Chapter 367: A Night's Dream

Early the next morning, as she did every day, Ying Chun lifted the curtain to check in on her young mistress. But the moment she caught sight of those red, swollen eyes, she froze in alarm. Without hesitation, she leaned in, her voice sharp with concern: “What’s happened to your eyes? Are you feeling unwell? Is something else bothering you? Bao Xia! Bao Xia! Go fetch Physician Chu… wait, no, get Miss Shao Yao, now!”

Bao Xia, just stepping in with a basin of water, heard the commotion. She quickly set the basin aside and rushed over, concern etched on her face. One glance at her mistress and she spun around, ready to dash out the door. But before she could take a step, Hua Zhi’s calm voice cut through the air: “It’s nothing. I had a dream, woke up early, that’s all. Go and get my clothes ready.”

Her tone left no room for argument. As she spoke, Hua Zhi pulled back the quilt and got out of bed, moving with a composure that belied the restless hours she’d spent awake. In truth, she hadn’t simply woken up early—she’d been up for quite a while. But now, after shedding so many tears, it was as though the weight she’d been carrying had finally eased, leaving her oddly lightheaded, as if her body was catching up to the calm her mind was pretending to feel.

"Miss, are you sure you're alright?"

"If I were really unwell, would I pretend to be fine? It's nothing. If you're still worried, have Shao Yao check on me today. By the way, is the room ready? That child will be coming over today."

"It's ready." Ying Chun gave Bao Xia a glance to stop her from saying anything more. Bao Xia pursed her lips and went to get the clothes.

After helping the eldest miss dress, Bao Xia trailed behind her to assist with her morning wash, while Ying Chun stayed behind to tidy up the bed. As she fluffed the pillows, her hand stilled mid-motion. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face as she cast a glance at the eldest miss. Turning back to the task, she ran her fingers across the pillow's surface, slowly and deliberately.

It was damp.

The eldest miss had always preferred soft, specially made pillows over the rigid jade ones. Yet now, here it was—half the pillow wet, the fabric clinging faintly with moisture.

Had the eldest miss been crying?

A sharp ache rose in Ying Chun’s chest. Her nose twitched, and a knot formed in her throat that begged to spill over. She swallowed it back hard, rubbing her nose briskly to shake off the emotion. She had no business crying when her duty was to serve. Pulling herself together, she resumed smoothing out the bedding as if nothing had happened.

Once the eldest miss had left for the front courtyard, Ying Chun slipped back into the room. Without a word, she swapped out the damp pillow for a fresh one, her movements careful and purposeful. Later, she quietly shared her discovery with the other maids. A flurry of concerned whispers followed as they exchanged uncertain looks, all of them trying to piece together what could have caused their mistress such distress.

Finally, Nian Qiu broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. “Let’s not pry. If the eldest miss wanted us to know, she’d tell us. She’s always been like that.”

Ying Chun sighed, her expression conflicted as she gave her cheeks a light slap to shake herself free of the lingering gloom. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” she murmured, before switching topics briskly. “Nian Qiu, take the ledger to the miss. If she’s good with it, we can close the books for last month.”

“Got it,” Nian Qiu replied, straightening her back and grabbing the ledger with practiced ease. She glanced at Ying Chun once before heading off, leaving the faint air of unease behind them.

When Nian Qiu stepped into the study, ledger in hand, her gaze landed on her eldest miss, who was in the midst of handing her calling card to Steward Xu. Her tone was calm but carried an unmistakable finality. “No need for explanations. Just bring back the reply.”

“Understood, eldest miss,” Steward Xu replied without hesitation.

As the steward turned to leave, Nian Qiu respectfully stepped aside, inclining her head slightly in acknowledgment. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke of decorum and propriety.

The old steward, who had seen many seasons, returned the gesture with a warm smile. After recovering from his recent illness, he seemed like a man rejuvenated—his stride had regained its spring, his manner, a quiet confidence. While he had begun entrusting some of his duties to Li De, anything directly assigned by the eldest miss still fell squarely under his meticulous care.

Once the steward had departed, Nian Qiu turned to Hua Zhi with a soft inquiry. “Miss, do you have a moment now? Shall I go over the ledger with you?”

Without a word, Hua Zhi flipped to the back of the paper she’d been scribbling on—a task list for the day, by the looks of it—and secured it neatly under a paperweight. Only then did she reach for the ledger, her gaze sharp and focused as she began to review its contents.

Business was booming in Green Moss Alley, and there was no sign of it letting up anytime soon. The place had become a must-visit spot in the capital, on par with the legendary Quanjude roast duck. Tourists from out of town? You could bet they’d pencil in a visit to Green Moss Alley without a second thought.

Unlike Quanjude, which only had one signature dish, the twenty-four shops in Green Moss Alley offered dozens of different snacks, ensuring that there was something to suit everyone's taste. Although it was a small business, it was much more profitable than the elegant Shi Zai and was now her most lucrative venture.

As for Hua Zhi, she could hardly contain her excitement. The Lilai Alley store was about to launch, and her shares? They’d only skyrocket from here. Honestly, who wouldn’t be thrilled at the thought?

"Given how stretched the finances are across each branch, let's allocate a thousand taels of silver to each of them," Hua Zhi said thoughtfully before pausing. "And let’s set aside shares for my grandfather's two concubines as well. Consider it a gesture of filial respect. As for the second aunt, there’s no need—she wouldn’t take it even if we offered."

Nian Qiu smiled knowingly. She couldn’t help but think that skipping over the young miss wasn’t really skipping her at all. By giving the share to the elder third grandconcubine, it would still find its way back. The woman only had one daughter, after all, and there was no chance she’d let her go without.

Just as they were finishing up, Liu Xiang stepped in and announced, "Miss, Miss Qin and the young master have arrived."

Hua Zhi, having expected their visit, had already prepared for it. She had instructed the staff to welcome them directly, so she stood calmly, ready to receive them.

"Let them in," she said quietly, leaning slightly toward Nian Qiu to add a few final remarks in a hushed tone. Nian Qiu nodded, dipped into a respectful bow, and gracefully excused herself. As she passed Hua Qin and her husband, she greeted them warmly and continued on her way without missing a beat.

Cai Jieming couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. After all, countless young men from the capital's most illustrious families would give anything to be part of her circle. Yet here he was, walking in effortlessly, all thanks to his wife's connection. He wasn't driven by any hidden agenda, but still, the sense of privilege was undeniable, and it gave him a small thrill.

That is, until he saw her.

The moment he stepped into her study, his mood shifted. The room was modest, almost plain—less extravagant than what you'd find in even a middle-class household. Stacks of documents cluttered the desk, and the eldest miss Hua, seated with a calm and collected air, seemed entirely at ease in this unpretentious setting. Even the maidservant beside her carried herself with quiet competence. Without meaning to, Cai Jieming felt a strange sense of tranquility settle over him.

After exchanging polite greetings alongside his wife, Cai Jieming took a seat, following the eldest miss as she stepped gracefully from behind her desk to welcome them. In that moment, something clicked. It dawned on him why this particular young lady, unconventional as she might be, was not only respected but quietly admired by the very elite who usually turned their noses up at anything or anyone that defied tradition.

"I believe my cousin has already explained the reason for inviting my brother-in-law over."

"Yes," Cai Zhiming, having abandoned those thoughts, assumed a serious expression. "I've long heard about the eldest miss's business acumen. This proposal, rather than being a business partnership, is more like a favor to the Cai family. For such a trivial matter, there is no need to go to such lengths."

Pausing, Cai Zhiming chuckled bitterly, "But I must admit, the eldest miss's proposal is very tempting. Even though I feel it's inappropriate, I've come anyway."

"But for me, giving up some of my profits in exchange for ensuring a comfortable life for my married cousin and maintaining a good relationship between the Cai and Hua families is a worthwhile trade."

Cai Zhiming opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. He couldn't help but look at his wife. The eldest miss always spoke so... so directly.

Hua Qin stifled a laugh behind her hand, her amusement evident but her restraint admirable. She knew better than to step in and advocate for him. As a married woman who was always eager to lend a hand to her natal family, she couldn’t help but feel satisfied at the growing ties between her husband’s household and her own. It was a rare and fortunate situation, really—what other family would go out of their way to ensure their married daughter’s comfort, even to the point of splitting profits? Her cousin's pragmatic outlook only sweetened the deal.

Hua Zhi, observing the amicable exchange, couldn’t help but smile wider. “You don’t need to overthink this. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, and there’ll be plenty of chances to repay the favor down the line. With the Cai family watching our backs, I’ll feel much more confident about how this plays out.”

Cai Zhiming, however, remained on edge, a touch of unease lingering. “Even if there weren’t any tangible benefits, offering some protection would still be the right thing to do...”

It was in this moment that Hua Zhi’s respect for the Cai family deepened. Watching Cai Zhiming wrestle with his principles, despite the clear temptation, spoke volumes. Here was a man who valued integrity over convenience, someone who wouldn’t forget a debt. Such sincerity was a rarity among the upper echelons.

“I’d rather give a little extra myself than accept charity,” Hua Zhi added, her tone firm yet cordial. “The Cai family has already supported the Hua family during difficult times, even taking an interest in my cousins’ marriages. I’m incredibly grateful. But if I can’t return the favor, I’d worry about my cousin being placed in an awkward position with her in-laws. It wouldn’t sit right to keep relying on one’s natal family without giving anything back. So, brother-in-law, please take this. Consider it a gesture for your wife’s sake. And don’t worry—it’s not a free handout. The Cai family will still need to contribute some silver.”

Cai Zhiming glanced at his wife, who responded with a subtle, approving nod. That seemed to tip the balance. His hesitation melted away, and with his heart now set, Cai Zhiming finally agreed. And just like that, the matter was resolved.

———TN: "Just dropping a quick note for today’s update—things are crawling along at a pretty sluggish pace at the moment, and honestly, it seems like it’s going to stay that way for the next few days as well."