Blossom in Adversity

C108. Mourning (2)

Chapter 108: Mourning (2)

Inside the hut, Hua Jing sat wrapped in two blankets by the fire, dozing off. Her head bobbed, and her body leaned to the side, but she quickly sat up straight again, clearly accustomed to it.

Hua Zhi stood silently nearby, watching coldly. She wanted to rush over, extinguish the fire, throw away the blankets, and drag Hua Jing to kneel in the snow to beg for forgiveness from her grandmother. But it was just a passing thought; she did not intend to do anything that would elicit sympathy from Hua Jing.

"Miss, should I wake her up?"

Hua Zhi shook her head, turned and walked away. There were still seven more nights to come.

The memorial hall could not be left unattended. Hua Zhi sent everyone else to rest and knelt on a cushion, holding a vigil with the eternal flame in her hands. Little did she know that not far away on the rooftop, Gu Yanxi braved the cold wind to keep her company for half the night.

Everyone was waiting for dawn.

*

In the main courtyard of the Zhu family, the old lady Zhu helped the old master into his court attire and whispered, "I wonder how the Hua family is doing. I had planned to visit yesterday, but I thought they might be too busy to entertain me at that time. So, I put it out of my mind. Today, I must go early."

Zhu Bowen nodded in agreement, "You go first. Today is a grand court assembly, and I can't get away. Tomorrow, I'll take a half day off to go pay my respects. Bring a few capable ones with you. The more help we can offer, the better."

"Understood," the old lady pressed her eyes, "How can people just abandon others like that? If the Hua family falls, she will fall too. So heartless to just walk away. Without her holding everything together, those little ones in the Hua family might suffer."

Zhu Bowen sighed, "Others can help in the short term, but the Hua family must stand on their own. I wonder who the old lady entrusts the family to now."

"Of course, it must be the daughter-in-law of the Hua family. It can't be...," the old lady paused, "You mean she will entrust it to Zhi'er?"

"Seeing is believing. Go see for yourself. If it is indeed entrusted to Zhi'er, our family must lend a helping hand."

"Even if it's not entrusted to her, I will still help. I can't bear to watch my own daughter and grandchildren suffer."

Zhu Bowen didn't bother explaining that his idea of helping was different from hers. He simply nodded in agreement.

The old lady pondered that the Hua family probably had to purchase everything from outside now. She had found many items in the warehouse and filled two large carts, bringing her two trusted stewards with her.

"Mother."

As the old lady was about to board the carriage, she heard a voice and turned to see her second son, Zhu Haodong.

"I'll go with you."

Old Lady Hua naturally did not refuse; she did not expect her son and daughter-in-law to help with the his married younger sister, but if they were willing, as a mother, she would be delighted.

The Hua household had lamps burning throughout the night.

Outside, the servants kept the path clean, their movements restrained in their grief. Despite the collapse of the Hua family's reputation, they appeared unaffected.

Hua Jing looked haggard, standing outside the hut with a blanket draped around her, staring blankly ahead. Her thoughts drifted far away.

She remembered the pampering she received at her parents' home, the flowers her brothers brought back for her whenever they went out, the red wedding attire that stretched for miles, and the care she received from her family every time she returned.

How could she not feel resentful?

If her mother had stopped her father, if her father had remained a high-ranking official, she would still be the honored eldest daughter of the Hua family. With her mother's support, her daughter could have married even higher, and her son could have received more support that no one in the Song family could match.

And now, all of that was gone. She felt like a stray dog, with everyone in the Song family looking to trample on her. How could she not feel resentful?

Her mother should understand her!

She thought her mother would help her – just a servant, one more or one less in a household with hundreds of servants, but she could have made a big difference. Why couldn't she help her?

Hua Jing became even more convinced that she was not in the wrong. An eye for an eye, that was all.

Back in the hut, the charcoal in the brazier was almost burnt out. It was the coldest time of the day, and Hua Jing, wrapped in two meager blankets, still shivered with cold.

She would not give up like this. Hua Jing's eyes were filled with resolve. As long as the Hua family wanted to marry off their young lady, they wouldn't dare speak carelessly. When the time came, she would show them what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot.

Hua Jing's actions were reported to Hua Zhi. She couldn't be bothered with Hua Jing, eagerly anticipating the commotion Hua Jing might stir up.

However, Wu shi was a bit worried. "I've dealt with her for a few years, and she's not one to take a loss easily. If you keep pushing her, she will hold a grudge against you. Be careful. Your fourth uncle said she wasn't like this before. I don't know when she became so unreasonable."

"When life goes too smoothly, they think they're at the top of the world. But when they fall, they realize where they truly stand," Hua Zhi said dismissively. "Today, we might receive some condolences. I've asked the elders to help receive them. If it's the ladies of other families, it'll be up to you, auntie, to arrange. Second Aunt standing is lower than yours, and my mother can only entertain guests from the Zhu family. You and my third aunt may have to handle the rest."

"Don't worry, we can handle this." Wu shi asked again, "But what if the guests are men?"

"Leave it to Bai Lin," he replied.

Wu shi was startled. "Bai Lin is still so young. How can we let such a young boy greet our guests? What if it's someone from your grandfather's generation? Won't that be a laughingstock?"

"Bai Lin is currently the oldest man in the Hua family. There's no one else."

Wu shi was speechless. Indeed, if not Bai Lin, then who?

In this huge Hua family, there was...

Her nose grew sour. She lowered her head and dabbed at the corner of her eye. When she looked up again, her eyes were slightly red. "Alright, then you must give Bai Lin proper instructions. Don't let him make a fool of himself."

"He knows what to do. People learn by doing. No one is born knowing everything."

"You seem to be born knowing everything. No one is as knowledgeable as you."

A slight smile tugged at Hua Zhi's lips. That was because she had been learning her whole life, from the age of three until twenty-eight. She was always learning a new language, even until her death. Anyone who had gone through such experiences would be knowledgeable.

Nian Qiu hurried in, "Miss, your maternal grandmother and your second maternal uncle have arrived."

No one had expected the Zhu family to arrive so early. Wu shi quickly stood up. "Go greet them quickly. They're so thoughtful."

Hua Zhi's eyes lit up, and her spirits lifted. She quickly walked out.

Wu Shi stood at the door, watching her back as she left. She sighed deeply. She didn't know what the future held for the Hua family, but she hoped that the world would be kinder to Zhi'er and not treat her too harshly.

———
Author's Note:

This chapter is not merely about the death of a person but also signifies the true beginning of Hua Zhi's reign. Her conflict with Hua Jing stems not solely from the latter's role in her grandmother's death, but also from Hua Zhi's need to solidify her authority and intimidate the other branches of the Hua family.