Chapter 394: Good News

Liu Ruyi's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, "I wonder if the young lady still has that jerky? The taste really left a lasting impression on me. If you have some, could you sell me a bit?"

"..."

Hua Zhi felt the urge to facepalm. Would it be too abrupt to change the subject so suddenly?

However, when she saw Peng Runze and Qi Hongdong also looking expectantly, she couldn't help but smile a little. These three, no wonder they were good friends.

Hua Zhi's thought was spot on. These three had indeed become friends because they shared similar tastes. They were often seen in Green Moss Alley and Liyun Lane. While they hadn't tried the jerky that Brother Liu mentioned, they had heard his description and had been curious to taste it.

Now that the opportunity was right in front of them, how could their eyes not sparkle?

"I don't plan on selling the jerky for now." Seeing the disappointment in all three of their eyes, Hua Zhi couldn't help but chuckle. She was a food lover herself, which led her to feel a sense of closeness with those who shared the same passion. So she said, "However, I still have some at home. Tomorrow, I'll have someone send it to the food stall for you to pick up."

"How about today..."

"Alright, we'll pick it up at the food stall tomorrow," Liu Ruyi interrupted Peng Runze, "I wonder how the young lady plans to sell it?"

"It's not worth much, and I really have no intention of selling it," Huazhi replied curtly before boarding the carriage.

Liu Ruyi's voice came from outside, "Then we'll thank the young lady in advance."

Hua Zhi didn't open the curtain, but replied from inside the carriage, "It's nothing, farewell."

As the carriage slowly departed, Wu Zheng and Xia Jiang, unaware of the identities of the three men, could tell they were of high status and didn't dare to provoke them. They hastily bowed and withdrew.

The three men took the reins from the servants, mounted their horses, and slowly rode away.

"The young lady doesn't want to give us any leverage, so she won't personally give us anything."

"As soon as you mention it, I remember," Peng Runze said, craning his neck and letting out a deep sigh. "She's not an easy one, either—she has to be careful about everything."

And he was right. Life hadn’t been easy for her. When most people thought the Huas would end up like the Hes, with their fortunes crumbling, she—of all people, a woman—was the one who stepped up and solidified the Hua family's position in the capital.

She didn’t go around begging for sympathy or play the damsel in distress. She didn’t use her sisters as pawns in marriage deals, and she certainly didn’t compromise her own reputation. Instead, she kept everything in order—making sure the right people were married off, ensuring those who needed an education got one, and even supporting those who had been married off and suffered hardship. But she never let anyone feel their pride was trampled on. Still, despite all that, no one could see the full picture—the difficulties, the struggles she endured behind the scenes to keep it all together. Only she knew what it truly cost.

It wasn’t easy for them to show respect to a woman, but the truth was, when her name came up, no one dared use disrespectful words. She had earned her dignity with actions, not demands.

"I heard something," Qi Hongdong suddenly spoke up.

Both of them turned their attention to him as he guided his horse closer, lowering his voice. "My third cousin, Jiang Huanran, once wanted to propose to the young lady."

The two riders halted, and Liu Ruyi raised an eyebrow. "When was this?"

"Not long ago," Qi Hongdong replied. "I heard about it and went to ask him directly. My cousin was tight-lipped—didn’t say a word he shouldn’t have."

"She didn’t agree, did she?" Liu Ruyi asked, already expecting the answer.

Qi Hongdong nodded firmly. "She flat-out refused, no room for discussion."

"That’s not surprising. The Hua family needs her; no other family would want to marry a woman who comes with a whole family in tow. Plus, Jiang Huanran is only a second son. If she had said yes, it would have created all kinds of problems—especially with his eldest daughter-in-law. Jiang Huanran might not have seen it, but his father definitely would have. Still, I respect his courage."

And it was courage, no doubt about it. It wasn’t just Jiang Huanran who’d entertained such thoughts; many had. But he was the only one with the guts to act on them. The young lady was simply too capable. Being with her would mean living in her shadow, never surpassing her—something most men couldn’t accept.

The three of them exchanged a self-deprecating smile. Despite appearing to have everything, they had little control over their own lives. On the other hand, the young lady, although burdened as the head of the family, had the right to decide her own fate, realizing that with gains, there were also losses.

*

The rain had finally started to come down, a heavy curtain of water sweeping in, carried by the wind and turning the already crisp autumn day even colder.

Hua Zhi stood under the eaves, her mind far away. The downpour was relentless, and she couldn’t help but wonder where Yan Xi was at that moment. Was he somewhere safe, out of this storm? The heavy cloak draped over her shoulders did little to ease the unease that seemed to settle deeper with every passing moment, though it did shield her from the biting wind, offering a small measure of warmth.

"Miss, we should head back inside," Nian Qiu said softly, her voice gentle, calm, and caring. It had become second nature to her to look after Hua Zhi now, no longer the timid maid who might shrink away at the slightest rebuke. The quiet strength in her tone reflected the confidence she had gained over the year—she was no longer the fragile girl she once was. In fact, Nian Qiu was the one who had successfully taken charge of the seafood shop, a testament to her growth.

"It's fine out here. I'm comfortable," Hua Zhi replied, adjusting the cloak around her. Despite the strange peace of the moment, the last thing she wanted was to catch a cold.

Nian Qiu didn’t press further, simply giving a subtle nod. "How are things going at the seafood shop?"

"Just a bit more to unload. Manager Xu said we should stop for now if things don’t look right."

"You really are getting better at picking people," Hua Zhi complimented, smiling lightly.

Nian Qiu blushed at the praise, lowering her head shyly. Normally quiet and reserved, she wanted to express that their success was largely due to the trust and faith Hua Zhi had shown in them, but she couldn't quite find the right words.

"Is she one of Hua Qin’s maids?" Hua Zhi asked suddenly, noticing a figure approaching.

Nian Qiu quickly glanced up and nodded. "Yes, it's Qing Xiang, the maid from Miss Qin’s household."

Qing Xiang appeared somewhat flustered as she hurried over with an umbrella, water dripping from her clothes as she made her way across the courtyard. The sight of her made Hua Zhi’s heart skip a beat, a sudden tension pulling at her.

"Your servant, Qin Xiang, has come to greet you," Qing Xiang said with a stiff bow.

"It’s alright. Is something wrong with Qin Meimei?" Hua Zhi asked, her voice calm, though her mind was already racing.

[TN: 妹妹 (mèimei) is a Chinese term used to refer to a younger sister. It's a common and affectionate term used within families.]

"I have good news. Our young lady is pregnant."

Hua Zhi's heart dropped but then settled as her heartbeat slowed down. She smiled, "She's only been married for a short time and already expecting. Truly a joyful occasion."

"Yes, the Cai family is also very happy. They say our young lady is blessed."

Calculating the days, it had been exactly two months since the marriage. Hua Qin could indeed afford to be called blessed. Hua Zhi went back inside, gesturing for Qing Xiang to follow.

"Have you visited Fourth Grandaunt yet?"

"Yes, I went there first before coming here. The young lady said it's still early, so she wanted to first share the good news with the Madam and you, then distribute red eggs to the families once the pregnancy is stable."

Nian Qiu shook her head, then turned to make tea for the young lady. After spending so long outside, she needed to warm up.

"Tell her not to worry about anything, focus on her pregnancy. If she needs anything, just send someone to let me know."

"Yes." Qing Xiang glanced up at the young lady before looking hesitant and unable to speak.

Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Speak."

Qing Xiang's head bowed even lower. "My Lady is feeling unsettled and would like you to come and see her."

Is there something wrong with the Cai family?

Considering that the Cai family had some issue, and Hua Qin was struggling to hold the pregnancy, Hua Zhi couldn't sit still anymore. Despite the late hour, she ordered a carriage and headed out. She seemed to always be preoccupied with something—a concern that usually belonged to other families, but now seemed to fall on her shoulders.