Though she was a guest, Old Madam Sun was of an elder generation, and when word reached the inner courtyard, the mistresses of all four branches came out to pay their respects.

Old Madam Sun was herself gracious and courteous in return, and they shared a warm, harmonious lunch before she took her leave.

Hua Zhi and Little Six tallied up the fortune the Sun Family had sent over together. For an ordinary person the sum was enormous, but for a great household it could hardly be called much.

“They say General Sun contributed heavily to fill the gaping hole in the military payroll — it seems that was no exaggeration.”

Little Six pressed his lips together and said quietly, “It is the truth. Maternal Grandfather could not bear to see the soldiers go without even a full meal. Over the years, he has poured in an incalculable amount.”

“If even the garrison passes, which are most heavily prioritized, are in such a state, the embezzlement and delays in military pay everywhere else can only be imagined.” Hua Zhi was not surprised. If this were the modern era — well, who would dare!

“Leave these things with me for now.” Hua Zhi placed her hand on the stack of ledgers. “I will go over everything before deciding how to handle it. If we want to get our hands on the private salt, this silver alone is not enough.”

“Whatever Hua Jiejie decides.” Little Six paused. “Imperial Father does not favor me. If he finds out that I have had a hand in the private salt trade…”

“In the eyes of the imperial household, the benefits of this far outweigh the risks. Even if he knew, he would commend you for your foresight. There is nothing to worry about.”

Little Six thought it over and understood. If the private salt trade were firmly in the imperial family’s hands, who could ever hold it over them again?

Hua Zhi picked out the register of names. “Give this to Yanxi. Have the Seven Lodges look into the backgrounds. We must not let anyone with ulterior motives slip in.”

Little Six had no objection. These people were strangers to him — he would never dare simply use them as they were!

On the twenty-fourth, snow fell heavily — just as it had the year before.

Hua Zhi was dressed in plain mourning white, a few small white flowers freshly picked and pinned behind her ear, which only made her already cool and composed bearing seem all the more austere.

Nanny Su pushed open the door and entered. “Miss, the Qin Family has sent word. The eldest master who is bringing the spirit house is already on his way.”

Hua Zhi looked at her own reflection in the mirror. The timing was well chosen — on a day such as this, no one could rightfully turn him away.

“Open the main gate wide to receive him.”

Nanny Su quietly exhaled in relief and hurried off. She was originally from the Qin Family, and though she had left many years ago, she still did not wish to see the two families truly estranged. Even with what the Qin Family had done before — now that they had offered an olive branch, it was naturally best if the young mistress could gracefully step down and accept it.

Hua Zhi rose, and a thick cloak was settled across her shoulders. “Today is likely to draw quite a crowd. Go inform the kitchen — prepare plenty of food.”

“Yes, Miss.”

She stepped outside. The freezing air, laced with snowflakes, rushed at her face, chasing away every trace of warmth from her body.

Hua Zhi pulled her cloak tighter and walked toward the assembled household.

Wu Shi came forward to meet her, something clearly weighing on her, but she stopped herself.

“What they choose to do is their business. What we do is ours.” Hua Zhi reached up and gently touched the flower behind her ear. “We simply do what must be done on the day mourning ends.”

Wu Shi drew a deep breath, clenched her back teeth, and gave a firm nod. The evening before, she had received word from her own family, and since nearly all the branches seemed to be in the same situation, she had a fair idea of why they were coming. Yes — it was true that the family could refuse visitors on ordinary days, but on the day mourning ended, it was a time-honored custom that the more relatives and friends came to pay respects, the greater the honor to the deceased. No matter how firmly the Hua Family closed its gates on other days, it could not turn people away on this one.

Was that not exactly what they were banking on? Wu Shi felt both grieved and indignant, yet could say nothing — among those who had come to take advantage, there were her own closest kin.

“If anyone insists on saying things today that are not particularly welcome, there is no need for any of you to raise your voice against them. Simply say the person in charge of the household is inside, and have them come find me.” Hua Zhi took the hand warmer Ying Chun passed to her and slipped her hands inside. “Fourth Aunt, please keep a close eye on the rear courtyard. Second Sister, Third Sister — lend a hand.”

The three sisters standing at a slight distance all started slightly. Hua Xin and Hua Ling immediately nodded and agreed.

“Fourth Sister, stay with my mother. Do not let her be alone with anyone who may have ulterior motives.”

Hua Rong, who had feared she would be left out entirely, exhaled in relief and answered at once in a clear voice.

Hua Zhi then looked over the cluster of children. “Bailin, as soon as the hour arrives, take everyone to the ancestral graves.”

“Yes.”

Her gaze moved to Zeng Han. Hua Zhi stepped forward. “Does Xiao Han want to go as well?”

Zeng Han nodded. His surname was Zeng, but in his heart he considered himself part of the Hua Family too — what the Hua Family members must do, he felt he must do as well.

“Then go. Be a good older brother and look after the younger ones.”

All the children straightened their chests and answered in unison that they were old hands at looking after their younger brothers — they knew perfectly well what to do.

Hua Zhi gave them an approving smile, then walked toward the front courtyard.

What should have been a family matter had been turned by others into an arena of scheming and calculation. If Grandmother could see it from beyond, she might feel resentment — or perhaps she would blame her granddaughter for refusing to bow her head.

But how could she bow!

The moment she showed even a trace of retreat, those people would latch on like leeches and refuse to let go until they had sucked her dry!

Only a backbone of iron and steel could break apart the grasping hands they extended, one by one, and make them feel the pain.

If they wanted to feed off her — they would have to see whether she was willing! She had never been afraid even when biding her time at her lowest. Now, with the Emperor’s banner behind her, she knew how to use borrowed authority perfectly well.

The front courtyard was livelier than usual. The snow had already been swept once, and the flurries still drifting down could not accumulate quickly. Servants moved back and forth in every direction making preparations. Hua Zhi stood still for a moment, watching, before continuing on her way.

Steward Xu noticed his young mistress and was about to step forward to welcome her when a figure moved faster. “Hua Jiejie.”

Little Six was also dressed in plain white. It suddenly occurred to Hua Zhi that since he had come to the Hua Family, Little Six seemed never to have worn anything in bright or vivid colors. He dressed much as Bailin did — the clothes she had ordered made for him, and even those sent over by the Sun Family, he had consistently chosen in plain and understated shades. Thinking about it now, it was clearly deliberate.

“So many people are likely to come today. Would you not rather spend the day at the Sun Family’s residence?”

Little Six hesitated and asked, “May I go to the Hua Family ancestral graves with everyone?”

Hua Zhi smiled. “Of course you may. Just be mindful — light a single stick of incense and no more. Do not give anyone grounds to impeach you.”

Little Six’s face instantly broke into a bright smile. “Understood.”

At that moment Steward Xu also walked over. “Miss, shall I go open the main gate now?”

“Open it.”

Hua Zhi removed her hand warmer and passed it to Bao Xia. Step by step, she walked steadily to a spot near the front of the courtyard, facing the gate, and watched as the main doors slowly swung open.

After a moment, Qin Gongyang appeared in her line of sight. He had not come alone — several of the Qin Family’s nephews and younger kinsmen were with him, and behind them a group of servants carrying an enormous spirit house. Hua Zhi let her gaze rest for a moment on the grand and elaborate spirit house, then looked beyond it and saw Master Boruo standing at the rear.

Hua Zhi dipped in a slow, graceful curtsy. “I pay my respects, Maternal Grand-Uncle. You have gone to great lengths.”

“Please, rise.” Qin Gongyang raised a hand to help her up, and looked at this cousin’s granddaughter who had, without a word, managed to bring all this about. At the time, he had not agreed with the idea of growing distant from the Hua Family, but his mother had disapproved of Hua Zhi engaging in trade and had firmly persuaded his father to consent to reducing their contact. Who could have imagined that while she was indeed skilled at commerce, that was far from all she was capable of — and by the time the Qin Family came to its senses, it was already too late.