Doing Business

Although Hua Meng knew nothing about doing business, the joy on her second sister-in-law Lin Shi's face was unmistakable. She knew the venture was feasible.

She turned her head slightly and saw no sign of displeasure on her other three sisters-in-law's faces. Only then did she look back at Lin Shi and continue, "Once the business is underway, though, please tell Second Brother that the Hua Family cannot accept ill-gotten gains."

Perhaps because Hua Meng had been the one to bring up the business, the previously timid Lin Shi nodded confidently the moment she finished. "Don't worry, Mengmeng. Honesty is the foundation of business—that's an ancestral precept of the Lin family!"

Only after speaking did Lin Shi realize she had just addressed Hua Meng by name.

"Your Highness..."

Seeing Lin Shi's panic, Hua Meng quickly said, "There's no need to be nervous, Second Sister-in-law. Everyone here is family, so just call me Mengmeng as usual."

With Hua Meng's assurance, Lin Shi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After Hua Meng and Lin Shi had discussed Hua Peng's trip to Jiangnan to do business for a little longer, Hua Meng turned her full attention to her other three sisters-in-law. She told them that Emperor Jing'an had promoted their father to help her brothers enter court as officials in the future.

When she finished, Hua Meng finally rested her gaze on her eldest sister-in-law, Liu Shi. "Eldest Brother may have no ambition to serve at court, but Can'er is already nine. In another two years, he'll have to start preparing for the Tongsheng Examination. By then, his uncles should have gained a firm footing at court."

Hua Meng's eldest brother, Hua Mao, did not dislike studying as his younger brother Hua Peng did, but he had an innate aversion to court affairs. After marrying Liu Shi, he had happily gone to teach at her family's academy.

His eldest son, Hua Can, on the other hand, was the Hua Family's eldest grandson and looked very much like the rest of the family. But he was even cleverer than they were and, like his maternal uncles' family, had a talent for study.

He had long resolved to become the top scorer in the imperial examinations. Although he was still studying at his maternal grandfather's academy, everyone in the family knew that his achievements would one day surpass those of his father's generation.

Seeing the joy on her sisters-in-law's faces, Hua Meng could tell they understood what she meant. She continued, "Now that I am pregnant, the Hua Family's standing will naturally rise with the tide once I give birth to a prince in a few days. In the future, the status of the younger generation of our family will rise because of me, but at the same time, more eyes will be on them."

At this, Hua Meng's tone suddenly grew stern. "But I do not want any good-for-nothing dandies to emerge from the Hua Family and ruin its reputation!"

Hua Meng's mother, Lu Shi, had remained silent until now. She understood that her youngest daughter had made something of herself and, intending to rely on her maiden family in the future, naturally needed to speak properly of the benefits that lay ahead today.

But when Hua Meng said she did not want any dandies in the Hua Family, Lu Shi could no longer hold back. Looking at her daughters-in-law, she said, "What Mengmeng wants is what your father-in-law and I want. The Hua men may dislike studying, but they must never become dandies!"

Hua Meng's sisters-in-law had already been nodding repeatedly at her words. Now that Lu Shi had spoken, they all bowed and gave their assent.

Hearing Liu Shi and the others agree, Lu Shi turned to Hua Meng. "Don't worry, Mengmeng. With Mother keeping an eye on the Hua Family, nothing will go wrong." She thought for a moment, then added, "If a dandy appears in the Hua Family after I'm gone, you must punish him severely!"

Hua Meng had only meant to give her sisters-in-law a reminder. She had not expected it to make her mother say such a thing.

She wanted to urge her mother not to speak that way, but she understood that her mother was right.

The Hua men could dislike studying, as her second brother did, but they could not become dandies like the one from the Wei Family who had deliberately ridden his horse through the streets and injured people.

Once they had finished discussing these matters, Hua Meng chatted with Lu Shi and the others.

Lu Shi had long wanted to ask about Hua Meng's appetite, and her sisters-in-law had prepared plenty of advice from their own pregnancies to share with her.

Most importantly, Lu Shi finally opened a bundle she had been carrying with her. Inside were clothes Hua Meng's nephews had worn as children.

"These are clothes your eight nephews on your brothers' side and two nephews on your sister's side wore when they were little. Put them on your bed. You can use them as a pillow or hold them in your arms, but you must touch them every day."

Lu Shi had never believed in such things herself, because neither her nephews nor her sons had ever had difficulty having children.

She had thought to bring the clothes only because Hua Meng's older sister, Hua Lian, had heard of Hua Meng's pregnancy and sent two garments over. That had prompted Hua Meng's four sisters-in-law to search for the little clothes her nephews had worn.

Thinking of her eldest daughter, Lu Shi looked at Hua Meng. "Your sister was quite upset that she couldn't come in to see you this time, but I've already spoken to her about it." Remembering how close her two daughters were, she continued, "It's not that I wouldn't let your sister come to the palace to see you. Her mother-in-law is gravely ill, and I was worried she might bring the illness into the palace."

Only when Lu Shi mentioned it did Hua Meng remember that, in her previous life, her sister's mother-in-law would pass away before long.

That was why her sister had been observing mourning at home when trouble befell the Hua Family in her previous life.

"I've prepared things for Sister and her daughter and sons. Take them with you when you leave the palace later, Mother. I'm sure Sister will be happy to see them." Hua Meng paused, then added, "Huichun Hall in the eastern part of the city is run by the Jiang Family. When you get home, tell Father; I believe he knows the Jiang Family. Then ask a physician from Huichun Hall to examine Sister's mother-in-law."

Hua Meng said no more.

Imperial Physician Jiang had visited the Hua household several times before. Although he had not met the women of the inner quarters, Hua Teng had seen him.

At Hua Meng's words, a delighted smile immediately appeared on Lu Shi's face.

Medicine from Huichun Hall was expensive, and most patients who sought out its physicians were high-ranking officials and nobles. The Hua Family as it had been before would not have dared go there for treatment.

Much less Lu Shi's nephew, who came from a family of farmers and scholars.

After discussing these matters, Hua Meng finally brought up the year-end gifts that the imperial consorts' maiden families sent them in the palace.

Only then did Lu Shi and the others understand why Hua Meng wanted her second brother to go to Jiangnan to do business.

By the time Hua Meng noticed she was a little hungry, it was nearly noon.

"His Majesty will grant us a feast today. Mother, Sisters-in-law, you must be sure to try the palace dishes." Hua Meng yawned, then looked at everyone and continued, "I'm a little sleepy. Ling Cui will accompany you to the meal later. I'll eat something and then get ready to rest."

As soon as they heard Hua Meng wanted to rest, Lu Shi and her sisters-in-law, all speaking from experience, urged her to go to sleep at once.

"Mengmeng, make sure you get plenty of sleep while you still can. Once you're further along, you won't be able to sleep soundly even when you want to."

After saying this worriedly, Lu Shi looked at her daughter's youthful face. At the thought that Hua Meng was only sixteen this year, she could not help feeling distressed for her.

Fortunately, Hua Meng did not know what Lu Shi was thinking, or she would surely have been exasperated.

Although her mother had married at eighteen and given birth to her eldest brother at nineteen, her sisters-in-law and older sister had all married and had children at sixteen or seventeen.

Perhaps because she had seen her family, Hua Meng found her nap more comfortable than her usual three-hour rest, even though she slept for only two hours.

After waking, Hua Meng still had to wash and freshen up. Lu Shi and the others also had to freshen up and see to their needs before they could come see her.

Consort Wan seemed to have timed her arrival well. Hua Meng, Lu Shi, and the others had just finished freshening up and sat down, and had exchanged only a few words, when Consort Wan arrived with pastries.

As soon as Consort Wan arrived, Hua Meng brought up the proposed business partnership in front of Lin Shi.

"That's feasible." Consort Wan was not short of money. Although she was not a legitimate daughter of the main branch, she was the family's only legitimate daughter.

She had been born to her parents late in life, and her parents and older siblings all doted on her, so she did not lack money.

But that was what her family gave her at the end of each year because they felt they had wronged her. Hua Meng's proposal would allow her to earn money herself.

"I don't know anything about business. I'll just contribute a share of the funds and write to my brothers." Consort Wan smiled at Hua Meng before continuing, "My eldest brother is a prefect in Jiangnan, my second brother is a county magistrate in Tongzhou, and my third brother helps the main branch's second brother manage the Imperial Household Department."

Hua Meng had already known that Consort Wan's brothers were very capable, but she had not expected them all to hold such important posts.

Lin Shi was even more excited by Consort Wan's words, smiling from ear to ear.

With connections like these, the Lin family was sure to advance another step!

Happy gatherings were always short. Although Hua Meng knew her mother and sisters-in-law had already spent several hours in the palace, when Qiu Die reported that it was time for them to leave, reluctance still showed on her face and tears filled her eyes.

By then, Consort Wan had already taken her leave to write the letters so Lin Shi could take them out with her that day.

Ling Cui was also very reluctant to see them go, while Qiu Die and Jiang Chan did not know what to say to comfort Hua Meng.

In the end, Lu Shi looked at Hua Meng and said, "Stay in the palace and take care of yourself and the baby. When it's nearly time for you to give birth, Mother will certainly ask someone to come into the palace to keep you company."

At Lu Shi's words, Hua Meng finally smiled through her tears.