Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C214. The Wu Family's Invitation.

Chapter 214 - The Wu Family's Invitation

Early in the morning, just as she arrived in the front courtyard, Suyun Mama sent over a name card.

Hua Zhi looked at the elaborate floral design on it, puzzled. "The Wu Family?"

"Yes," Suyun Mama's brows furrowed slightly. "The head steward of the Wu Family sent the name card. I've seen him when I was with the old lady."

"This is quite interesting." Previously, they had shown signs of cutting ties with the Hua Family. Yet today, they were inviting her to attend a tea party at the Wu Family's. She didn't believe there was anything fishy about this.

"Go call Xu Jie here."

In the same front courtyard, Xu Jie arrived swiftly.

"Go find out how the Wu Family's current relationship with the Yang Family is, especially with Yang Qi."

"Understood."

Watching Xu Jie hastily leave, Huazhi sighed inwardly. "Steward Xu needs some attention. Xu Jie's heart is elsewhere, and Xu Ying is still too young. Does Suyun Mama have any good ideas?"

"Miss, have you thought about letting Ying Chun do it?"

Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised that Suyun Mama would suggest Yingchun. She thought in this world, it was generally assumed that stewards in big families were male. "I don't want to push her into that position to argue with a bunch of men. If her fate leads her there in the future, I don't want this to hinder her happiness."

Su Mama's reaction was slightly delayed, and she smiled, "It's truly a blessing for us servants to serve a master like you."

"It's mutual. This matter needs to be handled swiftly. Suyun Mama, see who is suitable to recommend a few people, and if you have any promising candidates, just say it directly. After following me for these few months, you should know that I don't need things to be sugar-coated."

"Yes, this servant understands."

Looking down at the name card, Hua Zhi smiled, "I must go on this trip. Liu Xiang, take it to Fourth Aunt."

"Understood."

Hua Zhi took out her own name card, picked up a pen, and wrote: "Hua Zhi will definitely attend as scheduled."

"Are the people from the Wu Family still here?"

"Yes, they are waiting for a response."

"Give this to them."

"Yes." Suyun Mama took it with both hands, her eyes showing a hidden concern as she listened to her mistress. From the sounds of it, this move by the Wu Family is likely related to the Yang Family. The Hua Family and the Yang Family are on the brink of open conflict, and the Wu Family has openly sided with the Yang Family.

How will the mistress and Fourth Lady deal with this in the future?

It's despicable how the Wu Family knows the two families are not getting along but still sends this invitation, what are they up to?

So unfair!

Hua Zhi stood up and walked out of the courtyard, approaching the clan school. Listening to the faint sound of reading coming from inside, the slight annoyance in her heart gradually faded. She understood the principle of people pushing a fallen wall. She had heard of it and even witnessed it. But when did she ever admit that the Hua Family's wall had fallen?

To be so impatient to pick a side, to be so eager to provoke the Hua Family, even Yang Zheng knew to use a fig leaf to hide and cover-up, but the Wu Family was different, they were truly something!

"Zhi'er."

Perhaps Hua Zhi's expression was too cold, causing Wu Shi to stop a few steps away. All her sorrows and hurts turned into confusion. She was already a married woman abandoned by the Wu Family. If she lost the approval of the head of the family in her in-laws' house, how would she survive in the Hua Family?

How would her children survive in the Hua Family?

Turning to face her, Hua Zhi softened a bit seeing her like this. In this world, women like Hua Jing, who were cold to their maternal family, were few, most were like Fourth Aunt, seeing their maternal family as their last resort, yet they were the first to be abandoned.

When she handed the name card to Fourth Aunt, she knew Fourth Aunt wouldn't be happy, but she still did it. She had to sever all of Fourth Aunt's thoughts about her maternal family. For the game she was playing, this was a minor but significant threat. She didn't want the Wu Family to see an opportunity and try to gain from it later on when the situation was set. It was better to act decisively now to avoid future troubles.

"Do you think I should go, Fourth Aunt?"

"You cannot go." Wu Shi's face turned pale, her eyes reddening.

She didn't know why the family had invited Hua Zhi but she knew Hua Zhi was filial and yet she sent the name card. Given their previous stance of cutting ties with her and the Hua Family, then suddenly inviting Hua Zhi, she didn't believe there was no hidden agenda.

"I will go. I will go and find out what they're up to!"

"Are you staking everything on this? Fourth Aunt, you will be disappointed." Hua Zhi assisted her back to her own courtyard, realizing now that Fourth Aunt was trembling all over.

Perhaps, she had been too harsh.

"Zhi'er..."

"Fourth Aunt, I don't blame you. What does this have to do with you? They're just bullying the Hua Family because they think no one is there to stop them."

Wu Shi almost started crying.

Helping her sit down, Hua Zhi made her a cup of tea. "Fourth Aunt, do you know how I got the divorce decree from Yang Qi?"

Wu Shi blinked, shaking her head. She was curious, as everyone in the inner courtyard wanted to know how the eldest granddaughter managed to achieve it. The fact that the Yang Family treated her Second Sister-in-law so harshly and she was moved out to her maternal home showed that they were not on good terms.

"I made Yang Qi submit by forcing him to write it."

Wu Shi gasped, covering her mouth instinctively, and looking towards the door. Seeing Bao Xia outside, she relaxed, asking anxiously in a hushed voice, "What... what happened? How did it end up like that?"

"Such a good leverage to restrain the Hua Family, they wouldn't let it go easily. I met Yang Zheng, and he said he'd rather destroy ten temples than break off one marriage. It's just waiting for the Hua Family to offer something he can accept. How could I let him have his way? With the Hua Family having only this last bit left, and they still want me to hand it over? Dream on!"

Hua Zhi lifted her head slightly, exuding pride. Her possessions, even if destroyed, she would never hand them over to anyone!

But Wu Shi was getting anxious. "Why are you so impulsive? Even without wind, Yang Qi can stir up trouble. If you hurt him, won't he come after you? This won't do, go to the Zhu Family, quickly, and let your grandfather help smooth things over. You can't tarnish your reputation."

Hua Zhi felt warm inside, reassuring her, "Don't worry, I didn't leave any evidence. His grandiose claims won't be believed by anyone."

"Didn't you just say you hit him?"

"I did hit him, but there are no marks left. If not for this, I wouldn't have done it. Does Fourth Aunt think I'm such a reckless person in her eyes?"

Indeed, if Hua Zhi acted so impulsively, how could she bear the responsibility of such a huge family? Wu Shi smiled bitterly; her actions were indeed too audacious. She tapped Huazhi's forehead. "Which girl has such courage as you?"

Hua Zhi just smiled.

"So, will the Yang Family just swallow this insult?"

"I had Xu Jie inquire. If my guess is correct, this banquet by the Wu Family is probably related to the Yang Family."

Wu Shi was startled. So that was it, the Wu Family and the Yang Family had joined forces, both being in-law families of the Hua Family, and they had unexpectedly united to go against the Hua Family. This was truly...conscience.