Blossom in Adversity

C41. Coughing Up Blood.

Chapter 41: Coughing up Blood

Early the next morning, Hua Zhi went to her grandmother's room to have breakfast together.

Her appetite had always been good, and with the current busy tasks consuming a lot of energy, she naturally ate more than usual. The old madam also ate a few more bites.

Suyun Mama handed her a mouthwash while smiling, "I hope the eldest young lady can come over for meals more often in the future so that the old lady can eat more."

"As long as grandmother doesn't mind me eating too much, I am willing to come." Hua Zhi sighed helplessly. "I have spoiled a few maidservants to the point where they are uncontrollable. They want to meddle in everything, but it's not like here at grandmother's place, where as long as I eat well, it's fine."

"Then you should eat in your own quarters. I see that those maidservants of yours are quite good and considerate of their master."

The old madam joked while recalling the breakfast, feeling relieved that she too was a patient, so there wouldn't be any forbidden foods in her meals.

After some light conversation between the grandmother and granddaughter, Hua Zhi finally brought up the main issue. "Yesterday, I found out that only Mr. Mu was willing to continue teaching at the Hua family school. I was too naive."

The old madam sighed. "I already considered it unexpected for Mr. Mu to come. I originally thought no one would come. Fortunately, there are still some who remember the good deeds of the Master."

"Having only one teacher is too few." Furthermore, it was Mr. Mu.

Hua Zhi felt a headache coming on. Shortly before the incident, when she was playing chess with her grandfather, he had mentioned that Mr. Mu had asked for leave and planned to return to his hometown. She thought he was the least likely person to join, but he ended up being the only one.

"I will think of a solution. If not, I will do it myself." Mr. Mu was righteous, so she couldn't use that against him. Someone had to replace him, and she lacked only the experience – she could learn along the way.

The old madam paused, then patted her lightly, smiling. "Don't talk nonsense. In all my years, I've never heard of a female teacher."

"Grandmother, I'm not talking nonsense. I can teach everything the tutor can. Grandfather often tests me on my lessons. I may not be able to teach advanced subjects, but I'm well-versed in parts of the Thirteen Classics. Besides, I won't mislead anyone else's children."

Hua Zhi was serious about doing this. In the Hua family, children began their education at four and entered the family clan school at six. Counting both the main and side branches, there were nearly thirty children under ten years old. They were of different ages and learning different things, so one tutor, Mr. Mu, was definitely not enough.

She had to step in.

The old madam was at a loss for words, so she decided to change the subject.

Later, when Hua Zhi left to attend to her duties, the old madam had a fierce fit of coughing. Suyun Mama, seeing the specks of crimson on the handkerchief, was greatly alarmed and her eyes turned red. "I will go fetch the physician immediately!"

"No need." The old madam grabbed her hand, squeezed out two words before another bout of coughing. Suyun Mama gently patted her back, her eyes red with tears, until the fit subsided.

After rinsing her mouth to remove the taste of blood, the old madam lay back on the bed, squinting her eyes and hoarsely whispered, "Cover your mouth tightly, and do not spread the word."