Blossom in Adversity

C123. Departing from the Yang Family.

Chapter 123: Departing from the Yang Family

Hua Xi'an's legs trembled, but she refused to show weakness this time. She stepped out of the room one step at a time, and upon seeing the sun outside, she burst into tears.

Suyun Mama gently wiped away her tears. Her gaze fell upon the servants kneeling in the courtyard. Among them were not only members of the Yang family but also Hua Xi'an's dowry servants. The head maid had passed away, but several of her personal maids had their hair done up, their faces powdered, and dressed more like mistresses than servants. They had all become Yang Qi's concubines.

None of these people had informed the Hua family about the second young mistress's ordeal in the Yang household!

Hua Bailin, his face cold, exuded an unexpected authority. "Cousin, these servants are useless. Let's sell them."

"Good idea," Yang Sui'an replied, returning to his room. Ignoring the elderly Madam Yang seated there, he found a box of indentures. After checking that none were missing, he returned to the courtyard. "It seems you've forgotten who holds your indentures. Gui Zi, take these and find a broker. Tell her the price is negotiable. If she can take these people away immediately, I won't mind selling them cheap."

"Yes, sir."

"Please spare us, Young Master!" The servants turned pale, some sobbing uncontrollably. Few could expect to be sold again and fetch a good price, especially the maids who had been deflowered. They might very well be sold into a brothel.

The girl in the green dress, particularly delicate and pretty, slapped herself hard, knelt on the ground, and cried, "I have forgotten my place. Please forgive me, young master. I beg for your forgiveness this once. I will never dare to do it again!"

"Forgive you? How can you justify yourself to my mother's wounded heart, Qiuyu? When you climbed onto the master's bed, did you ever think about how my mother treated you? You have forgotten your roots, coming from the Hua family, and never even wore filial mourning for our grandmother. What face do you have to ask for my forgiveness? Guizi, go."

"Yes."

Suyun Mama assisted Hua Xi'an onto the back of a sturdy maid, while Hua Bailin supported her on the other side, saying, "Let's go."

As they left the courtyard, a considerable number of people gathered outside, but no one approached.

Outside the second gate, Yang Qi and a number of servants had discreetly surrounded the gate. Seeing Hua Xi'an being carried out, his heart skipped a beat, thinking his mother could be persuaded to stay.

"Uncle, what are you planning to do? Is the Yang family a den of tigers and dragons, where people can’t come and go?" Without waiting for a response from Yang Qi, Hua Bailin smiled, "It seems like I am particularly fond of braving tiger and dragon lairs. Let's go, I dare anyone to touch me."

Yang Qi truly didn't dare to touch Hua Bailin. He himself followed a literary path, aware of the power of the Hua family. Otherwise, he would not have resorted to force Hua Xi'an to persuade the Hua family make connections.

But he could influence his son. Stepping forward, he gave Yang Sui'an a resounding slap, "Evil child, what are you thinking? Joining forces with outsiders against the Yang family?"

Yang Sui'an wasn't sure if his nominal father had used all his strength in that slap. He felt half of his face, including his mouth, going numb, with water and blood flowing from his mouth as he wiped it.

Turning back, he looked coldly at his father, devoid of any emotion.

Meanwhile, Hua Xi'an seemed on the verge of madness. Struggling to get off the maid's back, Suyun Mama hastily supported her to prevent her from falling to the ground. She lunged in front of her son, wanting to touch him but restraining herself. Tears flowed down her face instantly, "Mother won't leave, An'er, Mother won't leave..."

"If you're not leaving, then go back inside." Yang Qi was delighted, immediately attempting to lift Hua Xi'an. Hua Bailin stood in front of Yang Qi, saying fiercely, "I dare anyone to touch my second aunt!"

Hua family servants, including a few stout women, stepped forward aggressively, glaring at the Yang family members. Trained by Mr. Lu and Mr. Wang, they were ready to test their skills!

Yang Sui'an helped his mother up, gesturing for a maid to crouch down. He whispered softly as he helped his mother onto the maid's back, "If you stay, then I've endured this slap in vain. Go!"

Suyun Mama supported Hua Xi'an on the side as they were carried out. Hua Bailin and the others followed behind. The Yang family members trailed along, but none dared to approach, including Yang Qi.

It wasn't until they reached the gates and saw the Hua family servants waiting outside that Hua Bailin dared to relax slightly.

By now, more people had gathered outside the Yang residence, both openly and covertly. Hua Bailin signaled to Suyun Mama.

Suyun Mama gently patted the maid's shoulder, signaling her to put down Hua Xi'an. With one person on each side helping her, they walked towards a sedan chair.

Her injuries were too obvious, gasps of shock coming from all directions. Hua Xi'an buried her head low, feeling so ashamed that she wished a crack would open up in the ground for her to disappear.

No wonder the Hua family had come in full force. It turned out the lady of the house had been bullied.

Who could it be made this decision?

The eldest young Miss of the Hua family perhaps?

She was certainly bold!

At this moment, Yang Zheng finally received word and rushed out, but it was all too late. He looked at his grandson, his face swelling, trying to salvage the situation, "Sui'an, after all, it's a family matter. Don't make a scene."

Yang Sui'an also didn't want outsiders to witness the spectacle. He approached his grandfather and whispered, "Grandfather, when he hits me, I admit it. I can bear it. But my mother can't. Another blow like this, and she might not survive. I can't stop him. If I can't even protect my own mother, I dare not protect, I would be ashamed as a son and betray your teachings over the years, Grandfather. I only have one mother. She is weak, incapable, and now even her maternal family has declining, but she is still my mother."

Yang Sui'an knelt down and knocked his head three times. "As long as you acknowledge me, I am the eldest grandson of the Yang family. If you do not recognize me, I am still Yang Sui'an."

Yang Qi seethed with anger. "If you leave this time, don't ever think of coming back. I don't need a son like you, and you will never receive anything from the Yang family..."

"Yang Qi!" If not for the knowledge that he could not discipline his son before others, Yang Zheng truly wished he could strike this fool down with a stick. He had more grandchildren, but only this one had great potential!

"I never wanted anything from you. In the future, I will rely on my own merit to achieve everything I desire." Yang Sui'an stood up. "Grandfather, take care."

"Sui'an."

Yang Sui'an turned back.

"You are the eldest grandson of the Yang family, and that will never change. This is your home. Your roots are here. Always remember that. Family may have conflicts, but family is family, always. They can never become outsiders." Yang Zheng took a few steps forward, smiling kindly like an elderly sage, "Come back to see your grandfather more often."

"Yes, I will." Yang Sui'an didn't spare a glance for Yang Qi.

The only family member he would miss was his grandfather. Though he knew his grandfather had ulterior motives and had never stood up for his mother, he had received genuine kindness.

Watching the procession depart, Yang Zheng turned back and walked inside. "Close the gates."

"Father..."

"Smack!" Yang Zheng turned back and slapped his son, his smile wiped clean from his face. "Go kneel in the ancestral hall. Come out when you've figured things out."