Fu Dong rose to the occasion and prepared a full, overflowing table of dishes, mostly vegetable-based. Hua Zhi sent someone to call Bailin and A’Jian over.

In formal settings, Hua Zhi always observed the rule of no talking while eating — but in private, she did not place much weight on such things, and those around her had absorbed the same attitude over time. None of them, however, would ever speak with food still in their mouths.

Shao Yao’s chopsticks flew, and this did not slow her speech in the slightest. She took a bite and disparaged the palace kitchen in the same breath, bite after bite and criticism after criticism, until someone who didn’t know better might have thought the palace was some kind of place of suffering.

A’Jian sat beside her, nodding along enthusiastically, expression fully conveying: Sister Shao Yao is completely right — he also found the palace food dreadful.

Hua Zhi listened, and inexplicably found herself feeling rather sorry for the people living inside the palace.

A pair of chopsticks deposited something into her bowl. Hua Zhi looked up.

Gu Yanxi set down the serving chopsticks and met her gaze. “Eat a little more.”

Hua Zhi managed a faint smile, then lowered her head and brought the food slowly to her mouth. Even if it tasted of nothing, she did not want to waste another person’s concern.

Gu Yanxi could see the reason behind that forced smile well enough. She always thought ten steps ahead — the moment she learned what had happened, she had almost certainly already envisioned all the consequences that had nearly come to pass. With her nature of protecting her family so fiercely, he could only imagine the state she had worked herself into, and how much composure-building it had taken before she could walk around the household as though nothing were wrong.

Her anger, her sorrow — she would not let anyone else share the burden of it. She had placed her family behind her and put herself in the position that held everything up. When the sky fell, she would be the one to bear it.

He did not know whether the Hua Family appreciated her for it. But he did — truly and genuinely.

The meal was lively and boisterous. Shao Yao punctuated it with a satisfied belch and loudly demanded that dinner be sent as well. Hua Zhi could not withstand her pestering and gave in.

Shao Yao broke into a wide, delighted grin. She was not entirely without social awareness — she could tell that Yanxi-ge had been willing to bring her out today because there was something he needed to do. And seeing that Hua Hua had barely eaten half her bowl only confirmed it. She made the excuse of going to check on Xiao Liu’s health and made off with the two younger ones in tow.

Hua Zhi rose and gave a deep, formal bow. “On behalf of every person in the Hua Family, I thank Mr. Lu for this great kindness.”

“There is no need for this. I am grateful I was able to help.” Gu Yanxi lifted her up and guided her back into her seat before withdrawing his hands. “It is over now. Do not let it make you suffer — she is not worth it.”

“I know she isn’t worth it. But the anger inside me is real and refuses to go anywhere.” Hua Zhi shook her head and said no more. She was not in the habit of pouring out her troubles to others, nor of complaining — and if she had the time, she would rather spend it thinking about how to resolve what troubled her.

Gu Yanxi glanced toward the window. “Song Chenghao came today to report the death.”

“I did not receive him. I have a feeling he will set his sights on the Hua Family next.” Whether it was the Hua Family’s name or the business she was running — Song Chenghao would not get a piece of either.

“Are you not planning to visit the Song Family?”

Hua Zhi raised a brow. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I? This is such a fine opportunity to sever all ties with the Song Family cleanly — naturally I intend to go.”

Gu Yanxi’s expression sharpened. “You plan to go in person?”

“This is something only I can do.”

“Do you realize that once you show yourself, your days of peace and quiet are over?”

“Because of this face?” Hua Zhi laughed. “Mr. Lu overestimates me. Any young miss from the Hua Family who steps outside is no less striking than I am.”

That is not even close to true. A person’s distinction was not only about a face. It was in her bearing, her every word and action, her presence — and if that presence came paired with exactly this sort of face, it would eclipse every young miss in the capital who prided herself on her learning and refinement. Everything they knew, A’Zhi knew. Everything they did not know, A’Zhi also knew. How could they compare?

But Gu Yanxi said none of this aloud. He was not worried about rivals appearing in the future. He was more concerned that once A’Zhi stepped into the public eye, she would find herself burdened with no end of trouble.

Everyone who paid attention to the Hua Family knew the preserved fruit trade was theirs. Green Moss Lane — full of vibrant life and already a landmark of the capital — had also come from the Hua Family’s hands. The moment A’Zhi stepped out, the moment her abilities became known, it would no longer be a secret that she was the one actually running those ventures. And then…

There would be those who could not help but make a move — whether to seize her and put her talents to use, or to destroy her so that no one else could have her, and cut off any possibility of the Hua Family recovering.

Gu Yanxi fixed his gaze on A’Zhi. “Have you thought through the consequences?”

“I have. But I cannot let the fear of choking stop me from eating. Besides — it cannot be hidden forever.” The families who had history with the Hua Family, whether as allies or enemies, were all people of formidable reach. She could not keep her movements hidden from them. For now they were not bothered enough to pay close attention — but once the scale of what she was building grew large enough, and the silver coming in reached a point they could no longer ignore, would they really stand by and watch? They would not. They would find every means possible to take it all into their own hands. Such was the deep-rooted nature of people. Better, then, to put herself on the table from the start — visible to all, but impossible for any one party to swallow alone. With the Zhu Family behind her, and the various powers she wove into each of her ventures, the balance between multiple parties meant no single one would dare to touch her.

And besides — wasn’t there still the Seven-Lodge Division? The profit from the mushroom venture alone would be no small sum. From the beginning they had agreed it would be used to exchange for protection. She was not taking advantage of anyone.

Gu Yanxi said no more. He had given his word — A’Zhi could do as she wished, and he would never stand in her way.

He turned again to look at the sky outside, eyes warm and smiling, everything about him soft and unhurried. “Shall we go out for a walk?”

Hua Zhi looked in surprise at the darkness that had already settled outside. “Now?”

Gu Yanxi nodded.

Hua Zhi hesitated briefly, then gave a nod. She had been bottled up all day — a walk outside would do her good.

As for the propriety of men and women keeping their distance — it held no power over her whatsoever.

She tidied herself quickly, put on a veiled hat, and prepared to head out. The maids were all in a panic and looked to Nanny Su — going out at this hour of night, with her reputation on the line.

Nanny Su gestured for the others to stay, and stepped forward alone. While quietly helping Hua Zhi adjust her hem, she said softly, “Miss — please allow this old servant to accompany you.”

Before Hua Zhi could reply, Gu Yanxi had already agreed. “Come along then.”

Nanny Su let out a quiet breath of relief and stole a glance at Gu Yanxi. He did not, at least, look like someone with ill intentions.

Outside the side gate, a carriage painted entirely in black was waiting, bearing no insignia of any kind. Chen Qing stood to one side holding the horse’s reins, suppressing barely-contained excitement. When he saw them emerge, his eyes brightened, and he bent in a respectful bow.

The inside of the carriage was generously sized — the three of them, mistress and servants together, fit comfortably with room to spare.

Rocking gently along, Hua Zhi lifted the curtain and looked outside. The Great Qing had a curfew, but the hour for it was late — the city locked down at the third watch and lifted at the fifth. At this hour, the streets were still fairly lively.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I have been out at night.” She let the curtain drop and felt something wistful move through her. “I suppose not many young women have had this kind of experience. I must thank Mr. Lu for the privilege.”

“If you enjoy it, I will bring you out more often.”

Hua Zhi shook her head. “Most of the time I am actually quite content with a quiet life in a small corner of the world — making something good to eat, reading a good book, painting when the mood strikes. That kind of life feels right.”

Gu Yanxi nodded. “As you wish.”

“…” Hua Zhi found that when she heard Mr. Lu say those two words, they sounded, somehow, an awful lot like he was being flirtatious.