Blossom in Adversity

C1. Noble Hua Family.

Chapter One: Noble Hua Family

It was midsummer, with the sun hanging low in the sky and the heat making people sweat with the slightest movement.

The Hua Family, occupying half of the lane in the Hualin lane, was as quiet as usual. Maids and servants walked around with their skirts swaying lightly, making no sound. The servants, bustling in and out, were busy, but even in their haste, they only dared to walk quickly and not run.

The Hua Family was a prestigious family that had been established for a hundred years, with strict rules and strict requirements for their servants. However, because of the Hua Family's good reputation, many people hoped to be accepted into the family.

Compared to other noble families with countless scandals, the Hua Family's strict rules were not considered harsh. Moreover, the servants in the Hua Family had the opportunity to learn to read and write, but unfortunately, the Hua Family did not often bring in new servants.

As the sun gradually rose higher, the cicadas' chirping intensified, adding a few more degrees of restlessness to people's hearts.

In a courtyard in the south, the eldest daughter of the Hua Family, Hua Zhi, was reading a book and feeling a little tired. She put down her book, rubbed her eyes gently, and looked back at the maid fanning her. "It's not that hot sitting still, take a break."

The maid smiled and replied, "I'm not tired, miss."

Another maid who was doing needlework quickly washed her hands and brought over a cup of chilled mung bean soup. She watched as her young mistress drank it slowly and then massaged her neck.

The door curtain gently rustled as a maid in a peach-colored dress lifted the curtain, followed by another maid in green carrying water. The two maids worked together to clean Hua Zhi's hands and apply various lotions to keep them soft and smooth.

With delicate fingers, rounded fingertips, and almost non-existent knuckles, Hua Zhi's hands were fair and smooth, a clear sign that she was a pampered young lady from a wealthy family.

Hua Zhi smiled slightly in the tranquil atmosphere and asked, "So, have any of you set your sights on someone?"

The four maids all went about their tasks without saying a word.

"Ying Chun, you go first."

The maid massaging hesitated for a moment, then continued to massage with moderate pressure. "I will marry whoever you choose for me, miss."

This answer didn't surprise Huazhi at all. "And what about Bao Xia?"

The maid who was massaging her fingers glanced up and then continued her work. "I have decided not to marry and will serve you for the rest of my life."

Without needing to be asked, the maid massaging her other hand, Nian Qiu, nodded in agreement. "I have the same thoughts as Bao Xia."

And there was no need to ask Fu Dong last, as she was timid and obedient, always following her three elder sisters' lead.

Hua Zhi sighed. "Only you yourselves know if you can live together as husband and wife. It's not enough for me to simply say who is good. It's better to find out now than to face difficulties later in life."

"You're still a young unmarried lady yourself, speaking as if you were an elder." Bao Xia grumbled. "Anyway, I'm not marrying anyone, and if you think you can just leave us here at the Hua Family, wherever you go, we'll follow."

"What's the point of following me to the Shen Family to get married? No matter how good the Shen Family is, can it compare to the familiar Hua Family? If I had a choice, I would prefer to stay at the Hua Family and be an old maid."