Chapter 303. Parting Sentiments (2)

"It's more than good enough," Hua Yizheng declared with a sharp nod, stroking his beard with deliberate weight, his tone firm and final. "I'm telling you, this is already remarkable. You've got a kind heart—don't sell yourself short."

"I can't possibly foresee everything you might need," Hua Zhi interjected with an easy confidence, a glimmer of charm in his eyes. "If there's something you want, just tell me outright. No hesitation, no second-guessing. If it's within my reach, I'll get it for you, no questions asked. And don't go thinking you're being a burden—I don't see it that way at all." Hua Zhi smiled. "I'm very good at making money, so you don't have to worry about me not being able to afford it."

Hua Pingyang forced a smile, though the faint sting of bitterness lingered in his chest. "Well, I have to hand it to you—I’ve never seen anyone sing their own praises so unabashedly. But don’t worry, we’re not about to hold back on you."

Hua Zhi opened the large package she had brought. Inside were four smaller packages of different sizes. Without hesitation, she grabbed the smallest one, her hands moving with brisk efficiency as she began to unpack it. "This," she announced sharply, holding up the contents, "is powdered mushroom. A sprinkle of this while cooking will elevate the flavors to something extraordinary. There's an entire cart of dried goods in the caravan – mushroom powder, dried mushrooms, even some dried seafood. I've also gathered recipes. The servants just need to follow them.

She opened the second package, which was a box, and handing it directly to her grandfather with deliberate flair. "Tea. Plenty more of it in the caravan, but I brought this for you to sample first."

Hua Yizheng's eyes lit up as he opened the box, the rich aroma hitting him before he could even examine the contents. He took a deep breath, letting the scent linger, then gently sifted through the tea leaves. "Doesn’t seem like this year’s harvest," he murmured thoughtfully.

"That’s because it isn’t," Hua Zhi replied, her tone edged with defiance. "It’s last year’s batch. Someone managed to steal these from the ruins of the old house—the stuff those looters thought wasn’t worth their trouble."

With a nonchalant air, as if discussing the day’s weather, Hua Zhi tore into the sizable package. The clinking and glinting left no doubt in the Hua family's mind about its contents.

Effortlessly composed, she began stacking the gold bars with methodical precision, each one identical in size and gleaming dangerously under the light. "These are best reserved for bribery,” she declared, her tone sharp and unyielding. “If you plan to use them yourselves, break them into smaller pieces first. Flashing full bars around is practically an invitation for trouble." Her words carried the kind of edge that could slice through stone.

She moved on to the next package, peeling it open to reveal tightly rolled bundles of silver notes. Without skipping a beat, Hua Zhi continued, her voice carrying an air of casual authority, "These notes come in various denominations. Sure, they won't buy you the world in a place like this, but they'll smooth out the rough edges and make life a little less unbearable for everyone."

The father and sons stood there, watching and listening, their hearts caught in a storm of tangled emotions. They wanted to speak, to voice something—anything—but every word felt unnecessary, even trivial, in the weight of the moment.

Hua Pingyang broke the silence, his voice sharp yet measured. "So, you’ve started another venture at the estate east of the city?"

"That’s right," came the curt reply, tinged with an edge of pride. "I’m cultivating mushrooms there. This one here is from that batch. The two travelers who arrived with the caravan? They’ll stay and work here. They’ve brought spores, and I want them to try their hand at growing them locally. If they manage, we’ll have an extra crop for the winter—something fresh when the cold bites hardest."

In Yingshan Pass, there were only two seasons: winter and spring. The long winters were not only cold and harsh but also limited people to a few fixed foods. The Hua family, having been raised on fine rice and flour, had a hard time last year. Everyone had lost a few pounds by the end of winter, and it was only after the weather warmed up that they were able to recover.

It's a good thing we have plenty of dishes. Judging by Zhi'er's words, there must be more than one variety. “This doesn’t feel like exile at all. Honestly, it’s more like we’ve stumbled into a pleasure trip,” he quipped with a wry edge.

"Your standards for enjoyment are a bit too low," Hua Zhi immediately retorted. "But let’s not get too picky. We’ve got dried shiitake mushrooms in spades, enough to share, even. And if those mushrooms sprout the way they’re supposed to, we’ll figure it out when the time comes. They’re quick growers, and they don’t hold back.”

Hua Yizheng exhaled slowly, resigned. “…Fine.” Zhi’er had thought through every detail so thoroughly that there wasn’t a single counterargument left in his arsenal. All he could do was fall in line.

"Shao Yao will be arriving in a few days. Let her check everyone's health once more." Hua Zhi glanced at the silent figure, the once unshakable foundation of the family. "We’re in the capital now, and there’s nothing we need to worry about except one thing: your health. As long as you’re well, we can discuss everything else. For our sake, for the sake of the Hua family, do us all a favor and take care of yourself—Grandfather, Father, and Uncles included."

"Don't worry, we understand."

Hua Zhi’s smile remained in place, her voice as steady and composed as ever, as though she were speaking of something trivial, something so effortlessly manageable. But even the most obscure shùzǐ (a son born to a concubine) in this room, Hua Pingyuan, who had lived and thrived in the city’s high-society circles—understood the complexity and weight of the situation.

But Hua Zhi clearly didn’t want to delve into it, so no one pressed further.

Then, out of the blue, Hua Pingyu cut in, "Tell us about Mr. Lu."

When Hua Zhi's biological father casually inquired about her boyfriend, an unexpected discomfort prickled her. The ease she once had evaporated, but she held herself together, maintaining her composure.

She had anticipated this moment before stepping foot in this conversation, mentally preparing herself with a response that would carefully toe the line.

"His background is complicated, and I'm not in a position to disclose much right now. But rest assured, he harbors no ill intentions toward the Hua family. In fact, he's been quietly guarding us, both in plain sight and from the shadows. And as for me—he treats me very well."

She took a brief pause, gathering her thoughts, then continued with a blunt yet measured tone. "I understand you're curious, Father. But neither he nor I are in a place to talk about marriage at this point. If I marry, it will be when the Hua family is completely out of harm’s way. Until then, it's premature to bring it up."

Hua Pingyu shook his head in resignation, his focus shifting. "I don’t care about his identity. You've always been someone who makes up her own mind. As long as you trust him, that's enough. But what I'm really concerned about is whether he's treating you right."

Hua Zhi met his gaze directly, her voice unwavering. "Without a point of comparison, it’s hard to say what 'good' really means. But here's the truth—no matter how crazy his schedule in the capital gets, he always makes time for me, even if it’s just to share a meal. When I need him, he's there in a heartbeat. If I have to go north, he handles everything and stays by my side. He makes sure to keep me in the loop on everything, whether it's personal business or something that impacts me. But he never stifles my freedom, disguising it as concern."

As Hua Zhi spoke, a realization hit her with sharp clarity—Yan Xi was proving to be more intriguing, more compelling, than she had initially given him credit for. Her lips curled into a knowing smile, her voice steady yet laced with a subtle defiance. "I let him near me because, unlike others, he doesn't see me as some accessory to a man’s ego. With him, there’s no hierarchy, no pedestal, no playing fields skewed by outdated roles. For now, I’d say he’s earned the privilege of being called 'good.' As for what’s next…”

Hua Zhi laughed, "It's hard to say what will happen next. Who knows what the future holds? All we can grasp is the present."

Her insight was razor-sharp, almost cutting. Hua Pingyu found himself fumbling for words, his mouth opening, then shutting, before settling on a quiet yet resolute observation: “As long as you don’t regret your choices, no one has the right to judge you.”

Even her father’s tacit approval carried weight, a shield of silent authority that would keep tongues from wagging. The family knew Hua Zhi too well—she would never make a move that disregarded the Hua name. With that, any opposition was snuffed out before it could even form.

Hua Pingyang seized the moment to add, “Yes, I reached out to him earlier today. He mentioned not wanting to intrude on our time together and promised to join us for dinner.”

Hua Zhi shot her fourth uncle a sly wink, a silent nod of gratitude for standing up for Yan Xi. Hua Pingyang's gaze hardened, his disapproval evident, but he couldn’t muster the will to confront her.

He knew his niece too well. That soft, almost imperceptible smile she wore wasn’t one she handed out freely. If she was showing it now, it meant something—or someone—had her attention. The memory of that morning flickered in his mind, and he let out a silent, heavy sigh.

Disapproval burned in him, yet it wasn’t strong enough to override his reluctance to cross Zhi’er’s will. She wasn’t some timid girl waiting for a man to dictate her life.

No, Zhi’er was forged differently—resilient, decisive, and fully prepared to face the storm of her own choices. If worse came to worst, she’d weather the consequences herself.

And why not? She had the Hua family at her back. If it came down to it, she could always remain their proud, unmarried daughter, untethered and unapologetic.

———TN: I’ve been hit hard by the flu, and let me tell you, it’s dragging me through the wringer without mercy.