After tidying up, Hua Zhi emerged from the side room. "Go inform my mother and Berlin that we'll have our midday meal in Mother's quarters."
Liu Xiang bowed and withdrew, thoughtfully taking the other servants in the room with her.
Only three people remained in the room—master and two servants. Looking at the two who had grown even thinner than herself despite her frequent travels outside, Hua Zhi found herself unable to utter any words of blame.
The capable bear more burdens. Over the past year, her senior maids had each been doing the work of several people. They had achievements to their credit and had endured hardships. Even if Qiu Shi had ultimately fled and the over one thousand taels hadn't been recovered, she wouldn't truly blame them. Their value far exceeded that mere silver.
However, as a manager, such mistakes couldn't be frequently tolerated. Those in positions must fulfill their responsibilities properly. If they couldn't perform adequately, they should be replaced by those who could. She would give them generous red envelopes and help them choose suitable husbands, thus honoring their bond as master and servants.
Yet she understood these people she had trained herself. Through years of subtle influence and a year of managerial experience, they had developed a basic sense of self-awareness. They were no longer content to marry, bear children, and spend their lives revolving around husbands and children while bickering over trivial matters like other maids.
"Rise."
Bao Xia and Nian Qiu exchanged glances before helping each other stand.
"I'll only say this once. Remember it well, and later convey it to Bao Xia and the others."
Hua Zhi leaned back against the cushion. "I've never regarded you merely as stewards. The Hua family has no shortage of stewards. Those who previously served the masters could become quite capable with proper training. I've been treating you as shopkeepers—head shopkeepers, not mere mouthpieces for your masters or errand runners. A head shopkeeper manages the entire business operation. When business is poor, they must find ways to improve it. When problems arise, they must devise solutions. They need ideas, foresight, independent judgment, the ability to identify and fill gaps, and to adjust strengths and weaknesses."
Hua Zhi looked at the two who were bowing their heads so low they nearly touched their chests. "You're not lacking in these qualities. With your knowledge and skills, you should perform better than ordinary head shopkeepers. What caused you to stumble so badly?"
Hua Zhi sighed softly. "Smooth sailing made you complacent."
Tears streamed down Nian Qiu's face. The young lady was right—they had become complacent. Their mistress's regard and the flattery from subordinates had made them arrogant, thinking their abilities exceptional.
"If you want to be of help to me, you need greater capability. You must learn to think more and ponder deeper. If such modest achievements can make you lose your way, I repeat: go marry. You're not needed for service today. Return to your rooms and reflect carefully."
The two curtseyed in unison and withdrew with lowered heads.
Hua Zhi sat quietly for a moment, feeling deeply unsettled. Though they were master and servants, they had grown up together since childhood, and their devotion to her was wholehearted. Their bond was no less than that of biological sisters. Sometimes she genuinely wanted to find them good marriages—not as punishment, but because in this era, marrying well was considered the best destination for women, rather than pursuing vague, hard-to-define self-worth.
Yet precisely because of their closeness, she couldn't bear to let them live out their lives that way. The contradiction troubled her deeply.Bao Xia entered carrying a wooden tray, pretending not to know what had just happened, and said cheerfully, "Lan Qiao has been learning from Fu Dong at the food studio for as long as we've been away. She hasn't returned yet, but fortunately she's inherited Fu Dong's good habit of keeping soup simmering on the fire. Today it's tofu soup with mushrooms—it smells wonderful. Have some to tide you over."
Hua Zhi walked to the table and sat down. "I feel like I could eat a whole vat of food right now. Have some too."
"This servant will have some in the kitchen later."
As it was already quite late, after drinking the soup, Hua Zhi went to her mother's courtyard. Berlin was already there. Throughout the meal, neither mother nor son asked about the medicinal smell on her. By the time she left, Hua Zhi still wasn't sure whether they had noticed anything, so she simply put the matter aside.
She planned to rest at home for about five days before heading north, so she needed to handle pending matters during this time. The mushrooms were thriving and fruiting rapidly, and the first batch of lychees had already arrived. She needed to visit the Canned Food Workshop. Also, Hua Qin was getting married tomorrow—since she was back, she ought to attend. With so many tasks piling up, she had to hurry, or five days might not be enough to complete everything.
Good news never leaves the house, but bad news spreads far and wide. In the time it took for a meal, the news that Hua Zhi had sent the concubine from the Third Master Hua's household to the authorities had spread throughout the capital. Opinions varied, but outsiders didn't view Hua Zhi as heartless the way the Hua family did. In such matters, being ruthless was necessary to maintain control. Most people thought Hua Zhi truly had courage.
In the southern city villa, Bai Mingxia was playing chess with Shen Qi. Their trip to Yinshan Pass had fostered a friendship between them, somewhat like that of unlikely companions, and they had maintained contact since returning.
After dismissing the servant who brought the news, Bai Mingxia disrupted the chess game, which was already at a disadvantage, and looked at the distracted Shen Qi. "When it's time to cut ties, cut them. Since the Shen Family agreed to cancel the engagement, there's no possibility between you and her. I've interacted with that young lady a few times and can see that even if Hua Pingyu had his say, I doubt she would ever enter your Shen family's door again."
Shen Qi smiled bitterly and also abandoned his pieces. How could he not know? But she was someone who had taken root in his heart many years ago. He had cherished her, even fantasized about their married life countless times—how could he simply let go?
Bai Mingxia shook his head slightly and said no more. Shen Zhui considered himself a master strategist, but in Bai's view, he had made a terrible move. The Hua family's men were exiled, and Hua Zhi was inconspicuous at the time, but hastily canceling the engagement was seen by Hua family supporters as kicking them when they were down—even if the Hua family had proposed the breakup.
If they had waited another six months, by then Hua Zhi's talents would have become evident. Would the Shen Family still have been willing to cancel the engagement? Noble families choosing wives for their heirs value a woman's qualities over her family background. A mother's intelligence determines the next generation's potential. Many are now eyeing someone like Hua Zhi.
However, the Hua family's eldest young lady probably won't end up with any family. Judging by her actions, she seems intent on not marrying. The Hua family truly can't do without her now.
Looking at the despondent Shen Qi, Bai Mingxia felt sorry for him. They were engaged yet still went their separate ways—their fate was ultimately too shallow.
Summoning a servant, Bai Mingxia handed him his name card. "Deliver this to the Hua family."
Shen Qi snapped out of his thoughts. "Uncle Bai, are you going to the Hua family?""The Hua residence is full of female family members. Wouldn't my visit just bring trouble to her? The vegetarian restaurant is booked solid for the next two months, but I don't believe the young lady would deny me a meal if we meet there. Perfect - killing two birds with one stone."
Shen Qi's eyes lit up, "I'll go with you, Uncle."
Bai Mingxia glanced at him with a faint smile and agreed.
PS: Writing so much is exhausting. Weren't we supposed to have three chapters?
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