Chapter 13: Planning for the Future
Ying Chun carefully counted the silver pieces. "Miss, this money..."
"Follow the usual practice. You keep the items, Nian Qiu manages the accounts. Nian Qiu, use the old method for the public ledger, and for our own accounts, do it as I taught you."
Both responded in unison.
Hua Zhi scanned the room and stopped before a large chest. "Create a hidden compartment underneath, just like in the old residence. Make sure no traces are visible from the outside."
"Yes."
"Alright, everyone go about your tasks. I need to think without interruptions."
Entering the inner chamber, Hua Zhi settled at the desk, deliberately tightening her sleeves. She poured water into the inkstone and ground the ink gently, her mind racing with calculations. She listed all necessary tasks on paper, then prioritized them by urgency and importance.
Although they currently possessed considerable silver, the daily expenses for feeding, clothing, and maintaining such a large household were substantial. Even without considering Grandfather’s needs, their funds wouldn’t last long.
The Daqing Dynasty strictly forbade officials from engaging in commerce, yet none truly complied—there were always ways to circumvent policies.
The Hua family had previously operated several lucrative businesses, including multiple gold and silver shops, teahouses, and silk stores that generated significant income. Unfortunately, it was now unclear who benefited from them.
However, such ventures were too conspicuous for the Hua family at present. They needed to lie low and avoid drawing further attention from the emperor, whose anger had yet to subside.
Thinking of the forest adjoining the estate, Hua Zhi frowned. It seemed she would have to inspect it personally—secondhand accounts were never clear enough. She also needed to visit the suburban property to see what Fourth Uncle had left her. Gold or silver would be ideal, but given Fourth Uncle’s disdain for wealth, that was unlikely.
Thoughts of Fourth Uncle led her to others. She wondered where they had reached by now. While living under the same roof, preferences and dislikes had been inevitable, but separation made her cherish each one.
As the current favorite topic of gossip in the capital, the Hua family’s seclusion was unsurprising. What could a household of women and children possibly do?
The capital never lacked fresh scandals, and gradually, attention toward the Hua family waned. No matter how significant an event, if it didn’t concern oneself, it faded into the past. The once-glorious Hua family, renowned for producing two Hanlin scholars, had become history.
Yet Old Madam remained despondent, her spirits low. Instead of improving, her health seemed to decline.
"In the capital, sharp-eyed people abound," she lamented. "As many once sought ties with the Hua family, now just as many wish they’d never known us. Others might be forgiven, but Chen Zhi and Yu Zhengyao? Are they mere strangers? The old master only ever took three students—every scholar envied them. Without the old master, where would they be? Yet only Dayi has a conscience. He rushed to help when the old master faced trouble, even suffering consequences himself. Despite this, his wife still sent silver without hesitation. I don’t care about the money—it’s the old master’s misplaced devotion that pains me."Su Momo echoed the Old Madam's sentiment, "Indeed, the old master treated them exceptionally well—one might even say he regarded them as half-sons. But what I don't understand is why you turned away Madame Chen and told her not to come again?"
"Precisely because they are good people, we must not drag them down. Our Hua family is like a curse now—anyone associated with us suffers. Dayi has already faced repercussions; we cannot burden them further."
"You always see things clearly."
A young maid announced at the door, "The eldest young lady is here."
"In the future, when the eldest young lady arrives, no announcement is needed. She may enter directly."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi overheard this as she entered, warmth flooding her heart as a smile touched her lips. "Then I shall visit more frequently from now on."
"Your grandmother would be delighted to see you often."
Su Momo brought a round stool to the bedside, and Hua Zhi sat sideways, mentally rehearsing what she intended to say.
The Old Madam patted her hand. "Speak your mind directly. There's no need for reservations with your grandmother."
Hua Zhi gazed steadily at the elderly woman, whose vitality had noticeably waned, feeling an unprecedented closeness toward her.
Within the Hua family, she had always been closest to her grandfather and younger brother Berlin. With others, including her parents, she maintained polite but distant relationships. She was accustomed to this dynamic and believed it suited a large family like the Hua's. Indeed, over more than a decade, this arrangement had been quite harmonious. But now, she hoped to grow closer to her grandmother. This old woman possessed a rare open-mindedness for her generation—others might not have dared to let an unmarried young lady manage household affairs.
"Grandmother, I wish to break off the engagement with the Shen family."
Startled, the Old Madam straightened slightly. While she had hoped Zhi Er would remain with the Hua family, her granddaughter taking the initiative was another matter entirely. "Can you tell me why? As long as the Shen family doesn't cancel the engagement, you could leave this troubled situation. The punishment doesn't extend to married daughters—you've had this betrothal since childhood, no one could fault you for leaving."
Such probing wasn't excessive, yet it exemplified why Hua Zhi had never grown close to her family. They always overthought matters, assuming she did the same—every sentence had to circle three times with half left unspoken. She found it tiresome, but necessary words still needed saying.
"Even if the Shen family, out of loyalty, still went through with the marriage, what good would come to a woman with a ruined natal family? The Shen family has many members—I'd likely become the pitiful creature everyone tramples upon."
The Old Madam chuckled. "You've never been one to suffer bullying easily."
Hua Zhi didn't refute this, instead presenting another possibility: "The Shen family might well be considering canceling the engagement themselves. Old affections alone aren't enough to make them risk displeasing His Majesty by marrying someone of little value. Rather than forcing a messy confrontation where both sides lose, we should take the initiative to preserve whatever goodwill remains. By safeguarding the Shen family's reputation, they might reciprocate with small favors when we need them."
Her reasoning was clear and well-founded, clearly the result of careful consideration. The Old Madam set aside her probing thoughts, grasping Hua Zhi's hands as she said, "Zhi Er, don't think your grandmother is selfish. For the Hua family's sake, I truly want to keep you here. These past days have shown me you've been hiding your capabilities—the Hua family needs you to support it. Only..."Old Madam's face was full of remorse, "Zhi Er, you've reached the age of marriage. With the Hua family's current situation, it won't be easy for you to find a satisfactory match after this broken engagement. At the very least, families like the Shen Family would be out of the question. Are you aware of all this?"
"Then I simply won't marry. No matter how bad things get in the Hua family, I'm still the mistress here. If I go to another family, I'll always be an outsider. Rather than working myself to the bone for my in-laws, I'd much rather devote myself willingly to the Hua family that raised me."
This way of thinking was truly... bold. Old Madam was momentarily at a loss for words.
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