Chapter 286: A Little Finger Promise

Even though Hua Zhi claimed she wasn’t in a rush, Steward Xu couldn’t sit still. He retreated to his quarters, obsessing over how to solve the matter.

Hua Zhi beckoned Fu Dong closer, her tone decisive. “Start scouting for good properties nearby. I’ll be heading north soon, and if we don’t secure a shop before I leave, don’t slack off. Keep looking. Around mid-August…”

She paused abruptly, recalling Haoyue’s ominous prediction of an August flood in Xiangyang. Unlike Yan Xi, who wavered between doubt and belief, Hua Zhi fully trusted it. This was Haoyue’s first public forecast—if it failed, her reputation would take a serious hit.

“It might actually drag into September,” Hua Zhi continued, her mind racing. “That’s when the ingredients will start arriving from the south. Time is tight. If you find a property that fits, don’t wait—buy it. Coordinate with the others, pull funds from Nianqiu if needed. Some of the seafood will arrive alive, so they’re already prepping seawater for transport. The shop must have a big backyard, and part of it needs temperature control.”

She paused to think, then added, “I’ll draft a plan myself. Adjust and refine it as necessary, but don’t waste time.”

Fu Dong nodded, mentally cataloging each directive with precision.

Just then, Gu Yanxi appeared at the door. Hua Zhi barely spared him a glance, quickly wrapping up her instructions to Fu Dong before dismissing her.

The household’s maids, including the ever-watchful Suyun Mama, kept Gu Yanxi at arm’s length. Whenever they crossed paths, they stayed wary, avoiding even the faintest appearance of association. None of them dared risk being caught in his orbit.

After Suyun Mama served the tea and quietly stepped outside, Gu Yanxi leaned back and said, his tone calm but firm, “There’s nothing pressing right now. Why not rest for a while?”

Hua Zhi, moving away from the desk to sit beside him, didn’t miss a beat. “Not dealing with it now only makes it linger, festering into something worse.” Her gaze was sharp, cutting straight to the point. “You’re always nagging me about overworking, but look at yourself—still here at this hour.”

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, they shared a knowing smile. It was true: both of them thrived in their relentless drive, bound by the weight of their responsibilities.

“I spoke to the Emperor about Ling County,” Gu Yanxi said, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of calculated restraint. “He was very receptive to your proposal.”

Hua Zhi smirked, her tone dripping with pragmatism. “Of course, he was. A legacy project appeals to his vanity—as long as it’s not rushed or ends up bleeding the people dry while wasting resources.”

Gu Yanxi’s smile faded, his expression turning colder. He knew her words hit the mark. Without the leverage of the Chaoli tribe issue, he wouldn’t have been able to convince his Imperial uncle to exercise patience. The Emperor, flush with resources and intoxicated by peace and prosperity, was itching to leave behind a grand, enduring achievement. But Gu Yanxi knew better—reckless ambition could destabilize everything.

Still, the Chaoli tribe was an obstacle that had to be dealt with before anything could move forward.

“I haven’t told him about Haoyue,” Gu Yanxi said quietly, his tone laced with warning.

Hua Zhi’s eyebrow arched, her curiosity piqued. “Are you planning to keep her for yourself?”

Gu Yanxi’s expression darkened as he reached out, brushing an invisible thread off her sleeve with calculated care. “She stays in Daqing, but she won’t end up in the wrong hands. If the Emperor gets wind of her, it’ll throw everything into chaos. Haoyue isn’t one of us, and I can’t trust her motives.”

The weight of his words settled heavily between them. Hua Zhi didn’t press further; she understood his reasoning. Haoyue was a loaded weapon—unpredictable, dangerous, and capable of wreaking havoc if not carefully controlled.

“If someone else brings her to the Emperor’s attention…” she began, her voice trailing with caution.

“Not yet,” Gu Yanxi cut her off, his tone sharp and unyielding. This was a game of control, and timing was everything.

The future still holds possibilities. But people like her? They’re better off silenced for good. Hua Zhi understood why Gu Yanxi kept her around. By August, if everything played out as predicted, Gu Yanxi would undoubtedly squeeze every last bit of information from her. After all, anyone bold enough to lure the Seven Stars Bureau into a trap must have a hidden ace. Until Gu Yanxi uncovered her secrets, he couldn’t afford to make a move.

"Not an easy opponent. She’s got teeth," Hua Zhi thought grimly.

Looking at Gu Yanxi, she added, "Your work in the Ling County case will be noted by the Seven Stars Bureau. I haven’t mentioned it to the Emperor yet. Timing’s not right."

Gu Yanxi’s face tightened, serious and unreadable.

Hua Zhi frowned. "What’s on your mind?"

How could Gu Yanxi explain?

Coming back to the capital, he found his Imperial uncle more paranoid than ever—so much so that even the Imperial grandmother wasn’t spared from suspicion. Mentioning the Hua family now would do more harm than good, dragging unwanted scrutiny their way.

So, instead, he changed the topic abruptly. "I ran into Shen Qi."

Hua Zhi blinked, unfazed. "And?"

Gu Yanxi didn’t answer. He just stared at her, his expression heavy with unspoken grievance. It was almost absurd—this powerful, masculine face etched with such raw emotion, it left Hua Zhi at a loss.

Unable to stomach it any longer, Hua Zhi covered her eyes, her tone blunt. "Fine, fine. He was at Uncle Bai’s. Just dropped by to talk about heading north with them. His appearance was... somewhat reasonable."

Gu Yanxi knew Ah Zhi well.

Even if she remained single forever, she’d never involve herself with Shen Qi again. That much was certain. But that didn’t stop the bitterness from clawing at him when he saw Shen Qi. It gnawed at him, a raw, unrelenting jealousy.

Right now, his whole being felt steeped in sourness—like he’d been marinating in the same brine Fu Dong used for pickled vegetables.

Hua Zhi had a knack for pointing out flaws but wasn’t exactly skilled at soothing tempers. When she noticed he was still upset, she didn’t waste time. She reached out, tugged lightly at his sleeve, hooked her finger around his little one, and gave it a playful pull. The way his finger tensed up instantly made her smirk. Switching gears, she dove straight into the topic of business.

“The price Bai Mingxia offered me means I’ll get half the profit. If we scale it up, the returns could be massive. But if he stirs up trouble, I’ll walk away from the deal. It’s not worth the headache.”

Her words seemed to melt away Gu Yanxi’s anger like honey on a warm day. The storm in his eyes cleared as he mused aloud, “Bai Mingxia’s angle here is likely to split up the Bai family.”

Hua Zhi raised a brow. “You think Patriarch Bai would allow that?”

“If he doesn’t, someone will push him into it. He’s been carrying guilt for years when it comes to Bai Mingxia. If splitting the family means giving his youngest son a better life, he might go along with it. Hell, he might even compensate him generously just to ease his conscience.”

She nodded, mulling it over. It made sense. If one sibling got the future, shouldn’t the other get a bigger slice of the present? Any protests from the Bai family’s eldest would probably get shut down.

With that realization, Hua Zhi felt a little more confident about the deal’s chances. Her finger, still hooked around his, tightened slightly as she shifted topics. “So, about this trip up north...”

“I’m coming with you,” Gu Yanxi cut in firmly.

She rolled her eyes. “I can handle it alone. I’ll even dress as a man if it helps me blend in better and avoid trouble.”

He shook his head. “I’m coming with you.”

“Wouldn’t it be smarter for you to stay behind? Things are chaotic right now.”

“The Seven Stars Bureau isn’t like the Imperial Guards or clandestine units. Everyone there can handle themselves. They don’t need me babysitting them.” He gently unhooked her finger, sliding his hand over hers, his larger one enveloping her smaller one. His tone softened, but there was steel in his words. “The Chaoli tribe situation won’t resolve overnight. And frankly, I’m more worried about you than anything else.”

Her lips curled into a sly smile. “Are you implying I’m a magnet for trouble?”

He smirked, his voice low and teasing. “You’re not the troublemaker. Trouble just has a way of finding you. And I’m not letting it find you alone.”

Hua Zhi had no confidence left in her. She was too accustomed to being the one who followed orders, not made decisions. "We'll head out in five days. Can you handle that?"

"I can," she replied without hesitation.

From outside, Suyun Mama let out a deliberate cough, interrupting the moment. Gu Yanxi's eyes flicked toward the hourglass, measuring the time. "Are you heading out tomorrow?" he asked, his tone neutral but sharp enough to demand an answer.

"My cousin’s wedding is tomorrow. After the chaos with the Hua family, this is the first joyful occasion—and probably the last for a while. Since I’m home, I have to attend," Hua Zhi explained matter-of-factly.

Gu Yanxi made a mental note. A wedding meant a gift, and he knew he’d have to arrange something appropriate. Rising to his feet, he grabbed Hua Zhi by the arm, pulling her up with him. "Don’t push yourself too hard. Go and rest."

"I get it, I’ll go," she said, though her voice betrayed just the faintest hint of weariness.

———TN: Is it just me, or does this chapter feel like it's drowning in an overload of sugary sweetness?

Honestly, it's almost too much to handle—but I can’t help loving every second of it.