Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C302. Parting Sentiments (1).

Chapter 302: Parting Sentiments (1)

Hua Zhi waved off the praise with a calm air of nonchalance, his voice carrying an edge of firm resolve. "The Cai family has always been straightforward and sincere. It's only right that the Hua family keeps its word and honors its commitments."

"Exactly," Hua Yizheng chimed in smoothly, a sharp smile tugging at his lips. "When a daughter marries into another family, it's our duty to ensure she’s set up well. Zhi'er has handled things with finesse, as expected. The Hua family has always operated this way." His tone was both approving and pointed, before he shifted gears abruptly. "Speaking of which, how’s your grandmother?"

"She’s doing fine," Hua Zhi replied coolly, effortlessly steering the conversation toward murkier waters. "Grandmother and the aunts have their hands full with Qin’er’s wedding. Of all the sisters who’ve had marriage agreements, she’s the only one who’s actually tied the knot. Grandmother’s been scouring for suitable matches for the others, but it's incredibly difficult. Marrying into a second-rank official's family is no longer considered a high marriage, but given the Hua family's current situation, even marrying into a fifth or sixth-rank family wouldn't be considered a low marriage. It's a dilemma."

The room plunged into a heavy silence. The older generation, weathered by the years and with most of their lives behind them, sat cloaked in quiet resignation. The younger ones, still flush with potential and a world of possibilities ahead, clung to their sense of promise.

But for women who had crossed the invisible threshold of their prime? Society had all but decided their stories were finished, their futures boxed up and discarded.

The Hua family—once a beacon of matchmaking triumph, effortlessly securing husbands for their daughters—now found themselves entangled in an unsettling decline. Hua Yizheng exhaled deeply, his shoulders weighted with guilt. "This is on me. I've brought this fate upon them," he muttered, his voice heavy with self-reproach.

But Hua Zhi, sharp-tongued and unapologetically pragmatic, cut through his lament with a dry laugh. "Grandfather, blaming yourself changes nothing. This is just the way the world turns. Fair or not, it’s the reality we face." Her tone carried a sharp edge, her smile betraying a sense of inevitability that left the room both stung and oddly comforted. The others exchanged hesitant glances, their unease tempered by a reluctant acceptance. Yes, the highs and lows were theirs to bear, together.

Breaking the thick air of introspection, Hua Zhi added with a pointed finality, "Grandfather, I've brought my second aunt back home."

Hua Yizheng fixed his gaze on her, sharp and unyielding, waiting for her to spill every detail. He wasn’t shocked—not entirely. Jing’er had always been too soft, a fragile flower incapable of standing tall without the Hua family’s shadow shielding her. Without their protection, the Yang family—already cold and increasingly hostile—would have no reason to treat her kindly. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired to bring this to the surface.

"Yang Qi tried to exploit my second aunt to dig into the Hua family’s secrets. My aunt, though honest to a fault, is fiercely loyal to our family and refused outright. Yang Qi, in response, resorted to violence. I only uncovered my aunt’s suffering when Sui’an approached me, seeking my intervention. Without hesitation, I brought her back under our protection. Bai Lin took the reins from there, as expected. As the eldest grandson of the Hua family’s main branch and now its senior male figure, it was his rightful duty to handle the situation—and he executed it flawlessly. Oh, and on top of that, he personally escorted Qin’er to her wedding, an act that brought immense prestige to the Hua family."

Fourth Uncle from the fourth branch broke the silence, his voice steady yet laced with a hint of intrigue. "Qin'er’s letter mentioned that Bai Lin stood by her side."