Inside and outside the room, everyone knelt in solemn silence, their restrained weeping filled with grief and sorrow.
Hua Zhi held her grandmother for a long while, gently patting her back as if soothing her to sleep. Then she carefully laid her down, placing the old lady's hands over her abdomen. Every movement was tender and deliberate, as though afraid of disturbing her rest.
Standing quietly by the bedside, Hua Zhi gazed at her grandmother's peaceful face. "Are the Funeral Garments prepared?"
Su Momo, who had been crying so hard she could barely breathe, replied between sobs, "Y-yes, they're ready. The Old Madam... she had them prepared when she first knew... when she first realized her condition was deteriorating."
"Find them and dress grandmother."
As Su Momo retrieved the funeral clothes, Chunxiang quickly brought in another maid to help carry water. Hua Zhi rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands first, then began unfastening her grandmother's clothing.
Su Momo hurried forward. "Elder Sister, let this servant..."
"This is my duty to perform."
Tears welled up in Su Momo's eyes again as she nodded, not arguing further but remaining nearby to assist.
After washing the body and changing the clothes, Hua Zhi carefully arranged her grandmother's appearance. Without turning around, she ordered, "Prepare the Burning Paper Money and light the Eternal Flame Lamp."
"Yes."
Chen Momo was about to burn the Death Paper in the courtyard when she heard the Elder Sister add, "Open the main gate. Burn it at the entrance. Inform Steward Xu to make the Mourning Announcement."
Chen Momo couldn't conceal her surprise. Since moving to the southern district months ago, the Hua family's main gate had remained closed since their arrival. Now...
But remembering that the Elder Sister was now managing the household, she knew she simply needed to follow orders. She quickly curtsied in acknowledgment and hurried away.
Hua Zhi took one last look at her grandmother before finally turning around, her face showing no trace of sorrow.
Su Momo suddenly realized that until now, the Elder Sister hadn't shed a single tear. She had arranged everything methodically, as if the person who had just passed away meant nothing to her.
But how could she not be grieving? Returning from so far away only to face this situation - how could the young woman who had given the Old Madam peace in her final moments not be suffering?
Su Momo's heart broke further, her weeping growing more intense.
"Su Momo, you shall serve under me from now on."
Su Momo looked up through tear-blurred eyes. Had the Elder Sister just said...
"My courtyard needs several senior matrons."
Su Momo was more than willing, but if they left, what would become of the other servants in the Old Madam's quarters? How could she bear to see everyone scatter like monkeys fleeing a falling tree right after the Old Madam's passing?
As if understanding her concerns, Hua Zhi addressed her worries. "I have enough attendants in my quarters, but there will always be places for everyone. I won't mistreat anyone who remains loyal to the Hua family."
Su Momo felt relief wash over her. Together with the two other matrons in the room, they performed a deep bow. The four of them had served the Old Madam for decades. While they had competed in their younger days, their bond was genuine. Being able to serve the same mistress again would be wonderful.
Having reassured them, Hua Zhi draped a cloak over her shoulders before stepping out. She felt somewhat cold.
"Elder Sister!" Hua Bolin, kneeling at the front, called out weakly when he saw her emerge. Hua Zhi looked at him. "Grandmother has passed away."
Tears immediately welled in Hua Bolin's eyes, but he stubbornly lifted his head and straightened his back.
"You're the eldest male in the family. You will oversee the arrangements."
Hua Bolin didn't know what he should do, but that didn't stop him from nodding. If he didn't know how, he would learn. If no one taught him, he would ask. He would manage to learn eventually.
"Hua Xin."Kneeling on the other side, Hua Xin was taken aback to be called upon and hurriedly responded in a hoarse voice.
"Take your younger siblings into the inner chamber to keep vigil for Grandmother. Watch over the Eternal Flame Lamp and make sure it doesn't go out."
Hua Xin instinctively glanced at her mother, and Qi Shi nodded repeatedly at her.
Hua Xin acknowledged the instruction, leading the two youngest children inside as the other junior family members followed suit.
The room suddenly emptied. Facing the Hua family's new head, Wu Shi was the first to react. "Just tell us what needs to be done, Zhi Er. We'll cooperate fully."
The others nodded in agreement.
"I'm young and unfamiliar with funeral customs. These matters need to be managed by you all. There's no need to consult me about what to purchase or how to proceed—just make the arrangements directly. I have only one requirement."
Hua Zhi looked steadily at the four elders. "Don't let anyone look down on the Hua family."
Wu Shi responded on behalf of everyone, "We understand. However, it's not appropriate to make elaborate arrangements now..."
"There's no need for extravagance. Sincerity is enough."
"Understood. We'll handle it properly."
Hua Zhi walked out of the room, having no time to offer comforting words or console her mother, whose eyes were swollen from crying. She had too many matters to attend to.
"Where is Steward Xu?"
Before Ying Chun could speak, Steward Xu answered himself, "I'm here."
Xu Dongjin entered from the courtyard. Knowing the young mistress would summon him, he had been waiting outside.
Hua Zhi's legs felt weak, but she didn't force herself to stand. Instead, she turned back into the room, with Xu Dongjin quickly following.
Bao Xia quietly handed a cup of tea to her mistress. Hua Zhi drank it in one gulp. During this time, Xu Dongjin paid his respects to the Old Madam in the inner chamber with a deep bow.
"It's time to arrange the death announcements."
Xu Dongjin wiped his eyes. "Yes. Which families should be notified?"
"Grandmother's maternal family, the Hua family branches, the maternal families of the four madams, Second Aunt, and Mr. Mu." Hua Zhi paused, still omitting Lu Xiansheng. "Other households can be notified later. Consider if there are others and quickly draft a list for me."
"Yes." Xu Dongjin glanced quickly at the young mistress. "What about Eldest Aunt..."
The others pricked up their ears, awaiting Hua Zhi's decision. Hua Jing couldn't escape blame for the Old Madam's death, yet as an elder, any action Hua Zhi took would be criticized. However, swallowing this injustice would likely dissatisfy everyone.
Hua Zhi traced the smooth rim of her teacup, narrowing her eyes slightly. "How could we leave her out? I'll invite her personally."
"Zhi Er..." Madam Zhu worried deeply. She had suffered much at her sister-in-law's hands and had always feared her. The thought of her daughter confronting Hua Jing made her anxious.
"She's just a bully who only picks on those who care about her. I'll teach her how to behave on Grandmother's behalf."
Originally not planning to go immediately, Hua Zhi suddenly couldn't bear to wait another moment. "Bring me the Mourning Clothes."
The saying "To look striking, wear mourning white" held true. When Hua Zhi put on the Mourning Clothes and tied the Mourning Headband around her head, her already striking beauty intensified dramatically.
Moreover, after her long journey, her complexion was far from ideal. The white garments accentuated her fragility, slightly diminishing her imposing presence.
"Ying Chun, Bao Xia."
"Yes, Miss.""There's no need to hide or hold back anymore. Take good charge of the Hua family and show everyone what you're capable of." Hua Zhi draped another pure white cloak over her shoulders. Though also white, it didn't make her appear weak in the slightest. Instead, it completely restored her fallen prestige, even making her presence more formidable than before.
Ying Chun and Bao Xia exchanged a glance before responding with determined affirmation.
Hua Zhi's eyes were filled with cold resolve. She would make Hua Jing understand exactly what she would lose without their grandmother!
PS: The previous chapter exceeded the word count—it should be around 2,600 words. That plot point had to be fully written, as breaking it off for the sake of word count would have ruined the flow. I still hope you'll follow Kongkong on Weibo: Migoo Author Kong Liu. In the future, these casual notes will be posted there. During the three-day holiday, Kongkong visited three cities for tomb-sweeping and is utterly exhausted. Still updating once today, will resume double updates tomorrow.
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