Before the Hua family had even returned home, the news had already spread like wildfire.
Shen Qi and the Old Master Shen were in the middle of a game of chess when a servant reported the matter, and the rest of the game fell into disarray.
Shen Zhui set down his piece, wiped his hands, and took a sip of tea. "If you had made it clear from the start that you were determined to marry her and no one else, your grandmother wouldn't have been so quick to call off the engagement."
"She wouldn't have been so quick, but she would have done it anyway." Shen Qi smiled bitterly. "If I had known that half a year of traveling would come at such a high price, I wouldn't have gone."
Shen Zhui also felt it was a pity. Since Hua Yizheng's downfall, the Hua family had neither collapsed nor fallen into chaos. Even when misfortune struck again with the loss of Old Madam, the Hua family still dared to send someone directly to the Yang family to retrieve their mistreated lady. This wasn't just a matter of courage—the young woman of the Hua family who had made these decisions was no ordinary person.
If she could have married into the Shen family and become the eldest young mistress, there would have been no worries about discord in the inner household. But as Shen Qi had said, even if the Hua family hadn't taken the initiative to break off the engagement, the Shen family would have had to do so eventually. With such a mismatch in status, how could the marriage proceed?
Shen Qi covered his face, his heart filled with defeat. It had only been half a year—he had only been away for half a year. His teacher had been exiled, his fiancée was gone, and by the time he received the news and rushed back, it was already too late. He didn't dare imagine how his teacher would view him now—as heartless? Or worse than beasts? In any case, he was no better than an animal.
And what would Hua Zhi think of him? If breaking off the engagement had been a test on her part, she probably also saw him as ungrateful and faithless.
And wasn't he exactly that—ungrateful and faithless? His grandfather's attitude was so clear. Even if they hadn't taken the initiative to break it off now, they would have been forced to later. Thinking of that beautiful woman who had once laughed and chatted cheerfully with her maid, Shen Qi felt even more distressed.
He had seen Hua Zhi a few times. After their engagement, he had secretly coaxed Berlin to learn more about his sister. Through him, Shen Qi discovered that she was knowledgeable, skilled in chess, music, calligraphy, and painting, and that she privately enjoyed making delicious food. He learned that many of Berlin's talents were taught by her, and that Berlin both respected and adored his elder sister.
At the time, he had thought, "Such a wonderful woman will be my wife—how wonderful life will be!" He had also decided that this trip would be his last. Once married, he would not leave his wife alone at home. But who could have imagined that upon his return, he would face such a situation?
He shouldn't have gone to such a remote place. Even if he had to travel, he should have chosen somewhere closer.
"Grandfather, I..." Shen Qi looked up, but when he met his grandfather's gaze, he fell silent. He knew there was no need to say more—his grandfather would never agree.
Shen Zhui set down his teacup and said calmly, "Just consider it a matter of fate. Don't force it. Even if you wanted to pursue her now, she likely wouldn't agree. Qi, she is no longer just a daughter of the Hua family—she is now its head. The Hua family cannot do without her. What we need is a daughter-in-law, not the entire family behind her."
"Yes." Shen Qi forced a faint smile, leaning on the armrest to stand up. "Your grandson is tired. I'll return to my room now.""Go ahead." The door opened and closed. Shen Zhui sat quietly for a moment before letting out a long sigh. Sitting in this position required him to consider the family's interests. If it were merely a matter of personal feelings, how could he be willing to do such a heartless thing? He had known Hua Yizheng for decades and served as colleagues for just as long—their bond wasn't much weaker than his with Zhu Bowen. Yet now...
Shen Zhui sighed deeply once more. He would just have to offer more support in the future.
Gu Yanxi, however, had no such reservations. Upon hearing about the matter, he went to climb onto the Hua family's roof. Chen Qing, who accompanied him in this rooftop venture, had a headache, frequently having to pull his master aside to hide. It wasn't nighttime, after all—they could be spotted at a glance. If the Hua family found out, would the Heir's Lu Xiansheng still have a position to hold?
The procession entered the alley in a grand manner. The main gate of the Hua family swung open, only closing again after the sedan chair was carried inside.
Hua Zhi understood how important this homecoming was for her second aunt. She rejected Third Aunt's suggestion to enter through the side gate, insisting they use the main entrance instead. "Back then, Second Aunt left through the main gate with dignity when she married out," she said. "Today, let her return with that same dignity. Though it's not the same gate, it is still the family home."
Third Aunt shut herself in her room and wept bitterly once more. This was her only daughter. Knowing how much she had suffered felt like having a piece of her heart carved out—the pain so sharp she had to breathe lightly to avoid aggravating it. But now, at last, things were better. Her daughter was back. As long as she could return, that was all that mattered.
When Hua Xian emerged from the sedan chair, Third Aunt nearly fainted at the sight of her wretched state. Clutching her daughter, she cried heart-wrenchingly, "Those damned Yangs! How dare they? How dare they!"
Only when Hua Xian was truly embraced by her mother, surrounded by family, did the reality of coming home sink in. This wasn't just a visit—she was truly home, to stay forever!
Seeing the white hairs at her mother's temples, Hua Xian felt immensely unfilial, yet also profoundly comforted. She was home. She had truly returned.
"Mother... Mother!" The mother and daughter wept in each other's arms. Others in the Hua family wiped away tears as well. Madam Zhu, with the most tender heart, cried so hard she could barely catch her breath, looking almost as pitiful as Hua Xian herself.
Yang Suian turned away discreetly to wipe his eyes, then approached Hua Zhi. "Cousin."
Hua Zhi nodded, not wishing to disturb those lost in their grief, and asked softly, "Do you plan to go back?"
Yang Suian shook his head. "I'm worried about my mother. What she said before didn't sit right with me."
"At the Yangs, she was driven to desperation, hence those extreme thoughts. Back here, she won't feel that way anymore. She can't bear to leave you, nor can she bear to leave her mother."
Yang Suian's gaze swept over the Hua family members. He hadn't expected them all to welcome them in the front courtyard. Regardless of their sincerity, their attitude alone was enough to reassure his mother.
"I should head to the academy now. I'll trouble you to look after my mother, Cousin."
"Family shouldn't speak like strangers. She's coming home, not visiting. Staying with her own mother will ease her heart in time. Don't worry—focus on your studies. Return here on your breaks. I've had a room prepared for you in Berlin's courtyard. From now on, you'll stay with him."
"...Yes." Yang Suian's voice choked. His eyes wide, he stubbornly refused to let his tears fall. He wouldn't cry—his mother's tears were enough.As the weeping gradually subsided, Hua Zhi approached and asked, "Second Aunt, would you like to reside in Third Grandaunt's courtyard from now on?"
Hua Xian couldn't possibly refuse—she would have gladly shared the same bed with her mother. "Zhi Er, your aunt is deeply grateful to you."
Had it not been for Zhi Er's approval, no matter how much her mother pitied her, she could have done nothing, let alone arranged for someone to forcibly bring her back from the Yang family. Her gratitude came from the bottom of her heart.
"A daughter married out of the Hua family is not like water spilled on the ground. Your maternal home will do everything possible to be your support." These words were not only meant for Hua Xian but also for the other young ladies of the Hua family. Both Hua Xin and Hua Ling had reached marriageable age. Although arranging marriages had become more difficult for the Hua family now, they would still have to marry eventually. Hua Zhi hoped they would all remember these words.
Yet she forgot that she, too, was an unmarried daughter of the Hua family.
Wu Shi, who had been stubbornly holding back her emotions, suddenly felt her eyes redden and hurriedly turned her head away.
Gu Yanxi lay on the roof of the Hua residence, gazing up at the sky. He understood the meaning behind her words better than anyone in the Hua family. Hua Zhi did not count herself among the Hua family's unmarried daughters because she had no intention of marrying.
PS: Kongkong needs to save up drafts for business trips.
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