Blossom in Adversity

C145. The Look of Home.

Chapter 145: The Look of Home

After a while, Shao Yao continued the previous topic, "The child's identity might be a bit tricky. There are several groups of people in the city looking for him these days, whether it's for him or the Hua family, he needs to stay hidden for now."

Hua Zhi nodded slightly, "Then he should stay hidden here for now. The Hua family may be the safest place right now. Who would expect a family with women and children to dare to shelter someone in trouble?"

"I've already had Yan Ge's people investigate. We should have news soon. Hua Zhi, rest assured, I will never bring trouble to the Hua family."

The child's identity hadn't been confirmed yet, but Gu Yanxi returned first. After delivering his report to the palace, he headed straight to the Hua residence.

Hua Zhi had the maidservant bring hot water and food for him, letting him eat and rest before inviting him to the study.

After two months apart, Gu Yanxi felt that Hua Zhi's aura had somehow become stronger. There was a sense of tranquility after precipitation, sitting there without the need for many words to bring peace to those around her.

Hua Zhi stood up and greeted him, "Mr. Lu, was your trip successful?"

"I returned empty-handed."

Hua Zhi was surprised. She had a vivid memory of that night at the Zhuang residence and personally experienced Mr. Lu's competence. She always thought that when they acted, they would never fail.

She didn't know that this was indeed the first time Gu Yanxi had failed in many years. Someone had stood in front of him and slapped his face hard, but he didn't even know who it was. The frustration was evident.

Hua Zhi turned the tea cup and instructed, "Bring out that tea set."

Ying Chun brought out a whole set of tea utensils, which had just been custom-made not long ago and hadn't been used yet.

Hua Zhi loved tea and enjoyed the leisurely way of drinking it. When she was at the old residence, she would often read while drinking tea. Fu Dong would prepare some delicate tea snacks, making for a relaxing afternoon.

Back then, the only person who made her tea was her grandfather; it was the first time for guests.

Ying Chun brought in a small stove, and the water in the kettle was already boiling. Hua Zhi skillfully and gracefully poured the tea, then pushed a small cup of tea to Gu Yanxi, inviting him with a gentle gesture.

Gu Yanxi watched her series of actions attentively, and when he smelled the dark brown tea in the cup and took a sip, it was very mellow.

This way of drinking tea was quite unusual, but coming from Hua Zhi, there was nothing out of place.

"My people got involved, and a few lives were lost, but we managed to dig up some information. However, the day before I arrived, they all died, leaving no one alive..."

"Mr. Lu," Hua Zhi refilled his tea, looking up, "Is it appropriate for you to tell me about these things?"

"If I say it's appropriate, then it is."

Hua Zhi pushed the tea toward him. As long as it didn't involve secrets, she was willing to listen to these matters. The more she knew, the better she would understand the situation, which was currently the aspect she lacked the most in resolving immediately.

"From knowing the turmoil in Yan Kingdom to my arrival in Yan Kingdom on the big New Year's Day, it's only been a little over two months. They have erased all the evidence, with brand-new agricultural tools standing there. A quick calculation shows it is the amount produced by that iron mine. If it weren't for the tip-off I received earlier, I would doubt whether your suspicion was wrong."

"They remelted the iron arrows and made them into agricultural tools?"

"Yes."

Hua Zhi frowned, "Someone knows your movements and has been informing Yan Kingdom."

Gu Yanxi snorted, "Unfortunately, they cleaned up too well, but their goal was to make me unable to find evidence. They don't care if I suspect anything, in that respect, they have succeeded."

Hua Zhi's mind was clear, a person with such power is not ordinary. Accusing someone of treason requires evidence, without it, they can't easily implicate someone. The other party's goal is just that. She wondered if Mr. Lu knew who that person was and if the person behind him could control the situation.

In the court, dogs biting each other, Hua Zhi thought maliciously.

"As for this matter..."

"It can only be shelved for now, but the emperor is already suspicious, Yan Kingdom has lost this time." Gu Yanxi's accumulated grievances were soothed by a few cups of tea and a few words. He looked at the woman who was brewing tea with a gentle look, and his voice involuntarily softened, "I heard from Wang Rong that you saved a child?"

"It's not me who saved him, he just boarded my carriage, and under the circumstances, I couldn't drive him away." Hua Zhi frowned slightly, thinking about not having found out the identity yet. She had been trying to avoid trouble, but sometimes it seemed that it couldn't be avoided.

Seeing her thoughts, Gu Yanxi said, "There are only a few families that can keep my people from finding out the identity for so long. If this has fallen into the hands of Shao Yao, it will not be easily resolved, she will dig to the bottom of it."

"No matter who the other party is?"

"No matter who it is."

Hua Zhi smiled, pointing to the sky, "Even that family?"

Gu Yanxi's expression remained unchanged, "Why do you say that?"

Because it's already too obvious, with the abilities behind Mr. Lu, if it was just an ordinary powerful family, it wouldn't take this long to find out. Only that place, no matter how high the official position, dare not investigate.

Hua Zhi sipped her tea, remaining silent.

Gu Yanxi once again felt that Hua Zhi was too sharp. If she didn't show this side easily, she wouldn't have a reputation. Perhaps she would have been noticed by now, but she showed this side to him, indicating that she had some trust in him.

Thinking this way, Gu Yanxi felt extremely satisfied. No matter what, in Hua Zhi's eyes, he was still somewhat different from others, for the time being, as long as she affirmed this point, it was enough.

"I won't make a big deal out of it."

Hua Zhi raised her eyebrows, she seemed to indicate that she should bring up the identity of the person behind Mr. Lu a bit more, this kind of confidence is not something ordinary people would have.

She poured tea for Gu Yanxi again, with a sincere tone but not lowering her posture, "I hope the Hua family can stay out of this, no matter who is wrestling, the Hua family is not even qualified to be a pawn now, I hope Mr. Lu can help out."

"Shao Yao should have promised you not to involve the Hua family."

"Only when Mr. Lu assures me, will I feel more at ease."

Gu Yanxi was immediately pleased by this statement, the curve of his mouth deepened, and all the fatigue and frustration were soothed by this sentence. Simply sitting face-to-face, sharing tea, without her act to be gentle, without her being a coquettish flower, just watching her frown, smile, and frown, he felt a sense of belonging.

The appearance of a home that has never been portrayed, seems to be just like this moment.

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TN:
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