After several days of social visits, Hua Ling and Yu Xiasheng's marriage was practically settled. However, considering Hua Xin's situation, Hua Zhi personally visited the Yu family to show sincerity after discussing with Third Aunt.
The Yu family was quite surprised by her visit. If it were about the marriage, it should have been the Yu family calling on them instead.
Hua Zhi had never been one for beating around the bush. After exchanging greetings, she directly stated her purpose: "Hua Ling has an older sister ahead of her. For the sake of family harmony, we cannot finalize the third sister's marriage first. I have already asked the elders of the Cai and Zhu families to help with matchmaking, and we should have a definite answer around the New Year. Please understand, Madam, and allow us to postpone the betrothal ceremonies slightly. It won't be delayed for long, please rest assured."
There were actually two older sisters, not just one. Madam Yu's heart softened seeing Hua Zhi, who had completely forgotten herself, and she couldn't possibly refuse. "It's no trouble. Third Miss is still young anyway, it's good for her to stay with her family a while longer. Once she marries, she'll be an adult and won't have the same mindset for acting cute anymore."
"You see things clearly." Hua Zhi stood up and curtseyed. "Thank you for your understanding."
Madam Yu smiled and shook her head, gesturing for her to sit. "It's just a matter of time anyway, and it doesn't inconvenience me. However, you should know that if my son passes the imperial examination and gets appointed to an official position, the wedding might have to be rushed. But rest assured, Miss Hua, my son is already nineteen, and I've been preparing for his wedding needs for years. While the timing might be tight, we won't cut corners in any other aspect."
"Yes, I've already discussed this with Third Aunt. She understands that these things can't be helped and won't object. Regarding the dowry, I'll make urgent preparations. The tight schedule is unavoidable, but no matter what, the Hua family won't marry off our daughter shabbily."
With this assurance, Madam Yu was satisfied. Even her previous worries about coming to the capital were put to rest—the Hua family truly wasn't short of money now and wouldn't be unable to prepare a decent dowry.
After settling some details, Hua Zhi stood to take her leave, politely declining Madam Yu's invitation to stay longer.
When leaving, Yu Xiasheng came out to see her off. He had always respected the eldest miss, and even with their changed relationship, that respect remained undiminished. Madam Yu observed this and understood that her son's attitude represented that of many scholars toward Hua Zhi—something quite remarkable for a woman to achieve.
Though the cost had been her entire lifetime.
The carriage headed straight for the Zhu residence.
Passing by Yunlai Restaurant, Hua Zhi lifted the curtain and looked out, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Why does the business seem much worse?"
"Yes," Ying Chun, who now handled business matters and was well-informed in these circles, replied. "Since Second Master Bai left the capital after the family division, this restaurant fell into First Master Bai's hands. As an official, First Master Bai has no time to manage these businesses. Madam Bai's ability in this area is only mediocre, so she left everything to trusted stewards. From what I've heard, not only has business declined here, but the Bai family's other ventures have also suffered greatly."
"I remember the manager of Yunlai Restaurant was quite capable."
Ying Chun covered her mouth and laughed. "Second Master Bai isn't one to suffer losses either. During the family division, he claimed that those stewards were all trained by him and he would take them with him. More than half of the Bai family's shop stewards left, which is why their business declined so quickly.""..." This was truly a well-dug corner. With capable people, she could tolerate some losses in other aspects. "Keep an ear out for rumors. If the Bai family intends to sell this shopfront, I want to buy it."
Ying Chun thought it was indeed possible. Rather than letting it become a liability, it would be better to sell it for actual profit. However, "Would the Bai family only rent it out instead of selling?"
"Other shopfronts might not necessarily be sold, but this one can only be sold." Hua Zhi rubbed the hand warmer. "This shopfront has an excellent location and is exceptionally tall by the capital's standards. The rent would certainly be exorbitant. Once invested, it would require a large sum of money. Only by buying it can one feel secure in running the business they want. Otherwise, wouldn't any tenant worry that the Bai family might reclaim it after renting it out?"
Ying Chun put herself in that position and thought about it, then nodded. "Yes, unless they continue running it as a restaurant without any modifications, the initial investment would be substantial. No tenant would feel at ease. However, if it's put up for sale, many people would likely want to buy it."
"Are you still hoping to snatch a bargain?" Hua Zhi tapped her forehead. "The Bai family isn't foolish. It will likely go to the highest bidder."
"If that's the case, we really can't show our faces. Otherwise, with your reputation, the price would skyrocket."
"I'll see who I can send to represent us when the time comes." Hua Zhi didn't dare underestimate herself in this regard. After news about The Seventh Division and her involvement spread, her reputation for "turning stone into gold" had grown even more. Any shopfront she showed interest in would surely attract fierce competition.
The Zhu family had already received word that she would be visiting today. Old Madam had no intention of playing mind games with her granddaughter. Despite the persuasion, she insisted on getting out of bed and even applied some makeup to conceal her sickly appearance.
"Mother, there's no need for this. Zhi Er is the kind of person who remembers kindness well. She knows how you and Father have treated her and won't become distant over such matters. You shouldn't become distant with her either."
Madam Zhu hovered near her mother, her heart aching. Just a few days ago, her mother had been full of vitality, but now that she had fallen ill, her entire spirit seemed drained. When people get old, they can't afford to get sick—one illness makes them appear aged.
Old Madam patted her hand. "It's precisely because I know how good Zhi Er is that I should do this. Affection is never unchanging—it diminishes bit by bit when drawn upon."
"Mother..."
"You, as her mother, don't understand Zhi Er as well as I do." Old Madam sighed, with a tone that seemed both satisfied and resigned. "She can't bear others being good to her. Whoever treats her well, she protects with all her might. Now she's managing so many affairs inside and out—how could I bear to let her worry about me too? After you return, don't mention these family matters. Although everyone has their own agendas, they still maintain appearances on the surface. Besides, your father is still here, and I'm not dead yet. Things won't descend into chaos."
Madam Zhu's tears fell in big drops. She had been regretting coming back these past few days. If she hadn't returned, she wouldn't have seen the calculating looks in her brother's eyes—the brother who had once protected her so fiercely. She wouldn't have witnessed her two once-close brothers now being wary of each other. It was too painful.
Wiping away her daughter's tears, Old Madam wanted to scold her for being spineless, but strangely, she felt a sense of relief that her daughter remained so unchanged. Among her three children, at least one remained exactly as she was—even if she was prone to crying, timid, and indecisive, she hadn't learned those convoluted schemes. That was truly good."I'll never understand it in this lifetime—how someone with your and your husband's temperaments could possibly produce a daughter like Zhi Er. And Berlin doesn't resemble you two either."
"Mother! How can you speak of your own daughter like that." Madam Zhu flushed with embarrassment and annoyance, then confessed honestly when thinking of her son, "Berlin has actually always been raised by Zhi Er. She absolutely dotes on him."
"..." Old Madam Zhu wasn't the least bit surprised. If spoiling a child could produce such descendants, she'd gladly send all the Zhu Family's children to Zhi Er to be indulged.
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