Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C320. Coexistence and Extinction.

Chapter 320: Coexistence and Extinction

A thought suddenly flashed through Hua Yizheng's mind, and he sat up straight, "Are you trying to ensure that Zhi'er remains unmarriageable?"

Gu Yanxi's smile remained unchanged.

"Do you want the people in the capital to fear Zhi'er?"

"Do you want her to have a bad reputation?"

With each statement, Hua Yizheng's heart sank a little. This person had never given Zhi'er any room to retreat. If the two of them were to be together in the future, then so be it. But if not, how would Zhi'er continue to live her life?

"Shizi, are you really have feelings for Zhi'er?"

Indeed, he had guessed his identity. Gu Yanxi looked at Hua Yizheng, who was worried about Zhi'er, and said, "I care for her more than my own life."

"Is this how you care for her?"

"Old master, you underestimate Ah Zhi. Even though you now know that she is skilled, can do business, can endure hardship, is responsible and has courage, willing to give up her life for her family... you still underestimate her."

Hua Yizheng wanted to say he knew, but he hesitated and kept his mouth shut. He knew more than just these things, but he didn't know what else there was.

Gu Yanxi smiled softly, "Do you know what nickname Ah Zhi has in the capital? The Thorny Rose. Those noble sons all want to approach her, but not with any ill intentions. It's not that they've changed for the better, but rather they dare not. They fear being pricked by her. Ah Zhi knows this. She said if she can make everyone remember the Hua family without being too conspicuous, that's fine. She's afraid she's not powerful enough. After the Empress Dowager's protection expires, someone might move against the Hua family. You know, in the capital, such things are all too common. During your years in the court, you have had political enemies. The more they watch, the less they dare to act recklessly."

"As long as she can protect her family, she doesn't care about her own reputation. She has even given up on the idea of marriage long ago. She said when Bailin grows up, she will hand over the Hua family and live in a small house by herself, taking her few maids who also refuse to marry. Do you really think she is ignorant of my intentions?"

Gu Yanxi smiled, "She knows, it just doesn't conflict with her plans. So she doesn't mind."

Hua Yizheng had to admit that Zhi'er truly acted in this way. The suitors they had carefully selected for her in the past were probably nothing to her.

Because she didn't care, she broke off the engagement cleanly, without any resentment towards the Shen family or Shen Qi.

Sighing, Hua Yizheng slumped his shoulders, looking like he had aged a few years. "The situation of the Hua family is not as good as Zhi'er described, right? I wonder if the Shizi can reveal a little more. We need to know what Zhi'er has endured in places we couldn't see."

"It's not that I don't want to tell the truth. The situation of the Hua family is indeed good. The family is scholarly, the household is peaceful, the various branches are united, far more harmonious than the average family."

"Has Zhi'er hidden anything?" Hua Yizheng stared at him. He didn't want anything to happen to his family, but the overly rosy picture made him even more uneasy. It was as if he needed to know something that Zhi'er had kept from him in order to feel at ease.

How could there be nothing?

Gu Yanxi pondered for a moment, then revealed, "Hua Jing has died."

Hua Yizheng was taken aback. He had never thought that his eldest daughter would... How could she... with her personality, she should have been the one in the Hua family who was doing the best!

"She hanged herself."

"Song Zhenzu!" Huayu slammed the table, his beard bristling with anger.

Gu Yanxi's lips curled slightly. "She originally wanted to hang herself at the Hua family. My subordinates found out in time and prevented her from succeeding."

The anger had not dissipated when he heard this, and Hua Yizheng's hands began to shake. He closed his eyes for a moment, suppressing the overwhelming emotions. "Please explain in more detail."

"Hua Jing wanted to gain something from her natal family again. The old lady did not agree and cut off ties with her. The Song family treated her much worse than before. She thought her natal family had caused her misfortune and wanted to retaliate with death. Ah Zhi burned her tablet and expelled her from the family."

With a few words, the situation became clear. But Hua Yizheng, who had been in the court for a lifetime, would not be unaware of the hidden complexities.

At that time, before Zhi'er had established herself, how much effort had she put in to turn things around?

"If Ah Zhi doesn't want to talk about it, you can pretend to be ignorant. I wonder if the old master is willing to write a memorial now?"

Hua Yizheng rubbed the rough armrest of the chair beneath him and said in a deep voice, "I will write it. I just don't know if the Shizi can first give me a hint of what will happen with this matter. That person will surely hold a grudge against Zhi'er for ruining his plans and will not let her off easily."

"By the time Ah Zhi returns to the capital, the necessary people and matters will have been taken care of. If the old master trusts me, then cooperate well with Wu Yong and fortify the Yingshan Pass into an impregnable fortress. Don't give the tribes outside the pass any chance. This will be the Hua family's opportunity. The Hua family's rules are not just about being passive and taking hits when necessary."

Gu Yanxi stood up, knowing that Hua Yizheng was not the type to sit around waiting for someone to come and rescue him. He was already working on saving himself, as evidenced by his assistance to Wu Yong in managing the Yingshan Pass. He was also concerned about the potential loss of a loyal ministerial family for the Daqing Dynasty, but he believed in Zhi'er.

"Shizi."

Gu Yanxi turned back at the door.

"In March, General Sun sent someone to visit me and brought some news. He said that the east has been too peaceful in recent years, and he has a sense of unease. He is training his troops diligently every day and not letting up. Recently, Pingyang learned from General Wu that the Seven Stars Bureau had arrested Yuan Shifang, the prefect of Yuzhou, claiming he was a leftover remnant of the Chaoli tribe. Now, even the northern border is not completely stable."

Hua Yizheng walked out from behind the desk and looked deeply at Gu Yanxi. "I want to ask the Shizi's opinion on this matter."

"I asked the Hua family to help Wu Yong guard the Yingshan Pass, so that the court can focus on dealing with the Chaoli tribe without any worries. Just like the founding emperor was able to drive them out back then, they will not be allowed to return now!"

Gu Yanxi took a few steps forward. "Ah Zhi is quite knowledgeable in military strategy. I believe the members of the Hua family are not just well-versed in classic historical texts. Use all your skills to work with Wu Yong to protect the Yingshan Pass and prevent the enemy from advancing. When the time is right, it will be your return to the capital."

Hua Yizheng suddenly smiled. "There is no need for the Prince to add the last sentence. I would do so without being told. Perhaps the Emperor is unaware, but the Hua family has a saying that has been passed down for generations, starting from our ancestor, Hua Jingyan: 'The Hua family will coexist and perish with the Daqing Dynasty.' This was a promise made by our ancestor to the founding emperor on his deathbed. However, as the Hua family has never experienced such tumultuous times, I fear I cannot wait until my death to pass on this saying, lest I have no face to see the founding emperor in the afterlife."

Looking at the man in front of him who resembled the young emperor, Hua Yizheng couldn't help but feel some regret. They had once been in a harmonious relationship as ruler and subject.

"There is no need for the Emperor to be wary of me."

Gu Yanxi's eyes felt like they had been pricked by needles, and he couldn't help but blink a few times. In the end, he couldn't say anything, bowing and bending slightly. It was unclear if this gesture was for himself or for the Emperor.

———TN:
Wrapping up my translation grind for the day. Hope I did the novel justice. Catch you later.