Song Xiuyan smiled and nodded. "Alright. Take more servants with you."
"Mother, that won't be necessary. Xixi is enough," Hu Lihua quickly replied.
"But what if something happens while you're outside?" Song Xiuyan asked worriedly.
"How about taking Mu Lin with you?" Hu Zhangwei suggested.
"Father, that's really not necessary. I promise to be back before dark. What do you think?" Hu Lihua tried to convince Hu Zhangwei. Mu Lin was her father's trusted bodyguard—how could she dare take a spy along with her? She was sure Mu Lin would report everything she did to Hu Zhangwei.
"How about I come with you instead?" Hu Haoran offered. He needed to get closer to Hu Lihua to gather more information.
Hu Lihua turned to him with a blank expression and asked, "Why are you still here?"
[Every time he came home, he would always take Hu Rui'an out shopping. I wanted to go too, but my 'kind' Second Brother always refused me coldly. He said I was just a country girl and believed Hu Rui'an's lies that I would embarrass them. And now, all of a sudden, he wants to go shopping with me? He must be planning to take revenge for Hu Rui'an!]
Hu Haoran stiffened. Right—how could he forget all the things he had done to Hu Lihua? He had always been so distant toward her. And now, suddenly acting all friendly? No wonder his sister was suspicious!
"Ahem!" Hu Haoran cleared his throat, trying to ease the awkwardness. After a moment, he spoke again. "Hua'er, I'm sorry for how I treated you in the past. As an apology, I'll buy you anything you want today. How about that?"
He then pulled out a stack of banknotes and said, "Look, Second Brother has a lot of money!"
Although Hu Haoran was a scholar, he had a natural talent for business. At thirteen, Song Xiuyan had given him three shops to manage. Now, at nineteen, he owned dozens of shops spread throughout the Zhang Dynasty.
Hu Lihua's eyes gleamed green at the sight of the thick stack of banknotes. Each note was worth a thousand taels. With all that money, she wouldn't have to spend a single coin of her own!
"Give it to me," Hu Lihua said, extending her hand toward Hu Haoran.
Hu Haoran watched as her open palm appeared before him, closing just as quickly. After a brief pause, he asked, "Does this mean you'll let me come with you?"
"Of course not!" Hu Lihua answered firmly. Seeing the stunned look on Hu Haoran's face, she sighed softly and said in a sorrowful tone, "Second Brother, think of this money as compensation for the emotional damage you've caused me today."
She paused, took out a handkerchief, and dabbed at the corner of her dry eyes. "Second Brother, the moment you got home today, you rushed straight to me and accused me of stealing from Hu Rui'an. And let's not even mention how cold you've always been toward me. Are you trying to pretend none of that ever happened?"
Hu Haoran was amazed by Hu Lihua's acting skills. If only she could squeeze out a single tear, he might have actually believed her! He looked at the banknotes in his hand—fifteen thousand taels in total, half of his monthly profit from all his businesses. His little sister had quite the appetite for money!
Song Xiuyan, who had long been displeased with Hu Haoran's attitude toward Hu Lihua, immediately spoke up in her defense. "Haoran, isn't your sister's happiness worth that much money?"
"Yes, of course, it is!" Hu Haoran hurriedly shoved the entire stack of banknotes into Hu Lihua's hands, flashing her a big smile. "Hua'er, please accept this as my apology."
"Oh, Second Brother, why go through all this trouble?" Hu Lihua said shyly, though her hands moved lightning-fast, snatching the remaining money from his grasp. She folded the notes neatly and tucked them into her sleeve. "Since Second Brother insists, I won't refuse."
Once again, Hu Haoran was amazed by his sister. Her expressions could change in an instant!
"Ah… so, does this mean you've forgiven me?" he asked.
Hu Lihua shot him a quick glance before replying, "As long as Second Brother treats me well, I won't hold a grudge."
[Hehe! As long as you keep giving me money, I won't make things difficult for you. You practically invited me to rob you!]
The corner of Hu Haoran's lips twitched. It seemed he had to work even harder to give Hu Lihua a lot of money! Without realizing it, he had developed a fondness for his sister.
Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan watched their children's interaction with amusement. At least the icy tension between them was starting to melt.
"Alright, Hua'er, don't waste any more time. Go and come back soon," Song Xiuyan reminded her.
---
"First Miss, we've arrived,," said Da Mo, the coachman, as he pulled the reins of the carriage.
Xixi lifted the curtain from inside and carefully helped Hu Lihua step down.
Hu Lihua glanced at the grand Bai Wei Ju Restaurant before her. It stood proudly by the main road, its curved roof adding an air of elegance. A red silk banner embroidered with golden thread hung over the entrance, swaying gently in the breeze. Above the doorway, a large ebony sign displayed the name 'Bai Wei Ju' in exquisite golden calligraphy. Waiters in light blue uniforms bustled about, attending to guests coming and going. At a single glance, it was clear that this was the finest restaurant in the Imperial Capital.
Not many people know who owns Bai Wei Ju, but rumors say that the restaurant belongs to someone from the Imperial Palace. But Hu Lihua knew very well who the owner of this restaurant was.
Turning to Da Mo, Hu Lihua instructed, "Da Mo, go and park the carriage."
"Yes, First Miss," Da Mo replied.
"Xixi, give Da Mo some money so he can buy himself lunch," Hu Lihua ordered.
"There's no need, Miss! I brought mantou with me," Da Mo refused.
"If the First Miss says so, you should accept it," Xixi said, handing him a silver tael.
"Miss, this is too much," Da Mo said, eyes wide in shock at the silver in his hand.
"It's fine. Get yourself something good to eat today," Hu Lihua told him.
"Thank you, First Miss!" Da Mo said gratefully, bowing deeply. Today, he would treat himself to a hot bowl of wonton soup. Just thinking about it, he could already feel its warmth spreading through him—especially in this cool autumn weather.
Hu Lihua nodded and turned away. She rather liked this young coachman. Unlike the other servants, before she had gained her family's favor, Da Mo had always treated her with respect as a proper master of the Hu household. That was why she made sure to treat him well in return.
"Xixi, let's go inside!"