Blossom in Adversity

C131. I have a plan, I understand.

Chapter 131: I have a plan, I understand

"There is also Yang Qi that needs to be dealt with. As long as he is the son-in-law of the Hua family, he may act under the banner of the Hua family," Hua Zhi's eyes narrowed slightly. "After causing trouble for the Hua family, he still wants to borrow the Hua family's influence. Who does he think he is?!"

"I have heard various versions of this incident vaguely. Can you tell me exactly what happened?" Zhu Haocheng asked.

"He forced my second aunt to return to her family to help him make connections, wanting to meet some literati through the Hua family to expand his influence and advance further. My aunt refused and was beaten as a result."

Zhu Haocheng shook his head, finding this behavior quite distasteful. Just after the passing of the old lady, they couldn't wait. No wonder Zhi'er had to act so forcefully. However, "You still need to be careful in the way you handle things. Don't tarnish your reputation. You're still a young lady, and it will affect your future marriage prospects."

"I've given up on that idea a long time ago," Hua Zhi didn't want to dwell on this issue and continued, "I will go and sound out my second aunt's thoughts another day to see if there is a possibility of a divorce. Once divorced, Yang Qi will have no ties to the Hua family."

"It is better to demolish ten temples than to ruin one marriage. You mustn't bring it up yourself. Otherwise, you might end up with a bad reputation," Zhu Haocheng advised.

"Yes," Hua Zhi obediently responded. "As for those people, I don't have a better solution. I can only keep the Hua family under scrutiny so that they hesitate to make a move."

Zhu Haocheng nodded helplessly. He and his father had discussed it several times and agreed that this was the most appropriate method at the moment. As long as someone was watching the Hua family, those people would at least be cautious and not act recklessly.

"They may still make some small moves, so you must be careful," Zhu Haocheng warned.

"Yes, I understand," Hua Zhi knew that in this society where the emperor's power was supreme, those people were not opponents she could confront. Unless... she took a side, and then did her best to help him win the position of the crown prince.

But she was unwilling to do so.

The Hua family's current situation was not innocent. She could not retaliate, let alone help them. Before that resentment subsided in her heart, she couldn't do it.

"What about Mr. Lu?" Zhu Haocheng looked at his niece. "What do you think?"

"I owe him a lot of favors and he has helped me a lot. The person behind him even saved my life. Uncle, I know what you're thinking and I understand your concerns, but unless he chooses to leave on his own, I can't kick him out. If he really has ulterior motives towards me, I am aware," Hua Zhi replied.

"Zhi'er..." Zhu Haocheng looked at her disapprovingly.

Hua Zhi smiled and lowered her head. "No one gets anything without giving something in return. I am prepared for it mentally."

After knowing that she didn't have to marry, the constraints of gender norms on her were not as significant. Even if she did give her body away, she didn't have much psychological barrier. In her previous world, such things were quite common.

However, she didn't think Mr. Lu had that in mind. If he did, the price he paid was too much. In her opinion, this was a game of exchanging true feelings for true feelings.

Just wondering if Mr. Lu himself knows what he is doing.

Zhu Haocheng still wore a disapproving expression, but he didn't say much more. Hua Zhi was not just his niece now; she was also the head of the Hua family. He couldn't simply treat her as a younger relative anymore.

Gu Yanxi lays on the rooftop, listening to the conversation in the study. He smirked slightly. Hua Zhi was so clever; how could she not see that he had ulterior motives. But perhaps she was mistaken in the direction.

But that didn't matter; at least she distinguished him from others.

After a lengthy discussion, as Zhu Haocheng was about to leave, he couldn't help but say a few more words. "When you are at your limit, it's okay to retreat to a corner. As long as there are green hills, we're not afraid of running out of firewood. The future is still long, and your father and the others may come back. If you have to sacrifice yourself to protect the Hua family, what face will we, your grandfather, and the younger generation of the Hua family have to face you?"

Zhu Haocheng sighed. After the long conversation, he realized that the once reserved Hua Zhi was actually a fierce person. If pushed too far, she might be someone who would rather both sides suffer than take a loss.

He couldn't decide if he was more proud or worried in his heart.

Hua Zhi obediently agreed, even though she appeared submissive, her attitude was no different from the other girls in the prestigious families.

Zhu Haocheng sighed again, mounted his horse, and left.

Outside the East Corner Gate, watching his uncle leave the alley, Hua Zhi walked back inside and asked her brother, "Did you understand everything?"

Hua Bailin replied earnestly, "I need to think about it more."

"Then keep thinking. Also, you must put effort into learning the six arts of a gentleman. It's about your appearance." The scholars of the Daqing Dynasty couldn't be weak. Traveling in a carriage without any illness or injury would be looked down upon. Even her father, a typical scholar, could handle a bow and sword skillfully.

"Eldest sister, the teacher has already taught me."

"Why don't I teach the Sixth Young Master archery?"

Hua Zhi looked up at the man standing with arms crossed on the veranda, her expression softening unconsciously. "I'd be honored not to impose."

Gu Yanxi liked the look on Hua Zhi's face at that moment. He walked closer and said, "Then, Sixth Young Master, be prepared. I'm not as easygoing as Mr. Mu."

Hua Bailin straightened his posture. "I'm not afraid."

As long as he could please his eldest sister, he wasn't afraid at all!

Seeing the joy in Hua Bailin's eyes, Hua Zhi couldn't help but smile. The happiness seemed to overflow. Gu Yanxi subtly raised Hua Bailin's status in his heart, thinking he should treat him even better.

*

The very next day after the sugar-preserved fruits were delivered to Yunlai Restaurant, good news arrived. A wealthy household sent someone to order a hundred jars each of peach and citrus fruits. The order was so large that it was loaded onto carts right in front of the restaurant for everyone to see. Even those who weren't initially interested couldn't resist trying a taste and ended up buying some to take home.

Hua Zhi didn't ponder whether Bai Mingxia had orchestrated this. She merely had her people send over the improved pastries along with the recipe to the restaurant, and then sent a cart of preserved fruits to Ven. Prajna at Da Zhuo Temple. A few jars were also sent to the Zhu family, and of course, the two teachers.

Gu Yanxi, taking advantage of his unrestricted access to the palace, wrapped up two jars in his cloak and presented them to his grandmother. The Empress Dowager, who had been struggling with her teeth, loved them immediately and ordered more to be purchased. Soon, every lady in the palace had a jar of these preserved fruits.

Gu Yanxi didn't know if his grandmother genuinely didn't know these fruits were from the Hua family or was simply pretending. He chose not to press the matter.

In the bleakness of winter, even the palace had little fresh fruit to offer. These preserved fruits were quickly embraced by everyone.

Thanks to Gu Yanxi's efforts, all the preserved fruits purchased by the palace were supplied by Yunlai Restaurant. With the Bai family standing in the front, those who wanted to cause trouble had to think twice.

As word of mouth spread, Gu Yanxi subtly guided attention towards Hua Zhi's shop. Within a few days, it transformed from a deserted place to a bustling one.