Third Aunt-in-law’s face drained of all color. Fourth Aunt-in-law, who had been weeping without stop, at last fell silent. Second Aunt-in-law clutched her handkerchief, her expression visibly shadowed by fear.

“Such words are best left unspoken in the future, Third Aunt-in-law, lest you bring misfortune upon yourself. Grandmother is well aware of the concerns each of you carries. Rest assured — as long as we ourselves have dry food to eat, none of you will be left drinking only thin gruel. Grandmother, is that not so?”

“Naturally. The Hua Family is one body. In times such as these, we must support one another all the more. We cannot let it be said that the Hua Family has lost its dignity along with its men. Today has been difficult for everyone, and I will not keep you. Go back and tend to your households. Make arrangements to send some clothing to your husbands — the north grows cold early, and we cannot have them arrive there and freeze straightaway. As for all other matters, once we have settled upon a course of action here, someone will be sent to inform you.”

Hua Zhi had frightened the soul half out of them, and they had no further heart for quarreling. They offered quick apologies and departed together.

Nanny Su’s eyes were red, yet a smile rested on her face. It was true what the old saying went — in times of hardship, one’s true heart is revealed. How was it that these women had nothing to say when they were benefiting in better days, yet came to wail the moment something went wrong? They might as well have had their eyes sealed shut, pretending not to see that the Old Madam could barely keep herself upright in her seat.

Fortunately, the eldest young miss had returned. With just a few words she had thoroughly frightened and disarmed them all. Their eldest young miss truly was capable!

The Old Madam took Hua Zhi’s hand and patted it. “Do not quarrel with them. With something like this having happened, who would not be frightened? They are afraid their days will be hard to bear.”

“As you say.” Hua Zhi signaled for Nanny Su to help her support the Old Madam to her feet. “Everyone has had a shock today. Let us take some time to recover. As for matters of business, they can wait until tomorrow. Why not have dinner this evening in each person’s own room?”

“The decision is yours. Have you forgotten that the household authority has already been handed to you?”

“Without asking Grandmother first, I always feel uncertain at heart.”

Uncertainty at heart — hardly. Everything she did was orderly and without a single flaw. The Old Madam felt a deep warmth spread through her chest. Heaven had not forsaken the Hua Family. Even if she herself did not hold on one day, she need not fear the family falling apart.

After seeing Grandmother settled back in her room, Hua Zhi immediately went to her mother’s chamber. Her mother, prone as she was to weeping, had surely cried her eyes swollen — and indeed it was exactly so.

Tears that had only just subsided began to fall again like dropping beans the moment she saw Hua Zhi walk in. Hua Zhi sighed softly, took the handkerchief from her mother’s hand to wipe her tears, and found it so thoroughly drenched it could have been wrung out — she had no choice but to send a maid for a fresh one.

“Father is well. If for nothing else, you must spare your tears for Father’s sake — you would not want to have no tears left to shed when you see him again.”

“What a thing to say.” The First Madam laughed despite herself, though her tears did not stop. “Mother is truly useless. I cannot help with a single thing, and here you are having to comfort me instead.”

“As long as you are here and well, even if you do nothing at all, my heart is at ease. You are my mother — you are the ground I stand on.” Hua Zhi gently wiped her mother’s tears. Her mother was not capable in practical matters, yet her love for her husband and children was utterly genuine — gentle, virtuous, and soft-spoken. Hua Zhi would never forget: the first time her monthly bleeding came, her mother had been afraid she might be frightened and had come to sleep beside her, whispering small confidences to her in the dark, holding her close as she explained the ways of being a woman. That had been the warmest moment of two lifetimes.

“Mother, I am not afraid at all. The Hua Family will be all right.”

“Yes, it will be all right. It will be all right.” The First Madam gripped her daughter’s hand tightly and nodded vigorously. After a moment’s hesitation, she could not hold back the question. “Your father… can he really come back?”

“He can. Grandfather has not committed a capital offense. He will certainly come back.” And if it came to that, she would exhaust every last effort to bring them back.

The First Madam was immediately reassured by her daughter’s words and nodded again and again. “Yes, he can come back. He will certainly come back. I won’t cry. Zhi’er — Mother won’t cry. You do not need to worry about me. Just go and do what needs to be done. I will not add to your burdens.”

“This is not adding to my burdens — it is putting my heart at ease. If something is on your mind, come and tell me. Do not keep it locked up inside.”

The First Madam reached out and touched her daughter’s face — smiling as it was, yet unable to conceal the weariness beneath — and her heart ached so much that her tears fell all the faster. Her daughter, who had been raised in sheltered gentleness and rarely stepped outside the gates, was now racing about to keep the whole family afloat — and this was only the beginning. There was no telling what was yet to come. And then there was the matter of her marriage…

She pushed that thought down deep, and the First Madam gripped her hand firmly. “Go back to your room. Rest well. Nian Qiu — give your mistress a proper massage. Otherwise I fear she will ache all over tomorrow.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Then your daughter will return to her room. Please eat a little at dinner — your health is what matters.”

“Mother knows. Off you go now.”

Hua Zhi had taken only a few steps toward her own courtyard when she suddenly thought of her pregnant Fourth Aunt and how worried she must be. She had no choice but to change direction — she could not fail to honor the trust her Fourth Uncle had placed in her.

Nian Qiu’s heart ached for her mistress, who had been running about the whole day without even a sip of water. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then pressed her lips shut again. Her mistress was now the head of the household, and she had to keep the greater picture in mind.

The Fourth Madam of the Hua Family was born of the Wu Family of the capital, and her given name was Haitang. She had a round face that naturally carried a blessed and prosperous air. Her father was Wu Zhen, Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Though the Wu Family did not quite measure up to the Hua Family, their standing was by no means low, and naturally their upbringing was refined as well — otherwise she would not have found favor in the eyes of the Old Madam.

Although Hua Pingyang was frivolous by nature, he was genuinely devoted to his wife. No matter how he might amuse himself outside, he never neglected the first wife of his home. He spent at least half of every month in her chambers, and the couple’s affection was deep.

Wu Shi had been married into the family for three years. In the first year, she had already given birth to her eldest son, and now she carried another child in her womb. Perhaps because motherhood gave her strength, she had held herself together through so great a disaster, and the child in her belly was entirely calm.

When Hua Zhi arrived, Wu Shi was forcing herself to drink soup, spoonful by spoonful. Upon seeing her, she quickly set down the bowl and made to stand. The two were close in age, and with her husband having such warm affection for this niece, Wu Shi had, by extension, grown fond of her as well — the two had always gotten along wonderfully.

Hua Zhi took two quick steps forward and helped her back to her seat. “How are you feeling? Is there any discomfort in your belly?”

“All is well. The baby is kind to me — very calm.”

The Third Madam’s eyes burned with feeling as she looked at her. “Your Fourth Uncle — how is he?”

“Please do not worry. With Fourth Uncle’s abilities, he will adapt faster than anyone in the Hua Family.” Hua Zhi gave a rueful smile. “With an aged father above him, an elder brother who is unfamiliar with practical affairs, and younger ones below him who have never known hardship — he cannot afford to be otherwise.”

Wu Shi naturally trusted her husband. Had the Hua Family not already drawn enough attention with two Hanlin Academy scholars under one roof and one Directorate of Education Sacrificial Wine, her husband’s talents were such that he could have held any office he wished.

She took Hua Zhi’s hand and pressed it gently. “This entire household is depending on you.”

“Of course I must protect my own family. Fourth Aunt, please do not trouble your mind with anything else. Every day, eat well, drink well, make little garments, keep your strength up, and wait for the child to come. The Hua Family will not fall.”

After staying to share a little food with her Fourth Aunt, Hua Zhi departed as the sky had fallen fully dark. Thinking back over this long and exhausting day, she sighed quietly in her heart. There has never been such a thing as fortune gained for nothing in this world. She had enjoyed fifteen years of the Hua Family’s blessings — and now the time had come to give back.

But for now, she wanted nothing more than a good night’s sleep.