Blossom in Adversity

C39. Complaint.

Chapter 39: Complaint

“Your words are like a balm to my soul, soothing the weary lines etched on my face,” the old madam replied, her smile deepening as she spoke. “When each of you tends to your passions—you, with your studies, and you, with your embroidery, then the home will be stable. When the home is secure, everything falls into place. Grandmother can now truly relax."

Hua Zhi was about to kneel down to admit her mistake, but before her knees could touch the ground, she was helped up, "Grandmother knows what you want to say. Don't blame yourself. It was your Third Aunt who went too far. Don't hold a grudge against her. She may be shortsighted, only able to see the present situation, but she doesn't have a bad heart. Just as you said, we are family. Families have conflicts and disagreements, but they are still family. When she faces difficulties, you should still help and protect her. Do you agree?"

"Yes, Grandmother, I understand your meaning. I won't hold a grudge against Third Aunt."

"Grandmother knows you are a good child. Third Aunt can't understand this. She simply thinks taking charge is a good thing and doesn't realize the immense pressure and hardship the Hua family is under these days." Seeing her granddaughter, who had lost weight, the old lady felt uneasy. If only she could handle it herself, she wouldn't want a young girl just reaching maturity to be burdened like this.

Gripping her granddaughter's thin arm, the old lady whispered, "You've suffered."

"I don't feel like I've suffered, Grandmother." Hua Zhi remembered there was one more thing she hadn't mentioned. She seized the opportunity to change the subject, "So that you know, this time when I went to the Zhuangzi, I dealt with Chen Jin's family. I gave them three acres of land to farm."

"The connection between their family and ours runs deep. Letting them off with a punishment is enough."

Hua Zhi shook her head, "It wasn't just a small matter that I acted against him for. Do you know what he did? As soon as I arrived at the Zhuangzi, I caught his son trying to assault a tenant's daughter. If I hadn't arrived in time to save the girl, she would have been violated. Who knows what would have happened to someone with a strong temperament? Who should be held accountable for this in the end? And upon further investigation, I found out that the three-tenths rent you set for the Zhuangzi was actually four-tenths. In times of disaster, he never exempted the rent for the tenants, always demanding the full four-tenths. He made a profit from this, but the bad reputation falls on our Hua family. If such people are allowed to go unpunished, how can we win the respect of others in the future?"

The old madam was so angry that her hands were trembling. She knew that the Chen family had been taking advantage of them for years, but she never expected Chen Jin to be so audacious!

Hua Zhi gently comforted the old madam, "I didn't tell you these things to upset you. You have been generous enough towards Chen Jin. You can trust me to handle the punishment. I will take responsibility for these matters in the future. You are the anchor of the Hua family. As long as you are well, the Hua family will be well. You trust me, don't you?"

"I trust you, of course I do." The old madam calmed down and held her granddaughter's hand.

At first, she believed her because of her husband, but now she believed her because of her own faith in her! Compared to her, Third Daughter-in-Law was too presumptuous.

"In recent years, the Chen family has acquired a house. I have arranged for someone to deal with it, and I have kept track of some money separately. Eggs shouldn't be put in one basket. I plan to use it for other purposes."

"Grandmother, you know what you're doing." The old madam nodded towards Suyun Mama, and Suyun Mama understood, handing over a few silver notes from under the pillow, "This is the money from selling the house outside the city, all for you."

"Yes, I will come back to explain in detail once everything is settled. Even though you trust me, it's important to keep you informed about where the money is being used, so you can have peace of mind and not worry."

Seeing the tired look on her grandmother's face, Hua Zhi decided to put aside the family and education matters for now. She helped her grandmother back to bed and knelt down to remove her shoes before tucking her in, "I shouldn't have disturbed you at this time. It's still early. Just rest a little longer."

"As one gets older, one often feels the need to sleep but can't sleep for long. You have been busy outside for so long, it's good to take a rest. Grandmother sees that you've lost weight, you mustn't overwork yourself."

"Yes, Grandmother, I understand."

*

At that moment, the Zhu family was in chaos. Lin Mama sobbed on the ground, "Eldest Master's wife words were like knives to the heart. Ever since the Hua family encountered difficulties, has my Lady ever mentioned asking for help from her natal family? She was so beloved at her natal home, how could she turn a blind eye to them and drag the Zhu family into this mess? She said if the eldest miss breaks off her engagement, it will affect the marriage prospects of the Zhu family's daughter, isn't this intent on driving the eldest miss to her death!"

"Bang!" The tea cup shattered into pieces, tea splashing everywhere. Old Matriarch Zhu was trembling with anger, her voice filled with ice-cold fury, "Good, so good! I never knew that we had such a considerate daughter-in-law in the Zhu family!"

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family turned pale and knelt to the ground, not daring to speak a word in her defense. She never expected her usually easy-going and temperate sister-in-law to suddenly behave this way.

Lin Mama seemed oblivious to it all and continued, "The Hua family knew that they couldn't burden their relatives and old friends after losing the favor of the Emperor. They understood the importance of maintaining principles, not dragging everyone down with them. That's why they instructed their daughter-in-laws to stop communication with their natal families temporarily, not for the reasons the EldestMaster's wife thought. Please consider this, Old Matriarch."

Old Matriarch Zhu closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself, "Eldest daughter-in-law, please leave."

"But, Mother..."

"Leave!"

Eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu family, Ren shi, bit her lip and lowered her head as she withdrew. She had to figure out how to rectify the situation and make amends. She was willing to accept any punishment, as long as this matter didn't reach the ears of her husband.

The Old Matriarch Zhu dismissed everyone else, "Lin Shuang, stand up and speak."

Lin Shuang stood up with eyes still swollen and tear stains on his face.

"Who put you up to this?"

Lin Shuang hesitated, unsure if he should tell the truth.

"I know Xuan'er's personality very well. She wouldn't have come to me with this issue unless she was being pressured by Ren shi. You are just following orders. Who gave you the idea? Was it Zhi'er or Bai Lin?"

"I can't hide anything from the Old Matriarch. It was the eldest miss who sent me. She said that you're lenient, but there's someone who isn't." Lin Shuang showed some pride on his face, "Just so you know, the Hua family is now being run by the eldest miss. When Ren shi sent her people, the eldest miss was away at the Manor in Zhuangzi dealing with some matters. She returned today and sensed something was amiss. With just a few words, she exposed the disloyal servants and sent me to the Zhu mansion."

After a pause, Lin Shuang's tone changed, "The eldest miss didn't intend for the servants to cause trouble. She felt sorry for you. She also said... she said..."

"Just tell me directly."

"Yes, the Eldest Miss said she doesn't expect anything from anyone, nor does she need to. In fact, it was her suggestion to cut off communication with the natal families of the female members of each household. Neither the Old Madam Hua nor Eldest Lady ever sought help from the Zhu family."

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