Chen Zhi had become notorious, the kind of fame that spread throughout the entire city.
While refining her plans for the new shop, Hua Zhi listened as Bao Xia indignantly tore Chen Zhi to shreds. "Miss, you wouldn't believe it—some elderly scholars were so furious they had to be carried straight to the medical clinic. I'd seen that man's servant girl before and thought he seemed refined and scholarly back then. How could he change so much in just a few months?"
"You can't expect him to grow according to your wishes. Go summon Xu Jie and Du Cheng."
Not receiving any reaction from her young mistress, Bao Xia pouted unhappily and went out to make the arrangements.
Nian Qiu poured a fresh cup of tea for her mistress. "Is there really nothing we can do about Mr. Chen?"
Seeing that even the usually quiet Nian Qiu was concerned about this matter, Hua Zhi realized she'd been unfair to Bao Xia. While she clearly understood that Chen Zhi was digging his own grave, most people only saw him gaining the upper hand in this affair.
Setting down her brush, Hua Zhi washed her hands and stood up to stretch her legs. "Chen Zhi knows he's beyond redemption in the eyes of scholars, so he's decided to smash the broken pot and throw himself at the Emperor's mercy. Unfortunately, I doubt he'll gain much from it either."
"Won't the Emperor employ him?"
"He'll be used, but not entrusted with important matters. Most likely, he'll be moved around like a pawn when the Emperor needs disposable pieces. Nobody's foolish enough to fully trust someone so faithless and ungrateful." Hua Zhi's lips curved in a distinctly mocking smile. "As a scholar who's lost the support of his peers, what value does he have left?"
Nian Qiu's eyes lit up. "So we don't need to do anything? Just wait for others to act?"
Hua Zhi didn't respond, but her relaxed expression provided the answer. Nian Qiu's face immediately brightened. She had been as furious as Bao Xia earlier—how foolish of her. If Chen Zhi were truly winning, her young mistress wouldn't be acting so calmly. She should have realized earlier that her mistress was in good spirits.
Xu Jie and Du Cheng entered the room together. "We pay our respects to the young mistress."
"Dispense with formalities." Without looking up, Hua Zhi continued, "Xu Jie, I'm offering you two choices. Consider carefully which you prefer. First, continue handling fruit procurement as you did last year. Second, I need a manager for a new shop I'm opening in the capital."
Xu Jie hadn't expected to be given a choice, and felt deeply moved. Working for the young mistress was always satisfying—no matter the task, he was willing to give his all, as if doing anything less would be letting her down.
After serious consideration, he asked, "Might I inquire if the fruit procurement would be the same two varieties as last year?"
"More than that. We'll be adding several varieties this year. If you choose this assignment, you'll be traveling more than last year, and I'll assign two additional assistants to you."
Xu Jie didn't inquire about the nature of the capital shop's business, knowing his place. Having asked his question, he nodded directly. "I choose the first option."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised. She'd noticed last year that Xu Jie enjoyed traveling and had a restless spirit, yet remained dependable with his family settled in the estate—making him reliable.
"Understood. For the next two months, assist Steward Xu with household affairs here. You may depart after April. Zuo Fei will remain your deputy."
"Yes, I obey."
"Dismissed."
Xu Jie bowed and took his leave.Hua Zhi looked at Du Cheng. For over two months, he had been handling transactions with Yunlai Restaurant without a single error. His coordination skills were excellent, and she appreciated his attentiveness.
"From now on, Liu Qi will take over the dealings with Yunlai Restaurant. You will be responsible for the new shop."
Du Cheng accepted without the slightest hesitation.
Hua Zhi nodded and signaled Nian Qiu to bring Du Cheng the documents she had written. "Take a look."
Du Cheng, having been trained under Hua Pingyang, was naturally competent. Yet after reading through several pages, he felt as though he had only just learned to read. He bowed deeply. "Miss, I need a bit more time to review this again."
"Take your time."
Hua Zhi spread out a fresh sheet of paper and began copying the Earth Store Sutra for what felt like the hundredth time. Although the forty-nine-day mourning period had long passed, she had maintained the habit of transcribing scriptures.
By the time she had completed over half of one chapter, Du Cheng carefully handed the papers back to Nian Qiu, handling them as if they were fragile treasures. "Miss, I've finished reading."
"Do you understand it?"
"Yes, I understand."
Hua Zhi set down her brush and rubbed her wrist, unsurprised that Du Cheng had grasped the concept. Essentially, she aimed to offer high-end customization—dishes could be arranged entirely by the shop or tailored to ingredients specified by customers.
For example, if a customer requested fish, then all twelve main courses and four side dishes would feature fish. Even if a customer specified something as simple as an egg, the kitchen would need to prepare sixteen distinct dishes—through frying, sautéing, simmering, steaming, and more—to fully satisfy them.
Such high-end customization would severely test a chef's skills, but Hua Zhi was undaunted. She was confident that no one in the entire Daqing Dynasty was more knowledgeable about food than she was, nor had anyone sampled as many dishes. She could suggest numerous preparation methods for any ingredient, and with Fu Dong’s exceptional talent for experimentation, the variations would only multiply.
This venture would be unique in the capital, impossible to replicate, with profit margins beyond imagination. Given its exclusivity, setting high prices would only be fitting for the clientele.
The shop she had acquired perfectly suited her vision—both its location and ambiance were ideal!
Her eyes shining, Hua Zhi looked at Du Cheng. "Are you willing to manage this shop?"
Du Cheng took a deep breath to contain his excitement. "I will spare no effort and will not disappoint you, Miss."
"Very well, then the rest is in your hands."
Managing the shop to meet the young lady’s standards, selecting and training staff from the estate, procuring supplies—Du Cheng knew it would be far from easy. But why couldn’t he succeed?
Since the young lady had entrusted him with this responsibility, how could he possibly fail?
Du Cheng accepted solemnly.
"Is Ying Chun here?"
Ying Chun entered from outside. "Yes, I am here."
"Prepare a list of names for Du Cheng to select from."
"Yes." Ying Chun complied but then frowned slightly. "Miss, we’re running short of male servants in the estate."
Hua Zhi was well aware of this. Although the workers from the manor had returned, the workshops still needed to operate. Having tasted the benefits, they were eager to continue working there. Moreover, with many already assigned to Green Moss Alley, further selections would leave the estate predominantly staffed by women.Yet she couldn't simply send the maids out either. For women of this era, appearing in public was a major taboo—even for maidservants. If they could avoid stepping beyond the inner gates, they would do their utmost to stay inside. For now, the only assistance they could offer was within the workshop.
Such was the prevailing social climate. She had no intention of opposing the rules of this era, nor did she wish to instigate any changes.
"Purchase servants for the household. Remember: rather have none than make do with inferior ones."
"Understood."
PS: Just finished a meeting and haven't eaten yet. Only one update today.
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