Hua Zhi's move was essentially distributing power, which both surprised and greatly relieved the various branches. Though they knew the eldest young lady had no selfish motives, having the business controlled by their own daughters felt entirely different. Even if they couldn't manipulate anything behind the scenes, at least they were guarding over a proper enterprise.
Hua Zhi pretended not to notice these undercurrents in the inner courtyard. She summoned Lin Shuang and handed her a letter. "Deliver this to Old Madam Qin. If she asks anything, answer whatever you appropriately can."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi had no alternative in this matter. It would have been more suitable for Su Momo to handle it, but she needed to rest in bed for several days. Lin Shuang had to go instead. Since this matter originated from the main branch, sending her mother's personal maid wasn't improper.
Wu Shi, who had originally come to discuss matters regarding Hua Ling and her sisters, couldn't resist teasing upon hearing the arrangement. "I thought you'd go personally."
"I could visit for any other reason, but not for this. Whether the Qin family is involved or not, my going would be equivalent to an accusation. It's inappropriate both emotionally and logically." Hua Zhi disliked these complicated interpersonal relations but that didn't mean she didn't understand them. Years in business had taught her well—she simply had no patience for it. Having Fourth Aunt manage all inner household affairs was precisely what she wanted.
Wu Shi was genuinely somewhat surprised. She naturally understood the reasoning, but Zhi Er had always been someone who couldn't tolerate dishonesty. She had assumed the girl wasn't aware and had come intending to remind her. Well, that concern was unnecessary.
"Are you truly entrusting the canned goods business to those sisters?"
"Does Fourth Aunt disapprove?"
"It's not that I disapprove, but from your tone, you don't plan to keep them at home permanently. What will you do when they marry? Take the business back? There's another point." Wu Shi gently smoothed her sleeves. "Fairness must be maintained—there are more than just those three sisters in the family."
"To be honest, I haven't considered these matters, and I've little patience for them." Hua Zhi smiled without warmth. "This business was built by me. Whether I give it to Zhang or Li is my prerogative. What could they possibly do if I gave it to no one? They simply see me as amenable and all want a share of the benefits."
Wu Shi momentarily struggled for a response. She certainly had her own selfish considerations—her appeal for fairness wasn't without intention to secure advantages for her two sons. But she hadn't expected Zhi Er to address it so bluntly.
"I won't allow the family's male members to touch these matters—not in the slightest." Hua Zhi looked seriously at Fourth Aunt. "By Daqing law, those with official honors cannot engage in commerce. The boys will grow up and follow their fathers' paths. I cannot place businesses in their hands and ruin their futures. As for the future... these enterprises in my hands ultimately belong to the Hua family, and the Hua family will ultimately be theirs."
Wu Shi lowered her head to conceal her discomfiture. She had been foolish to forget this detail. Although every family had some overt and covert businesses, these were never held under the names of the household masters. Those passed down through generations would never become vulnerabilities—what established family didn't possess such foundations?
If her sons gained advantages under the pretext of fairness... that would likely bring no benefit at all, but rather prove troublesome.Hua Zhi seemed unaware of her awkwardness and continued answering the previous question, "The Hua family's business cannot be taken away by anyone. When they marry, I'll allocate a separate portion from this business's profits for them. It's never a bad thing for women to have more financial security when leaving their natal home."
Wu Shi, being an intelligent person after all, followed up by saying, "It's currently the busiest time at the workshop. They'll probably need to make several trips to the estate. Regarding safety..."
"Send more guards with them. We can't keep them confined at home just because of one incident." After a pause, Hua Zhi added, "I'll discuss with Mr. Wang to see if he can escort them."
"That would be perfect." Wu Shi stood up, "Second Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law are waiting for my news. I'll go inform them now."
"Thank you, Fourth Aunt."
Wu Shi shook her head and left the room. Only when she reached the covered corridor did she let out a long sigh. She had been impulsive today - despite knowing Zhi Er's temperament well, she had still been blinded by potential gains. She hoped Zhi Er wouldn't take it to heart.
Inside the room, Hua Zhi also sighed deeply, "Have I been too accommodating lately, making them think they can freely take advantage of me now that I've softened?"
Ying Chun glanced at Nian Qiu, who understood and went to guard the door.
Handing warm tea to her young mistress, Ying Chun played the comforting role, "It probably isn't that extreme. This servant thinks it's because others don't share your strong confidence in the Hua family's restoration. Without promising prospects ahead, wouldn't they naturally cling more tightly to money? Even to become wealthy landowners, one needs spare funds!"
"I thought I had made myself quite clear." Hua Zhi felt inexplicably discouraged. She had done so much, even restoring the clan school at the fastest possible pace - all to help them maintain the proper demeanor of Hua family men.
But alas, wealth moves hearts.
Patting her cheeks, Hua Zhi didn't expect further comfort from a maid who had to mind her station and couldn't overstep. She returned to business matters, "Deliver portions of the remaining Dried Meat and fried noodles to each household, let everyone taste these new items."
"Yes."
Hesitating slightly, Hua Zhi added, "Send more to Madam Sun, but no additional words are necessary."
"Yes, this servant will go personally."
Meanwhile, Lin Shuang was invited into the Qin family's main hall. A matron of equivalent status kept her company with small talk until the slender Old Madam Qin arrived.
"My health hasn't been well, apologies for making you wait." Though their status differed, Old Madam Qin was quite polite. Regarding the sudden visit from a Hua family member, she couldn't help but speculate - after all, even during the Hua family's most difficult times, they had never sought help from the Qins. This sudden visit surely couldn't mean anything good.
"This servant conveys the eldest young lady's greetings to the Old Madam." Lin Shuang performed a courteous but unsubmissive bow and presented the letter with both hands. "The eldest young lady couldn't come in person, so she sent this letter for your perusal."
The letter contained only a few sentences, yet clearly stated the reason - truly clear, without any beating around the bush, so straightforward that the Old Madam found it quite unsettling.
Understanding the other party's purpose, Old Madam Qin naturally couldn't let the Qin family bear this responsibility. "Please inform the eldest young lady that although some people bear the Qin surname, they don't represent the Qin family. Even if I wanted to fulfill my duties toward my sister-in-law, I would never suggest making a Hua family young lady become a replacement wife. The eldest young lady may proceed as she sees fit, without any consideration for the Qin family."Lin Shuang curtsied respectfully. "This servant will convey every word exactly as spoken to the Eldest Young Miss."
Old Madam Qin took a sip of tea, and Lin Shuang understood the implicit dismissal, withdrawing promptly.
"Investigate what has transpired," the Old Madam murmured, her eyes downcast. "Determine who granted them the audacity to wield the Qin family's banner without even the courtesy of prior notice."
"Understood."
PS: The plot progression feels somewhat sluggish; I need to reorganize my thoughts.
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