Yang Suian was on his ten-day break today and had just returned from the academy to pay respects to his mother.
Hua Xian had gained some weight during these days of recuperation. Her smile was gentle and serene, so lovely it was as if she had never experienced any hardship, and she looked much younger.
Yang Suian was in the midst of a growth spurt and appeared even thinner. After finishing the Bone Soup his mother had prepared, he said softly, "Cousin has assigned someone new to me. Please don’t worry—Cousin means nothing by it. She just has that person bring me some food and drinks daily, saying that during this growing phase, I shouldn’t lack these nutrients. My cousin and I both receive the same portions."
As he spoke, warmth filled Yang Suian’s eyes. Not only was he never short of food or drink, but his cousin had even noticed his growth spurt earlier than he or his mother had. She immediately had new clothes tailored for him and even prepared several extra sets in larger sizes, ready for use at any time.
Life after leaving the Yang family had turned out far better than he had expected. None of the hardships he had once imagined had befallen him or his mother.
Hua Xian turned her head and gently wiped the corner of her eye, then patted her son’s hand. "We must remember all of this."
"Yes, Mother, I understand."
A maid tiptoed in to report, "Second Aunt, the Eldest Young Miss has sent someone to invite you to the West Courtyard."
To the West Courtyard? Hua Xian instinctively tightened her grip on her son’s hand, frightened by such a sudden invitation.
Yang Suian reassuringly squeezed his mother’s hand and looked up to ask the maid, "Did they say what it was about?"
"They didn’t specify, but I heard from Chunxiang, who came to notify us, that not only has Second Aunt been invited, but also the Fourth Branch’s Madam and three other Aunt Madams."
"Understood. Go find a formal outfit for my mother and help her change into it."
"Yes."
"An’er…"
"It’s fine, Mother. This is a good thing. Cousin must have invited so many people to discuss matters." Yang Suian smiled reassuringly. His cousin’s words and actions all indicated that she regarded them as part of the Hua family, truly fulfilling her initial promise. How fortunate he and his mother were.
Hua Xian gradually calmed down but still felt somewhat uneasy. "Maybe we should send someone to decline the Eldest Young Miss’s invitation. I’m not one with many ideas—listening or not listening wouldn’t make much difference."
"Mother, you must go. Cousin has made her stance clear, and you must accept it. You don’t need to contribute any ideas—just sit and listen. That way, you’ll truly be a member of the Hua family."
Her son’s final words moved Hua Xian. She wanted to be part of the Hua family, hoping that after her death, she could be buried in the Hua ancestral graves, even if it was just in a small corner.
"I’ll go."
Yang Suian helped her stand. "Change your clothes, and I’ll escort you there."
By the time Hua Xian arrived, almost everyone else was already present. They hadn’t expected her to come, and for a moment, they were surprised to see her. Wu Shi was the first to react, quickly stepping forward to take her hand. "No wonder you’re the last to arrive, Sister-in-law. I’d forgotten today is the end of the ten-day period. Has Suian grown taller again?"
Wu Shi’s words eased some of Hua Xian’s nervousness. Seeing that her son remained silent, she hurriedly replied, "I think he has grown a bit. If it weren’t for the Eldest Young Miss’s thoughtfulness in having longer clothes tailored for him, he might have been laughed at by his classmates."
As his mother responded as he had anticipated, Yang Suian chimed in, "At night, I even feel my bones creaking. I suppose I might grow a bit more."After finishing his words, Yang Suian then bowed respectfully to the elders in the room, neither arrogant nor humble, conducting himself appropriately. Even the aunts who had previously felt Hua Zhi was too favorable to the Yang family boy secretly nodded in approval—he was indeed an unobjectionable child.
"Everyone is here." Hua Zhi entered from outside and immediately rested her gaze on Yang Suian upon seeing him. "Suian is back."
Yang Suian promptly bowed in greeting. "Yes, cousin, I just returned."
"If you're not busy, you might as well stay and listen."
Yang Suian glanced at the room full of female relatives and shook his head slightly. "Is my younger cousin in a lesson? I'd like to go see him."
"Very well. If you're willing, you could also take over for him. You're older than him and have a solid foundation—consider it reviewing the old to learn the new. You could also attend Mr. Mu's class; he's no worse than the teachers you had at the academy."
"Yes." Yang Suian gave his mother a reassuring look before leaving.
Hua Zhi found his tendency to treat his mother like a daughter somewhat amusing, but more than that, it made her reflective. If Suian weren't such a filial person, she wouldn't have accepted him as part of the Hua family.
After bowing to the elders, Hua Zhi took her seat at the head of the table and got straight to the point without preamble. "I've called everyone here to discuss a business matter."
The news of Hua Zhi purchasing a small building on Zhuangyuan Street had already spread throughout the Hua family. Hearing her mention it, everyone perked up, especially the three aunts, who looked at Hua Zhi with burning eyes, each wondering if the eldest young lady intended to give the branch families a share.
"The Hua family still has a manor east of the city—I believe everyone is aware of it."
The crowd showed surprise. Third Aunt couldn't help voicing her confusion, "But isn't it Zhuangyuan Street..."
As soon as she spoke, Third Aunt blushed and hurriedly explained, "I'm not coveting that place, or rather, I mean..."
The more she explained, the more tangled her words became, until she wished the ground would swallow her up.
Hua Zhi smiled faintly. "That shop must be managed by me alone. If I say too much now, you might not believe me, but you'll understand in time. What I want to discuss is another manor outside the city. I've had people making preparations there since after the New Year. Now that the weather is gradually warming up, it's the perfect time to get busy."
Fourth Aunt spoke on behalf of the three families, "Does the eldest young lady intend to include all our families in this new venture?"
"Exactly so. We share the same surname Hua—we are one family. We should share both prosperity and hardship. Now that our branch is gradually stabilizing, it's only right that we don't forget you."
Fourth Aunt's eyes reddened slightly. "The eldest young lady's way of handling matters commands my respect. Just tell us what you need us to do."
"How dare I give orders to three elders who are two generations my senior? I merely hope our families can join forces, unite as one, so that anyone who tries to take a bite out of the Hua family will break their teeth. They won't be able to bully us in the slightest."
"If we can achieve that, I'd be willing to break these old bones of mine," Third Aunt declared, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the armrests. "The eldest young lady may not know this, but among the four daughters from our three families who were engaged, three have had their betrothals broken."
"What about the fourth? Is it temporarily not broken off, or is there another reason?""The one betrothed is the eldest grandson of my maternal brother. He sent someone to relay the message, telling our girl to set her mind at ease and prepare to be a bride, for the wedding will proceed as scheduled." Fourth Aunt spoke with a smile. Among the sisters-in-law, her maternal family had taken the clearest stance, and she had every reason to be proud.
Hua Zhi readily agreed, "Rest assured, cousin’s dowry will certainly not be meager."
Fourth Aunt’s eyes immediately lit up. The eldest daughter of the Hua family had one money-making method after another—with her support, she wouldn’t have to scrape the bottom of her family’s coffers to put together a dowry!
It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered asking the main branch for help, but aid should address emergencies, not poverty. Hua Zhi also had to consider how to handle others who might come seeking help afterward. She hadn’t been confident that Hua Zhi would extend a hand, but now it seemed she had underestimated her.
PS: Do any of you ladies understand the agony of wanting to sneeze but not being able to? It’s been tormenting Kongkong all day!
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