"I heard the Qiu family has rented a shopfront to start a food business."
Qiu Shi's sobbing abruptly stopped, a vague sense of foreboding already stirring in her heart.
Hua Zhi met her gaze and smiled, "Bao Xia, bring those recipes to Fu Dong. Have her refine them before sending them to Lilai Lane. They can be offered as complimentary gifts during the grand opening—customers will receive one free portion with every two food items purchased."
"..." Qiu Shi was stunned. If this were to happen... if this were to happen, what had she gained from all her efforts besides dragging her maternal family into this mess?
Steward Xu signaled the maids to bind her. Qiu Shi offered no resistance, allowing herself to be pushed out of the main hall. Suddenly, she recalled her cautious self when she first entered the Hua household—how the master had doted on her, how the mistress, though disliking her, had pretended not to see her and never withheld what was due. The Hua family upheld proper decorum; the legitimate children always respectfully addressed her as Aunt Qiu. How joyful those days had been.
Aunt Qiu lifted her head to gaze at the clear, bright sky. If only she had a child to rely on... If only her brother and sister-in-law hadn't persuaded her so insistently... If only... if only the master were by her side...
Qiu Shi suddenly burst into laughter—sharp yet filled with sorrow.
At that moment, the entire Hua household seemed to fall silent except for Qiu Shi's laughter. The fact that someone who had lived under the same roof for years could meet such an end stirred a sense of shared sorrow among the other concubines of the Hua family.
"I hope there won't be a next time like this. Everyone may leave." Hua Zhi rose and walked out. Pausing briefly at the sight of Ying Chun and Nian Qiu kneeling outside the door, she didn't let the matter slide just because they were her trusted aides. "You'll forfeit six months' monthly allowance. If there's a next time, you won't need to follow me anymore."
Their eyes reddened as they acknowledged the punishment.
As the sounds from outside faded and footsteps receded into the distance, the people in the room exchanged glances, their hearts filled with awe for Hua Zhi. No one thought her actions were wrong, yet they found her too severe, making it hard to feel close to her.
Hua Bolin understood the situation clearly. He wanted to follow his elder sister, but Yang Suian, standing beside him, held him back firmly, shaking his head reassuringly and nudging him toward the mistress.
Understanding his cousin's intention, Hua Bolin gritted his teeth secretly and stepped forward to help his mother up, leading her out. Yang Suian went to support his own mother, and the two women assisted the third concubine grandmother as they left. The others gradually dispersed as well.
Emerging from his mother's courtyard, Yang Suan wasn't surprised to find his cousin waiting outside. Dismissing the servants, the two strolled onto the covered corridor.
"Earlier, I stopped you from—"
"I know," Hua Bolin interrupted his cousin, sounding disheartened. "I understand what you meant. But cousin, don't you think this is too hurtful for Elder Sister? Who is she doing all this for? She's been rushing about outside for so long, and upon returning, she didn't even have time to rest before having to deal with this mess. Now they suddenly feel sympathy for Qiu Shi? But Qiu Shi was the one who did wrong—shouldn't she face the consequences? As the head of the household, should Elder Sister just let this go lightly and wait for it to happen again, and again, countless times in the future?"
"I know you feel for Elder Sister, but don't you think it's good for her to maintain such an authoritative image in the Hua family?"Hua Bolin was taken aback. He hadn't considered things from this perspective. He simply felt those people were utterly ungrateful—enjoying Elder Sister's protection yet accusing her of being heartless, even fearing her for it. What kind of logic was that in this world!
Yang Suian leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, his phoenix eyes—so resembling Hua Xian's—filled with cold mockery. "If not for Elder Sister's swift and decisive methods, this matter would have been like opening a floodgate. The Hua family would have to guard against thieves every single day from now on. It's precisely because Elder Sister acted this way that she extinguished any potential thoughts of taking chances that might have arisen in those people awakened by Qiu Shi. Haven't you noticed? Elder Sister has never been fond of managing internal household affairs and has always maintained distance from the various branches. Given that, what does it matter if people fear her a little? Would you or I distance ourselves from her because of that? Have any of our younger brothers disliked or distanced themselves from her?"
No, everyone adored Elder Sister beyond measure, constantly wishing to impress her in hopes of earning a word or two of praise. Hua Bolin had come around to this understanding, yet he still felt somewhat displeased.
Yang Suian understood his slight resentment. Truth be told, he also felt some people were simply ungrateful. Without Elder Sister, where would their peace and stability come from? Just look at the He family, look at the Zhen family—hadn't they all fallen apart after losing the men who supported their households?
"Cousin."
Yang Suian turned to look at his cousin, whose face was clouded with hesitation as he struggled to speak.
"Elder Sister carries the scent of medicine."
Yang Suian's heart skipped a beat, his body tensing. After a moment's recollection, he shook his head. "Although Elder Sister has grown thinner, she shows no signs of illness. She doesn't appear to be sick."
Hua Bolin gazed at the Hua family residence, seemingly as peaceful as ever. "I know Elder Sister was injured before. Back then, she had originally gone to the estate for just a few days but ended up staying over a month. Later, when I made a mistake and was punished by being sent to the estate, I accidentally learned from the servants that intruders had broken in. Elder Sister was injured, and from what they implied, she knows some self-defense skill. It was Elder Sister who held off the intruders, buying time for everyone to escape. Elder Sister imposed a gag order, so I pretended not to know and never mentioned it to anyone. This time, Elder Sister returned later than expected, and the medicine scent on her is exactly the same as when she was injured before."
Yang Suian couldn't help but pace back and forth. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "That's right—Little Six! Little Six went with Elder Sister. Let's ask him."
Hua Bolin jumped up. "Yes, Little Six! How could I forget him? But he's probably returned to his own home by now. When he comes back, we'll ask him. He wouldn't dare not tell us!"
The two brothers exchanged glances, then deflated somewhat. Even if they found out, what could they do? They still couldn't be of any help.
Hua Bolin rubbed his face vigorously. "Let's go back to our rooms and study."
"Alright, let's go."
Meanwhile, Hua Zhi paid no mind to the two people waiting to apologize to her, first enjoying a thorough bath. Since her injury, she hadn't been able to bathe properly and felt she was starting to develop an odor.
"Splash!"
Liu Xiang emerged from behind the screen carrying clothes, looking at her mistress who had stood up. "Mistress?"
Hua Zhi sat back down, frowning slightly. "Did you notice the scent of medicine on me before?"
Liu Xiang's gaze dropped to the pink scar visible on her mistress's shoulder. "Yes, I did."
"Was it very noticeable?"
"One could smell it when standing close."Sure enough, Hua Zhi scooped a handful of water and poured it over her head. What was wrong with her today? How could she have failed to consider this? Since returning home, many people had been near her—Mother, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, Berlin...
However, none of the interactions lasted long, and the medicinal scent of the ointment Shaoyao had prepared for her was very faint. Was it possible it hadn’t been noticed?
Her desire to soak in the bath vanished. Hua Zhi stepped out of the tub. "Apply the medicine."
Bao Xia was off attending to something, and the other two were still kneeling outside. Liu Xiang’s hands trembled as she gently sprinkled the medicinal powder over the wound, spreading it evenly before wrapping it with soft cloth. She couldn’t help but recall that night at the estate. This was already the second time—may the ancestors of the Hua family protect her young mistress and ensure there would be no next time.
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