Unlike the Regent, who had rested a mere five days, Hua Zhi — in her role as Grand Tutor — had taken a full half-month before resuming her duties. She spent half her days at the palace and devoted the rest of her time to puttering about the manor, wholeheartedly absorbed in renovating her library.

Xiaohan had stopped going to the Hua Family home as well. Together with her master, she moved volume after volume of classical histories and collections, slowly filling the shelves one by one. Whenever she happened to flip open a book she liked, she would crouch to the side and read it with rapt attention, unwilling to put it down. The expressions of pure contentment on the faces of master and apprentice were identical — they looked exactly like two caterpillars wallowing blissfully in a barrel of rice.

Chenqing stood at the doorway, suppressing a smile, and announced, “Wang Fei, the Third Master of the Bai Family requests an audience.”

The only person from the Bai Family who would dare come to her door was Bai Mingxia, so naturally he was to be received. Hua Zhi steadied herself against Yingchun’s hand as she descended the ladder and instructed her little apprentice, “No climbing the ladder. If you tire, take a rest.”

Zeng Han gave a small nod. Though he still wore little expression and his face remained largely impassive, the unease that had once lingered in his eyes had vanished. Hua Zhi patted his head, once again confirming that her decision to place him under the care of the Great Master Bore Ruo for a time had been the right one.

She returned to her room to change her clothes. On her way to the front courtyard, Hua Zhi asked, “Did he come alone, or did he bring someone?”

Chenqing smiled. “The Third Master brought his eldest daughter.”

Hua Zhi was not surprised. The moment she had learned that the daughter of Uncle Bai had disguised herself as a boy to visit the market, she had guessed that a day would come when the girl would be brought before her. She simply did not yet know what outcome Uncle Bai was hoping for — and there were certain things she could not give him.

Upon entering the reception hall, Hua Zhi’s gaze immediately fell on the young girl standing quietly behind Bai Mingxia. Her bearing was dignified, her manner respectful and demure — every bit the daughter of a noble family.

Hua Zhi was suddenly reminded of herself. She had once been just like that.

“This subject greets Wang Fei.”

Hua Zhi waived the formalities for them both. “I thought Uncle had left the capital. I did not expect to find you still here.”

The unchanged form of address warmed Bai Mingxia’s heart. The troubles that had weighed on him for days seemed to part like clouds revealing sunlight. Setting aside any stiffness of formality, he spoke with something of the ease they had shared in years past. “I now have several capable hands working under me, so there is no longer any need for me to oversee every matter myself. I expect to be spending more time in the capital going forward.”

“That’s wonderful. My Fourth Uncle has cut ties with several people and has been quite at loose ends lately — if Uncle Bai is often in the capital, he will have someone to talk with.”

Midway through their exchange, Hua Zhi suddenly glanced toward the young girl — and met the girl’s gaze just as she was covertly looking up. The unexpected eye contact startled her; all composure and decorum shattered in an instant, and she hastily dropped her head again.

Bai Mingxia did not need to turn around to know what had happened. He sighed inwardly and introduced the girl to Wang Fei: “This is my daughter. Her given name is Peiqiu.”

Bai Peiqiu stepped forward and curtsied gracefully before Hua Zhi. “Peiqiu pays her respects to Wang Fei.”

“Rise.” Hua Zhi toyed with the beads on her wrist and looked at Bai Mingxia. “Uncle has dealt with me for several years now and surely knows what manner of person I am. Please speak plainly.”

Bai Mingxia gave a rueful smile. It was precisely because he knew her that he had dared come today at all — he would never have had the audacity with anyone else. “Peiqiu, wait outside.”

Hua Zhi glanced at Yingchun, who understood at once and stepped forward to lead Bai Peiqiu away.

In the quiet that followed, Bai Mingxia broke the silence. “Does Wang Fei know that the daughters of many families in the capital have lately taken to modeling themselves after her?”

“I have heard as much.”

“The Bai Family is no different. But my eldest daughter did not begin this recently. Years ago, when the young lady came to discuss the preserved goods business with me, I mentioned it offhandedly when I returned home — and somehow Peiqiu took it to heart. It was only a few days ago that I learned she had even gone to see you secretly on a few occasions. When it comes to your affairs, she knows far more than I do.”

Bai Mingxia shook his head, though there was a smile on his face. That his daughter had chosen to learn from the most accomplished woman in Daqing — and had done so with genuine devotion — was not without its own quiet pride. Yet that pride counted for little beside his worry.

It was well known that in recent years he had been close to the Hua Family — or more precisely, to the eldest daughter of the Hua Family. If someone with ill intentions were to conclude that he had deliberately arranged for Peiqiu to model herself after the Grand Tutor in order to achieve some hidden purpose, the consequences would be more than the already-diminished Bai Family could bear.

“I intend to find a good match for Peiqiu. But my circumstances, as Wang Fei knows, are what they are — ordinary families are beneath my consideration, while the truly distinguished ones will likely find me beneath theirs. So I have decided to be shameless for once, and come to Wang Fei to ask for a favorable word. I wonder whether the Hua Family would be willing to form a match.”

She spoke of the Hua Family, but Hua Zhi understood well that he was most likely referring to Bolin. It would not do to refuse outright, so she said only, “Has Uncle not come to the wrong door? Even when I was still managing the household, now that I am married there is no reason for me to involve myself in my family’s affairs.”

“Wang Fei speaks too modestly. Who does not know that the Hua Family holds Wang Fei in the highest regard?”

Hua Zhi smiled and set aside the polite deflections. “I have no intention of having Bolin marry too young. But for a young lady, time cannot be so easily spent in waiting.”

“As the eldest legitimate son of the Hua Family’s first branch, the Grand Tutor’s own younger brother, and the Emperor’s study companion — he will likely have little freedom in this matter.”

“I would never allow anyone to pressure him. The Hua Family has no need of marriage alliances to consolidate its position, nor does he need one to secure his footing. Even if his marriage is not entirely his own to decide, I still hope that within whatever constraints exist, he can find someone who suits him. That person will share his life — and only he himself knows whether she is truly right for him.”

Bai Mingxia could tell these were not mere words of evasion. Wang Fei truly meant what she said. Her devotion to her family was well known — even in the Hua Family’s most desperate times, she had never sacrificed a single sister, and had gone to every length to secure good marriages for each of them. If that was how she treated others, how much more would she cherish her own younger brother?

And yet — “Peiqiu is well-read and mannerly. She fits the Hua Family’s ways, and she has just turned twelve after the new year — she can certainly wait.”

“Uncle’s daughter is surely fine in every way. It is simply that she is not suited for the Hua Family. Those who resemble me in nature cannot enter the Hua Family.” Hua Zhi stated her reasoning plainly. For a son of the Hua Family to marry a wife who resembled the women of his own household — would that not lead to chaos?

Bai Mingxia was taken aback. He was a clever man; it was only his inner fixation that had clouded his thinking and prevented him from seeing the obvious. Now that it was pointed out, how could he fail to understand? How truly…

Bai Mingxia rose to his feet and gave a long, solemn bow. “It was I who thought crookedly. I beg Wang Fei’s pardon.”

“Uncle only wished to look after his child. There is no need for this.” Hua Zhi raised a hand in a gesture of reassurance. “In my view, Uncle need not worry overmuch. Modeling oneself after someone is never, in the end, about becoming that person. It ends in one of two ways — either one surpasses her, or one gradually grows into the person one wishes to be. Are not both outcomes a cause for joy?”

“I would not dare hope for Peiqiu to surpass Wang Fei. I only wish that she will come to see things clearly.” Bai Mingxia could only smile ruefully. He could not think of anyone in the world who could surpass Wang Fei, and he dared not harbor such expectations for his daughter.

Not wishing to linger, Bai Mingxia soon took his leave.

Hua Zhi saw them to the entrance of the reception hall. At the right moment, Yingchun brought Bai Peiqiu out from the adjoining room. The girl bowed to Hua Zhi and stood at her father’s side with lowered eyes and a composed expression.

Hua Zhi was at once amused and moved by the familiar scene. Had she herself appeared this… innocent to her grandfather, all those years ago?

“Do you wish to become a second Hua Zhi?”

Both father and daughter were startled by the sudden question. Bai Mingxia opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it again. He stepped back, leaving his daughter to face Wang Fei directly.

“Yet Hua Zhi would hope to be Bai Peiqiu.”

Bai Peiqiu raised her head, her face full of confusion.

Hua Zhi tilted her head and smiled. “Why not? Bai Peiqiu lives a life that is safe and free from worry. She is cherished by her parents. Each day she need only think about which book she wants to read next, and how to become a little more accomplished. Bai Peiqiu did not have to endure the collapse and ruin of her family. She did not have to carry the burden of an entire household’s livelihood, or travel a thousand li in hardship, or face calamity after calamity at the edge of life and death. If Bai Peiqiu wishes to become Hua Zhi, she must first go through all of that. Are you willing?”

Bai Peiqiu twisted the handkerchief in her hands tightly. Was she willing? Of course not. She had learned very clearly what Wang Fei had endured, and it was precisely her admiration for her that had made her take her as a model to emulate. But she had never once stopped to ask what would become of herself if she had faced those same trials. She probably would not have made it past the very first — she did not have the eldest daughter of the Hua Family’s courage and ability to hold up that great family under such circumstances.

“So why must one become Hua Zhi? Bai Peiqiu can be wonderful in her own right.”

Summoning her courage, Bai Peiqiu raised her head and looked directly at Wang Fei. Her warm and gentle smile held not a trace of condescension, and her expression betrayed none of the displeasure one might feel at being interrupted or imposed upon. Yet the poise and self-assurance flowing through her manner were beyond the reach of most — she still admired this woman deeply, but she also understood now where she had gone wrong.

Yes — no one could become Hua Zhi. No one could truly learn to be her. Because no one would ever share her experiences, and even if they did, no one would have her ability to turn danger into safety, to hold up an entire world on the shoulders of a woman.

She was Bai Peiqiu, eldest daughter of the Bai Family’s third branch. What need had she for so towering a goal? She only needed to surpass the daughters of the Bai Family’s other branches and bring honor to her parents.

She gave a deep curtsy, then returned to stand behind her father. She would think it through properly.

Bai Mingxia also gave Hua Zhi a long, respectful bow. Having allowed his daughter to receive such guidance, this visit had not been in vain.

The sounds of a greeting drifted closer — Hua Zhi looked up with a smile as the man strode toward her with broad steps. “Finished early today?”

“All done.” Gu Yanxi waved aside the formalities for the Bai father and daughter, his gaze not shifting from Hua Zhi by so much as a fraction. Bai Mingxia, reading the room, offered his farewell and took his leave.

Rounding the corner, Bai Peiqiu stole a glance back — and saw the Regent, whose power held sway over an entire realm, smiling softly as he murmured something to Wang Fei and drew her by the waist toward the inner rooms. She flushed scarlet and hurriedly quickened her step to follow her father.

The Prince and Wang Fei truly did look so very happy together. How wonderful!

P.S.: Went over the word count — nearly three thousand characters.