Chapter 11: Recounting the Past
Although the four madams had contributed their private savings, the concubines in each household remained inactive. Lacking the confidence of the madams, money represented their future security, making them hesitant to be generous. Those with children fared slightly better, while those without felt anxious at the mere thought of being left penniless.
Hua Zhi had initially intended to discuss her marriage arrangements, but noticing her grandmother’s weariness, she held back. "Let’s end here for now," she said. "Everyone should rest these next few days and avoid overthinking."
As the others took their leave, Hua Zhi lingered behind. "Grandmother, please rest well. Your health comes first in all matters."
The Old Madam gazed at this granddaughter, whom she had never particularly favored before, now feeling an unexpected fondness. Patting the edge of the bed, she motioned for Hua Zhi to sit. From beneath her pillow, she retrieved an account book and a few keys, stroking them gently as she sighed. "A whole stack of account books, a large box of storeroom keys—only these few remain of any use now."
Placing the items in Hua Zhi’s hands, the Old Madam sighed deeply. "In the past, I never paid much attention to the modest income from the manors. Who would have thought that now, it’s all we have to rely on? These keys are for the storerooms here. Though the contents are gone, the space is ample and can still be used to store things."
Hua Zhi was surprised. She had assumed all the family’s properties had been confiscated...
Noticing her thoughts, the Old Madam chuckled softly. "Two of our manors were spared."
"How is that possible? Did the Emperor show mercy?"
"It was all due to the Empress Dowager’s influence."
Had it not been for the family’s misfortune, Hua Zhi would never have known of the Hua family’s past connection to the Empress Dowager. Even now, she wasn’t sure whom exactly this connection involved.
Fortunately, the Old Madam had no intention of keeping her in the dark. "The Empress Dowager is a few years older than me. She’s distantly related to my maternal family. Back when her family fell into hardship, my mother took pity on her as a young woman with no support and brought her home. We grew close, sharing a bed for nearly two years. Later, when she was betrothed, my mother privately added to her dowry, and when I married, she sent me lavish gifts."
Recalling her youth, the Old Madam looked down at her own no longer smooth hands. In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed, yet those vivid memories had not faded with time. If anything, she found herself reminiscing more often these past two years.
"However, the palace is a complex place, and the Hua family has held prominent positions for generations. To avoid suspicion, we had to reduce our contact. Still, the bond remained. This time, we owe everything to her—otherwise, the Hua family might have..."
The mere thought of what could have happened filled the Old Madam with overwhelming gratitude.
Hua Zhi frowned slightly. "The inner court is forbidden to interfere in governance. By doing this, hasn’t the Empress Dowager gone against the Emperor’s decree? Could it provoke his displeasure?"
"It’s remarkable that you considered this," the Old Madam said with a smile. "Don’t worry. Those two manors were part of the dowry gifts the Empress Dowager gave me when I married. Even the residence we live in now and the one outside the city were from her. The officials handling the confiscation must have reported this long ago—it has official approval. No one can use it against us."
So that was it. No wonder these two residences had been spared. Understanding the inside story put Hua Zhi’s mind at ease. With these two manors still in their possession, her burden felt considerably lighter—at least they wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry.
"Grandmother, which two manors are they?"
"One is twenty li south of the city, the other a bit closer—ten li to the east."These two estates! Hua Zhi's heart leaped with joy. If she remembered correctly, one of the estates was connected to a forest with numerous fruit trees. She seemed to know where to start now!
"Grandmother, I was thinking of going to..."
Old Madam waved her hand to interrupt her, "Since I've handed the household management to you, there's no need to seek my approval for everything. You can't accomplish anything with bound hands and feet. Grandmother only needs to know that everything you do is for the good of the Hua family."
Such trust came so suddenly that Hua Zhi was momentarily stunned before she smiled. "I promised Grandfather I wouldn't disappoint him. Grandmother, I promise you too that I will never let you down."
"Grandmother believes in you."
"Then your granddaughter will roll up her sleeves and get to work. Please give me all the servants' contracts of the household."
Old Madam could guess her intentions and didn't stop her. She signaled Su Momo to open the chest and take out the box containing the contracts, handing it directly to her. "They're all here."
Hua Zhi received it with both hands and curtsied. "Your granddaughter takes her leave."
Watching her depart, Su Momo expressed concern, "Old Madam, is the eldest young lady planning to..."
"She should do this. It would be strange if she didn't think of it." Old Madam took a sip of tea. "Given the Hua family's current situation, where do we need so many servants? Those who should be let go must be let go."
"Yes, the eldest young lady is capable."
Since she dared to take on the responsibility of managing the household, she must have some ability. The only worry was that she might be too young to handle the pressure.
After leaving the courtyard, Hua Zhi instructed, "Send someone to inform Steward Xu to gather all the servants in the front courtyard. Those who are too far away don't need to come. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"Yes."
Bao Chun waved Liu Chun over, whispered a few words to him, and Liu Chun quickly left.
Hua Zhi didn't return to her room but sat in a breezy pavilion, opening the box to look at the thick stack of contracts.
According to the Hua family rules, the contracts of servants brought by each married daughter-in-law had to be handed over to Old Madam and managed uniformly by the Hua family, with their monthly wages paid from the common fund.
"Count them and tell me the numbers."
"Yes." Ying Chun and Bao Xia poured out all the contracts to make counting easier. When they saw their own contracts, they couldn't help but take an extra look, though they felt no excitement. For them, they would only cry if their young lady truly returned their contracts to them.
"Young lady, there are 173 male servants, 151 female servants, 119 with limited-term contracts, and 205 with lifelong contracts."
So this was what it meant to have a house full of servants. Hua Zhi, who had enjoyed such a life, sighed briefly before asking, "Do you know how many went to the northern borderlands?"
Bao Xia responded, "This maid asked Steward Xu. Fifteen went, all trusted attendants of the various masters."
Ten masters, yet fifteen servants followed them—at least it showed the Hua family still had their servants' loyalty. Hua Zhi picked up a contract at random. "If others treat me with kindness, I'm willing to repay them with kindness. If anyone wants to leave, I won't make it difficult for them."
The two senior maids exchanged glances. Ying Chun asked hesitantly, "Young lady, do you mean to release even those with lifelong contracts?""Let them go. Those who have developed divided loyalties are detrimental to the family's stability." Freedom may sound appealing, but they are not ordinary commoners with land and property. Compared to an uncertain future, it is better to remain with the Hua family. It is easier to enjoy shade under a large tree, and though this tree has fallen, it is still far superior to ordinary households. When weighed against filling one's stomach, freedom is not all that important.
After living a stable life for so long, not everyone has the courage to venture out. Moreover, the Hua family has not yet reached the point of utter destitution.
Ying Chun and the others held an almost blind trust in their young lady. They believed that if the young lady said to let them go, there must be a reason for it. Their only duty was to carry out their assigned tasks.
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