Chapter 32: A Childlike Heart
Early the next morning, when Hua Zhi went to the front courtyard after breakfast, the fleshy peaches had already piled up into a small hill. People were still carrying baskets in one after another, pouring the peaches onto the ground.
A faint fruity fragrance drifted in the air. Though it was not yet the golden autumn season, the atmosphere already felt like a harvest, lifting everyone’s spirits.
"Miss, please try one," Fu Dong offered a small plate with peeled yellow peach flesh that looked juicy. Hua Zhi picked up a piece with a fork and put it in her mouth—it was sweet to the core.
"Pick some good ones and send them back, and send plenty."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi surveyed the courtyard, which had been renovated according to her drawings. While delicate tasks had to be done indoors, the initial preparations had to be completed outside. Worried about unpredictable weather, she had ordered a shed to be built. Concerned about water accumulation due to high water usage, she had added an extra drainage outlet in the courtyard.
Twenty maids and servants, all dressed in tops and trousers with tightened cuffs and hems, were bustling about. Some were busy in the courtyard—drawing water, washing peaches, or carrying baskets—all with smiles on their faces. The sunlight fell on them and reflected brilliantly off the water, creating a vibrant scene.
Though Hua Zhi preferred quiet, she enjoyed observing such lively activity. After watching quietly for a while, she softly instructed, "Peeling them the way you did before is too slow. Boil some water and blanch the fleshy peaches for a while—the skin will come off easily. Pay close attention to cleanliness, just as you would when preparing food for your masters in the mansion. If anyone finds fault due to negligence in this regard, I will not let it slide lightly."
"Yes, I will keep a close watch."
With Liu Qi overwhelmed with tasks, Hua Zhi had to assign Bao Xia to manage the affairs. She had few people she could trust, and since this was the Hua family’s first business venture, not even the slightest mistake could be allowed.
"Are the porcelain jars all prepared?"
"Yes, cleaned and boiled as you instructed."
"Use the rock sugar in the proportion I mentioned—don’t be stingy with it. This is easy to make; as long as we’re careful, nothing will go wrong." If there had been enough time, she would have preferred to order a batch of elegant blue-and-white canned jars, which would look more upscale. For now, they had to make do with these plain white porcelain jars with purple floral patterns. Of course, she had also prepared a batch of finer jars, which would naturally be priced much higher.
After making detailed arrangements, Liu Juan reported from outside, "Miss, Lady Shaoyao is here."
Since signing the indenture contract, Liu Juan had started addressing Hua Zhi as "Miss." To her, "Eldest Miss" and "Miss" were different—"Miss" was a term reserved for those considered part of the inner circle.
Indeed, Hua Zhi herself couldn’t recall when her attendants had started making this distinction. As far as she knew, the servants in her sisters’ quarters did not do the same.
"Hua Zhi, are you planning to sell fleshy peaches?" Shaoyao tossed a peach in her hand as she entered. When outsiders were present, she still wore her veiled hat.
"It’s a new way of preparing them. It’s not just fleshy peaches—I’ve also sent people to the Jiangnan region to buy citrus fruits. Since you have a sweet tooth, I think you’ll like it."
Shaoyao’s eyes lit up, though not entirely for the food—well, partly for the food, since everything Hua Zhi made was delicious. But more than that, it was because Hua Zhi remembered her love for sweets.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"Everything is already prepared. I’ll ask for your help when needed."
Shaoyao lifted her veiled hat, revealing her smiling eyes. "Remember to ask me—I’m very capable.""Alright, I'll remember." Hua Zhi smiled along, her gaze gentle. Shaoyao was the most straightforward person she had met in both her lifetimes. Though seemingly well-protected, she bore a face full of scars. Hua Zhi wondered how resilient one must be to maintain such childlike innocence despite a ruined appearance—she admitted she couldn't have done it herself.
More fleshy peaches kept arriving. After estimating the day's processing capacity, Bao Xia had them carried directly to the underground cellar for storage.
Hua Zhi washed her hands and personally demonstrated the entire process from peeling to sealing the ceramic jars with wax, explaining each step along the way. The maids and servants assigned to this task listened with utmost concentration.
She then supervised as they practiced, correcting mistakes until each produced a proper jar of canned nectarine. Satisfied, she returned to the rear courtyard.
Shaoyao had been following her throughout, nibbling on a peeled fleshy peach. "Don't they say noble young ladies shouldn't dirty their hands? How do you know how to make this? I've never seen peaches eaten cooked before."
"Have you seen many of the things you've eaten here available elsewhere?"
Shaoyao thought for a moment and shook her head. Indeed, they weren't. Well then, one more unusual thing shouldn't be surprising. Instantly reconciled, she happily continued eating the sweet peach.
"Save some room. Fu Dong is making sweet and sour pork for lunch."
Shaoyao froze with a mouthful of peach, unsure whether to swallow or spit it out. She'd tried sweet and sour pork once before—it was to die for!
After hastily chewing and swallowing, she refrained from taking another bite. Edging closer to Hua Zhi, she asked, "What other dishes? Will she make braised pork knuckle in soy sauce?"
"Not for lunch. You can place your order with Fu Dong for dinner."
"Dinner..." Shaoyao deflated slightly. "I have to go back this afternoon. There are matters to attend to."
"Shall I have her make it tomorrow at noon then?"
Shaoyao pouted. "I won't be able to come for the next few days."
Hua Zhi didn't pry. After all, anyone leading such a formidable martial team must have significant backing. Smiling, she said, "Then come after you've finished your business. Fu Dong isn't going anywhere."
They entered the room where Hua Zhi dismissed the attendants. Shaoyao removed her veiled hat, revealing sweat beaded on her forehead from wearing it too long.
Hua Zhi handed her a handkerchief. "I'll probably remain here for about half a month more. Surely you'll be done by then."
"Shouldn't take that long. Unless someone gets seriously injured."
"If I return to the city, will you be able to find me?"
"Yes." Shaoyao nodded decisively, not daring to mention that the Hua family's situation had long been documented on The Heir's desk.
"Well then. Use the back entrance when you come. I'll inform the servants."
Shaoyao immediately brightened. Once accustomed to them, the knife scars across her face no longer appeared unpleasant.
The two coexisted comfortably, often with one busy and the other amusing herself. Occasionally Shaoyao would read medical texts or fiddle with herbs. Whether due to Hua Zhi's daily medicine or those herbs, the room grew increasingly fragrant with medicinal scent, until even the maids coming and going carried the aroma.
When Shaoyao departed, Hua Zhi gave her a cloth bag with noticeable heft. "Something to nibble on when you're bored."
The scent of fennel made Shaoyao sniff deeply. She pulled out a stick to examine. "What's this? Meat?"“Meat jerky can stave off hunger when you’re feeling peckish.” Although she had tried to make it as thin as possible, the flavor still fell far short of beef jerky. Hua Zhi didn’t care much for it, but her senior maids adored it. “Beef would make it much tastier, but unfortunately, beef isn’t easy to come by.”
PS: I originally thought I could focus solely on writing this novel in the first half of the year, but I just got a call—a drama project approved last year has passed censorship, and a new series is about to be signed. Then, and then, my boss mentioned they just finalized a sci-fi drama today. Your poor Kong Kong nearly got dragged into a third production team. Writing three scripts simultaneously would be the death of me! Juggling two scripts while working on this novel is already a stretch. I can only hope the two dramas don’t start production at the same time, wailing! Only monthly votes can comfort me now, you know, ladies
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