PS: A note before today's chapter, dear readers, please always check the progress bar at the bottom left when reading. Don't assume there's nothing more when you see blank space—often there's content beyond. Make sure to scroll all the way down until the progress bar shows 100%. Kongkong has a habit of building up gradually in the first half of chapters, intensifying emotions and plot, with the most exciting parts always reserved for the latter half.
The snow was falling heavier now.
Hua Zhi emerged from the courtyard, passing through the second gate into the front compound. Everyone she encountered along the way bowed deeply to her.
The entire Hua family was now dressed in plain hemp mourning clothes, everything before their eyes covered in white.
The main gate stood wide open. Chen Momo was burning paper offerings there, continuously wiping her tears, unaware of the black and white streaks marking her face.
Outside, people were peering in. Hua Zhi guessed they might be friends or foes, but she paid them no mind. At this moment, nothing was more important than what she needed to do.
Xu Jie, wearing mourning clothes, stood holding a horse. The carriage was also draped in mourning white. Seeing the eldest young lady, he hurriedly bowed.
Hua Zhi glanced coldly at the two carriages, her lips curling slightly. "One carriage is enough."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi boarded the carriage and lifted the curtain to address Nian Qiu, who insisted on following. "You stay behind. Have someone set up a shed here—nothing too large, just big enough to fit one person."
Nian Qiu was unwilling to be left behind, but before she could speak, her young mistress's glance silenced her. She had never seen her young lady like this—no need for many words, her expression even unchanged from usual, yet it made Nian Qiu dare not utter another syllable.
Hua Zhi then turned to the four sturdy maids she had specifically requested, all dressed in mourning clothes. "You'll have a tiring day today."
"Rest assured, eldest young lady. We may lack other things, but we have plenty of strength."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Let's go."
Hua Jing's marriage back then could be considered marrying beneath her status. At that time, the Song family only held a fifth-rank official position. The Old Madam had favored them because they were also a family of scholars. Although Old Master Song's official rank wasn't high, his character was upright, and Song Zhengzu had earned his juren degree through his own ability—truly promising for his youth.
But she hadn't anticipated how people could change. An upright person could become slick in no time at all. Once a promising youth aged without achieving more, he would merely sink into mediocrity, then fall into an endless abyss.
Now Old Master Song had risen to the third-rank deputy position. Had the Hua family not fallen, Hua Jing could still have walked through the Song household with her head held high. Unfortunately, storms gather without warning.
Hua Zhi descended from the carriage and looked up at the Song family's lofty gateframe, her heart cold with determination. If they wanted to laugh at the Hua family's misfortune, they would have to see if she agreed!
"Xu Jie."
"Yes, eldest young lady."
"Go knock and tell the gatekeeper that the Hua family has come to announce a funeral. Request that the Hua family's eldest married daughter return home immediately to mourn."
Hua Zhi's voice rang clear, allowing all who were watching their group to hear. When they realized who had passed away, murmurs spread immediately—misfortune never comes singly for the Hua family. With the men exiled, only an old matriarch had been holding up the household, and now she had passed away. What would become of all these women and children left in the Hua family!
The Song family's gatekeeper didn't dare delay. One remained outside to attend them while another rushed into the residence to report.
Hua Jing was currently locked in struggle with her mother-in-law. After being suppressed by her daughter-in-law for so many years, Old Madam Song had finally been able to hold her head high recently, devising various methods to torment her eldest son's wife. But Hua Jing was no pushover either. The conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had thrown the household into chaos, making the men increasingly reluctant to return home.Upon hearing the gatekeeper's report, Hua Jing's mind went completely blank. How... how could this be...
Old Madam Song, however, felt a surge of satisfaction. With her last support gone, how could she still contend with her?
Yet, on the surface, she hypocritically dabbed the corner of her eye. "How sudden... Ah, Jing'er, you should hurry back to help."
Hua Jing instinctively resisted returning—she was afraid.
She didn't dare deceive herself into thinking her mother's sudden passing had nothing to do with her. No, it truly had nothing to do with her! Her mother was already gravely ill; it had nothing to do with her!
Twisting her handkerchief, Hua Jing said, "This daughter-in-law needs to prepare some things. There's no need to rush this moment."
The gatekeeper quickly interjected, "To inform the Madam, the Hua family is waiting outside, requesting you return home immediately."
Old Madam Song, fearing her daughter-in-law would take Song family possessions to subsidize her natal family, hastily added, "The Hua family must be in chaos right now. As the eldest daughter, they naturally rely on you. Hurry back. Tell me what you need to prepare, and I'll have someone deliver it later."
Hua Jing gritted her teeth in frustration but had no recourse. In the Daqing Dynasty, filial piety was paramount. If she dared refuse to return for the funeral, the Song family would be justified in divorcing her.
"I dare not trouble Mother. This daughter-in-law will change clothes and go immediately."
Hua Jing dragged her feet changing clothes, vigorously rubbing her eyes until they were red. Guilt-ridden, she decided not to bring her children or even her personal maid, afraid the Hua family might say something that could ruin her reputation.
As time passed without Hua Jing appearing, those watching openly and covertly grew restless. Yet Hua Zhi remained unshaken, her back straight, her expression calm.
To the capital's residents, she was an unfamiliar face. They could only guess from her attire that she was a Hua family daughter—neither the moderately talented Hua Xin nor Hua Ling, yet seemingly around their age. They vaguely speculated she was the obscure eldest daughter of the Hua family.
Observing her demeanor, she didn't appear timid, making it puzzling why she had never been seen in social circles all these years.
Amidst the murmurs, Hua Jing finally emerged. She rushed out, eyes red, and upon seeing Hua Zhi, concealed her surprise, tears falling before she spoke.
"Zhi Er, Mother... Mother..."
Hua Zhi bowed slightly. "Grandmother has passed."
"Wah..." Hua Jing covered her mouth, weeping pitifully, evoking sympathy.
Hua Zhi turned and boarded the carriage. Hua Jing's sobs abruptly ceased before resuming. Shouldn't she have been invited to board first?
"By custom, a married daughter should weep all the way home for the funeral. I cannot break tradition. I assume Aunt feels the same."
"..." Hua Jing, accustomed to asserting authority before her natal family, frowned in anger but barely remembered they were at the Song residence. She stepped closer, gritting her teeth. "It's snowing right now..."
"Weeping all the way home through the wind and snow only highlights Aunt's filial devotion," Hua Zhi said, lowering the curtain. "Let's go."
As Hua Jing prepared to retort, four stout matrons—each half a head taller—surrounded her, subtly propelling her forward, making it appear as if she were walking willingly.
Hua Zhi's calm voice carried from nearby. "Aunt, remember to weep. So many people are watching you!"
"Hua Zhi!" Hua Jing hissed in low fury. "Is this how you treat your aunt?""Aunt taught me well. I still have far to go compared to you."
"Hua Zhi!"
"Let's go." The carriage maintained its unhurried pace beside Hua Jing. She wasn't afraid of others accusing her of disrespecting elders or criticizing her for lacking filial piety. If a bad reputation could put an end to Hua Jing's comfortable life, she would gladly accept it.
What she intended to do had only just begun.
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