Chapter 31 Begins
Nian Qiu responded with a choked voice, understanding completely. The sixth young master had grown up clinging to the young lady's side, and the bond between siblings was no less than that with their parents. No one understood better than those who served them how differently the young lady treated the sixth young master.
The young lady knew everything—their self-reproach, their desire to cover her ears and shield her eyes. They had overstepped.
"Rise," Hua Zhi said, leaving it at that. She appreciated their good intentions but couldn't truly indulge their wishes. The fruits were about to be harvested from the trees, and there was no time to delay.
Nian Qiu stood up, her heart aching from the young lady's earlier words. "Young lady, the sixth young master would never treat you that way. Even if he were to marry someone unworthy in the future, the Old Madam would not allow it. She promised you."
"Berlin certainly wouldn't, but how could I bear to put him in such a difficult position? For the sake of the family's stability, Grandmother wouldn't openly stand behind me forever. Everyone has their own struggles. When that time comes, I'll simply move to another residence. I'd be delighted to live a leisurely life."
Hua Zhi genuinely hoped that day would come soon. She had long grown tired of a busy life. "You should also help comfort the others. This matter is over."
"It was our foolishness that made you worry about this."
"I don't mind worrying about you. Once everything is settled, I'll worry about marrying all of you off."
"Young lady!"
"Alright, alright, I won't speak of it anymore." Hua Zhi laughed. "Then you can all stay as old maids and keep me company."
"We'd be willing!" They would be more than happy to, Nian Qiu thought. Afraid the young lady might take the matter to heart, she quickly changed the subject and relayed everything the young lady wanted to know.
"As you instructed, four underground cellars have been dug—three in the front courtyard and one in the back. Wu San is still leading people to dig more. The first layer in the cellars is sprinkled with lime, the second with sawdust, and we've done our best to ensure waterproofing and moisture-proofing measures. Liu Qi has already made arrangements: the men will handle the heavy work, and the women will take care of the finer tasks. The steaming pots and other items you ordered arrived early this morning and have been installed. The firewood was purchased from tenant farmers. I was afraid it wouldn't be enough, so I asked Liu Jiang to find a few more households to supply more."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Very good."
Nian Qiu relaxed a little. "Liu Qi had an old farmer take a look. He said some of the early-ripening fruits are ready to be picked. He plans to take people to harvest them tomorrow morning. However, no one knows how to use the new equipment you added, and he's afraid of damaging it. He asked if you could send someone who knows how to use it to teach them."
"Those things are very easy to use. When the fleshy peaches are picked tomorrow, I'll go over. He'll learn after watching me do it once." Her mother, Madam Xu, liked to show off her gentle and virtuous side by occasionally making this or that. Hua Zhi had learned just by watching. The only difference was that at home, they made small quantities, whereas now the scale was much larger. The method, however, remained the same.
"Understood."
"You don't need to report unimportant matters to me. Handle them yourselves."
"Understood."
Just then, Liu Xiang entered to report, "Young lady, Liu Yueming has arrived."
"The fleshy peaches are ready to be picked. It's time for him to return." Hua Zhi sat up, and the two servants hurried forward to help her out of bed.Hua Zhi watched Liu Xiang, who was busy with her head lowered, and suddenly said, "Liu Xiang, that night... you were very thoughtful. I've remembered it in my heart."
Liu Xiang looked up, her eyes immediately reddening. She didn't regret what she had done that day, but afterward, she had felt fearful. She was afraid that if the matter spread, she would lose face and be looked down upon.
Although her elder sisters had already comforted her, hearing the young lady's words still felt soothing, yet it also brought guilt. The reason she had acted that way was because there had been no better choice.
Her mother served the First Madam, her father was the steward by the First Master's side, and her younger brother was the Sixth Young Master's study attendant, who had even learned a few characters. Their entire family's livelihood and lives were tied to the main branch. If anything were to happen to the eldest young lady, she would have no way to survive, and her family would suffer as well. If she sacrificed herself, even if something truly happened to the young lady, at least her family wouldn't be implicated.
Hua Zhi might not be unaware of this, but she understood even more clearly that the character revealed in a crisis was more trustworthy. Liu Xiang's integrity was already quite commendable.
The front courtyard was in chaos, and the rear courtyard housed many people, so Hua Zhi simply had Liu Yueming come to the rear courtyard to meet her.
Liu Yueming assumed the eldest young lady looked unwell due to illness and didn't dare to look too closely. Bowing slightly, he said, "I have not failed the eldest young lady's expectations. I spent all the silver I had and even secured some individual households. In about two or three days, people should start delivering fleshy peaches to the estate."
"Even without a deposit, they were willing?"
"I concentrated the deposits on the orchards. Although the orchards aren't large, they have more trees than individual households. I conducted this business openly and honestly—a simple inquiry would reveal it—so they were willing to trust me this time."
"Bare-handed and catching a wolf—not bad at all." Hua Zhi was relatively satisfied. "You will stay at the estate for now and continue to oversee the follow-up matters."
"Yes."
"You've worked hard. Take a day to rest properly. There will be plenty more to do in the future."
Liu Yueming happily acknowledged the order, his anxious heart finally settling. The eldest young lady intended to keep him in her service!
The ice blocks were delivered by Chen Qing himself in the evening—twenty carts covered with oilpaper. Since the rain, the temperature had dropped, so very little had melted along the way.
Hua Zhi had just finished her meal and wanted to personally receive him upon hearing the news, but Shaoyao, who had eaten too much, held her down to prevent her from rising. "I'm familiar with him. I'll go."
Hua Zhi chuckled. Of course, you're familiar—you're from the same side. It'd be strange if you weren't. "Then I'll trouble you. Bao Xia, have Liu Qi gather some helpers and distribute the ice evenly among the four underground cellars."
"Yes."
After the two left, Hua Zhi added, "Fu Dong, go see how many people have come and bring them some food and drinks."
"Yes, this maid made a lot of lily and lotus seed soup earlier, which will come in handy now." Fu Dong quickened her tidying pace, and Liu Juan also worked briskly alongside her, her expression light and cheerful.
Though Chen Qing was surprised by the Hua family's courtesy, he didn't refuse. He gestured for everyone to accept the offerings and said to the senior maid who came to thank him, "My master said that if you need anything else, just have Shaoyao pass on the message."
Bao Xia curtsied. "Yes, this maid thanks everyone on behalf of the young lady for their hard work."
Chen Qing repeatedly expressed his humility. He held a favorable impression of the Hua family's eldest young lady and felt quite fond of these loyal servants who protected their mistress. As he spoke, a smile lingered on his face.A little later, Hua Zhi had Bao Xia assist her to the underground cellar. Being underground, the temperature was naturally low, and with large blocks of ice placed inside, it became even colder. Despite wearing an extra layer of clothing before descending, she still felt goosebumps rising all over. Before long, Bao Xia insisted on taking her out.
After checking each cellar, Hua Zhi understood the situation: the temperature couldn't be any lower, as too much cold would damage the fruits.
PS: It's almost the end of the month, and there are only 28 days this month. Seeking monthly votes.
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