Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C363. Don't Let Your Guard Down.

Chapter 363: Don't Let Your Guard Down

"Zhi'er's here?" Old Master Zhu, the seasoned patriarch, made his presence known before his words even reached the room.

The old madam quickly got to her feet, greeting him with a warm smile. "Back early today, I see."

Hua Zhi immediately knelt. "Zhi'er pays her respects to her grandfather."

"Save the formalities," Old Master Zhu said as he settled into the chair at the head of the table. "How's your grandfather doing?"

"He's fine, though getting on in years."

A sigh escaped Old Master Zhu's lips. After everything that had happened, how could the old man not feel the weight of it all? They might hold high positions, but the truth was, they were all walking a tightrope. With the Emperor's unpredictable shifts in mood, no one could really say who might be next in line to fall out of favor.

The old madam, ever the practical one, interrupted with a smile. "Zhi'er has something she wants to discuss with you. Why don't you both head to the study?"

"Alright."

Hua Zhi had been to the Zhu family's study countless times, so the familiarity of the space put her at ease. In a way, it felt like a place where everyone could let their guard down, just for a moment.

"By the way, some of my colleagues were talking about you today," Old Master Zhu casually remarked.

"...I thought you were all busy?"

"Haha, there's always time for a little gossip," the old man chuckled. "They were impressed by how you handled the whole Hua Yan situation. They didn't know how to react after you didn't rise to the bait during those little stunts with the Feng family's sedan chairs. Lucky for you, you got back in time. Otherwise..."

Old Master Zhu shook his head knowingly. People were all too aware of how dangerous rumors could be, yet it was often only when it came to one's own doorstep that anyone cared.

"So, do you think Feng Changyu was acting on the orders of the Feng family, or was it all him?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Both," Hua Zhi responded, a thoughtful pause in her words. "Feng Changyu had his own agenda, sure, but the Feng family played a part, pushing him along the way. They tried to stir things up, but in the end, it didn't have much of an impact. Hua Yan wasn't exactly blameless in this either; she gave them the chance."

It was like flies not bothering with eggs that were still intact-if Hua Yan handed them the tools, why wouldn't they use them?

Hua Zhi couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for being too soft on Hua Yan. Despite knowing full well that Hua Yan had chosen a self-destructive path, she still couldn't shake the discomfort of being the one to administer punishment.

"Well, you did manage to put an end to it before it got out of hand. And if anyone tries to stir trouble again, they'll have to come up with something else. Just make sure you keep a closer eye on things at home so no one finds an opening."

"Right, I even asked grandmother to help find suitable matches for my sisters. The Hua family hasn't hit rock bottom yet. The girls' reputations are still intact, and even though we don't have any adult males in the family, it's not a total disaster. There must be some families in this vast capital with good judgment who would consider them."

"Don't rush it, let your grandmother take her time." The old patriarch glanced at his granddaughter, holding back a question that was nagging at him. Perhaps, for now, all the Hua girls could marry-except for one.