Chapter 346: Love Has Arrived

Gu Yanxi and Wu Yong had been entangled in their endless tactical chess game for what felt like forever. Hua Zhi stood nearby, absorbing every word like a dutiful apprentice, her lips sealed tighter than a state secret. She was the eager pupil, perched precariously on the shoulders of titans, but a fledgling general she was not. Understanding the grand strategies was one thing; executing them with finesse was another beast entirely.

When Wu Yong finally excused himself and Hua Yizheng darted off, busy with his shiny new assignment, the room fell into a hush that felt as sharp as a blade sliding into its sheath.

“I spoke to Shao Yao this morning,” Gu Yanxi began, moving closer to Ah Zhi with the measured confidence of a man who knew exactly what he wanted. “She claims you’re still too frail to return to the capital.” He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But I want you to come back with me anyway. I can’t leave you here, not in good conscience.”

During the days when he had to return alone, he had worried about her every moment, afraid that something might happen to her in a place where he couldn't protect her. When he was granted permission by the emperor to return north, he wished he could fly or teleport to Ah Zhi's side in an instant.

This time, he wouldn't be coming back for a while, and he couldn't bear to leave her here. Moreover, she would eventually have to return to the capital, and the people of Bingzhou were fierce.

How could he be at ease?

"It's time to go back," Hua Zhi smiled. Her family in the capital consisted entirely of children and women, and she was worried about them too.

"Then shall we return tomorrow?"

"As you wish."

A smile crept into Gu Yanxi's eyes, and his tone became gentler. "I plan to have Chen Qing probe Hao Yue to see if she has any insights into the current situation. Since she's skilled in divination, she should be able to calculate something."

Hua Zhi's heart moved, and she asked, "Do you believe her now?"

"No, I trust you more, and I already have a plan for this matter." Gu Yanxi picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Ah Zhi. "I won't sit idly by and wait for them to attack. Offense is the best defense. Once the reinforcements and Wu Yong's army have become accustomed to working together and Wu Xing is ready, I will strike first and annihilate the tribes on the grassland to prevent the Great Daqing Dynasty from being attacked from both sides... Ah Zhi?"

Hua Zhi laughed uncontrollably, her eyes glistening with tears. It was clear that she was genuinely happy.

Without explaining, she walked to the desk, pulled a piece of paper from a stack of books, and handed it to the man following behind her.

Gu Yanxi opened the note with a puzzled expression. As he read the three lines, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

What was this called?

A perfect understanding between two people?

That's exactly what it was!

How lucky he was.

Hua Zhi glanced sideways at him, her heart pounding wildly. It was as if she had witnessed a love seed sprout, grow, and then bloom. Watching herself fall in love like this felt truly magical.

She thought she had finally tasted love, a love deeper than liking. It was right here, right now.

It was this man named Gu Yanxi.

"Gu Yanxi."

"Hm?" Hearing his full name, Gu Yanxi instinctively looked up.

"Nothing, I just wanted to call your name." Hua Zhi walked away, hands behind her back and chin raised. Her smug little expression made Gu Yanxi chuckle involuntarily, yet his heart was filled with sweetness.

Suddenly, he realized the meaning behind her call. Wanting to respond but unsure how, he quickly caught up to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. Only in this way could he be certain that the invisible barrier between them had finally disappeared, and that she truly had feelings for him.

When Hua Zhi wrapped her arms around his waist, his joy grew. Hua Zhi was never one to beat around the bush; this was her most direct response.

"Ah Zhi, Ah Zhi, Ah Zhi..."

Gu Yanxi called her name over and over again, and Hua Zhi responded each time. She felt a sudden surge of shyness but had no desire to hide it. Her face turned red, but her heart was at peace.

Shao Yao was eavesdropping through a crack in the door. She was secretly unhappy, thinking, "They've been hugging for so long! Hmph, he is getting all the attention!!!"

"Aren't you two finished yet?" Hua Pingyu walked over, and Shao Yao jumped, quickly standing in front of the door and replying loudly, "They're still talking. Is there something you need from Hua Hua?"

"Nothing. Let her be busy."

Just as they were talking, the door creaked open. Shao Yao glared at Yan-ge, shoved him aside, and stood next to Huahua.

"Father," Hua Zhi felt a strange sense of embarrassment, as if she had been caught sneaking around in a forbidden romance. Fortunately, she had a thick skin and didn't show it on her face.

"Are you finished?"

"Well, I was just about to tell you," Hua Zhi changed the subject, "I plan to go back tomorrow."

Hua Pingyu opened his mouth and then sighed, "Such a long journey, will your body be able to handle it?"

"I've already recovered, and with Shao Yao accompanying me, you don't need to worry."

"That's good, that's good. I'll go write a letter for you to take back to your mother."

"No hurry, you should also tell the others."

Hua Pingyu nodded and left, glancing at Gu Yanxi. Knowing that Zhi'er was going back with him, he felt both relieved and worried. As a man, he could tell whether or not a man truly cared. Gu Yanxi cared deeply for Zhi'er, but he was afraid that they might be forced to part ways due to unforeseen circumstances.

Upon learning that Hua Zhi was returning to the capital, everyone in the Hua family seemed to realize that their eldest young miss was leaving. The cold atmosphere that had persisted for several days began to thaw. Hua Zhi acted as if nothing had happened, accepting the family letters presented to her and responding politely to those who came to bid farewell, appearing just as she had before.

Hua Pingyang looked at his niece's calm expression and sighed, "Why do you have to be like this? Why can't you just let everyone remember the good things about you?"

"Because I can't let the Hua family become my personal domain," Hua Zhi smiled. "I thought Fourth Uncle would understand."

Hua Pingyang knew this, and he also understood that this was best for the Hua family, but he felt even more sorry for his calculating niece. Those who saw too clearly were often the most hurt.

"Fourth Uncle, please tell Grandfather for me that I don't mind. I'm not just saying this to comfort you. If I really cared, I wouldn't have done what I did. To be honest, I don't have a deep relationship with them. If Bai Lin dared to do the same to me, just watch how I deal with him."

Hua Pingyang chuckled and nodded, deciding not to say anything more. He believed Hua Zhi's words. She wasn't the type to be petty or to seek attention. She had always had little interaction with her siblings, and their relationship was merely bound by blood. While there might not be deep affection between them, there was certainly some hurt.

Hua Pingyang lowered his gaze. "It's nothing," he thought. "I'm only nine years older than Zhi'er. I'll just educate my son better and push Bai Lin to be more ambitious. It shouldn't be a problem for him to be your lifelong backbone."

"Fourth Uncle, you need to be more cautious. The Great Daqing Dynasty is currently quite unstable, and no one knows if something unexpected will happen," Hua Zhi said, changing the subject. "After the city is divided into inner and outer sections, you can decide whether the Hua family will live in the inner or outer city. I may have meddled a bit, but you also need to understand me. I've been used to making decisions in the capital, so I tend to do the same when faced with problems."

"Does your mother not handle anything at all?"

Hua Zhi lied without changing her expression, "It's not that she doesn't handle anything at all. Grandmother is the stabilizing force of the Hua family, but she's completely left the external matters to me."

"That's only right. Mother is okay with managing the household, but she probably isn't very good at external matters."

"Fourth Uncle, I'll tell on you when I go back."

Hua Pingyang glared at her, but seeing her smiling face, he couldn't help but laugh too.