"You are the head of the family now. There is nothing to be said. Call them all in, Cuixiang, and invite the two aunts out as well."
Cuixiang was Madam Su's name. She responded and went to the ear room. After the children came, the old lady asked the aunt to go to that room.
After everyone arrived, Hua Zhi went straight to the point without any preparation, "My suggestion is that it's best to cut off contact with your mother's family."
As soon as the words fell, the room became restless. Their maternal family was their backbone and their confidence. They were also the people most likely to help them when they were in trouble. What's more, their maternal family members were of high status, so who knows, they might be able to help a lot.
The old lady glanced at them and everyone quieted down, "Why?"
"It's better for everyone if we stop associating with them." Hua Zhi looked at everyone. "You think that's your mother's family, but to your mother's family, you are like married daughters who have been married off. The first thing they need to consider is whether their children and grandchildren's future will be disliked if they continue to associate with the Hua family, which the emperor dislikes. Will it cause the emperor's dissatisfaction with them and affect their careers?"
Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, Hua Zhi said more clearly, "It doesn't mean that your parents really don't care about your life or death. If you go to them for help, they will naturally help you out of love. But this love is limited. No one can say how long it will take for the Hua family to recover its glory, nor can it be said whether your parents' love can last until then."
Hua Zhi smiled and said, "Breaking off contact now shows your determination not to drag down my family. They will appreciate your understanding and feel guilty for not being able to help. Then you won't feel awkward when you resume contact. People can only have equal conversations when they have equal qualifications. Don't try to test people's hearts when they are in trouble. I'm afraid everyone will be disappointed."
If parents and brothers really have intentions, then if we cannot have any contact in public, then what about in secret? It all depends on whether they have intentions or not.
The room was so quiet that even breathing could be heard clearly. The children seemed to have understood what was said and breathed quietly for fear of disturbing the adults.
"I would like to refute what the eldest lady said. After all, I am quite favored at home. But when I think about it carefully, I feel that what the eldest lady said is very reasonable. No matter how good everything is at my parents' home, you will be a member of someone else's family after you leave home. It is my husband's family that should share honor and disgrace. My parents can help me for a while, but how can they help me forever? Even if my parents are willing, my brothers and sisters-in-law will probably come to me and scold me for being a disaster." Mrs. Wu touched her belly and smiled bitterly. She was somewhat glad that she did not get her mother-in-law's permission and she had not sent anyone home yet.
"Yes, no matter how much my parents love me, having sons and grandchildren is more important to me?" Third Madam Xia took over the conversation, her mouth full of bitterness. She had the same surname as her mother's family but became a member of another family. In the eyes of this other family, her daughter-in-law was just an outsider. Her family was too pitiful.
The old lady swallowed the bitterness in her throat and said, "Then send a message back to each of you. From tomorrow on, the Hua family will close its doors to visitors."
"We can refuse visitors, but we can't close the door. Grandmother, we need to find a way to get some money. It's hard to live without money in a place like the North."
The old lady had this idea, but she just didn't know what to do. Now that she heard her granddaughter's words, it was clear that she had a direction. She quickly stood up and asked, "What do you want to do? It's useless to deal with those blood-sucking bugs without enough money."
"People cannot live without food, clothing, shelter and transportation. I plan to do something about food first. Grandmother, you know that your granddaughter doesn't have any other hobbies. She is just greedy and often makes trouble. Yingchun and the others are all good at cooking. I dare to challenge Fudong's cooking skills with the imperial chef."
The old lady certainly knew this. From time to time, she would receive food sent by her people. As a result, her impression of this granddaughter over the years was tied to food. It was not her fault that she was misjudged. However, "There are many people in the capital who do this food business. Can you make money?"
"How do you think the food tastes?"
"Of course I didn't say anything."
"Have you ever eaten it anywhere else?"
“… Not really.” The old lady nodded thoughtfully. If it was sold as a single portion, it would indeed be profitable.
"I'll give it a try first. If it doesn't work, I'll think of other ways. I can always make money."
"Okay, let's try it first." The old lady glanced at Nanny Su, and Nanny Su understood. She opened a compartment at the bottom of the cabinet and took out a money box.
"These are all the valuables that Grandmother has. I'll keep half for future use and half for you. If there's not enough, you can pool the money from each family."
Hua Zhi originally wanted to refuse, but then she thought that this was a matter for everyone in the Hua family, and she had to get everyone involved. Only after they invested money would they take it seriously, and the more money there was, the easier it would be for her to act.
In addition to the rolled-up silver bills, there were also some jewelry in the money box. The styles were not fashionable and they were probably quite old.
There were eight silver notes, each for two hundred taels. Hua Zhi took four of them, and when the old lady wanted to divide up the jewelry, she refused them, "It's not time to pawn anything yet. You can keep these first. I'll come back to you if I don't have enough."
The old lady then gave her another banknote and said, "Do a good job. Grandmother believes in you."
Not wanting her aunts to feel uncomfortable, Hua Zhi said, "No matter how much money we make, it will all be included in the public treasury before grandpa and his family return. As for how to divide it in the future, that will be decided by grandpa and grandma. But I don't think there will be much money left. There are too many places where money is needed, and grandpa and his family must not be short of money. If possible, I would also like to use the money to explore the way in Beijing. Grandpa didn't commit a serious crime, so he may not be unable to come back."
"Really? Can you come back?" Third Madam Xia stood up excitedly, "As long as my husband can come back, I'll do anything."
The first wife, Mrs. Zhu, and the fourth wife, Mrs. Wu, nodded in unison. Even the second wife, Mrs. Qi, who usually didn't talk much, stared at Hua Zhi. Spending some money was nothing, as long as the person could come back safely.
"Miss, please wait a moment." Xia rushed out of the house. Her look made the old lady laugh. It had been so many years since she got married, but she could still be so impatient.
Not long after, Xia came back with a money box. She didn't even click on it, but directly stuffed the money box into her hand. "I kept some for myself, these are all for you."
Seeing Xia like this, Madam Zhu naturally supported her daughter and quickly sent her maid back to get her own private property, as she had hidden some of it.
No matter what Wu and Qi thought, they had to show their support at this time. Holding the four money boxes, Hua Zhi did not refuse, "I will try my best to make money from these silvers. Aunts can come to check the accounts at any time."
Xia's excitement had not yet subsided, and she kept saying, "We believe you. We all believe you."