Everyone remembered the day the mourning period would end. Early the next morning, Wu Shi came by to raise the matter.

“A few days ago, the First Madam of the Qin Family came in person. She said the spirit house is ready and will be delivered when the time comes. Looking at the Qin Family now — they seem considerably warmer than before.”

Wu Shi managed only the inner courtyard’s affairs, yet she was not entirely indifferent to what happened beyond those walls. After the visits from people at her own maternal family, she had come to understand what was making the biggest stir in the capital these days, and from those who had called upon them she had gathered that this matter had something to do with Hua Zhi.

She did not understand how a young woman barely into her teens could be so formidable. The only thing she could do was guard the inner courtyard well, so that those inside would not create trouble for Hua Zhi, and leave her free to act as she saw fit.

The Master’s letters too had repeatedly urged her to do everything possible to support Hua Zhi. She did not want to overthink things — she would simply pour her whole effort into doing that.

And now that even the Qin Family appeared to be currying favor, Wu Shi had over these past few days allowed herself to imagine a little more than usual. It was possible — just possible — that Hua Zhi could truly do what she had said and bring all the Hua men back home!

Even for the sake of that alone, she would not allow anyone to gain a foothold here. That included her own maternal family.

Hua Zhi was somewhat taken aback. “The Qin Family came? I had been planning to send the steward over with a reminder.”

Wu Shi smiled a little. “Even if the mistress forgets, those below will remember. Whatever the Qin Family truly thinks on the inside, they will make a proper show of things on the surface.”

True enough — for great families, face was paramount. Hua Zhi nodded. “Have the offerings prepared. When the day comes, let Baiyu officiate the rites. All the children of the household should attend — older and younger alike. Let Grandmother rest easy.”

“Won’t Bailin be back?”

“He will not. The matter he is handling out there is important.”

“Has it not been Baiyu who has come forward quite a few times of late?” Wu Shi frowned slightly. “I don’t say this out of envy — my two are still small, and no matter how the turns fall, it will not come to them. I only worry that the Third Branch will start to think too much, and even Baiyu himself may begin to form ideas.”

Only now did Hua Zhi feel that perhaps things were not as uncomplicated as she had assumed. Both Yanxi and her Fourth Aunt had thought along these lines — and they represented what most people would think. What the Third Branch’s wife thought was not something she much cared about. What she cared about was what that woman might be saying to Baiyu.

“That was an oversight on my part. I will have a talk with Baiyu. But the person officiating the rites will not change. A family can make room for several capable people — and if Bailin’s heart is truly that small, the Hua Family will have no place for him either.”

Wu Shi was briefly taken aback, then nodded. “I understand. I will go and make sure the others know — I won’t let these rumors reach the children’s ears and affect them.”

“We must also make some preparations at home for the occasion. Invite the branch families as well. Have the kitchen prepare some light, easy-to-digest dishes with a bit of meat — nothing too heavy, as rich food is hard on the stomach. Oh, and I had Fu Dong send back a sheep — have a lamb broth made so everyone can have a bowl and warm themselves up.”

Neither of them mentioned whether the branch family members had truly kept the fast or not. Looking proper on the surface was all that could reasonably be asked — which was still better than those who ate their fill and did not even bother to wipe their mouths.

With little time to spare, Wu Shi went off immediately to make the arrangements. Hua Zhi thought to herself that it had been some time since she last visited the clan school. She took up a basket and went to spend a half day’s lessons with the children. Since Master Zheng had arrived, she no longer taught from the textbooks — instead, she spoke of things beyond these walls. Today she spoke of Jinyang.

She talked about Jinyang’s horse markets, the origins of Lotus City, why Jinyang was called the little capital — and the children listened with hearts full of longing.

After the lesson ended, Hua Zhi asked Baiyu to remain behind and first went over to have a word with Zeng Han.

The child had grown a little taller. His color was good, his eyes clear. He still had few words, yet the sense of distance about him had visibly lessened, and he showed no sign of shunning the children of the clan school. Hua Zhi felt glad in her heart. She crouched down, tousled his hair, and said: “I have quite a few new books over at my place. Come by and take any you’d like to read.”

Zeng Han gave a small nod, then suddenly reached out and touched Hua Zhi’s face. Hua Zhi was startled for a moment, but did not pull away. The child quickly withdrew his hand, and a look of quiet contentment passed over his usually expressionless face.

“I had Yanxi visit your father’s and mother’s grave and offer incense for you. I told them you are well.” Hua Zhi’s expression was gentle. “You must be well in every way. Understood?”

Zeng Han pressed his lips together, then nodded. “All right.”

A child’s well-behaved compliance was the thing most likely to move one’s heart. She tousled his hair one more time, then looked up at Zheng Zhi, who stood waiting nearby, and rose to her feet. “You have worked hard, Master.”

Zheng Zhi gave her a long, meaningful look. “Not as hard as you.”

Hua Zhi acted as though she had not understood. “Please, make yourself at ease, Master.”

Zheng Zhi cupped his hands in a bow, then led Zeng Han away.

Zeng Han walked out a few paces, then turned back. When he saw that Elder Sister Hua was still standing there watching him, a little happiness stirred in his chest. He quickened his steps to follow after the master.

Hua Zhi, seeing how he was, understood that there was still an undercurrent of unease in him. If only she herself were not so busy — but for now she could only leave it to time to heal him. She sighed quietly to herself, then turned and called out for Baiyu to come over.

“Come and have a meal with your elder sister.”

Hua Baiyu, who had been anxiously waiting since the moment he had been asked to stay behind, felt his eyes light up. He unclenched his fist and let it fall loose — his palm already damp with sweat.

Hua Zhi caught every small movement. She said nothing, and simply brought him back to her courtyard.

The dishes were already laid out. Little Six was there waiting, and upon spotting Hua Baiyu he waved him a casual greeting, then sat down and ladled soup for Elder Sister Hua with practiced ease.

“Don’t fill it too full — I ate too much this morning. I’m not even very hungry right now.”

Little Six listened obediently and set down the ladle, placing the half-filled bowl of soup in front of Elder Sister Hua.

He was attentive to the Hua Family’s affairs, and Little Six understood perfectly well what sort of situation the household was in at the moment. After the meal, he found a reason and took his leave first.

Hua Baiyu grew more tense than ever. He sat with his head lowered, not knowing what to do with his hands or his feet.

Hua Zhi felt a mild ache of a headache coming on. It was evident that she had been negligent — Baiyu must have been on the receiving end of no small amount of idle talk for some time now.

“Master Mu said you have been daydreaming often lately.”

“I —”

Hua Zhi smiled gently. “I’ve been away a great deal, and there is much at home that I haven’t been keeping up with. It was only now, coming back, that I began to understand what had been happening. Baiyu — Elder Sister wants to know what is truly in your heart.”

Hua Baiyu raised his head. His mouth opened and closed, but in the end nothing came out. Under ordinary circumstances, he would not have felt this way so keenly — but being asked so directly by Elder Sister now, he felt a wave of grievance wash over him that he could not name. He had never had any such intentions at all.

“Anything said in this room stays with Elder Sister alone. No one else will know.”

“Anything I say?”

Hua Zhi nodded. “Anything.”

“I don’t have the thoughts they say I have, Elder Sister. Please believe me.” Hua Baiyu said urgently, his whole body leaning slightly forward. “Sixth Brother isn’t here, and among the brothers at home I’m the eldest. Those things are all things I should be doing. Sixth Brother is the eldest son and the legitimate grandson. I have no intention of competing with him. Truly — I would never compete with Sixth Brother!”

“Don’t be anxious. Elder Sister believes you.”

Hua Baiyu’s expression went briefly blank. Elder Sister believed him?

Hua Zhi smiled. “Why would I not believe you? Was it not Elder Sister herself who put you forward to bear the responsibilities of the Hua sons?”