After bustling about for a full month at the estate, Hua Zhi's injuries had healed remarkably well—those unaware of the circumstances couldn't tell she had ever been wounded at all.
On her final visit to the underground cellar, Bao Xia skillfully opened a jar, scooped out a portion, and handed it to her mistress.
Hua Zhi took a small bite and sipped some of the juice, nodding in satisfaction. "Maintain this standard."
"Yes," Bao Xia replied with a smile. Not only the personal maids of the young ladies but all workers in the workshop were allowed a daily portion. Having tasted the product, those who had worried about spoilage or poor flavor felt reassured. By winter, when fresh fruits were scarce, these goods would surely sell well.
Gazing at the cellar filled to the brim with golden, fleshy peaches, Hua Zhi felt a profound sense of fulfillment.
Though autumn's chill deepened, the daytime warmth remained. Standing briefly in the sunlight quickly dispelled the cold.
Hua Zhi turned to Bao Xia and instructed softly, "Gradually step back from managing the workshop. Liu Qi and Liu Jiang are competent enough—they won't make mistakes. Xu Jie will arrive in about four or five days. Once you've taught them how to process the tangerines, return to me."
Bao Xia murmured her assent. Though reluctant to leave her mistress's side, she would never disobey her orders.
"If Shaoyao comes, tell her to find me at the Hua family residence."
"Yes."
The workshop staff knew the young lady was departing today. Though they continued working, their eyes strayed toward the moon gate as the party emerged.
Hua Zhi paid no mind to their discreet glances. Addressing Liu Qi and Liu Jiang, who stood waiting, she said, "Manage the workshop well. If anything arises, seek me at the Hua family."
"Yes."
The workshop was now divided into inner and outer sections. Liu Qi served as the inner supervisor, overseeing the crucial steps in the rear courtyard.
Hua Zhi had signed Liu Jiang to a five-year contract, appointing him outer supervisor to manage the front courtyard workers.
Those handling rough tasks like washing and peeling were selected from tenant farmers. Despite Hua Zhi's strict rules, the high wages motivated diligence—everyone feared losing their jobs due to poor performance.
Liu Jiang, naturally sociable and clever, adapted quickly to his supervisory role, thriving in it. But his joy faded upon hearing of the young lady's imminent return to the city, leaving him anxious.
The Hua family upheld strict traditions, and he worried his sister would suffer hardships there. The thought of rarely seeing her again twisted his heart.
Liu Juan's own heart ached bitterly. Avoiding her brother's gaze, she stared fixedly at her toes, instinctively following when her mistress finished speaking and moved to depart.
Fu Dong gently pressed Liu Juan's arm and whispered, "Bid your brother farewell. Don't keep the young lady waiting."
Liu Juan looked up, surprised, biting her lip and nodding repeatedly.
Inside the carriage, Nian Qiu murmured, "Though Liu Jiang only manages rough tasks, with determination, he could uncover the key processes. His contract is just five years—I can't help feeling uneasy."
"Nian Qiu, a head steward must possess the magnanimity to tolerate others."
"Young lady...""It's not that you did poorly, don't worry." Hua Zhi leaned back against the soft bedding. "Having lived within the inner chambers for years, all we see is the patch of sky above our heads, and we fight over only what our eyes can perceive. It's normal for you to be wary of an outsider like him. But Nian Qiu, if we only focus on such trivial matters, how can the Hua family rise again?"
Nian Qiu knelt to beg for forgiveness. Hua Zhi patted the space beside her, signaling her to sit, and continued leisurely, "I'm the one who wants to use him. If he truly turns out to be an ungrateful wolf, the fault lies with my poor judgment. If he actually figures out the money-making method and goes off to start his own business or serve another master, what awaits him is certainly no smooth path. Without me needing to trouble him, he'll pay a heavy price. This is a profitable venture, but it's also a hot potato—ordinary folks can't handle it."
"This servant was foolish."
"You're just too concerned, too focused on gains and losses. It's merely a money-making scheme. If we lose it, we can just think of another. I may not excel at other things, but the skill for making money is something I was born with." Watching Liu Juan run out from inside the house wiping her eyes, Hua Zhi smiled, "Besides, it might not even come to that."
Liu Xiang gently tapped the carriage wall, "Young Lady, we can depart now."
"Let's go."
&&&
When she left, she hadn't given many instructions. A month passed in what felt like a single breath. Hua Zhi dared to stay peacefully at the manor to recuperate only because she relied on her grandmother maintaining order at home. The moment she entered the house, without even changing her clothes, Hua Zhi went first to her grandmother's room to apologize.
"Coming back is what matters. How is the workshop?" The Old Madam leaned against the bedding on her bed, smiling, but her eyes held a trace of scrutiny. She didn't believe Hua Zhi would stay at the manor for so long without some special reason—not even for the workshop. In their brief time together, she had already seen that her granddaughter was not someone without plans.
Hua Zhi acted as if she noticed nothing, replying cheerfully, "If you went to the manor, you probably wouldn't recognize it—it's bustling with activity. I brought back some finished products for you to try."
Fu Dong came in holding a bowl. Gleaming juice held several pieces of golden Fleshy Peach, and a faint, fruity fragrance could be detected up close.
Hua Zhi personally served her grandmother a piece. The Old Madam chewed slowly and nodded, "Not bad—not too soft or too hard. The elderly and children would likely enjoy it."
Hua Zhi smiled, "It tastes even better right out of the ice cellar. Right now, with so many fruits in season, it's not as noticeable. But when winter comes and there are few fruits available in the market, this will be in high demand."
"That makes sense. The winters in the capital are long, so it can sell well for quite some time. If sales slow here, you could head north—their winters last even longer." The joy on the Old Madam's face gradually faded. When it came to long winters, nowhere compared to the far north, the place of exile.
"Winters there are much colder than in the capital. I wonder if the Old Master can endure it."
"Of course he can. Grandfather has always been strong and sturdy—his health is better than us younger generations."
"Right, the Old Master is in good health. Your father and the others will take care of him too. There's certainly no problem." A smile finally returned to the Old Madam's face. "You've worked hard for so long. Go pay your respects to your mother, then rest properly for a day. You mustn't wear out your health.""Yes, as you wish." Hua Zhi rose to take her leave when she suddenly remembered that on the day she went to the manor, her grandmother had also been visiting the Shen Family to break off her engagement. She quickly asked, "Grandmother, about the Shen Family..."
Old Madam smiled and nodded, "As you wished."
And it wasn't just her wish coming true. Hua Zhi's face blossomed into a smile. Still, whatever the case, she was glad to be free of these shackles. Not having to share a man with other women was truly wonderful—playing the role of a virtuous first wife for a lifetime wasn't exactly an easy task either.
"The betrothal gifts were all confiscated. I wrote them an IOU to repay gradually later. It's only right that we return them."
"Yes, they should be returned."
PS: Seeking monthly votes.
OpenNovel