Blossom in Adversity

C19. Trouble at the Manor.

Chapter 19: Trouble at the Manor

Bao Xia came to wipe the box clean with water, then wrapped it carefully in a clean cloth. Nian Qiu, being meticulous, was afraid of revealing anything, so she found another similar-sized box, filled it with some books from the study, and deliberately dropped it when loading onto the carriage, scattering the books on the ground.

This way, anyone curious would assume both boxes contained only books.

On the way to the estate, Hua Zhi remained silent the entire time.

The sky, which had been sunny when they left, seemed to gradually darken as if responding to her mood, causing Bao Xia to become a bit anxious. The villa and the manor was in the opposite direction, at least an hour away, and they had to hurry to avoid being caught in the rain.

Seeing the Eldest Miss still in a somber mood, she raised the curtain and ordered, "Go faster."

Hearing her voice, Hua Zhi also snapped out of her reverie, looking up at the sky, her concern for her family deepening. She hoped it was still bright and sunny there, not too hot or rainy. Even the illegitimate siblings she rarely spoke to – she hoped they were well and safe.

With the troubles facing the Hua family, she now understood firsthand that the family was a unit – to share in joy and hardship, to harbor grievances but never hatred, for they were all one.

At this moment, even the illness or death of the least valued illegitimate child would be a blow to the Hua family. They would be missing a piece, incomplete without them. But if the family could endure, she believed they would emerge stronger and more united than any other.

You must persevere.

Anyone can be fragile, but not her, the head of the Hua family. As the new matriarch of the Hua clan, Hua Zhi had never known fragility. Her gaze fell upon the wooden box, her fingers tracing its intricate carvings.

The very idea of weakness seemed foreign to her, a concept she had long dismissed. Yet, now, a pang of vulnerability pierced her heart. If her feelings were genuine, she would not succumb to despair. She would find a way to mend their troubled world, no matter the cost.

As the clouds gathered, the group finally arrived at the Manor before the rain started.

The steward at the Manor was the son of the old madam's wet nurse. After the wet nurse grew old, the old madam had brought her and her family to the Manor's estate out of gratitude, providing them with a good place to stay.

In other words, certain matters were tacitly approved by the old madam.

In the past, Hua Zhi might have turned a blind eye to such matters, but not now, especially after witnessing what happened at the gate.

"Steward Chen, many people saw that my sister was taken away by your son. I may not understand high principles, but our family has farmed Hua family land and eaten Hua family food for years. I must go and inquire about Hua family rules; they say the Hua family rules are strict, so I want to see if they extend to this estate."

The man speaking was dressed in a short jacket, with one pant leg higher than the other and mud on his shoes. His face was red, and his neck thick – if not for being restrained by those around him, Hua Zhi felt he might have rushed forward and pummeled Steward Chen.

Hua Zhi had rarely encountered such people in this strictly tiered society, even though they were overseen by mere servants. The lower-class individuals did not dare to confront them, let alone have the courage to bypass and approach the higher-ranking masters.

Hua Zhi's mood suddenly lifted a bit. While others may see such people as troublesome, she believed that with proper guidance, they could be of great use.

"Miss, shall I go over..."

Hua Zhi shook her head. "I'll handle this."

The straightforward Bao Xia was almost fuming with anger. At a time when the Hua family was in trouble, the subordinates should be easing their burdens and not causing trouble for the family who had fed them for so many years!

Steward Chen, with a belly so large it could rival that of a pregnant woman at full term, stood with his hands behind his back, nose in the air, exuding an air of a wealthy landlord. "Nonsense, Liu Jiang. The Hua family has treated you well. Don't tell me your sister eloped and you're blaming my son. Such logic doesn't exist in this world."

Liu Jiang clenched his fists. "If that's the case, I'll go and seek judgment from the old madam of the Hua family."

"How dare you?!" Steward Chen's shrill voice was ear-piercing, and with a menacing look, several burly men immediately surrounded Liu Jiang.

Liu Jiang looked resolute, ready to risk it all. "Chen Jin, unless you kill me here today, I will crawl to the Hua family, even if I have to do it on all fours. I'll show them how their watchdogs are guarding their estate."

Chen Jin's face flushed with anger. He couldn't bear being called a watchdog. "Kill him! Kill him!"

"Who do you want to kill?" Hua Zhi, escorted by a crowd, walked over, her expression calm as she gazed at Chen Jin. "You say it's your business? Your life is tied to the Hua family. Can you shoulder the burden of another?"

Chen Jin had met the eldest Miss of the Hua family before – three years ago, she had stayed at the estate for a short time. Her elegant demeanor had left a lasting impression on him, and he wasn't the only one who remembered her.

But now, he wished he had never met her. If the eldest Miss had not been here and no one recognized her, he could have acted more freely.

Coincidentally, Liu Jiang had also met Hua Zhi before. When the eldest Miss had wanted to take a stroll nearby, it was his sister who had guided her. Pushing through the crowd, he knelt before Hua Zhi. "Please, save my little sister!"

"Are you sure your sister was taken away by his son?"

"Absolutely. My little sister was gathering fodder nearby when Chen Chong took her. The people nearby saw it – otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to come here and ask Steward Chen for her."

"Good." Hua Zhi turned to the five servants who had come with her. "Wu Da, you all go inside and search."

"Yes." As Xu Ying stayed behind in the villa to handle matters, Wu Da led the group towards the main gate.

"Miss..." Chen Jin was sweating profusely, blocking the entrance. He knew his own business, and if they searched, it would expose everything.

Hua Zhi walked towards him, and he didn't dare to obstruct her path. Backing up step by step, he stumbled over the threshold, landing flat on his back. Without sparing him a glance, Hua Zhi walked past him.

The estate had two courtyards. The first courtyard was where Chen Jin's family lived, while the second courtyard was where guests of the Hua family stayed. Wu Da and his companions, experienced in guarding the estate, quickly determined the situation and headed towards the eastern room. Kicking open the door, they found no one inside.

Wu Da's keen ears caught a noise from the adjacent room. Grabbing a large broom made of bamboo from the corridor, he silently signaled to his companions and forcefully pushed open the door. They charged into the room.

The scene inside was appalling. A man of short stature was only wearing underpants, his round belly exposed and disgusting to look at.

In the dim, shadowy corner of the room, a young girl, her once-vibrant hair now a wild, untamed tangle, her clothes tattered and torn, pressed a jagged shard of porcelain to her neck. Her body trembled, her breath coming in ragged gasps, but her other hand held firm, refusing to yield to the temptation of release. Her eyes, wide and filled with a mix of despair and defiance, seemed to stare into the abyss, seeking a solace she knew she would never find.

———
TNote:

Please Vote this novel!