While Hua Zhi was recuperating at home, Yan State sent people to negotiate peace. The negotiation team headed by Hua Yizhen pressed forward step by step, forcing Yan State to sign a letter of surrender. From now on, half of the grain in Yan State’s treasury would be handed over to Daqing. The matter was handled by the Ministry of Revenue.
Good things come in pairs. At the same time, good news came from the west that the Li Kingdom was defeated and all the cities were recovered. From then on, Daqing was stable.
Gu Yanxi was obviously busy, but no matter how busy he was, he would always come back to have dinner with Azhi, and he would go straight back to the Hua family after the court session and never go out again. No one said anything about him, and most people even teased the Hua family with good intentions, saying that they had welcomed a live-in son-in-law.
"What benefits did the Chaoli tribe promise the Yan Kingdom at that time?" Hua Zhi asked while slowly drinking herbal tea. Compared with ordinary people, she was still thin, but compared with her condition when she was comatose, she was now in much better shape.
Gu Yanxi had changed into casual clothes and removed the jade crown on her head. She looked very relaxed. "One city, one city in the south, for them."
So that's how it is. Hua Zhi nodded slightly. If the Chaoli tribe promised to rule the world together or give them half of Daqing in the future, they would definitely not believe it. Only this kind of benefit that is just right and can touch people's hearts can induce the Yan Kingdom to take risks.
"Grandfather is really brave to ask for half of the grain." Hua Zhi smiled, "This really found a big granary for Daqing."
Seeing Ah Zhi's small face that was only the size of a palm, Gu Yanxi also smiled. Old Master Hua had no idea how angry he was holding back his anger. If Yan Guo happened to run into him, he would be skinned alive.
"Minister Zhu has made the taro powder according to your recipe. Today, the court passed a resolution to send it to the west first. The city that was just recovered is in a mess. When the Li Kingdom retreated, they took away some food, and burned the food that they couldn't take away. Now that country is most short of food, it's just right to use this taro powder to get through the transition period."
"I'm afraid Yan Country won't give us food so readily."
"I'll let Qisusi take charge of the first round of food supply. If they keep dragging their feet, we'll fight again. It won't be bad if Yanguo becomes Yancheng."
"Oh, so fierce." Hua Zhi smiled so hard that her eyes curved into crescents. "I think it's feasible. When the opportunity is right, give them a chance to play tricks, and then let the emperor lead the army in person to turn Yan Kingdom into Yan City and expand the territory of Daqing. This is something that no one has been able to do since Emperor Taizu."
As long as he has this achievement, Xiaoliu will not have to struggle for his whole life like the previous emperor to achieve something. Of course, the canal will be built, and all these achievements will belong to Xiaoliu. Thinking of this, Hua Zhi smiled even more happily. It is a good thing that flowers may not bloom even if you plant them intentionally, but willows planted unintentionally may grow into shade.
Gu Yanxi had obviously thought of this as well. He thought that it was probably because they were not as lucky as the emperor, who had a tutor who always cared about him.
"I have asked someone to prepare a list of betrothal gifts."
So the topic was changed without her being prepared. Hua Zhi blinked. Three matchmakers and six betrothals, how come it seemed like a lot of steps were saved
Gu Yanxi smiled, stood up and walked to Ah Zhi to pull her up, then sat down and held her in his arms, "I don't want to wait too long."
Hua Zhi touched the back of his neck, "So we have actually been going through the marriage process all this time?"
"kindness."
"How far have you come?"
"Najib is gone, it's time to pay the tribute."
Hua Zhi tilted her head and looked at him with a smile, "The regent married the imperial tutor, this has never happened before in history, is this considered a powerful alliance?"
"Okay." A smile spread across every wrinkle on Gu Yanxi's face, his expression gentle as if he was a different person. He was in charge of the Qixiu Division, so how could he not know that people in the capital now laughed at him for being the Hua family's son-in-law. They didn't know that if Azhi really wanted to recruit a son-in-law, he would be more than willing to do so, and others would not have a chance.
The door creaked open, and Shaoyao groped her way in with her eyes closed, "Huahua, I'm here."
Hua Zhi couldn't stop laughing. Ever since the first day she came in and saw Yan Xi kissing her, Shaoyao has been like this every time she comes in. She would rather live like this than knock on the door!
After the examination, Shaoyao stretched comfortably and said, "You are recovering well. I will change the prescription to two more herbs later."
"I feel a lot more relaxed." Hua Zhi asked, "How long do you need to take care of it?"
"Rest for a year."
Hua Zhi was stunned. So long? Then where is the emperor...
Shaoyao rolled her eyes, "Teaching the Emperor won't affect your rest, just try to worry less and don't worry about other things."
"Grandfather is back, and the family has so many men to support it. Why should I take care of it?" With the current status of the Hua family, no one would be so tactless as to provoke them. Hua Zhi saw it clearly and had already made plans in her mind.
The Hua family's prestige cannot be lost, it's not the right time yet, but it can't last too long either. In the few years when she cannot retreat, she needs to prove her worth. After two lives, she still has some things in her mind that she can get rid of. When the agreed time comes, she can get rid of the title of Taifu. After many years, the Hua family's prestige will naturally decline slowly, and then it will be nothing more than the dirty fights between the aristocratic families. The Hua family has long been familiar with these things and is no worse than anyone else.
Compared with the two years of carrying all the responsibilities at home and abroad, being a teacher is not really stressful for Hua Zhi, let alone stressful.
But no one would let the tutor come out of retirement at this time. She still lived a leisurely life without leaving the house, listening to her mother talking about the progress of her marriage and the thick list of betrothal gifts sent by the Regent's Palace. She then watched her mother scrambling to find a dowry for her. She also learned that her marriage would be on April 8th of the following spring. Occasionally, she would talk to her grandfather about state affairs, drink tea and chat with her fourth uncle, or hang out in the library with Xiaohan. The two bookworms felt like fish in water in the library, and their expressions were almost synchronized. They looked so satisfied.
Her face gradually became fuller, and her clothes could gradually be supported by her body. By November, although she was still thin, her complexion was obviously much better.
On the 24th of this month, the Hua family held a grand ceremony, and all the direct and side branches of the family were present.
Hua Zhi naturally could not miss such an occasion. This was also the first time she appeared in front of others after she fell ill. No one in the Hua family, regardless of gender, age or status, dared to accept her gift.
The next day, Hua Zhi put on the official uniform of Taifu again and walked into the palace to perform the duties of Taifu.
Two hours every day, rain or shine.
After the New Year, the days passed by quickly.
Amid the sound of the rain, Gu Yanxi walked in quickly with an umbrella, pushed the person who came to the door in, and said, "It's very humid, don't come out."
"I'm much better now." Hua Zhi subconsciously defended herself and asked, "Why are you here in the rain at this time?"
"There is nothing to do in the government office." Gu Yanxi wanted to end the Seventh Division. He had been redistributing the affairs that should have belonged to each department. The results were remarkable. He had a lot more free time. "Wu Yong came to the capital."
Hua Zhi nodded, "I heard from my grandfather that he will come to the Hua family today. What's going on?"
"After the court meeting, the emperor received him and he proposed to marry Shaoyao."