Chapter 214: The Wu Family's Name Card
Early in the morning, just as she arrived at the front courtyard, Su Momo delivered a name card.
Hua Zhi looked at the ornate signature with an ambiguous expression. "The Wu family?"
"Yes." Su Momo lowered her gaze. "It was the head steward of the Wu family who delivered the card. I met him when I served by Old Madam's side."
"How interesting." Previously, they had already shown signs of cutting ties with the Hua family, yet today they sent someone to invite her to the Wu family's tea party. She didn't believe there wasn't some scheme behind this.
"Go summon Xu Jie."
Since they were both in the front courtyard, Xu Jie arrived quickly.
"Go investigate the recent relations between the Wu family and the Yang family, especially regarding Yang Qi."
"Yes."
Watching Xu Jie hurry away, Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. "Steward Xu needs to retire with honor. Xu Jie's heart lies elsewhere, and Xu Ying is still too young. Do you have any good ideas, Su Momo?"
"Has Miss considered having Ying Chun take on the role?"
Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised that Su Momo would recommend Ying Chun. She thought this world had already defaulted to men serving as stewards in great families. "I don't want to push her into that position to haggle with a bunch of men. When her destined match comes in the future, I don't want this matter to hinder her from finding happiness."
Su Momo paused for a moment before responding, then smiled. "It's truly our blessing to serve a master like you."
"Goodness is mutual. This matter needs to be addressed quickly. Su Momo, see who might be suitable and recommend a few candidates. If you have someone in mind, speak directly. After following me these past few months, you should know there's no need for concealment here."
"Yes, this old servant understands."
Looking down at the name card, Hua Zhi smiled. "I really must attend this event. Liu Xiang, deliver this to the Fourth Madam."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi took out her own name card and wrote with a brush: Zhi will attend as scheduled.
"Is the Wu family's representative still here?"
"Yes, waiting for a reply."
"Give this to him."
"Yes." Su Momo received it with both hands, her eyes showing concealed worry as she looked at her young mistress. From the young mistress's meaning, the Wu family's move was likely related to the Yang family. The hostility between the Hua and Yang families was almost openly acknowledged, yet the Wu family had openly aligned themselves with the Yang faction. How would the young mistress and the Fourth Madam get along in the future?
That Wu family was truly detestable! Knowing full well about the conflict between the two families, they still sent this invitation—what were their intentions? Too bullying!
Hua Zhi stood and walked out of the courtyard, approaching the clan school. The faint sound of reading gradually eased her unsettled irritation. She understood the principle of everyone kicking a man when he's down—she had heard of it, even witnessed it—but when had she ever admitted that the Hua family's walls had collapsed?
To be so eager to take sides, so eager to turn against the Hua family! Even Yang Zheng knew to use a fig leaf to conceal his actions, but the Wu family—how admirable, truly admirable!
"Zhi Er."
Perhaps because Hua Zhi's expression was too cold, Wu Shi stopped several steps away. All her sorrow and heartache had turned into uncertainty. She was already a married daughter discarded by the Wu family. If she lost the recognition of the household head in her husband's family, how would she establish herself in the Hua family? How would her children survive in the Hua household?Hua Zhi turned to face her, her heart softening at the sight. In this world, women like Hua Jing who showed no mercy to their maternal families were rare. Most, like Fourth Aunt, viewed their natal homes as their final refuge, yet they were often the first to be abandoned.
When she handed the invitation to Fourth Aunt, Hua Zhi knew it would cause her distress, but she proceeded nonetheless. She had to sever all of Fourth Aunt’s lingering attachments to her family. For the grand scheme Hua Zhi was orchestrating, this was a minor but significant risk. She didn’t want the Wu family, seeing potential gains, to pressure Fourth Aunt for a share when the situation ripened. By then, Fourth Aunt might not have the heart to refuse. It was better to administer a strong dose of medicine now to prevent future troubles.
“Does Fourth Aunt think I should go?”
“You mustn’t go.” Wu Shi’s face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed. She didn’t understand why her family had invited Zhi Er, but sending an invitation despite knowing Zhi Er was in mourning—and after previously acting as if they wanted to cut ties with her and the Hua family—only to suddenly extend an invitation now, made her suspect there was more to it.
“I’ll go myself! I’ll ask them what they’re really up to!”
“At the cost of yourself? Fourth Aunt, you’ll be disappointed.” Hua Zhi guided her toward her own courtyard, noticing for the first time that Fourth Aunt was trembling slightly.
Perhaps her medicine had been too strong.
“Zhi Er…”
“Fourth Aunt, I don’t blame you. What does this have to do with you? They’re simply taking advantage of the Hua family’s vulnerability.”
Wu Shi nearly burst into tears.
Helping her sit, Hua Zhi brewed her a cup of floral tea. “Fourth Aunt, do you know how I obtained the divorce agreement?”
Wu Shi was taken aback and shook her head. Not only was she curious, but everyone in the inner courtyard wondered how the young lady had managed it. The Yang family wasn’t easy to deal with—they had beaten her sister-in-law severely, and she had stayed at her maternal home for so long without anyone coming to mediate.
“I beat Yang Qi into submission and forced him to write it.”
Wu Shi gasped, covering her mouth instinctively. She glanced nervously toward the door, relieved to see Bao Xia standing guard outside, and whispered urgently, “How… how did it happen? How did it come to that?”
“Such a perfect tool to restrain the Hua family—why would they let it go easily? I met with Yang Zheng. He said, ‘Better to destroy ten temples than break one marriage,’ but he was really just waiting for the Hua family to offer a price he could accept. How could I let him have his way? The Hua family has so little left—did he think I’d hand it over willingly? In his dreams!”
Hua Zhi lifted her chin slightly, her pride radiating. What was hers, she would rather destroy than surrender to others!
But Wu Shi grew anxious. “How could you be so impulsive? Yang Qi stirs up trouble even without cause. If you injured him, won’t he seek revenge? This won’t do. Go to the Zhu family, quickly! Ask your grandfather to help smooth this over. We can’t let your reputation be ruined.”
Touched by her concern, Hua Zhi held her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I left no evidence. Even if he spins wild tales, no one will believe him.”
“But you said you beat him…”
“I did, but I left no marks. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise. Do you really think I’m so reckless in my actions?”"Indeed, if Zhi Er were the type to act impulsively, how could she bear the weight of such a large family?" Wu Shi smiled bitterly. "Such actions are truly too bold." She tapped Hua Zhi's forehead lightly. "No other young lady has courage like yours."
Hua Zhi merely smiled.
"So the Yang family just swallowed their anger?"
"I sent Xu Jie to investigate. If my guess is correct, this feast at the Wu family is likely related to the Yang family."
Wu Shi was startled. So that was it—the Wu and Yang families had joined forces. Both were marriage allies of the Hua family, yet they united against them. How... conscientious of them.
PS: 39.4°C.
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