried to pull her away, but Hua Zhi broke free and looked through the flying dust at the scene of books all over the floor. She felt very uncomfortable. In the sixteen years at the Hua family, she had spent a lot of time here. The room was full of the fragrance of ink, and it was comfortable to just relax here. But now the fragrance of ink was covered by dust, and the books that would have been scolded or punished if a corner was folded were all over the floor. Hua Zhi thought that she had to tidy up the library before her grandfather and the others came back. If her grandfather saw such a scene... he would be so sad.
After entering the door, Hua Zhi looked at the cleared path and the books piled on the side and frowned slightly, "Someone has been here."
Shaoyao followed her gaze and nodded in agreement, "Someone has been here."
Neither of them said who this person was. There were only one or two people who could come here openly and help organize the books, and their surname was Gu.
Squatting down, Hua Zhi picked up the books one by one and stacked them aside, while Shaoyao stood a little further away and helped pass the books. Soon the Prince and Bolin came over from Qingtan Tower and saw this scene, and came over to help without saying a word.
Hua Zhi stood up and looked at the tilted bookshelves and the books spread out on the floor below, clapped her hands and said, "Let's go, what we're looking for is on the second floor."
PS: The new year is finally over, and I will start updating twice a day from tomorrow.