Although the Yu family has gone downhill, it is still an old family after all and has all the proper behaviors.
The butler had been waiting outside the door long ago. When he saw the carriage stop, he immediately came forward and said, bending over, "The young lady is ill and cannot stand the wind. I apologize for not being able to come out in person to greet you."
"Of course your health is important." Hua Zhi responded with a faint smile, "I am already disturbing you by coming here uninvited."
The butler bent even lower and said, "No, it's not a big deal. Miss is very happy to receive your visiting card."
Hua Zhi smiled again and stopped asking questions. The situation of the Yu family was unclear, and any extra words would be inappropriate.
The housekeeper took the person to the second gate and handed him over to the housekeeper who was waiting there.
The housekeeper bowed again and said, "Please follow me. The young lady is waiting."
"Trouble you."
The nanny raised her eyebrows, feeling a little surprised. This gentle and polite girl was quite different from the ones the girl usually interacted with.
The courtyard was deep and deep. After walking through the corridors and passing through the various courtyards, Hua Zhi finally entered the main courtyard of the third courtyard. Hua Zhi was doubtful. According to the traditional custom of the aristocratic family, the third courtyard should be where the female members lived. Even if Yu Weiwei lived in the third courtyard before, she should move to the second courtyard after her son-in-law came.
"Please come in, young lady."
Hua Zhi nodded to the nanny and walked past her into the room. Shaoyao followed Hua Hua closely, secretly raising her guard.
In the main hall, Yu Weiwei, who was not in good spirits, came to greet them. Hua Zhi quickly glanced at the maids standing around, smiled and walked up to Yu Weiwei and gave her a hug, "Did you expect me to come here again?"
Yu Weiwei was very surprised by her behavior. From the little she knew about Hua Ling during those days, she could tell that Hua Ling was not the kind of person who would show her emotions so openly.
Just as I was about to speak, I heard an almost inaudible whisper in my ear, "Is it convenient?"
Yu Weiwei understood immediately and replied with a simple "no". Then she smiled and said, "I didn't expect it. I was so surprised when I received your message. I thought I would never have the chance to see you again in this life."
The two let go of each other's hands, and Hua Zhi took Shaoyao and introduced her, "This is my cousin Lingniang. She rarely goes out, so she brought me here to play for a few days."
Shaoyao bowed shyly, "Miss Yu, sorry to bother you."
Such peonies are rare to see. Even though Hua Zhi knew she was pretending, she couldn't help but look at her a few more times. If you miss this opportunity, you will never have it again.
Yu Weiwei returned the greeting, pretending not to see the scar on her face that was fatal to a girl. "Jinyang doesn't have anything else, but it has more fun things than other places. Lingniang, you should let go and have some fun."
Shaoyao nodded without saying anything, maintaining her quiet personality.
After the maid served fragrant tea, fruits and snacks, Yu Weiwei stood by. She picked up the teacup and gently flicked the tea foam, then looked up and asked with a smile, "Why did you suddenly come to Jinyang again? Are you missing the fun in Jinyang?"
"I have a business deal in Jinyang, so I came to see how it's going." Seeing her strange expression, Hua Zhi laughed, "What's with that expression? Can't I do business now?"
"Honestly, I can't imagine that you are a businessman. I always thought you were the daughter of a wealthy family in Beijing. Your demeanor must be real."
"Aristocratic families are also supported by people. People cannot live without food, clothing, shelter and transportation. People who say money is vulgar must have many vulgar people around them who do vulgar things for them. Only then can they say such things with confidence."
Yu Weiwei burst out laughing. Meeting Hua Ling this time really surprised her. This was true in every aspect. "I'm probably the one who said money is vulgar."
"You are still young, and young people have the right to say this."
Yu Weiwei looked at her girlish bun speechlessly, "A girl saying this in front of a married woman, don't you feel guilty?"
"To me, it's a girl who has already taken charge of the family, and a woman who has not yet taken charge of the family."
“… It’s obviously a fallacy, but it actually sounds so reasonable.”
"That makes sense." Hua Zhi raised her eyebrows. "I ran into Miss Wang when I went there to play yesterday. She said you were not feeling well. I noticed that you were not in a good mood. What's wrong?"
"It's just a cold. I didn't see her because I was afraid of passing it on to her. Why did she complain to you?"
"I don't complain, but I am worried. Now that you are married, can you still go out?"
"Jinyang doesn't have a rule that says you can't go out after marriage, but it's cold today, and I'm afraid that going out and getting caught in the wind will aggravate my illness, so I'm not planning to go out for the time being." As she was talking, the maid came over with a cloak for Yu Weiwei to put on. Yu Weiwei pulled it together and asked, "How long can you stay here?"
"I came here to relax under the guise of business, and I haven't set a return date." Hua Zhi showed a little regret on her face, "I originally thought I could travel with you."
"It's not like I'm sick and that's why I'm not well." Yu Weiwei glared at her. "I'm getting better now. I should be able to go out after a few more days of rest. You can't leave so soon."
"Who's leaving?" A voice came from the door. Hua Zhi had been paying attention to Yu Weiwei and keenly noticed that her ease just now disappeared in an instant. Her whole body tensed up. She had an idea in her heart and turned to look at the man who came in from outside the door.
The man in royal blue clothes looked gentle and refined, with a gentle expression, a look that could easily attract women. Yu Weiwei had no one in her heart. As a young girl who had never experienced the baptism of love, she should have a good impression of such a husband, but in fact she was wary of this man.
With thoughts turning in her mind, Hua Zhi stood up and bowed, her smile faded, her expression just the right amount of distance towards a stranger.
Yu Weiwei stood up with a slightly sweet smile on her face, "This is my husband Qi Qiu. Husband, this is my good friend from the capital."
Because Hua Ling was an unmarried girl, Yu Weiwei did not tell her her maiden name.
The two men greeted each other, and were completely polite.
The male owner came back, so Hua Zhi couldn't stay any longer, so she stood up and said, "Then take care of your health, I won't bother you anymore."
"You haven't promised me yet, so don't leave until I get better."
Hua Zhi looked embarrassed, "I can't stay here for long..."
Yu Weiwei turned to look at Qi Qiu, "Husband, did the doctor say that my illness will soon be cured? Will I be able to go out soon?"
Qi Qiu held her hand and said gently, "The doctor said you still have to take good care of yourself. If you are still cold today and get caught in a cold when you go out, your condition will probably get worse. It won't be too late to go out after you have fully recovered."
"Husband..."
"Be obedient." Qi Qiu looked at Hua Zhi with a guilty look on her face, "It's my fault that I didn't take good care of Weiwei. She has been bedridden for a long time. Why don't you stay in Jinyang for a few more days? Who knows, Weiwei will be better by then."
"I'll try my best." Hua Zhi bowed, "Then I'll take my leave first."
Qi Qiu apologized politely, "Please forgive me for the poor reception."
"Nothing." His eyes swept over the clenched fist half-hidden in Yu Weiwei's sleeve, and Hua Zhi and Shaoyao left together.