As the hour of Chen approached, Gu Yanxi pricked up his ears listening for movement beyond the moon gate.
When he saw Hua Zhi walking unhurriedly toward him in her fiery red fox-fur-collared cloak, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted. When it came to punctuality, many men couldn't compare to her.
"Have you recovered?" he asked as she drew near.
Hua Zhi felt a momentary imbalance in her heart, but showed no trace of it on her face, merely nodding. "Thank you for your concern, I've recovered."
Not just from her grandmother's passing, but also from the exhaustion brought by her journey to the northern lands - she had recovered from it all.
It seemed everyone had forgotten that she had just returned from the north without rest and immediately thrown herself into handling her grandmother's funeral arrangements. Yet this person remembered that her journey back hadn't been easy.
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze, concealing the shimmering emotions within.
"I must go to class now. Please make yourself comfortable, Lu Xiansheng."
Gu Yanxi stepped aside to watch her enter the clan school, frowning at her slender back. She had already lost weight during her trip north, and now looked even thinner after this period of busyness.
Considering she still had to observe a year of mourning, Gu Yanxi decided to send another letter urging when he returned. With Shaoyao by her side, he could rest easier. Moreover, he could use Shaoyao to bring some good items from the storeroom. Hua Zhi never knew how to refuse those who were good to her, and Shaoyao was one of those people she couldn't refuse.
As Gu Yanxi walked toward the already prepared servants at the other end, he thought to himself: someday, he would become one of those people too.
Once the twelfth month began, time seemed to pass even faster. Although the Hua family was still in mourning, necessary preparations were gradually being made. The white silks were removed, traces of the Old Madam's existence slowly faded away. With the funeral completed, the family transition was also smoothly accomplished without causing the slightest ripple.
Hua Xin and her two sisters visited Hua Zhi more and more frequently. They subtly competed, each wanting to outperform the other two. Appropriate competition was beneficial, and Hua Zhi observed this without disrupting the balance. Those who made mistakes received equal punishment, while those who performed well received praise, striving to maintain fairness. Hua Rong, who had originally hoped for special treatment, could only apply herself more diligently.
Although Hua Zhi appeared strong-willed, she conducted affairs with great order and didn't excessively interfere in matters of individual courtyards. This reassured the Hua family members, making them support her even more.
Following her arrangements to do what needed to be done, while knowing what they would gain - nothing could be better. Other families might not fare as well, but what the Hua family needed was precisely such a head of household.
Seeing the young lady put down her brush, Bao Xia quickly wrung out a hot cloth to wrap around the young lady's hands, gently massaging them. Having held the brush for so long in the cold weather, the young lady's hands had stiffened.
Su Momo gently blew dry the ink and carefully set aside the long sheet of paper. The eldest young lady never spoke much of filial piety, but her actions always demonstrated it. Not only did she copy the Kṣitigarbha Sūtra daily for the Old Madam, she would also recite it when she had time, being more devoted than anyone.
"It seems Second Aunt's injuries are improving. Did Doctor Chu say when she might fully recover? With those injuries, Third Aunt's household probably won't have a proper New Year celebration."
"This old servant asked. Doctor Chu said it's unlikely she'll recover completely in such short time. Since we won't have outside guests anyway, she can just keep covered up. When we have the reunion dinner, some makeup should suffice to conceal it."Su Momo warmed her hands in hot water, rubbed them vigorously, and then began massaging Hua Zhi’s shoulders with just the right amount of pressure. Having served the Old Madam her entire life, her skill was far beyond what a few young maids could match. After the tingling, numbing sensation subsided, Hua Zhi felt her shoulders loosen considerably.
"Go and summon Xu Jie."
Bao Xia responded crisply and hurried out of the room with light steps. Xu Jie had begged her many times, but having just been disciplined by Ying Chun, she dared not speak out of turn in front of the young lady again. Fortunately, the young lady herself had remembered.
Xu Jie arrived swiftly.
"Are there any inns or restaurants in the capital that have old ties with the Hua family? More precisely, with my Fourth Uncle?"
"I know a little about this, but those who served directly under the Fourth Master would know more. Would it be better for you to summon one of them to ask, Miss?"
"That makes sense. Liu Xiang, go to Fourth Aunt, explain the reason, and have her assign someone familiar with this matter to come here."
"Yes."
While waiting, Hua Zhi inquired about the situation at the estate.
"After processing all the citrus fruits, I took the liberty of dismissing the tenant farmers hired for the workshop. I also arranged with them that if we continue the work next year, we will seek them out again."
"Was Liu Jiang also dismissed?"
Xu Jie looked surprised. "Hasn’t Liu Jiang already signed a lifelong contract?"
A lifelong contract? Hua Zhi glanced at Bao Xia. When did this happen?
Bao Xia looked bewildered. "He did sign a lifelong contract. Didn’t Ying Chun tell you?"
Hua Zhi understood immediately. It seemed everyone around her knew about this except her. It wasn’t that they had intentionally kept it from her, but whether it was due to mismanagement or everyone being too busy lately, they had forgotten. She leaned toward the former explanation.
"Sort out among yourselves where the miscommunication occurred. There must not be a next time."
Bao Xia, who had always enjoyed her young lady’s trust, was deeply ashamed. "It was our mistake. There will certainly not be a next time."
Hua Zhi did not dwell on the issue and turned back to Xu Jie. "Pass a message to Liu Qi and Liu Jiang: the workshop was my initiative, and I will not abandon it. The canned goods in the underground cellar must be carefully guarded—no mistakes are allowed."
"Yes."
Just then, Liu Xiang entered with a tall, lean man. "Miss, this is Du Cheng. He previously ran errands and handled tasks for the Fourth Master."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly. Fourth Aunt understood her well—this was exactly the kind of person she needed. "Du Cheng, do you know which inns or restaurants in the capital have old ties with the Fourth Master?"
"I do. The renowned Yunlai Restaurant in the capital belongs to Bai Mingxia, a close friend of the Fourth Master."
"What was his attitude after the Hua family’s misfortune?"
"Bai Mingxia sent someone with a banknote for two thousand taels and a message saying that if we needed anything, we could seek him out at the restaurant. He promised to help within his means. Fourth Madam only accepted his goodwill and returned the banknote."
So this person had not severed ties immediately after the Hua family’s downfall and had even offered assistance. This spoke volumes about his character. Such a person was worth collaborating with.
"Go to him and say that a woman of the Hua family wishes to discuss a business deal with him. Ask him to spare some time for a meeting."
The young lady herself meeting an unrelated man? Du Cheng instinctively glanced at the oldest person in the room.
But Su Momo lowered her gaze. She always knew her place—whatever decision the young lady made, she need only obey.
Xu Jie hesitated and said, "Might I go in your stead, Miss?""He will not see you." To put it plainly, as a mere servant, you are not qualified to speak with him directly. Rather than leveraging the goodwill between Fourth Uncle and others, she preferred to settle matters with clear benefits—a straightforward exchange of value. Accepting favors without reciprocation always leaves one indebted, and in this world, human obligations are the hardest debts to repay.
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