The Seventh Division truly had no room for Hua Zhi to intervene, nor would she push herself into the spotlight.
If she merely remained the one offering advice, not only the Emperor but others would also hold her in high regard. This would grant her greater flexibility in handling future matters. However, if she became directly involved, her primary concern would shift to self-preservation—a situation where the disadvantages far outweighed the benefits. Naturally, she would choose what was best for herself.
Yet, it wasn’t entirely true that she had no means at all, as she had claimed earlier in the flower hall. The Zhu Family didn’t need to desperately squeeze into such positions, but the Cai Family, which had stagnated for years without advancement, had precisely this need.
The capital’s power structures were deeply entangled. Though the network she had woven so far couldn’t achieve major feats, facilitating cooperation in this matter wasn’t difficult. In the end, Jiang Xinde of the Jiang Family emerged victorious, becoming the head of The Seventh Division. In return, the Jiang Family helped the Cai Family secure a foothold. Later, they would also discreetly assist the Sun Family, which had exerted effort behind the scenes, in matters of transportation. Even if civil and military officials maintained a distance, how could such boundaries ever be entirely clear?
Hua Zhi only played the role of a bridge in these affairs. She didn’t involve herself further in how they collaborated afterward. She hadn’t intended to make the Cai Family owe her a significant debt—if this helped Hua Qin live more comfortably in the Cai Family, her goal was achieved. Clearly, the outcome was favorable.
After comforting Hua Qin with a few words, Hua Zhi went to her mother’s courtyard. As soon as she entered, she sensed the tense atmosphere. Her usually gentle mother wore a rare, stern expression. Her younger aunt was patting her grandmother’s back to soothe her, while her elder aunt sat awkwardly in silence. No one was speaking.
Hua Zhi didn’t need to ponder to know what had happened. Her mother’s sensitive spots were none other than her husband and children. With her father far away at Yinshan Pass and no recent gossip about herself to provoke criticism, the only one who could upset her mother like this was Berlin.
After paying her respects, Hua Zhi sat beside her mother and spoke as if unaware of the tension, “After today, Mother, please prepare some gifts and have Nanny Lin deliver them to the Cai Family. Hua Qin’s pregnancy has stabilized—it’s time to send congratulations.”
Madam Zhu was indeed diverted, “We should prepare. You ought to advise her too—in this weather, she should rest at home to nurture the pregnancy. If she falls, she’ll be the one suffering.”
“Yes, I’ll speak to her later,” Hua Zhi agreed readily before looking up at her grandmother, whose expression had softened slightly. “Mother hasn’t been out for a long time. What do you think about me escorting her back to her maternal home for a few days tomorrow?”
“Of course, that’s fine. If it weren’t for today’s awkwardness, I’d have taken her back with me right now to spare you the trouble.” Old Madam Zhu felt a warmth in her heart—they were all sensible people. How could she not understand that Zhi Er was trying to prevent any rift between the families over Berlin’s marriage? She, who had the most right to be angered, was still striving to maintain harmony. Truly…
Thinking of the earlier incident, Old Madam Zhu’s suppressed anger began to rise again. To be so unreasonable at such an age—it seemed all those years had been wasted.
Madam Zhu, after a moment of daze, understood and felt both joy and hesitation, “Is it really alright for me to go back? If the other daughters-in-law also wish to return, it would be hard for you to refuse them.”
Hua Zhi smiled. Her mother, though simple, was not foolish. “If their maternal families were as close to the Hua Family as yours is to the Zhu Family, I would agree. But clearly, they aren’t as fortunate as you.”
Madam Zhu beamed as if sweetened by honey, “I won’t cause you trouble, Mother. I’ll return after just one day.”
“Do you want outsiders to think your maternal family doesn’t welcome you back?”The second wife of the Zhu family immediately covered her mouth with a chuckle, "Exactly, how could you leave after just one day when you haven't returned for so long? I'll go back today and tidy up your courtyard properly, warm the rooms until they're toasty, so you won't want to leave once you stay. It'd be best if you stayed until the New Year to make Mother happy."
The first wife, who had been interrupted, secretly resented it but could only suppress her feelings for now. Taking over the conversation, she said, "Everything in your courtyard remains untouched. I've had people clean it regularly, so it's ready for you to stay anytime. Mother has been hoping you'd visit more often—you mustn't rush off in a hurry. Isn't that right, Mother?"
Old Madam Zhu couldn't be bothered with her daughters-in-law's subtle rivalry. Turning to her granddaughter, she said, "I'll have Ziwen bring her back after a few days. She can return whenever she wants. With the New Year approaching, even if she's not particularly capable, she ought to stay at home—no need to stir up discontent among others."
"Of course, as you wish." Hua Zhi had no objections since it was a spontaneous decision. Noticing the additional white hairs at her grandmother's temples and observing the subtle competition between her aunts, she felt helpless. As a junior, she couldn't criticize her elders, especially since they weren't part of the Hua family.
The group returning from the ancestral graves arrived close to noon. After performing another ritual at home, the matters were concluded.
Following a meal that remained mostly vegetarian with little meat, the guests gradually took their leave. Hua Zhi instructed Steward Xu before approaching Master Banruo.
"Troubling you once again."
The master chanted a Buddhist invocation. "This humble monk is glad to bid farewell to an old acquaintance. However, Benefactor Hua, you do not look well. The body is the foundation of all things—you must take good care of it."
Hua Zhi pressed her palms together in acknowledgment. Outsiders assumed her frailty was due to overexertion, and she saw no need to explain it was from an injury. With Shaoyao tending to her, she was confident about her condition. This winter would be challenging, but with proper recuperation, she could recover fully by spring, so she wasn't overly concerned.
After personally seeing the master off, Hua Zhi headed to the study, where someone was already waiting.
Qin Gongyang had felt a glimmer of hope ever since Steward Xu brought him here. The necessary face-saving gestures had already been made; surely, keeping him behind separately wouldn't mean stripping him of his dignity again.
Footsteps approached from afar. He looked toward the doorway as the curtain was lifted and Hua Zhi entered.
"Uncle."
"Please, no formalities." Qin Gongyang made a gesture to stop her from bowing. Recalling what others had said, he discreetly observed her. Just as they mentioned, even in such a warmly heated room, Hua Zhi hadn't removed her cloak and was clutching a hand warmer.
"Uncle mentioned earlier about having a discussion, so let's talk."
Qin Gongyang's heart lifted with joy, and he immediately composed his expression. "You may not believe it, but from start to finish, my father never intended to distance himself from the Hua family. Father and your grandmother were siblings from the same mother, close since childhood. When he learned of her passing, Father shut himself in his study all night. Later, he personally led us here to pay our respects. The entire Qin family observed mourning for a full forty-nine days. Zhi Er, you mustn't let my mother's foolish actions negate the bond between our two families.""Precisely because I remember these sentiments, I chose to let Cousin stay." Hua Zhi gently stroked the hand warmer, her gaze distant. "I don't have many thoughts about the Qin family's actions. I treat others as they treat me—whoever shows me kindness receives kindness in return, whoever draws close to me I draw close to. That's all there is to it. When I learned of the Qin family's intentions, I only felt a pang of sorrow for Grandmother, then continued as before. As Cousin knows, I don't have much time to dwell on such matters. But Grandmother... she probably never wanted the two families to grow so distant."
PS: Yesterday's chapter was condensed to just a few hundred words at the beginning. Pretty impressive, right?... Lately, every time I make a promise, I end up eating my words...
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