No matter how tired they feel, they still have to stumble forward, whether it is Gu Yanxi or Hua Zhi.
As the New Year was approaching, Hua Zhi gave New Year gifts to several families she had dealings with. She left the Qin family as the last one. The Qin family, who had been keeping an eye on her, were relieved when they heard that she was coming. The closeness of the relationship can be best revealed at the end of the year.
The eldest lady of the Qin family had received her husband's instructions long ago, so she dared not neglect them. She waited for people to arrive at the second gate. The nurse who had served her for many years signaled the others to leave and whispered in her ear, "I got the news. I'm afraid the old lady is going to use the illness as an excuse to make the eldest lady of the Hua family bow her head and save face in front of the old master."
The eldest lady frowned. She had been bullied for many years and knew best the character of her own strict mother-in-law. It went without saying that she could not tolerate this. Under normal circumstances, she would have wanted to see her being taken advantage of by her father-in-law again. But now she couldn't do that. Her husband had told her the pros and cons of this matter, and she also knew that the Qin family had received great benefits from the eldest girl not long ago. The benefits had not even warmed up yet, and now something strange had happened again. She felt ashamed.
"Tell the housekeeper about this." Madam Qin wiped the corner of her mouth gently. "What a coincidence! The court has stopped writing today."
The nanny's eyes lit up. That's right. The old master is at home today. Even if their wives can't control the old lady, there will always be someone who can control her.
Hua Zhi didn't know that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had already exchanged moves before she arrived. She handed the gift list to the housekeeper and followed the housekeeper to the second gate.
She originally thought that she was going to pay her respects to the sick old lady. She had even organized the words in her mind, but her aunt who was waiting there took her to her own yard. After a few more twists and turns in her mind, she didn't think about it anymore. After all, it was the Qin family's business and had nothing to do with her.
"Although we rarely meet, I really admire you. For a girl to achieve what she has today, you must have suffered a lot."
"It's still within my control." Hua Zhi looked at the distressed face of the other party and smiled faintly, making it difficult to tell the depth of the smile. "In fact, it's not that serious. People's potential is unlimited. Not everyone can be like me if pushed, but three or five out of ten can be no problem."
"Then I must be the one with the problem." Madam Qin gave her a glare and changed the subject very naturally. "How is your mother? Berlin is said to be traveling? She won't be back for the New Year?"
"Mother is in good health. Berlin has his own ideas now. I can't keep him under control all the time. It's good to let him get rid of his temper a little bit."
"He doesn't have the temper of a young master at all. He is clearly naughty. I remember it very clearly." Madam Qin smiled softly with her hands covering her mouth. "I still remember clearly that three years ago, he and a few boys from the Qin family almost burned down the Qin Family School."
Hua Zhi also remembered that incident. At that time, the Hua and Qin families were really close. Grandmother liked to bring younger generations back to her parents' home. The one she brought that time was Berlin, who was at an age that even dogs disliked. He was a headache to find, but he almost burned down the family school in less than half a day.
"We put him in solitary confinement for half a month after we got back. It was only after you, my cousin, went to the Hua family in person that you released him."
"Children are good at playing, which means they are smart." Madam Qin saw that her expression had softened a little, so she took her hand and said softly, "Aunt knows that you have a gap in your heart. It's not your fault. It's us elders who didn't do well. But we can't erase those feelings because of this, right? Even if you don't believe me or others, you should believe in the feelings between our old grandfather and aunt for many years. Later, the old grandfather actually wanted to bring back several legitimate grandchildren of the Hua family to raise them, but he gave up when he saw that you raised them well."
Hua Zhi smiled gently, "It's all in the past, let's not talk about it anymore. Grandmother's last name is Qin after all, she must be happy to see us interacting."
This is exactly the attitude that the Qin family wants. After hearing this, Mrs. Qin's smile deepened. "Yes, we are a family after all, so we need to interact more often."
After taking a few sips of tea, Madam Qin looked at Hua Zhi and asked tentatively, "Have you ever thought about getting married again, Zhi'er?"
Hua Zhi raised her eyebrows, "Cousin, are you trying to be a matchmaker for me?"
"It's not just me. There are many people who want to be your matchmaker." Seeing her surprised face, Madam Qin was even more surprised than her, "You don't know?"
"… What should I know? If my cousin hadn't mentioned me, I wouldn't have known that anyone wanted me."
Madam Qin's eyes widened. "You think everyone is blind, don't you? You are good at managing the household, making money, and you have a broad mind. You can even see clearly the major events in the court. If you were not in mourning before, and it was the end of the year after waiting for you to be out of mourning, I'm afraid a matchmaker would have come to your door long ago."
Hua Zhi followed their thinking and thought, it was true. Whoever married her would be marrying the God of Wealth. The benefits derived from the seventh part were already visible. When the transportation team started to build up, there would probably be more people who would think so.
It's a pity it's too late, she already has a boyfriend.
Moreover, what that man was attracted to was not her added value, but her as a person. Hua Zhi suddenly missed that always warm embrace.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Madam Qin asked again tentatively, "Zhi'er, do you have any ideas?"
Hua Zhi smiled and shook her head. "The Hua family gave birth to me and raised me, allowing me to enjoy wealth and honor as soon as I was born. I am willing to work hard for the Hua family, but why should others make me work like a slave for them? I know that they are attracted by my little ability, but I am not stupid enough to jump into that kang. What's more, those people want to marry me to their own sons and nephews, but their sons and nephews may not dare to marry me."
Everyone knows the truth, but a lifetime is not long, but it is not short either. Living alone is too lonely. However, this is no longer something she can say. Madam Qin patted her arm and said, "Don't be so mean to yourself. Don't be too hard on yourself."
"Yes, thank you for your concern." Hearing her sincerity, Hua Zhi thanked her sincerely. She had been prepared beforehand. If her aunt continued to talk about this topic, she would just say that she was engaged.
Hmm, this attitude seems a bit fearless? Hua Zhi put her hair behind her ears, but there was nothing she could do. In her mind, this matter was really not a big deal.
Now she was a little curious whether Yan Xi knew about this.
After talking to Madam Qin in a roundabout way, Hua Zhi decided to leave. "I heard that my aunt is ill. I need to go and pay my respects."
Madam Qin was just thinking about how to answer when she heard the nanny say, "The old lady is not in good spirits. She just sent word that she has fallen asleep, so that the eldest lady can know. The old master heard that you are here, so please go to the flower hall over there to talk."
Hua Zhi bowed to Madam Qin and said, "I'm sorry to have kept Uncle waiting for so long and bothered Auntie."
"I'd be happy if you came to bother me more often." Madam Qin smiled, "Go ahead. I won't keep you here. I'll go see your mother some other day."
"Yes, you are welcome anytime."