The Li Yun Lane location was on the verge of opening. Hua Zhi paid one final visit to check on things: with the Green Moss Lane establishment as a model, the manager Chen Liang had everything in impeccable order. Apart from the absence of the warmth that comes from people living and working in a place, it was already indistinguishable from the Green Moss Lane side.

Green Moss Lane was bustling with people. Hua Zhi stood on this side of the river and watched for a while, but did not cross over.

“Young Mistress, Young Master Bai has arrived.”

Hua Zhi turned at the sound. Seated tall on a fine horse — who else could it be but Bai Mingxia?

“Uncle.” Hua Zhi gave a bow.

Bai Mingxia dismounted and gestured for her to rise, then stood shoulder to shoulder with her, looking across at the lane. “These days there is no shortage of people who covet this business. It’s fortunate you were clever enough to bring the Zhu Family in as cover.”

Had this venture belonged to the Hua Family alone, she could not have held onto it. For the sake of money, there were people who would resort to any shameless tactic imaginable. Thinking of the affairs within his own family, a wave of revulsion rose in Bai Mingxia’s chest.

“Uncle looks somewhat thinner.”

Thinner was putting it mildly — his clothes hung loose on him, the man had practically hollowed out. Hua Zhi could more or less guess the reason. Just the other day, when she had visited her maternal grandmother’s family, she had heard that the Bai Family was in the process of dividing the household. She only did not know whether this man had gotten what he had hoped for.

Bai Mingxia’s lips curved faintly. “I have separated from the family.”

Hua Zhi gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment and said nothing more.

Bai Mingxia looked at her, a sardonic light in his eyes. “I had long anticipated that my dear elder brother would not let me come out ahead. What I had not anticipated was just how ruthless he would be. Of all the family’s assets, I was given only a few shops and thirty thousand taels of silver. Ha — even the dowry of a legitimate daughter of the Bai Family would exceed that sum.”

“I had always thought the family division was decided by Elder Master Bai.”

The composure on Bai Mingxia’s face fractured, and a thread of pain showed through. Indeed — when would such a matter ever be left to his elder brother to decide? It was precisely because of this that he found it all the more difficult to accept.

Because he was the younger, he had endured, he had retreated, he had conceded. And that still was not enough? In the years he had managed the family’s business affairs, how much silver had he brought in? How far did the network of connections he had built extend, and how greatly had the family benefited? Why could they not see what he had done, and remember only that he was the younger son, that he must not compete with his elder brother for anything?

If he had truly contested things, that would be one thing — it would not be an injustice. But had he ever done so? Was it not his elder brother who had been relentless and overbearing all along?

Fine words about never allowing him to be wronged — and yet he had been wronged at every turn. And this was family.

“What is so bad about it? I think it’s quite good.”

Bai Mingxia turned to look at Hua Zhi.

Hua Zhi smiled, tilting her head back toward the clear sky. A row of large swallows flew overhead — the scent of autumn had grown distinctly stronger. “To see things clearly at thirty is better than to be used to the bone at forty or fifty, and then be discarded with a kick.”

“…I am still several years shy of thirty!”

“Then isn’t that all the better? Silver is just silver — earn it back and it’s there again. The moment everyone can see you were wronged, your elder brother has already lost. People are naturally inclined toward sympathy for the one who suffered. Your elder brother may defend his interests as the firstborn, but if he pressed too hard, that is called turning his back on his own flesh and blood. A man with a ruthless streak always makes others wary of him. Even if your parents had no choice but to stand with him on this occasion, they are not without guilt toward you, and not without some dislike of your brother. The days ahead are long — who can say for certain who will have the last laugh?”

The weight of resentment in Bai Mingxia’s chest eased a little all at once. He thought of the white hairs that had appeared overnight on his father’s head, of his mother holding him and weeping, of his elder brother arriving with great fanfare to pay his morning respects to their parents only to be turned away at the door, of his nephew unable to lift his head when facing him…

Indeed. His elder brother would not necessarily have an easy time of it going forward either.

And as for himself — what he stood to gain might not be less than what he had lost.

A clarity swept through Bai Mingxia’s chest in an instant, and the life came back into that naturally refined and handsome face. He turned to look at the young woman beside him, who seemed to have said nothing of consequence just now. These past weeks since he had last seen her, this girl had grown more and more composed.

“Does what you said before still hold?”

The words were vague, but Hua Zhi understood them immediately. “Several varieties of fruit for the canned goods are ripening at around this time. If Uncle could go out to the manor and lend a hand right now, your niece would be most grateful.”

Bai Mingxia laughed despite himself. He had not said anything about personally going to the manor to deal with that sort of thing. But keeping watch over a shop wasn’t something he needed to do himself either. It would be better to go personally and inspect the inventory — and take stock of whether anyone at the workshop was skimping on their work.

“Very well — I’ll go and manage things for you for a few days.”

“Not for me — that venture belongs to Uncle as well.” Hua Zhi inclined her head slightly. She had come back to a tangle of matters, and the canned goods operation had only been checked on via Steward Xu Jie’s reports and a few words from Ying Chun. She genuinely could not find the time to go out to the manor herself. If Uncle was willing to go, all the better — anything that passed his inspection would be ready to move.

Both had their own affairs to attend to. They parted and each went their own way.

On her return home, Hua Zhi spotted Shao Yao sitting in the courtyard with her head hung low, and could not help raising an eyebrow. Had Yanxi said something to upset her? Though at this hour, Yanxi should still be in the palace serving as the emperor’s proxy.

“Huahua.” Shao Yao looked over pitifully. “I have to go away for a period.”

“An assignment?”

“To relieve my master.”

Hua Zhi dismissed the others and led Shao Yao into the study. “Is your master leaving the palace?”

“Yes. He says the herb he’s been searching for is approaching the time of its ripening and he needs to set out soon — if he waits any longer, he might miss it.” Shao Yao touched her own face. “I’ve actually never minded this face. I’ve long since grown used to it.”

“But if there is a chance of improvement, none of us — your master, Yanxi, or I — would let it pass by.”

“…I know.” Shao Yao leaned against Hua Zhi, and it was precisely because she knew that she could not stand in his way, could not say no.

“In a few days, when the dried meat is ready, I’ll have your brother Yanxi bring some for you.” Hua Zhi patted her on the head. Yanxi could come and go from the palace freely; Shao Yao could not. As a personal attending physician, she had to remain in the palace at all times. “I’ll ask Yanxi if he can arrange for someone to bring you meals.”

“Brilliant idea!” Shao Yao finally felt as though life had something to look forward to. She grabbed Hua Zhi’s hands and shook them vigorously. “Brother Yanxi listens to you — Huahua, you must convince him!”

Hua Zhi pinched her cheek. Only food could restore her spirits.

Liu Xiang, who had been standing watch at the door, glanced toward the courtyard gate and announced, “Young Mistress, Master Zheng has arrived.”

Hua Zhi nodded, then said to Shao Yao: “Is that medicine finished?”

“Done, and without the slightest problem.”

Hua Zhi let out a small breath of relief. Some people could not eat shellfish. To prevent allergic reactions, she had asked Shao Yao to specially develop an antiallergy remedy — anyone who had an allergic reaction after eating at the restaurant could take one dose and it would largely subside. The restaurant would inform customers of this as well. She would not allow that sort of situation to become ammunition for others to attack the seafood venture with.

“While you still haven’t entered the palace, go and prepare a supply to keep on hand.”

Shao Yao, who always heeded Hua Zhi’s word without question, did so now just the same, and headed obediently toward the adjoining pharmacy, passing Master Zheng Zhi on her way in.