The men had barely settled before they took Hua Zhi away again. Zhu Shi looked as though she wanted to say something but held back, her face full of worry.

The old lady patted her daughter’s hand. “Zhi’er is not the sort of person who belongs confined to the inner quarters. Don’t try to hold her back.”

“I’m just worried…”

“Being born into a family like ours, has worry ever been in short supply? Thunder and gentle rain are alike the grace of the sovereign — who can know when their own turn will come? We have enjoyed wealth and privilege, so we must be prepared to bear the weight that comes with it.”

Zhu Shi twisted her handkerchief. She was truly frightened. Her husband was nowhere to be seen; her son was not at her side; only a single daughter was holding the household together. No matter how capable Zhi’er was, she was still a woman in the end — and when had this world ever been kind to women?

In the study, Old Master Zhu sat at the head of the room. The brothers Zhu Haocheng and his sibling sat to one side, Zhu Ziwen on the other. Hua Zhi occupied the last seat.

She smiled slightly. “This formation looks very much like an interrogation panel.”

The remark eased the tension in the room somewhat. Zhu Bowen shot her a look. “Every crooked thing about Hua Yizheng seems to have been passed down entirely to you.”

“I’ll be sure to tell Grandfather you said so.”

“As if I’m afraid of him.” Zhu Bowen tapped the armrest of his chair with his knuckles. “Tell us what happened. The Hua Family is turning all visitors away at the door, and the threshold of my Zhu Family home is about to be worn through by callers.”

Hua Zhi glanced toward the doorway.

Zhu Ziwen understood at once. He stepped outside for a moment, then returned and gave the room a nod.

Only then did Hua Zhi tell the full story of that night in detail. Zhu Ziwen was so startled he rose to his feet.

Zhu Bowen cast him one light glance, waited until that look had driven the young man back into his seat, and then spoke — though his voice barely concealed the strain beneath. “The Emperor wishes to take you into the palace? As a consort?”

“Yes.”

“The Head of the Seven Stars Agency revealed his face for you — and he is the Shizi?”

“Yes.”

“The Emperor knew of what was between you and the Shizi beforehand?”

“Yes.”

“So the Emperor, fully knowing the situation between you and the Shizi, still summons you into the palace to be a consort?”

“Yes.”

Zhu Bowen gripped the armrest tightly. His Zhu Family’s granddaughter — the legitimate granddaughter of the Hua Family, a lineage of loyal ministers for generations — was well qualified to be even a Crown Princess. And yet the Emperor, at his age, was summoning her into the palace as a mere consort. What was he trying to accomplish?

No wonder the Shizi had turned against him. Whatever faults one might find with the Seven Stars Agency, no one could deny the loyalty and merit of its head. The Shizi had devoted himself entirely to the service of Da Qing, only for the Emperor to turn around and take the woman the Shizi cherished as his own consort. How bitterly chilling.

“What do you intend to do now?”

“Wait.” Hua Zhi’s expression was composed — not the slightest sign of panic. “The power to decide lies with the Emperor. All we can do is meet each challenge as it comes.”

Zhu Bowen nearly laughed despite himself. “You look remarkably confident.”

“Our lives are safe regardless. He still needs me to earn money for him. As for Yan Xi — whether what came before was performance or genuine feeling, all of the capital knows he dotes on the Shizi. If he were to have the Shizi killed over this, the uncle-nephew bond he has been celebrated for all these years would become a laughingstock.” Hua Zhi smiled. “The Emperor can be utterly shameless in competing with his own nephew for a woman, but he is not willing for others to see him as a heartless man. Furthermore, there is still the Empress Dowager in the palace.”

The Zhu Family had gone over this matter more than once. They too had placed the Empress Dowager as a safeguard — as long as she was there, outright killings should not occur. And they had faith that the Shizi, who had commanded the Seven Stars Agency for so many years, would not be without contingency plans.

Zhu Bowen paced back and forth several times. “He revealed his identity without authorization — is there no consequence?”

“Yan Xi once said the Seven Stars Agency was no longer suited to continue existing. He had long intended to dissolve it on his watch. Even if not now, he would have found an opportunity to reveal his identity later. Don’t you think both the court and the Emperor have grown excessively dependent on the Seven Stars Agency?”

That was indeed so. Zhu Bowen recalled that Hua Yizheng had said on more than one occasion that if things continued this way, disorder was bound to follow.

“You must all be prepared. The Emperor cannot be seen to be in the wrong. With so many imperial relatives and noble families as witnesses, it would be perfectly justified to imprison you for defying an imperial decree. Even if the Shizi’s action meant things did not go quite that far, the matter cannot simply be let go. Even if the Emperor were willing, others would never agree.”

“Yes, we will think it over carefully.” Hua Zhi looked toward her grandfather. “If others come seeking information…”

“I’ll handle them. Just focus on finding a way through this immediate crisis.” Zhu Bowen waved his hand and settled back into his chair. “Before the seals were closed for the holiday, the Emperor said that after the New Year the transport operation must be set in motion. The Lu Family is a military family to the bone — even after many years of laying down their post, their connections and prestige remain. The Sun Family is in the same boat. This line of operation must be properly managed and must never fall into the wrong hands. Mention this to the Shizi, Zhi’er — this line is crucial.”

Zhu Bowen stressed those last words. Hua Zhi nodded in acknowledgment. “I understand.”

She had to. The Seventh Division controlled the silver, and many of its people were connected to their side. Compared to salt, transport was far more important — whoever held this line would have a means of retreat if the worst came to pass. If it fell into the wrong hands, it would become the road to ruin.

She spent most of the day at the Zhu Family home. Missing the two back at the house, she simply left her mother — who was reluctant to leave — behind, and returned home first.

The room was very quiet. Peony was absent, and Yan Xi appeared to be asleep.

Hua Zhi slowed her steps and approached. She gently tucked in the corner of the quilt, then made to leave. When a hand caught hers, she felt not the slightest surprise.

“You pull this move every single time.”

He tugged just slightly and pulled her down to sit. Gu Yan Xi shifted slowly and nestled his head in her lap, gazing up at her — no matter how he looked, he found her endlessly pleasing. “I woke up the moment I heard your footsteps. Did you have a good time at the Zhu Family home?”

“It went well enough.” Hua Zhi touched his face lightly and recounted the conversation she’d had with her grandfather. “What actually made me happier was Elder Uncle’s attitude. Before, I always had the sense that he was perpetually looking for a way out. But this time, that feeling was gone — is it possible he’s finally come to terms with things?”

“He should have come to terms long ago. By now, the Zhu Family trying to distance itself from the Hua Family is already too late.” He caught the hand that had been tracing the scar on his face and kissed it gently. Gu Yan Xi smiled with a helpless air. “Ordinary people don’t dare come near this face of mine. You seemed unafraid from the very start.”

“It’s a fine face — particularly striking, very much a man’s face. I have no taste for soft, delicate men.”

“My honor.” Gu Yan Xi felt as though the corners of his mouth had stretched all the way to his ears. A’Zhi always managed, without any particular effort, to say things that left him so delighted he didn’t know what to do with himself. Every time, it gave him the sensation of something very full inside him brimming over.

Hua Zhi laid her hand gently over the wound on his chest. “But that does not mean I am permitting you to add even one more mark to your body. Anywhere.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Hua Zhi’s gaze turned unfriendly.

Gu Yan Xi immediately deflated. “I promise I will never deliberately put myself in harm’s way.”

The look grew even less friendly.

“I will do my utmost to protect myself from injury.”

Hua Zhi gave a soft huff — barely satisfied.