As they emerged from the dining hall, dusk had settled with crimson clouds painting the sky, casting a rosy glow that softened everyone's features.
Shaoyao, her belly pleasantly full, trailed contentedly behind the group on their way home. Gazing upward at the sky, she chirped happily, "What a lovely scene."
Hua Zhi glanced briefly before turning to board the carriage when a voice called from behind, "Miss Hua."
Turning around, Hua Zhi said, "Young Master Jiang, have you come to fetch Minister Jiang? He has already departed."
Jiang Huanran hadn't actually come for his father. Having unintentionally learned from the steward that his father was meeting Miss Hua here, he'd followed without second thought. He didn't dare admit he'd been lurking for some time, only emerging from hiding after watching his father leave.
"Miss Hua, might I have a word in private?"
Assuming it concerned their business dealings, Hua Zhi agreed without hesitation and led him back inside.
In the private room not open to the public, Ying Chun served tea before standing attentively to the side. Shaoyao crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, convinced Jiang Huanran's intentions toward Hua Hua were as plain as day—yet Hua Hua never seemed to take notice.
"What did you wish to discuss, Young Master Jiang?"
Jiang Huanran glanced at the others in the room, deciding they were all insiders and plunging ahead, "I admire you, Miss Hua. I wonder if... if you might consider me."
Hua Zhi blinked, momentarily stunned. In her sixteen years in this era, this was the first time she'd heard someone boldly declare their affections aloud, causing her reaction to lag.
Shaoyao was already hopping with indignation, "Hey! How could Hua Hua possibly consider you? Hua Hua already—"
"Cao Cao."
Shaoyao pouted, feeling somewhat wronged. She was just protecting what was rightfully her sister-in-law—why couldn't she be possessive?
After reigning in her own people, Hua Zhi carefully chose her words, her tone gentle yet firm, "Thank you for your kind regard, but I cannot accept."
"Why? If it's because of my family, I can establish a separate household. I'll strive to improve and never give you cause for grief. I won't hinder your business ventures—I'll even accompany you on distant travels. I'll work to become worthy of you. Miss Hua, please consider me."
"I already have someone in my heart."
Shaoyao brightened immediately, her grievances vanishing as she grinned from ear to ear.
Jiang Huanran fell silent for a moment. "Is it the man from Xiangyang?"
"Yes."
Jiang Huanran wasn't entirely surprised—he'd noticed the man's particular regard for Miss Hua back then. Still, he couldn't accept defeat. "What has he promised you? Whatever he can give, I can match—even exceed to the best of my ability."
This being a private matter, Hua Zhi had no intention of discussing it further. She merely smiled faintly, "Affection isn't a transaction where I should choose you simply because you offer more. You should consider this, Young Master Jiang: if a woman actually accepted you for these reasons, causing you to estrange yourself from your family and break your parents' hearts, would she truly be worth such sacrifice? Other families might pressure their children for gain, but the Jiang Family isn't one to sacrifice their children's happiness for profit. I believe Minister Jiang would never force you in this matter—otherwise he wouldn't have allowed you to remain unmarried while roaming about in your twenties."
Rising gracefully, Hua Zhi gave a slight bow. "Minister Jiang would be overjoyed to learn of your determination to improve yourself. In all things, it's never too late when the will exists. Farewell."The room emptied out, leaving Jiang Huanran slumped over the table with a hollow ache in his chest. He knew his chances were slim—how could a woman as capable as the eldest young lady ever take notice of someone as unaccomplished as him? Still, he clung to a sliver of hope, wondering if there might be that one-in-a-million possibility.
But for the eldest young lady, there was no need for such odds. She could obtain anything she wanted through her own abilities. She didn’t need to sacrifice herself to gain support from any family. With her skill of turning stone into gold, even his father had hurried over upon receiving her name card.
Yet it was precisely this that made it harder for him to let go. The eldest young lady was like a blazing fire, and he was the moth drawn helplessly to the flames, willing to be consumed even if it meant his demise.
It was only after Hua Zhi’s carriage had departed for quite some time that Jiang Huanran emerged from the eatery, leading his horse. With a dejected expression, he mounted and rode away.
From a nearby alley, a carriage pulled out. Jiang Xinde lifted the curtain and watched his son disappear into the distance, sighing softly. Upon learning from a servant that Huanran had come here, he had initially intended to go in and take him away. But the boy had been stubbornly convinced that his family was obstructing his romantic prospects, and had been sulking and making a fuss for some time. Perhaps it was better to let him run headlong into Hua Zhi’s wall and learn his lesson.
Even before meeting Hua Zhi, Jiang Xinde had known of her capabilities. Though the Hua family appeared to have fallen from grace after their troubles, a closer look revealed they had never truly left the circle of influential families. While the Zhu family’s support played a role, it was largely due to Hua Zhi’s efforts that the Hua family retained their dignity without exhausting their remaining resources. Remarkably, their reputation remained untarnished—even the death of Hua Jing and Hua Xian’s divorce had not provided any fodder for gossip. Those who had once mocked the Hua family as the next He family were now left with red faces.
But it was only after meeting her today that Jiang Xinde truly understood how extraordinary this young woman was. Her temperament, her foresight, and her decisiveness were no less than those of heirs meticulously groomed in prominent families. It wasn’t that he underestimated his son—it was simply that Huanran was not a match for such a woman. Perhaps it was for the best that he faced this reality.
“Sir, shall we send someone after him?”
“No need. Let’s return.”
“Yes.”
Gu Yanxi entered through the side gate as comfortably as if he were in his own home.
The servants in the front courtyard had some understanding of the relationship between the eldest young lady and this man. They would have found it strange if Lu Xiansheng didn’t visit one day. Even Lan Qiao had grown accustomed to preparing an extra portion for dinner.
If the servants were so accustomed, Hua Zhi was even more so. Returning home and seeing the man seated behind the desk in her study, looking more at home than she did, she remarked, “I told you not to wait for me. You know I’ve already eaten out.”
“The food doesn’t taste as good when you’re not here,” Gu Yanxi said with a smile. “Did the discussion go well?”
“Who would refuse an offer where the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks? Go ahead and eat. I’ll go check on Xiao Han.”
Zeng Han had a solitary and reserved nature. While Hua Zhi had no intention of forcing him to change, she still hoped he could experience a bit of childhood normalcy. Thus, she did not treat him as an exception. Following the Hua family’s rules, she arranged for him to stay in a courtyard shared with three other Hua family boys and instructed them to look after him properly.
Not wanting her special attention to have a negative impact on him, Hua Zhi made sure to treat all the younger brothers equally. She visited each of their rooms in turn, saving Zeng Han’s for last.He was young, spoke little but understood manners, and since he had been specially entrusted by Elder Sister, the children were quite kind to him. When Hua Zhi arrived, several of them were in Xiao Han's room telling him about the things to pay attention to in the clan school.
Zeng Han listened quietly, nodding when a response was needed, his eyes focused intently on the speaker, which greatly satisfied the child talking.
Seeing this scene, Hua Zhi felt somewhat relieved. She had genuinely worried that Xiao Han might develop autism, and feared that naturally cliquey children would exclude him because of his quiet nature.
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