After helping her mother sit down, Hua Zhi exchanged greetings with Fourth Aunt.
Wu Shi helped her up, inwardly sighing at the sight of her niece who had grown yet another size thinner. Moreover, standing this close, she could distinctly smell the scent of medicine on her...
Meeting her elder sister-in-law's gaze, she understood—her elder sister-in-law had likely noticed it too. But knowing that Zhi Er didn't want her to know, she pretended to be unaware.
"It was just catching a mouse, hardly worth rushing over to handle without even catching your breath."
Hua Zhi couldn't admit she had been frightened and had come over without thinking twice.
By this time, Bao Xia had brought several plates of pastries from the kitchen. Her young lady had been having a tough time these past few days.
Hua Zhi ate one piece to suppress the gnawing hunger inside her. She didn't want to appear too eager, as that would make her family think she wasn't doing well outside.
"Did Concubine Qiu say anything?"
"She begged me to let her go." Xia Shi pushed the plate of pastries closer to Zhi Er. "She claimed she only did it because the family was in trouble and needed money. That excuse doesn't hold up. No matter the reason, stealing is wrong. The Hua family cannot set such a precedent."
Hua Zhi glanced at the plate of pastries, resisting the urge to reach for another. Turning around, she instructed, "Notify everyone in the household to gather in the main hall within a quarter of an hour."
The stewardess of the third branch immediately assembled the maids to deliver the message to each household.
Hua Zhi stood up and helped her mother to her feet. "Third Aunt, please bring Qiu Shi along. After all, she belongs to Third Uncle—grant her the dignity she deserves."
Although Xia Shi didn't know how the young lady planned to deal with Qiu Shi, she understood the implication. No matter what, Qiu Shi was part of the third branch. If Qiu Shi lost face, the third branch would be disgraced as well.
The news of Hua Zhi's return spread throughout the Hua family in this manner. In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone, young and old, had assembled. Hua Bolin arrived almost at a run. Spotting his sister, he rushed forward without a second thought. "Elder Sister!"
"Where have your manners gone?" Hua Zhi lightly tapped his forehead, though her eyes were full of laughter.
Hua Bolin pouted. "Why were you gone so long? I've been waiting so eagerly my neck has grown longer."
"I had to settle matters properly before I could return." Hua Zhi gently nudged her brother. Understanding her meaning, Berlin retreated to his place.
After bowing to the elders and receiving salutations from the younger generation, Hua Zhi turned to Third Aunt. "Bring Qiu Shi forward."
Everyone had anticipated this. The only matter urgent enough to make the newly returned young lady act without resting was this one.
Qiu Shi had once been the most favored concubine of the third branch—young, beautiful, with a round face that retained its fullness. If she had remained in a life of luxury, she wouldn't have lost her looks even as she aged.
Now, she was dragged in by two stout maids. Though her clothes were tidy and her hair neatly arranged, her evasive eyes and panicked expression showed none of her former charm.
Seeing Hua Zhi, she broke free from the maids' grip, hurried forward, and threw herself to the ground with a thud. Trembling, she pleaded for mercy, "Young Lady, I know I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong. Please spare me for the master's sake. Don't you remember? I once made clothes for you and the Sixth Young Master. Even if... even if it's for the sake of my past sincerity toward every member of the Hua family, please let me go. I'll never dare again, Young Lady, Young Lady..."Hua Zhi remembered clearly. Qiu Shi had entered the Hua family at just seventeen—shy and timid, always lowering her head when speaking to others. Her embroidery skills were exceptional. Not only had she gifted items to Hua Zhi and Berlin, but all the other siblings in the household had received her handiwork too. Almost no one in the Hua family bore ill will toward this concubine, who, though favored, never provoked dislike.
Yet she was the first to buckle under pressure. When Hua Zhi learned Qiu Shi was the one involved, she was genuinely surprised. She signaled the matrons to help Qiu Shi up and had a maid bring a chair for her to sit. This gesture sparked a flicker of hope in Qiu Shi’s heart.
But Xia Shi frowned and opened her mouth to speak. Wu Shi, seated beside her, tugged at her sleeve and shook her head.
“The Hua family may not be as prosperous as before, but let me ask you, Concubine Qiu: Has the family subjected you to hardship over the past year?”
Qiu Shi bit her lip and shook her head slightly. It was the truth. Even during the most difficult times, neither Old Madam nor Hua Zhi, who later took charge, had ever laid a hand on their private savings.
“Let me ask you another question: Has Third Aunt mistreated you in Third Uncle’s absence?”
Qiu Shi lowered her head. She couldn’t bring herself to claim that her mistress had treated them poorly. In fact, over the past year, her mistress had been even more lenient toward them compared to when the master was present.
“Has the Hua family wronged you in any way?”
“Have the Hua descendants disrespected you because you are a concubine or because you have no children of your own?”
“Have any servants in the Hua family harbored impure thoughts toward you?”
Qiu Shi kept her head down, silent, her hands tightly clasped and twisting restlessly.
“You show compassion for your natal family, yet you tarnish the Hua family’s reputation. Qiu Shi, do you know that in all its history, the Hua family has never harbored a thief? What did the Qiu family promise you? To let you return home as a respected married daughter managing their household? Or to find you another advantageous marriage?”
Qiu Shi jerked her head up, her face filled with panic.
Hua Zhi smiled. “What have I done to make you think I’m soft-hearted? Did you believe that a mere plea would make me overlook this?”
Qiu Shi could no longer remain seated. Her legs gave way, and she knelt again. “Elder Sister…”
“Everyone must face the consequences of their actions. Steward Xu, send Qiu Shi to the authorities.”
To the authorities? Wouldn’t that expose the family’s shame?
Xia Shi weighed her words carefully. “If we make such a public spectacle, I fear the Hua family will become the talk of the capital again. Is that advisable?”
“Qiu Shi likely thought the same—that the Hua family values face and would never publicize this. Since I took charge, I’ve rarely used strict rules to discipline people. She probably assumed she’d only suffer a little before returning to the Qiu family, where she’d live well as their meritorious minister.” Hua Zhi looked at Qiu Shi, whose eyes widened in shock, and smiled. “Am I right?”
Everyone exchanged glances, and no one voiced any further objections.
“The wrongdoer doesn’t bear the Hua name. I see no shame in this. Steward Xu, present my name card and request the Prefect to punish the thief severely.”
“Elder Sister!” Qiu Shi awoke as if from a dream. The elder sister wasn’t bluffing—she truly intended to report this to the authorities! How could she? Once the case went to court, what chance did she have? Even if she survived and returned home, how could the Qiu family accept a daughter with a criminal record? No, this couldn’t happen!
Qiu Shi scrambled forward on her knees. Hua Bolin, who had been guarding against this, immediately stepped in front of his elder sister. The sturdy matron, a step too slow, caught up and pressed Qiu Shi firmly to the ground.Qiu Shi struggled but couldn't break free, desperately lifting her head to look at Hua Zhi. Having abandoned all her previous schemes, her face was now covered in tears. "Eldest Miss, please spare me for having served the master for three years. Spare me! I'll become a servant, work like an ox or horse for the Hua family, do whatever you command. Eldest Miss, Eldest Miss..."
Some had already turned away, unable to bear the sight. Hua Zhi had no desire to torment a woman, yet this matter couldn't be resolved peacefully. If she couldn't kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, this would only be the beginning, and the Hua family would know no peace.
OpenNovel