Chapter 361: A Matchmaker’s Meddling?

With a storm brewing in her mind, Hua Zhi decided, for the moment, to put the seafood business on the back burner. There was, after all, still time to reel that in later. Besides, as much as profit margins mattered, the situation with Hao Yue carried a weight that tipped the scales—and she wasn’t about to let a deal outrank her priorities.

However, that didn't stop other issues from knocking at her door.

The next morning, just as Hua Zhi stepped into the front yard, Liu Xiang intercepted her with a tone that could only mean trouble: “Miss, Miss Qin has come to see you.”

“Miss Qin?” Hua Zhi’s brow twitched slightly. “Hua Qin? Fine, I’ll head to the backyard.” She began to rise, ready to face whatever fresh ordeal her visitor had brought.

But Liu Xiang, ever the harbinger of minor inconveniences, cut in again, “Miss Qin hasn’t gone to the backyard; she’s waiting outside.”

Hua Zhi paused, barely disguising her irritation. “Then bring her in,” she replied, voice clipped but laced with the kind of polite finality that brooked no argument.

“As you wish,” Liu Xiang answered, turning on her heel.

Not long after, Hua Qin entered the room, moving with a poise reminiscent of Hua Zhi's younger years. Yet, her demeanor carried a refinement, a seasoned elegance that only life’s experiences could bestow—something that youth, no matter how radiant, simply could not replicate.

“Cousin,” she greeted, her tone as polished as her appearance.

"You seem to be in good spirits,” Hua Zhi remarked, gesturing towards the seat across from her. At her signal, the maidservant quietly entered, setting down tea before disappearing with the kind of efficiency that made her presence almost forgettable.

“Is there something on your mind?” Hua Zhi inquired, her voice calm but carrying the slightest hint of curiosity, or perhaps wariness.

Hua Qin’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I could tell from the snippets I’ve heard—many people seem to seek your counsel. It must be quite exhausting, having so much attention and so many conversations to manage. But today, I’ve come with a matter of my own.”

“Go on,” Hua Zhi replied, her tone as light as a feather, though her gaze hinted at steel beneath.

Hua Qin was well aware that her esteemed cousin preferred to cut to the heart of a matter without unnecessary embellishments. So, with no inclination to waste time on pleasantries, she said plainly, “I’m here to discuss the marriages of our younger sisters.”

It was a topic Hua Zhi had already anticipated. After the debacle with Hua Yan, she understood there were responsibilities she could no longer ignore. In an era where the stigma of withdrawing from an engagement could push a young woman to dire extremes, Hua Zhi was determined not to let history repeat itself.

“And how do you propose we handle it?” she asked, her tone as calm as ever.

Hua Qin hesitated but eventually ventured, “I’ve heard about Hua Yan’s… situation. Everyone in the capital has, to some degree. Cousin’s swift and resolute actions ensured the matter was resolved without undue scandal, preserving the reputation of the Hua sisters. My aunt, however, was quick to remark that if it had been left to her, she might have granted Hua Yan nothing more than a length of white silk. Not that it would have made any significant difference in how the public perceives her.”

Hua Zhi’s smile was faint, inscrutable, and utterly unmoved. What was done, after all, was done. As far as she was concerned, the outcome was all that mattered.

Hua Qin’s tone shifted, weighted now by the warnings she had received from her grandmother and, more pointedly, from her husband’s family. They had been quick to outline the predatory motives of those eager to exploit the Hua family’s dwindling resources and tarnish what little reputation they still possessed.

The memory of those warnings made her shudder anew. She could only feel gratitude for her cousin’s decisive intervention. The ruin of her sisters’ futures—and the potential collapse of the family name—was a disaster she dared not even imagine.

The Hua family had finally found a semblance of stability under her cousin's leadership—a fragile equilibrium that had taken no small amount of effort to achieve. If they were to stumble again, it was painfully clear they might not have the strength to recover.

The motives swirling behind recent events? Deceptive, underhanded, and utterly reprehensible.

As a married woman with some influence of her own, Hua Qin felt compelled to assist. After consulting her in-laws and securing her husband's approval, she set out on her journey, prepared to wade into uncertain waters.

“I’ll offer my humble perspective,” Hua Qin began, her tone polite but her words calculated, clearly not expecting her cousin to challenge her. She pressed on smoothly, “The Hua family’s current situation is not as dire as it might seem at first glance. First of all, Cousin, your leadership has been nothing short of admirable. Over the past year, there hasn’t been even a whisper of scandal tied to our name. From that standpoint, the family’s reputation remains intact, and, as a result, the value of our daughters in the eyes of potential matches hasn’t significantly diminished. Those with a discerning eye will still see the worth of an alliance with the Hua family.”

Hua Zhi nodded in acknowledgment, her expression unreadable, signaling Hua Qin to continue.

Encouraged by the gesture, Hua Qin straightened her posture, her confidence growing. “Secondly, while the male members of the family are currently in exile, their offenses aren’t insurmountable. With the right timing and strategy, there’s a real possibility of reclaiming their positions. To marry into the Hua family now would be akin to investing in a venture that may appear risky on the surface but has the potential for significant rewards. Wealthier families may shy away from such risks, but others—those more desperate—might see it as an opportunity too good to ignore.”

“Go on,” Hua Zhi said, her tone carefully neutral.

“Thirdly,” Hua Qin continued smoothly, “the family’s scholarly legacy remains unbroken. Our foundation in literature and the arts still holds strong. Even if a comeback for the current generation seems distant, the younger generation offers hope. The Hua family may not be dominating courtly circles at the moment, but it is far from devoid of talent or ambition.”

“And finally,” she said, allowing a note of pride to creep into her voice, “Grandmother firmly believes that your leadership is the glue holding this family together. As long as you stand at the helm, there will always be a rallying point for the family to unite around. A united family, as you know, is not so easily brought down.”

Hua Qin allowed a satisfied smile to settle on her lips as she concluded. “This isn’t just Grandmother’s opinion, of course. She says that many in the capital echo this sentiment when the Hua family comes up in conversation. They see you as the reason we still have a fighting chance.”

Hua Zhi listened intently, weighing the words as she processed them. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she posed a single, pointed question: “So, the general perception of the Hua family in the capital is... favorable?”

“Yes,” Hua Qin replied without hesitation.

That answer was enough. Hua Zhi had no delusions about external aid; she never expected others to step in with open hands. All she needed was for them to stay out of her way—and if that meant discarding the tiresome dance of reciprocal favors, so be it.

Once Hua Qin's intentions became clear, Hua Zhi leaned in with a curious grin and asked, "So, are you stepping up as the matchmaker for our sisters? Does your husband's family know about this, or are we keeping it a secret?"

Hua Qin's calm, self-assured smile spoke volumes—life with her in-laws was clearly going smoothly. She replied candidly, "Oh, I made sure to discuss it with them before I came here. Honestly, if they weren’t on board, I wouldn’t have had the nerve to show up with this idea."

Hua Zhi chuckled at her straightforwardness, raising an eyebrow. "Well, it seems the Cai family runs a tight and respectable ship."

Switching gears, she added casually, "If I remember correctly, your husband’s still studying at the Imperial College, right?"

Hua Qin nodded briskly, "Yes, that’s right."

Hua Zhi's expression turned thoughtful. "Alright, let’s leave the rest of the Cai family out of this for now. When your husband has a free moment, bring him over. I’ve got a business proposal in mind for the Cai family. Naturally, only if we can agree on the terms."

It was a pragmatic shift in tone, one that Hua Qin immediately recognized. For a married woman, alliances like this weren’t just helpful—they were a game-changer. She knew full well what kind of advantage she’d stumbled into. Hua Zhi’s business acumen was practically legendary in the capital, and being tied to her in some way would only strengthen Hua Qin’s standing within her in-laws’ household. It was a chance to solidify her position and assert herself with a little more confidence in the family dynamic.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely without strings. Hua Qin understood she’d likely have to repay the favor by being more attentive to her natal’s household in the future. Still, as the thought settled in, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she agreed with a soft, knowing smile.

Hua Zhi, meanwhile, took a moment to assess the situation. While the Cai family might not boast impressive titles or ranks, they were an old and established family with deep roots in the capital. Their connections ran far deeper than those of the flashy, newly wealthy families. Getting involved with them wouldn’t exactly be a bad move for her.

"By the way, cousin," Hua Qin began, her tone measured but casual, "do you have any specific preferences when it comes to our sisters' marriages?"

"I prefer families with substance," came the calm reply. "They don’t need to be from elite circles, but I’d rather avoid anyone who’s all show and no depth. Once you’ve got a potential match, run it by me first. I’ll decide if they’re worth considering."

"Understood," Hua Qin replied with a nod. "I’ll be careful."

"And another thing," her cousin added, leaning forward slightly. "Don’t bring this up to anyone else in the family until everything’s locked in. I’m not in the mood for endless questions or drama before there’s anything concrete."

Suppressing a small laugh behind her hand, Hua Qin chimed in, her tone playful. "You know, I used to think you were just hard to get along with. That’s why I’ve kept my distance from you—and my sisters too, honestly. But now that we’ve met twice, I think it’s probably the other way around. You just don’t want to deal with us."

Hua Zhi didn’t bother denying it. She simply gave a small nod, her face unreadable. "I’ve never been one to meddle in other people’s affairs. There’s something to be said for keeping to yourself—it makes life a lot simpler."

Hua Qin smiled faintly at that, though it was unclear whether she fully believed Hua Zhi’s words.