Oriole Cloud Alley was about to open, and Hua Zhi made one final inspection. With Green Moss Alley as a model, steward Chen Liang had managed everything quite properly. Apart from the lack of liveliness here, it already looked no different from Green Moss Alley.
Green Moss Alley was bustling with crowds. Hua Zhi stood on this side of the river watching for a while but didn't cross over.
"Young lady, Young Master Bai has arrived."
Hearing this, Hua Zhi turned around and saw none other than Bai Mingxia sitting tall on his horse.
"Uncle." Hua Zhi performed a slight bow.
Bai Mingxia dismounted and made a gesture to assist her, then stood beside her looking toward the alley. "Many people are now eyeing this business with envy. Fortunately, you were clever to bring the Zhu Family in as a shield."
If this business belonged solely to the Hua family, she wouldn't be able to hold onto it. For the sake of money, some people would resort to any shameless tactics. Thinking of his own family affairs, Bai Mingxia felt a wave of disgust.
"Uncle appears to have lost weight."
It was more than just weight loss - his clothes hung loosely on him, and his figure had become gaunt. Hua Zhi could guess the reason. When she visited her maternal grandmother's house recently, she'd heard the Bai family was dividing their assets, though she didn't know if he had gotten what he wanted.
Bai Mingxia's lips curved slightly. "I've separated from the family."
Hua Zhi responded with a soft "Mm" and said nothing more.
Bai Mingxia looked at her, his eyes carrying mockery. "I expected my dear elder brother wouldn't let me benefit, but I never thought he'd be this ruthless. From the family business, I only received a few shops and thirty thousand taels of silver. Hah, even the dowry of a legitimate daughter of the Bai family is more than that."
"I thought the decision for the family division rested with Old Master Bai."
Bai Mingxia's tense expression revealed threads of pain. Yes, how could the family division be up to his elder brother? That was precisely why it was even harder to accept.
Because he was the elder, he endured, retreated, and yielded. Was that not enough? How much silver had he earned for the family during these years managing the business? How much had his network of connections benefited the family? Why couldn't they see what he had done, only remembering that as the younger son, he shouldn't compete with his elder brother?
If he had truly fought for things, that would be one thing - he wouldn't complain. But had he fought? Hadn't the one being aggressive always been his elder brother?
Claiming repeatedly that he wouldn't let him suffer losses, yet making him bear all the losses - this was family.
"Isn't this actually good? I think it's quite good."
Bai Mingxia looked at Hua Zhi.
Hua Zhi smiled and looked up at the clear sky where a row of wild geese was flying past - autumn was gradually deepening. "It's better to see clearly at thirty than to be completely used until forty or fifty and then kicked aside."
"...I'm still several years away from thirty!"
"Isn't that even better? It's just silver - you can earn more. When everyone knows you've been wronged, your elder brother has already lost. People naturally sympathize with the weaker party. Your brother can protect his interests as the elder, but if he goes too far, it shows he recognizes no kinship. People always become wary of those who are too ruthless. Even if your parents have to side with him now, they likely feel guilty toward you and displeased toward your brother. There are still many days ahead - who can say for sure who will have the last laugh?"Bai Mingxia felt the pent-up frustration in his heart suddenly dissipate. He thought of his father's hair turning white overnight, his mother holding him while weeping with tear-filled eyes, his elder brother—who used to visit their parents cheerfully each morning—now being turned away, and his nephew unable to even lift his head when facing him...
Indeed, his eldest brother might not live comfortably from now on either.
And as for himself, what he gained might not be less than what he lost.
In an instant, Bai Mingxia's heart felt unburdened, and his naturally handsome face regained its vitality. Turning to the young lady who seemed as if she had said nothing at all, he thought how much more composed she had become over these past days.
"Does what you said before still hold?"
Though the question was vague, Hua Zhi understood immediately. "The fruits for making preserves ripen around this time. If Uncle could lend a hand at the estate, I would be immensely grateful."
Bai Mingxia chuckled. He hadn't actually offered to manage affairs at the estate, but since overseeing the shops didn't require his personal attention, he might as well supervise the goods himself and check if anyone in the workshop was slacking off.
"Very well, I'll go manage things for you for a few days."
"Not for me—it's your business too, Uncle." Hua Zhi gave a slight bow. Since returning, she had been busy with various matters and had only heard reports from Xu Jie and Ying Chun about the preserves venture. Though she wished to visit the estate herself, she simply couldn't spare the time. If Uncle was willing to go, so much the better—once he approved the goods, they could be dispatched.
Both having their own tasks to attend to, they parted ways.
When Hua Zhi returned home and saw Shaoyao looking dejected in the courtyard, she raised an eyebrow. Had Yan Xi been bullying her? But Yan Xi should still be at the palace serving as the Emperor's scribe at this hour.
"Hua Hua." Shaoyao looked at her pitifully. "I'll be away for some time."
"On a mission?"
"To take over for my master."
Hua Zhi dismissed the others and led Shaoyao into the study. "Is your master leaving the palace?"
"Yes. He said the herb he's been searching for is nearing its harvesting season, and he needs to prepare to depart. If he delays, he might miss it." Shaoyao touched her own face. "I don't really mind this face anymore—I'm used to it by now."
"But if there's a chance for improvement, neither your master, Yan Xi, nor I would let it slip."
"...I know." Shaoyao leaned against Hua Hua. It was precisely because she knew that she couldn't object or refuse.
"When the Dried Meat is ready in a few days, I'll have Yan Ge bring you some." Hua Zhi patted her head. While Yan Xi could leave the palace freely, Shaoyao—as the personal physician—had to remain on call at all times. "I'll ask Yan Xi if he can arrange for someone to deliver meals to you."
"What a great idea!" Shaoyao finally felt a glimmer of hope in life, shaking Hua Hua's hand excitedly. "Yan Ge listens to you, Hua Hua. You must convince him!"
Hua Zhi pinched her cheek. Only food could lift her spirits like this.
Liu Xiang, who was waiting by the door, glanced toward the courtyard entrance and reported, "Miss, Mr. Zheng is here."
Hua Zhi nodded and turned to Shaoyao. "Is that medicine ready?"
"It's ready. I guarantee there won't be any issues at all."Hua Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. Some people couldn't eat seafood, so to prevent allergic reactions, she had Shaoyao develop a specific anti-allergy medicine. If anyone experienced an allergic reaction after eating at the shop, taking one pill would generally relieve the symptoms. This would be clearly stated in the shop to ensure this situation wouldn't become a pretext for others to criticize their seafood.
"While you haven't entered the palace yet, go prepare some more as backup."
Shaoyao had always been obedient to Hua Hua, and this time was no exception. She obediently went to the adjacent pharmacy, passing by Zheng Zhi who was just entering.
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