PS: The latter half of the previous chapter has been rewritten. Please read it first to connect with this chapter.
Hua Zhi pretended not to see or hear anything, raising her head to gaze at the Song family's towering gate. A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips. Was this where she was supposed to hang herself? She wondered if the Song family had considered building a new gate.
"Young Miss," the maidservants whispered nervously, wishing they could surround her to shield her from prying eyes.
"It's fine," Hua Zhi replied indifferently. If she hadn't wanted to make such a spectacle, she could have chosen to come on the fifth or sixth day of the mourning period when fewer visitors would be present, avoiding this public scrutiny.
But she had chosen today deliberately. She wanted the entire city to know that Hua Jing was henceforth expelled from the Hua family, and that Hua Jing's descendants would have no further ties to the Hua family. She intended to openly sever all relations with the Song family in front of this crowd!
"Let's go."
Just as Hua Zhi was about to step forward, someone called out from behind, "Eldest Miss."
The voice sounded familiar. Turning around, Hua Zhi saw Shen Qi, with Old Madam Shen standing beside him.
Hua Zhi bowed from a distance, and Old Madam Shen gestured for her to rise.
Shen Qi regretted his impulsive call the moment it left his lips. Given their former engagement, it was inappropriate for him to address her so publicly, as it could easily invite gossip.
So, he accompanied his grandmother as they approached.
Old Madam Shen sighed inwardly. She held no ill will toward this Hua family daughter; in fact, she felt a hint of admiration. For an unmarried young woman, Hua Zhi had handled herself remarkably well.
"You look thinner. Even in mourning, you must take care of your health."
"Thank you for your concern," Hua Zhi bowed again. "I also wish you good health."
"Good, good child."
This was Shen Qi's first time seeing Hua Zhi since the Hua family's misfortune, and his first glimpse of her without her usual modesty and restraint. She stood there, composed and fearless, as if nothing could daunt her.
This Hua Zhi had almost been his, but now she would never be.
Hua Zhi suddenly looked at him, and their eyes met unexpectedly. Her gaze was so frank and resolute, it made him feel all the more unworthy. A sharp pain pierced Shen Qi's heart. Would he never again see the girl who used to tease her younger brother and snatch snacks from her maids?
"If you encounter any difficulties, send word to me. I will do everything in my power to help."
Hua Zhi curtsied but did not respond. She would never ask, and Shen Qi knew she wouldn't.
"Please go ahead, Old Madam," Hua Zhi stepped aside, allowing Old Madam Shen to enter first. Though she lowered her eyes, it did not diminish her dignity in the slightest.
Old Madam Shen sighed, patting her grandson's hand as they walked toward the Song residence. Some people, once missed, are gone forever. Even if the Shen family were willing to turn back now, it would likely be too late. Besides, the Shen family would never reconsider.
The onlookers cast subtle glances at Shen Qi. To think he had pushed away such a beauty—tsk!
The Hua family's eldest daughter truly had remarkable poise.
More eyes turned toward Hua Zhi. True beauty lies in one's bones, not just the skin. They wanted to see if Hua Zhi was truly beautiful.
Su Momo stepped forward to support Hua Zhi. "Young Miss, it's time to go."
Hua Zhi lifted her head once more to glance at the Hua family's gate, her spine straight and proud. Her slightly long cloak trailed on the ground as she walked toward the Song residence under the watchful eyes of the crowd.Arriving at the doorway, Hua Zhi paused and looked up, searching for the spot where Hua Jing had hanged herself. Just as others assumed she would offer prayers there, she walked straight inside. Only then did the Song family realize the place she had passed was precisely where Hua Jing had taken her own life.
"……" The crowd exchanged glances, sensing that the eldest daughter of the Hua family seemed different from their expectations. Wait—the eldest Hua daughter was now the head of the household! Earlier, when the second madam of the Hua family was humiliated by the Yang family, hadn’t the eldest daughter directly dispatched servants to bring her back? Could it be that she was here to seek justice for her aunt, Hua Jing?
Anticipating a spectacle, everyone quickened their steps. Such drama was not to be missed.
The funeral announcer, experienced and skilled, delivered the rites in a steady rhythm that blended seamlessly with the chanting of scriptures. Mourners approached one by one, solemnly offering incense and bowing with grave expressions. Until another announcement rang out: "The eldest daughter of the Hua family has arrived!"
Song Chenghao, who was receiving guests at the entrance, was the first to see Hua Zhi. Delighted by her presence, his eyes lingered on her striking appearance today, momentarily unable to look away. He hurried forward, his gaze fixed intently on her, and said, "Cousin, you’ve come."
Most attendees in the hall were female guests, but there were also many young gentlemen accompanying their wives or elders. Upon hearing it was the eldest Hua daughter, they recalled the rumors circulating in the capital. Finally able to see her in person, none wanted to miss the opportunity. Unfortunately, Song Chenghao stood directly facing Hua Zhi, completely blocking her face from view.
Fortunately, Hua Zhi soon moved, stepping past Song Chenghao to proceed further inside, revealing her features clearly for all to see.
Whether she was plain as salt or ethereal as a celestial being—the question was now answered. With such an icy, aloof beauty, was she not akin to a fairy maiden?
Song Chenghao froze for a moment before quickly following after her.
Approaching the funeral altar, a servant offered lit incense. Hua Zhi did not reach for it. Ying Chun immediately understood, stepping forward to accept it. Just as the crowd expected her to hand it to her mistress, she herself held the incense and bowed in reverence.
The Song family’s expressions instantly darkened. Song Zhengzu, dressed as impeccably as a groom, suppressed his anger and demanded, "Why does the Hua family insult our Song family like this?"
After three bows, Ying Chun placed the incense in the burner and retreated behind her young mistress with downcast eyes.
Only then did Hua Zhi turn to the man she had called uncle for many years, her tone calm. "They say Hua Jing hanged herself."
Song Zhengzu’s eyes flickered. "I never expected she would make such a choice. No one in the Song family mistreated her. Even the Hua family knows Hua Jing lived like a crab here—domineering."
"Are you suggesting Hua Jing grew tired of her contented life and happily went to hang a white silk rope?"
Amusing. Some nearby struggled to suppress laughter at Hua Zhi’s words. More noticed her choice of address—she hadn’t called him "uncle" but "Master Song."
Was she severing kinship ties with the Song family?
Song Zhengzu was not a patient man. Cornered and humiliated, he was on the verge of an outburst when Song Chenghao hurriedly stepped between his father and Hua Zhi, wearing a sorrowful expression. "We are also grieving Mother’s passing…"
"I see no grief in you—not in you, your father, or anyone in the Song family. What is there to grieve? After all, the Hua family has fallen, hasn’t it?"Hua Zhi lifted her chin slightly, completely shedding her pretense. "You said the Hua family used to act like crabs in the Song family—why? Because Hua Jing had the Hua family behind her. When Hua Jing married into the Song family, Old Master Song was only a fifth-rank official. Out of fear of the Hua family, you didn’t dare not indulge her. You raised such a crab that walked sideways, and now that she’s no longer useful, you can’t tolerate her anymore. If she doesn’t die, who should?"
Hua Zhi sneered coldly. "A person who was said to be so ill she couldn’t even get out of bed still managed to hang a white silk noose on the main beam of a third-rank official’s residence—quite a skill."
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