The Hua family observed a simple New Year.
With plain food, plain fruits, and plain clothing, their status could also be described as ordinary.
The New Year's Eve feast was masterminded by Fu Dong, who led dozens of people from the main kitchen in preparations starting from the twenty-eighth. For several days, the aroma of food never ceased, and from time to time, small snacks were distributed, ensuring that the servants sent to fetch them never returned empty-handed.
Of course, the most frequent visitor was Shaoyao.
When she dashed into the kitchen once again, Liu Juan, her cheeks flushed with laughter, handed her the prepared fried meatballs. "Sister Fu Dong said that no matter what she makes, she’ll send a portion to you. There’s no need for you to keep running over."
Shaoyao chuckled gleefully, crumbs from the pastries she had eaten earlier still clinging to the corners of her mouth. Her expression looked utterly foolish.
She no longer needed to wear a veiled hat in the Hua household. At first, some people were afraid to look at her face, but after seeing her so often—either indulging in food or clinging to the eldest young lady—it became impossible to feel afraid of her.
Hua Zhi paid her no mind, allowing her to do as she pleased, as long as she didn’t think of going outside.
Inside the room, Ying Chun checked the water clock once more and softly reminded, "Miss, it’s time to go."
"Mm," Hua Zhi acknowledged, yet her brush continued to move stroke by stroke without pause.
Ying Chun sighed inwardly, her heart aching beyond words. They had said she would rest until the fifteenth, but after only two days, she had picked up her brush again.
It was a while before Hua Zhi finally set down her brush. Frowning slightly at what she had written, she wondered if she was making too big a deal out of things. But if she didn’t take these measures, she would be too vulnerable.
She was already far behind others, and her strength was too fragile to withstand any blow. If she didn’t devise some means of self-protection, even if the border remained peaceful, the princes’ temperaments would never allow the Hua family to live in peace and freedom.
"Miss, everyone must have gathered by now."
"Let’s go."
Three tables were set up in the side hall of the Hua family’s main courtyard. By now, everyone except the seat of honor was occupied.
The seating arrangement was not divided by gender or age as it had been in the past. Instead, following Hua Zhi’s suggestion, families were seated together. Everyone found it both novel and agreeable. A family reunion feast was meant to bring families together—who could be closer than one’s own children?
Bojun, eyeing the food eagerly, whispered, "Mother, why hasn’t Elder Sister arrived yet?"
Wu Shi patted the hand in her lap, her voice gentle. "Elder Sister is very busy. She’ll come as soon as she’s finished."
"Elder Sister is always so busy."
"Yes, she is. When you grow up quickly and can help her, she won’t have to be so busy anymore."
"I know. Sixth Brother said we all need to become very capable so we can help Elder Sister."
The innocent words of a child evoked both pride and heartache.
Hua Zhi, still dressed in plain white, entered the room with her hands tucked into her sleeves, holding a hand warmer. Everyone seated stood up, including the grandaunts, who were two generations her senior.
This was the respect due to the head of the household. Even if Hua Zhi didn’t care for it, they could not presume on their age.
"Please, sit quickly," Hua Zhi urged, removing her cloak and setting aside the hand warmer. She bowed to the elders. "My apologies for keeping everyone waiting. I am late."
She offered no explanation, but the Hua family understood. Hua Bolin had already informed them that his elder sister was occupied.
Taking her seat beside her mother, Hua Zhi glanced around. Everyone’s eyes were on her—some with simple joy, others with dependence, gratitude, or contentment. But there was no trace of anxiety among them. This was the greatest affirmation of her leadership during her time as head of the family.In just half a year, the Hua family had fallen from being a top-tier clan with two Hanlin scholars to being confiscated and exiled. Following the death of the matriarch, their pillar of strength, the family did not collapse as outsiders had expected. Instead, they maintained excellent morale and showed no despair for the future. The Hua family had great potential.
Hua Zhi raised her cup. "To the Hua family."
The children's cups were filled with sweetened water, while the adults drank sweet wine. Everyone downed their drinks boldly.
The maids quickly refilled the empty cups.
Hua Zhi raised hers again. "The second toast—to ourselves."
Some found their eyes reddening inexplicably, yet they drank without hesitation, emptying their cups completely.
When the third round was poured, Hua Zhi swirled her cup and raised it high once more. "This last one—to the prosperous future that is sure to come."
Madam Zhu turned her head to wipe away tears discreetly. Hua Zhi glanced at her, then picked up her chopsticks first, placing food into her mother's bowl. "I worried everyone might be too tense, but I also feared they might become too relaxed. I won’t hide the truth—it’s better for everyone to understand our situation. The Hua family is currently like meat on someone else’s chopping block. It’s far too early to relax. In the future, I ask everyone to work together to protect our Hua family."
Hua Bolin was the first to respond, "Protect our Hua family!"
The children followed in clear, bright voices, "Protect our Hua family!"
Everyone joined in, some choked with emotion, others hoarse or impassioned, "Protect our Hua family!"
Sitting beside Hua Zhi, Shaoyao looked around and chimed in, "Protect Hua Hua."
The intense, almost solemn mood instantly lightened. Hua Rong couldn’t hold back a laugh, setting off the others who had been suppressing their amusement. The atmosphere suddenly turned cheerful.
Hua Zhi rewarded Shaoyao with a large spoonful of her favorite Laba beans, stir-fried with a bit of garlic leaves—so delicious that with just that spoonful, Shaoyao could finish a whole bowl of rice!
Though the meal was entirely vegetarian, the flavors were no worse than the usual rich feasts. There were no rules about not speaking during this reunion dinner; everyone chatted softly while eating and drinking sweet wine. Except for the absence of the steadfast man who had once been among them, the gathering felt remarkably relaxed.
Third Aunt glanced over at Hua Zhi and asked her grandson softly, "After the New Year, when you return to the Yang family, you must inform your cousin, just as you used to inform the Yang family wherever you went."
Yang Suian understood immediately and nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"Make sure you truly understand." Looking at her daughter, who had finally gained a little weight and used makeup to cover her scars, and recalling the hints Wu Shi had dropped, Third Aunt asked casually, "Xian'er, do you plan to go back?"
Hua Xian looked up, her face full of panic. "Do you want me to go back?"
"Don’t panic. If you don’t want to go back, no one will force you. Even if you divorce Yang Qi, this will always be your home. You won’t be left with nowhere to go."
Hua Xian’s heart bloomed with hope. She was deeply tempted, yearning to sever ties with Yang Qi. But the Hua family had never set such a precedent. Being taken back to her maternal home was already a disgrace to the family; if she divorced, her maternal home would be shamed because of her.
The light in her eyes gradually faded. Hua Xian lowered her head again and murmured, "I... I’ll just stay like this."
"What if the Yang family sends someone to fetch you?"
Hua Xian’s face paled. She shook her head at her mother. She did not want to return."Then let us separate peacefully. The Hua family will not lack your share of provisions—and you too, Sui'an." At the reunion dinner, Third Aunt—who had maintained a gentle demeanor all her life—unexpectedly took decisive action. "The eldest young lady says that as long as you are willing, you will always be a member of the Hua family. From now on, you shall receive a monthly allowance of twenty taels of silver, just like the young men of the Hua family did at your age. Whatever Berlin has, you shall have as well. Therefore, you need not worry about the future, nor force yourself to stay."
PS: Second update. Hmm, will strive to continue.
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