Blossom in Adversity

C20. Evil Deeds at the Manor.

Chapter 20: Evil Deeds at the Manor

"What kind of people are you? Don't you know where you are..." Before Chen Chong could finish his words, he was punched and knocked out by Wu Da. Wu Da quickly threw a blanket over Chen Chong to spare the eldest Miss from seeing anything inappropriate.

Liu Jiang, who had followed, rushed over without hesitation. He took off his coat and draped it over his sister, snatching the porcelain piece from her frozen hand and throwing it away. Unable to find comforting words, Liu Jiang was filled with rage at the thought of what might have happened if he had arrived a moment later and Chen Chong had found out...

"Brother?" The young girl whispered hoarsely, blinking her eyes as she stared at Liu Jiang, repeatedly calling out, "Brother...brother..."

"I'm here, don't be afraid, I'm here." The tall man, with tears in his eyes, used his gruff voice in the gentlest way possible to reassure her.

"Brother..." The young girl burst into tears, releasing all the fear and grievances, making even the servants feel heartbroken. It was lucky that she had encountered the eldest Miss today, or else...

Tsk, Chen Jin's family was truly despicable, despite the kindness the Hua family had shown them.

Hua Zhi listened calmly to the crying and descended the steps, with everyone following behind her.

Although Chen Jin was nervous, he wasn't too afraid of Hua Zhi. After all, his father was the old madam's milk brother, and they were treated differently by the old lady compared to others. Even if the eldest Miss was the master, how could she harm them?

That would be disrespectful to the old madam.

"You never know what the eldest Miss will do..."

"You're ignorant of many things. Wu Da."

"I'm here."

"Lock up Chen Jin's family in the woodshed and find out what misdeeds they've been up to all these years."

"I am a servant of the old madam, you can't..."

"Should Grandmother ever uncover the lengths you've gone to, masquerading under the esteemed banner of the Hua family, she'll be the first to mete out your punishment. It's a travesty. The mistress of the Hua family has always been a paragon of virtue, a beacon of morality in our clan. Yet, you've dared to stray from the path she's so diligently carved, sullying her name and our family's honor. What do you hope to gain by this reckless pursuit? Do you truly believe that your actions will go unnoticed, that your transgressions will not be brought to light? Think of the shame you'll bring upon yourself, upon our family. Is it worth the fleeting gratification you seek?"

Wu Da immediately grabbed hold of Chen Jin, while the others separated and ushered Chen's family into the woodshed.

Chen Jin had been living like a rich landlord for these years, never being treated this way before. He shouted at the top of his lungs, calling out for the old madam, and the others followed suit, shouting loudly as if they were truly wronged.

Bao Xia walked over and slapped the female relatives across the face.

The eldest grandson of the Chen family looked to be around five years old. When he saw his mother being slapped and tried to hit Bao Xia, Wu Da picked him up by the collar, and the Chen family woman's legs went weak with fear, afraid that the man might accidentally hurt her son. She immediately started speaking softly.

Wu Da didn't really intend to harm a child. He threw the boy into his mother's arms, causing the sturdy child to stumble and almost fall. "Go in by yourself or I'll throw you in, your choice."

No one dared to hesitate any longer and hurried into the woodshed, closing the door behind them.

Thunder rumbled, and finally, the rain that had been delayed poured down in a torrential storm. Hua Zhi stood under the eaves, watching the large raindrops splash into beautiful water blossoms, lost in thought.

"Miss, this account book is full of loopholes. I looked at the one from two years ago, the problems that are clearly visible, how could the Hua family's accountant... "

Nian Qiu, who was usually quiet, looked angry, but remembering that the Miss didn't like them discussing others behind their backs, she bit her tongue and stopped talking.

"If even you can see the problem, how could it be hidden from the old accountants at home? Surely grandmother is aware of it." Hua Xhi took the account book from Nian Qiu and flipped through it. "Grandmother probably didn't expect them to be so audacious."

Indeed, they were audacious. The twenty acres of fields were fully planted year-round, with only enough grain for the Hua family and no surplus left over. It would be laughable to mention this to anyone.

At that moment, Liu Jiang, shirtless, walked out with his sister. When he saw Hua Zhi, his eyes lighting up as he took a few steps forward, guiding the sister to bow. "I thank the eldest Miss for saving our lives."

Wu Da tried to stop him, but quickly took off his coat and threw it over him.

Only then did Liu Jiang realize his disheveled appearance and dirtied the eldest Miss's eyes. He quickly straightened up and apologized profusely.

"Get up." Watching the still trembling young girl, Hua Zhi's eyes softened. "I remember your name is Liu Juan. Last time I was here, you showed me around."

She remembered not only because of her good memory but also because of the constant smile on her round face. Even though her life was simple, with no fancy clothes, silk ribbons, or delicate hands due to housework, and even with the early loss of her parents, relying only on her brother, her smile emanated from the depths of her heart, unaffected by the lack of material wealth.

All of this had been destroyed by Chen Chong. After experiencing this ordeal, that kind of smile would be hard to see again. Hua Zhi felt a twinge of regret; there were already enough hardships in this world, and she could have made things a bit more complete if she had arrived a little earlier.

Liu Juan knelt down again and knocked her head hard. "I, Liu Juan, am willing to do anything to repay the life-saving grace of the eldest Miss."

"I feel very guilty accepting such a grand gesture. Chen Chong is a servant of the Hua family. It was my family's lax discipline that allowed this incident to happen. I should be the one to apologize to you."

Liu Juan looked flustered. "The eldest Miss..."

Fu Dong walked over and helped her up. Her voice, already soft, softened even more. "Our Miss doesn't like all this bowing and scraping. Please, get up. I was here with the Eldest Miss last time, do you remember me?"

"I remember, you gave me delicious pastries."

Fu Dong loved to hear people praise her cooking. Liu Juan's words instantly brightened her spirits, and she sparkled with joy. "I was just about to make some pastries for the Eldest Miss, can you help me out?"

Liu Juan naturally wanted to help. She looked back at her brother, then discreetly at the eldest Miss, uncertain if she should agree.

Fu Dong could see her eagerness and led her to the kitchen, saying, "Last time, did you eat green bean cakes? It's hot today, and the Eldest Miss is still suffering from a heat, we can make those..."

Their voices gradually faded away as they walked, leaving Liu Jiang watching his sister being brought out of her previous emotional state by the servant girls with just a few words. With red eyes, he knelt before Hua Zhi. "From now on, I am at the eldest Miss's command."

"I can definitely make use of you." She motioned for him to rise, but stopped speaking when she saw Bao Xia approaching.