Chapter 2: The Mansion on the Verge of Collapse
Bao Xia abandoned all her usual decorum and discipline, dashing back breathlessly. "Miss, they're heading this way."
Hearing the commotion drawing closer, Hua Zhi looked up. "Go back to the entrance and keep watch. This time, make sure they see you, then run back in panic."
Bao Xia swallowed hard and scurried out.
"In a moment, all of you must act frightened. Don't suppress your fear."
"...Yes."
The noise was now right at their doorstep. Bao Xia came running back, cleverly shouting as she fled, "Eldest Miss! There are officers—so many officers!"
Hua Zhi kicked over the small table laden with various jars and bottles as she stepped forward. "What officers? Why would officers come to our home?"
At that moment, the officers—only a step behind Bao Xia—strode in. The tall, armored man at the forefront raised a token in his hand. "By imperial decree, we are here to confiscate the property. Ladies, please withdraw."
These weren't ordinary officers! Hua Zhi's pupils contracted sharply—they were imperial guards!
The four maids trembled with fear but struggled to stand straight, forming a protective circle around their mistress as they warily eyed the room full of men.
The man seemed somewhat impressed by their loyalty, his tone softening slightly. "Please withdraw, lest it tarnish Miss Hua's reputation."
Hua Zhi, wearing a tense expression, nodded and began to retreat when the man suddenly called out, "Wait."
The four maids' hearts leaped into their throats.
The man pointed at Hua Zhi's head. "Leave behind all your jewelry."
Of course—this was a confiscation. The fact that they only demanded her jewelry was already lenient. She recalled one instance where an entire family, young and old, had been permitted only their undergarments when forced to leave, forbidden to take anything else.
Ying Chun removed all the jewelry she could from Hua Zhi and set it aside, then took off her own hairpins and bracelets before immediately shielding her mistress as they retreated to the courtyard.
Fu Dong's teeth chattered audibly from fear, but she mustered her courage to fetch a four-legged stool from the nearby storage room and helped Hua Zhi sit down. The four maids encircled her so tightly that not even her face was visible.
Roughly a quarter of an hour later, the men inside withdrew. The armored man glanced at their protective formation and silently praised their conduct. The servants reflect their master—the Hua family's upbringing was truly commendable. What a pity.
Once everyone had left, Bao Xia tiptoed to the door, peered out to confirm they were gone, and quickly shut it. Her legs gave way, and she slid down against the door, unable to stand after several attempts.
Nian Qiu went over to help her up. Though her own legs felt weak, now was not the time for weakness.
Back inside the room, Fu Dong covered her mouth, weeping silently at the sight of the ransacked space. The others' eyes also reddened.
This was where Hua Zhi had lived for over a decade, every corner arranged to her liking. Here, she had peacefully been the Hua family's eldest miss for fifteen years. But now, the Hua family that had sheltered her all this time was likely... a mansion on the verge of collapse.
Hua Zhi turned to go outside, worried about her tearful mother and her closest younger brother, Berlin.
"Miss, you mustn't go out now..." Ying Chun held her back. "They haven't left yet. You can't go out."
"I need to check on my mother and Berlin."
"I'll go, Miss. Let this servant go. Please wait here for news." Without waiting for Hua Zhi's consent, she wiped her face and dashed off."Bao Chun, you go to the young master's quarters, I'll head to the madam's." Nian Qiu spoke as she hurried out. Hua Zhi's lips moved slightly, but ultimately she refrained from adding to their burdens.
"Ying Chun, pack the essential items. I'm afraid we can no longer stay here." She didn't voice the more dreadful outcome—house confiscation was always accompanied by exile or execution, and female family members usually suffered worse fates. Becoming government servants would be the best outcome; with worse luck, they might be relegated to the pleasure quarters.
For a moment, Hua Zhi felt disoriented, uncertain which direction to exert effort. In this era where imperial authority reigned supreme, women held no voice. She had always abided by the rules, being a young lady who never stepped beyond the inner gates, never raising any objections even to arranged marriages decided by parental authority. She had been content with this seemingly restrictive yet stable life, desiring no changes.
But now it was no longer about what she wanted. If things truly reached that point, grandmother would give each of them a white silk cord—they would embark on the final journey together, never to be lonely.
Another commotion came from outside the door. Someone kicked it open, scoffing at the sight of Ying Chun and Fu Dong trying to hide Hua Zhi. The person announced loudly, "An imperial decree has arrived. The Hua family's eldest young lady is requested to come forward and receive the edict."
House confiscation first, then the imperial decree—Hua Zhi couldn't imagine how furious the Emperor must have been.
This was not a matter to be delayed. The mistress and her two servants quickly made their way to the front courtyard. They were already late. Hua Zhi looked up and saw her grandmother standing steadily at the front, calm and upright. Though the other Hua family members were frightened, they maintained their composure—the upbringing they had received since childhood was deeply ingrained.
When grandfather was absent, grandmother was the stabilizing pillar. As long as she remained unshaken, the Hua family wouldn't descend into chaos yet.
Hua Zhi went to her mother's side, gently holding her hand to offer support. Her mother was biting her lip hard to suppress tears. With her other hand, she pulled her younger brother Hua Bolin closer.
The madam glanced at her and squeezed her hand tightly in return. Hua Bolin instinctively pressed closer to his sister, unable to hide his fear.
"The imperial decree arrives, kneel."
From masters to servants, everyone in the Hua family knelt.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Hua Yizheng, Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, instead of sharing the Emperor's burdens, has incited conflict among the princes. He is hereby stripped of his official position, and his household property is confiscated. All male members of the Hua family over ten years old shall be exiled to the northern border. So it is decreed. Give thanks for this mercy."
"Long live the Emperor, may he reign for ten thousand years!"
Hua Zhi's tense heart relaxed slightly. Ten years old—fortunately, Bolin was still a few months shy of ten!
The decree was delivered by Lai Fu, the chief eunuch serving the Emperor. Though usually somewhat greedy for money, he was decent enough. Seeing the Hua family still appeared confused, he voluntarily explained, "The Empress Dowager intervened in time with a petition to spare you all. If the opportunity arises, you should express gratitude to Her Majesty."
Without hesitation, the grandmother bowed toward the direction of the imperial palace. The rest of the Hua family naturally followed suit, and Hua Zhi bowed with genuine gratitude.
Then the grandmother curtsied to Lai Fu. "Thank you, Eunuch Lai Fu."
Lai Fu sighed inwardly. "The Emperor has ordered that all male members of the Hua family over ten years old must depart immediately."
The Hua family matriarch took a deep breath to steady herself. Turning to look at the room full of Hua descendants, her voice slightly unsteady, she said, "Except for the third son Pingyang who is absent, all other sons and grandsons are here. Please... verify the count, Eunuch."
Lai Fu unrolled the silk scroll and checked off each name one by one. Indeed, only Hua Pingyang, the youngest son of the Hua family, was missing.
"Does the Old Madam know where Young Master Pingyang has gone?""The manor outside the city."
"Thank you for informing us, Old Madam." Lai Fu nodded to the imperial guard captain, who gestured to his subordinates. The guards moved with clear purpose toward every male member of the Hua family over ten years old.
The second son of the third branch had just turned ten and was usually quite spoiled. He now clung to his mother, refusing to let go, while Second Madam wept uncontrollably. Her crying sparked other women who had been holding back their tears to break down as well.
Old Madam Hua closed her eyes and turned away, unwilling to witness the scene before her.
Hua Zhi tightly gripped her younger brother Hua Bolin's hand, feeling an untimely sense of relief in her heart. As for the other illegitimate brother being taken away, there was nothing she could do.
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