The Hua family's collateral branches had not received the Empress Dowager's favor. After the family property was confiscated, they first rented cheap lodgings in the eastern part of the city. Later, when the main branch gradually stabilized, the Old Madam took charge and helped them move to a better and larger residence in the southern part of the city. After Hua Zhi took over as head of the family and had no shortage of funds, she instructed Fourth Aunt to pay their rent every month.
She had considered buying the houses for them, but purchasing three large residences required a significant sum of money. With many pressing expenses at the moment, she couldn't allocate all her resources here for the time being.
Due to this joyous occasion, the Fourth Branch had been busy for some time. What was initially expected to be a frugal affair had, with the support of the main branch, taken on an air of generous elegance. Several branches, including the main branch, had arrived two days earlier to help.
On this auspicious day, even the main gate, usually kept closed, was wide open, with people bustling in and out as if walking on wind.
Hua Zhi's carriage drove directly into the front courtyard. With Su Momo accompanying her, the people here immediately guessed who had arrived. The steward sent someone to report to the rear courtyard while quickly stepping forward to greet them.
"Greetings, Momo."
Su Momo was a senior servant of the Hua family, her status inherently different from other servants, so she accepted this courtesy appropriately. She returned a half-bow and turned to lift the carriage curtain. Ying Chun supported Hua Zhi as she bent and stepped out, her gaze sweeping around. The servants who met her eyes quickly lowered their heads.
The steward bowed deeply. "This humble servant Liu Xin pays respects to the Eldest Young Lady."
"Rise." Hua Zhi stepped down from the carriage using the footstool. She wore a lake-blue outer garment today, her hair styled in a feixian ji adorned only with small white floral pins—simple and elegant as always.
"To inform the Eldest Young Lady, the masters are all in the rear courtyard at the moment..."
"Lead the way."
"Yes."
This was Hua Zhi's first visit here. Looking around, the residence wasn't small, but it couldn't be called refined—and this was already the improved version. She couldn't imagine what kind of place they had lived in when they first fell from their privileged heights.
"The Eldest Young Lady has arrived." As they passed through the second gate, Fourth Aunt approached with all the members of the Fourth Branch.
Hua Zhi curtsied and addressed her as "Fourth Grandaunt."
Fourth Aunt beamed as she helped her up, insisting she accept the greetings from the other women—some of whom were elders Hua Zhi would address as "aunt."
After accepting their respects, Hua Zhi inclined her body in a half-bow in return. Status was one thing, but seniority was another.
Seeing this, Fourth Aunt grew even more pleased. Having a head of the main branch who understood propriety and could shoulder responsibilities was beneficial for their collateral branch as well.
"Everyone has gathered and is waiting inside. Shall we proceed?"
Hua Zhi agreed and walked side by side with Fourth Aunt. Along the covered corridor, patches of paint had peeled off in places. Though meticulously cleaned, it still evoked a pang of sorrow.
The once-prosperous Hua family—even its collateral branches—had been raised in the lap of luxury.
"I've saved some silver, but it's not the right time to change your residence yet. I need to use the money to generate more income, and I also don't want to attract too much attention by being overly conspicuous."Fourth Madam’s gaze also fell upon the less-than-presentable spots on the pillar. She sighed and said, “There’s no need for the Eldest Miss to explain these things to me. Although I’ve spent my entire life confined to the inner household, I understand the principles well enough. Our circumstances may not compare to the past, but they are far better than the He family’s. Not long ago, I heard that the old residence the He family had painstakingly preserved was sold off. The entire family moved to the eastern part of the city. While we were able to move out of there, they could only move in. With such a comparison, how could I be greedy? I am content.”
Looking at Fourth Aunt, who had grown thinner than before but seemed in better spirits, a smile appeared on Hua Zhi’s face. It was precisely because the Hua family was like this that she willingly toiled and rushed about for them. This feeling deepened even more when she entered the main courtyard and saw the yard full of people, all beaming with joy. She felt that no matter how hard she worked, it was all worth it.
After exchanging greetings, Hua Zhi was surrounded and ushered into the main hall. Then, everyone invited her to take the seat of honor. Smiling, she shook her head and walked to her mother’s side, supporting her as she sat in a lower seat. She then sat down beside her. “It wouldn’t be proper for a daughter to sit in a high position while her mother sits below. It’s perfectly fine to sit here.”
Everyone in the room laughed, and no one insisted further. In fact, Hua Zhi’s gesture made them even happier.
The wife of the Fourth Branch’s eldest son said with a smile, “I’ll go call Qin’er out.”
Hua Zhi quickly stopped her. “I know how heavy a Wedding Gown can be. Don’t trouble her. I’ll go see her in a little while.”
Though her words were unintentional, they took on a different meaning in the ears of others. Indeed, if the Hua family had remained prosperous, the Eldest Miss of the Hua family would have been married two months ago. Wedding gowns were always prepared well in advance, and hers had likely been completed by the time the family was raided. Of course, she knew how heavy a Wedding Gown was.
Seeing her mother turn her head to wipe her tears, Hua Zhi belatedly realized she had said the wrong thing. She held her mother’s hand and changed the subject. “Since everyone is here, it’s a good time to discuss something. In four days, I plan to head north…”
A wife from the Fourth Branch exclaimed, “Again?”
Hua Zhi didn’t mind the interruption and nodded. “From now on, I’ll make this trip every six months. Keep this in mind and prepare whatever you need to send. For the mid-year trip, you can prepare more items. I’ll have the guards escort the delivery. At the end of the year, the weather is unfavorable, so we must keep things as simple as possible. There’s one more thing everyone must remember.”
Hua Zhi’s expression turned serious, and the others couldn’t help but grow anxious. “Do not mention a single word about Grandmother’s passing in your letters. They all know I am the one managing the Hua family now. If they ask anything, just refer them to me.”
As for why it couldn’t be mentioned, Hua Zhi didn’t need to explain—the others understood. Ultimately, the only person they needed to keep it from was Old Master Hua. After all, how could he bear the thought of his wife of several decades passing away while he was away?
Third Madam gently dabbed the corner of her eye and forced a smile. “Don’t worry, we all understand.”
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Since it was a day of celebration, Hua Zhi refrained from saying anything more to dampen the mood and instead began to share the gains from her southern trip.
Upon learning that the family was about to start another business venture, everyone was overjoyed. When it came to business, they had blind faith in the Eldest Miss. Currently, none of the Hua family’s businesses were unprofitable. Take Green Moss Alley, for example—it was just a place with small businesses, but it had become a must-visit spot for out-of-towners. The lines there were long from morning till night, rain or shine.When the people of Green Moss Alley were mentioned, everyone thought of the now nearly restored Oriole's Lane. Since the third branch was closer to the eldest branch, they tentatively asked, "Does Oriole's Lane need us to provide manpower?"
"The manpower needed for Oriole's Lane started training their skills at home over a month ago." Just as everyone was feeling disappointed, Hua Zhi added, "However, the new business does require people. Each branch should contribute ten individuals."
Third Madame immediately clapped her hands in approval. "Excellent, excellent. Rest assured, Eldest Miss, we will select the best for you."
PS: Making up for yesterday's missed update.
OpenNovel