Chapter 226: Bring it on!

Hua Bailin nodded fiercely, his eyes filled with determination. "If I lose, I'll win it back next time!"

After losing, he would spend some time studying military strategy books, seeking a way to defeat Hua Zhi and reclaim his victory. Then, Hua Zhi would use a different formation to defeat him again, prompting him to study and find a solution to win once more. This was a constant cycle between the siblings, and they both enjoyed it immensely.

The weather was pleasant, with a gentle breeze and the warm glow of the setting sun. Hua Zhi decided to stay put, walking over to the sandbox and creating a miniature landscape with mountains, rivers, valleys, and plains.

Then, she nodded towards her brother, "Choose."

Without considering which side had a strategic advantage, Hua Bailin went straight to the left, which was closer to him, his body brimming with fighting spirit.

The siblings never needed a referee. Hua Zhi stood opposite him, and when Liu Xiang placed the red and blue flags representing both sides in their hands, she declared, "Let the battle begin!"

The Sixth Prince clenched and unclenched his fist. He looked at Brother Yanxi and saw the same seriousness in his eyes. Clearly, they were both thinking of the same thing. If this could be applied to the military, he couldn't imagine the benefits it would bring to the Great Daqing Dynasty!

He watched intently as the two moved back and forth, left and right, in an orderly and rhythmic pattern. He saw Hua Bailin press forward, pushing past the center line and into the enemy's territory. Just when everyone thought Hua Bailin was about to win, they realized that Hua Zhi's army had somehow infiltrated deep into enemy territory. Hua Bailin was unable to retreat in time. While he was still halfway there, the city had already changed hands and was being attacked from two sides, leaving him with no way out.

Hua Bailin was so stunned by his quick defeat that he was speechless.

"Your guard was down. When two countries go to war, the enemy's general will never be incompetent. Even the most foolish ruler would not simply hand over their country. Didn't you think it was strange that you were advancing so smoothly? Why didn't you consider that the enemy might be luring you into a trap or trying to isolate you and then eliminate you?"

Hua Bailin's head drooped in embarrassment, he was eager to win.

"Let's go again."

This time, Hua Bailin played more steadily, not as impatient as in the previous game. It was clear that he had calmed down a bit, but he only lasted a little longer than the previous round.

"I'll be waiting for you to break through in three days."

"Yes, eldest sister." Hua Bailin's eyes didn't leave the sand table. He was thinking about the eldest sister's move and couldn't understand why she had made that move.

"Ah Jian."

Sixth Prince hurriedly looked up, and Hua Zhi pretended not to see the shock in his eyes. "Are you interested?"

Sixth Prince nodded without hesitation.

Hua Zhi smiled, "It's still early. You two can analyze the game here. Bai Lin, teach him the rules, and Sui'an, if you're interested, you can join in too."

Yang Sui'an looked deeply at his seemingly all-capable cousin. He couldn't believe that his cousin, with her intelligence, would not understand the usefulness of this thing. Yet she casually told them how to use it, openly and without reservation, she needed to have a lot of confidence to be so open.

Gu Yanxi suddenly spoke up, "I also want to understand."

Hua Zhi turned to face her intended partner. She wasn't surprised at all that he was interested. "Bai Lin, explain it in more detail."

Shao Yao immediately pestered, "Huahua... Huahua, and me too, and me too."

Hua Zhi pushed her head, "Am I stopping you?"

Shao Yao grinned and, nudging Hua Zhi, stood by the sand table with an enthusiasm that even Hua Zhi had not seen. She remembered when she once wanted to be a female general. When she understood the purpose of this object, she realized the tremendous impact it could have.

She knew that as long as she was interested, Huahua would not stop her. She also knew that if she proposed to use this thing in the army of Daqing Dynasty, Huahua would simply agree, albeit with a smile. Yet, because she knew, she couldn't bring herself to speak.

What she knew was that Huahua did not like the emperor who harm her family and prevent them from reuniting.

Hua Zhi covered her head with her hand, looked up at the sky, and squinted in the sunlight. It was the end of April, and in three days, they would depart.

Listening to Bai Lin explain the rules of the sand table deduction with the crisp voice unique to young people, Hua Zhi turned back to the study.

Gu Yanxi did not make Hua Zhi wait long. After understanding the rules, he personally engaged in a game of deduction with Bai Lin, who considered himself an expert. After crushing Bai Lin thoroughly, he entered the study.

Hua Zhi tilted her head and looked at him, "Looks like you had a lot of fun."

"If this thing is offered up, the situation of the Hua family will improve."

"Will it bring my family back?"

Gu Yanxi's voice faltered, and both of them knew that was impossible.

Hua Zhi sneered, "Then why should I offer it up?"

"But you let me and Little Sixth know. You know we won't just sit by and do nothing."

"So what?"

Gu Yanxi looked quietly at her. He could tell that Ah Zhi wasn't upset because of the sand table or what he had said.

Being looked at by him like that, Hua Zhi couldn't stay mad. She bit her lip and said, "Even if you offer it up, will you hide that this thing originated from me? There is a difference between indirect and direct actions. If I were to do it, will the Emperor reward me? How will he reward a daughter of a criminal? The better I perform, the more I offend the Emperor, and he might not only prevent my family from returning but also dislike me even more."

"Why are you not happy?"

Hua Zhi was indeed displeased. In this place without trains or planes or four wheels, traveling fast required her to ride a horse everywhere. Riding a horse for leisure was enjoyable, but the thought of bouncing on horses for the next few months, traveling from south to north, did not make her happy.

Wait, she hadn't told her boyfriend that she was leaving soon?

Although she had only made the decision in the past two days, she met with Gu Yanxi every day. Not informing him in advance seemed a bit unreasonable...

Thinking like this, that bit of emotion in her heart suddenly disappeared, replaced by a sense of guilt.

Avoiding eye contact, she concealed her emotions behind her usual calm demeanor, "I plan on making a trip to the south."

Gu Yanxi was surprised, "Not to the north?"

"I plan on going to Jingzhou before heading north." Hua Zhi explained the purpose of her trip south and paused to justify herself, "It was only decided these past two days. I hope you don't mind that I didn't tell you in advance."

Gu Yanxi hadn't thought in that direction. He furrowed his brows, "Do you have to leave in three days?"

"I need to give myself some time. Based on my previous experience, I'll need a period of rest after returning."

"But I have to go to Yuzhou and leave tomorrow."

"..."

So neither of us can blame the other for not informing in advance. Let's leave it at that!

Hua Zhi relaxed a bit, "Do you need to govern temporarily?"

"Yes, occasionally is fine, but it would be inappropriate if it's for too long."

It had been quite some time, and Hua Zhi murmured to herself, "How long will it take? Will you return first, or should I?"

"It will take about two weeks for a round trip. After hurrying back for twelve days, I will definitely come back. Why don't you wait for me..."

"Yanxi, you are just my partner, not the entire Hua family. I also don't want to rely on you too much. Some things, I have to do them myself. Otherwise, what will I do if the person I can rely on is not around someday?"