The funeral procession slowly made its way out of the alley.
Hua Zhi was walking backward, unable to see what was happening behind her. When soft exclamations arose and the pallbearers paused for a moment, her heart sank. Disregarding propriety, she immediately turned around. The sight before her made her breath catch.
Along the main street of the southern city, small altars stood at every step. Incense and candles burned on these altars, and paper money was set ablaze. Behind each altar stood people wearing mourning headbands and small tokens of filial piety, their expressions solemn.
As the procession reached each position, the person standing there would kneel and bow to the ground, rising only after the procession had passed.
Hua Zhi, leading her younger brother, returned each bow one by one. The sorrow she had been holding back seemed to surge forth again, and gradually, weeping arose within the procession.
Even those who had come merely to observe the spectacle couldn't help but sigh at the sight of the once illustrious Hua family, now broken and bereaved in just a few months. A sense of shared vulnerability stirred in their hearts—if even the century-standing Hua family could fall so inexplicably, who knew when their own turn might come?
The line of mourners extended all the way to the vicinity of the Hua family ancestral grave. Hua Zhi had received no prior notice and was completely unaware of when a sacrificial altar had been erected here. Incense and candles burned on the altar, paper money smoldered, and offerings of fruits and other items were arranged. Though modest in size, it was filled with heartfelt sincerity.
Hua Zhi led her brother in a deep bow, honoring both their thoughtfulness and their righteousness.
Some of these mourners might have received her grandfather's patronage or benefited from her father's kindness, but the primary reason so many had stepped forward was simply that they were all scholars. They revered her grandfather and respected the Hua family's reputation as a standard-bearer for scholars, willing to risk the Emperor's displeasure to pay their respects.
On behalf of her grandfather and the Hua family, she accepted this gesture of goodwill.
Both sides bowed to each other with utmost sincerity.
According to tradition, unmarried daughters were not permitted to enter the ancestral burial grounds. Hua Zhi did not contest this rule. She handed the portrait of the deceased to her cousin Bai Yu and knelt at the entrance to the ancestral grounds, watching until the procession disappeared from sight before allowing Ying Chun to help her to her feet.
The crowd had not yet dispersed, and many were scrutinizing the Hua family's eldest granddaughter. Over the past few days, it had become well-known that the deceased Old Madam had bypassed her four daughters-in-law and entrusted the household authority to her eldest granddaughter.
The capital was full of wealthy idlers, and many had sent people to inquire about Hua Zhi. Yet, the information gathered was scarce. Aside from her broken engagement with the Shen Family, there was hardly anything else noteworthy about her.
Despite having been raised in the capital, she had never been seen at flower-viewing parties, garden gatherings, or other social events popular among young ladies. No close friends from her inner chambers were discovered either. It was as if she had lived like an invisible presence within the Hua family's inner courtyards, until suddenly emerging into the spotlight now.
People were curious about both her character and her appearance. If not for mourners who had seen her and spread word of her celestial beauty, many would have assumed the Hua family's legitimate granddaughter had been hiding due to extreme homeliness.
At that moment, countless onlookers secretly wished for a sudden gust of wind to blow off her hood, allowing them to see just how beautiful the Hua family's eldest young lady truly was.
Unfortunately, heaven did not grant their wish. No unnatural wind arose, even as Hua Zhi stepped into her carriage.
As the carriage gradually drew away, Wang Rong, hidden within the crowd, made a subtle gesture. Several figures concealed in the shadows closely followed.
Though the residents of the southern city could not compare to the vermilion-gated mansions of the northern city, not just anyone could qualify to live in this area. When the Old Madam passed, they had also set up small altars to bid her farewell. In two households, the matriarchs themselves had presided over the ceremonies.Hua Jing wept pitifully inside the mourning tent, her sobs carrying out and tugging at heartstrings. Her current appearance was far from presentable—hair disheveled, graying temples exposed, eyes swollen and red, wrinkles starkly visible. This disheveled state bore no resemblance to her usual imposing demeanor.
She secretly resented Hua Zhi for reducing her to this state. Hardening her heart, she made no effort to tidy herself, instead deliberately worsening her disarray while waiting to be seen.
After the earlier incident, everyone was curious about what had transpired between Hua Jing and her natal family. Soon, someone arrived under the guise of concern to comfort her and inquire what was wrong.
Hua Jing shook her head and cried even louder, calling out "Mother!" between sobs.
Witnessing her miserable weeping, people's sympathies naturally tilted. "What matter could be so unspeakable? To bully a married daughter before the Old Madam's bones are cold—this is truly excessive."
"No one is bullying me, no..."
"Many witnessed it—since when do juniors treat elders this way? Such behavior defies all propriety. Don't you all agree?"
Several women from the neighborhood gathered outside the tent, clearly hoping to catch some insider gossip about the Hua family. But as capital residents, they weren't foolish—they murmured noncommittal responses without taking sides.
Hua Jing didn't need their allegiance; she only needed their mouths to spread the story.
After prolonged sobbing, Hua Jing finally spoke haltingly, "Before Mother passed, she summoned me home and instructed me to support my natal family. Who could have imagined she'd depart just days later? I truly received nothing from her. With the Hua family in such straits, how could I bear to take anything? Why won't they believe me? I too am a daughter born of the Hua family!"
Such familial conflicts over interests were common among noble houses—precisely why the story proved so believable. The women even wore expressions of vindication, unsurprised by the revelation though startled that the famously proper Hua family would succumb to such scandals. A century of reputation could crumble overnight if this spread!
Their concealed excitement was palpable, the thrill of destruction heightening their senses until they spoke in unconsciously raised voices. "It's the eldest Hua maiden, isn't it? Doesn't she manage the household now? One wonders what the Old Madam was thinking, bypassing daughters-in-law to place authority in her hands."
Hua Jing neither confirmed nor denied, merely intensifying her weeping.
The women exchanged knowing glances. One stepped forward to console, "Innocence needs no defense. Though the Hua family treats you thus, you keep full vigil in this bitter cold—proof enough of your sincerity. The Old Madam would be comforted in the afterlife knowing her affection wasn't misplaced."
"Indeed, innocence needs no defense." Hua Zhi alighted from the carriage as if oblivious to their awkward expressions. Remaining by the vehicle, she inquired, "Aunt, are you claiming your niece has bullied you?"
Hua Jing had believed her preemptive strike left Hua Zhi no room for rebuttal—after all, seniority favored her. But hearing the blunt challenge stirred faint unease.
Before she could respond, Hua Zhi nodded and continued, "Though not entirely inaccurate—it was indeed I who barred you from the Hua household."The onlookers stepped back slightly, but their ears perked up attentively. Hearing this, they all looked at Hua Zhi in surprise. Though her face under the hood wasn't clearly visible, the half-visible portion revealed the beauty rumored about her. Yet, they wondered if she only possessed a pretty face without substance.
Hua Jing didn't know what move Hua Zhi was planning, but she couldn't pass up this chance to counter her words. Lifting her haggard face, she sobbed, "I just want to go home to keep vigil for Mother. I mean no harm."
"By our grandmother's final decree, from this day forward, Hua Jing has no connection to the Hua family's honor or disgrace. Hua Jing is forbidden to set foot in the Hua family home!"
Hua Jing's mouth fell slightly open, and fear suddenly gripped her heart. She was afraid Hua Zhi would say something even harsher. She wanted to stop it, but it was already too late.
"You couldn't control your own husband, yet while Grandmother was critically ill, you demanded to take a maid from your niece's side to make her your husband's concubine. You made Grandmother so furious she vomited blood and passed away. Aunt, who exactly has been bullying whom?"
"I didn't! You... you're slandering me!" Hua Jing panicked. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. How dare Hua Zhi be so bold! Wasn't she afraid the Hua family's young women would become unmarriageable? Wasn't she afraid she herself would end up unwanted? How could she dare!
Hua Zhi looked at her coldly. "Hua Jing, I will never forgive you."
I will make you suffer twice the heartbreak Grandmother endured. No, twice is too little. How could anything less than eight or ten times be enough?
We'll take it slow.
PS: Third update. This chapter ended up with so many extra words. Feels like it didn't turn out quite right—my mind's a bit sluggish. Hope you can bear with it.
OpenNovel