Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C381. The Emperor's Concerns.

Chapter 381: The Emperor's Concerns

The incident caused quite a stir, sparking a wave of chatter among the scholars gathered for the exams. For a while, their focus shifted entirely away from their studies, centering instead on the eldest daughter of the Hua family.

Opinions were mixed. Some criticized her boldness, calling her too aggressive, but the majority seemed entertained, even delighted, by her actions. Her reputation had preceded her, but witnessing her in action was another matter altogether—an eye-opener, to say the least.

Wasn't it true that she had stood her ground against Mr. Wei, as rumors suggested?

And those who dared to call her a shrew—were they blind to the circumstances?

Was it wrong for her to stand vigil at home, waiting for her younger sister, whose reputation had been dragged through the mud, to return?

Sure, some labeled her as overbearing.

But consider this: if she hadn't been, would the Hua family in the capital have survived the vultures circling them?

Was it really wrong for her to shield her family, to push back against their oppressors, and to take charge when no one else dared to?

And then there were the younger Hua family’s children—identically dressed, their clothes smeared with ink from the school.

What did that say about them?

That they hadn't forgotten their roots.

And how they rallied around the eldest granddaughter of Hua family was proof of the values she had instilled in them.

With heirs like that, could the Hua family ever truly collapse?

Sure, some still clung to the belief that women should depend on men, but even they couldn't deny the Hua family's need for someone like her. Brutal as it may sound, sacrificing the eldest granddaughter to protect the family seemed justified—especially since she had volunteered herself for the role.

And because it was her choice, no one had the right to criticize her. She had shouldered the burden with grace, and in doing so, she had ensured that the Hua family lived to fight another day.

The news that had spread throughout the city had even reached the unpredictable Emperor in the imperial palace.

"This is quite amusing," the Emperor chuckled, his brows furrowed, "How did a nest of scholars like the Hua family raise such a daughter?"

Lai Fu no longer dared to speculate on the Emperor's thoughts. Upon hearing this, he lowered his waist even more, not daring to respond.

The Emperor chuckled another two times and then, in a leisurely manner, asked, "I heard that the eldest miss of the Hua family is known as the god of wealth, able to turn stones into gold?"

Lai Fu smiled and carefully considered his response, "Whether she is truly so powerful, this old servant does not know. I have only heard that the few deals she made this year have been profitable, allowing the branches of the Hua family to move from the east to the south of the city. So far, I have not heard of the Hua family facing any embarrassment due to financial difficulties."

"Oh? She supports the branches too?"

"Yes, before, a girl from the Hua family voluntarily offered herself to the son of the Feng family to be his concubine. This information came from the mouth of the son of the Feng family."

"A daughter of the Hua family as a concubine?" The Emperor's smile turned slightly cold. "Is she not afraid of angering Hua Jingyan?"

Lai Fu lowered his brows and eyes, "The eldest miss of the Hua family publicly severed her ties with her on the day she left the house."