Green Moss Lane had quite a reputation in the capital. When the newly renovated Green Moss Lane opened its doors to welcome guests, passersby were more than happy to spare a moment to step inside and take a look around.

Chen Qing had always been good at handling matters. Rather than letting people flood in all at once, whenever he spotted someone lingering at the entrance to the lane, he would have someone lead the way inside. With the herd mentality at play, those who had been hesitant simply followed along.

As the number of people inside grew, it created a virtuous cycle — no longer did he need to arrange anyone to guide visitors in, as passersby needed little persuasion to satisfy their own curiosity.

By the time the sun climbed high overhead, the lane was already teeming with people, presenting a scene of lively prosperity.

And so, momentum had been established.

As long as the food wasn’t absolutely terrible, this place would inevitably become one of the capital’s favored destinations — and that was precisely the one thing Hua Zhi was least worried about.

Standing along the inner riverbank, watching the steady stream of people coming and going through the lane, Hua Zhi instructed Chen Liang: “Make sure to tend to the relationships carefully. There’s no harm in being a little humble — the Hua Family no longer has the glory it once did — but there’s no need to grovel either. We seek only to conduct business in harmony and goodwill, not to trample the Hua Family’s dignity into the dirt.”

“Yes, this servant understands.”

“I trust you to handle things well. For anything to do with the food going forward, go directly to Fu Dong.”

“Yes.”

Hua Zhi boarded her carriage and lifted the curtain to look out at Gu Yanxi, who stood tall outside. “There are still matters at home, so I’ll be heading back first.”

Gu Yanxi cupped his hands in a salute. “Please go ahead, First Young Miss.”

Watching the carriage roll away into the distance, Gu Yanxi turned back and was met with Chen Qing’s appraising gaze. The warmth that had suffused his manner gradually faded away. “If you have something to say, say it.”

Chen Qing would never dare admit he had been savoring his young master’s rare display of softness, but fortunately he did have something to report. He hurried to speak: “His Lordship the Prince asks that you return to the manor.”

“Return to the manor?”

Chen Qing raised his hand and slapped himself across the face. “His Lordship the Prince asks that you come to the manor for a visit. This servant suspects it may be regarding His Lordship’s birthday celebration.”

“No time.”

“My Lord Shizi, would this not invite criticism from others…”

“And what of it?” At this moment, Gu Yanxi bore not the slightest trace of his earlier warmth. His brows arched upward, a storm of ruthlessness rolling off him. “Does he actually expect me to perform some farce of a loving father and filial son with him?”

Chen Qing had followed the Shizi through everything up to this point, and naturally had no desire to see him suffer even a moment’s further grievance. Knowing that the Emperor would cover things regardless, with the Empress Dowager watching over him besides, the Prince could not overturn heaven. Chen Qing simply stopped pressing, reasoning that if anyone dared say a word against the Shizi, there would always be someone to stand up for him.

“His Lordship also mentioned Shao Yao, saying that…”

“Go and tell Gu Yiyan — if he dares to so much as set his sights on Shao Yao again, I will have his son dispatched to the Southern Frontier immediately.”

“…Yes.”

Gu Yanxi turned to look at the vibrant, bustling Green Moss Lane. The memory of those eyes in the rainy night surfaced in his mind, and the storm within him gradually stilled. In this world there were people like Gu Yiyan — those who deserved death yet refused to die — and there were also people like Hua Zhi, who lived with such clear-eyed lucidity.

Hua Zhi returned home and went directly to the clan school. Entering the corridor, she immediately spotted Master Mu standing beneath the eave, nodding along in steady, absorbed approval.

Hearing the movement, Mu Qing turned and gave her a nod and a smile. The two of them stood in the corridor and listened for a while. Bai Lin’s voice was bright and steady, carrying the particular vitality of youth. He did not simply recite from the text but brought rigid content to life, and while he may have lacked gravity, he was perfectly suited for teaching children between the ages of six and eight — one had only to listen to how the children responded to know.

The two exchanged a gesture of invitation and moved into the covered walkway.

“I must say, when the First Young Miss first suggested it, I thought the idea was absurd — what sense does it make to have a child so young serve as a teacher? Surely that would be nothing but playing house. Now I see I was wrong. Young as Bai Lin may be, when it comes to teaching, he is anything but half-hearted.”

“It was nothing more than a stopgap born of necessity, really — think of it as an elder brother playing with his younger brothers. Bai Lin is the eldest in the family now; guiding his younger brothers is part of his responsibility.”

Mu Qing stroked his short beard, gaining a far deeper impression of this First Young Miss who had previously carried no particular reputation at all. That boldness alone — the resolve to act and follow through — was enough to put many men to shame.

Hua Zhi suddenly dipped into a curtsy before Mu Qing. “I have arranged to depart four days from now. I ask that the Master kindly look after the affairs of the clan school in my absence.”

Mu Qing made a gesture as if to help her up before she could finish. “First Young Miss, please — I would never allow it. I receive the Hua Family’s stipend and naturally must fulfill my duties as a teacher. What’s more, Bai Lin is my one and only disciple. If for nothing else, I would give this my fullest dedication for his sake.”

Hua Zhi did not offer further words of gratitude — too much of that would only make things feel distant and formal.

“The road ahead is long and arduous, First Young Miss. Please take good care of yourself. Should you encounter difficulties, do not push yourself beyond your limits. So long as the green mountains remain, there will always be firewood to burn.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

As evening drew near, just before the inner gate was locked for the night, Nian Qiu received the account book from Chen Liang and came back to tally the figures. Eyes wide with disbelief, she ignored Bao Xia’s urging and went through the numbers once more, her expression still a little dazed.

Bao Xia gave her an impatient push. “Would you say something already? You’re going to worry me to death!”

Nian Qiu stammered her way through the words. “Young — Young Miss, the total earnings today come to three hundred and twenty-two taels.”

Not just the room full of maids — even Hua Zhi herself was a little taken aback. “After costs?”

“Yes. After costs. Net profit.”

That just went to show — never underestimate a small, low-cost venture. Done well, it could prove to be a remarkably lucrative business!

After all, she had done no advertising whatsoever. There were still very few people who knew this lane had transformed into a snack street. Once word spread — ten people to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand — business would truly start to flourish!

Ying Chun blinked her wide eyes. “Does that mean we’ll recover our costs very soon?”

Nian Qiu hugged the account book to her chest and nodded excitedly. Including the purchase of the shops, the total outlay had only been a few thousand taels — at this rate, they would break even in under a month!

“This servant — this servant must go think up a few more dishes!” Fu Dong was so excited she could barely string words together. She was off and running before she finished the sentence, with Liu Juan immediately following after her.

The remaining maids looked at one another, and one by one covered their mouths to laugh.

“Ying Chun.”

“Yes, this servant is here.”

“Tally up all the silver we have available to move. Convert half into gold bars and half into gold pieces. Aside from what we’ll need for the road, keep no silver cash in the house — the daily income from Green Moss Lane will be more than sufficient.”

“Should the silver earned from Green Moss Lane these past few days be converted as well?”

“Yes. While I’m away, you are all to keep careful watch over the accounts. If anyone asks to see the account book, have them wait for my return.”

Ying Chun hesitated slightly. “If the Fourth Madam should try to get involved…”

“She won’t.” Hua Zhi spoke with certainty. She could not vouch for others, but she had confidence in her Fourth Aunt. “Keep your guard up around Second Aunt and Third Aunt. Oh — and Liu Xiang, go and fetch Nanny Lin.”

“Yes.”

Hua Zhi swept her gaze across her personal senior maids. “You are my people. You represent my face. Anyone who tries to bully you is striking at me directly. Strike back — hard. I will cover whatever happens. You need not hold back for any reason whatsoever. Remember this: the moment you show weakness even once, you will never be able to hold firm again. But stand your ground without yielding, and others will learn to fear you. Understood?”

The maids nodded emphatically. Ying Chun spoke for them all: “Yes, Young Miss. We will guard the home and await your return.”