Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C227. A Duel Between Two.

Chapter 227: A Duel Between Two

Gu Yanxi wanted to say, "I'm willing to bear the burden of the entire Hua family for you, and I want you to depend on me. So don't leave any room for doubt. Just trust me."

But when he met Ah Zhi's unwavering gaze, filled with an infinite resilience, he swallowed those words.

If Ah Zhi were like others, relying on others, how could the Hua family have reached such a situation?

How could she have possessed such a fierce determination to risk her life?

He thought he was different from others, and he thought he had valued Ah Zhi immensely. But now he realized that he was just like those ordinary people, selfishly wanting to keep a person who was born to spread her wings by his side.

Gu Yanxi gave a wry smile. He’d become too greedy.

“Let Shao Yao go with you.”

Hua Zhi was naturally delighted to bring Shao Yao along, but she couldn't help but ask, "Can she really leave?"

“Yes. Her master is more than capable of guarding the palace." Gu Yanxi paused before returning to the topic. "This sand table..."

"Once we leave this gate, you can use it however you wish. But there's no need to involve me. Now is not the right time."

Seeing her finally calm down, Gu Yanxi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement. "I'll remember that. There'll be a time for it."

The two exchanged a glance, their minds connected.

Gu Yanxi suddenly smiled. "Shall we have a match?"

Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. "I'll take you up on that."

In the courtyard, Hua Bailin was battling Shao Yao. Although Shao Yao was still getting used to the rules, Hua Bailin had to be extremely cautious with every move to achieve a stalemate. Gu Yanxi watched with a sense of surprise.

Since Shao Yao had set her sights on becoming a general, she had spent her days reading military strategy books. Although she had neglected her studies in recent years, her imperial uncle had once said that she had a natural talent for it and a solid foundation. Yet now, a ten-year-old Hua Bailin could actually hold his own against her.

He couldn't help but look at Ah Zhi who was smiling faintly. She had truly taught Hua Bailin exceptionally well.

If only...

His gaze fell on Xiao Liu, and Gu Yanxi made up his mind.

In the end, Shao Yao won, albeit by a narrow margin. She rolled up her sleeves excitedly and looked up. "Again!"

Just as Hua Bailin was about to agree, Hua Zhi spoke up, "Mr. Lu and I will have a match."

When others were around, Hua Zhi still habitually called him Mr. Lu. Gu Yanxi quite liked this address and pushed Shao Yao aside.

Hua Bailin was very observant and made way when he saw his eldest sister. He also wanted to see if this gentleman who had easily defeated him was a match for his eldest sister.

Unfamiliar with Gu Yanxi's tactics, Hua Zhi made every move with ordinary care, focusing solely on stability. Gu Yanxi also made only tentative moves. Both were highly strategic, and neither could use a surprise attack. For a time, it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand.

They looked at each other and simultaneously ended their probing, significantly increasing the pace of their troop deployment. As they advanced and retreated, the sound of clashing swords and horses seemed to echo in the air. The battle was intense, and neither would back down.

Hua Zhi used cavalry and fell into the trap Gu Yanxi had set, but Gu Yanxi's serpent formation was broken by Hua Zhi who attacked its head and tail, leaving only the body unable to move.

After a fierce battle that left both sides nearly depleted, neither army had managed to breach the other's territory. As night fell, lanterns illuminated the courtyard and the nearby sand table, where a few maidservants held lamps with a smile.

Although the battle had concluded, the tension lingered. Hua Zhi's hands trembled slightly as she hid them in her sleeves. She looked up at the man who was also staring at her. She had always considered herself a peace-loving person, but she had to admit that, whether it was her nature or the influence of her previous life, she had a rather combative spirit.

"Ah Zhi has the talent to lead troops," the man, Gu Yanxi, observed.

"No, I'm just an armchair general," Hua Zhi replied with a rare, bright smile. Her eyes sparkled, revealing genuine amusement.

Gu Yanxi did not argue. The more he knew Ah Zhi, the more certain he became that if she were given an army, she would undoubtedly be able to train it effectively. If she had been born in a time of war, she would have been a formidable warlord.

Unaware of the lofty title bestowed upon her, Hua Zhi rubbed her wrists. "Let's have dinner. Everyone, eat here tonight."

The maidservant left to prepare the meal.

Hua Zhi turned to Bai Lin, who was still in a daze. She had no intention of discouraging him, but perhaps it was good for him to know that there were always people better than him. Not everyone would be as lenient as his eldest sister.

She then turned to the sixth prince. "How much of the game did you remember?"

The sixth prince looked up and licked his dry lips. "About half."

"Very good. If you remember half, Bai Lin must have remembered the other half. After dinner, go back to your rooms and review," Hua Zhi said, tying a loose end of his robe. "There's one for you in your courtyard as well."

The sixth prince nodded gently, as if afraid that too much force would loosen the newly tied robe.

Except for Hua Zhi, who enjoyed her meal, the others seemed distracted. Even Shao Yao, who usually considered eating a major life event, was lost in thought.

After dinner, everyone left quickly, leaving only two people in the room. Gu Yanxi carefully chose his words. "On your trip south, I would like Xiao Liu to accompany you."

"Okay," Hua Zhi replied simply.

Gu Yanxi was taken aback. "I thought you wouldn't agree."

"Why wouldn't I? If I could, I would take Bai Lin with me too, but I can't leave the Hua family without him," Hua Zhi said, looking at the row of travelogues and miscellaneous books on the bookshelf. "Reading books is never as good as going out and seeing the world for yourself. Only by seeing it with their own eyes will they know that some places are far better than what is described in books, while others are so difficult to survive in. Regardless of what happens to Ah Jian in the future, it won't hurt for him to see these things."

Hua Zhi turned back, her eyes filled with laughter. "Besides, I'm going on a business trip, not to kill or set fires. There shouldn't be any danger to my life."

"By sea?" Gu Yanxi asked.

"Yes. There's a merchant from the south who comes to the north twice a year. He sells his goods along the way and then buys medicinal herbs and other things to take back to the north. I've sent someone to send him a message, and I'm going to meet him at the dock tomorrow."

"Will you travel with him?"

Hua Zhi shook her head. "I had planned to, but I estimate that he will stay in the capital for at least half a month. I can't wait that long. I can only ask him about the situation there first. If he has a way, and as long as there's a possibility of a deal, I can convince him."

If only he could wait half a month... Gu Yanxi suppressed his desire. "I'll send a few more people with you."

Hua Zhi did not refuse. Even for the safety of the sixth prince, she dared not be careless. "There can't be too many people. It will be conspicuous."

"I know, just two people." Add to that Shao Yao, who can do the work of several people, and it will be enough.