The residence where the Hua family now lived was actually quite spacious, though smaller compared to their former official mansion.
It consisted of four courtyards in a row with a garden, each courtyard nested within another—such was the depth of the compound.
Hua Zhi resided in the eastern side courtyard of the second row. Compared to the western side courtyard connected to the garden, this area was too quiet, yet no one accused her of taking advantage. In truth, she would have preferred to live further back, but times had changed. She had many people to meet and matters to handle; living too deep inside would inconvenience both her and others.
Her grandmother also lived in the second row, though at some distance from her side courtyard.
Clad in a white cloak, Hua Zhi walked along the covered corridor toward her grandmother’s courtyard. Servants bowed respectfully as she passed, showing even more deference than before.
When the Hua family had faced collapse, they felt as if the sky had fallen. It was the eldest young lady who held up the heavens and restored their stability. Now, with the Old Madam’s passing, though their anchor was gone, strangely, they did not feel the same unease as when the family had been in crisis.
Perhaps it was because they knew that with the eldest young lady present, no problem, no matter how great, would remain unsolved.
Gazing at her slender yet upright figure, they could no longer recall what the eldest young lady had been like in the past.
The elders of the Hua family’s collateral branches wept bitterly by the bedside, their grief palpable. Standing at the doorway, Hua Zhi felt a pang of sorrow. She could see their sadness was genuine—decades as sisters-in-law, with quarrels and disputes, yet they had shared both honor and disgrace for years.
“Zhi Er has returned.”
Fourth Aunt, turning and noticing her, hurriedly alerted the other two. They had only recently learned that Zhi Er had rushed back today to see the Old Madam off.
Hua Zhi performed a formal bow to the three elders according to etiquette, and they all stepped forward to support her.
Third Aunt touched her thin arm, her eyes reddening again. “You’ve lost weight, so much weight.”
The wives of the collateral branches knelt inside and out, watching her with hopeful eyes. But Hua Zhi said nothing more and turned directly to Fourth Aunt. “How are the preparations?”
“I’ve just sent someone to check. The mourning hall won’t be fully ready until nearly dusk.”
“I vaguely recall there’s a specific timing for changing the spirit bed…” Hua Zhi suddenly remembered what she had forgotten. “Have the monks for the rites been invited?”
Wu Shi had already thought of this. She nodded. “I sent Steward Xu to invite monks from Great Goose Temple. He hasn’t returned yet.”
Great Goose Temple? Hua Zhi frowned. It was only a small temple with fewer than twenty monks, and they wouldn’t all come. The number seemed insufficient.
Wu Shi looked troubled. “I wanted to invite monks from Great Clumsy Temple, but the Hua family may not be able to secure their services now.”
“We won’t know until we try.” Hua Zhi’s gaze swept around. “Berlin.”
Hua Bolin, who had been folding treasure boxes with his younger brothers, hurried over.
“Write a formal invitation requesting Master Bore from Great Clumsy Temple to preside over Grandmother’s funeral rites.”
“I’ll write it right away.”
“And one more thing.” Hua Zhi looked at him. “You will write all the obituary notices.”
“Elder Sister, I’ve already written them. Tomorrow, I’ll go with the other brothers to deliver them.”
“Have you assigned the tasks?”
“Yes.”
Hua Zhi offered no words of praise, but simply patted his shoulder. Hua Bolin was pleased—his elder sister was no longer disappointed in him.Holding the completed invitation, Hua Zhi handed it to Wu Shi. "Send someone to meet Steward Xu along the way. Have him withdraw the reservation at Dayan Temple and proceed to Great Clumsy Temple instead."
"But what if Great Clumsy Temple..."
"They won't refuse. Master Banruo has long-standing ties with Grandfather."
Reassured, Wu Shi hurried off.
The three elderly madams exchanged glances, their eyes conveying complex meanings.
The fourth aunt suddenly suggested, "Zhi Er, the snowstorm is worsening. It'll likely grow colder tonight. Should we have Hua Jing come inside to keep watch?"
"If she's so determined to demonstrate her filial devotion to Grandmother through such sincerity, I naturally won't stand in her way."
"We all know what's truly happening. I wouldn't say anything in fair weather, but in these conditions, if she falls ill from exposure, you'll be the one facing the consequences."
"Whatever the cost may be, she shall never set foot in the Hua family's gates. Not even in death shall she cross this threshold!"
"What if she insists on entering..."
"She wouldn't dare." Hua Zhi's eyes flashed with mockery. "I'd welcome her trying to force her way in."
She'd gladly use her own notorious reputation as foundation to expose all the disgraceful deeds Hua Jing had committed. But eventually, the truth would come to light regardless.
As the fourth aunt prepared to argue further, the third aunt tugged her sleeve and shook her head slightly. Hua Zhi was resolved to make Hua Jing suffer, and there was no need for them to clash with Hua Zhi over someone like Hua Jing, who wasn't worth their intervention.
Hua Zhi had servants bring her a drawing board. She had no intention of hiring a painter, planning instead to personally paint her grandmother's portrait.
Meanwhile, Gu Yanxi learned from Chen Qing about the Hua family's arrangements for a Buddhist ceremony. He immediately drafted a letter. "Send someone to Great Clumsy Temple immediately. Make haste."
"Understood."
Chen Qing stepped out briefly before returning.
Gu Yanxi still wore his formal court attire, having just returned from the palace. The Emperor was growing increasingly irritable. Upon learning that the Flame Country had taken him for a fool, he nearly dispatched troops to besiege them immediately. It had taken considerable effort to calm his fury.
"How are things at the Hua residence? Has anyone given her trouble?"
Chen Qing glanced at his master, refraining from commenting on who was truly troubling whom. After half a day observing Hua Zhi, he'd witnessed her tormenting Hua Jing. Yet considering Hua Jing's misdeeds, he found it deeply satisfying.
Keeping his eyes lowered respectfully, he detailed all matters concerning the Hua family. Finally, he added, "Before I returned, Miss Hua had already sent someone to Great Clumsy Temple. From her words, it seems Master Banruo shares a friendship with Old Master Hua."
Gu Yanxi stood with his hands clasped behind his back before the window. Icy wind whistled through, causing objects in the study to clatter.
Friendships endure only while people live. Once someone passes, not everyone honors such bonds. While Monk Banruo might remember his friendship with Hua Yizheng and accept the request, other monks at Great Clumsy Temple might not necessarily comply. Not all monks remain detached from worldly concerns.
Moreover, if only one monk performed the rites, the Hua family would suffer great humiliation—even if that monk were Banruo himself.
"Send another letter to Yu Lao. Have him rush to Yinshan Pass immediately. Inform Shaoyao that Old Madam Hua has passed away and she must return quickly. Also, ensure the Hua family remains unaware of this."
"Understood."
Thinking of the challenges Hua Zhi currently faced, Gu Yanxi frowned. After her arduous journey back, she now confronted this turmoil. During the seven-day vigil, she would keep watch continuously while remaining constantly vigilant. Anyone would struggle to endure such strain.
He regretted not having Shaoyao accompany her return earlier. Whether Wu Yong could hold on until Yu Lao's arrival was no longer his primary concern.Chen Qing approached the heir a few steps closer and tentatively asked, "Should I go and inform a few families, so they can pay their respects at the funeral?"
"No need." If too many random people attended, Hua Zhi would be unable to discern who still held genuine goodwill toward the Hua family. This was likely what she most wanted to understand from this matter, as it would determine how the Hua family would interact with the noble families of the capital in the future. She also needed to clarify the true circumstances the Hua family currently faced.
PS: I've read all the comments from the ladies, sending kisses to you all.
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