Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C203. Parting.

Chapter 203 - Parting

In this blossoming spring season, the sun had warmth but not excessive heat. The Hua family was quiet, with the maids and servants dressing more lightly, their skirts swaying gently as they moved.

On the veranda, sunlight shone on the Hua sisters, their fresh faces filled with bright smiles as they gathered to discuss something, then left hand in hand.

At this moment, the Hua family seemed to have returned to its peaceful past, but there was something more noticeable now - there was a lot fewer awkwardness between the siblings and a lot more closeness.

Unknowingly, the relationships between the different households had become tightly knit.

Inside the house, Hua Xian sat restlessly, unable to decide whether to sit or stand, pacing back and forth. Elder Third Concubine looked at her helplessly, not bothering to advise her as it wouldn't make a difference anyway.

"Mother, do you think I'm being too impatient? Should I wait for Sui'an to rest before making a decision?"

"He's already made his intentions clear by staying at the Hua family with you. You, don't rely on him for everything and let him make decisions for you. You are his mother, not his daughter. It would be a laughing matter if this fact got out."

Hua Xian was taken aback, but she was a bit stubborn in front of her mother and immediately retorted, "Isn't Sister-in-law being well taken care of by Zhi'er and Bai Lin? What's wrong with that?"

Eldet Third Concubine couldn't help but laugh at her stubbornness, knowing to use Zhu Shi to make a point.

It's fortunate that Zhu Shi, as the eldest daughter-in-law, had such a temperament. If she had been a difficult character who couldn't accept sisters-in-law, the others in the family wouldn't have treated Xian'er so well.

Now, Xian'er seemed to have shed some of her timidness. Elder Third Concubine had no other thoughts but to keep her daughter and grandson at the Hua family. Even if the family no longer had its former glory, having a capable eldest granddaughter around wasn't too bad.

Besides, the eldest granddaughter valued family members greatly, so even if she were to leave someday, she wouldn't worry about her daughter not being treated well at her maternal home. Sui'an didn't lack anything, which showing the attitude of the eldest granddaughter.

That was already good enough.

"Aunt, the eldest miss is coming this way."

As soon as Hua Xian sat down, she immediately stood up again, subconsciously looking towards her mother, a pitiful expression on her face.

Elder Third Aunt glared at her, "Nervous for what? Isn't the eldest granddaughter good to you?"

"No, I just... don't know how to face her." Being a senior but having the younger one stand up for her and make decisions for her, she felt embarrassed.

"Do as you wish, they're your own family. There's no need for so much formality. The eldest sister won't like it." Although the internal matters concerning the family were always handled by Wu Shi in the inner courtyard, she did not interfere at all, showing her trust in Wu Shi. But more than that, she was impatient with such matters and focused on more significant affairs.

Ultimately, Xian's matters were still internal affairs, but she was willing to take care of them. This showed her commitment to her family, and they should be grateful for it.

Hua Zhi didn't bring her maid inside. Crossing the threshold, she bowed to the two women inside, "Elder Third Concubine, Second Aunt, I apologize for being late."

The two women didn't accept her bow. Hua Xian quickly moved forward to help her up, "It's me who has caused you trouble. I should have known that the shop was opening today and not troubled you."

Hua Zhi was at her wit's end with her mother, so she had a bit more patience with the Second Aunt who was similar to her mother. She turned the tables and helped the guilt-ridden woman sit down, speaking gently, "It's nothing. The shop opening doesn't require my personal presence, just checking on it would suffice."

Hua Xian smiled shyly, showing a gesture that didn't seem out of place for a woman in her thirties.

Whenever she thought about the Second Aunt experiences, Hua Zhi couldn't help but wonder what her mother's fate would have been if she hadn't met her father. Although her father was a bit idealistic and aloof, he surprisingly had a clear head when it came to matters within the family.

Thinking of her father inevitably led her to think of the relatives in the Northlands. It was already April, and by July, she would have to set off on a journey to the Northlands.

Bringing her thoughts back, Hua Zhi looked at the hesitant Second Aunt and then at the Elder Third Concubine who seemed reluctant to speak, and smiled, "If you have something to say, just say it. There's nothing that can't be talked about in this household."

Seeking help from her mother, Hua Xian glanced at her, only to find her mother not even looking at her. She bit her lip, mustering up all the courage she had to speak out the thoughts that had been brewing in her mind for a long time, "I...I want a divorce."

After speaking, as if afraid of causing trouble for Hua Zhi, she quickly added, "If it's not possible, it's okay, as long as I don't return to the Yang family."

"Why wouldn't it be possible? Who would think of divorce if things weren't unbearable."

Hua Xian's heart almost leaped into her throat. She couldn't help but take a deep breath to ease that sense of weightlessness. Hua Zhi handed her a cup of tea, feeding her a few sips with such proficiency that it seemed like she had done it countless times before. In fact, she had, as whenever her mother cried, she would feed her water to help replenish her fluids.

Elder Third Concubine looked on, her expression a mix of confusion and acceptance. Although the women in this household didn't have anyone to rely on, with three heads in total, whenever the eldest granddaughter wanted to do something, they would stand by her side. If Sui'an made something of himself in the future, they would ensure he didn't forget the eldest granddaughter's numerous efforts for them.

"Does Sui'an know about this?"

"He knows. He even mentioned before that he wanted to ask you to mediate for me, but I wasn't sure at that time..." Hua Xian, feeling embarrassed, touched her hair, glanced at her niece, then lowered her head, "I just don't want to go back to the Yang family. Though the Hua family may not have the wealth of the Yang family, I feel everything is better here. I don't have to be on edge every day. I'll say something you might laugh at—I used to hope that Yang Qi would never enter my room when I was at the Yang family. I agreed to anything he wanted just as long as he didn't come near me."

Hua Xian covered her face, "I'm afraid of him, really afraid of him. I hope to never see him again in my life."

"Then you won't ever see him."

Hua Zhi's words sounded too casual, as if saying 'divorce' would make it happen easily. But Hua Xian was just timid and weak; as a daughter of the Hua family, she wasn't ignorant of how difficult it was to divorce in the Daqing Dynasty. That's why she had gone crazy wanting a divorce but only mustered the courage to speak now, fearing it would cause a stir.

However, Sui'an had mentioned that the Hua family still had some influence, as Yang Qi still maintained contact with people using his title as a son-in-law of the Hua family. Hua Xian was afraid that Yang Qi might do something detrimental to the Hua family, so she had made up her mind to talk to Hua Zhi.

But now that Hua Zhi had agreed, she felt a mix of happiness, relief, and unease. She worried that this decision would tarnish Hua Zhi's reputation.

The conflict and hesitation were written all over her face, and Hua Zhi couldn't overlook it. Her eyes softened a bit, showing that despite being weak and a burden, Hua Xian's concerns about causing trouble were unsettling to her. Compared to those overly shrewd individuals, she preferred people like Hua Xian who needed someone to care for them.

She really is a person who lacks love, Hua Zhi couldn't help but laugh at herself.