As tired as she was, Hua Zhi woke up at her usual time.
Servants always rose earlier than their masters. Some had already finished a set of martial arts exercises, while others waited to practice together after the young mistress awoke. Hua Zhi didn’t know how they arranged it among themselves, but since there had never been any disorder, she paid it no mind.
“Hua Hua, let’s spar a bit.” Seeing that Hua Hua had finished her exercises, Shaoyao sidled over. Hua Hua’s movements were so powerful that she couldn’t resist the itch to try.
Hua Zhi also wanted to test the results of her training over the past six months and readily agreed. The two took their stances in the courtyard, and the maids busy inside and outside gathered around, their eyes sparkling with excitement. Over the past half year, they too had endured their share of hardships. Though they had grown accustomed to the daily morning drills, the memory of practicing martial arts in the freezing snow during the harsh winter remained vivid.
But what they remembered even more clearly was that their young mistress had never missed a single session when she was home. They all hoped her efforts had not been in vain.
Shaoyao used the same set of techniques. Though she had heard countless tales of Hua Hua’s valor and held back somewhat, she did not underestimate her opponent in the least. Yet after a few exchanges, she frowned. Hua Hua’s weakness was all too obvious—her strength was insufficient. Her advantage, however, was equally clear—her reflexes were sharp. Even when Shaoyao struck first, Hua Hua always managed to block her at the last moment. Yet, due to her lack of strength, she would be forced back several steps before regaining her footing. Overall, she fell short of Shaoyao’s expectations.
Shaoyao withdrew her hands, a puzzled expression on her face. “This isn’t quite what I’d heard.”
Hua Zhi’s face was flushed and glistening with a thin layer of sweat. She smiled at the remark. “This is my current level.”
“Then why were you so formidable at the estate? I know that man—he managed to escape from Yan Ge’s hands. He was no weakling.”
“He wanted my life, so I had to fight with everything I had. You’re not my enemy, so I can’t possibly go all out against you.” Hua Zhi took the towel Bao Xia handed her and wiped her sweat. Suddenly remembering something, she turned and asked, “I recall that the sand table at the old residence was made by a servant skilled in woodworking. Is he still with the Hua family?”
Bao Xia was taken aback, thought for a moment, and replied, “Yes, but I’ll need to check whether he’s at home or has been sent out on an assignment.”
“As long as he’s here, have him find time to make two more just like the original. It’s fine if they’re larger.”
“Yes.”
“What sand table?” Shaoyao asked as she approached.
Hua Zhi was surprised she didn’t know what a sand table was. Such things were common in military households… or so she thought. Given Shaoyao’s background, she shouldn’t be unfamiliar with it.
Watching Shaoyao’s expression, Hua Zhi suddenly grew uncertain whether this was common knowledge here.
What had her grandfather’s expression been like when he first saw that sand table? Hua Zhi strained to recall, but she hadn’t paid much attention at the time. She only vaguely remembered that her usually hands-off grandfather had visited her courtyard several times during those days.
“Hua Hua?”
“It’s just a child’s toy. You’ll understand once it’s made.” Hua Zhi decided to set the matter aside. After all, it was nothing that could affect people’s livelihoods, nor would it bring any harm to the Hua family.
The moment she heard it was a toy, Shaoyao perked up. After breakfast, she vanished without a trace. Knowing what she was up to, Hua Zhi didn’t bother to intervene. Since she had decided to head south, she needed to arrange household affairs promptly. By mid-year, she would have to go north—her time was limited.
“Steward Xu looks to be in good spirits.”Xu Dongjin bowed with a relaxed smile on his face. His eldest son had found his path, and his youngest had been summoned by the head of the household for service. As long as he didn't make any major mistakes, given the young mistress's character, she would surely treat him well. Before coming, he had already resolved that even if asked to step down immediately, he would gladly comply.
"Although I'd like to let you enjoy some leisure, the household truly cannot do without you at present. I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you for a while longer."
Xu Dongjin was taken aback. Hadn't Xu Jie said earlier that...
Ying Chun handed him a piece of paper. He instinctively accepted it and looked down to see several names, all of them stewards from the estate.
"These individuals are commendable in both character and competence. I must trouble you to select one from among them to mentor closely. While we don't expect them to match your thoroughness, they should understand all essential matters. Who do you think would be suitable?"
Xu Dongjin had long known that the appointment of household stewards wasn't solely decided by the young mistress, but rather selected collectively by her capable maids, with the young mistress only making the final choice. This showed she wasn't one to monopolize authority.
Therefore, he didn't decline but carefully considered the names before responding, "This humble servant believes Li De is most suitable. Both his parents serve in the estate, his wife is also born of household servants, and his brother has followed the family north. One could say his entire family's fortunes are tied to the Hua family. Though he may not be as quick-witted as Xu Qiang, as an estate steward, composure is more important. Other skills can be gradually cultivated."
"In that case, Li De it is." Hua Zhi made the decision immediately. "Steward, please take on the responsibility of mentoring Li De."
"This is within this humble servant's duties." Entrusting him with training his successor as steward represented the greatest trust in him. Xu Dongjin wished he could impart all his decades of experience to Li De at once, so the young man could soon be of use to the young mistress.
One matter followed another until she finally had a moment to rest as the sun began setting in the west. Voices drifted from the courtyard - Berlin's among them, mingled with the Sixth Prince's and Suian's, though the loudest undoubtedly belonged to Shaoyao.
She stepped out into the courtyard and smiled at the scene before her. That person had worked quickly indeed, having already produced this. Drawing closer, she noticed this sand table was much more refined than the one at the old residence, and larger too, measuring about two meters in both length and width.
"Cousin." Yang Suian spotted her first. Freed from constraints, the young man's former gloom had vanished, replaced by the bright cheerfulness proper to his youth.
Hua Berlin and the Sixth Prince turned simultaneously, one calling "Elder Sister," the other "Sister."
Smiling at them, Hua Zhi turned to Suian. "On break?"
"Yes, our teacher had business today, so he dismissed us early to return home."
"Perfect. Teacher Zheng requested a day off tomorrow. You can substitute at the clan school for a day, just leave the Analects class to Berlin."
Yang Suian agreed with a beaming smile. He greatly cherished this manner of interaction - neither formal because he didn't share the Hua surname, nor treating him as a guest, but dealing with him as circumstances required. It made him feel this was truly his home, no different from the other Hua family cousins.
Here in the Hua household, he felt so at ease that the two-day breaks always seemed to pass too quickly.
Meanwhile, the impatient Berlin couldn't wait any longer and interjected anxiously, "Elder Sister, let's have a battle match!""Are you sure?" Hua Zhi swept her gaze over those present. Without her noticing, Yan Xi had also arrived and was standing to the side observing the sand table, his brows slightly furrowed as if deep in thought.
Berlin didn't want to lose face either, but having not played for so long made his hands itch and his heart restless. Besides, having been consistently defeated by his elder sister, his sense of shame had long since vanished.
After all, she was his elder sister, not some outsider.
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