Idle gossip never blows in just one direction — within a couple of days, the rumors had shifted entirely, and voices saying that the eldest daughter of the Hua Family was improper and undisciplined had grown so overwhelming they threatened to drown out all else.

Hua Zhi shut her doors and paid no mind to it, but Gu Yanxi could not let it stand. He traced the threads back to their roots and turned up quite a few people who had been fanning the flames behind the scenes — among them, as expected, the Song Family and the Feng Family, but surprisingly also the handiwork of Chen Zhi and Yu Zhengyao.

The two of them had already been driven out of every scholarly circle by the literati and had nowhere left to stand — yet they still had the leisure to fling mud at their own mentor’s granddaughter!

Gu Yanxi saw no need to use his influence to crush them. He simply made the whole matter public, letting all of society see for themselves just how contemptible the two men’s characters truly were, cutting off every path they might have retreated to.

This infuriated the young gentlemen of the capital, who had only just caught a glimpse of the remarkable beauty they had been hearing about. The Song Family was in mourning, so they were spared for now; the Feng Family was not worth a direct confrontation either. Chen Zhi and Yu Zhengyao bore the full force of everyone’s wrath. Those young men were ruthless about it — they dispatched people who, from somewhere or other, procured dozens of loads of night soil and hurled it from outside over the walls and into both residences, leaving them reeking beyond endurance. Even so, the two men dared not set foot outside. Their crimes had been exposed, and they could not bear to imagine what awaited them if they showed their faces.

Yet even with both households reduced to such a stench, Chen Dayi still stormed over and came to blows with his two fellow disciples. That ordinarily refined gentleman was so furious he jabbed his finger in both their faces and berated them in no uncertain terms. He truly never could have imagined that his two senior brothers had a hand in this — this was deliberately ruining the eldest young lady’s reputation! How could they face their teacher?!

The matter did not end there.

The eldest grandson of the Zhu Family, Zhu Ziwen, arrived with his household retainers, pinching his nose shut, and smashed both families’ gates open in broad daylight before the public gaze. The walls were knocked down by more than half, and then he strode away without a backward glance.

No one offered so much as a shred of sympathy.

There are some people whose behavior, however low, carries no real sting — they are strangers, after all, with no bond to speak of. But those close to a person cannot afford such conduct. Chen Zhi and Yu Zhengyao had spent so many years under old Master Hua’s tutelage, yet they had chosen to act this way precisely when the Hua Family was in its most desperate hour. It was truly beneath contempt.

Chen Zhi could not endure it. He packed up his valuables on the spot, gathered his family and servants, and quit the capital entirely. Yu Zhengyao, however, simply moved to a different residence and withdrew from society, keeping a low profile. He did not believe that something so minor would stay on anyone’s mind indefinitely. There would come a time when the page turned — he would wait it out.

Gu Yanxi seized the opportunity to pay a visit to the Hua household, telling her where the two men had gone, and added: “Neither of them will disappear without a trace. Tracking them down would be simple enough, whenever needed.”

“It would be best if I never had to see either of them again. And should Grandfather ever return, I hope they never appear before him either.”

Gu Yanxi understood what she meant. He gave a slight nod — he would see to it that Yu Zhengyao left the capital as well.

“Miss, Second Uncle has arrived.”

He had come rather quickly. Hua Zhi glanced over at Gu Yanxi. “I have something to discuss with Second Uncle. Master Lu, please feel free to see yourself around.”

Gu Yanxi had no wish to leave so soon and reached for an excuse without thinking. “Shaoyao wants some pastries — she asked me to bring some back for her.”

“Nianqiu, go let Fudong know and have her make a few more of the pastries Shaoyao likes.”

“Yes, miss.”

“Master Lu, please make yourself at home.”

Hua Zhi rose and went out of the room, and Gu Yanxi followed behind her. Catching sight of Zhu Haodong striding hurriedly into the courtyard, his eyes narrowed slightly. If he remembered correctly, the Zhu Family had only their eldest son in official service. Among the many great families of the capital, it had long been the custom that those with natural aptitude entered officialdom, while those without managed the family’s commercial ventures — one branch in government, one in trade, together ensuring the clan’s continued prosperity. The Zhu Family, he presumed, was much the same.

Zhu Haodong had not expected to find a male guest here either. His step faltered for a moment, and the look he turned on Gu Yanxi carried a measure of scrutiny. Zhizhi had just come out of the same room as him — who was this young man, and what was his connection to Zhizhi?

“Second Uncle.”

Only then did Zhu Haodong shift his gaze. Thinking of the rumors circulating through the capital and then looking at the composed, unruffled young woman standing before him, he was filled with a deep and complicated admiration. Outsiders saw only how commanding and formidable she appeared — how could any of them know what strength of heart it must take to bear up the entire Hua household, women and children all?

Hua Zhi led him into the study. Zhu Haodong asked in a manner that seemed offhand, “That gentleman just now — he was…?”

“A business partner.”

“Someone you trade with?”

“Yes.” Hua Zhi steered the conversation elsewhere. “Have you had the chance to try that formula yet, Second Uncle?”

Zhu Haodong’s face reddened. Had he not actually produced something from it, he would never have rushed over here so quickly. But right now he had no time for embarrassment. He drew an oilpaper parcel from his sleeve and unwrapped it. “Is this what you had in mind?”

Hua Zhi lifted it and smelled it. “To have done this well on the first attempt is quite good. It can be made more refined still. Have you used it?”

“Yes — your Second Aunt used it herself and said it was excellent.” Zhu Haodong felt as though a mountain of gold were pressing down on him in the most wonderful way. “Zhizhi, how do you intend to run this business?”

“Does Second Uncle plan to bring in another partner?”

Zhu Haodong looked at his opinionated niece. “You think it would be better to bring someone else in?”

“A trade this singular and the enormous profits it will plainly yield — one can well imagine how many eyes it will attract with envy. If Second Uncle feels the Zhu Family can shoulder it entirely on its own, there’s no need to involve anyone else. But if Second Uncle has any doubt, I would agree to bringing in one other family. I’ll say this plainly first: I want three parts in ten of the profits. Whether Second Uncle keeps the rest or divides it with another party is entirely your decision to make.”

Zhu Haodong turned it over for a moment. “It would be wiser to bring in one more family. But the choice of who — I’ll need to go back and discuss it with your grandfather.”

“That’s fine.” Hua Zhi rose and took three sheets of plain paper from the writing desk. She had prepared a sort of business plan — one that people of this era could understand, staying well within the bounds of what this age knew, yet novel in its approach.

“Have a look, Second Uncle.”

Zhu Haodong read through it three times from start to finish, gave her a long, deep look, and said with gravity: “I will think on this carefully.”

“Use what serves you, and never mind what doesn’t.” Hua Zhi lowered her head and sipped her tea, utterly indifferent to the magnitude of what she had just handed over.

Zhu Haodong stood. “Second Uncle will not fail the goodwill you’ve shown your maternal family. I’ll go back at once and speak with your grandfather, and once we’ve settled on a partner I’ll come and tell you.”

“I trust you both — and I trust Grandfather’s judgment.”

When she saw him to the door, Gu Yanxi had still not left. Zhu Haodong gave him another look before departing in a hurry.

Gu Yanxi sauntered over. “That was quick.”

“A deal you’re genuinely interested in never takes more than a few words to settle.” Hua Zhi looked at him. “How are things on the Lu Family’s end?”

“Something delivered to their door — they’re overjoyed, of course. They wanted to meet you in person; I declined on their behalf. I imagine you have no wish to see them either.”

“There’s no rush. The shop will be opening before long — when the time comes, meeting them there to put faces to names will be enough.”

Gu Yanxi had thought the same. “Has a date been set?”

“Not yet. Du Cheng says preparations are nearly complete. I’ll go and take a look tomorrow — if it meets my satisfaction, we can pick an auspicious day to open.”

She was going out tomorrow? Gu Yanxi’s instinct was to say he would go with her, but after a moment’s reflection he held himself back. What good would it do, going along? Was he going to wrap Ah Zhi up and keep everyone from looking at her?

Too many eyes were on Ah Zhi right now. It would not do for him to be seen at her side — his identity could not be revealed. It would serve neither him nor Ah Zhi well.