We will go to the farm tomorrow. The maids will start packing after the young lady has lunch.
Because of the horrific experience they had last time they went to the manor, several of them were a little unhappy and thought about persuading the young lady not to go. However, this was a business that involved three branches of the family, and they did not dare to interfere with the young lady's decision.
But when they thought about the dangers they might encounter on their way to the village, they became really scared.
"Okay, just go for three days, no need to pack so many bags." Hua Zhi couldn't bear it anymore and put down the book in her hand.
Bao Xia muttered, "Last time you said you were only going to be gone for a few days, but you ended up staying for a month. You need to make more preparations this time."
"Slap." Yingchun glared at Baoxia. What was he saying? Was he expecting something to happen to the young lady
Baoxia also knew that he was wrong, and gave himself a loud slap, and five red marks immediately appeared on his face.
Hua Zhi did not stop her. When she saw her raising her other hand, she said, "Okay, Baoxia, the Hua family today is no longer the same Hua family that would protect you even if you got into trouble. Even I need to be careful with my words and actions now, learn from my mistakes, and slowly correct my habit of speaking without thinking."
"Yes." Baoxia stepped aside with red eyes, and Fudong went over and held her hand tightly.
Yingchun glanced at Baoxia's cheek and looked away.
Hua Zhi patted the back of her hand and said, "Just pack your bags for three days. I really can't stay there for long in the current situation of the Hua family."
"yes."
"Madam Su, you guys stay home and help Fourth Aunt with her affairs. You know what I'm doing. If you encounter anything that conflicts with my arrangements, you must bring it up. There must be no chaos at home."
Madam Su knelt down and bowed, "Young lady, why don't you take me with you? I know a little bit about what's going on outside, and I'm pretty agile, so I won't hold you back."
Hua Zhi really didn't want to tire them out. They were all old and should just stay at home and recuperate. But Yingchun didn't think so. In the past, the young lady didn't go out all year round, so it didn't matter whether there was a nanny in the house or not.
But things are different now. The young lady has to go out often. If something happens, they may not be able to handle it well as the experienced maids. So she took over the responsibility for the young lady and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam Su. We don't know much about things outside, so I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you when the time comes."
"It's my job." She had only been with the eldest girl for a few short months, and she couldn't remember when she started calling her Miss instead of eldest girl. She only remembered clearly that it was from that time that the maids no longer had any barriers against her.
These maids are not only capable, but also truly protective of their master. The relationship between them is so harmonious that it attracts attention. Every day, everything is resolved through discussion. This is the first time in three months that she has seen Yingchun lose her temper, but it was just right and Baoxia did not feel any resentment. The eldest girl's ability to teach and tame people is truly amazing.
"Don't be too picky when traveling. There aren't many men in the family now, and I wouldn't feel comfortable if I took them all with me." Hua Zhi tapped the table with her fingers, "Tell Butler Xu to take the few people who accompanied me to the north last time."
"Yes, I will go right away."
When Nanny Su walked to the door, she saw Chunxiang coming in. Compared with when she was in front of the old lady, this girl was obviously much more lively. Well, if the master is so straightforward, how can a servant be so slow
Chunxiang first bowed to Madam Su before tiptoeing into the house to report, "Miss, the eldest daughter of Fourth Uncle's wife is here."
Hua Zhi compared the person with the people in her mind's Hua family, and a face popped up in her mind. Most of the girls in the Hua family were good-looking, and with the surname Hua, they were naturally more bookish than people from other families. In the past, the girls of the Hua family never had trouble finding a husband, not only because of their family background, but also because of their character.
"Please come in."
"yes."
Yingchun hurriedly led a few people to clean up the room quickly, and put the packed bags behind the screen.
Hua Qin moved her lotus steps lightly, her skirt swaying slightly, but the bell hanging around her waist did not make any sound. This was the daughter of a wealthy family who was brought up strictly according to the standards of a lady from a noble family.
Hua Zhi suddenly felt that having a weak mother was a good thing. Her crybaby mother doted on her and Berlin without any principles and never asked anything of them.
The two men greeted each other.
Hua Qin sat down below Hua Zhi and looked up at her cousin who was only a month older than her and whose fame had been spread in private.
"My grandmother was very happy. She had always been worried that my husband's family would look down on me if my dowry was too little."
"It's human nature." Hua Zhi looked at her, "You don't need to feel burdened. What I can pay is naturally what I can afford. If I were short of money now, I wouldn't ask for that."
"Actually, if possible, cousin doesn't need to subsidize me."
Hua Zhi looked at her in surprise, waiting for her unfinished words.
Hua Qin bit her lip. "Everyone in Beijing knows about the Hua family's situation. Isn't it more consistent with everyone's assumption that they are a little shabby? There's no need to cause trouble because of me."
Hua Zhi's smile spread from the corners of her eyes to every wrinkle on her face. So, in other words, she was really willing to do this and that for the Hua family. The people raised by the Hua family are of good character.
"Do you think they don't know what I did? They know, but passers-by are just there to watch the fun. The ones who are really watching the Hua family want to see what attitude our Hua family will show in this matter. If I really hide it and tease you, and let you marry in poverty, they will only think that our Hua family may be up to something, so they have to keep a closer eye on it. I openly show my family's wealth, and they think that the Hua family is just a group of short-sighted women. Such people always make people relax their vigilance."
Hua Qin had not thought of this. When she knew that her cousin would bring all three families forward, she thought that she should not add any more burden to the family. There were hundreds of people, including the main and servants of the legitimate and illegitimate branches, and it was not easy to support them. If she was subsidized again, she was worried that her parents' family would have an even harder time.
She did jump out, but there were old and young people at home. What could she do even if she just looked at their faces? The family would run out of food if something went wrong.
"Will someone be tempted by my family's wealth?"
"I will find the right balance, making it satisfying without causing any harm."
Hua Qin nodded, looked at her cousin who was always kind, and asked the question in her heart, "The family is already in such a state, why doesn't my cousin allow each family to dismiss the servants? Wouldn't it be easier to support fewer people?"
"Because I need people to work, and the people I'm used to at home are always more trustworthy than those from outside." Hua Zhi explained to her in a gentle voice to reassure her, "Most of the direct branch's staff has been emptied out, and I had to buy more people into the mansion recently. I'm even more worried that the people from your three families won't be enough for me."
Hua Qin finally felt relieved. The three families had hundreds of servants in total. If so many people were not enough, how much business would her cousin have to do