Chapter 35: Lecturing the Younger Brother
Su Momo accompanied the Eldest Miss all the way to the courtyard gate before turning back.
The Old Madam stared blankly at the canopy of the bed, her tone unreadable, "What did you notice?"
Su Momo went over and placed a cushion behind the Old Madam to make her more comfortable, speaking softly, "There is a very faint medicinal scent on the Eldest Miss. At first, this servant thought it was picked up in this room, but if it were merely that, it should have faded after she stepped outside and was exposed to the wind. However, this servant noticed the medicinal scent on the Eldest Miss has been consistent all along. The servants attending her are also excessively cautious in their movements. This servant isn’t sure if the observation is accurate, but perhaps we should send someone to the manor?"
After a moment of silence, the Old Madam shook her head and rejected the idea, "She intentionally hid it from me and from everyone in the family because she didn’t want us to worry. Let her have her way. Don’t engage in such petty maneuvers. The workshop was entirely her doing. If we send someone to her manor right after she returns, what would she think? Inform Steward Xu that no one is to go to the manor without Zhi Er’s orders. Keep an eye on things as well, and don’t let those with muddled minds do anything offensive."
"Yes."
The Old Madam let out a long sigh, looking even more dispirited. Su Momo’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly brought a cup of ginseng tea to the Old Madam’s lips, "Please drink a few more sips."
"I must drink a few more sips to nourish this body. The Hua family likely cannot afford even one funeral now."
"Old Madam…"
The Old Madam shook her head and said no more. She knew her own body well. Even with medicine as her daily sustenance, there had been little improvement. At her age, it was like this—no matter how healthy one usually was, illness was hard to withstand. Each bout of sickness was like bargaining with the King of Hell. She could only hope her name was not yet on the Book of Life and Death.
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Hua Zhi had just stepped through the moon gate when she was halted by a cry of "Elder Sister." Unconsciously, a smile spread across her face.
Hua Bolin ran over and grabbed his elder sister’s arm, his eyes sparkling, his joy overflowing.
"Elder Sister, you’ve finally returned."
"When I left, I didn’t expect to stay at the manor for so long. It’s my fault."
"Elder Sister is not at fault. It’s just that without you here, my heart never felt settled." Hua Bolin felt a pang of sorrow seeing how thin his sister had become. If it weren’t for the need to support so many members of the Hua family, why would a young lady like her have to toil outside?
Hua Zhi patted his chest and led him inside, "Is Mother doing well?"
"She’s fine. I make time to spend with her every day." Glancing around, Hua Bolin lowered his voice, "Second Aunt and Third Aunt often visit Mother’s room. Their conversations always revolve around the money they contributed, as if it’s been embezzled. They want you to return and give an account. Mother was so annoyed she said she would gather the funds to return their money. It wasn’t until Grandmother sent Su Momo to reprimand them that they finally quieted down."
Hua Zhi found it hard to imagine what her mother looked like when angered. In all her years, she had never seen that gentle woman lose her temper. She was also surprised that her mother would defend her so staunchly.The woman who had been doted on in her maiden home and protected by her husband after marriage had always maintained her innocence. Though prone to tears, her expression never carried sorrow. Her father had never allowed concubines to flaunt their status before her, and before Berlin was born, he even forbade concubines from bringing their two illegitimate children to parade before his lawful wife. He believed he would have a legitimate heir and never once suggested that the illegitimate children be placed under his wife's care.
All these details demonstrated how her father delighted in preserving her innocence. Having had a mother like Madam Xu, she too was immensely grateful for an innocent mother and devoted herself to protecting her.
"Elder Sister, don't bother with those ungrateful people..."
Hua Zhi halted and glanced up, causing Hua Bolin to swallow the rest of his words abruptly.
"Do you know why women are called gossips? Because they relish discussing others behind their backs. If the Zhang family broke one bowl, the rumor would spiral into Zhang San demolishing his entire house. If Lady Li shed a few tears of joy, it would be twisted into her being beaten by her husband for adultery. Not only the scholar's pen—words too can become sharp weapons."
Hua Zhi's gaze swept over several nearby courtyards, where prying eyes were poorly concealed. "If your mind is occupied only with such trivial matters, how can I expect you to become a man of stature who will protect the Hua family?"
Elder Sister was truly angry! It had been so long since Hua Bolin had seen her this furious that panic seized him. Instinctively, he gripped her arm tightly, afraid she would shake him off. "Elder Sister, I was wrong, I was wrong. Please don't be angry. I won't do it again. Forgive me this once."
"Whether I forgive you or not is unimportant." Hua Zhi pressed a hand to Hua Bolin's chest. "What matters is whether there is breadth and depth here. Nian Qiu."
"Your servant is here."
"Find Steward Xu. Have him rent or borrow a horse and arrange for some men to accompany Berlin to the estate."
"Elder Sister!" Hua Bolin grew frantic. "I truly know I was wrong. Don't send me away, Elder Sister, please..."
Hua Zhi's heart ached for him, but her expression remained composed. "The estate has plenty of open space for riding. Take three days to vent your frustrations. In three days, I want to see a refreshed and spirited Hua Bolin."
Hua Bolin still looked apprehensive. "You're not sending me away for good?"
"Your home is here. As long as I am here, no one can drive you out." Hua Zhi's expression softened slightly as she straightened his collar. "Don't burden yourself so much. The Hua family may have declined, but the sky hasn't fallen. Even if it does, there are taller people to hold it up for you. I can handle household matters. A man's world lies beyond—in the court. When you establish yourself there, that will be the real way to help me."
"...Yes, Berlin understands his error."
"Go now."
Not daring to disobey, Hua Bolin lowered his head and departed.
"Is the ground inscribed with the words of sages?"
He instinctively straightened his posture and held his breath until he reached the moon gate before daring to glance back. Watching his elder sister's slender figure, his nose stung with emotion.The last time he was disciplined by his elder sister was two years ago. He had feigned illness to skip school, asked his teacher for leave, and spent the entire day fooling around with the boy from the Lin family across the street. Upon returning home, his elder sister had him escorted back to his room and confined to bed for five full days, forbidden to move. His meals consisted of plain congee and simple vegetables, and each day a bowl of intensely brewed coptis water was forcibly poured down his throat. She made him play the part of a sick person to the fullest, and from then on, he never dared to lie again.
Hua Bolin wiped his eyes, overwhelmed with regret. How could he have forgotten that his elder sister never tolerated even her maids speaking out of turn? Yet he had uttered such harsh words. He had disappointed her.
There would be no next time, Hua Bolin swore to himself. He would grow into the person his elder sister hoped he would be and never let her down again.
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