While the imperial court was in a lively uproar, Hua Zhi was not sitting idle either.

Chen Qing had come early that morning to report. “This subordinate met with the former Chief. The old gentleman said he would find a way to enter the palace today to investigate the situation.”

“Why does he need to find a way to enter the palace? Even if the other members of the Seven Lodges Bureau have been restricted, does he not have special privileges as the former Chief?”

“All privileges of the Seven Lodges Bureau belong to the Chief. Once one steps down, all privileges become irrelevant to them. This is also to prevent the Seven Lodges Bureau from having two people in command.”

Hua Zhi gave a slight nod. That was indeed sound reasoning. After all, the Seven Lodges Bureau held far too special a position in Daqing, and its power was far too great. If two Chiefs were to contend for authority, it would be a disaster for Daqing.

The current situation was rather complicated. Hua Zhi had every nerve pulled taut and dared not be the least bit careless. “How many men can you still mobilize? They must be capable fighters — those who only handle affairs don’t count.”

Chen Qing made a quick calculation. “Approximately one hundred and forty.”

Far too few. Hua Zhi stood up and paced in circles. She could not leave any handles for others to exploit, yet she could not make no preparations at all. “Right, where is Zhu Ling?”

“He is waiting outside. This subordinate will call him in now.”

Although Zhu Ling had long known Hua Zhi’s identity and had heard of the Hua Family’s name, it was only when he was truly in its midst that he understood what was meant by the bearing of a great household — and this was still the Hua Family’s appearance after it had fallen. He could not imagine what it must have looked like during the family’s height of prosperity.

Even after he had stepped inside, his ears seemed to still faintly catch the sound of reading voices. If he had not known of the Hua Family’s circumstances beforehand, who could have discerned that this was a clan whose adult men had all been sent into exile? The only slight difference from other households was that the Hua Family was managed by an unmarried young woman. If only Fang’er could stay in the Hua Family for a time and be steeped in its influence…

Composing his thoughts, Zhu Ling relayed what he had discovered. “I have met with all those men. They all said they have received no instructions of late, and they are all willing to help gather information.”

This meant that the Chaoli Tribe should have no hand in this matter. Hua Zhi let out a quiet breath of relief. As long as there was no Chaoli involvement, the situation was not so complicated — at worst, it was merely an internal power struggle.

“You have gone to great lengths. If you learn anything, inform Chen Qing as soon as possible. If he is not available, you may come and report to me directly.”

“Yes.”

“I had someone bring your daughter here. Go and see her.”

“I thank the Young Miss.”

Watching him depart, Hua Zhi gestured for Chen Qing to draw near and gave her instructions in a low voice. “Gather your men together. There is no telling when they will be needed. Keep a watch on the Ling Prince Manor’s people but do not make any moves against them.”

“Yes.”

“Furthermore, avoid others and make a trip to the Duke of Anguo’s manor. Bring this matter up with them and have them make some preparations in advance.”

“Yes.”

Once Chen Qing had gone, Hua Zhi turned to look at Ying Chun. “Make a trip to the Sun household. Tell Madam Sun that there may be unrest in the capital and have her gather more men to be on standby at all times. Above all, there must be no mishap around Xiao Liu.”

Ying Chun received the order and departed. Hua Zhi reviewed things in her mind and realized the households she dared speak of this matter to amounted to only this handful. But with such meagre strength…

She bit the back of her hand to force herself to calm down, and consoled herself: things may not be so bad after all. Perhaps — perhaps the Emperor had done this deliberately, simply to observe how the court officials would react?

But that sliver of wishful thinking was shattered that afternoon. Hua Zhi watched Xiao Shuang return with uneven breath and could no longer remain seated. “You did not see the Emperor?”

Xiao Shuang nodded. “That is right. Even now, several Secretaries along with several Imperial Princes have remained in the main hall and have not left.”

“Find a way to get word to Xiao Liu — tell him to leave the palace and return to his Prince’s manor. As soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

If things truly were as she suspected — that this was meant to pressure Xiao Liu into rebellion — then he would be safe within the palace. But what if she had misjudged, and the other party had no such intention at all? She could not let Xiao Liu become entangled in this. She had no ability to pull someone out of the imperial palace.

If Yan Xi were here, how good that would be. Hua Zhi could not help calculating where Yan Xi might be at this moment. He should have found the hidden silver by now. More than ten days had passed; the battle with the Chaoli Tribe should also be over. If things had gone smoothly, he should be on the road back by now.

But from Yanzhou to the capital was at least ten days at the fastest. Ten days — more than enough time for far too many things to happen.

The palace…

Hua Zhi suddenly thought of someone. Outsiders might know nothing of the palace’s affairs, yet Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager was within those walls — how could she be unaware of even the slightest thing? And yet, knowing, she had made no move…

“Send for Wang Rong.”

Wang Rong had barely entered before she heard the Young Miss say, “Have Chen Qing send a calling card to Her Ladyship the Empress Dowager requesting an audience. Say that Yan Xi had him bring something back.”

“This subordinate tried that just earlier and received no response.” Chen Qing came in to report — he had been at the door and overheard. “This subordinate was about to come and inform you of precisely this.”

Hua Zhi felt her heart sink steadily. Something may truly have happened within the palace, and her side was caught entirely on the back foot.

What was to be done? What else could she do?

“Is there any word from the former Chief?”

Chen Qing shook his head. “Nothing.”

“How many men are currently in training at the Seven Lodges Bureau?”

“Approximately two hundred, of whom sixty to eighty are children or half-grown youths. And the only ones who can mobilize them are the Chief and the former Chief.”

Hua Zhi closed her eyes briefly. “Then we wait for news. Send people to protect Xiao Liu.”

The wait was agonizing. Night fell, and still not a single piece of news arrived.

“Young Miss, come sleep for a while in the front courtyard.” Ying Chun came in carrying a basin and crouched down, lifting her feet to remove her shoes. “This servant has already instructed the gatekeepers — if anyone comes, they absolutely will not be turned away.”

With so great a burden pressing on her heart, sleep was impossible. Hua Zhi lowered her feet into the basin, and warmth crept up from the soles, as though her heart too grew a little warmer.

“How have the family’s businesses been faring lately? Your Young Miss is quite impoverished right now — she is counting entirely on these few ventures to support the household.”

Ying Chun raised her head and smiled most beautifully. “Very well — even better than before, in fact. Oh, and Young Master Bai returned some time ago, saying the tinned goods are selling quite well outside and requesting an increase in quantity. This servant went to the estate to discuss it with Steward Liu, and he said there would be no problem — only that some additional hands would need to be hired. This servant had him work it out together with Liu Jiang.”

“Very good.”

“The mushroom yield has been so high that there is now a surplus in the capital. This servant had them select the less presentable ones and dry them out. Afterward, Fu Dong devised a whole table’s worth of dried mushroom dishes — they have been quite well received, and now dried mushrooms have buyers as well.”

Hua Zhi rested her chin in her hand and watched the maidservant washing her feet with a smile. “Did you ever imagine you would be this capable?”

Ying Chun smiled softly. “If it were possible, this servant would rather be as incapable as before. Then you too could live as leisurely as before — none of this suffering and toil. In not even two years’ time, count how many scars have been added to your body. Even your fingertips have grown callused…”

Ying Chun’s eyes suddenly reddened. Speaking of it, she could not stop thinking of it — the image of the Young Miss covered in wounds refused to leave her mind. Even a mountain would crumble if worn down like this. Did those who gossiped and spread rumors feel no pang of conscience?

PS: May I borrow your minds for a moment, dear readers!