Although the Yu family had fallen on hard times, they were still an established lineage that maintained all the proper decorum.
The steward had been waiting outside the gate and immediately stepped forward as the carriage came to a stop. Bowing at the waist, he said, "Our young lady is unwell and cannot risk exposure to the wind. Please forgive her for not coming out to greet you personally."
"Naturally, her health comes first," Hua Zhi responded with a gentle smile. "I'm already imposing by arriving uninvited."
The steward bowed even lower. "Not at all. Our young lady was delighted to receive your visiting card."
Hua Zhi smiled again but refrained from further inquiry. With the Yu family's circumstances unclear, any additional remarks would be inappropriate.
The steward escorted them to the inner gate, where he handed them over to the matron in charge waiting there.
The matron performed another bow. "Please follow me, madam. The young lady is already awaiting you."
"My thanks."
The matron's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. This refined and courteous young woman was quite different from those her mistress usually associated with.
The residence was deep and sprawling. They passed through various courtyards via covered corridors before finally entering the main courtyard of the third compound. Hua Zhi felt puzzled—according to aristocratic conventions, the third compound should house female family members. Even if Yu Weiwei had previously lived in the third compound, she should have moved to the second compound after taking a husband into her family.
"Please come inside, miss."
Hua Zhi nodded to the matron and stepped past her into the interior. Shaoyao stayed close to Hua Hua, quietly heightening her vigilance.
In the main hall, a rather frail-looking Yu Weiwei came forward to greet them. Hua Zhi quickly scanned the surrounding maids standing in attendance before stepping forward with a smile to embrace Yu Weiwei. "Did you ever imagine I'd come visit again?"
Yu Weiwei was taken aback by her gesture. From what little she had learned during their previous acquaintance, Hua Ling hadn't seemed the type to display emotions so openly.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard an almost inaudible whisper near her ear: "Is it convenient?"
Yu Weiwei instantly understood and briefly murmured "No" before laughing aloud. "I certainly didn't expect it! I was quite surprised when I received your card. I thought we might never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime."
As they separated, Hua Zhi pulled Shaoyao forward to introduce her. "This is my cousin Ling Niang. She rarely goes out normally, so I brought her along to enjoy a few days of leisure."
Shaoyao curtsied with an uncharacteristically shy expression. "Miss Yu, pardon the intrusion."
Such behavior from Shaoyao was rare indeed. Even knowing it was an act, Hua Zhi couldn't help stealing a few extra glances—this was a fleeting opportunity not to be missed.
Yu Weiwei returned the courtesy, deliberately ignoring the scar on her face that would be considered devastating for a young woman. "Jin Yang may lack many things, but it has more entertainment than most places. Ling Niang should feel free to thoroughly enjoy herself."
Shaoyao nodded without speaking, maintaining her persona as someone of few words.
After maids served fragrant tea, fruits, and pastries before standing attentively nearby, Yu Weiwei lifted her teacup and gently stirred the tea foam. Looking up with a smile, she asked, "What brings you back to Jin Yang so suddenly? Could it be that you miss the entertainment here?"
"I've established a business venture in Jin Yang and came to check on its progress." Seeing the strange expression on Yu Weiwei's face, Hua Zhi chuckled. "What's with that look? Surely you don't think I'm incapable of conducting business?"
"To be honest, I can't quite picture you as a merchant. I always assumed you were a noble young lady from a prominent capital family—your bearing certainly suggests as much."
"Great families are supported by people too. Where there are people, you can't escape matters of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Those who claim money is vulgar must have plenty of vulgar people around them handling vulgar matters—that's the only way they can make such statements with such conviction."Yu Weiwei burst into a sudden laugh. Seeing Hua Ling this time had truly surprised her, in every possible way. "I suppose I'm the one who would say money is vulgar."
"You're still young. Young people have the right to say such things."
Yu Weiwei gave her a speechless look, eyeing her maiden hairstyle. "A young girl saying such things in front of a married woman—aren't you the least bit ashamed?"
"In my view, it's a girl who already manages her household affairs speaking to a woman who has yet to do so."
"...It's clearly twisted logic, yet it somehow sounds so reasonable."
"It is reasonable." Hua Zhi raised her eyebrows slightly. "When I went out for fun yesterday, I ran into Miss Wang. She said you were unwell. You do seem rather listless—what's the matter?"
"Just a slight chill. I avoided seeing her for fear of passing it on. Did she complain to you?"
"Not a complaint, but she was worried. Now that you're married, can you still go out?"
"Jin Yang has no rule forbidding married women from going out. But it's cold now, and I'm afraid the wind might worsen my condition, so I haven't planned any outings for the time being." As she spoke, a maid brought over a cloak and draped it over Yu Weiwei, who gathered it closer and asked, "How long can you stay here?"
"I came under the pretense of business to relax a little, so there's no fixed return date." A hint of regret crossed Hua Zhi's face. "I'd hoped we could enjoy some outings together."
"It's not like I'm bedridden and won't recover." Yu Weiwei shot her a mock-annoyed glance. "I'm already getting better. In a few more days of rest, I should be able to go out. You mustn't leave so soon."
"Who's leaving?" A voice came from the doorway. Hua Zhi, who had been attentively watching Yu Weiwei, noticed her earlier ease vanish instantly, her whole body tensing. Understanding dawned on Hua Zhi, and she turned to see a man entering from outside.
Dressed in sapphire-blue robes, the man appeared refined and handsome, his expression gentle—the kind of appearance that easily wins women's hearts. Yu Weiwei, being inexperienced in matters of the heart and having no prior attachments, should logically have felt fondness for such a husband. Yet, in reality, she was wary of him.
Turning these thoughts over in her mind, Hua Zhi stood and curtseyed, her smile fading into a appropriately distant expression reserved for strangers.
Yu Weiwei rose, a slightly sweet smile gracing her lips. "This is my husband, Qi Qiu. Husband, this is my good friend from the capital."
Since Hua Ling was an unmarried maiden, Yu Weiwei did not disclose her personal name.
The two exchanged greetings, neither lacking in propriety.
With the master of the house returned, Hua Zhi knew it was inappropriate to linger. She stood and said, "Then rest well and recover. I won't disturb you further."
"You haven't promised me yet—you can't leave before I'm better."
Hua Zhi looked troubled. "I can't stay here long..."
Yu Weiwei turned to Qi Qiu. "Husband, didn't the physician say I'm almost recovered? I'll be able to go out soon, won't I?"
Qi Qiu took her hand gently. "The physician said you still need to rest properly. It's cold now, and if you go out and catch a chill, it might worsen. There's no hurry to go out until you're fully recovered."
"Husband..."
"Be good." Qi Qiu glanced at Hua Zhi with an apologetic expression. "It's my fault for not taking better care of Weiwei, causing her to be bedridden for so many days. Why not stay in Jin Yang a while longer, miss? Perhaps by then, Weiwei will have recovered.""I'll do my best." Hua Zhi curtsied. "Then I shall take my leave now."
Qi Qiu apologized with utmost courtesy, "Please forgive any inadequacies in our hospitality."
"Not at all." With a glance at Yu Weiwei's half-concealed clenched fist in her sleeve, Hua Zhi and Shaoyao departed together.
OpenNovel