Chapter 267: Spoiling

How could a problem as complex as flooding, one that even future generations haven't fully solved, be so easily resolved?

Hua Zhi looked up at the Sixth Prince. "I need some time to gather my thoughts. I'll talk to you when I've figured something out. It's late, you should go and rest."

The Sixth Prince only then vaguely realized that he might have been overstepping. Yet, from Hua Zhi's attitude, he felt that she wasn't completely without solutions. Feeling both guilty and expectant, he looked at Hua Zhi longingly, not wanting to leave.

Hua Zhi smiled and lightly tapped his head with her pointer. This was considered overstepping, but no one felt that way at the moment. Even the Sixth Prince felt incredibly pampered.

"If I don't come up with a good solution, how can I live up to your expectations of me?"

The Sixth Prince's eyes were bright. He nodded embarrassedly and finally returned to his room obediently.

As soon as the boy left, Shao Yao began to hum, "Hua Hua, you really spoil him too much."

"Yan Xi also says I spoil you too much. Should I change?"

"No way!" Shao Yao immediately became anxious. "Is Yan-ge really my brother? How can a brother be like that?!"

Hua Zhi glanced at her, "You are still the Sixth Prince's older sister."

Shao Yao immediately wilted, "I know, you spoil him."

Hua Zhi was also accustomed to her childish behavior of vying for favor. She turned her gaze back to the sand table.

"Hua Hua, why don't you go to sleep first? There's no rush."

"I have a few ideas, you don't need to worry about me, go and rest."

How could the others leave?

Xu Ying went to adjust the candlelight to make it brighter, and Bao Xia brought over a midnight snack. She was afraid that her young miss would lose more weight. The young miss had already lost a lot of weight this year.

Hua Zhi didn't refuse Bao Xia's kindness and ate a small amount. Then she took the county annals and looked at it, occasionally comparing it to the map. Everyone walked lightly, afraid to disturb her thoughts.

The fourth watch had just struck when Hua Zhi put down a map only she could understand. Rubbing her temples, she said, "I need to confirm something. Bo Fan, can you invite someone tomorrow who is familiar with the terrain of Xiangyang? It would be even better if they also know the surrounding counties."

Bo Fan's initial impression of Hua Zhi was as the leader's beloved, as Yu Tao had described. After spending a day and a night with her, they understood why the leader would be attracted to her. Some people's abilities were more than just talk.

"I will invite the Xiangyang magistrate tomorrow," Bo Fan replied.

This was a suitable choice, but Hua Zhi added, "Can you invite him privately? My identity doesn't warrant a public invitation."

"Yes, I understand," Bofan assured her.

Hua Zhi nodded and stood up. "Let's not stay up anymore. Go and rest. Yu Tao, you need to keep an eye on the hydrological station."

"Yes," Yu Tao replied.

That night, Hua Zhi slept very restlessly, either climbing mountains or wading through water. When she woke up the next day, she felt even more tired than if she hadn't slept at all.

"Miss, you look pale. Why don't you sleep a little more?" Bao Xia came over and pulled the quilt up. The continuous rain had made the weather colder, and today was even colder than yesterday. She needed to put on a thicker coat.

Listening to the rain on the roof, Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. It was no surprise. "Open the window so I can hear it," she said.

Bao Xia obediently opened the window. "The rain hasn't let up, and it seems even heavier than yesterday."

"If the rain continues like this all night, the river will rise significantly. Has Yu Tao returned?"

"Yes, he's waiting outside knowing you haven't woken up yet."

Hua Zhi lifted the quilt and got out of bed, feeling a moment of dizziness. She suppressed it without a trace. When Bao Xia came over with clothes, she stood up nonchalantly. She was getting too pampered. A little late night sleep made her feel unwell, but she remembered when she could work for days and nights without stopping.

"Huahua." As soon as the door opened, Shao Yao rushed over. Seeing the color on Huazhi's face, she immediately reached out to feel her wrist. Hua Zhi turned her hand and held Shao Yao's, shaking her head. "I'm fine. I just had a restless night full of dreams. I'll catch up on some sleep at noon."

Fearful of hurting Huahua, Shao Yao dared not struggle hard, but her brow was still furrowed, and she looked a little unhappy.

Hua Zhi tightened her grip on the hand in her palm reassuringly and turned to Yu Tao. "How is the situation?"

"The water has risen two more marks, and it's now six marks above the water level."

"Has the government issued any warnings?"

"Yes, there was a warning this morning, but no one has left the riverbank yet."

Huazhi was puzzled. "Why?"

Yu Tao looked at Bo Fan, who looked slightly helpless. "There's been a situation like this every year. In recent years, there hasn't been a major disaster, so they've all been taking a chance, thinking that this year will be like last year, just a minor disaster."

Hua Zhi was also helpless. Just looking at this rain that shows no signs of stopping, one should know that this won't be a minor disaster. "Has anyone from the government stepped in?"

Bo Fan shook his head. "Everyone is used to it."

Such a habit is really... When the disaster really strikes, who will they blame?

Xie Xu came to report, "Miss, the magistrate of Xiangyang has arrived."

"Please invite him to the main hall."

"Yes."

Xu Yangjun, the magistrate of Xiangyang, was about forty years old, thin and pale, a typical scholar. As soon as he entered the room, he was first shocked by the huge sand table, then looked up at the person sitting at the top.

“But it was a woman."

He halted in his tracks.

Xie Xu coughed lightly. As a scholar himself and an acquaintance of Xu Yangjun, he knew Xu Yangjun believed in the old saying, "A woman without talent is virtuous." He stepped forward to remind him, "Brother Xu, this is an old friend of mine. Just call her Miss."

Xu Yangjun, though bookish, was not foolish. Taking Xie Xu’s advice, he took a few steps forward and bowed, "I am Xu Yangjun. Greetings, Miss."

Hua Zhi saw through Xu Yangjun at a glance. Coincidentally, she had a natural affinity for this type of man. After all, the Hua family was a prominent scholarly family, and this familiarity was innate.

Naturally, she also understood men like him better than most. She somewhat regretted not clarifying things with Bo Fan earlier and letting him handle this.

But it was too late now. Hua Zhi stood up and leaned slightly towards Xu Yangjun, "Thank you for coming, Mr. Xu."

"Miss is too kind," Xu Yangjun replied, avoiding her gesture.

Though not of a high birth, he had gone to the capital to take the imperial examinations and knew that a person with such poise must be of noble origins. He didn't want to flatter her, but he couldn't afford to offend her either.

Xie Xu acted as a mediator, "We invited you here because we have something we'd like to ask you about, Brother Xu. Don't worry, it won't be anything difficult."

Xu Yangjun had known Xie Xu for several years and trusted him to some extent. He nodded slightly, "As long as I know, I'll tell you everything."

Hua Zhi walked to the sand table, and Xie Xu led Xu Yangjun over as well. Xu Yangjun, being familiar with geography and especially the Xiangyang area, quickly understood what the sandpile represented. This was truly more vivid than a map.

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