Mounting his horse, Gu Yanxi exhausted every last ounce of his self-control and did not look back. He did not dare to look back — he feared that one more glance at A’Zhi would make it impossible for him to leave at all.

He would come back alive. A’Zhi could only marry him — marry him living and breathing.

The fluttering banners slowly disappeared from sight, and Hua Zhi’s heart grew cold and hard bit by bit, following that figure as it receded further and further into the distance. Her family was at the frontier; her man had gone to the front lines. She had no reason left to be weak.

The Crown Prince walked over. “Lai Fu, escort the Grand Tutor back.”

“There is someone accompanying this official.” Hua Zhi glanced behind her, and Wang Rong stepped into view.

The Crown Prince did not press the matter further. Looking at the Grand Tutor whose eyes seemed to hold a blazing flame, and recalling the earth-shaking words she had spoken moments ago, he felt a measure of surprise — and something else… envy. He envied Shizi. A woman like the Grand Tutor would be nearly impossible to find again in this world.

After seeing the Crown Prince off, Hua Zhi turned to the assembled officials who were preparing to return to court and performed a cupped-hands salute. The officials were momentarily startled — it was the salute of a court official, and there was nothing improper about it, yet seeing a woman make such a gesture left them somewhat unsettled.

Hua Zhi paid that no mind. Once the salute was done, she was the first to leave. She had much to attend to and could not afford to linger here.

She returned home by the same road, finished every last drop of the medicinal meal, then summoned Wang Rong. Chen Qing had followed his master to war, and before departing had handed all affairs over to Wang Rong, who now served in his stead as steward.

“I recall it was Wu Xing who took charge of the black powder.”

“That is correct.”

“What progress has been made?”

Wang Rong answered without a moment’s hesitation. “Both the blast radius and range are now controllable.”

“And waterproofing?”

“That is precisely what Wu Xing is currently working to resolve.”

Hua Zhi gently traced the rim of her teacup. “Is Wu Xing working alone, or…”

“The master arranged four people to assist him.”

“Did Yanxi make any arrangements regarding this before he left?”

“The master did not mention it.”

Hua Zhi nodded. “Send word to Wu Xing — have him leave three men at Yinshan Pass and travel to Shouya Pass himself with one other person… No, have him send someone back first to report the full details of the black powder to the Crown Prince. Every formula must be placed in the Crown Prince’s hands. One person is enough for him to go to Shouya Pass.”

“Understood. This subordinate will send word to him immediately.”

“What is the current situation with the grain purchase from the Yan Kingdom?”

Wang Rong looked somewhat surprised. “Three shipments have already arrived. You did not know?”

Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. How could she have known? Since returning from Jinyang she had not had a single moment’s rest — one matter piling on top of another, each larger than the last. She was already wishing she could split herself in two.

“What is the situation with the Prince of Ling’s wife?”

“She has shut herself indoors since returning home and has not come out.”

Too passive. Hua Zhi rose and began pacing back and forth. This could not go on. “Yanxi once mentioned there was someone in his employ who excels at forging handwriting.”

Wang Rong nodded. “There is.”

“Have him forge the Prince of Ling’s handwriting and send his wife a letter — saying their youngest son is gravely ill.” As long as she harbored even a shred of care for the boy, such news would disrupt whatever she was planning the moment it arrived. And if she showed absolutely no concern… then her problem would be far greater.

“Understood.”

But that plan never had a chance to be carried out. Barely after the instructions were issued, word arrived from Yangzhou — the Prince of Ling’s wife was travelling to the capital, bringing with her an aged father and a gravely ill mother.

Hua Zhi’s brow furrowed deeply. She had always suspected something was wrong with the Prince of Ling’s wife, yet after all this time she still could not pinpoint what it was. She could only instruct those below her to watch the woman closely.

“Miss, the First Madam and the Fourth Madam have come.”

Hua Zhi composed herself and rose to receive them, performing a curtsy at the doorway. “I forgot to pay my respects to Mother today — it is my fault.”

Zhu Shi reached out and pulled her up. “Attend to your affairs — there is no need to come pay respects every day. With you holding things together outside, Mother is perfectly at ease.”

Hua Zhi heard something in her voice that did not sit right. She looked up — her eyes were red, as though she had been crying not long ago. Thinking of what had happened that morning, she understood at once. She must have heard some unkind words from others.

She helped her mother sit, then smiled gently. “What brings Mother and Fourth Aunt here together — is there something to discuss?”

“There is something to consult you about.” Wu Shi took up the thread. “The Yu Family and the Yuan Family appear to have spoken with one another. They have both sent word asking what our intentions are now.”

“Was that not already settled before?”

Wu Shi gave a rueful smile. “Have you forgotten? The Hua Family is on the verge of being reinstated. They are worried we will go back on the betrothal agreements.”

“A betrothal that has already been set — how could we retract it? It would only damage the reputation of the Hua Family daughters. Besides, I have had both families looked into, and they are both decent, easy-going households. Even with the Hua Family’s reinstatement, it will only benefit the daughters who marry out — never harm them.”

Wu Shi pressed her handkerchief to the corners of her mouth to hide a smile. She knew those people were overthinking it. The Hua Family was not that sort of household, and the eldest daughter especially was not that sort of person. What she always thought of was her younger sisters’ happiness. Even if the other party’s standing was somewhat lower, as long as they were capable and had the Hua Family as a distinguished connection, what difficulty would rising be?

“Since we are on the subject.” Hua Zhi rubbed her temple. “Fourth Aunt, discuss with them and see whether they would be willing to delay the weddings. If they can wait until the Hua Family is reinstated before the daughters marry, the younger sisters will be able to wed with more pomp and grandeur.”

“They may take that as an excuse on our part.”

“Marriage follows six rites — reaching the third in such a short span of time would itself be the exception. By the customs of noble families, marrying next year would be perfectly reasonable. Things are far clearer now than before. I cannot rush my sisters into marriage simply to ease their worries. You may also assure them that the Hua Family will not intentionally drag things out.”

“I know how to speak to them.” Wu Shi smiled. “Rest easy — they will agree.”

“As for any major items not yet prepared, there is no need to rush. Once the old estate is returned to us, everything will be there. Jewellery and ornaments can be purchased in abundance; if there are suitable estates or properties available, those may be acquired as well.”

Wu Shi naturally agreed to all of it. She glanced at her sister-in-law, then remarked in a seemingly casual tone: “I only just found out how sharp First Sister-in-law’s eye is. When we went to purchase jewellery the other day, the shopkeeper brought out a set of ruby ornaments and praised them to the heavens — yet First Sister-in-law saw at a single glance that they were inferior goods passed off as fine quality.”

Zhu Shi was clearly not hearing this for the first time and shot Wu Shi a mock-reproachful look. “Why bring that up again? I am not so remarkable — I simply know a great deal about rubies because I am fond of them.”

“I am fond of rubies too, yet I did not see through it. That is genuine talent.”

Zhu Shi sneaked a glance at her daughter, looking equal parts proud and bashful — even her father had praised that sharp eye of hers!

Hua Zhi smiled at her soft, gentle mother and teased lightly, “Fourth Aunt, sometime when you have the chance, look through Mother’s jewellery case. Every piece in it is of the finest quality. Apparently when she was assembling her dowry, Mother personally went along to inspect every purchase herself.”

Zhu Shi’s face went entirely red. Watching her mother like this, the taut string inside Hua Zhi’s chest eased ever so slightly. She let herself go slack and leaned back against the chair.

She was a little tired.