Perhaps it was Hua Zhi’s gentle demeanor that emboldened Hua Qin to voice the question that had been weighing on her heart for days. “Cousin, if someday my husband’s family treats me poorly, will you come to bring me home, just as you did for Second Aunt when you fetched her back from the Yang family?”
“Yes.”
How much weight could a single word carry? To Hua Qin, it felt heavier than everything she had ever known combined. When her cousin uttered that word without the slightest hesitation, her smile never faltered—so resolute, so firm, it did not betray the faint, unspoken hope she had secretly nurtured.
She was not afraid of bearing the responsibilities of a Hua daughter, nor of being labeled as someone with a burdensome maternal family. What she feared was that, in her time of need, her own family would have no place for her.
It was only when a handkerchief was offered to her that Hua Qin realized she had been crying, her tears flowing unnoticed.
Seeing her dazed expression, Hua Zhi simply dragged a round stool closer and gently wiped her seemingly endless tears. “I’ve said it before: a daughter married out of the Hua family is not like water spilled on the ground. Her maternal family will do everything in its power to be her support. This doesn’t just apply to our branch—it applies to all of you. We are a family that has shared prosperity and endured exile together. In this matter, there is no reason for anyone to be treated differently.”
Hua Qin’s tears fell even faster. “I’m just afraid.”
Afraid of suffering violence like Second Aunt, afraid of displeasing her husband, afraid of failing to bear a son, afraid of being unable to help her family, afraid that her mother and younger brother might not fare well… She had too many fears, as if leaving home would render her a rootless duckweed, adrift and helpless.
Hua Zhi understood perfectly—it was pre-wedding anxiety. Because the Hua family had fallen from grace, Hua Qin felt inadequate, believing she was marrying above her station and almost wishing to humble herself into the dust.
“Cousin, if you carry this mindset into your marriage, the very things you fear might indeed come to pass.”
Hua Qin lifted her head, her eyes blurred with tears, her face filled with apprehension.
Hua Zhi squeezed the soaked handkerchief and gave up on further futile attempts to dry her tears, instead stepping into the role of a counselor. “Is the Hua family so inferior?”
Hua Qin shook her head without hesitation. Had the Hua family not fallen, her marriage into the Cai family—which only held a nominal fourth-rank position—would have been considered a step down for her.
“Don’t keep dwelling on the Hua family’s current state. The fact that they were still willing to proceed with this marriage after our family’s downfall could mean your fiancé truly cares for you, or that the Cai family values loyalty and righteousness. It might even have nothing to do with personal feelings—perhaps they simply refuse to be the kind of family that breaks promises. But no matter the reason, it at least shows that the Cai family is not without principles. The Hua family’s situation is out in the open—there’s no deception involved. Their decision to proceed must have been made after careful consideration. If they don’t mind, why should you constantly feel inferior?”
Hua Zhi smiled. “The founding emperor’s first empress was merely the daughter of a village schoolteacher, yet she stood by his side for decades through thick and thin. And don’t forget, in the past, when Hua daughters reached marriageable age, matchmakers flocked to our doors. Those noble families weren’t just interested in the Hua name—they valued the upbringing and refinement that Hua daughters gained in our family’s environment, knowing it would benefit their descendants. The Cai family understands this, which is why the marriage remains unchanged. As for those families that withdrew their proposals, they were merely shortsighted. I don’t regret their loss for my cousins.”Hua Qin forgot to continue crying as she listened.
This was the first time she had heard such arguments, yet they made perfect sense to her. Hua family sons began their education at four and entered the clan school at six, while Hua daughters also started learning characters at five. Composing small poems or lyrics was hardly difficult for sisters like them.
They also learned household management and accounting. As for needlework, basic competence was sufficient, whereas music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were compulsory for everyone—the only difference lay in skill level.
While not every Hua daughter possessed exceptional talent, they were certainly incomparable to those girls who devoted all their energy to learning domestic manipulation tactics.
And did she know those things?
A sparkle returned to Hua Qin's eyes. Yes, she did—she was proficient in all four arts, though with varying degrees of expertise.
"So where exactly are you inferior?"
Hua Qin stood up and bowed formally. "I will forever remember my cousin's words today."
"It's not that serious. Just don't be too hard on yourself."
"I understand what I must do now."
Feeling pleased with her first successful attempt at psychological counseling, Hua Zhi was in good spirits. No sooner had Hua Qin left than she sent Ying Chun over with five thousand taels in silver notes—the maximum amount she could currently access.
With this sum, one could purchase a decent residence or several good shopfronts. Even renting them out would generate private income. Regardless of how it was used, it represented something presentable.
She had no intention of concealing this expenditure from anyone, though she recorded it under her personal account during bookkeeping.
When Wu Shi came to coordinate matters with her, she remarked: "No one would object if it went through the public accounts. Even those who might complain would have to swallow their words. Most of us daughters-in-law have daughters ourselves—for our own daughters' sakes, we wouldn't utter a word. You don't need to shoulder this alone."
"I don't need to save for my own dowry, and I likely won't have major personal expenses in the future. It's fine."
Wu Shi shot her an exasperated look. "Extravagant while poor. Setting this precedent means you'll have to treat everyone equally from now on—no favoritism."
Hua Zhi smiled. "Don't worry, Fourth Aunt. Even if you had no daughters, I'd allocate a share to Berlin and his brothers. I'll definitely be fair."
"You know how to banter with me. Just calculate how many weddings we'll have across all branches—don't come crying later."
Hua Zhi truly didn't mind. If she could spare five thousand taels now, her future revenue streams would only multiply. This amount meant nothing to her.
She had long maintained that earning money wasn't difficult for her—the challenge lay in spending it efficiently and purposefully.
Having arranged all pre-departure matters, Hua Zhi unexpectedly found herself with idle hands, almost feeling like she'd stolen a rare moment of leisure. Remembering that Berlin had mentioned during lunch with A Jian that Sui'an would be teaching the afternoon lesson, she checked the time and headed out.
Just as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw Shaoyao hauling an enormous sack, followed by several Hua family servants carrying, lifting, or clutching various medicinal herbs whose scents filled the air.
"Hua Hua." Spotting her, Shaoyao waved with one free hand.
Watching her comport herself entirely like a man while everyone else seemed accustomed to it, Hua Zhi didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. "Has the Hua family run out of laborers?""They're not even as strong as I am. Hua Hua, wait for me." Shaoyao jogged into her medicine room carrying a cloth bag that appeared larger than herself, directing several servants who were indeed less strong than her to properly arrange the medicinal herbs. Then she shoved a bottle into each of their hands, "For kidney nourishment. The effects are excellent—don't waste it."
Hua Zhi: "..."
The maids: "..."
Several servants whose faces flushed dark red: "..."
PS: Early today, huh.
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