Hua Zhi gave Chen Shan the last two-hundred-tael banknote she had on her, instructing him to purchase high-quality medicinal herbs.
After a moment's thought, Shaoyao decided to go along as well. She was worried that the local pharmacies might try to deceive Chen Shan by passing off inferior-grade herbs.
Moreover, it had dawned on her that with her present, there was no need to purchase medicines in pre-made doses. They could simply buy the raw ingredients in bulk!
Returning to sit by the brazier, Hua Zhi noticed her father's teacup was empty and rose to refill it. Hua Pingyu couldn't bear to trouble her and quickly said, "I'm not thirsty anymore. Please, sit down."
Hua Zhi obediently resumed her seat, just as she had done for many years before.
Hua Pingyu's heart softened. Though he was neither adept in practical matters nor skilled in social graces, he was perceptive enough to realize that in those years, Zhi Er hadn't intentionally hidden herself away. It was simply her nature to avoid the spotlight. When the Hua family was secure, she had been content to be an unassuming young lady of a noble house, unbothered even if others considered her mediocre.
Ultimately, he, as her father, had neglected her. He had once thought Berlin was close to his elder sister merely because she indulged him, failing to consider that if she hadn't earned Berlin's respect, how could she have tamed his unruly disposition so thoroughly?
Hua Zhi broached the subject closest to Hua Pingyu's heart: "Mother is well. She doesn't cry as often as before. She says she's saving her tears to drown you with when you return."
Hua Pingyu smiled wryly. Return? When would that be? "She has a gentle nature. Please look after her. Are Lady Qin and Lady He still behaving? If not, you may send them away. The Hua family has fallen, and they might not wish to remain."
"If they had no children, they might entertain other ideas. But they both have children and aren't heartless people. For their children's sake, they will stay, whether they can endure it or not."
"Your father knows you're clever, but sometimes ignorance can be a blessing. Seeing through everything must be exhausting."
"What can I do? I was born understanding these things." Hua Zhi lowered her eyes with a faint smile. Though she said "what can I do," her expression showed no trace of distress. "Apart from life and death, nothing is truly significant. I'll treat everything else as trivial matters."
"You..." Hua Pingyu shook his head and used the fire tongs to adjust the coals. "What about Berlin? Has he made any progress?"
"I've had him become a disciple of Mr. Mu."
"Mu Qing has excellent character, and his knowledge surpasses those with empty reputations. But you must maintain balance. People's hearts are easily changed."
Who said Hua Pingyu was an inflexible scholar? The corner of Hua Zhi's lips lifted slightly. He clearly understood everything—it was just that with the support of the Hua family name in the past, he hadn't needed to force himself to do what he didn't want to do.
"Your daughter understands. Currently, the Hua family relies too heavily on Mr. Mu, but things will improve after the New Year. Grandfather helped find another tutor, but he isn't in the capital. It will take some time to bring him here."
Hua Pingyu turned his head. "Your grandfather..."
"Grandmother visited once. She was the one who told me about finding a tutor and brought many useful things for us. Father, Grandfather's family hasn't cut ties with us."
Hua Pingyu's throat moved as he turned back to gaze into the brazier, his eyes glimmering—whether from the firelight or from joy, it was hard to tell."Grandfather's charge was forming cliques for personal gain and involvement in factional struggles. He needs to keep a low profile to avoid implicating the Zhu Family and further substantiating the accusations against him. There's something you might not know—ever since learning the Hua family was exiled beyond Yinshan Pass, Grandfather began forging connections here. The fact that our entire family managed to settle here smoothly is partly thanks to his efforts."
"Your grandfather had already guessed as much. It shames me as a son-in-law to have doubted they might abandon us like others would." Hua Pingyu smiled bitterly. When walls collapse, everyone pushes—he had feared the Hua family would be left with no support. Fortunately, his father-in-law’s family remained steadfast.
Hua Zhi steered the conversation back to Berlin. "After I left, I had Berlin take over teaching the junior class for me."
"Junior class? Berlin teaching?" Hua Pingyu’s eyes widened in disbelief. "That’s absurd! How old is he? He hasn’t even mastered his own studies—how can he instruct others? This will harm both his students and himself! It would be better to slow down the lessons and wait for your return—the delay wouldn’t be long!"
"I divided the children at home into senior and junior classes. The senior class is taught by Mr. Mu, while I oversee the junior class." Hua Zhi maintained her calm smile. "You underestimate Berlin. His foundations are solid. Though he used to be playful, he never neglected his studies. After the family’s upheavals, he’s become more focused. I’ve observed his teaching—it’s perfectly adequate. Understanding the responsibility he carries, he wouldn’t dare be careless."
"Exactly. With responsibility comes dedication." Hua Yizheng entered, bringing a chill from outside, his face lit with a smile as he gestured playfully at Hua Zhi. "But you shouldn’t be too reckless either."
In fact, Hua Yizheng felt a sense of anticipation. He wanted to see how the Hua family would transform under Zhi Er’s guidance, how far Berlin—taught by her—would progress, and what the other children would grow into.
He trusted that with Zhi Er at the helm, the Hua family would not falter.
Hua Zhi quickly rose to support her grandfather to a seat by the fire. When a servant brought hot water, she placed the basin before him so he could warm his hands and wash his face.
Holding a teacup, Hua Yizheng watched his busy granddaughter affectionately. "What made you think of having Berlin teach?"
"As the eldest male in the family, solving household problems is his responsibility." Hua Zhi washed her hands and took a seat below him, her expression serene, as if this were the most natural arrangement.
But how could it be natural? Hua Yizheng’s smile turned rueful. His question was flawed—who would task a child under ten with teaching unless there were no other options?
The door curtain swept aside as Hua Pingyang strode in. "I thought to fetch you so we could return together, but you’d already left."
Hua Yizheng frowned at him. "Why did you leave early too? Aren’t you worried about gossip?"
"Don’t worry, Father. Everyone knows our eldest niece has arrived from the capital. My superior personally suggested I return early." Hua Pingyang grinned proudly at his niece. "Now everyone says the Hua family has raised an exceptional daughter."
Hua Yizheng understood. Yinshan Pass was a place for disgraced officials—spoken of in the capital as utterly undesirable. Yet, upon arriving, one discovered the people here possessed genuine warmth and humanity.Since most people had been abandoned by their families and old acquaintances, when someone actually received a visit, they felt not only envy but also tried to offer whatever convenience they could. They understood all too well that coming here was an act of deep affection, and for a young woman to travel thousands of miles to do so was an extraordinary gesture—the first of its kind in many years.
Though Hua Yizheng disliked the idea of his girl becoming a topic of idle chatter, he knew it was inevitable. After all, even he had been struck speechless when he first caught sight of Zhi Er.
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