Mama Lin arrived promptly. Hua Zhi dismissed the others, keeping only Ying Chun by her side to attend to her.
"Though it's not a daughter's place to arrange her mother's life, you know my mother's temperament well, Mama Lin. If not properly supervised, she might suffer losses while still happily believing she gained some great advantage."
Mama Lin kept her eyes lowered. "The mistress has always been one who doesn't know how to calculate gains and losses."
Hua Zhi held a teacup, using one hand to lift the lid and gently wipe around the rim, pushing the floating tea leaves to the other side before taking a small sip. She looked up and said, "Mama Lin, you've long served by my mother's side and always have her best interests at heart. However, there are some matters I must emphasize to feel at ease."
"Please instruct me, Young Miss."
"The Green Moss Alley matter has likely caught the attention of everyone in the family. I don't intend to hide it—tomorrow I'll report it to Grandmother. But a profitable venture like this holds great appeal and will surely attract those who might try to cause trouble while I'm away from home. My mother is easily swayed and simple-hearted, so I worry she might be deceived. Therefore, I hope you'll bear some hardship during this period, Mama Lin, and try not to leave my mother's side. At critical moments, please remind her."
Hua Zhi rose and walked to the doorway, gazing at the gloomy sky. "I'm not afraid of what she might do, but she would surely feel remorse afterward. Someone like her, having lived to this age without learning those cunning methods, need not learn them now. I will always be able to protect her."
"The mistress is fortunate to have you and the Sixth Young Master."
Who could deny it? Her mother was a perfect example of a fool being blessed with good fortune, though such people weren't particularly dislikeable.
Ying Chun brought a light cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Hua Zhi gathered it closer. "No matter who goes to see my mother, you must listen in. Whether they're scheming about Green Moss Alley or the canned goods business, you must directly refuse them on my behalf. Tell them to go to Grandmother or wait for my return to discuss matters with me. If they still refuse to back down, inform them that whatever contribution they made initially, I'm willing to repay tenfold, and from then on, the Hua family's fortunes will have nothing to do with them."
"Yes, I understand."
"One more thing." Hua Zhi turned to face her. "Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't seek help from the Zhu family. The Hua family must stand on its own."
"Yes."
"This will be hard on you."
Mama Lin bowed deeply. "I dare not speak of hardship. You, Young Miss, are the one who truly bears the burdens. I hope you'll take good care of yourself while traveling and be cautious in all matters."
"I will."
Seeing that the Young Miss had no further instructions, Mama Lin bowed deeply again and withdrew.
Ying Chun brewed fresh tea for her mistress. "I notice you're quite respectful toward Mama Lin."
"Are you suggesting I don't treat you well enough?"
Ying Chun covered her mouth with a laugh. "If you were truly formal with us servants, we'd be the ones feeling anxious."
Hua Zhi glanced at her, a smile touching her eyes as well. She genuinely appreciated Lin Shuang's unwavering loyalty over the years. That her mother could remain as innocent as a young girl at her age was not only due to her father's protection but also because of Lin Shuang, who handled all trivial matters for her.
Over the years, her father's concubines hadn't been completely without their schemes, but her father always learned of them first. Before her naive mother could even become aware, the matters were already resolved—how could this happen without Lin Shuang's involvement?
With someone like that by her mother's side, she felt completely at ease.
Early the next morning, Hua Zhi brought the account books to her grandmother's quarters.Old Madam was not at all surprised by her arrival. She invited her to share breakfast before taking the account books to review. Although she had sent someone to inquire the previous day, seeing the figures in black and white still astonished her.
"Can it really generate this much income?"
Hua Zhi smiled. "This is just the beginning. Business will improve further as word spreads."
Old Madam couldn't contain her delight. If this continued, the Hua family would no longer need to worry about their livelihood. These small snack shops alone could sustain them and even allow savings to be sent to their relatives in the north.
With this thought, Old Madam signaled Su Momo to bring out the box from the chest, retrieving all the banknotes and jewelry inside. "Take these with you."
"I've already made some preparations, granddaughter. I'll also take the shop earnings from these past few days. Please keep the jewelry - the Hua family hasn't reached the point where we need to pawn these yet." Hua Zhi accepted the banknotes but pushed the jewelry back. That these pieces had been preserved under such circumstances showed how treasured they were.
Old Madam didn't insist. Stroking the old-fashioned gold hairpin, she spoke nostalgically, "This was part of my grandmother's dowry, given to me when I married. It's quite ancient."
"All the more reason to preserve it carefully."
Old Madam smiled, returning it to the box. "Grandmother knows you've made many arrangements these days. Your fourth aunt owes you a great debt and will take your requests seriously. I'll also keep watch at home to prevent anyone from disrupting your plans."
"With grandmother overseeing matters at home, I feel completely at ease."
Old Madam patted her hand. Her increasingly withered hands showed her age, with age spots now visible on the back. Hua Zhi realized her grandmother was truly growing old - aging so suddenly, so irreversibly.
That afternoon, Hua Zhi went to the medical clinic to collect medicine. Shaoyao insisted on accompanying her to see how impressive Doctor Chu was, as Hua Hua had described. Hua Zhi had no choice but to bring her along.
Doctor Chu brought out a prepared bundle of medicine, selecting one bottle to show Hua Zhi. "During my last examination of Old Master Hua, I noticed signs of heart disease. I prepared this medicine for him - one pill daily. I've provided enough for a full year. Please ensure the old master remembers to take it."
Shaoyao swiftly took the bottle, removed the stopper, and poured out a pill. After sniffing it, she frowned slightly.
Doctor Chu observed her actions with surprise. Though dressed as a young woman, she seemed knowledgeable about medicine.
"Do you have questions about this medicine, miss?"
Shaoyao didn't stand on ceremony. "Why include Japanese knotweed in this formula?"
"Because Japanese knotweed has properties for breaking stasis and unblocking meridians. When circulation is unobstructed, there's no pain; where there's pain, circulation is blocked. It's quite suitable for heart disease formulas." Chu Shitang, realizing she had identified the ingredient just by scent, knew he had encountered an expert. After explaining, he asked, "Are you versed in medical theory?"
Shaoyao reached to lift her Veiled Hat, but Hua Zhi quickly caught her hand. "Please excuse my friend, Doctor Chu. She's obsessed with medical arts - I hope you won't mind her lack of decorum."
"Those who become obsessed with medicine are rare." Chu Shitang didn't pry further. Turning to his desk, he wrote for a moment before bringing over a paper filled with characters and handing it to Shaoyao. "This is the formula for this medicine. You may study it if you're interested."In this world, inquiring about someone else’s prescription was akin to smashing their rice bowl. Hua Zhi wanted to intervene, but the bright, eager eyes she could sense even through the Veiled Hat made her reluctant to stop it. Just as she was about to offer to buy the prescription, she saw Shaoyao lean over the desk, write for a moment, and hand Doctor Chu a prescription of her own. "This is a new formula I’ve developed. I’d appreciate your insights, Doctor Chu."
Hua Zhi wanted to bury her face in her hands. Trading one prescription for another—this was exactly the kind of thing Shaoyao would do.
PS: Shaoyao is being adorable again, and once more, thank you to all the lovely ladies.
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