Although she was a guest, Madam Sun was the elder. When the news was passed back to the inner courtyard, the ladies of the four rooms all came to pay their respects.
Old Madam Sun was also very polite. They had lunch happily before saying goodbye and leaving.
Hua Zhi and Xiao Liu worked together to settle the assets sent by the Sun family. The amount was huge for ordinary people, but it was not much for a big family.
"It is said that General Sun did a lot to fill the huge hole in the military pay, and it seems that his words are true."
Xiao Liu pursed his lips and whispered, "It's the truth. Grandfather couldn't bear to see the soldiers not even having a full meal. I don't know how much he has spent over the years."
"If this is the case even for the most important pass in history, one can imagine the deductions and delays in military pay in other places." Hua Zhi is not surprised. If it were to happen in modern times, who would dare to do so!
"Leave these things here for now." Hua Zhi put her hand on the pile of account books. "I'll check and then decide how to deal with them. If you want to take over the illegal salt, this amount of silver is still insufficient."
"I will listen to Sister Hua." Xiao Liu paused, "My father doesn't like me. If he knew that I was involved in the illegal salt business..."
"This matter will bring more benefits than disadvantages to the royal family. I have to praise you for your foresight now. There is no need to worry."
Xiaoliu thought about it and understood. If the private salt was caught by the royal family, why would he need to be controlled by others in the future
Hua Zhi picked out the roster and said, "Give it to Yan Xi. Use Qi Su Si to check the details and don't let anyone with ulterior motives get in."
Xiaoliu naturally had no objection. These people were strangers to him, and he wouldn't dare to use them like this!
…
It snowed heavily on the 24th, just like last year.
Hua Zhi was wearing a plain dress with a few freshly picked white flowers tucked behind her ears, making her already cold and aloof look even more stern.
Nanny Su pushed the door open and came in. "Miss, the Qin family sent someone to tell us that the master who is going to deliver the spirit house is on the way."
Hua Zhi looked at himself in the mirror. He chose the right time. At this moment, no one could keep him out.
"Open the door wide to welcome you."
Nanny Su breathed a sigh of relief and left quickly. She was from the Qin family, and although she had left for many years, she did not want the two families to become estranged. Even though the Qin family had... Now that they had offered the way, it would be best if the eldest lady could take advantage of it.
Hua Zhi stood up, with a thick cape falling on her shoulders. "I'm afraid there will be quite a few people coming today. Go notify the kitchen and prepare more food."
"yes."
When I walked out of the house, the cold air mixed with snowflakes blew in my face, blowing away all the warmth in my body.
Hua Zhi gathered her cloak and walked towards the people waiting outside.
Mrs. Wu came forward and seemed to want to say something but stopped herself.
"How they do it is their business, and how we do it is our business." Hua Zhi gently stroked the flower behind her ear, "Just do what you should do when you are out of mourning."
Mrs. Wu took a deep breath, gritted her teeth and nodded vigorously. She had received a message from her mother's family yesterday and knew that the situation was almost the same in every branch. She roughly guessed their intention. Yes, they could be refused on weekdays, but on the day of mourning, the more relatives and old friends came, the more honorable the deceased was. Even if the Hua family closed their doors, they could not turn people away on this day.
Isn't that what they rely on? Wu was filled with grief and indignation, for among those who took advantage of the situation, there were also her closest relatives.
"If someone insists on saying something unhappy today, you don't need to raise your voice. Just say that we are the ones in charge at home and let them come to me." Hua Zhi took the hand warmer handed to her by Yingchun and put her gloves on. "Fourth aunt, please pay attention to the backyard. Second sister and third sister, you can help."
The three sisters who were standing not far away were stunned for a moment, and Hua Xin and Hua Ling immediately nodded in response.
"Fourth sister, follow my mother and don't let her be alone with those people with ulterior motives."
Hua Rong, who thought she was isolated, breathed a sigh of relief and responded crisply.
Hua Zhi looked at the children again and said, "Bai Yu, when the time comes, you will go to the ancestral tomb."
"yes."
Her eyes fell on Zeng Han, and Hua Zhi took two steps forward, "Xiao Han wants to go too?"
Zeng Han nodded. His last name was Zeng, but in his heart he was also a member of the Hua family. He felt that he should do what the Hua family should do.
"Then go ahead. As the elder brother, take care of your younger brothers."
All the children puffed out their chests and answered in unison. They were already experienced in taking care of their younger brother and they knew how to do it.
Hua Zhi smiled appreciatively at the children and walked towards the front yard.
It is clearly a family matter, but now it has been used by others and turned into a place of intrigue and deception. If my grandmother knew about this, she would feel hateful, or perhaps she would blame her for not wanting to bow her head.
But how could she bow her head!
If she shows any sign of retreat, those people will cling to her like blood-sucking worms and won't let go until all her blood is sucked out!
Only a body of steel can smash their tentacles one by one and make them feel the pain.
Want to suck her blood? That depends on whether she is willing or not! She was never afraid when she was dormant, and now that she has the emperor behind her, she can also use the power of the tiger to bully others.
The front yard was more lively than usual. The snow in the yard had been cleared, and the flakes that were still floating in the air would not pile up for a while. Servants were coming and going, making various preparations. Hua Zhi stood there and watched for a while before continuing to walk.
Butler Xu saw his eldest daughter was about to come over, but a figure was faster than him, "Sister Hua."
Xiaoliu was also wearing plain white. Hua Zhi suddenly remembered that Xiaoliu seemed to have never worn brightly colored clothes since he came to the Hua family. He mostly wore the same clothes as Berlin. The clothes she asked people to prepare were like this. Even those sent by the Sun family, he only wore plain colors. Now that she thought about it, she did it on purpose.
"I'm afraid there will be quite a few people coming today. Why don't you stay at the Sun family for a day?"
Xiaoliu asked hesitantly, "Can I go with you to the Hua family's ancestral tomb?"
Hua Zhi smiled, "Of course you can, but be careful and burn some incense. Don't let anyone find a reason to accuse you."
Xiaoliu's face instantly lit up with a smile, "Yes, I know."
At this time, Butler Xu also came over and said, "Miss, shall I go and open the middle door now?"
"Open it."
Hua Zhi took off the hand warmer and handed it to Bao Xia. She walked steadily to the front of the yard, facing the gate, and watched the middle door slowly open.
After a while, Qin Gongyang appeared in sight. Not only him, but also several nephews and nieces of the Qin family came. Behind them was a huge spirit house carried by several servants. Hua Zhi's eyes fell on the luxurious spirit house, and then saw Master Prajna behind the spirit house.
Hua Zhi bowed slowly, "Meet my cousin, I am so thoughtful."
"Stop being so polite." Qin Gongyang raised his hand and looked at his cousin who had caused such a big trouble without saying anything. At that time, he disagreed with distancing himself from the Hua family, but his mother looked down on Hua Zhi's business and persuaded his father to agree to have less contact with her. Who would have thought that she was good at business, but not only business? By the time the Qin family reacted, it was too late.