Chapter 19: Evil Deeds at the Estate
Bao Xia fetched water and meticulously cleaned the chest, then wrapped it in clean cloth. Being more meticulous, Nian Qiu worried someone might notice something amiss. She found another chest of similar size, filled it with books from the study, and deliberately dropped it while loading it onto the carriage, scattering the books everywhere. This way, even if suspicious individuals inquired, they would assume both chests contained only books.
Hua Zhi remained silent throughout the journey to the estate.
The bright sunny sky at their departure seemed to mirror her mood, gradually being covered by dark clouds. Bao Xia grew anxious. The villa and the estate were in different directions, and it would take at least two hours to get there. She hoped they wouldn’t be caught in the rain.
Seeing that her young lady was still not in high spirits, Bao Xia lifted the carriage curtain and instructed, “Go faster.”
Hearing her voice, Hua Zhi snapped out of her thoughts. She glanced up at the sky, her concern for her family deepening. She hoped the weather where they were remained clear—neither too hot nor rainy. Even her rarely spoken-to illegitimate brothers should stay healthy and safe.
Only after the Hua family’s misfortune did she truly understand that a family is a whole entity—sharing blessings and hardships alike. Resentment was inevitable, but hatred did not arise, for they were fundamentally one.
At this time, even the illness or death of the most neglected illegitimate child would be an unbearable blow to the Hua family. The family would be incomplete, missing a piece. Yet, if the Hua family could grit their teeth and endure this trial, she believed that when they rose again, they would be more united than any other family.
As long as they could survive this ordeal.
Anyone else might show weakness, but as the head of the Hua family, she could not.
Hua Zhi lowered her gaze and gently stroked the wooden chest beside her. If she truly cared, she should focus on finding solutions rather than indulging in pointless worry and sorrow, which would do nothing to improve the situation.
The dark clouds thickened, but the group finally reached the estate just before the rain began.
The estate’s steward was the son of the Old Madam’s wet nurse. Out of nostalgia, the Old Madam had arranged for the wet nurse’s entire family to settle at this estate after the wet nurse grew old. This not only honored their bond but also provided a good livelihood for the family.
In other words, some matters had the Old Madam’s tacit approval.
In the past, Hua Zhi might have turned a blind eye, but not now—especially after witnessing the incident at the entrance with her own eyes.
“Steward Chen, many people saw your son take my sister away. I may not understand grand principles, but my family has been farming the Hua family’s land and eating the Hua family’s food all these years. I have no choice but to seek out the Hua family’s doorstep. They say the Hua family has strict rules—I want to ask whether those rules extend to the estate.”
The man speaking wore short, coarse clothing, his trouser legs unevenly rolled, and mud still clung to his feet. His face was flushed, and his neck bulged with anger. If not for the people restraining him, Hua Zhi felt he might have lunged at Steward Chen and beaten him severely.
In this strictly hierarchical world, Hua Zhi had seldom encountered people like him. Even though those managing them were merely servants, those at the very bottom rarely dared to oppose them, let alone had the courage to bypass them and appeal to the higher-ups.
Unexpectedly, Hua Zhi’s mood lightened a little. While others might see such a person as a troublemaker, in her view, with proper guidance, he could become highly capable.
“Young lady, shall I go over…” Bao Xia began.
Hua Zhi shook her head. “Just watch.”The straightforward Bao Xia was so angry she felt her nose was about to twist in fury. The Hua family was currently facing hardship, yet their subordinates not only failed to share their burdens but even caused trouble for them—all those years of eating the Hua family’s food for nothing!
Steward Chen, whose belly was so large it could rival that of a woman ten months pregnant, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his nostrils flared upward, putting on the airs of a wealthy landlord. "Nonsense! Liu Jiang, the Hua family has treated you well. Could it be that your sister ran off with someone else, and you’re trying to pin the blame on my son Chong? There’s no logic in that."
Liu Jiang clenched his fists. "If that’s the case, then I’ll go and ask the Hua family’s Old Madam to settle this dispute."
"How dare you!" Steward Chen’s shrill voice pierced the ears painfully. With a meaningful glance, he signaled several burly men to surround Liu Jiang.
Liu Jiang wore a desperate, life-risking expression. "Chen Jin, unless you beat me to death right here today, I’ll crawl all the way to the Hua family if I have to, and let them see how their watchdog is guarding their home."
Chen Jin’s face flushed crimson with rage. "Watchdog"? He had actually been called a watchdog! All sense of dignity vanished instantly. "Beat him! Beat him to death—I’ll take responsibility!"
"Who are you planning to beat to death?" Hua Zhi walked over, surrounded by her attendants, her gaze cool as she looked at Chen Jin. "You’ll take responsibility? Your very life is tied to the Hua family—how could you possibly bear the burden of someone else’s life?"
Chen Jin had met the Hua family’s eldest young lady before. Three years ago, she had stayed at the estate for a little over half a month, and her dignified bearing had left a deep impression on him. Naturally, he wasn’t the only one who remembered her.
But at this moment, he wished he had never laid eyes on her. If the eldest young lady had never come here, if no one around recognized her, wouldn’t it be more convenient for him to act?
Coincidentally, Liu Jiang was one of those who had seen Hua Zhi. Back then, when the young lady wanted to stroll around the area, it was his sister who had served as her guide. He shoved aside the men surrounding him and threw himself at Hua Zhi’s feet. "I beg the young lady to save my sister!"
"Are you certain your sister was taken by his son?"
"Absolutely. My younger sister was gathering pigweed at the time, and many people nearby saw Chen Chong take her away. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to confront Steward Chen and demand her return."
"Good that you’re certain." Hua Zhi turned to the five servants she had brought. "Wu Da, take the others and search inside."
"Yes." With Xu Ying left behind at the villa to handle affairs, Wu Da, as the leader, led the others toward the main gate.
"Young lady..." Chen Jin broke out in a sweat, blocking the entrance in an attempt to stop them. He knew his own affairs well—if they really searched, everything would be exposed.
Hua Zhi walked straight toward him. How dare Chen Jin block the young lady’s path? He retreated step by step, until he tripped over the threshold and landed flat on his back. Without so much as a glance at him, Hua Zhi walked past him.
The estate was a two-courtyard residence, with the inner courtyard reserved for the Hua family when they visited. Chen Jin and his family lived in the front courtyard. Wu Da and the others had served as guards at the main residence and had some experience in such matters. After a quick assessment, they headed toward the eastern room and kicked open the tightly shut door. The room was empty.
Wu Da pricked up his ears and heard movement in the adjacent room. As he approached, he casually picked up a large bamboo yard broom from the corridor. Signaling to his companions, he delivered a heavy kick to the door, and they rushed in swiftly.
The scene inside was far from pleasant. A short man, stripped down to his underwear, revealed a round, pale, and flabby belly—a sight that was indescribably repulsive.In the corner of the room, a disheveled little girl with torn clothes held a sharp piece of porcelain against her throat. Though trembling, her hand remained steady, braced by her other hand, refusing to lower it.
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