The next day they were to go to the estate, and the maids began packing after the young lady’s afternoon nap.
Due to the terrifying experience from their last trip to the estate, they were all somewhat dispirited. Though they wanted to persuade the young lady not to go, this matter concerned the livelihoods of three branch families, so they dared not interfere with her decision.
Yet the thought of the potential dangers they might face at the estate filled them with genuine fear.
“Alright, it’s only three days. No need to pack so many bags and bundles.” Hua Zhi could no longer stand watching and set down the book in her hand.
Bao Xia muttered, “Last time you also said it would only be a few days, but we ended up staying a month. This time we need to prepare more.”
“Slap your mouth,” Ying Chun glared at Bao Xia. What kind of talk was that? Was she hoping something would happen to the young lady?
Bao Xia knew she was in the wrong and promptly gave herself a sharp slap, leaving five red marks on her cheek.
Hua Zhi did not stop her, only speaking when Bao Xia raised her other hand: “Enough, Bao Xia. The Hua family is no longer what it once was, where we could protect you even if you caused trouble. Even I must now be cautious in speech and action. Learn from this and gradually break the habit of speaking without thinking.”
“Yes.” Bao Xia stepped back with reddened eyes, and Fu Dong moved closer to tightly grasp her hand.
Ying Chun glanced at Bao Xia’s cheek before turning her gaze away.
Hua Zhi patted the back of her hand. “Just pack for three days. Given the Hua family’s current situation, how could I possibly stay there long?”
“Yes.”
“Su Momo, you and the others stay at home and assist Fourth Aunt properly. You’re aware of the matters I’m handling—if anything conflicts with my arrangements, you must speak up. The household must not fall into disorder.”
Su Momo curtsied. “Wouldn’t it be better to take this old servant along, Miss? I know a bit about outside affairs, and my legs are still quite nimble. I certainly won’t hold you back.”
Hua Zhi truly did not wish to burden them—they were no longer young and should be enjoying their retirement at home. But Ying Chun thought differently. In the past, when the young lady never stepped out all year, having a matron in the household made little difference.
Now, however, was different. The young lady often had to go out, and if they encountered any trouble, they might not handle it as skillfully as an experienced matron. So Ying Chun overstepped and accepted on the young lady’s behalf: “Then we’ll trouble you, Su Momo. We truly know little about outside matters and may have to rely on you.”
“It is my duty.” It had only been a few months since she started serving the eldest young lady, and she couldn’t recall when she began calling her “Miss” instead of “Eldest Young Lady.” But she clearly remembered that it was from that time onward that the senior maids no longer kept their distance from her.
These maids were not only capable but genuinely protective of their mistress. Their rapport was remarkably harmonious—usually, any issue was resolved through discussion. In three months, this was the first time she had seen Ying Chun lose her temper, yet it was so perfectly timed. Bao Xia bore no resentment either. The young lady’s skill in training people was truly beyond reproach.
“As for the escort, don’t pick and choose too much. There aren’t many men in the household now, and I wouldn’t feel at ease taking them all away.” Hua Zhi tapped the table with her knuckles. “Tell Steward Xu that bringing the few who accompanied me to the northern lands last time will be enough.”
“Yes, this old servant will go at once.”Su Momo reached the doorway just as Chunxiang entered from outside. Compared to her demeanor before Old Madam, this maid was noticeably more lively. But then, when the mistress was so brisk and efficient, how could the servants dare to drag their feet?
Chunxiang first bowed to Su Momo before tiptoeing quickly into the room to report, "Miss, the eldest daughter from Fourth Uncle's household has arrived."
Hua Zhi mentally matched the person with the Hua family members in her mind, and a face surfaced in her memory. Most of the Hua family's young ladies were quite fair-looking, blessed with the Hua surname's grace, and naturally carried more scholarly refinement than those from other families. In the past, Hua family daughters never worried about marriage prospects—not just because of their family background, but also because of their personal qualities.
"Please show her in."
"Yes."
Ying Chun hurriedly led several others in swiftly tidying the room, placing the packed bundles behind the screen.
Hua Qin moved with lotus-like steps, her skirt swaying gently, yet the bells hanging at her waist made not a single sound. She was a noble young lady strictly raised according to the standards of an accomplished maiden from a prestigious family.
Hua Zhi suddenly felt that having a soft-hearted mother was also a good thing. Her tearful mother had shown unconditional doting toward her and Berlin, never demanding anything from them.
The two exchanged greetings.
Hua Qin sat down in the seat below Hua Zhi, looking up at this cousin who was only a few months older but had already become the subject of intense private discussions.
"Grandmother is very pleased. She had been worried that my meager dowry would make me looked down upon by my husband's family."
"That's only natural." Hua Zhi looked at her. "You needn't feel burdened. What I can provide is naturally within my means. If I were currently in straitened circumstances, I wouldn't have made the offer."
"Actually, if possible, Cousin, you needn't subsidize me."
Hua Zhi looked at her with some surprise, waiting for her unfinished words.
Hua Qin bit her lip. "Who in the capital doesn't know about the Hua family's situation? Being somewhat shabby would align with everyone's expectations, wouldn't it? There's no need to invite more trouble because of me."
A smile spread from the corners of Hua Zhi's eyes, reaching every fine line on her face. This was precisely why she was so willing to do all these things for the Hua family—those raised by the Hua family had fundamentally upright character.
"Do you think they don't know about what I've been doing? They know. Passersby watch for the spectacle, but those truly watching the Hua family want to see what attitude we'll take in this matter. If I were to hide and conceal, letting you marry in poverty, they'd only think the Hua family might be plotting something and watch us even more closely. By openly showing our family resources, they'll instead think the Hua family is merely comprised of short-sighted women. Such people always make others lower their guard."
Hua Qin hadn't considered this layer. When she learned her cousin would pull all three branches forward together, she had thought about not adding to the family's burden. With hundreds of people including direct descendants, collateral branches, and servants combined, merely feeding everyone was difficult enough. If she were subsidized too, she worried the main family would struggle even more.
She might be escaping this situation, but the family still had elders and children. What did enduring some disdainful looks matter to her? But if the family faltered, they could face starvation.
"Won't showing our resources make someone covetous?"
"I'll maintain the right balance—enough to satisfy observers without arousing malicious intentions."Hua Qin nodded, then voiced the doubt in her heart as she looked at her ever-gentle cousin, "Given that the family is already in such a state, why haven’t you allowed each household to dismiss the servants? Wouldn’t fewer people be easier to support?"
"Because I need people to work, and those accustomed to the household are more trustworthy than outsiders." To reassure her, Hua Zhi explained softly, "The main branch has already lost more than half its staff, and we’ve had to buy new servants recently. I’m more concerned that the manpower from your three households won’t be enough for me either."
Hua Qin felt genuinely relieved. The three households combined had several hundred servants—if even that many weren’t enough, just how much business was her cousin planning to do?
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