No matter how exhausted they felt, both Gu Yanxi and Hua Zhi had to trudge forward step by step.
As the year-end approached, they had exchanged New Year's gifts with several families they maintained contact with. Hua Zhi deliberately left the Qin family for last. The Qin family, who had been keeping a close watch on her movements, finally breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving news of her visit. The true depth of relationships is most apparent during the New Year season.
Madam Qin, having received explicit instructions from her husband, dared not show any neglect. She personally waited at the inner gate for Hua Zhi's arrival. The wet nurse who had served her for many years signaled the other servants to withdraw, then whispered in her ear: "I've received news that the Old Madam intends to use her illness as a pretext to force the Hua family's eldest young lady to yield, hoping to regain face before the Old Master."
Madam Qin frowned. Having been controlled for years, she understood her strictly conventional mother-in-law's temperament all too well. Without needing to think, she knew the old woman couldn't swallow this humiliation. Under normal circumstances, she would have been delighted to see her mother-in-law suffer another setback before her father-in-law, but now was different. Her husband had explained the stakes to her, and she knew the Qin family had recently received significant benefits from the Hua young lady. These benefits hadn't even had time to settle before new troubles emerged - she felt ashamed just thinking about it.
"Inform the steward about this situation," Madam Qin said softly, dabbing the corner of her mouth. "What a coincidence - the imperial court suspended official business starting today."
The wet nurse's eyes lit up. Indeed, the Old Master would be home today. If their mistress couldn't control the Old Madam, there was surely someone who could.
Hua Zhi remained unaware that a preliminary skirmish had already occurred between the Qin family's women before her arrival. Handing the gift list to the steward, she followed the matron to the inner gate.
She had assumed she would be paying respects to the ailing Old Madam and had already prepared appropriate greetings in her mind. However, she was instead led by her aunt-in-law waiting there to her own courtyard. After a moment's reflection, she decided not to dwell on it - this was ultimately the Qin family's affair, none of her concern.
"Though we rarely meet, I truly admire you," her aunt-in-law said. "For a young woman to achieve what you have - you must have endured considerable hardships."
"It remains within my capacity to handle," Hua Zhi replied with a faint smile that revealed nothing, observing the other's genuinely concerned expression. "Actually, it's not as miraculous as it seems. Human potential is limitless. When pushed, not everyone may achieve what I have, but three to five out of ten people certainly could."
"Then I must be among those three to five who fall short," Madam Qin retorted with an affectionate glance, smoothly changing the subject. "How is your mother's health? I heard Berlin has gone traveling? Won't he return for the New Year?"
"Mother is well. Berlin now has his own ideas - I can't keep restraining him forever. It's good for him to temper some of that young master temperament while abroad."
"Temperament? That's plain mischief, if you ask me. I remember quite vividly," Madam Qin chuckled behind her hand. "I still recall clearly how three years ago he nearly burned down the Qin family's Clan school together with some Qin boys."
Hua Zhi also remembered the incident. In those days, the Hua and Qin families were truly close. Her grandmother enjoyed bringing the younger generation back to her maiden home, and that time she had brought Berlin. He was at that age even dogs would avoid - so mischievous it gave everyone headaches. Within half a day of arriving, he had nearly burned down their Clan school.
"We confined him for half a month after returning home. It was only after you personally visited the Hua family that we released him.""A bit of mischief in children is good—it shows they're clever." Seeing her expression soften slightly, Lady Qin seized the opportunity to grasp her hand and said softly, "I know you hold some resentment in your heart, and I don’t blame you. It’s us elders who haven’t done well enough. But that doesn’t mean we should erase all the affection between us, does it? Even if you don’t trust me or others, you should trust the long-standing bond between our family’s elder and your aunt. In fact, the elder later considered bringing a few of the Hua family’s legitimate grandsons back to raise, but seeing how well you were raised, he decided against it."
Hua Zhi smiled gently. "It’s all in the past. Let’s not bring it up again. Grandmother was always a Qin by birth, and she would surely be happy to see us maintaining ties."
This was precisely the attitude the Qin family wanted. Hearing this, Lady Qin’s smile deepened. "Exactly. We’re family, after all, and we ought to keep in close contact."
After taking a few sips of tea, Lady Qin glanced at Hua Zhi and tentatively asked, "Zhi Er, have you ever thought about remarrying?"
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting you’d like to act as my matchmaker, Aunt?"
"Not just me—there are plenty who’d like to play matchmaker for you." Seeing her look of surprise, Lady Qin was even more astonished. "You didn’t know?"
"...What should I know? If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought anyone would want me."
Lady Qin’s eyes widened. "You can’t possibly think everyone is blind and foolish, can you? You’re skilled at managing a household, adept at making money, and possess remarkable insight—you even understand major court affairs. If it weren’t for your mourning period earlier, and then the New Year’s festivities right after you emerged from mourning, matchmakers would’ve been at your door long ago."
Hua Zhi considered it from their perspective and realized it was true. Whoever married her would essentially be welcoming a goddess of wealth into their home. The benefits derived from The Seventh Division were already evident, and once the transportation sector began to take shape, even more people would likely think this way.
But it was too late—she already had someone.
Moreover, that man valued her for who she was, not for her additional advantages. Hua Zhi suddenly felt a pang of longing for that always warm embrace of his.
Seeing her silent, Lady Qin ventured again, "Zhi Er, do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
Hua Zhi shook her head with a smile. "The Hua family gave me life and raised me, allowing me to enjoy wealth from the moment I was born. I’m willing to devote myself wholeheartedly to the Hua family. But why should I labor for others? Knowing full well they’re after my abilities, would I be foolish enough to leap into that pit of fire? Besides, those who want to arrange a marriage for me with their nephews or sons—their nephews or sons might not even dare to marry me."
The reasoning was clear to everyone, but a lifetime—neither too long nor too short—could feel terribly lonely when spent alone. Yet this was no longer something she could say aloud. Lady Qin patted her arm. "Don’t speak of yourself so poorly. And don’t be too hard on yourself."
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Aunt." Hearing the sincerity in her words, Hua Zhi thanked her genuinely. She had already prepared herself: if her aunt continued with this topic, she would straightforwardly announce that she was already betrothed.
Hmm, this attitude seemed a bit presumptuous? Hua Zhi tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. But there was no helping it—in her heart, this matter truly wasn’t a big deal.
Now she was a little curious whether Yan Xi knew about this.
After exchanging a few more roundabout pleasantries with Lady Qin, Hua Zhi felt it was time to take her leave. "I heard my aunt-in-law is unwell. I should go pay my respects."Lady Qin was just thinking of how to respond when the wet nurse said, "Old Madam isn't feeling well and has just sent word that she has already fallen asleep. I'm to let you know, Eldest Miss, that Old Master heard of your arrival and requests your presence in the side flower hall for a chat."
Hua Zhi curtsied to Lady Qin. "I shouldn't keep Great-uncle waiting. My apologies for disturbing you, Aunt."
"I'd be delighted if you disturbed me more often," Lady Qin said with a laugh. "Go on then, I won't keep you. I'll visit your mother another day."
"Of course, you're always welcome."
OpenNovel