Lin Shuang faithfully relayed Old Madam Qin's words to the eldest young lady without omitting a single detail, and Hua Zhi essentially understood the Qin family's stance.
This matter likely had nothing to do with the main Qin family branch, yet their clear reluctance to engage extensively with the Hua family was evident.
Since Grandmother's passing, the Qin and Hua families had almost no interaction. The only exception was when she sent an invitation for the opening of the Food Studio, and the Qin family attended out of courtesy. However, they maintained their distance afterward—neither deliberately creating distance nor seeking closer ties.
Thus, while Old Madam Qin responded to her, there wasn't even a polite invitation for her to visit, let alone any inquiries about the Hua family's affairs. It wasn't heartless, merely rational—such families tend to endure longer.
Hua Zhi felt no displeasure, but neither did she feel any inclination to draw closer. Presumably, her modest business ventures were beneath their notice, so each would follow their own path.
Crossing the Qin family off her mental list left Hua Zhi with a tinge of regret. She had thought the Qin family, though not as close as the Zhu Family, would be more amicable than others, yet they were scarcely better than strangers.
Glancing up, Hua Zhi noticed her head steward was absent. "Has Ying Chun not returned yet?"
"No," Bao Xia pouted. "Young Lady, you only remember Ying Chun. This maid can handle tasks for you too."
"Alright, alright, you're the most capable. Go inform all the branches that we'll dine together this evening."
Bao Xia responded brightly and immediately went to make arrangements.
Hua Zhi shook her head with a wry smile. In a year's time, while not completely transformed, everyone's growth was visible. Hua Ling and her sisters no longer fixated on superficial reputations; though minor disputes persisted among the branches, they didn't affect the bigger picture. The children matured beyond their years, compelled to take responsibility, and even the servants had become more competent, no longer mere puppets. Everything was steadily improving.
Meanwhile, at the Sun family's residence, Ying Chun, who had gone to deliver a message, was detained by Madam Sun.
Madam Sun treated Ying Chun familiarly, sampling both items in her presence. Though thoughtful inwardly, she showed no expression, instead inquiring about the Hua family: "I've heard much about the recent turmoil. How is the young lady faring?"
"Yes, thank you for your concern. The third young lady is well now."
"Good, that's good." Madam Sun didn't mention that she had been en route that day but turned back upon hearing the matter was resolved without the Hua family suffering losses. It wasn't that she disregarded her family's position, but she couldn't stand by and watch the Hua family's daughter be wronged.
"Might the eldest young lady know of Xiao Liu'er's situation?"
Ying Chun lowered her gaze. While others in the household were unaware of Xiao Liu'er's identity, she knew and thus responded with extra caution: "Replying to Madam, our young master, cousin, and Young Master Xiao Liu'er have all written to the young lady. This servant only knows they are currently in the south."
"Xiangyang?"
After a quick mental calculation, Ying Chun affirmed—this likely didn't need concealment.
Madam Sun nodded and pressed no further. If she had once harbored worries, observing over time had led her to acknowledge that her grandson—noble in status but lacking real power or protection—was thriving in the Hua family. This well-being was hard to pinpoint, yet she felt it in every aspect.In the past, how could she have dared to imagine letting a prince travel abroad? Merely worrying about whether he might bump into things or be bullied in the palace would have exhausted her spirit. Yet now that he had truly ventured into the vast world, her layers of anxiety seemed to lift.
Just as the eldest daughter of the Hua family had written in her letter, letting go might not be a form of abandonment but rather a fulfillment—at least for Xiao Liu'er.
Signaling her personal matron to personally see Ying Chun off, Lady Sun gazed at the large basket of goods and pondered further.
These past two days, the entire capital had been abuzz with talk of the Hua family's basket of goods—ostensibly sold but effectively given away. Anyone who had tasted them planned to carry the basket into the examination hall. Since the imperial examinations began, candidates taking the Autumn Examination had employed every conceivable means to prepare food for the nine days and seven nights. Yet by the later days, most provisions became nearly inedible. The items the Hua family had created not only lasted long but also tasted good, with staples, meat, and fruit—nothing could be more thorough.
Though the transaction was framed as a sale, everyone privately acknowledged the goodwill. Whether the Wei Family truly intended to host the Pure Conversation Gathering or not, the eldest daughter had already made a masterful move.
But sending such a large basket...
"Madam," the matron who had escorted Ying Chun hurried in.
"How did it go?"
The matron smiled. "That Ying Chun was tight-lipped. She only mentioned needing to visit another household—I couldn't pry another word from her. But as she boarded the carriage, I noticed two other baskets inside, though they were much smaller than the one sent to you."
"She deliberately let you see them." Lady Sun chuckled softly, already forming a vague plan in her mind. That clever girl surely knew the most suitable destination for these items was the military. During marches, if each soldier could carry a small bag, it would sustain them for days.
Running her hand over the porcelain-white jar, Lady Sun contemplated: Was the girl hoping to pass it through her hands to her husband, who would then submit a memorial to the Emperor? But why not present it to the Emperor herself? The Hua family currently bore the status of convicts—if they could claim this merit...
No, that wasn't right!
Lady Sun stood and paced back and forth. If she were dealing with the ambitious Emperor of his youth, presenting this would indeed earn great credit. But the current situation was different—the Emperor was aged and had long been wary of the Hua family. This merit could belong to anyone but the Huas. As disgraced officials, how could they be rewarded? Could their contributions offset their faults and allow them to return? No, this single merit was far from enough to counterbalance their transgression, and it would only place the Emperor in a dilemma—perhaps even provoke his resentment...
The girl had seen through this layer, hence her roundabout approach to distance the Hua family. If so, why not simply keep it concealed? Why go through such trouble for little apparent gain? What compelled her to act this way?
Lady Sun picked up a piece of Dried Meat, tore off a strip, and slowly chewed. If the girl was willing to forgo credit to get these supplies to the army, who ultimately benefited? The military—and, on a broader scale, the entire Daqing nation.
Military rations had long been criticized by soldiers—hard, cold biscuits that scraped the throat and strained the jaw after prolonged chewing. Those with poor teeth had to soften them in their mouths before they could swallow. Yet the funds spent on these provisions were never insignificant. Though the Dried Meat was also costly, its quality was undeniable. And that fried noodle product—far superior to the army's current dry rations.Thinking of how her husband had spent his entire military career gnawing on hard biscuits, Madam Sun’s heart ached. Wiping her hands, she returned to her room to write a letter, then entrusted both the letter and a large, heavily laden basket to a trusted aide, urging him to deliver them swiftly to her husband.
The final decision on how to handle this matter would ultimately rest with the master.
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