Knowing that the two families had merged into one, Mrs. Wu became even more dissatisfied with Hua Zhi going there.
Hua Zhi shook her head gently, "I retreated this time, but what about next time? Retreat again? And then retreat endlessly? When a person is used to retreating, how can you expect her to be tough again? I will never go that far, Fourth Aunt, the He family is a lesson for us."
When it comes to the He family and the Wu family, they are speechless. They were such an arrogant family back then. When they collapsed, their foundation was much stronger than that of the Hua family. But where are all the people in the He family now? Those who are married out can hardly protect themselves, and the remaining old ones are hiding in a corner, just dragging on.
When Wu thought that the Hua family might also end up in that situation, she shuddered and could not say anything to object.
She knew she was selfish, but how many people in the world were not selfish? Wu lowered her head, too guilty to meet Zhi'er's gaze.
Hua Zhi was not surprised by this result. When Fourth Aunt opposed it, she did so sincerely, and all her concern for her was genuine. But once it involves themselves, everyone will think more about themselves. This is instinct, just like she and the Sixth Prince said, this is human nature.
"Don't tell anyone else about the divorce letter in the backyard. I don't want anyone to avoid me like a snake in the future."
"How dare they!" Mrs. Wu raised her head, a fierce look flashing in her eyes. She was selfish, but she had to remember all the good things that should be remembered, otherwise how could she be a human being!
"It's always better to have less gossip." Hua Zhi smiled, "Did the side branches come to you to say anything?"
Wu paused, knowing that Zhi'er must have known something, so she didn't hide it and nodded, "Of course I did, I blocked it all."
"Want to interfere in my business?"
"I'm not that greedy. We're so busy that they're just sitting there doing nothing and becoming a burden. I just hope you can give them a little so they can have a living."
"What do you think of them?"
Wu looked over hesitantly. What Zhi'er meant was...
Hua Zhi took a sip of tea. She actually didn't like flower tea. It was too bland. "I only think too much when I'm idle. When I'm busy, I don't have time to think about those things. It's better to find something to keep them busy."
Wu subconsciously picked up the cup and took a sip, then raised her head and said, "Will this affect us? Zhi'er, don't blame Fourth Aunt for being petty. Nothing is worse than having your own family. I've seen many heartless and ungrateful people. In my opinion, I'd rather keep them than let them have the confidence to challenge us."
"Aunt Si, do you think they can ride on my head?"
Hua Zhi smiled gently and met Fourth Aunt's gaze. She didn't need to show any imposing manner. Just sitting there made Wu feel at ease. She suddenly covered her face and smiled. How could Zhi'er be so easy to bully? She had underestimated Zhi'er. If she could give up her money-making business, she would be sure that they would not get angry.
After her heart was settled, Wu could evaluate those families objectively. "Although Second Aunt is a bit hot-tempered, she is from the same branch as us after all. Old Grandpa and his generation are brothers, so she should be more trustworthy. Third Aunt is my cousin, after all, she is a generation apart, but she has always been close to Second Aunt. Fourth Aunt's branch is a concubine's, not to mention that she has always stood by them. In other words, as long as Second Aunt is captured, the other families will be captured as well."
Hua Zhi nodded, "I understand. I'd like to trouble Fourth Aunt to go and invite the people over in person. I'll talk to Second Uncle's grandmother."
"I can only run some errands for you. What's the trouble?" Wu held Hua Zhi's hand and looked at the girl who seemed to have grown from a small sapling into a towering tree. "I'm not worried that you'll suffer any loss, but I still have to tell you that my eldest sister-in-law in Wu's company is a paper tiger, strong on the outside but weak on the inside. You don't have to be afraid of her. On the contrary, you need to be careful of my second sister-in-law. Don't be fooled by her soft and weak appearance. She's the real cannibal."
"Beauty snake?" A more appropriate description would be white lotus, but if I describe it that way, Fourth Aunt probably won't understand.
"I saw her treat my second brother's pregnant concubine with my own eyes. Her smiling face gave me nightmares for a long time. My second brother is not valued at home, and she doesn't have much face in front of my mother. My eldest sister-in-law's family is prosperous, and she is the eldest daughter-in-law carefully selected by my mother. However, she has been married to the Wu family for so many years and has rarely suffered any loss at the hands of my eldest sister-in-law. If she suffers any loss, everyone will know that my eldest sister-in-law is wrong."
Mrs. Wu sneered, "My second brother treats this person as if she is his treasure. Just wait and see, I wonder how long she can keep pretending."
Hua Zhi once again felt that she had used too much medicine. Fourth Aunt's gloating tone was really...
"My mother..." Wu lowered her head. After all, she could not completely erase the love she had once received. It was just that she had once had it, and she was in great pain when she lost it. She couldn't help but feel resentment in her heart. But, that was her mother!
"If my mother said anything unpleasant, please forgive her this time. Just this once. From now on, I won't care about you anymore."
"After all, she is my elder. If I really do something, won't I be gossiped about? Don't worry, I know my limits." Hua Zhi did not agree immediately. She didn't know how things would develop if they didn't happen. Instead of agreeing but not being able to do it, it would be better not to agree at the beginning and try to be as positive as possible.
Wu couldn't say anything more, so she clenched her hands tightly and said, "I'm going to my second aunt's house now."
"No rush, let's wait for Xu Jie to come back. Maybe I have wronged the Wu family."
Mrs. Wu smiled bitterly. She actually hoped that the Wu family was wrongly accused, but she knew in her heart that judging from the change in the Wu family's attitude, they were not wrongly accused.
Hua Zhi went to work on her own. The business in Green Moss Lane was booming, with long queues regardless of wind or rain. She planned to divert some of the traffic and buy the lane on the other side of the inner river that corresponded to Green Moss Lane.
The layout of the capital is very regular. The alley called Lilai Lane has the same layout as Lutai Lane, and the same problem. However, because of Lutai Lane, the prices of shops there have increased, and it is probably impossible to buy them at the previous price.
But compared with the huge benefits, this initial investment is worth it.
She still handed the matter over to Chen Liang. Chen Liang hesitated for a moment and said, "If I go forward, the shop owner will probably know immediately that you want to buy it, and the price will definitely not go down. It's better to find someone else to come forward and let people think that someone else wants to compete with you, so as to save some money."
"That makes sense." Hua Zhi nodded in appreciation at Chen Liang. She had indeed not thought of this before. "First, find out who owns those shops. I will find another new face to come forward."
"yes."
Mrs. Wu listened to the whole thing and looked at Zhi'er with admiration. The servants of the Hua family have become very capable under her control.
PS: He couldn't make it, so I took him to the hospital. Fortunately, the test results showed no major problems, but the fever just wouldn't go down. He didn't have a high fever all the time, but it kept going back and forth between high and low fevers. It just wasn't getting better. I was almost going crazy. When I was extremely tired, I went to read the book review section. Thank you girls for your comfort and encouragement. Everything will be fine.