Blossom in Adversity

C198. Informing the Sun Family.

Chapter 198: Informing the Sun Family

Although both of them were the heads of their families, there was a generation gap between them, as well as a difference in their relationship.

If the matriarch of the Hua family were still alive, she would have been able to express the years of estrangement with tears in her eyes. However, facing Hua Zhi, the Madam Sun could only treat her as a younger relative whose place in the family dynamics was still uncertain.

She needed to observe for a while. If the other party truly had the boldness as rumored, then it was great news for the Hua family. Certain things could be said, and certain matters could be discussed together.

However, if the other party was just a clever young girl, then she would need to handle it carefully. Some things couldn't be mentioned, and ignorance could be dangerous. Even for the sake of the long-standing relationship between the Hua and Sun families, she couldn't risk it.

After exchanging some friendly words, Madam Sun spoke, "The master received a letter recently, saying that the military has been dispatched to Yingshan Pass. He asked me to keep an eye on the Hua family in the capital. Don't blame him for sending people now. There are many eyes watching him, and he can't make any move casually. He needs to avoid giving anyone a handle."

Talking about the precarious situation the Sun family had been in during these years, Madam Sun sighed. Sometimes, she wished time could pass by faster. She would rather live a few years less just to have the master return home soon to live peacefully. The relationship between the Sun family and their old friends had gradually drifted apart. Sometimes, she found it difficult to even visit them.

Hua Zhi stood up respectfully and bowed, "Thank you, Madam Sun."

Helping her to sit back down, Madam Sun smiled, "There's no need for that. Their relationship is their own, and you, as a young girl, don't need to bear that burden. I'm telling you this just to ensure your peace of mind. At that time when your family faced trouble, and later when Wan Niang passed away, I could only watch helplessly. It made me uneasy. In this capital city, there are too many unavoidable circumstances. A single misstep can lead to irreversible consequences. Now that the Zhu family is trustworthy and we can interact, if you have any doubts, don't hesitate to ask. No one will find you annoying."

"Understood. I will remember that," Hua Zhi balanced the situation in her mind.

She knew that the Sun family did not intend to distance themselves from the Hua family but rather wanted to take care of them more. Madam Sun's words also carried a tone of guidance, so she knew how to approach the Sun family.

"Today, I invited you here to get closer to you, but there's another matter I need to inform you about," Hua Zhi said.

Madam Sun nodded with interest, "What is it?"

Hua Zhi raised her eyebrows, "The Sixth Prince has been in the Hua residence for some time now."

Madam Sun was taken aback by this unexpected topic. Since the incident occurred, there had been no news at all received by the Sun family. Gu Yanxi had kept everything strictly confidential, without revealing anything.

Madam Sun, with a fortitude that defied expectation, managed to stabilize Sun Qi’s rear. Her usual carefree demeanor had vanished, replaced by a grave seriousness. “What transpired within the palace? Is it connected to the Seven Stars’ bloody purge of the capital? How could the Hua family be implicated in such a matter?”

Hua Zhi offered a comprehensive account, omitting, however, her acquaintance with the Seven Stars Division’s leader and Gu Yanxi’s machinations regarding the Sixth Prince. She merely mentioned her familiarity with Prince Gu, a reclusive figure.

“The Emperor has decreed that the Sixth Prince will not return to the palace and has entrusted his care to the Shizi. Given the Shizi’s disinterest in worldly affairs and his recognition of the Sixth Prince’s closeness to me, he has consented to the Prince residing in my household. While the details remain obscure, the Shizi has assumed full responsibility for this decision.”

Who is Madam Sun?

Madam Sun understood more than an average noblewoman's experience and knew that there was more to the situation than met the eye. However, these were things she couldn't pry into. She could sense that Hua Zhi had somehow gotten involved in such matters.

"I refer to you as Zhi'er not only to thank you for protecting my grandson but also to remind you that you must not meddle in the affairs of the royal family. Without being careful, you may not end up well. The Hua family cannot afford it."

Hua Zhi felt touched and her smile became even more sincere, "I understand. Sometimes, it's not me choosing the situation, but the situation choosing me. Given the circumstances back then, I couldn't just kick the Sixth Prince off the carriage."

Madam Sun patted her hand, knowing that if Hua Zhi truly was as ruthless as she seemed, even with the long-standing relationship between them, she would have to reconsider her decisions.

"Fortunately, my family's Qian'er was lucky to have met you; otherwise, the Sun family would have been in trouble."

"It's just a twist of fate."

At that moment, Madam Sun could faintly see the boldness and determination rumored in Hua Zhi. Without courage and knowledge, who would dare to get involved in such matters?

When she learned of Qian'er's identity, she could have either politely sent him away to avoid trouble or offered him to another family, but she protected him instead and even kept it a secret from everyone, including herself.

This is beyond what words can describe.

"If you have told me about this matter today, it must have some significance. Why don't you share it with me so we can discuss it together?"

"It's not that significant," Hua Zhi smiled lightly. "It's just that the situation has passed, and the Sixth Prince will likely stay at the Hua residence for a while. I thought it would be best to inform the Sun family to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

"That makes sense. I was actually planning to present a token to visit him in the palace in a few days. I last saw him during the New Year when he came to pay his respects to me." Madam Sun chuckled wryly. "Which prince is as pitiful as him who has to plan his visits to his maternal family so carefully? Even going there frequently could invite taboo, and even when I go to see him in the palace, I have to calculate the timing. What's the result? All this calculation almost cost him his life. So why should my Sun family be so cautious? The worst outcome would be losing Qian'er, right?"

Hua Zhi couldn't offer any comfort because if it were her, her reaction might be even more intense than Madam Sun's. There are certain bottom lines that must never be crossed, be it the Sixth Prince in the Sun family or Bai Lin in her own life.

Madam Sun closed her eyes, calming her expression slowly. "I will immediately inform the master about this matter, and he will decide on the appropriate course of action."

"I want to assure you that informing you about this matter is not meant to provoke any dissatisfaction from the Sun family towards the royal family," Hua Zhi squeezed Madam Sun's hand. "The situation has passed, and the Sixth Prince now seems to be distanced from that position, which actually serves as the best protection for him. In the midst of the power struggle between the other contenders, the Sixth Prince is the safest. Although the Emperor may have been neglectful towards him, he may still have intentions to protect him."

After a moment of contemplation, Madam Sun nodded slightly. "But I still need to inform the master. For the Sun family, there is nothing bigger than this."

"Of course, your decision is beyond anyone's interference."