Blossom in Adversity

C151. Twisted into a Rope.

Chapter 151: Twisted into a Rope

Yang Sui'an took a break today, just returning from the academy to greet his mother.

Hua Xian had gained some weight over the past few days, her smile gentle and serene, looking as if she had never experienced any hardship, appearing much younger.

Yang Sui'an had grown taller, but appeared even thinner. After finishing the bone soup his mother stewed, he said, "Cousin sent someone to look after me. Don't worry, she just wants him to bring me food and drinks every day, saying that I need this nutrition when growing up. It's the same for me and my cousin."

The warmth in Yang Sui'an's eyes showed that not only was he not lacking in food and drink, but his cousin had also noticed his growth earlier than himself and his mother. She had immediately arranged for new clothes to be made for him, and even made a few extra sets of longer clothes that he could use at any time.

Life outside of the Yang family was much better than he had expected, and none of the hardships he had imagined had come to pass for him and his mother.

Hua Xian wiped away a tear and patted her son's hand, saying, "Remember all of this."

"Yes, Mother."

A maid came in and reported, "Madam, the eldest lady has sent someone to invite you to the west courtyard."

To the west courtyard?

Hua Xian instinctively grabbed her son's hand, afraid of this sudden invitation.

Yang Sui'an reassured his mother, holding her hand and asking the maid, "Did they say what it was about?"

"They didn't specify, but the maid who delivered the message said that not only were you invited, but also the lady of the fourth room, as well as three other grandaunts."

"Understood. Go find a coat for my mother and help her change into it."

"Yes."

"An'er..."

"Don't worry, Mother. This is a good thing. Cousin has invited so many people, she must be discussing something important. Everything will be alright for us," Yang Sui'an said with a reassuring smile. His cousin treated them both as part of the Hua family, fulfilling her promise to them. They were truly fortunate.

Hua Xian felt more at ease, but still had some doubts. "Should I just send a message back to the Eldest Miss? I am indecisive and whether I listen or not won't make a difference."

"Mother, you have to go. Cousin has made her intentions clear, you have to accept it. You don't have to make any decisions, just sit and listen, then you will truly be part of the Hua family."

The last sentence touched Hua Xian, she wanted to be part of the Hua family, hoping to be buried in their ancestral tomb after she passed away, just give her a small corner.

"Mother, go."

Yang Sui'an helped her up, saying, "Change your clothes, I'll accompany you."

When Hua Xian arrived, everyone else was already there. They were surprised to see her, but Wu shi quickly realized and pulled her over, "No wonder Little Sister is the last to arrive. I almost forgot it's the end of the month. Has Sui'an grown taller again?"

Wu shi's words calmed Hua Xian down a bit, and she hurriedly said, "It seems he has grown a bit. If it wasn't for Eldest Miss's attention to detail and getting longer clothes made for him, he would have been the subject of ridicule at school."

Seeing her mother picking up where she left off, Yang Sui'an joined in, "I even feel my bones creaking at night, so I reckon I'll grow a bit taller."

After speaking, Yang Sui'an bowed to the elders in the room, showing respect and propriety, impressing even the grandaunts who had initially felt that Hua Zhi was too good to the Yang family's boy.

"Everyone's here." Hua Zhi came in and laid her eyes on him, "Sui'an is back."

Yang Sui'an quickly greeted her, "Yes, Cousin, I just got back."

"If you're not busy, you might as well stay and listen."

Yang Sui'an looked at the women in the room and shook his head slightly, "Is my cousin teaching? I'd like to go and see."

"That's good. And if you want, you can also help out. You're older than him, and your foundation is solid. Consider it a review. You can also attend Master Mu's class, he's just as good as the professors at the academy."

"Yes." Yang Sui'an reassured his mother with a glance before leaving the room.

Hua Zhi found it slightly amusing how her mother had raised him like a daughter, but mostly she felt grateful. If Sui'an wasn't so filial, she wouldn't have considered him part of the Hua family.

After greeting the elders, Hua Zhi took her seat at the head of the room and went straight to the point, "I have called everyone here today for a business matter."

The news of Hua Zhi buying a small building on the Zhuangyuan Street had already spread within the Hua family. Everyone perked up at the mention, especially the three grandaunts who were all thinking whether the eldest granddaughter was planning to include them in the deal.

"Hua family also has a manor on the east side of the city that I'm sure you all are aware of."

The group looked surprised, and the paternal third grandaunt couldn't help but voice her confusion, "Not on the Zhuangyuan Street..."

After speaking, even the third paternal grandaunt blushed, hastily explaining, "I'm not interested in that place. I just...,"

The more she explained, the more unclear she became. The third paternal grandaunt wished there was a crack in the ground for her to escape through.

Hua Zhi smiled faintly, "That shop is my own business. If I say more now, you may not believe it, but you will understand later. What I'm talking about is another manor outside the city. After the new year, I will have people start preparing for it. Now that the weather is warming up, it's a good time to get busy."

Representing the three families, the fourth paternal aunt asked, "Does Zhi'er's new business plan involve all of us?"

"Exactly. One stroke cannot write two 'Hua' characters. We are family, we share wealth and hardship together. Now that our branch is stable, we have not forgotten your importance."

The fourth paternal grandaunt's eyes welled up slightly, "The way the eldest granddaughter handles things makes us admire you. Whatever you needs us to do, you only has to instruct us."

"I dare not give orders to three elders who are two generation older than me. I just hope that our families can work together, bound like a rope, to crush anyone who dares to try and take advantage of the Hua family. We will not be oppressed in the slightest."

"If we can achieve that, I would gladly break my old bones." The third paternal grandaunt's veins popped as she gripped the armrest, "You may not know, but out of the four girls our three families have betrothed, three have been rejected."

"What about the fourth one, has she been rejected or is it still pending?"

"The fourth one is betrothed to my eldest brother's grandson. He sent word, asking for our girl to settle down and get married when the time comes." The fourth paternal grandaunt smiled as she spoke. Among the sisters-in-law, she had the most clear-cut attitude from her maternal family and had every reason to be proud.

Hua Zhi readily agreed, "Rest assured, the bride's dowry will not be shabby."

The fourth paternal grandaunt's eyes lit up. With the Hua family's eldest granddaughter's money-making skills, she wouldn't have to deplete her family's savings to provide for her daughter's dowry!

She had thought about asking the main branch for help, but necessity takes precedence over pride. Hua Zhi had to consider how to help other people knocking on their door. She didn't know for sure if Hua Zhi would lend a hand, but now she realized she had underestimated her.

———
TNote:
The "second/third/fourth paternal grandaunt" would be younger brother's wife of the grandfather.

"Translating the complexities of traditional Chinese family relationships is giving me a headache. I may need to revisit and edit previous chapters to ensure accuracy. Urgh!"