Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C280. To the Authorities.

Chapter 280: To the Authorities

Helping her mother to sit down, Hua Zhi greeted her fourth aunt.

Wu Shi helped her up, her heart aching as she saw how much thinner her niece had become. And up close, she could clearly smell the lingering scent of medicine on her...

Meeting her elder sister-in-law's gaze, she understood. Her elder sister-in-law must have smelled it too, but knowing that Zhi'er didn't want her to know, she pretended not to notice.

"It was just a rat. There was no need for you to rush over here without even taking a breath."

How could Hua Zhi say that she had been frightened? She didn't think much of it and came over directly.

By this time, Bao Xia had already brought out a few plates of pastries from the kitchen. Her young mistress had suffered a lot these past few days.

Hua Zhi took a piece and tried to suppress the gnawing feeling in her stomach. She didn't want to appear too eager, as that would make her family think she was not doing well.

"Did Concubine Qiu say anything?"

"She begged me to let her go," Xia Shi pushed the pastries towards Zhi'er. "She said her family had encountered difficulties and needed money, which is why she did it. But that's not an excuse. Regardless of the reason, committing theft is wrong. The Hua family cannot condone such behavior."

Hua Zhi glanced at the plate of pastries, resisting the urge to take another, and turned to give an order, "Notify everyone in the household to gather in the main hall within a quarter of an hour."

The third lady's maid immediately rounded up the servants to deliver the message to each room.

Hua Zhi stood up and helped her mother, "Third Aunt, please take Concubine Qiu there. After all, she is Third Uncle's person. Give her the respect she deserves."

Although Xia Shi didn't know how the eldest young miss planned to deal with Concubine Qiu, she understood the meaning behind these words. No matter what Concubine Qiu had done, she was still part of the third branch, and if Concubine Qiu lost face, the third branch would also be shamed.

The news of Hua Zhi's return home spread through the Hua family in this way. In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone, big or small, had gathered in the main hall. Hua Bailin practically ran over and, upon seeing his sister, exclaimed, "Eldest sister!"

"Where did you learn your manners?" Hua Zhi lightly tapped his forehead, but her eyes were filled with amusement.

Hua Bailin pouted, "Why did it take you so long? I've been waiting so impatiently."

"I have to handle things before I can come back," Hua Zhi gently nudged her younger brother, Hua Bailin.

Understanding, he returned to his seat.

After greeting the elders and receiving bows from the younger generation, Hua Zhi turned to her third aunt, "Bring Qiu Shi here."

Everyone had anticipated this. It was the only matter pressing enough to deal after the eldest young miss's return home.

Qiu Shi had been the third uncle's most favored concubine. Young and beautiful, her round face could hold weight, and if she had been raised in a wealthy family, she would have remained attractive even in old age.

Now, she was dragged in by two burly maidservants. Though her clothes were tidy and her hair well-groomed, her eyes darted around, her expression filled with fear. There was no trace of her former charm.

Upon seeing Hua Zhi, she broke free from the maidservants' grasp, quickly knelt down, and begged with a trembling voice, "Eldest young miss, I know I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. Please forgive me for the sake of third master. You remember how I made clothes for you and Sixth Young Master? Even if, even if you forgive me for the sake of my sincere treatment of everyone in the Hua family, I won't dare to do it again, Eldest young miss, Eldest young miss..."