After an evening gathering, to others they appeared no different than usual, but those in the know could detect the change between them. Their exchanged glances now carried a gentle warmth, and their conversations had shed the previous formality and distance. When Gu Yanxi visited, he no longer acted like a guest, and Hua Zhi treated him with more casual familiarity.
However, these changes were confined to the small courtyard in the front yard and only when the two were alone together.
Naturally, Gu Yanxi spent all his leisure time at the Hua family residence, finding an excellent excuse: he would personally instruct Berlin and the Sixth Prince in the Six Arts of the Gentleman.
Compared to Hua Bolin, he held higher expectations for the Sixth Prince. He needed to prepare for two eventualities: if the Sixth Prince did not ultimately ascend the throne, he would entrust the Seven Constellation Bureau to him, providing him with a foundation to stand on. But if he were to take the throne, mastery of the Six Arts alone would not suffice, destined to condemn the Sixth Prince to many years of rising earlier than the rooster and sleeping later than the dog.
Time flowed into April, with grass growing lush and orioles flying about.
As she shed another layer of clothing, Liu Qi brought news of Bai Mingxia requesting a meeting, again at the Yunlai Tavern, again in the private room on the third floor.
"The canned goods will no longer need to be supplied to the tavern."
Hua Zhi was surprised. She had thought this meeting was about his upcoming trip to the northern regions, which had already been postponed several days beyond the originally scheduled date. She had even wondered if Bai Mingxia might not be going after all.
Anyone with eyes should know that discontinuing this business would not harm her—her operations had already expanded, and her shops could hardly meet the demand. Bai Mingxia should understand this clearly.
Facing her inquiring gaze, Bai Mingxia felt a bitter taste in his heart. "From now on, I will have no hand in the Bai family's businesses."
Hua Zhi suddenly recalled what Lu Xiansheng had told her after her first meeting with Bai Mingxia here to discuss business. She hadn't expected it to come true so quickly.
She refrained from prying into the Bai family's affairs, merely saying, "With your capabilities, even starting from scratch, you could certainly achieve great things."
"If the young lady could point me toward a bright path, it would surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Hua Zhi was momentarily taken aback. She had only been polite—surely Bai Mingxia could tell. Had the Bai family pushed him to such desperate straits?
She nodded seriously. "If you truly have such plans, I will certainly assist with all my strength."
The weary Bai Mingxia hadn't expected to receive such a firm commitment. How laughable that so-called family could prove less reliable than an outsider. What was left for him to cling to? A family separation then—let them have their way. He would take only what was rightfully his and want nothing else.
"For this canned goods business, you might consider finding a partner. After all, it's a visible enterprise with considerable profits that many would covet."
Hua Zhi's mind raced, quickly reaching a decision. "If you think it suitable, I would be very willing to partner with you in this venture."
"The Bai family likely won't be able to help and might even become a hindrance."
"Not the Bai family—you." Hua Zhi looked steadily at him. "Any fruit can be canned and sold. It's the best method for preserving fruit while maintaining excellent flavor. Everyone from seventy-year-old grandmothers to three-year-old children enjoys it. This business holds great potential."Bai Mingxia had expanded the Bai family's business to such an extent that even his elder brother, an official, could no longer tolerate it—this alone demonstrated his exceptional skill in commerce. He had previously considered the feasibility of canning other fruits, and now, with this confirmation, a quick mental calculation revealed the immense profits involved.
If this were truly the case...
"If I leave the Bai family, I'll be abandoning all its resources. Are you sure you want to partner with me?"
"Why not? The Great Qing Dynasty is vast. Why should we limit our sights to this place? If we can expand this business across the Nine Provinces, what are the profits of the capital worth?"
Hua Zhi had thought it through clearly. Even if Bai Mingxia left the Bai family, he still bore the Bai name. Even if the Bai family didn’t support him, they wouldn’t allow others to bully him. This was a natural protective umbrella—a convenience merchants could only dream of. That alone was enough.
Most importantly, she needed such a partner. Her goal was never just the money of the capital’s residents; the Nine Provinces were her true target. Bai Mingxia wasn’t the best choice, but he was the most suitable among those she could think of now. She believed that someone who was willing to help a friend’s wife and children in times of trouble and even planned to travel a long distance to visit them couldn’t have a bad character.
If she could bring him into the partnership, they wouldn’t have to limit themselves to this one venture in the future.
Bai Mingxia was naturally tempted. For now, he hadn’t thought much about the future, only about leaving the Bai family behind. But he had to consider it eventually—he couldn’t idle away his days as his elder brother wished. Hua Zhi was right; the Great Qing Dynasty was so large, why should he confine himself to the capital?
"Let’s discuss this in detail after I return."
"Agreed."
The two tacitly dropped the subject and moved on to another matter they had previously agreed upon. "Are the supplies ready?"
"Some are prepared. They’ve already been loaded onto carts at home and will be delivered outside the city for you to take over."
Bai Mingxia raised an eyebrow. "How many carts?"
"Four. Each family has prepared some, and I asked them to prioritize the essentials."
"No matter. We can bring more. I’ve assembled a caravan and plan to see what goods are available there. If there are suitable ones, I intend to bring some back."
Hua Zhi smiled. "Young Master Bai is truly a born businessman."
"In my youth, some also said I was a born scholar." Bai Mingxia let out a derisive laugh, though it was unclear whether he was mocking himself or others. "By the way, that Shen Qi came to see me, saying he wants to go with me."
"He said he wanted to visit my father. I had no reason to stop him."
"I’m surprised the Shen family agreed." Just like the Bai family, the current conflict arose because he had spent a large sum of money on supplies for a member of the Hua family, who had already "capsized" and could offer little in return. Yet Shen Qi seemed to face no such obstacles.
Hua Zhi gazed at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, her voice drifting softly. "Old Master Shen himself was well-versed in literature, yet he had Shen Qi study under my father. Given that the Shen family’s status is no weaker than the Hua family’s, it wasn’t the Hua family’s reputation he was after. I later thought about it—perhaps the old master wanted to cultivate a grandson of noble character and integrity. To achieve that goal, which family could be more suitable than the Hua family? He may no longer agree to a marriage alliance with the Hua family, but he won’t stop Shen Qi from fulfilling his duties as a student. A gentleman should do what is right."Bai Mingxia gazed at the woman speaking eloquently across from him. The composure in her expression completely overshadowed the youthful innocence of her features, while her decisive and shrewd actions were utterly incongruous with her age. Naturally, her dignified bearing was equally remarkable—to this day, the capital still buzzed about her stunning appearance at the Song residence. Everyone remarked how the Hua family had been hiding such a gem, and had it not been for the troubles that befell the Hua family, she would likely have ended up with the Shen Family.
Bai Mingxia recalled Shen Qi, who had come to see him a few days prior. He had met Shen Qi a few times before—a gentle young man with clear, serene features. But this time, there was unmistakable worry etched between his brows. It seemed he wasn’t without regrets.
Those born into prominent families truly had the least freedom—perhaps that was the price they paid for the privilege and wealth they enjoyed.
P.S. Did Kongkong forget to mention? I’ll be on a business trip the day after tomorrow.
OpenNovel