Blossom in Adversity

C113. Grandmother is Gone.

Chapter 113: Grandmother is Gone

The wake had entered its seventh day, and everyone in the Hua family was exhausted.

Hua Jing, in particular, had visibly aged in just a few days. Not only had she lost weight, but she had also sprouted a few strands of white hair. Observant eyes praised her filial piety, although the reality was far from what it seemed. Hua Jing accepted the praise, swallowing the bitter truth without explanation.

Early in the morning, the first Buddhist ceremony took place. Hua Zhi recited the Amitabha Sutra along with the monk, burning paper money one by one. Her complexion brightened with each offering.

As the chanting faded, she led her siblings to pay their respects to the monk. The monks reciprocated the gesture, treating her as if she were the head of the household. Their initial courtesy for the sake of Ven. Prajna had transformed into genuine respect after witnessing her efficient management of the event.

Hua Lin led the monks to breakfast while Hua Zhi observed her siblings looking fatigued. She instructed, "Liu Xiang, go tell Fu Dong to prepare some snacks the children will enjoy, following the rules."

"Yes."

"Suyun Mama, arrange for them to rest and come back after they've eaten."

Suyun Mama signaled for the maid and servants to assist the guests to leave, then knelt beside Hua Zhi and whispered, "Miss, you should rest as well. I will stay here."

"No need. I had a good rest last night." Although only for a couple of hours, it was enough. She hadn't been sleeping well lately, her mind stretched too tight.

Suyun Mama noticed Hua Zhi's thoughtful expression as she burned the paper and chose not to disturb her. She wiped away a tear discreetly, thinking that the late lady of the house would need money in the afterlife.

Hua Zhi went over the accounts she had kept over the past few days in her mind. But the more she flipped through it, the more disappointed she felt.

The majority of the guests, excluding relatives and friends from the Zhu family (her maternal family) and the Qin family (her grandmother's family), had sent only representatives to offer incense on their behalf.

People come and go, but this rapid change was too much to bear!

Hua Zhi closed her eyes. If Han Xin could endure humiliation, so could she. The future was unpredictable, and she would adapt as circumstances evolved!

The mountains are high and the waters are long, so just wait and see!

After a warm and satisfying meal and a proper rest, the children returned to the viewing hall with renewed spirits.

Hua Zhi watched as Bai Jun quietly massaged her knees, then she gently embraced him, “Eldest Sister, I won't see Grandmother anymore, will I?”

“No, you won't see her anymore.”

“What will happen when Grandfather comes back? Grandma is gone!”

The innocence of a child's words struck a chord in her heart.

Hua Zhi felt a wave of sorrow wash over her like a tidal wave, breaking down the emotional barriers she had erected. She doubled over, pressing Bai Jun against her chest, who dared not move, only calling out softly, “Eldest Sister.”

Hua Bailin rushed to support her eldest sister and another brother carefully scooped Bai Jun from her arms. The rest of the family gathered around, anxiously watching Hua Zhi.

Now, Hua Zhi was their leader. If she faltered, the Hua family would collapse!

Eventually, Hua Zhi sat up straight, her composure returning. Her voice, however, lacked its usual vigor, “I had a sudden dizziness, nothing more.”

The group collectively breathed a sigh of relief, but Hua Bailin remained unconvinced. Leaning against his eldest sister, she seemed to have lost all strength in her posture.

He didn't reveal his doubts and stayed squatting by his sister's side.

After a brief pause, Hua Zhi finally stood up and said, "I'll rest for a while. Bai Lin, you..."

"Miss, quickly, the Empress Dowager has sent someone over!" House Steward Xu, assisted by Xu Jie, hurriedly approached, his excitement evident even through his hoarse voice.

Hua Zhi took a deep breath, surveyed the viewing hall, and instructed, "Suyun Mama, tidy up properly. Second sister, stay inside with the others, do not come out until the guests have entered the hall and pay their respects. Bai Lin, take the younger brothers with me."

"But, eldest sister..."

"I need to maintain this façade until the tension subsides." She never forgot that during the Hua family's adversity, it was the Empress Dowager who had reached out to support them first. Even now, the arrival of the Empress Dowager's envoy could be a means of intimidation towards those who sought to harm her family.

Hua Zhi led her siblings to kneel outside the main gate, watching as a sedan chair stopped nearby. An elderly court lady, supported by palace maids, alighted gracefully. After adjusting her attire, she led four maids carrying boxes with solemn expressions towards the gate.

"Hua Zhi of the Hua family, leading the Hua family descendants to pay respects to the noble lady."

In the Great Daqing Dynasty, even palace court ladies were considered nobility. The court lady extended a hand to help Hua Zhi stand, "Get up quickly! I'm Yu Chun, an old servant. The Empress Dowager has asked me to offer a stick of incense on behalf of her at the memorial altar of Old Madam Hua. Lead the way."

"Yes." Hua Zhi got up, her actions so flawless that even those from the palace couldn't find fault. Yuchun nodded approvingly, further elevating her regard for the Hua family.

One should not fear hardship, for as long as one remains determined, there may still be a chance for a comeback. What one should truly fear is the lack of determination in the succeeding generations, the loss of family integrity, and the erosion of their courage to uphold their principles among the aristocratic circles.

The ability to see the subtle signs indicated that the Hua family would not descend to such a state.

Yuchun respectfully offered the incense and motioned for the maids to hand over the box to Hua Zhi. "This is a gift from the Empress Dowager. It is intended for the late Madame Hua's burial needs. Please take good care of it."

"Yes, I will remember."

Yuchun did not inquire as to why the Hua family's daughter-in-law did not appear. Instead, she noticed that a young lady was overseeing the proceedings. Such details were not secrets in royal households. With a bow to the Ven. Prajna, she departed without a word, arriving abruptly and leaving swiftly.

"Their arrival alone is a statement, telling everyone that the Empress Dowager has not forgotten the Hua family!" This is the Empress Dowager's protection of the Hua family, fulfilling the sisterly bond between her and the old Lady Hua.

However, Hua Zhi was well aware that such protection was limited. If the Hua family could not stand on their own, the Empress Dowager would not protect them forever.

Lowering her head, she looked at the four differently sized, sealed boxes in her hands and placed them one by one beside her grandmother.

Hua Bailin had been following her eldest sister all along. Now, he lowered his voice and said, "Eldest sister, go and rest for a while. I'll watch over things here."

Hua Zhi nodded slightly and, supported by Ying Chun, walked towards her own courtyard.

She wasn't sleepy. She just wanted to find a quiet place to be alone for a while, to think. When her grandfather return, but her grandmother was gone.

What was she should do?