Chapter 430: Closeness
There were many types of businesses one could engage in across various industries, but Hua Zhi was very cautious in her choices. Her primary considerations were whether the business would adapt well to the local environment and whether it would affect the progress of this era. She never wanted to be the one to stand out or the one to drive change.
If the emperor hadn't pressured her so much, she wouldn't have touched those large-scale businesses at all. The small-scale ventures she dabbled in were enough to earn sufficient money.
Ultimately, she preferred safer businesses, such as soap. It had low production costs, could be marketed as a luxury item to appeal to the wealthy and powerful, or made simpler to sell to the general populace. The profits were sure to make others envious.
In Hua Zhi's view, the way her uncle and his associates were currently handling the soap business was simply wasteful. Such a vast market was right before their eyes, and there was no reason to let it slip away. Moreover, this business didn't encroach on anyone else's interests.
Once the idea struck her, Hua Zhi set aside other matters that couldn't be rushed for the time being and immersed herself in drafting a business plan for soap.
Gu Yanxi returned on the third day. Seeing how exhausted he looked, Hua Zhi felt helpless. She quickly instructed someone to fetch hot water and prepare a meal. Her initial idea had been for him to find an excuse to leave for a day, just to avoid that critical moment. Instead, he had genuinely gone to handle official matters, leaving her at a loss for words at his earnestness.
The hot water washed away the dust of his journey, and the warm meal dispelled the chill in his bones. Gu Yanxi felt so comfortable he nearly sighed aloud. Since his mother's passing, this was the first time he had felt such clear, unspoken concern and care.
"Did you come from the palace?"
"Yes." Gu Yanxi lowered his head and smiled wryly. His uncle hadn't uttered a single word about his hardships, instead blaming him for leaving at such a time and causing him to bear the pressure from the court.
Hua Zhi didn't ask where he had gone or what he had done. Instead, she stood up and pulled him to his feet, saying, "I had someone tidy up Little Six's room in the front courtyard. It's still early—go and rest for a while."
This was the first time Gu Yanxi had stayed overnight at the Hua family's residence. Perhaps because he felt deeply at ease, he slept exceptionally well, dozing from noon until dark. He even felt as though he hadn't shifted positions once.
The courtyard was quiet, with only the faintest of footsteps. He could almost picture A Zhi instructing the maids to move quietly.
Savoring this rare moment of tranquility, Gu Yanxi wished it could last forever.
With a sigh, he got up, dressed, and followed the light to the study, where he found Hua Zhi bent over her desk, writing something.
Liu Xiang, who was attending to her in the room, hurriedly greeted him, "Lu Xiansheng, you're awake."
Hearing the voice, Hua Zhi looked up. "It seems you slept well."
"Yes, very well." Gu Yanxi's expression softened as he walked over to her and took the brush from her hand. "Using your eyes at night will strain them."
Hua Zhi didn't resist his concern. She stood up, washed her hands, and took the towel Yanxi handed her to dry them. "Tell Lan Qiao to serve the meal."
Liu Xiang acknowledged the order and left.
Once outside, the two walked side by side. The night breeze was slightly chilly. Hua Zhi looked up at the starless sky. "It seems the weather is about to change. It's getting cold later than usual this year."
"A late cold spell usually means it will be colder than in previous years. We should stock up on more firewood for the residence this year.""I'll speak with Fourth Aunt later." Stepping into the hall, Hua Zhi smiled, "I used to worry about this and that, but now I see they're all handling things quite well."
"The people you trained are naturally capable." Gu Yanxi looked at her, "Aren't you worried someone might try to lure them away?"
"Trust, money—who could offer them more than I do? Once servants betray their master, they'll never be trusted again. They understand this principle perfectly. Moreover..." Hua Zhi blinked, "Who could treat them better than I do?"
Gu Yanxi chuckled. Though this was true, hearing A Zhi say it so bluntly was rather...
Dishes were served one after another. The two ate some to settle their stomachs before resuming their conversation. "Tomorrow is the Wei Family's literary gathering."
"Hmm, guess whether many will attend or not."
Gu Yanxi served her half a bowl of soup, "That depends on how many people know you'll be there."
Hua Zhi didn't want the soup and pretended not to see it. "Cousin has been spreading word about the Wei Family sending an invitation to the Hua family. The image I've projected this past year hasn't been favorable, so they can probably guess I won't tolerate this."
"Then the Wei Family needn't worry about lacking scholars tomorrow. Drink your soup."
"I'm full..."
"Be good, drink half a bowl. It's good for your health."
Seeing the soup already brought to her lips, Hua Zhi ultimately couldn't resist stubbornly refusing. She took the bowl and began sipping slowly. Even the finest things become tiresome when consumed too often—recently she'd been forced to drink several bowls of soups and tonics daily. As someone who loved food, she'd developed an aversion.
Gu Yanxi knew she was tired of it. He picked up some pickled vegetables to cut the richness and brought them to her lips, feeding her the moment she set down the bowl.
Hua Zhi instinctively opened her mouth and ate. By the time she realized how intimate the gesture was, she'd already swallowed. She simply put it out of her mind and continued their previous discussion. "What outcome do you think he wants? To truly have the Wei Family replace the Hua family?"
"I actually think it's a test. He wants to see the scholars' attitude toward this matter. If they accept the Wei Family without reservation, then the Hua family's importance is far less than he believed. If the scholars resist the Wei Family, it shows the Hua family's roots run too deep to act against harshly, though his wariness would grow stronger."
"According to your reasoning, I'd better not go tomorrow, lest I embarrass the Wei Family too severely and make him lose face."
Gu Yanxi laughed, "Would you really not go?"
"Of course I'm going. If I don't, he might think I bear resentment." Hua Zhi set down her chopsticks and stood, walking to the doorway. "In my position, I must go. A weak soldier only affects himself, but a weak general dooms the entire army. Right now, I'm the Hua family's general. My younger brothers are watching me. How I act today will shape how they act tomorrow. If I show cowardice now, they'll shrink from challenges in the future. No amount of preaching compares to leading by example—using facts to show them facing difficulties isn't so hard after all."
Gu Yanxi came to her side and draped a shawl over her shoulders. "Will you take them with you tomorrow?""I won't bring them. They're still young, why should they see such an unpleasant scene? They'll find out eventually anyway." Hua Zhi's lips curved slightly. After being passed from mouth to mouth with embellishments, the rumors were bound to become more dramatic than the original version. She didn't care whether they portrayed her as a shrew or as ugly in appearance—as long as the outcome remained unchanged.
Tilting her head with a smile, Hua Zhi said, "Let's head back. That person is probably keeping an eye on you all along. We should respect our elders and not make him too angry."
Though the words sounded proper, coming from A Zhi's mouth they carried a different nuance. Gu Yanxi sighed helplessly and covered her overly bright eyes. "Go rest in your room. Let your eyes and mind both take a break."
"As you command."
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