Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C281. Heartless?

Chapter 281: Heartless?

"I heard that the Qiu family has rented a storefront to start a food business," a voice announced.

Qiu Shi's sobbing faltered. A sense of foreboding washed over her.

Hua Zhi met her gaze and smiled. "Bao Xia, bring those food recipes to Fu Dong. Have her refine them and send them to Li Lai Lane. When the shop opens, we'll use them as a giveaway. Buy two items, get one free."

"..."

Qiu Shi was stunned. If this were to happen, if this were to happen... What had she gained from all her efforts, besides dragging her family into this mess?

Steward Xu gestured for the maidservants to bind Qiu Shi. No longer resisting, Qiu Shi was led out of the hall. She suddenly recalled the timid woman she had been when she first entered the Hua family.

The master had doted on her, and even though the legitimate wife disliked her, she would simply ignore her. She was never short of anything she needed. The Hua family was respectable, and the legitimate son and legitimate daughter always greeted her politely, calling her "Aunt Qiu."

How happy she had been then.

Lifting her head to gaze at the clear blue sky, Qiu Shi laughed bitterly. If she had a child of her own, if her older brother and sister-in-law hadn't persuaded her so strongly, if, if the master were still here...

At that moment, the only sound in the entire Hua household was Qiu Shi's shrill, mournful laughter. The fact that someone who had lived under the same roof for so many years had come to such an end filled the other concubines with a profound sense of sorrow.

"I hope there won't be a repeat of this," Hua Zhi said as she rose and walked towards the door. Pausing upon seeing Ying Chun and Nian Qiu kneeling outside, she did not let the fact that they were her personal maidservants sway her judgment. "You will have your monthly allowance docked for half a year. If this happens again, you can no longer serve me."

With reddened eyes, the two women replied in the affirmative.

Once the noise outside had subsided and the footsteps had faded away, the women in the room exchanged glances, filled with a mixture of awe and fear towards Hua Zhi. No one thought she was wrong, but they also felt that she was too heartless, making it difficult for others to approach her.

Hua Bailin understood the situation. He wanted to chase after her, but Yang Sui'an, who was standing beside him, grabbed his arm and shook his head in reassurance. He then gently pushed Hua Bailin towards the Eldest Lady.

Understanding his cousin's intentions, Hua Bailin gritted his teeth and went to help his mother up. Yang Sui'an also went to help his own mother, and the mother and son pairs left together. The others followed suit one by one.

After leaving his mother's courtyard, Yang Sui'an was not surprised to see his cousin waiting for him outside. Dismissing the servants, the two of them walked along the corridor.

"Back then, I didn't want you to..."

"I understand," Hua Bailin interrupted his cousin, his voice muffled with discontent. "I understand what you're saying, but Cousin, don't you think this is too harsh on Eldest Sister? Who is Eldest Sister doing all this for? She's been running around outside for so long, and as soon as she returns, she has to deal with this mess without even a moment's rest. Now they know to sympathize with Qiu Shi, but it was Qiu Shi who did wrong. Shouldn't she pay for her actions? As the head of the family, shouldn't Eldest Sister simply let this go and wait for it to happen again and again in the future?"

"I know you feel sorry for Eldest Sister, but don't you think it's good for Eldest Sister to have such an imposing image in the Hua family?"

Hua Bailin was stunned. He hadn't thought of it this way. He just felt that those people were too heartless. They enjoyed Eldest Sister's protection but thought she was heartless and were afraid of her. How could that be right?