Early the next morning, Yingchun drew back the bed curtains as she did every day, and the moment she met the young mistress’s red and swollen eyes she was startled out of her wits. She rushed close in a flurry, asking, “What happened to your eyes? Are you unwell? Is there anything else hurting you? Bao Xia, Bao Xia — go and fetch Doctor Chu — no, go and fetch Miss Shao Yao, quickly.”

Bao Xia came in carrying a basin of water. Hearing this, she immediately quickened her steps, set the water down to the side, rushed over for a look, then turned to dash back out. Hua Zhi called out and stopped her: “It’s nothing. I had a dream and woke rather early. Go and prepare my clothes.”

As she spoke, Hua Zhi lifted the quilt and got out of bed. It was more than simply waking early — she had been awake for quite some time. She didn’t know whether it was because this bout of crying had released all the pressure pent up in her heart, but her whole body felt somewhat light and weightless.

“Young Mistress, are you truly not unwell anywhere?”

“If I were unwell, would I be pushing through in silence? Nothing is the matter. If you’re worried, have Shao Yao take a look when she comes today. Oh, and — is the room ready? The child will be coming today.”

“It’s ready.” Yingchun shot a glance at Bao Xia, who still looked as though she wanted to say something. Bao Xia pressed her lips together and went to fetch the clothes.

After attending to the young mistress’s dressing, Bao Xia followed along to help with washing up, while Yingchun stayed behind to tidy the bed. She folded the quilt and then reached the pillow — and her hands stilled. She turned to look at the young mistress for a moment, then ran her hands over the entire pillow. The young mistress had never been able to sleep on a jade pillow, and for many years Yingchun had always made the soft pillows to her specifications. Now, running her hands over it, she found one half of it was wet.

The young mistress… had been crying?

The thought made Yingchun’s nose sting, and she nearly felt like crying herself. She rubbed her nose firmly and went on making the bed.

Only after the young mistress had gone to the front courtyard to attend to affairs did she come back to the room, quietly let the other maids know what she had discovered, and the lot of them looked at one another, none knowing what the young mistress had encountered.

Nian Qiu said softly: “Let’s pretend we don’t know. If the young mistress hasn’t said anything, it means she doesn’t want us to know.”

“I think so too — that’s why I acted as though I’d noticed nothing when I was in front of her.” Yingchun let out a breath and patted her own cheeks. “Nian Qiu, take the account book to the young mistress for her to review. If there are no problems, last month’s accounts need to be sealed.”

“Understood.”

When Nian Qiu brought the account book into the study, she found the young mistress handing her own name card to Steward Xu. “You need not say anything extra. Simply retrieve the reply card and come back.”

“Yes, miss.”

Nian Qiu dipped a small curtsy as the departing old steward passed by, stepping aside to show her respect.

The old steward smiled and nodded. It was as though the illness he had suffered had carried him over some threshold — his health had since recovered to its former robustness, and he walked with such vigor it seemed a wind followed in his wake. Although he had already handed certain matters over to Li De, anything the young mistress entrusted to him he handled personally.

“Young Mistress, do you have a free moment? I’d like to show you the account books.”

Hua Zhi glanced at the slip of paper on which she had jotted down today’s tasks, simply flipped it face down and placed a paperweight over it, then took the account book and began reading.

The business at Lvtai Lane was thriving, and was growing more so by the day. It had already become a well-known specialty of the capital — much like the roast duck at a certain establishment, visitors from outside the city simply had to come and try it. And unlike that establishment which was known for a single signature dish, this place had twenty-four storefronts and dozens of different snacks — one could always find something to suit one’s palate. Humble as the trade might appear, with no comparison to the elegance of the Food Hall, it was currently the most profitable venture she had in hand.

Just thinking about how once Limai Lane also opened for business the earnings would climb yet another great notch made Hua Zhi happy. Well — most people would be happy about something like that.

“The finances in each branch of the household are all tight at the moment. Send one thousand taels of silver to each branch.” She paused, then added: “Send a share to the two Yiniang as well — consider it my gesture of filial regard. There’s no need for Little Aunt’s branch, she won’t accept it.”

Nian Qiu smiled and agreed. Not giving it to Little Aunt, perhaps, but giving it to Third Yiniang was the same as giving it to her, was it not? Third Yiniang had only this one daughter, and could she really sit by and watch her endure hardship?

Just as they were speaking, Liu Xiang came in to report: “Young Mistress, Miss Hua Qin and her husband have arrived.”

Hua Zhi had anticipated the two of them would come. She had earlier instructed the servants that if they arrived, they were to be shown in directly, and so they were now waiting behind Liu Xiang.

“Please have them come in.” Hua Zhi exchanged a few more quiet words with Nian Qiu, who acknowledged the instructions, bowed, and withdrew — not forgetting to observe the proper courtesies as she passed Hua Qin and her husband.

Cai Jieming was a little overwhelmed with excitement. How many young men from distinguished families in all of the capital sought to enter this gate without success, yet he had stepped through it with ease simply by virtue of his wife? Though he harbored no improper intentions, he felt a little light-headed.

But when he truly saw the person before him — when he took in this study that would be considered modest even by an ordinary household’s standards, the documents piled high on the writing desk, and the composed manner between mistress and maid — he inexplicably felt himself settle as well.

Following his wife in paying his respects, Cai Jieming watched the eldest young mistress step out from behind the writing desk and lead them to seats at the side, and he suddenly understood why, of all the renowned young ladies of the capital, this one — despite her unconventional conduct — did not earn the disdain of the distinguished families.

“I imagine my younger cousin has already told her husband the purpose of this visit.”

“She has.” Cai Jieming set aside those stray thoughts and composed himself. “I have long heard of Eldest Miss’s skill in business. An offer of this kind is less a business partnership than a bestowal of advantage upon the Cai Family. For such a small matter, there is truly no need to go this far.”

He paused, then gave a rueful smile. “Yet I cannot deny it — Eldest Miss’s proposal is very tempting. Even though I feel I shouldn’t, I came anyway.”

“Then let me put it another way.” Hua Zhi’s expression remained unchanged, the faint smile on her face constant. “Parting with a share of the profits in exchange for my married cousin’s ease and contentment, and for the Cai Family’s continued goodwill toward the Hua Family — to me, that is a worthwhile trade.”

Cai Jieming opened his mouth, but couldn’t find the words. He looked toward his wife — did Eldest Miss always speak this… this directly?

Hua Qin covered her mouth with a small laugh, but was clever enough not to open her mouth to rescue him. As a married woman with a sincere desire to do something for her maternal family, she was naturally willing for the two households to grow closer. Besides, her elder cousin had said so herself — parting with a share of the profits to ensure her ease was a worthwhile trade. Even among other families, few would go this far for a daughter who had married out.

Seeing the harmony between the two of them, Hua Zhi smiled a little more warmly. “You needn’t feel too much pressure either. Since I’m letting you benefit, there will naturally be times when I’ll need to call on you. Having the protection of the Cai Family over this business venture would also set my mind at ease.”

Cai Jieming was still somewhat conflicted: “Even without any benefit, offering what shelter we can is only right and proper…”

Judging the greater from the smaller, watching Cai Jieming who was clearly tempted yet still trying to resist the temptation, Hua Zhi found her regard for the Cai Family growing yet another measure. To place integrity first and not abandon righteousness at the sight of profit was genuinely rare among the established families.

“I am the sort of person who would rather give a little extra than accept another’s goodwill for nothing. That the Cai Family is willing to support the Hua Family under these circumstances, and moreover willing to take care in the matter of marriages for the Hua Family’s daughters — I am already deeply grateful. If I cannot give something in return, I also worry that my cousin will find herself in an awkward position in her husband’s household in the future. There can be no principle of perpetually carrying good things from one’s maternal family while giving nothing back. So, brother-in-law, please accept this — think of it as consideration for your beloved wife. And it isn’t something for nothing either — the Cai Family will need to put in silver.”

Cai Jieming looked toward his wife. Hua Qin gave him a gentle nod. Cai Jieming, who had already been thoroughly tempted, conceded completely, and the matter was settled then and there.