Blossom in Adversity

C106. Venerable Prajna.

Chapter 106: Venerable Prajna

By the time the portrait was completed, the sky had darkened.

Apart from the family members of the Hua clan, who all knew of the eldest miss's skilled painting techniques, and admired how lifelike her portrait was, even the renowned Hua Xin and Hua Ling had to admit that they were no match for her.

The subject of Hua Zhi's painting was not the now silent Old Lady Hua lying in bed, but the former matriarch of the Hua family who had maintained her beauty and grace, radiating wealth and kindness in her smile.

At that time, her cheeks were full, with fewer wrinkles on her face and no trace of gray in her hair, just as depicted by Hua Zhi's painting.

Several elderly women stared at the figure in the portrait, holding back tears as they resisted the urge to touch the corner of their eyes.

Back then, they were also full of spirit like this.

Hua Zhi quietly observed for a moment before exiting the room and standing on the corridor.

Human emotions were truly strange. Despite being estranged for so many years, and only relying on each other for a few months, they still felt a deep attachment and sorrow towards each other.

"Zhi'er..."

Wu shi followed her out, hesitated for a moment, then gently patted her arm. "Do not be sad."

"I cannot understand, how could your grandmother bear to leave like this? With so many people in the family, and your grandfather still not returning, how could she let herself get so worked up over something to the point of falling ill?"

Wu shi took a step forward, standing beside her, looking at the servants bustling about. "Physician Chu said that Madam's health has never been good, and she might have fallen ill due to an outburst of anger. If her health improves a bit, she might not have reached this state."

There were no 'if's in the world, Hua Zhi scoffed inwardly. She could only blame Hua Jing for all of this.

Steward Xu hurried in through the courtyard gate, holding up his trailing robe as he walked briskly. "Eldest Miss, the monks from Da Zhuo Temple have arrived at the alley entrance, there are a total of forty-nine people."

Even with Hua Zhi's composure, she was momentarily stunned, not to mention Wu shi, who exclaimed, "Forty-nine people? How is that possible? Are they all monks from Da Zhuo Temple?"

"Yes." Though he had gone to invite them, he couldn't contain his excitement either, "All of them are high-ranking monks from Da Zhuo Temple, led by Ven. Prajna."

"Go and prepare to welcome them at the front." Hua Zhi turned back into the house. "Bai Lin."

"Yes, eldest sister."

"Take the younger brothers to the front yard to welcome the monks into the mansion, and make it quick."

"Understood." Hua Bailin picked up the youngest, Bao Jun, and had the older ones lead the younger ones out of the room in a hurry.

Hua Zhi needed to go as well. She looked at Hua Xin and the others. "Stay alert and guard the eternal lamp."

All of them nodded in response.

Hua Zhi also bid farewell to the three aunts. "The younger sisters are all young, please take care of them."

"Rest assured, we've got it."

Hua Zhi tried to walk faster, ignoring the pain in her leg caused by the friction. She needed to remain composed as everyone in the family looked up to her. If she could stay steady, so could they.