Upon learning that the two families had joined forces, Wu Shi became even more opposed to Hua Zhi going.
Hua Zhi shook her head gently. "If we retreat this time, what about the next? Retreat again? And then retreat endlessly? Once someone becomes accustomed to retreating, how can you expect them to stand firm again? I will never reach that point, Fourth Aunt. The He family serves as a stark warning."
Mentioning the He family left Wu Shi speechless. That once unyieldingly arrogant family had a much stronger foundation than the Hua family when it collapsed. And where are the He family members now? Those who married out can barely protect themselves, while the elders who remain huddle in corners, merely dragging out a feeble existence.
The thought of the Hua family possibly ending up in such a state made Wu Shi shudder, and any further objections died in her throat.
She knew she was selfish, but who in this world isn't? Wu Shi lowered her head, too ashamed to meet Zhi Er's gaze.
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised by this outcome. Fourth Aunt's opposition was genuine, and all her concern was utterly sincere. But when it comes to personal interests, everyone tends to prioritize themselves—it's human nature, just as she had told the Sixth Prince.
"Don't mention the divorce agreement to others in the inner courtyard. I don't want everyone avoiding me like the plague in the future."
"How dare they!" Wu Shi looked up, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. She might be selfish, but she remembered kindness owed—otherwise, how could she call herself human?
"Fewer complications are always better." Hua Zhi smiled faintly. "Have any of the collateral branches approached you with anything?"
Wu Shi paused, realizing Zhi Er must have heard something. She didn't hide it, nodding. "Naturally, they have. I've fended them all off."
"Trying to meddle in my business?"
"Not that greedy. They said we're running ourselves ragged while they sit idle, becoming burdens. They just want you to let them have some small trade to make a living."
"What do you think of them?"
Wu Shi hesitated, studying her. What did Zhi Er mean by this...
Hua Zhi took a sip of tea. She never really cared for flower tea—it was too bland. "Idle minds breed trouble. Keeping busy leaves no time for frivolous thoughts. It might be good to give them something to do."
Wu Shi instinctively picked up her cup and drank, then looked up. "But wouldn't that affect us? Don't blame Fourth Aunt for being narrow-minded, but nothing matters more than our own family's welfare. I've seen too many heartless people. I'd rather support them than let them gain the confidence to challenge us."
"Fourth Aunt, do you think they could ever overpower me?"
Hua Zhi chuckled softly, meeting Fourth Aunt's gaze. Without any visible change in demeanor, her calm presence alone reassured Wu Shi. Suddenly covering her face with a laugh, Wu Shi remembered—Hua Zhi was never someone easily bullied. She had underestimated her. If Hua Zhi could hand over profitable ventures, she naturally had ways to keep them in check.
Feeling settled, Wu Shi could now assess the collateral branches objectively. "Second Aunt may be sharp-tongued, but she's from our direct line—her grandfather and the old master were blood brothers. She should be more trustworthy. Third Aunt is from a collateral branch, after all, but she's always been close to Second Aunt. Fourth Aunt's line, being from a concubine, naturally follows their lead. So essentially, if we secure Second Aunt's cooperation, the others will fall in line."Hua Zhi nodded. "Understood. Please make a trip personally later to invite them over, Fourth Aunt. I’d like to speak with Second Uncle’s wife."
"I can only help you with errands like this—no trouble at all." Wu Shi grasped Hua Zhi’s hand, gazing at this girl who seemed to have suddenly grown from a sapling into a towering tree. "I’m not worried about you being taken advantage of, but I still need to tell you this: my eldest sister-in-law from the Wu family is nothing but a paper tiger—fierce on the outside but hollow inside, not worth fearing. Instead, you should be cautious of my second sister-in-law. Don’t be fooled by her gentle and delicate appearance—she’s the kind who devours people without spitting out the bones."
"A femme fatale?" A more fitting description might be "white lotus," but if she put it that way, Fourth Aunt probably wouldn’t understand.
"I once saw with my own eyes how she dealt with my second brother’s pregnant concubine. Her smiling expression gave me nightmares for a long time. My second brother isn’t highly regarded in the family, so she doesn’t have much standing with my mother either. Meanwhile, my eldest sister-in-law comes from a prosperous family and was carefully chosen by my mother as the eldest daughter-in-law. Yet, in all these years since marrying into the Wu family, she has rarely suffered losses at the hands of my eldest sister-in-law. Whenever she’s about to suffer a loss, she makes sure everyone knows it’s my eldest sister-in-law’s fault."
Wu Shi sneered. "And yet, my second brother treasures someone like her so much. Just wait and see—I wonder how long she can keep up this act."
Hua Zhi once again felt that her approach had been too heavy-handed. Fourth Aunt’s tone of schadenfreude was really...
"My mother..." Wu Shi lowered her head. After all, she couldn’t completely erase the affection she had once received. It was precisely because she had experienced it that losing it was so painful, and she couldn’t help but feel resentment. But that was her mother!
"If my mother says anything unpleasant, please forgive her this once. Just this once. In the future... I won’t interfere anymore."
"After all, she is an elder. If I were to truly retaliate, wouldn’t that give people something to talk about? Don’t worry, I know my limits." Hua Zhi didn’t make a firm promise. She didn’t know how things would unfold, and it was better not to commit to something she might not be able to fulfill. She would simply do her best to handle it well.
Wu Shi could say no more and tightened her grip on Hua Zhi’s hand. "I’ll go to Second Aunt’s house now."
"There’s no hurry. Wait until Xu Jie returns. It’s possible I’ve wronged the Wu family."
Wu Shi smiled bitterly. She truly hoped the Wu family had been wronged, but deep down, she knew better. Given the change in the Wu family’s attitude before and after, it was unlikely to be a misunderstanding.
Hua Zhi went about her own tasks. The business at Green Moss Alley was booming, with long lines forming even in wind and rain. She planned to divert some of the crowd by purchasing the lane corresponding to Green Moss Alley along the inner river.
The layout of the capital was highly organized, and the lane named Thrush Coming Alley had the same structure and issues as Green Moss Alley. However, due to the success of Green Moss Alley, the shopfronts there had already increased in price. It was unlikely she could buy them at the previous rate.
But compared to the substantial profits, this initial investment was well worth it.
She entrusted the matter to Chen Liang again. Chen Liang hesitated for a moment and said, "If I represent you, the shop owners will immediately know it’s you who wants to buy, and the price will certainly not come down. It would be better to have someone else act on your behalf, making it seem as though another party wants to compete with you. That way, we could save some money.""That makes sense." Hua Zhi nodded appreciatively at Chen Liang, as she hadn't considered this point before. "First, go find out who holds those shopfronts. I'll find someone unfamiliar to represent us."
"Yes."
Wu Shi listened throughout, looking at Zhi Er with admiration. The servants of the Hua family had become quite capable under her guidance.
PS: I couldn't hold out any longer and took him to the hospital. Fortunately, the tests showed no major issues, but the fever just won't break. It's not constantly high, but fluctuates between high and low fevers, never fully subsiding. I'm practically worn to a shadow. When completely exhausted, I go read the comments section. Thank you, ladies, for your comforting words and encouragement. Everything will be fine.
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