The income was more substantial than Hua Zhi had expected. She thought that not many people would go out in such cold weather. Obviously, she underestimated people's pursuit of food, not to mention the existence of servants in this world.
However, she never expected that wealthy families would become loyal customers of Green Moss Lane.
“How are the cans selling?”
The maids looked at each other and shook their heads.
"What do you mean?" Hua Zhi was a little surprised. She thought it would sell very well. There were not many fruits to eat in the north at this time of year.
"There were people buying in the first two days after opening. With the Zhu family backing it up, everyone thought it was the Zhu family's business. Later, someone said it belonged to our Hua family, and the business gradually died down."
This is really true. After the Hua family ate the emperor's food, they couldn't even eat the Hua family's food? Hua Zhi opened the cup lid and asked, "Have there been cans of food similar to ours in the city?"
"I thought someone wanted to take over the business, so I sent people to look for it in the market, but no canned food was found."
It's still the Hua family's fault. As long as no one has taken a fancy to this way of making money, it's fine. Food, clothing, housing and transportation are indispensable at all times.
"Let's talk about anything else."
Apart from the old lady who died of anger, the Hua family has been extremely stable these days. Closing the door and staying at home is sometimes a sign of weakness. Those who are a little more generous will not come to cause trouble for this family, and those who want to make trouble dare not do anything for the time being.
Baoxia glanced at the young lady and she knew something but didn't know whether she should say it or not.
Hua Zhi glanced at her and said, "Go ahead."
Yingchun glared at her and asked why she told him such a thing and disturbed the young lady.
Bao Xia glared back and said, this is a matter concerning the young lady, so of course the young lady must know about it.
With a glance, Bao Xia said crisply, "Miss, Master Shen Qi asked to see you, but was turned away by the old lady."
Shen Qi...
Hua Zhi remembered this person. He could be considered as her father's student. He had always been liked by her father and was often brought around to be taught, so she had met him several times.
From what she knew, he was not a heartless person, but for some reason he never showed up from beginning to end. She thought she had misjudged him before, but he came to ask for a meeting when the Hua family was closed. It didn't seem like something someone who wanted to avoid trouble would do.
"Did you leave any message?"
"No, the old lady didn't let him into the house at all."
How could he be allowed into the mansion with so many women in the house? Hua Zhi had no romantic feelings for Shen Qi, but she hoped that Shen Qi had a teacher-student relationship with her father. At least, she didn't want her father to think that he was standing idly by. When she mentioned that she had broken off the engagement at Yinshan Pass, her father was really heartbroken. He probably didn't expect Shen Qi to take advantage of her misfortune.
"Bao Xia, if he comes again, go see him and hear what he has to say."
"yes."
Liu Xiang reported at the door, "Miss, Manager Xu wants to see you."
Manager Xu was Xu Jie. He knelt down as soon as he came in and said, "I have failed to do my job well. Please punish me, Miss."
Xu Jie looked a lot thinner and darker. He had invested most of the Hua family's money into making something that didn't sell. One could imagine the pressure he was under. Hua Zhi didn't blame him, but as a young man in his early twenties, he didn't have much experience after all.
"Get up and talk."
"I'm kneeling to say this. I'm not doing my job well, but I feel at ease kneeling."
"Okay, then you kneel down." Hua Zhi responded straightforwardly, "The root of the problem is not you. Even if you kneel down and break your legs, it won't solve the problem."
Xu Jie was a smart man. He immediately understood the other meaning in the words. He didn't care at all that he was being teased. He hurriedly asked, "Miss, have you found a solution?"
"There's no need to rush. Winter is still a long way off. If it doesn't work, I'll just ship these things further north. Good things are not afraid of no one wanting them."
"Yes, the eldest girl is right. Our food is so delicious, there is no reason why it can't sell well."
Bao Xia made some hot tea for the young lady again, glanced at Xu Jie and said, "You're still kneeling even though you know that? Do you want the young lady to treat you?"
This time Xu Jie stood up neatly and looked more relaxed. He was really afraid that these things would fall into his hands. He had invested so much money and the young lady had spent so much effort. If he failed to do it well, the young lady would be hit hard. What's more, the young lady had just become the head of the family and it was time for her to establish her authority.
"Chinese New Year is coming soon. Although the Hua family has to observe mourning, they still need to prepare everything. Butler Xu is not very mobile, so you need to help him out. Go to Yingchun to get the money you need."
"yes."
After sending Xu Jie away, Hua Zhi looked at Yingchun and asked, "How much money did the funeral cost?"
"Not much, all in all, about 2,600 taels."
"Does it include the incense money for Dazhuo Temple?"
"Yes, including the one thousand taels. If the coffin that the old lady had prepared long ago had not been sealed in the old house and had to be bought, the cost would have been even less." Speaking of the old lady, the maids' expressions dimmed. Yingchun continued, "The favor money collected was five thousand nine hundred and fifty taels. This is a small favor."
This amount was far beyond Hua Zhi's expectations. She opened the book of favors and found that the first name was her grandfather's, and the amount was a full one thousand taels.
Hua Zhi pursed her lips and continued to look. The other relatives all gave 100 taels, as if they had discussed it in advance. Chen Sui'an alone gave 500 taels. Without asking, she knew that it must have been subsidized by her second aunt with her own private money.
Mu Qing had four hundred taels, Chen Dayi had five hundred taels, and the Qin family had eight hundred taels. When Hua Zhi flipped through the pages again, her eyes fixed.
Lu Yanxi: One thousand taels.
Peony: one thousand taels.
Shaoyao is still at Yinshan Pass. The two thousand taels were clearly all paid by Mr. Lu. She didn't quite understand what Mr. Lu meant by this move, but this didn't stop her from keeping this kindness in her heart.
"Miss, this Mr. Lu..." Yingchun chose her words carefully, "He is so wealthy that he doesn't look like a Mr. Wu."
"He is not Mr. Wu. His other identities have nothing to do with us. We don't need to inquire."
"yes."
Hua Zhi closed the book and said, "I'll take this. Yingchun, Nianqiu, you two can check the bill and report to me when everything is settled."
"Yes." The two were used to the young lady's behavior, and each took his own account book and went to the side to do the calculations.
"Baoxia, send someone to notify all the rooms to gather in the west courtyard in a quarter of an hour. I have something to say."
"yes."
Pinching her sore thigh, Hua Zhi stood up and slowly moved out. A quarter of an hour should be enough for her to reach the west wing of the second entrance.
Hua Zhi had not walked a few steps out of the house when she suddenly stopped and pricked up her ears. She was not mistaken, the faint sound coming from her was the sound of reading!
"Is there anyone in the clan school?"
Liu Xiang, who was following beside him, replied, "Yes, the Sixth Young Master took a group of young masters to the clan school early in the morning."
"Mr. Mu is here?"
"I have not heard that Mr. Mu has entered the mansion."