The group stayed in Jinyang for another five days, during which Gu Yanxi spent four of them mingling with Zeng Xiangyan and his crowd. He was wealthy, generous, and skilled in all the pursuits that young nobles competed in—his level of expertise clearly far surpassed theirs, indicating his family in the capital was anything but ordinary. Naturally, they were eager to befriend such a person.
On the day of their departure, they all came to see them off, hoping to maintain this budding connection. Even Yu Weiwei didn’t miss the occasion.
“Are you really leaving? Will you come back someday?”
Hua Zhi smiled. “The capital isn’t far from here. Who knows? I might return unexpectedly.”
Yu Weiwei knew this was just a polite excuse but didn’t press further, nodding instead. “If you do come back, remember to visit me. Even after I’m married, I can still go out—we in Jinyang aren’t strict about such things.”
“Married? You’re getting married?” Hua Zhi looked surprised. Over the past days, she had learned a bit about Yu Weiwei. The Yu family had only this one daughter and were determined to find a son-in-law to marry into their household. It wasn’t as if no one had proposed—despite Yu Weiwei’s somewhat difficult temperament, the Yu family’s wealth was undeniable. Marrying into their family meant not having to strive for decades; prosperity for generations was practically guaranteed. After all, this world was still dominated by men. Once married, could a woman truly control her husband?
Many likely thought this way, as proposals never ceased. Unfortunately, Yu Weiwei hadn’t favored any of them. From the age of twelve or thirteen to now sixteen, her marriage had remained unsettled. The Yu family’s collateral branches had been clamoring to adopt a male heir into the main line. For the stability of the family, Yu Weiwei could no longer afford to be willful. It wasn’t surprising that something unresolved for years had suddenly been decided.
“I can’t let those heartless wolves take advantage. Since I have to choose someone, my eldest cousin’s choice shouldn’t be too bad. The wedding will likely be after the New Year—it won’t be delayed long.” Yu Weiwei’s smile was weary. “I won’t invite you to the wedding banquet.”
The girl before her, speaking of her impending marriage, showed no trace of joy. Hua Zhi looked at her and felt deeply the unfriendliness of this society toward women. At times, women were merely tools for men to fulfill the task of human reproduction. How fortunate she was to have met Yan Xi.
Asking her to wait a moment, Hua Zhi retrieved a bundle from the carriage and pulled out a jade hairpin she had bought recently because it caught her eye. Originally intended as part of Hua Ling’s dowry, she decided to use it now.
“As a token of our friendship, please accept this small gift. I wish you happiness.”
Yu Weiwei stared blankly at the hairpin offered to her—its quality was evident, and it was clearly valuable. Suddenly, her eyes reddened. Happiness? What did happiness mean? In others’ eyes, her mother was happy: she had only given birth to a daughter yet remained the principal wife, and her father treated her decently. But how many knew that her father didn’t change wives not because he didn’t want to, but because he knew it would make no difference?
He had many women inside and outside the household, yet aside from her, his legitimate daughter, none had borne him a son or daughter. He was fated to have only this one child. With the Zeng family’s influence in the picture, how dare he make a change?
She had no expectations for her future husband. A man with real integrity wouldn’t become a live-in son-in-law. Even if compelled by circumstances, he would resent being subordinate in all matters. Treating her well and making her happy? What an impossible luxury.
But she accepted this blessing. Yu Weiwei took the hairpin, looked up with red-rimmed eyes, and smiled. “Thank you.”Seeing Yanxi had already mounted his horse and was preparing to board the carriage, Hua Zhi took a step toward the carriage but stopped. Turning back, her tone remained gentle, "Life is what you make of it. Don't be too hard on yourself, and don't force things. Those who value you will see your worth without you doing anything, while those who don't will still look down on you even if you lift them to the heavens and trample yourself into the mud."
Hua Zhi smiled, "Only you know the feeling of pain, and only you know how to ease it. Weiwei, use your intelligence to be kinder to yourself. If that person isn't worthy, then reserve all your tenderness for yourself."
Yu Weiwei covered her eyes to hide her tears, nodding vigorously as she listened to the footsteps fading away, the sound of carriage wheels rolling on the ground, and the commotion growing distant until it vanished.
Zeng Xiangyan, standing not far away, had also overheard the conversation. He understood why his cousin was crying so uncontrollably, and his heart ached in sympathy. Glancing back, he signaled to the others with his eyes. They understood, casting a look at the usually fierce and formidable Yu family girl, now disheveled and vulnerable, before riding off. They all had sisters, and hearing those words stirred a pang of sorrow in them—how many carefree girls married off returned home still joyful?
"Cousin, let's go back," Zeng Xiangyan said, helping her into the carriage. He rode alongside, only feeling relieved when her sobs gradually subsided.
"Little cousin."
"Hmm?"
"Is it too late that I only truly consider Hua Ling a friend today?"
Yu Weiwei's voice was choked and hoarse. Zeng Xiangyan gazed in the direction the Hua siblings had departed, thinking of the girl who had never treated them with any particular favor, not even sparing them a glance. It suddenly struck him that although she had lost a fair amount of money, her eyes had remained clear and free of obsession. Perhaps, like her brother, she was merely curious—curiosity spent, she withdrew, leaving so decisively.
"She doesn't seem the type to speak intimately with casual acquaintances. For her to say those things to you, she must hold you in high regard."
Leaning against the carriage, Yu Weiwei laughed, then cried again. Yes, that person usually spoke little—this was the first time she had said so much. She must truly consider her a friend!
The kind of friend from storybooks with whom you could share any secret without fear of betrayal.
She just didn't know if they would ever meet again.
On the boat, Gu Yanxi, settled in the first-class cabin, asked, "Why did you say those things to her?"
Hua Zhi glanced at the cabin door, and Gu Yanxi added, "It's guarded."
"Yu Weiwei is actually quite easy to understand. Though she appears proud and aloof, looking down on ordinary people, ever since I met her, she has subtly protected me. Others weren't without ideas of scheming to coax money from me, but she intervened. To her, even though I'm an outsider, Zeng Xiangyan entrusted me to her care, so she treated me as one of her own, shielding me and offering advice both openly and discreetly. If anything, it's me who had ulterior motives, using her to achieve most of my goals. Those words were my way of apologizing to her."
Hua Zhi sighed, "Throughout history, how many who married into their husband's families have lived well? If she can let go and not torment herself, her days might be more bearable. It would be even better if she could be the exception and find happiness."Gu Yanxi held her hand and kissed it, continuing his daily routine of warming her hands. "You're too soft-hearted."
Hua Zhi chuckled wryly. If she were truly soft-hearted, she would never have had the chance to come to this world. It was merely a guilty conscience at work.
PS: As always, characters who appear frequently will have follow-up developments. Ahem, three chapters tomorrow—if I break this promise, may I gain ten jin.
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