Xia Shi instinctively glanced toward Hua Zhi. Hua Zhi gave a small nod. “It has been over a year since Third Aunt last went out. This is a fine opportunity for her to get some fresh air.”
Madam Yu could genuinely sense who held authority in the Hua Family, yet she kept her expression perfectly unreadable. “Then tomorrow I shall send my little troublemaker over, and we shall head out from there?”
Xia Shi agreed at once, her heart quietly fluttering — not only because Ling’er’s marriage prospects had found a landing place, but also because it truly had been more than a year since she had last stepped outside.
On the way back, Madam Yu suddenly broke into a smile. Thinking back over the entire visit, she realized she had been led along by the nose by that Hua Zhi from start to finish, yet had not noticed it in the slightest at the time. And as for the meeting itself — she had only caught a glimpse of Hua Ling at the very end. She was entirely convinced that had the earlier conversation not satisfied Hua Zhi, she would never have been allowed to see Hua Ling at all. Formidable as she was, the girl truly kept her family closely guarded.
Was it overbearing? Undeniably so. Xia Shi’s reaction at the time had confirmed that Hua Zhi was indeed autocratic and high-handed — yet those within the Hua Family saw nothing wrong with it, and all seemed to follow her without question. Evidently, the Hua Family needed precisely this kind of overbearing and decisive figure. If everyone had gone their own way and refused to yield, the Hua Family would have long since fallen apart.
Tying such a match — it seemed rather fine, actually.
As for the drawbacks Hua Zhi had mentioned, Madam Yu dismissed them entirely. Yes, the Hua Family had political enemies who wished them ill — but they also had steadfast allies like the Zhu Family who had always stood on their side. As for aligning with the Sixth Prince, there was nothing remarkable about it; no one who stepped into the world of officialdom could avoid taking sides. Rather than letting Xia Sheng charge into battle for someone else, it was better to let him follow the Hua Family’s lead. The eldest young miss would never let him come to grief.
Having settled things on her end, Hua Zhi dismissed Xia Shi and brought Hua Ling back to the main hall to talk. “Keep your wits about you — sending her daughter over is likely also a way for her to learn more about you.”
“I know.” Hua Ling pressed her lips together and asked softly, “Elder Sister, does this mean… it is settled?”
“Once we pick a day to exchange birth certificates it will be more or less official — though the wedding date will likely need to be pushed back. Your Second Sister’s marriage must be arranged first.” Hua Zhi rubbed her temple. “But after next spring’s imperial examinations, there is no telling how Yu Xiasheng will be posted. If he is sent to a regional post… then the wedding must take place before he leaves. We shall see how things unfold.”
Hua Ling’s head snapped up. “Elder Sister, I have said it before — I will not leave the capital!”
“Be reasonable. Whether he is posted regionally or stays in the capital — is that something Yu Xiasheng gets to decide? And what if he truly is sent away and cannot return for years?”
“There are people who have not come back for many, many years!” Hua Ling rose to her feet. “Elder Sister, I do not wish to marry.”
“You must marry. Third Sister, Yu Xiasheng is a fine man, and compared to him, all those external concerns amount to nothing.” Hua Zhi spoke with patient earnestness, soothing Hua Ling, who had already lost her nerve before the marriage had even happened. “Even if he is posted away, he will return. And I will be here!”
Hua Ling looked at her eldest sister, whose smile was so gentle, and suddenly stepped forward to embrace her. How could she be so wonderful? Of all the sisters, she was the smallest and most slight, yet she had shouldered the sky for all of them — making them feel that even if the heavens collapsed, it would never come crashing down upon them.
Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised by this sudden show of affection, yet she did not pull away. She patted Hua Ling’s back and said, “It is not such a great matter. Think of it this way — everyone must experience what life has in store for them in this lifetime. If all goes smoothly, that is the best outcome for everyone. But if things do not go quite as you had wished, there is no need to lose heart. The Hua Family will always have a place for you, and you will never be without a home to return to. Marriage is a joyous occasion — look forward to it with some hope. Who knows… perhaps happiness awaits?”
Tears fell silently. Hua Ling nodded with great force.
With one sister comforted, Hua Zhi still had to think about Hua Xin’s marriage. In other households, the marriage of a concubine-born daughter required little deliberation — but even for the sake of keeping the peace among the family, she had to be impartial, and a woman of Hua Ling’s caliber was not easily found again.
Gu Yanxi had grown addicted to holding her. The moment he arrived he dismissed everyone, then scooped her up and settled her into his lap.
A living, breathing cushion was infinitely preferable to any chair. Hua Zhi shifted contentedly to make herself more comfortable, and after finishing one ledger, began murmuring at length about her sisters’ marriage prospects.
“Hua Ling’s is settled. Hua Xin’s is still being looked into. Hua Rong is still young, so hers can wait — but there are still several branches of the family to consider. A few had their engagements broken off, and a few others have come of age.” Hua Zhi sighed. “Even the matchmakers are not as busy as I am.”
Gu Yanxi let out a low laugh. “Matchmakers all have beauty marks — shall I dot one on for you?”
Hua Zhi slanted her eyes at him. “And where would you put it?”
Gu Yanxi reached out and tapped the left corner of her mouth, then shifted to just above the right side of her upper lip, then to her cheek, and finally settled on the center of her brow. “Here.”
Only then was Hua Zhi satisfied. Had he dared to say the corner of her mouth, she would certainly have put one on him.
“I have no shortage of unattached men under my command — but the ladies of the Hua Family would likely look down on them.”
Hua Zhi immediately thought of Chen Qing, though she could only think it and nothing more. As Yanxi had said, the women of the Hua Family would not agree to it. The family had not been in decline long enough, and since she had taken charge of the household, money had never been wanting. Having been spared much hardship, they had not forgotten the distinction they once held, and would not consent to marrying their daughters to a guardsman.
“Never mind — I shall just focus on having a good year.” Hua Zhi slid open a drawer and produced a long case, handing it to him with a slightly pleased expression. “This year’s dividend from the mushroom venture. There is a share in there for Shao Yao — hold it for her.”
Gu Yanxi did not even open it, simply putting it back. “You keep it.”
“Hm?”
He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to her brow. “I will bring you the keys to Shizi Manor’s storeroom. Come and manage the household for me.”
Hua Zhi cupped his face in her hands. “Let me see how bold you are — no matchmaker, no betrothal gifts, and you expect me to run your household? No.”
“Truly no?”
“Truly no.”
From her tone, Gu Yanxi could tell this was no deflection — Hua Zhi genuinely had no desire for it. “I thought the line between us did not need to be drawn so clearly.”
“When have I ever stood on ceremony with you?” Hua Zhi nestled deeper into his embrace. “I simply do not wish to take on more to manage. Getting my health in order is more important, is it not?”
Of course it was! Nothing in the world was more important than that!
Gu Yanxi immediately let the matter go. Even so, he still did not take the mushroom dividend — he genuinely had no shortage of money. From ice sales alone he had made a handsome profit this year, and there was truly no need for any addition. As for Shao Yao, she had even less need — whether in the palace or at Shizi Manor, she had only to list whatever she wished and it would be prepared and delivered to her hands without delay.
“I had intended to bring Shao Yao out for you to see, but His Majesty would not release her. Senior Yu may be able to make it back before the new year — once he does, Shao Yao should be free.”
“Shao Yao mentioned that Senior Yu’s formula is only missing one more ingredient.”
“Mm.”
The two fell silent. If the scarring that covered Shao Yao’s body could be removed, that would naturally be for the best — but they feared the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. The wounds had simply been too deep. By Hua Zhi’s reckoning, even the most skilled restoration work would likely fall short of a full recovery.
Author’s Note: I completely forgot that today marks the start of November — ladies, please send your monthly votes this way!