On the twenty-fourth of November, the capital welcomed its first snow. Light snowflakes drifted down, adding a thin layer of white to the rooftops.
The snow on the ground, however, could not linger, melting away quickly and dampening the streets.
It was at this moment that Hua Zhi entered the city. Though exhausted, her heart leaped with joy.
Home was now within reach.
If not for the prohibition against galloping horses within the city, she would have whipped her horse into a sprint, rushing home to see her family and then sleep like the dead.
Before entering the city, the two had ceased riding together. Hua Zhi turned to Gu Yanxi beside her. "If you have matters to attend to, Lu Xiansheng, please go ahead. Once you're done, you must come by. I'll have Fu Dong prepare a feast to properly entertain you."
Gu Yanxi's gaze was profound, but in the end, he said nothing, insisting on escorting her to the alley of the Hua residence.
He watched as she knocked on the side gate, and as the person inside knelt before her, exclaiming, "Elder Sister, you've finally returned! Old Madam is failing!"
Hua Zhi stood at the doorway for a moment. Then she turned and offered Gu Yanxi a curtsy before striding into the house.
Her cloak billowed, as if carrying the sound of wind and thunder.
The servant inside hastily bowed and hurriedly closed the gate, chasing after her.
Wang Rong leaped down from the rooftop and knelt before Gu Yanxi.
"How is the situation?"
"She has not regained consciousness. The doctor said she wouldn't last more than two days, but today is already the fourth day."
Old Madam Hua had been holding on, unable to let go until Hua Zhi returned. Now that Hua Zhi was back, Gu Yanxi looked up at the sky. The snow, it seemed, would continue for several days.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
After one last glance at the Hua residence, Gu Yanxi spurred his horse and departed. He had to enter the palace—Chen Qing needed to guard this place, as he trusted no one else.
From the side gate to the inner courtyard, it was enough for Hua Zhi to learn what had happened. She listened expressionlessly, her hand gripping the horsewhip tightening, her steps growing faster and faster. The servants had to jog to keep up.
The atmosphere in Old Madam's courtyard was heavy. The yard was filled with servants, the main room occupied by the Hua family's descendants, while the inner chamber held the wives of the four branches of the Hua family and Doctor Chu.
Doctor Chu sighed and shook his head at them. He had exhausted every method at his disposal.
Madam Zhu burst into tears on the spot.
Wu Shi clenched her handkerchief, her voice hoarse as she said, "Please do everything you can, Doctor Chu. No matter what, try to buy a little more time."
Because Zhi Er had not yet returned—the one who could truly put Old Madam's mind at ease was still on her way back. The news she brought would surely be what Old Madam most wanted to know.
Just as Doctor Chu was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside, faintly accompanied by someone exclaiming, "Elder Sister!"
"Elder Sister!"
Hua Bolin's cry confirmed that Hua Zhi had indeed returned. Wu Shi rushed to the door faster than Madam Zhu. She had never known how arduous it was to bear the weight of a family, yet Zhi Er had supported the Hua family during its most difficult times, making it seem effortless. This was the difference between them.
"Zhi Er…"
Hua Zhi nodded to her and entered the room, bringing with her the chill of wind and snow. Instantly, the entire room seemed to grow colder.
Chu Shitang stood up and turned to meet her gaze, shaking his head slightly.
Hua Zhi's expression remained unchanged. She untied her cloak and placed it, along with her horsewhip and gloves, on the table, then pressed her hands to her face to warm them.Then she walked to the bedside, knelt on the footstool, gently grasped her grandmother's hand with her slightly warmed fingers, and softly called out, "Grandmother, I've returned. Grandfather asked me to bring you a letter. If you don't wake up soon, I'll open it and read it myself."
Old Madam's fingers twitched, as if struggling against some invisible force. Seeing this, Hua Zhi continuously called out "Grandmother." After a moment, Old Madam slowly opened her eyes, her lips moving but no sound emerging.
Hua Zhi moved aside and looked toward Doctor Chu. Without needing any words from her, Chu Shitang immediately came over and sat down. Just by checking the pulse, he knew his presence here was no longer necessary—Old Madam... was like an oil lamp burning its last drop.
Chu Shitang sighed and shook his head at Hua Zhi.
Hua Zhi closed her eyes briefly, then turned to pour a cup of water. Seeing this, Wu Shi hurried forward to help prop Old Madam up slightly.
This time, Old Madam didn't refuse everything like before—she drank the entire cup of water, then looked at Hua Zhi with eager eyes.
Understanding her meaning, Hua Zhi took out the oilpaper package wrapped in multiple layers from her bosom, opened it, and picked up the topmost letter to hand to her grandmother. "I'll read it for you."
But Old Madam shook her head, extending her frail arm to stubbornly take the letter herself. She tried several times to tear it open but couldn't manage.
Without another word, Hua Zhi took it back, tore open the envelope for her, took out the letter, unfolded it, and placed it in her open palm.
Old Madam slowly read the letter, smiling as she went, her eyes curving like crescent moons just as they had in her maiden days.
After a long while, Old Madam slowly folded the letter and pointed toward the rosewood chest.
Su Momo, who had served her for a lifetime, understood her intentions best. Wiping her tears, she brought out all the small cases from the red chest and placed them by the bedside, opening them one by one.
"The Hua family has little left now. Divide this case of jewelry among the four of you—consider it a memento."
Her voice was weak and slow, but held no hesitation. Old Madam knew her time was short.
"All other things go to Zhi Er."
One case contained keys, another held contracts of indenture, while the third was mostly empty—only two jade seals occupying a small space.
The seals appeared quite aged. Looking at them, Old Madam seemed to recall how she had felt when she first received them.
"The white one is the Hua family seal, passed down through generations. It represents not just your grandfather, but the entire Hua family. This seal is only passed to the family head. I entrust it to your care temporarily—who it ultimately goes to will be decided by your grandfather. The blood-jade one is my personal seal—I leave it to you as well."
Hua Zhi nodded firmly. No one noticed she already had blood filling her mouth from biting her cheek.
Old Madam looked once more at her four daughters-in-law. "Whatever becomes of the Hua family hereafter, you must live in harmony, support each other, and assist Zhi Er in restoring the family's honor. Should anyone try to destroy my Hua family's foundation, I won't even rest as a ghost!"
The four women knelt and bowed to the ground in unison. "We will remember, Mother."
Then, supported by Hua Zhi, Old Madam leaned back. She hadn't been a harsh mother-in-law, nor were her daughters-in-law difficult—their bonds had simply been too brief.
"Let it end here. Walk your future paths well."
The four women performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations through their tears, then retreated backward out of the room.
Resting against her granddaughter's shoulder for a moment, Old Madam's voice grew even weaker than before. "Zhi Er, they're all well, aren't they?""Yes, your husband, your son, and your grandson are all doing well. Grandfather has been assigned light work—aside from the colder weather compared to home, they haven't suffered any other hardships."
"That's good." Old Madam struggled to turn her head and look at her. "Zhi Er, you must forgive your grandmother. Forgive me for burdening you with such heavy responsibilities, for being so incapable... You must forgive me..."
Tears streamed down Old Madam's face. Her granddaughter was only sixteen—a blooming age meant for marriage—yet now she would be bound by the Hua family's troubles, with no telling when she might find release. Now she herself was about to depart, leaving the girl to shoulder everything alone. She had failed her.
Hua Zhi's expression remained as composed as ever, her words even carrying a hint of a smile. "Go in peace. I'm here. I remember the promise I made to you—I will ensure the Hua family finds refuge in a quiet corner. Those who should study will study, those who should embroider will embroider. I will bring the Hua men back home. One day, the Hua family will restore all its former glory. You will see it."
"Grandmother will wait for that day to come." Old Madam lifted her hand slightly, but in the end could only move her fingers.
Hua Zhi pressed the old woman's palm against her own cheek. "Grandmother, it's time to go."
Gradually, Old Madam closed her eyes. Her hand slipped down, and the letter tightly clutched in her other hand loosened. A faint smile touched her lips, as if she had entered a beautiful dream.
That year, when she learned she was to marry the famously talented young master of the Hua family in the capital, she secretly found out they would be going for an outing beyond the city walls. She booked a street-facing room in advance and peeked through the window crack at him—a young gentleman in blue robes, lightly fanning himself with a folding fan, radiating boundless elegance and charm. From that moment, no one else could catch her eye.
That year, she married in splendid ceremony, clad in her red Wedding Gown. She held one end of the Red Silk, he held the other. They bowed to heaven and earth, entered the wedding chamber, and he lifted her red veil with the wedding scale, smiling as he gazed upon his bride while she blushed with shy delight.
That year, they welcomed their first child.
Then, many years passed.
PS: If any readers shed tears, don't be shy—even Kongkong cried while writing this. Only one update today as I've been traveling all day to another city for tomb-sweeping.
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