"How is your grandmother's health?"
Hua Zhi took out several letters she kept close to her body and handed over the top one. Without changing her expression, she spoke the fabricated words: "She's very well, though she misses you dearly. This is her personal letter for you."
She then passed the other two letters to her father and fourth uncle. "These are from mother and Fourth Aunt. Oh, and there's this too."
Hua Zhi unwrapped the package and handed each of them a scroll wrapped in oilpaper. They eagerly opened them, and Fourth Uncle exclaimed in surprise, "This is... How could this be? According to the timing, it should have been around now."
Hua Yizheng was also delighted. "Has Old Fourth's wife given birth? A jade or a tile?" (Note: "弄璋" means having a son, "弄瓦" means having a daughter in classical Chinese)
"Yes, the joy of a jade.""
"Good, good, good! This is truly a joyous occasion."
Hua Pingyang couldn't tear his eyes away from the painting, his face beaming with unrestrained joy. "I was actually hoping for a daughter, thinking I could leave her to you once she grew a bit older. I didn't expect another Berlin, but if she could resemble you even slightly, that would be wonderful."
"What nonsense! By that time, Zhi Er would already be married. Would you still send the child to her husband's family to raise?"
At this mention, the smiles gradually faded from their faces. Indeed, if the Hua family were still in their former state, Zhi Er should be preparing for marriage.
"I've called off the engagement."
The words struck like a thunderbolt. Hua Yizheng's eyes widened in fury, and he slammed the table as he stood up abruptly. "How dare Shen Zhui!"
This was followed by another bout of uncontrollable coughing. Hua Zhi hurried forward to pat her grandfather's back, while Hua Pingyu stood by with tea, his hands trembling with anger, already harboring resentment toward the Shen Family.
Hua Pingyang gently smoothed out the creases he had just made on the painting. "Zhi Er, we won't be trapped here forever. The daughters of the Hua family will never lack for marriage prospects."
"Since when have I ever been afraid?" Hua Zhi's voice remained calm. "I asked grandmother to take the initiative in canceling the engagement with the Shen Family."
Hua Yizheng looked up at her, already understanding the situation. Precisely because he understood, his heart grew even more bitter.
"What are you thinking? If I were even slightly unwilling, couldn't I have waited for the Shen Family to call off the engagement?"
"The Shen Family might not have dared to cancel it."
Hua Zhi shook her head with a slight smile and returned to her original seat, sitting properly, though her words carried a bold tone. "Even if the Shen Family didn't cancel the engagement and I married into their family, would I be content? The families are mismatched—anyone could look down on me. My husband might even resent me for blocking his path to wealth and glory. Rather than letting things reach that point, it's better for the Hua family to take the first step. This way, we preserve our dignity and put the Shen Family in our debt. After all, we've protected their reputation—if they had initiated the breakup, no respectable family would want to marry into theirs."
Hua Pingyang spoke with difficulty, "Given our current situation, that was your best prospect. With your temperament, you definitely wouldn't abandon your birth family after marriage. Zhi Er, you acted impulsively."
"If the Hua family were still what it used to be, I would have married him. Why not?" Hua Zhi chuckled lightly. "He's the eldest son of the Shen Family, I'm the eldest daughter of the Hua family—what a perfect match. Since I can't escape marriage anyway, marrying into such a family wouldn't be bad. But things are different now. Knowing full well that marrying him would bring hardship, why wouldn't I choose another path if it's available?"
"Have you thought about your future..."
"Why would I need to think about that? Fourth Uncle, do you think I won't be able to manage in the future? Or do you think Berlin would dare treat me poorly?"
Hua Pingyang rubbed his face and laughed. "Even if we lent him the courage, he wouldn't dare.""That's exactly it. As long as he provides me shelter, the Hua family will always have a place for me."
"I'm not dead yet," Hua Pingyu said stiffly. "If he treats you poorly, I'll break his legs."
Hua Zhi was taken aback, then smiled like spring blossoms. "Yes, I still have my father!"
Hua Pingyu suddenly stood up, holding the scrolls and letters as he walked out. "I'm going to see what Chen Shan is doing."
Hua Pingyang also rose, firmly patted his niece's shoulder, and followed him out.
In the room now left with only grandfather and granddaughter, silence lingered for a moment. Hua Zhi sat beside her grandfather and spoke gently, "Grandfather, truthfully, I never really wanted to marry. The current situation actually suits my wishes. I don't feel wronged, so you needn't feel you owe me anything."
"You may not feel wronged, but I feel you've been wronged." Hua Yizheng remained unsettled. Shen Qi from the Shen Family had always been diligent and free from unsavory matters. He even shared a half-mentor relationship with Pingyu. He was the grandson-in-law Hua Yizheng had painstakingly chosen, thinking that perhaps he could harmonize well with Zhi Er. Even in those deep mansion compounds, as long as the couple got along, Zhi Er would surely live well. Who would have thought his judgment could be so mistaken.
"Your father will likely be upset for quite some time."
Hua Zhi hadn't expected her father to react so strongly either, and the thought warmed her heart.
"The way things are now is quite fine."
Probably only she alone thought so, Hua Yizheng mused, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. He decided to change the subject. "How many days were you on the road? You must have encountered snow? If you were concerned about us, you didn't need to come yourself. You could have sent someone. You've never traveled far before - it's too dangerous."
"I made thorough preparations before departing. I wouldn't have felt secure without coming personally. Hearing from others can't compare to seeing with my own eyes. I can endure these hardships."
Hua Yizheng could tell she was downplaying things but didn't press the matter. "You've always been modest about your abilities, so I never knew what you were capable of. But with you at home, I feel somewhat reassured."
"Don't be too reassured. By the time you return, the Hua family's century-old reputation might be tainted with the smell of money."
"Reputation won't fill your stomachs. What use is it?" Hua Yizheng adjusted his heavy cloak. He didn't want to ask how much hardship Zhi Er had endured supporting such a large family, nor inquire about how the other family members were faring. No one understood better than him the capabilities of this granddaughter who had grown up before his eyes yet remained unfathomable. Truth be told, he felt relieved she wasn't marrying. And precisely because of that, his conscience troubled him even more.
How terrible that they had to rely on a granddaughter to support the family - this was his failure. That's why he must survive and return. Only with him alive would no one in the Hua family dare wrong Zhi Er! Only by returning alive with everyone could Zhi Er's efforts not be in vain.
Seeing her grandfather's low spirits, Hua Zhi knew her comfort wouldn't ease his mind. She simply opened the package she had prepared the previous night. Noticing the gold bars exceeded the original amount, she paused briefly before continuing calmly, "I've started some businesses at home that generate daily income. Before leaving, I brought all the available funds - mostly converted to gold bars, with the rest in silver notes and coins for convenience. Grandfather, money is the least of our concerns. I can earn it. Please don't deprive yourselves."Looking at the bundle of gold bars, Hua Yizheng managed a faint smile. Without asking what business she was engaged in, he simply said, "You've always been prudent in your actions. I have no worries."
"Yes, I will guard the Hua family well and await your return."
PS: No double update today. The character design got rejected and needs to be rewritten, boohoo.
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