Chapter 326: The So-Called Genius

Shao Yao, with a touch of diligence and a whole lot of effort, had managed to wrangle the bed into some semblance of order. Sure, it wasn’t immaculate, but compared to the chaos of her first attempt, it was practically a masterpiece. Hua Zhi didn’t bat an eye at the imperfections, and as for Zeng Han? The boy was far from fussed.

Outside, the courtyard was alive with the quiet hum of activity. Servants bustled about, their tasks momentarily halted as the pair stepped into view. One of them, Chen Shan, approached briskly.

“Miss, anything you need?” he asked, his tone crisp.

“Light two lamps,” Hua Zhi commanded, her voice cutting through the evening air.

"Okay."

Without a moment’s pause, the servants scurried off, each returning with a lamp in hand. As the soft glow of the lamps bathed the courtyard, Hua Zhi directed Shao Yao with a cane, sketching out elaborate terrains on the sand table. The commotion wasn’t subtle, and soon, curious onlookers began to gather, their murmurs filling the space.

Hua Zhi didn’t care for the audience. She had come to teach, and whether it was today or tomorrow, it made no difference to her. What caught her off guard, though, was Zeng Han. The boy wasn’t just picking up the rules of the game—he was mastering them. Watching him duel against Shao Yao with an ease and flair that belied his age was a revelation. Sure, Shao Yao was holding back, but still, this wasn’t your average toddler flexing his brainpower!

The boy wasn’t even four years old. Four! In the Hua family, four years old was barely old enough to start learning the basics, let alone pulling stunts like this. Hua Zhi found herself staring at Zeng Han, the gears in her mind turning.

Did Zeng Xian even realize what kind of prodigy he had for a son? If he did, he’d better keep the boy safe instead of throwing him into the fire.

The thought left her a little relieved. Zeng Xian’s ignorance was a blessing in disguise—at least for the Daqing Dynasty.

“I lost.” Zeng Han’s voice broke through her thoughts, his usually stoic face betraying a flicker of disappointment.

Hua Zhi reached out, tousling his hair. “You’ve already won. When Sister Shao Yao was your age, she didn’t have a clue about any of this.”

The spark in Zeng Han’s eyes flared to life, his disappointment melting away. Meanwhile, Shao Yao rolled her eyes so hard you’d think they’d pop out of her head. The kid might have been a genius, but the way Hua Zhi doted on him was enough to make her grind her teeth.

Hua Zhi exchanged a knowing glance with her grandpa Hua, silently.

As the crowd buzzed with intrigue, Hua Zhi slipped back inside, her thoughts swirling. This wasn’t the time for words—not yet, anyway.

Children fall asleep quickly, and as she listened to the child's gentle breathing, Shao Yao whispered softly, "Zeng Han is a good material for a military commander."

"It's too early to say this. Zeng Xian has had a big influence on him. Have you ever seen a four-year-old child so calm? He doesn't have the playful spirit that children should have. He doesn't find joy in getting things or the toys, but in the fact that the toy was given by me."

Hua Zhi sighed softly, "If his temperament remains like this, let him stay by my side. As long as I am safe, I will keep him safe, living an ordinary life for a lifetime is not a problem."

"Are you worried that he will be as crazy as his father?"

"His father is a normal person, madness was forced out of him. It's not hereditary. Do I need to tell you this as a physician?"

Shao Yao tried to appease her, "I didn't mean that. Aren't you worried about the influence of Zeng Xian on him?"

"Growing up in an atmosphere of hatred, how can one not be affected? But he is still young. In a better environment, he might change. I don't want to push him in a certain direction just because he has talent in some areas. There's no need for that. Children should live their own lives. Even if the sky falls, there are adults to support it. Although there is a hint of expecting favors in Zeng Xian's actions, the fact remains that he has done favors for the Hua family. He has blood ties to us, so I have to be more careful. And, don't you feel sorry for such a young child enduring all of this? Don't think I don't know that you've shared all the good food with him. Be careful, don't give him too much to eat. His stomach is not as big as yours. Even if you were given a whole table, he wouldn't be able to finish it."

Hua Zhi poked Shao Yao's forehead, making her shrink back into the sheets, not because it hurt, but because she felt guilty.

"Also, don't think I don't know that you sneakily put meat in the medicinal food. I haven't touched meat in half a year, and you put less in once, making me uncomfortable."

Shao Yao originally thought she was going to be scolded, but unexpectedly, Hua Hua didn't blame her. Immediately, she was overjoyed, knowing that Hua Hua cared for her the most.

Hua Zhi rubbed her face, not telling her that she felt nauseous and wanted to vomit after the first bite. But seeing her nervous look out of the corner of her eye, those discomforts were nothing compared to how she felt. If it wasn't for her own good, how could Shao Yao do this while observing the mourning period?

Observing mourning was just a formality. She was not a stickler for rules, her body needed nutrition to recover, breaking the taboo was just breaking the taboo. If her grandmother had a spirit, she wouldn't blame her. Filial piety was never meant to be demonstrated; it was true to have it in the heart.

Listening to the steady breathing beside her, Hua Zhi couldn't help but smile. Truly childlike, she was so excited just now, and now she fell asleep.

She didn't know if she had slept too much recently, but Hua Zhi's sleep was not very good these days.

The moonlight shone through the window bars and fell on the child's face, not glaring. He curled up, sleeping soundly.

The intelligence displayed by the child surprised her. The children in the Hua family were all smart, like Bailin. His intelligence was rare. He could easily excel and have fun in modern times and become a top student. And Xiao Liu, even more so, his growth environment forced him to be extremely intelligent early on, but they still didn't match the genius of Zeng Han.

These days she had a vague feeling that no matter what he learned, he would do it in one go. Today he was already reading books by himself, even though Zeng Xian had not taught him to recognize characters before, she had only taught him for a few days. But he was reading books!

No matter how many characters he recognized, how much he understood, the fact that he could hold a book and read it the whole day and slowly turn the pages was enough to indicate many things.

At that time, she realized that he was indeed very suitable for the Hua family, and in the future, he would also be a good student. But she did not expect his talent to go beyond that.

Hua Zhi had a headache; a child being too clever was not a good thing, especially with his experiences. Others may not remember what happened when they were three, but she had a feeling that Zeng Han would remember those unpleasant past events, remember his father's death. She was truly worried that if she did not guide him properly, this child might become antisocial.

It's a long and arduous journey, Hua Zhi sighed, she would have to pay more attention to him in the future.

Early the next morning, Hua Zhi had someone make a small sandalwood tray, measuring up to Zeng Han's height, reaching up to his waist would be enough.

Zeng Xian had not yet completed seven days after passing, so Zeng Han was still in mourning. Hua Zhi pulled him in front of her and straightened out his clothes, whispering, "Don't let others see when you're playing."

"Others?"

"Who do you think others are, whoever they are."

Zeng Han nodded, "It's Wu Yong."

Hua Zhi smiled, "Okay, it's Wu Yong."

"If you want to learn something, just tell me. I'll teach you everything I know, and for what I don't know, we'll get a teacher once we return to the capital."

Zeng Han looked at her firmly, and Hua Zhi also looked back at him, unwaveringly.

After a while, Zeng Han lowered his head, "Aren't you afraid that I'll become like my father?"

"Will you?"

"I don't know." Zeng Han raised his head, seemingly stubborn but also with a hint of grievance, "Why would I become like my father?! I am not Zeng Xian, am I?"

Hua Zhi was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Yes, you are Zeng Han. Just live as Zeng Han and become the person you want to be."