Chapter 112: The Fickleness of Human Relationships
After the Zhu Family’s ostentatious arrival, other relatives and old acquaintances of the Hua family gradually began to show signs of activity.
Most, however, only sent stewards to represent them. Wu Shi, who had been anxiously awaiting her own family’s arrival, finally saw someone come—her second brother, Wu Zerui, who held little importance in the family and had not entered officialdom.
Seeing his sister’s pale face, Wu Zerui sighed. "Father is highly likely to advance further in his career and is currently at a critical juncture. No one in the family dares to act carelessly. It’s not that Mother and Father don’t care for you, Haitang. Don’t blame them. If Father truly succeeds, he’ll be able to help you more in the future, and help your children more. Even if you truly wish to return to your maiden home with the children, it’s not impossible."
"I won’t return."
"Third Sister…"
"I won’t return." Wu Shi lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed but dry. "If you can distance yourselves from the Hua family now for Father’s advancement, you might abandon me again for other reasons in the future. I am already Hua Wu Shi. I understand all of this, but Second Brother, you must understand me too."
Her voice was hoarse as she continued, "To put it bluntly, the Wu family has sacrificed their daughter for the sake of wealth and prospects. Having abandoned me once, they can do it again. How could I still hope for my maiden family to truly take me back? That would be a betrayal of Mother’s teachings."
"Third Sister, you’re overthinking it. It’s not that serious."
"We both know the truth, Second Brother. You should go back."
"Third Sister…"
"After all, you never intended to stay here and help me, did you?"
Wu Zerui’s face flushed with a mix of shame, anger, and guilt. His sister’s blunt words were harsh, but not incorrect—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been the one sent.
"Go back. Tell Mother that I, too, hope for the family’s prosperity. But from now on, let’s not have any further contact. The Hua family will not let me starve. I will survive."
In the end, Wu Zerui said nothing more. After urging her to take care, he left. He was merely a messenger, incapable of making any decisions. Yet, seeing the sister he had doted on since childhood reduced to such a state pained him deeply.
But when interests were at stake, everything changed.
Wu Shi covered her mouth, weeping uncontrollably. She understood everything, and she accepted it—but who would console her sorrow?
Hua Zhi watched from a distance, her expression detached. She had already guessed the Wu family’s stance when they delayed their response. Those who truly cared for their daughters, like her maternal grandmother, had arrived at daybreak—not waited until now.
This funeral had truly shown her the myriad facets of human nature—the warmth and coldness of relationships.
Perhaps everyone believed the Hua family was doomed.
"Miss, the Song family has sent someone."
Hua Zhi turned and walked away, only asking when they were farther off, "Who came?"
Bao Xia gritted her teeth. "Only the young master."
Hua Zhi paused briefly before continuing toward the mourning hall.
Hua Jing’s eldest son, Song Chenghao, was eighteen years old. He always wore a smile and was exceptionally glib, once greatly favored by Old Madam Hua. Yet Hua Zhi had always avoided him—the man had a naturally callous demeanor, his smiles never reaching his eyes.
Now, Song Chenghao had offered incense and kowtowed. Looking around for someone to speak to, he saw only inexperienced children and couldn’t help showing a trace of contempt. The Hua family had truly reached its end.
"Who is in charge of the household now?"Due to the matter with Hua Jing, no one in the Hua family was inclined to receive him now. Yet ignoring people was not the Hua family's way. Just as Hua Bolin was reluctantly about to respond, his elder sister's voice came from outside the mourning hall.
"It's me."
Song Chengwu turned to look at her, his brow furrowing. "Elder Cousin?"
Hua Zhi approached. "If Cousin has come to observe the mourning rites, I'll have someone fetch Mourning Clothes for you right away."
"No." No sooner had he spoken than Song Chengwu realized he had rejected too hastily. Covering his mouth with a light cough, he explained, "Cousin may not know, I've been ill with a chill for several days. Had I not been bedridden, I wouldn't have delayed coming until today. I would gladly keep vigil for Grandmother, but I fear I might only bring trouble to the Hua family instead."
What a convenient excuse, and how timely this illness. Hua Zhi stepped past him, knelt on the rush cushion, and began tearing paper money to feed piece by piece into the brazier. "Then please return home and rest well, Cousin. Sincere intentions matter more than formalities."
Song Chengwu couldn't quite decipher her meaning. He wanted to press further but feared she might directly invoke moral principles to insist he keep vigil, so he simply changed the subject. "Is Cousin now in charge of the Hua family affairs?"
"If Cousin has business, speak plainly."
"Then I'll say it. Why is my mother not allowed to keep vigil in the mourning hall, but made to stay outside in the freezing snow?"
"I have nothing to say on that." Brushing paper scraps from her hands, Hua Zhi turned to look at him. "Cousin should go ask her directly."
Song Chengwu frowned deeply. Was there something he didn't know? With this thought, he truly turned and headed toward the main gate.
Hua Bolin gritted his teeth in frustration. "He actually left just like that! Grandmother doted on him so much when she was here, and he... he..."
"The one who doted on him is gone. He can gain nothing more from the Hua family now." Hua Zhi glanced at Steward Xu, who understood immediately and summoned his younger son with a few instructions. Xu Ying hurried toward the gate.
In the shed, the haggard Hua Jing no longer huddled by the fire wrapped in blankets. She stood up, craning her neck to watch the movements at the main gate. Seeing her son emerge, her eyes lit up. "Wu'er..."
Song Chengwu sat directly on the only stool by the fire and demanded bluntly, "What exactly happened? Don't try to deceive me. The Hua family wouldn't act this way unless they had solid grounds."
Being confronted by her son made Hua Jing's temper flare, but she restrained herself. From his words, she understood that Hua Zhi had indeed said nothing, as she had anticipated. Instantly relieved, she wiped the corner of her eye and said, "What could possibly be wrong when the Hua family is in such a state? I merely wished to observe the mourning rites for your grandmother with sincere devotion. You saw how well your grandmother treated me—surely you don't think this is inappropriate?"
The reason sounded plausible enough, but Song Chengwu felt it couldn't be that simple. He studied his mother suspiciously for a moment, then thought it might indeed be the case. Given his mother's temperament, if the Hua family were deliberately making things difficult for her, she would have turned the entire household upside down by now!
Seeing her son pacified, Hua Jing inquired about household matters. "Why didn't your father come? What about your younger siblings?"
"Haven't seen Father these past two days. Grandmother said he returned to the ancestral home. She's keeping my younger siblings confined at home, saying it's too cold and snowy for them to go out."Although Hua Jing hadn't intended for her children to suffer here either, hearing those words from that old hypocrite left a bitter taste in her mouth. Just as she was about to advise her eldest son, she heard him say, "It's cold outside, I'm heading back first. Mother, you continue keeping vigil. I'll return on the burial day."
"......" Hua Jing stared in disbelief as her eldest son wrapped himself in his cloak and boarded the carriage. He hadn't asked if she was cold, showed no concern, let alone offered to stay with her. When this young man complained of cold, had he considered that his mother was nearly forty!
A shiver ran through Hua Jing as she wrapped her arms around herself, feeling chilled to the bone.
She lifted her gaze to the Hua family's gate plaque, and in her daze, she seemed to see her younger self emerging through the main gate, followed by three younger brothers calling out "Elder Sister" one after another.
But how had things come to this?
Xu Ying stood behind the shed, having clearly overheard every word of the mother-son conversation, and repeated it verbatim without missing a single word.
Hua Zhi listened, then went to burn more paper offerings for her grandmother. Just wait and see, she thought. No one does wrong without paying the price. Don't feel sorry for her.
PS: I've clearly been updating twice daily all along, so why are people still urging for double updates! Rest assured, I won't whitewash anyone.
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