Zhu looked at her daughter who had the rare opportunity to have breakfast with her and said, "Do you really want to go? Why not wait until after the New Year when the weather is not so cold?"
"It will be cold for three months after the New Year, and if you add the time before the New Year, it will be delayed by half a year. Grandfather and his family will be worried." Hua Zhi smiled soothingly, "It's okay. I'm familiar with the roads. I will be well prepared before going out."
"No matter how much preparation we make, we still have to endure the cold wind." Zhu lowered her head and wiped the corners of her eyes. Her mother came more often recently, and she knew more about what was going on outside than other people in the family. It was precisely because of this that she felt more distressed. She was just such a small person, but she had so many things on her shoulders. I really didn't know how she managed to survive.
"When you get outside, you need to..."
Hua Zhi listened to her mother's instructions with a smile, and responded from time to time. Even though these words would be of no use outside, she did not feel impatient at all. This was the limit of the care her mother could give her, because she only understood so much, and now she was racking her brains to tell her everything.
That's enough.
After leaving her mother's room, Hua Zhi went to each room and sat there, listening to a few words of nagging. Then she took away the letters and other things they had prepared. Everyone felt sorry for her and did not prepare any big things.
As she and Fourth Aunt were talking about going to visit some of the side branches, Liu Xiang came in and reported, "Miss, Mr. Yu wants to see you."
Mr. Yu? "Mr. Yu Xiasheng?"
"yes."
Wu covered her mouth and smiled, "Go do your thing, I'll just go for a walk."
"Excuse me, Fourth Aunt." Hua Zhi stood up. She was a little curious about Yu Xiasheng's purpose and walked quickly.
After watching her leave the yard, the smile on Mrs. Wu's face gradually faded, "Get ready, go out for a while."
She motioned the maids to get busy, and Nanny Song came over to help her sit down, and said softly, "Why don't you mention that matter to the eldest lady?"
"If my mother hadn't passed on the message, I wouldn't have known that the emperor had taken a fancy to Zhi'er's ability. Do you think this is a good thing? If it was really a good thing, why didn't Zhi'er mention it at home? If it was a good thing, why was there such a bad atmosphere at home during that time?" Wu sneered, "Not to mention that Zhi'er might not be able to intervene in the affairs of the court, even if she really had this ability, I wouldn't say anything. I have come to understand that no one can be trusted, whether it's my mother's family or relatives and friends. I will follow the eldest daughter of the Hua family wholeheartedly. I will do whatever she tells me to do. I don't care about other people."
"But that is your mother's family after all. Even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about the two young masters."
"They don't even care about my life or death, how can I expect them to care about my son's life or death? I won't have such a dream anymore. Mammy, you'd better wake up as soon as possible. By comparison, I believe that Zhi'er will take good care of her brother."
Nanny Song was speechless, and could not say anything to support the family. It was not that she had to speak for the Wu family, but she and her wife would prosper together, so she naturally made many plans for her wife. In her opinion, although there were unpleasant things before, since the Wu family had taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, she should grab it. As a married woman, could she really ignore her natal family
But looking at the lady's attitude, I'm afraid she has really made up her mind, and what she said does make sense. The eldest girl is more reliable than others anyway.
After changing into a big coat for going out, Wu said, "Keep this to yourself and don't say a word to Zhi'er. She's going north soon, don't bother her with such a small matter."
"Yes." Nanny Song responded quickly, hesitated for a moment, and then reminded: "I have seen people coming and going in each room these days. I am afraid that we are not the only ones entangled in this matter."
"No one with a brain would mention it." Wu thought for a moment and said, "I'll go sit in the sisters-in-law's room and remind them of this. It's not easy for Zhi'er to achieve the current situation. We can't ruin it."
"That's right."
Hua Zhi, unaware that she had been targeted by all kinds of evildoers, met Yu Xiasheng. Yu Xiasheng, who had been very generous the last time they met, was a little evasive this time.
Hua Zhi didn't know what had happened and her heart sank.
After the greetings, Hua Zhi asked directly, "Mr. Yu, what is the important matter that brought you here today?"
"Young lady, young man... young man..."
"kindness?"
Fearing that he would leave a bad impression on the girl, Yu Xiasheng was anxious and blurted out, "I am here to ask for marriage."
Propose marriage? Hua Zhi was rarely able to react. She looked at Nanny Su who had returned to serve her and had a candidate in mind.
After calming down, Hua Zhi did not point out the person herself, but asked, "Which sister of mine is Mr. Yu seeking?"
"The third young lady of the Hua family." Now that it was clearly stated, Yu Xiasheng became more relaxed and said with a red face, "I want to marry the third young lady."
It was indeed! Hua Zhi now looked at Yu Xiasheng with a different look in her eyes. She couldn't choose a husband for her sister the same way as for others. She first asked, "Does Mr. Yu have any concubines at home?"
"None at all." Yu Xiasheng took the initiative to explain his background. "I am nineteen this year. Both my parents are alive. I have a younger brother and a younger sister. My grandfather was once a high-ranking official, but later retired due to illness. I have a permanent family property, and I will definitely not let the third girl suffer."
Hua Zhi was very satisfied with Yu Xiasheng's character, but she would not consider it if his family was too complicated. Getting married, especially in this era, has never been a matter of two people, but a matter of a family. In her opinion, choosing a good family is far more important than how rich the family is.
"Has your family never arranged a marriage for you?"
"No, my grandfather was afraid that it would affect me, so he didn't allow my parents to do anything that would distract me."
"How do you know they will be satisfied with the flower spirit?"
"Grandfather will definitely be satisfied. I have heard him praise the Hua family tradition. My parents will not object."
It sounds good. Hua Zhi nodded slightly. However, "Marriage is a big deal and we need to be cautious. Third sister is not out of mourning yet. Why don't you write a letter and go back to discuss it with your family? We can talk about other things later."
Yu Xiasheng could only agree. He knew that the eldest girl still didn't believe him. This further proved that the eldest girl was doing it for the good of the third girl and would never easily promise the third girl to someone else because of some external factors.
He had already taken the lead over others, but he couldn't help but say a few more words for himself, "Before I came to take the exam, my grandfather said that if I could pass the second place, he would bring the old and young in my family to Beijing to celebrate the New Year, and would return after the next spring exam. I have already written a letter and they may be on their way to Beijing now. I will ask mother to come to our house, and please don't block them out when the time comes."
Hua Zhi laughed. This guy really cared about it. "Let's talk about it after November."
This was considered a promise, and Yu Xiasheng was delighted and agreed immediately.