The portrait was completed as dusk began to settle.
Except for Hua Bolin, the rest of the Hua family had only just discovered that the eldest young lady possessed such refined painting skills and could create such vivid portraits. Even the renowned Hua Xin and Hua Ling had to admit they could not match her.
What Hua Zhi had painted was not the lifeless Old Madam Hua, but the well-maintained, richly adorned, and kindly smiling matriarch of the Hua family from before the family’s misfortunes.
Back then, her cheeks were still full, her face bore far fewer wrinkles, her hair had not yet grayed, and her spirited demeanor was exactly as Hua Zhi had captured.
Several elderly ladies stared blankly at the figure in the portrait, resisting the urge to touch their own temples as their eyes reddened in unison.
Hadn’t they, too, been just as vibrant back then?
Hua Zhi gazed quietly for a moment before turning and leaving the room, coming to a standstill under the corridor.
Human emotions were truly strange. Despite years of distance and only a few short months of relying on one another, they could still evoke such profound reluctance and sorrow.
“Zhi Er…”
Wu Shi followed her out and, after a moment’s hesitation, gently patted her arm. “Don’t be sad.”
“I can’t understand it—how could Grandmother bear to leave? With such a large family and Grandfather still not returned, how could she let herself be driven to this by such a worthless thing?”
Wu Shi stepped forward to stand beside her, watching the servants bustling near and far. “Doctor Chu said Mother’s health had never fully recovered. The shock and anger overwhelmed her—if she had been in better health, perhaps it wouldn’t have come to this.”
But how many “what ifs” could the world truly hold? Hua Zhi inwardly scoffed. This debt, she resolved, would be settled with Hua Jing.
Steward Xu hurried into the courtyard, lifting the hem of his robe. “Eldest Young Lady, the monks from Great Clumsy Temple have reached the entrance of the alley. There are forty-nine in total.”
Even Hua Zhi, steady as she was, froze for an instant. Wu Shi was even more astonished, exclaiming aloud, “Forty-nine? How can that be? All from Great Clumsy Temple?”
“Yes.” Though he had been the one to invite them and had rejoiced all the way back, Steward Xu still couldn’t contain his excitement. “All are esteemed masters from Great Clumsy Temple, led by Master Banruo.”
“Go and ensure the front is prepared to receive them.” Hua Zhi turned back into the room. “Berlin.”
“Yes, Elder Sister.”
“Take your younger brothers to the front courtyard to welcome the masters into the residence. Be quick.”
“Understood.” Hua Bolin picked up the youngest, Bojun, and urged the other older children to lead the younger ones, half-walking, half-running out of the room.
Hua Zhi needed to go as well. She turned to Hua Xin and the others. “Stay alert and guard the Eternal Flame Lamp carefully.”
They all nodded repeatedly.
Hua Zhi then bowed to the three grandaunts. “My younger sisters are still small. May I trouble you to keep an eye on them?”
“Don’t worry, we will.”
Hua Zhi quickened her pace as much as she could, ignoring the pain from the friction against the wound on her leg. She had to maintain an air of composure—the entire family was relying on her now. Only if she remained steady would everyone else find their footing.
A contingent of forty-nine monks was not considered large in the capital, where noble families often employed the maximum number of ninety-nine for religious ceremonies.
Yet, for the Hua family in its current state, securing forty-nine was beyond anyone’s expectations—let alone that they were all masters from Great Clumsy Temple.
Hearing the faint echoes of chanting and the rhythmic tapping of wooden fish, Hua Zhi paused briefly before continuing forward.It was only at this moment, listening to the chanting of Buddhist scriptures, smelling the sandalwood incense in the courtyard, and seeing the completed mourning hall, that she truly felt the reality of her grandmother's absence. The old lady—who had never treated her poorly even when displeased by Grandfather's special favor toward her, despite her own lack of achievements to bring him honor—was truly gone.
Outside the main gate, forty-nine monks rhythmically struck wooden fish while chanting scriptures, their steps slow and measured as they approached the Hua family's entrance in a solemn and dignified procession. Even Hua Jing, whose mind was filled with countless thoughts, knelt reverently on the ground, not daring to make any untoward movement.
Hua Bolin led his younger brothers in kneeling respectfully on the left side of the gate, while Hua Zhi knelt alone on the right. She listened as the chanting drew nearer, passed by her, and entered through the main gate before rising to lead her brothers in following behind.
This heavy, unbroken atmosphere only gradually dissipated after they entered the mourning hall.
Inside, Steward Xu had already prepared prayer cushions. Forty-eight monks settled into two rows, and the chanting resumed alongside the rhythmic tapping of wooden fish.
Hua Zhi led her brothers to kneel before the spirit altar. She wasn't certain if this was correct, but an instinct told her it was the right thing to do.
Master Banruo, who had kept his eyes slightly closed until then, opened them fully. Without glancing at Hua Bolin, his gaze fell directly on Hua Zhi, and he gave her a slight nod.
Hua Zhi bowed deeply. She didn't understand why Great Clumsy Temple had sent so many monks, so she attributed it to the master's influence.
The ceremony was brief. Once the chanting ceased, Steward Xu directed servants to offer vegetarian food and tea, then instructed them to add braziers to the mourning hall.
"No need for that," Master Banruo gently refused. "We ascetics can endure this chill. Moreover, the Old Madam will be lying in repose shortly—excessive warmth would be detrimental to her sacred form."
Steward Xu promptly signaled the servants to remove the braziers.
"You may rise now. Dress warmly, as you will keep vigil through the night. We will move the coffin at the hour of Yin."
The monks eating vegetarian meals looked at the master with surprise. Master Banruo practiced the vow of silence and was known for his sparing words, yet he treated the Hua family with exceptional consideration.
Unaware of this, Hua Zhi nonetheless sensed the master's kindness. After bowing, she tried to stand but found her body too weary to rise.
"Elder Sister," Hua Bolin, kneeling beside her, hurried to support her.
Hua Zhi subtly pushed him away and steadied herself, patting his hand reassuringly. "Take our brothers to eat. Make sure everyone has plenty."
Hua Bolin opened his mouth but swallowed his words and concern. Leading his brothers away, he knew any speech would be superfluous—his only meaningful task was to lighten his elder sister's burdens through action.
Observing this, Master Banruo beckoned when Hua Zhi looked his way.
She approached and pressed her palms together in greeting. "Master."
"This old monk heard Old Benefactor Hua speak of you. Today, I see you are indeed as he described." Master Banruo removed a string of prayer beads from his wrist and handed it to her. "May it safeguard your health."
"Thank you, Master." Hua Zhi received it with both hands and bowed deeply. In such times, even the smallest kindness felt profoundly etched in her heart.
"The Hua family's accumulated virtue runs deep. Surely, adversity will give way to prosperity."
"Yes, this humble daughter believes so too." If fortune would not come on its own, she would seize it herself!Master Prajna nodded and closed his eyes once more. Hua Zhi bowed again, then placed the prayer beads around her own wrist. Taking the master's auspicious words to heart, she hoped for good health and freedom from illness—she simply couldn't afford to fall sick.
Outside the mourning hall, Steward Xu stood waiting.
"How is Hua Jing doing?"
"She remains in that shed, weeping whenever someone passes by."
Hua Zhi's expression gradually turned cold. "Have another quilt sent to her—make it look as thick as the previous one. Also, send charcoal. Ensure both deliveries are made with great fanfare."
"Yes."
Noticing the white hair revealed when the old steward bowed his head, Hua Zhi recalled he was the same age as her grandfather. Softening her tone, she said, "Leave any tasks to Xu Jie. Walk slowly—the snowy paths are slippery. Mind you don't fall."
Xu Dongjin's eyes reddened, moved both by her concern and his own emotions. "This humble servant attended the old master his entire life. At this time, I only wish to do more... otherwise, this heart of mine truly..."
Hua Zhi lifted her gaze to the pitch-black night sky and fell silent.
P.S.: Don't bow your head, or tears will fall.
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