Blossom in Adversity

C105. Preparing the Funeral.

Chapter 105: Preparing the Funeral

The house where the Hua family now resided was actually quite large, though smaller compared to their former official residence.

It had four courtyards front and back, with each courtyard nested within another. The so-called deep courtyard was not much deeper than that.

Hua Zhi lived in the east wing of the second courtyard. Compared to the west wing that connected to the garden, this side was much quieter. No one accused her of being favored; in reality, she preferred to live further back, but in these times, with many people to see and things to handle, living too deep inside was inconvenient for her and for others.

Grandmother also lived in the second courtyard, though a bit of a distance from her wing.

Draped in a white cloak, Hua Zhi walked through the arched corridor to her grandmother's wing. The servants all showed respect when they saw her, more so than before.

When the Hua family was on the verge of collapse, they thought that the sky was falling and the earth was collapsing, but it was the eldest daughter who held up a piece of the sky to bring stability. Now that the old lady had passed away – like losing a pillar of support – they surprisingly did not feel as unsettled as when the Hua family faced troubles.

Perhaps it was because they knew that with the eldest young lady around, a problem, no matter how big, would really be no problem.

Watching the eldest young lady's thin but straight back, they could no longer remember what the previous eldest young lady looked like.

The elders relatives from the side branches of the Hua family cried heartbreakingly at the bedside, with tears and snot flowing uncontrollably. Hua Zhi stood at the door, watching, feeling a sense of sorrow. She could see that they were genuinely grieving. They had been sisters-in-law for decades, with arguments and squabbles, but also years of shared joys and sorrows.

"Zhi'er is back."

Fourth Aunt turned to see her and quickly reminded the other two. They had only just learned that Zhi'er had rushed back today to accompany the old lady in her final moments.

According to tradition, Hua Zhi respectfully greeted the three of them, and they all came forward to support her.

Third Aunt touched her thin arms and said with red eyes, "You've lost weight."

The younger relatives of the family were kneeling inside and out, looking at her with expectant eyes. However, Hua Zhi didn't say much, she just looked at Fourth Aunt, "Is everything prepared?"

"I just sent someone to ask, the funeral parlor should be ready by nightfall."

"I vaguely remember there being a time limit for changing the altar..." Hua Zhi suddenly remembered something she forgot, "Have you invited the master to preside over the ceremony?"

These were things that Wu Shi had already thought of, and she nodded, "I sent Steward Xu to invite the master from Dayan Temple, but he hasn't returned."

Dayan Temple, Hua Zhi frowned. Dayan Temple was a small temple with no more than twenty people, and they couldn't empty their nest, nor were there enough people.

Wu Shi looked helpless, "I also thought of inviting Da Zhuo Temple, but the current Hua family might not be able to do so."

"You won't know until you try." Hua Zhi glanced at her, "Bai Lin."

Hua Bailin, who was carrying a few jewel boxes with his younger brothers, hurried over.

"Write a letter to invite the master from Da Zhuo Temple to send off Grandmother."