Blossom in Adversity

C157. The Psychologist Counselor.

Chapter 157: The Psychologist Counselor

Perhaps it was Hua Zhi's exceptionally kind attitude that prompted Hua Qin to blurt out the words that had been circling in her mind for days, "Cousin, if one day my husband's family mistreats me, would you be willing to bring me back home like you did for Second Aunt at the Yang family?"

"I would."

How heavy is the weight of a single word?

Hua Qin felt that it carried more significance than everything she knew combined. When her cousin spoke that word without hesitation, her smile did not fade in the slightest. It was so decisive, so resolute, meeting the hidden expectation in her heart.

She wasn't afraid of taking on the responsibility of being a Hua daughter, nor was she afraid of being criticized for relying on her natal family. What she feared was that when she needed it most, her natal family wouldn't provide her with a safe haven.

As she looked at the handkerchief handed to her, Hua Qin realized tears were streaming down her face.

Seeing her in a daze, Hua Zhi pulled a stool closer and gently wiped away the seemingly endless tears. "I've said it before, daughters married out of the Hua family are not like water thrown out. The natal family will do everything possible to support you. This is not just true for our main branch, but for all of you as well. We share in wealth and prosperity, as well as in times of hardship, and there's no reason to treat anyone differently in this matter."

Hua Qin's tears flowed even more urgently. "I'm just scared."

She was afraid of being treated violently like Second Aunt, afraid that her husband wouldn't be pleased, afraid of not bearing sons, afraid of not being able to help her natal family, afraid her mother and brother wouldn't be well...

She had so many fears, feeling like a rootless duckweed once she left home.

Hua Zhi understood it all. It was pre-wedding jitters, a lack of confidence due to the decline of the Hua family, feeling like she was reaching too high and wanting to bury herself in the dust.

"Cousin, if you carry this mindset into your husband's family, the very things you fear may indeed come true."

Hua Qin lifted her tear-filled eyes, a look of confusion and anxiety on her face.

Squeezing the damp handkerchief, Hua Zhi stopped the futile wiping and took on the role of a psychologist. "Is the Hua family so despicable?"

Hua Qin shook her head without hesitation. If the Hua family hadn't fallen, marrying into the Cai family, even with a fourth-ranking idle position, could still be considered as marrying beneath her.

"Don't always dwell on how the Hua family is now. Despite their downfall, they still agreed to this marriage. Maybe it's because your fiancé has genuine feelings for you, or the Cai family is honorable and loyal, or maybe none of it is personal and it's just about not breaking promises. But regardless of the reason, at least it shows the Cai family isn't heartless. With the Hua family's situation known to them, there was no deception involved in their decision. They must have thought it through carefully. If they don't mind, why should you always think of yourself as inferior?"

"Hua Zhi smiled, "The founding emperor's original consort was merely the daughter of a private tutor. Yet, she shared a lifetime of companionship with him. Don't forget, when any daughter of the Hua family reached marriageable age, countless matchmakers would come knocking. These noble families weren't merely interested in the Hua family; they coveted the refinement that our family environment cultivated in its daughters. They knew that their progeny would benefit from such upbringing. The Cai family understands this, so the betrothal remains unchanged. Those who chose to withdraw were simply shortsighted. I don't pity my younger sisters."

Hua Qin's tears ceased to flow.

This was a perspective she had never heard before, yet it resonated deeply. In the Hua family, boys began their studies at four and entered the clan academy at six. Girls, however, started learning literacy at five. Composing a short poem or lyric was a simple task for them.

They also learned about household management and accounting. While needlework was expected, proficiency in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting was mandatory, with varying degrees of skill.

The Hua daughters, though not all exceptionally talented, were far superior to those who focused solely on mastering the arts of the inner chambers.

Could she do those things?

A spark ignited in Hua Qin's eyes. Yes, she could. She had studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, albeit with a particular focus.

"Then what shortcomings do you have?"

Hua Qin rose and bowed solemnly, "I will forever cherish your words, cousin."

"Don't put so much pressure on yourself," Hua Zhi replied.

"I understand what I must do now."

Having successfully played the role of a counselor for the first time, Hua Zhi was in high spirits. As soon as Hua Qin left, she had Ying Chun send over five thousand taels of silver, the most she could currently afford.

"With this silver, I could easily buy a decent house or several prime storefronts to rent out and earn a tidy sum. No matter how I use it, it's something I can put on display."

She had no intention of hiding this expenditure from anyone, but she had it recorded under her name.

When Wu shi came to discuss matters with her, she said, "There wouldn't be any objections if we put it on the family account, even if there were, they'd have to swallow them. Most of the wives here have daughters and wouldn't say anything, even for their own daughters. You don't need to bear this burden alone."

"I don't need to save up a dowry for myself, and I probably won't have any major personal expenses in the future, so it doesn't matter."

Wu shi scolded her with a smile, "You're so generous! Once you set this precedent, you'll have to treat everyone equally, you can't be partial."

Hua Zhi laughed, "Don't worry, even if Fourth Aunt didn't have a daughter, I would include this portion in Bai Jun and his brothers' accounts. I won't be partial."

"I know you're being kind, but think about how many people in the family are getting married or will be getting married. Don't cry then."

Hua Zhi was truly indifferent. Now that she had five thousand taels, her money-making opportunities would only increase. This amount of silver was nothing.

She had long said that making money was not difficult for her; the difficult part was how to spend it efficiently and effectively.

With everything arranged for her trip, Hua Zhi, who had nothing pressing to do for the moment, felt as if she had stolen half a day from life.

Remembering that Bai Lin had come to accompany Ah Jian for lunch and mentioned that Sui'an would be teaching the afternoon class, she got up and walked outside.

As soon as she reached the courtyard, she saw Shao Yao coming back with a huge sack on her back, followed by several of the Hua family's servants, each carrying or holding various medicinal herbs, the smell of which filled the air.

"Huahua," Shaoyao waved with one free hand when she saw her.

Seeing Shao Yao treating herself like a man and everyone else looking quite accustomed to it, Hua Zhi didn't know how to comment. "Is no one else in the Hua family doing work?"

"They're not as strong as me. Huahua, wait for me." Shao Yao carried the cloth sack that seemed larger than her own body and ran into her pharmacy, directing the servants who were not as strong as her to put the herbs away one by one.

Then she stuffed a bottle into each person's hand, "Kidney tonic, it works really well, don't waste it."

Hua Zhi "..."

The maids "..."

Several of the servants whose faces turned red as beets "..."