Blossom in Adversity

C156. Hua Qin.

Chapter 156 Hua Qin

Tomorrow they were going to the Zhuangzi, the maids waiting for the young lady to start organizing things after her nap.

After the terrifying experience at the Zhuangzi last time, everyone was feeling a bit down and worried. They wanted to advise the young lady not to go, but this was a matter concerning the interests of the three branches of the family, so they didn't dare interfere with her decision.

But just the thought of the dangers they might face at the Zhuangzi made them scared.

"Alright, let's just go for three days, no need to pack so many things." Hua Zhi couldn't stand it anymore and put down her book.

Bao Xia grumbled, "Last time you said it would only be a few days, but ended up staying for a month. This time we need to be more prepared."

"Shut up." Ying Chun glared at Bao Xia.

What was she saying, hoping for something to happen to the young lady?

Bao Xia knew she was wrong and gave herself a loud slap, leaving five red marks on her face.

Hua Zhi didn't stop her, only speaking when she raised her other hand, "Alright, Bao Xia, the Hua family now is not the same as before when you could make mistakes and still be protected. Even I, now, need to be cautious, learn from your mistakes, and slowly correct your habit of speaking without thinking."

"Yes." Bao Xia, with red eyes, stepped back, and Fu Dong went over and held her hand tightly.

Ying Chun glanced at Bao Xia's cheek and looked away.

Hua Zhi patted her hand, "Just pack for three days, I really can't stay there for long in the current situation at the Hua family."

"Okay."

"Suyun Mama, you and the others stay at home and help Fourth Aunt with things. You know what's going on with my affairs, if anything is conflicting with my arrangements, you must speak up, the house must not be in chaos."

Suyun Mama knelt and bowed, "Why not take the old slave with you, the old slave also knows some things outside, and my feet are still nimble, so I won't slow you down."

Hua Zhi didn't want to burden them, they were not young anymore and it was better to be pampered at home, but Ying Chun didn't see it that way. Before, the young lady never went out all year, whether there was a mama in the house or not made no difference.

But now it's different, the young lady often has to go out, and if something happens, they may not have a skilled mama to handle it, so she volunteered to help, "Then I'll trouble Suyun Mama, we don't understand the outside affairs, so we may have to rely on you."

"It's my duty." In just a few short months since she started calling the young miss instead of the eldest granddaughter, she couldn't remember when she had started calling her the young miss instead of the eldest granddaughter, but she only remembered that it was from that time that the several senior maids no longer had any barriers against her.

These maids were not only capable, but they were also truly loyal and committed to the young lady. The relationship between them was so harmonious that it made people look askance, and everything was resolved with cooperation and understanding. In the three months since she had seen Ying Chun lose her temper, she did it so well, that Bao Xia didn't even blame her, the eldest granddaughter's talent for managing people was truly remarkable.

"Don't go picking and choosing things to take with you, there are not many men in the house now, and I won't feel at ease if I take them all away." Huazhi tapped the table, "Tell Manager Xu to bring the few people who went with me to the northern regions last time."

"Yes, I'll go right away."

Suyun Mama went to the door and saw Chun Xiang coming in. Compared to in front of the old lady, this girl was more lively, and rightly so, if the mistress was so straightforward, how could the servants be slow and lazy?

Chun Xiang first bowed to Suyun Mama before hurriedly stepping into the house to report, "Miss, the eldest granddaughter of Fourth Paternal Grandaunt has arrived."

Hua Zhi quickly matched the names of the people in her mind with those of the Hua family. A face floated up in her mind. Most of the Hua family's daughters were not bad-looking. With the surname Hua, they naturally exuded an air of scholarly elegance. In the past, the daughters of the Hua family never worried about finding a husband, not just because of their family background, but also because of their qualities.

"Please come in."

"Thank you."

Ying Chun hurriedly led the few people to tidy up the room, and the prepared parcels were all placed behind the screen.

Hua Qin moved gracefully, her skirt swaying slightly, and the bells hanging from her waist made no sound. She was a noble lady who had been trained strictly according to the standards of a noble family.

Hua Zhi suddenly felt that having a weak mother was a good thing. Her crying mother spoiled both her and Hua Bailin without any principles, never demanding anything from them.

The two exchanged greetings.

Hua Qin sat down at the lower end of the table and looked up at her cousin, who was only a few months older than her and was already being talked about behind closed doors.

"My Grandmother is very happy. She has always been worried that my dowry would be lacking and looked down upon by my future in-laws."

"It's only natural." Huazhi looked at her. "You don't need to worry. I can provide what I can afford. If I were tight on money, I wouldn't have offered."

"Actually, if possible, Cousin doesn't need to subsidize me."

Hua Zhi looked at her in surprise, waiting for her to continue.

Hua Qin bit her lip. "The situation of the Hua family in the capital is well known. A little shabbiness fits everyone's speculation, doesn't it? There's no need to cause more trouble because of me."

A smile spread from the corner of Hua Zhi's eyes to every crease on her face. That's why she was willing to do so much for the Hua family. People raised by the Hua family were fundamentally honest.

"Do you think they are not aware of what I'm doing? They are aware. Onlookers enjoy a good show, but those who truly focus on the Hua family want to see how we will handle this. If I were secretive and let you marry in poverty, they would think the Hua family might have ulterior motives and keep a closer eye on us. By openly revealing everything, they will see us as unambitious women. Such people tend to relax their guard."

Hua Qin hadn't thought about it from this angle. When she learned that her cousin was leading all three families forward, she thought she shouldn't burden the family anymore. With hundreds of people including the main and branches, it was difficult to support them all, and if she provided more, she worried that her family would suffer more.

She might step out, but there were still elders and children in the family. Even if she could please some people, the family would suffer if things turned sour.

"Will revealing everything attract unwanted attention?"

"I will handle it carefully, satisfying others without stirring up malice."

Hua Qin nodded, looking at her cousin, who remained calm and amiable, and asked the question in her heart, "With the current situation at home, why does Cousin still not allow each family to send away servants? Would it not be easier to support fewer people?"

"Because I need people to work. Those who have been with the family for a long time are more reliable than outsiders." Hua Zhi explained warmly to reassure her. "The main branch has already been emptied, and I've had to bring in more people recently. I'm even more worried that the people from your three families won't be enough for my needs."

Hua Qin felt a little more at ease. With hundreds of family servants combined from three families, if they still weren't enough, her cousin must be doing a lot of business.

———
TN:
Hua Qin is the granddaughter of Patriarch Hua's younger brother.
As far as I know, Patriarch Hua has three younger brothers.