Hua Bolin certainly remembered where his second aunt's courtyard was located. His memory had always been exceptional, and the layout of large mansions was generally quite similar.
Passing through the moon gate, he saw Yang Suian's personal attendant Guizi already waiting there. Seeing the injuries covering Guizi's face, Hua Bolin knew they were from shielding his cousin earlier - just like his own lifelong attendant Liu Huai, Guizi had grown up with his cousin, so their bond was naturally different.
Hua Bolin's attitude toward him was accordingly different. "Is Cousin with Aunt?"
"Yes, the young master said to bring you directly to him when you arrived."
Only after entering his aunt's courtyard did Hua Bolin understand why his cousin had sent someone to guide him. This wasn't the courtyard he had visited before - meaning his aunt had been moved out of the main residence.
Hua Bolin's face immediately darkened. The Yang family was going too far! He refused to believe that Yang Qi and Yang Zheng didn't understand what it meant to make the eldest daughter-in-law move out of the main residence!
The courtyard wasn't dilapidated, just smaller, with noticeably fewer servants attending.
He didn't rush in recklessly, calling out from outside the door: "Second Aunt, Berlin has come to see you."
There was some commotion inside, and after a while Yang Suian's voice came through: "Cousin, please come in."
The interior was poorly lit, and Hua Xian kept turning her face away, but Hua Bolin still managed to see the bruises on her cheeks and neck.
Suppressing his anger, Hua Bolin bowed respectfully. "Second Aunt, Berlin has come to take you home."
Hua Xian's shoulders trembled. Home - she wanted to go home too, she missed home so much. But returning would only bring shame to the Hua family and disgrace to her son. She could endure being criticized and insulted herself, but how could she burden her maiden family and her son? Sometimes she thought it would be better to just end her life with a white silk cord.
Yang Suian knelt by her feet and said softly: "Mother, you promised me."
"But An'er, if Mother returns to her maiden home, not only will the Yang family bully you, your classmates will also laugh at you. How could I... how could I..."
"With you remaining in the Yang family, your son is constantly constrained. Once you leave the Yang family, your son can handle anything. They're just shortsighted people - I've never paid them any mind."
Hua Xian looked dazed. So she had been holding her son back after all?
Yes, her son was so proud, so clever - how could he possibly be unable to handle those good-for-nothings who failed at everything they attempted? Her son wasn't weak like her, who could do nothing but cry. She was so useless, so utterly useless!
"Would you be better off if Mother were gone?"
Yang Suian's heart jumped, but he maintained his composure: "Only when I know you're somewhere safe, not being bullied, living happily every day - only then will your son be well. Mother, this is all I ask. As long as you're well, as long as you're well..."
Yang Suian rested his head on his mother's lap, his suppressed tears soaking into Hua Xian's clothes and her heart.
Hua Xian stroked her son's head. Her son was so clever - he understood her meaning from just a hint.
"Aunt, I've brought forty family guards. Elder Sister said that if you're willing to leave, we'll take you back even if we have to carry you away by force. Elder Sister said that daughters married out from the Hua family are still Hua family members - there's no reason for the Hua family to stand by while they're bullied. Aunt, I promised Elder Sister I would definitely bring you home."Going home—she desperately wanted to return to that home where, despite being a concubine-born daughter, she had never suffered the slightest hardship or humiliation.
Hua Xian closed her eyes, her voice trembling as she said, "I want to go home."
Yang Suian was overjoyed, wiping his eyes vigorously before slinging the packed bundle over his shoulder to leave. Suddenly, the doorway darkened.
"Didn't Berlin say he came to visit his aunt? Why are you taking her away so soon after arriving?"
Hua Bolin bowed respectfully and smiled, "I was just about to pay my respects to you, never expecting you'd come here first. It's perfect timing—Aunt has been feeling homesick, so I'm taking her home for a few days."
The portly Old Madam Yang entered supported by her maid, sitting down like the mistress of the house. Her gaze sharp as needles, she fixed it on Hua Xian. "Eldest daughter-in-law, have you thought this through? Do you truly intend to go back?"
Even through her bruised and swollen face, Hua Xian's pallor was visible. She wanted to hide, to flee, to admit her mistakes—but standing before her was her son, and beside her was her nephew from the Hua family, ready to support her. If she hid, fled, or conceded now, how could she face them? How could she face Zhi Er, who had stood up for her?
Clenching her fists, she spoke without her usual timidity for the first time. "Yes, Mother. Your daughter-in-law wishes to return home for a while."
Old Madam Yang was taken aback, then fury surged within her. So, she's learned to talk back now? Does she really think her impoverished natal family can protect her? "And if I don't permit it?"
Hua Xian swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand firm. "The Yang family rules don't forbid a daughter-in-law from visiting her natal home."
Old Madam Yang slapped the table, ready to erupt, when Su Momo entered with a thin smile. "Old Madam Yang, such imposing authority. To behave this way even in front of her natal family—this old servant dare not imagine what life has been like all these years for the Hua family's Second Miss in the Yang household."
Old Madam Yang stared in shock. "Su Momo?"
"I thought you might have forgotten this lowly servant, given your esteemed status. It seems you still remember me." Su Momo steadied Hua Xian, who was nearly swaying on her feet. "You refuse to let the Hua family's Second Miss return home? Might I ask what justification you have for this?"
Old Madam Yang's lips thinned into a tight line, her plump face suddenly sharp and mean. "Normally she may return, but she's currently weak and should focus on recuperating. Returning to her natal home can wait."
"Speaking of which," Hua Bolin stared directly at the Old Madam, "how did my Second Aunt end up covered in injuries like this? Would you care to explain, Old Madam?"
"What could have happened? She merely fell while walking carelessly. Isn't that right, Eldest daughter-in-law?"
Under her devouring gaze, Hua Xian retreated half a step. Then she steadied herself, nails digging into her palms. The pain reminded her of her current predicament, of the accusations and beating she had endured that morning.
She was too timid to say her husband had done it, but she refused to admit she had fallen. Gritting her teeth, she remained silent.
Yang Suian stepped forward to reveal the truth, but Hua Bolin subtly blocked him. "Why don't we lay this matter bare? Let's invite the matriarchs from various families to examine her. Their eyes are sharper than mine, their experience greater—they'll surely discern the truth. I, too, would like to know how Second Aunt managed to 'fall' in such a perfectly distributed pattern of injuries."
Old Madam Yang fell silent. She knew exactly how those injuries had come about—and didn't dare respond."Since Old Madam Yang refuses to summon the clan matriarch, then please do not hinder the Hua family from calling a physician for Second Aunt." Hua Bolin supported his aunt from the other side. "This junior is ignorant and spoke offensively. I beg your pardon, Old Madam. We shall take our leave now. Aunt, let's go."
PS: There's more.
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