Chapter 10: Cut Ties When Necessary
"As you're now in charge, there's nothing you can't say. Have them all come in. Cuixiang, please invite the two concubines out as well."
Cuixiang was Su Momo's name. She acknowledged the order and went to the side chamber where the concubines had been sent after the children arrived, as instructed by Old Madam.
When everyone had gathered, Hua Zhi went straight to the point without any preamble. "My suggestion is that it would be best to cut off contact with our maternal families."
As soon as she finished speaking, the room grew restless. Maternal families were their backbone, their confidence, and their most likely source of help in times of trouble. Moreover, all their maternal families were of considerable status—who knew when they might be able to offer significant assistance?
Old Madam swept her gaze across the room, and everyone quieted down. "Why?"
"Cutting ties is for everyone's benefit." Hua Zhi looked at the group. "You may see them as your maternal families, but to them, you're like spilled water—married-off daughters. Their primary concern is whether continued association with the Hua family, which the Emperor despises, will lead to their own sons and grandsons being similarly scorned. They'll worry about incurring the Emperor's displeasure and damaging their own careers."
Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, Hua Zhi elaborated further. "This isn't to say your parents would truly abandon you. If you sought their help, out of affection they would likely assist you. But that affection has its limits. No one can say how long it will take for the Hua family to restore its former glory, nor whether your parents' compassion will last until then."
Hua Zhi smiled faintly. "By cutting ties now, we demonstrate our determination not to burden our maternal families. They'll appreciate our understanding and feel guilty for not being able to help. When we eventually resume contact, there will be no lingering resentment. Only when standing on equal footing can people engage in equal dialogue. Don't test human nature when you're down and out—I fear everyone would be disappointed."
If parents or brothers truly cared, couldn't they find ways to maintain contact discreetly if open communication wasn't possible? It all came down to whether they had the will.
The room grew so quiet that even breathing became audible. The children seemed to understand the gravity of the situation and breathed softly, careful not to disturb the adults.
"I initially wanted to contradict the young lady," said Wu Shi, rubbing her stomach with a bitter smile. "After all, I was quite favored in my family. But upon reflection, her words make perfect sense. No matter how well-treated you were at home, once married you belong to another family. Your fortunes are tied to your husband's family, not your birth family. However much they might help temporarily, they can't support you forever. Even if my parents were willing, my brothers' wives would likely come to scold me for being a troublemaker."She felt somewhat fortunate that, without her mother-in-law's permission, she hadn't yet sent anyone to her family."
"Exactly," Third Madam Xia Shi chimed in, her voice thick with bitterness. "However much my parents love me, can I compare to their sons and grandsons? We share the same surname yet become part of another family, while in this other family, daughters-in-law are merely outsiders. It's truly pitiable to be a woman."
Old Madam swallowed the lump in her throat. "Then let's each send a message home. Starting tomorrow, the Hua family will close its doors to visitors."
"We can refuse visitors, but we can't completely shut our doors, Grandmother. We need to find ways to raise some silver. In a place like the northern border, without money for necessary arrangements, life will be difficult."Old Madam had certainly entertained this thought, but had been at a loss for a solution. Now, hearing her granddaughter’s words clearly pointing in a direction, she quickly straightened up and asked, “What do you plan to do? Giving those bloodsuckers too little silver won’t work.”
“People can’t live without food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. I plan to start with food. Grandmother, you know I don’t have many hobbies—I’m just a bit of a food lover. I’ve experimented a lot, and Ying Chun and the others are all skilled at cooking. I’d even dare to challenge the imperial chefs with Fu Dong’s culinary skills.”
Of course, Old Madam knew this. She often received snacks sent by her granddaughter, to the point that her impression of the girl in recent years had become entirely tied to food. It was no wonder she had misjudged her. Still, she asked, “There are plenty of food businesses in the capital. Can we really make money from this?”
“What do you think of the taste of those snacks?”
“Naturally, there’s nothing to criticize.”
“Have you eaten anything like them elsewhere?”
“...No, I haven’t.” Old Madam nodded thoughtfully. If they were selling something unique, there was indeed potential for profit.
“I’ll give it a try first. If it doesn’t work, I’ll think of another way. We’ll find a way to earn money somehow.”
“Alright, give it a try.” Old Madam glanced at Su Momo, who understood her meaning and opened a hidden compartment at the bottom of a cabinet, retrieving a money box.
“This is all the valuable things I have. Half will be kept for emergencies, and half is for you. If it’s not enough, each household can contribute.”
Hua Zhi initially wanted to refuse, but then she reconsidered. This was a matter for the entire Hua family, and everyone needed to be involved. Only by investing would they take it seriously. Besides, the more funds she had, the easier it would be to act.
Inside the money box, aside from rolled-up silver notes, there were also some pieces of jewelry. Their styles were outdated, suggesting they had been kept for some time.
There were eight silver notes in total, each worth two hundred taels. Hua Zhi took four. When Old Madam tried to divide the jewelry, Hua Zhi declined. “It’s not yet time to pawn things. Please keep these for now. If I run short, I’ll come to you.”
Old Madam then gave her another silver note. “Do your best. I believe in you.”
Not wanting her aunts to harbor any resentment, Hua Zhi said, “No matter how much money we earn, until Grandfather and the others return, all funds will go into the common pool. As for how it will be divided later, that will be up to Grandfather and Grandmother to decide. However, I doubt much will be left—there are too many expenses on all fronts. Grandfather and the others must not lack silver. If possible, I’d also like to use money to explore opportunities here in the capital. Grandfather’s crime isn’t a major one—it’s not impossible for him to return.”
“R-Really? Can they come back?” Third Madam Xia Shi stood up excitedly. “I’ll do anything if it means my husband can return.”
First Madam Zhu Shi and Fourth Madam Wu Shi nodded in unison. Even Second Madam Qi Shi, who usually had little to say, stared intently at Hua Zhi. Spending a little money was nothing if it meant their loved ones could return safely.
“Miss, please wait a moment.” Xia Shi hurried out of the room, her demeanor making Old Madam smile. After so many years of marriage, she still had such an impulsive side.
Before long, Xia Shi returned carrying a money box. Without counting the contents, she directly handed it to Hua Zhi. “I kept a little for myself, but the rest is for you.”
Seeing Xia Shi’s enthusiasm, First Madam Zhu Shi naturally wanted to support her daughter and quickly sent a maid to fetch her own savings. She, too, had managed to stash away some money.Regardless of what Wu Shi and Qi Shi truly thought, they had to make a gesture at this moment. Holding the four money boxes, Hua Zhi did not refuse them. "I will do my best to make this silver generate more silver. Aunts may check the accounts at any time."
Xia Shi, still caught up in her excitement, repeatedly said, "We trust you, we all trust you."
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