In the capital during the third month of spring, not a hint of green could be seen amidst the lingering cold. After a freezing rain, desolation seeped into every corner.
Freezing rain had always been a rarity in the south, occurring infrequently. No one knew why it had visited the capital this year, plunging the weather that had shown signs of warming back into a deeper chill.
It was at this time that the news of Hua Jing being divorced began to spread. The Hua family only learned of it after the rumors had already filled the streets and alleys.
"Didn't we make it clear long ago that Hua Jing no longer had any ties to the Hua family? Do people think I was joking?" Steward Xu reported the matter while Hua Zhi was speaking with Wu Shi. Hearing this, Hua Zhi didn't even blink. "Since there's no connection, what does her divorce have to do with the Hua family? Surely no one expects me to be magnanimous enough to welcome her back?"
Though indignant, Wu Shi could only nod in agreement. Many people indeed thought that way.
"I'm afraid they'll be disappointed. As a woman confined to the inner quarters, I am no 'great person' and thus have no 'magnanimity' to speak of. Leaving kindness for resentment is a task for those noble figures—I won't be joining their ranks."
Wu Shi adored this attitude of hers, yet she worried it might bring ill repute to the Hua family and to Zhi Er. "If we were to just assign her a courtyard to live in, I doubt the rest of the Hua family would object."
"You may not object, but I do, Fourth Aunt. It's not that I insist on crushing Hua Jing without mercy. First and foremost, this was Grandmother's dying wish—I have no reason to disobey. Secondly, do you really think she would quietly confine herself to a corner if she returned?"
She wouldn't. Wu Shi knew all too well what kind of person the Hua family's eldest young lady was. If she returned, the peace the Hua family now enjoyed would be shattered. She would never rest until she seized control of the household! Who knew what chaos would ensue then.
Wu Shi cherished the current state of the Hua family. Though they lacked men to uphold the family's reputation, their unity was far stronger than before. If she had initially been skeptical, she now wholeheartedly believed that Zhi Er could lead the Hua family out of their predicament.
Therefore, Hua Jing absolutely must not return. Wu Shi's stance on this was resolute. "I'll speak to the other branches of the family."
"Thank you for your efforts, Fourth Aunt."
The Hua family's silence in response sparked a wave of gossip. Human nature tends to sympathize with the underdog, even if that underdog was once domineering. When news spread that Hua Jing was seriously ill, the criticism grew even louder.
Hua Zhi was not one to sit idly by. She fought poison with poison, having people revisit the incident where Hua Jing had caused their grandmother's death. Many immediately fell silent.
In the Daqing Dynasty, where even a slight smile during mourning was enough to draw condemnation, causing one's own mother's death went far beyond mere filial impiety. Coupled with the Old Madam's prior testament, no one could find fault with Hua Zhi's actions.
Yet, despite this, a group of people stubbornly continued to attack the Hua family. Hua Zhi didn't need to investigate to guess who they were.
Shaoyao chewed on a medicinal herb, propping her chin in her hand, unaware that her cheek was smudged with traces of the medicine. "Hua Hua, I don't understand. What is his goal in doing this? It can't be that he wants to reconcile with the Hua family, can it?"
Hua Zhi wiped her cheek with a handkerchief. "Why not? If the Hua family were to take Hua Jing back, it would mean we've forgiven her. As her son, no one would be able to criticize him anymore. That chapter would be closed, wouldn't it?"
"Where does he get the confidence that you would forgive him?!""Probably in his eyes, I'm just that easy to talk to." Hua Zhi smiled, pleased that others saw her as so pure and kind-hearted.
Shaoyao rolled her eyes dramatically. No matter how easygoing Hua Hua might be, she certainly wasn't lenient toward those who offended her. Did they think Hua Hua was stupid?
"So what do you plan to do? Maybe..."
"Don't you dare entertain that idea!" Hua Zhi glared at her, torn between amusement and exasperation. Before the news of Hua Jing's divorce spread, the biggest scandal in the capital had been Chen Zhi getting ambushed, beaten up, and doused in feces. Rumor had it his face was so swollen and bruised that he was unrecognizable. Despite scrubbing his skin raw in the freezing cold, the stench still clung to him.
The moment Hua Zhi heard about it, she knew trouble was coming. When Shaoyao came to claim credit, Hua Zhi couldn't even describe how she felt at that moment.
After Chen Zhi and Yu Zhengyao's affair came to light, the Hua family had held the moral high ground. Everyone condemned those two as scoundrels. But once Chen Zhi was beaten up, even though the Hua household was now full of women, they became the prime suspects. Couldn't they have hired someone else to do it? Although Old Master Hua didn't quite have disciples everywhere, he certainly had enough influence to summon help with a single call.
This foolish girl had single-handedly ruined their favorable position, and still had the nerve to come seeking praise. Hua Zhi had immediately confiscated all her snacks for the day.
If Song Chenghao were to get beaten up now too, the Hua family would truly be unable to clear their name even if they jumped into the Yellow River.
Shaoyao chuckled sheepishly. But wasn't this the most straightforward approach? And so satisfying!
"We don't need to pay this any mind. The Hua family's stance has long been made clear. Let people say what they want. If we change our attitude because of others' gossip, that's when the Hua family will be looked down upon." Hua Zhi looked steadily at her. "Don't do anything. Remember that?"
"I won't, I won't. I don't even want to anyway. I took three baths after coming back and still felt dirty." Shaoyao's voice grew softer. Although she'd had others handle the dirty work, she was the one who delivered the beating, and she owned up to that.
Hua Zhi couldn't bring herself to truly blame her. Knowing Shaoyao wouldn't go after Song Chenghao again, she quickly changed the subject to prevent her from dwelling on it. "Have you found out that child's identity?"
"No." Shaoyao moved closer to Hua Hua, clinging to Hua Zhi's arm and refusing to let go.
Hua Zhi let her rumple her clothes, placing her hand over Shaoyao's. The warm body heat transferred between them, gradually calming Shaoyao's emotions.
Shaoyao leaned her head against Hua Hua's shoulder, whispering almost to herself, "There will always be some people who don't deserve to live in this world."
"Even if they don't deserve to, you shouldn't be the one to play executioner."
Shaoyao looked up at Hua Hua.
Hua Zhi smiled gently and unfolded Shaoyao's palm. From years of handling medicinal herbs, Shaoyao's hands weren't pale or delicate. They had calluses in places and were covered with fine scars. But if you just rolled up her sleeves a little, you could glimpse her snow-white jade-like skin beneath.
If not for her disfigurement, Hua Zhi believed Shaoyao would have been an extremely beautiful girl. Perhaps she might have even come from a respectable family, arranged through parental matchmaking to marry a suitable husband from an equal social standing.
Now, all that was empty talk.
So she could understand the hatred in Cao Cao's heart.
"If killing brings karmic retribution, I'd rather they die by their own hands than have it diminish your blessings."
Shaoyao bit her lip, eyes reddening as she buried herself in Hua Zhi's embrace. She would die for Hua Hua, do anything for Hua Hua—she swore it!Hua Zhi patted her head and looked up at the void. Death is an end, but for some people, that would be too merciful.
PS: Every time I see the girls answering other girls' questions in the book review section, Kongkong feels so happy. Mwah to Fengyun Leidian girl, mwah to Tiankong Hen Lan Hen Shenyuan girl, mwah to the hardworking Wang girl, mwah to all the girls who love Kongkong! We've reached 300,000 words—looking forward to long reviews!
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