“Oh, right, Grand Tutor — I’d like to discuss something with you.”
Hua Zhi gave a small nod. “Please speak, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince glanced at Bailin. “I’d like Bailin to become my reading companion. Having him with me during lessons each day would keep things from feeling dull.”
Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised, yet also found it perfectly understandable. The two had always gotten along exceptionally well — even most brothers didn’t share the bond these two had. They had lived in the same room, slept in the same bed, each wearing their own clothes, traveling together, braving dangers together… It wasn’t just remarkable for an imperial prince and a crown prince — even ordinary people would be hard-pressed to find such a close companion. It was only natural that the Crown Prince would cherish this friendship.
And yet — “Everyone knows Your Highness holds the Hua Family in high regard, but I am already Grand Tutor. If Bailin were to become your reading companion on top of that… would that not be somewhat inappropriate?”
“Even if I do nothing at all right now, outsiders will still feel the Hua Family has been given every advantage. We may as well make it official — at least no one can claim it’s undeserved.”
…That was remarkably sound reasoning. There was simply no arguing against it.
Hua Zhi looked toward Bailin. “What do you think?”
Bailin had been about to say he would follow his elder sister’s arrangement, but then he caught sight of Xiao Liu — no, the Crown Prince — and the bright, glimmering look in his eyes. His mouth, already half-open, closed again. Back at the Hua household, that sort of expression had been commonplace. But since entering the palace this time, Bailin had noticed clearly that the light in the eyes of someone whose status had risen another step seemed to have dimmed. He looked far less happy than he had been at the Hua home.
This was the Crown Prince — but he was also Xiao Liu. Hua Bailin grinned at the Crown Prince. “Elder Sister, I’m willing.”
Before Hua Zhi could say another word, the Crown Prince had already leapt with delight on the spot. He strode over to Bailin and thumped him several times on the chest, his excitement impossible to contain.
Watching the Crown Prince like this, Hua Zhi quietly swallowed whatever objections she had been about to voice. So be it — a reading companion it was. It would invite a bit of gossip, nothing more. She could handle that.
Of course, whether the matter would be approved wasn’t up to them alone. Before lessons began, she went in person to inform the Empress Dowager.
“It was that child who asked for this himself, wasn’t it? Why didn’t he come and tell me in person?”
“It is this official’s habit to quiz students on the previous day’s lessons at the start of class. He is reviewing right now, and this official thought it best not to interrupt him.”
The Empress Dowager laughed and shook her head. She wasn’t about to pretend she was unaware of anything. Most of the attendants in Jingxin Palace had originally been transferred from her own Fushou Palace — she had no need to ask around; what she needed to know would find its way to her regardless. This Hua Zhi, when it came to protecting her own, truly did protect them fiercely. Had she not seen it with her own eyes, who would ever believe that the eldest daughter of the Hua Family was this protective — and had extended that protectiveness all the way to the Crown Prince himself?
Though perhaps that was for the best. Quite the good thing, actually. A Crown Prince raised by a warm-hearted Grand Tutor would never drift to the extreme of being selfish and cold.
“The Crown Prince has the final say in this matter. If he finds it agreeable, that is enough. As for me — I have no wish to bind his hands and feet and play the overbearing grand empress. Going forward, there is no need to report such matters to me. I trust you have good judgment, and I trust the Crown Prince is no fool.”
“Understood. This official thanks the Empress Dowager for her trust.”
When news spread that Hua Bailin had become the Crown Prince’s reading companion, the court officials drew a collective sharp breath. They had known the Crown Prince held the Hua Family dear, but this — the elder sister as Grand Tutor and the younger brother as reading companion — where would it end if this continued? The Hua Family were meritorious subjects. Hua Zhi’s contributions in supporting the new reign, protecting the Emperor, and educating the Crown Prince were all genuine and undeniable — those they acknowledged. But this… wasn’t it going a step too far?
Hua Zhi shut her doors, received no visitors, and made no public statement whatsoever. The Crown Prince, however, could not avoid it. Someone submitted a memorial on the matter at court.
The Crown Prince took the memorial and did not even glance at it. From his elevated position he looked down at the rows of officials lined neatly below him. He had no wish to spend his life suppressed as his Imperial Father had been — this is not permitted, that is improper. He wanted to be a wise ruler, to have his word carry the weight of a mountain, to speak and have a hundred officials follow. If he backed down today in response to their pressure, he would be forced to back down countless more times in the future. He refused.
He would not become the kind of ruler his Imperial Father had been.
“This Crown Prince and Hua Bailin of the Hua Family lived side by side for over a year. We studied under the same teacher at the Hua family school, were both punished to copy texts and rapped on the palms by the Grand Tutor. We pushed each other forward in our studies, secretly reading through the night by candlelight just to keep from falling behind. My reading companion must not only be quick-witted — he must be able to keep pace with me, to motivate and spur me constantly onward. Tell me, honored ministers — aside from Bailin, who else could do that? One of your Liu family’s nephews? Or one of your Li family’s students?”
No one answered. They had already fallen too many steps behind. The Hua Family held every advantage of timing, geography, and human connection. There was no catching up.
“This Crown Prince is indeed partial to the Hua Family — and why should I not be? When I was in dire straits, it was the Grand Tutor who carried my battered, injured self home. She tended my wounds and gave me a life of calm and comfort. When it grew cold, she had clothes made for me. When it grew hot, she made sure I drank cooling herbal teas. Whatever the Hua children had, I was given the same share. To meet someone who offers help in your hour of greatest need — you might go a whole lifetime without encountering such a person. I am merely a little more partial to the Hua Family. What is there to object to?”
The clear, bright voice of youth rang through the hall — unhurried and calm. Even when posing a challenge, his tone remained light, as though… the objections of every person present were simply of no concern to him.
“Or perhaps the Hua Family has used my partiality to flout the law? To prey upon the common people?”
Still, the hall was silent.
Gu Yanxi and the Duke of Founding State stood at the very front of the assembly on opposite sides, both with eyes lowered, as though they had heard nothing. Gu Yanxi need not be said — it was not his place to speak on this matter. The Duke, however, had a clear sense of how things stood. He had learned of this matter earlier than any other official, and had at the time gone to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager. Her meaning had been plain: the Crown Prince would decide this matter. The Hua Family was no stranger to the palace — they were trusted. Let the Crown Prince have his way.
The Duke had decided not to stir the waters further. He had known Hua Yizheng for decades and trusted the values instilled in the Hua household. But what pleased him even more was the Crown Prince’s conduct. This was not a matter of great consequence, yet the Crown Prince had recognized that he could not afford to back down, and had spoken in such a way as to leave the court officials entirely speechless. For someone his age, that was genuinely impressive. Great things could be expected of him in the years ahead.
And so the matter dissolved — much noise with little actual impact. Hua Zhi continued bringing her brother into the palace each day as before, returning home alone afterward. Bailin would remain in the palace to assist the Crown Prince with affairs and come home only after dark.
Similarly occupied, Gu Yanxi and Hua Zhi — though both in the capital — still had precious little time to meet. Gu Yanxi had reorganized the Seven-Lodge Division from the ground up and then conducted a thorough investigation of the imperial palace, so busy he barely had time to breathe. He could only try, each evening when darkness fell, to carve out a little time to go to the Hua home and share a meal with Hua Zhi.
“Hao Yue has confessed.”
“Hmm?” Hua Zhi looked up, puzzled. What had Hao Yue confessed to?
“Right — I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.” Gu Yanxi let out a soft sigh. “At first I only suspected and had to trick her into confirming it. It turns out the methods Hao Yue used involving children’s blood were things she was guided into by someone else. She confessed today — it was a female official in her circle who gave her the idea. But all the people from Ruiyue Palace have already been dealt with by the Empress Dowager, so the trail has gone cold again.”
Hua Zhi furrowed her brow. “What was the intention of whoever suggested it? More people connected to the Chaoli tribe?”
“It’s hard to think of who else it could be.”
Hua Zhi thought for a moment, then told him about her suspicion that something was amiss within Prince Ling’s residence. “It’s just that someone as ruthless as her has seemed far too subdued these past few years — especially since becoming a mother. She hasn’t made any effort whatsoever to secure the position of Prince Ling’s primary consort. She gives every appearance of becoming a compliant, virtuous wife who follows her husband’s every word. That doesn’t make sense. For the sake of her son alone, she ought to be working as quickly as possible to become the legitimate consort in name — otherwise her son will spend his entire life as a child born of a concubine. Yet in practice she’s made no move in that direction at all. I find that suspicious.”
Gu Yanxi gave a slight nod. “Chen Qing mentioned to me the arrangements you made regarding Prince Ling’s residence. We’ll proceed as you suggested — I’ll send someone to investigate her background more thoroughly.”