After comforting her mother, Hua Zhi went to pay respects to each of the other elders before finally visiting Fourth Aunt.
"I calculated you'd be coming around this time," Wu Shi smiled, though her expression was complex. Knowing something and witnessing it firsthand were two different matters. Seeing those injuries last night had kept her awake—how perilous must the situation have been to inflict such wounds?
Hua Zhi leaned closer to examine her. "Ying Chun said you seemed upset. Your complexion does look rather pale."
Wu Shi rubbed her forehead. "It's embarrassing to even mention this—do you remember Hua Yan from the fourth branch?"
"I have a vague impression—tall and slender, quite good-looking, wasn't she?"
"The Hua family has no unattractive daughters." Wu Shi gazed at the young woman before her. She'd never previously considered Hua Zhi the most beautiful among the girls, but ever since she'd stopped hiding herself, no one in the family could compare. True beauty wasn't just about features—it involved bearing, presence, and most importantly, that unique, unlearnable quality of decisive courage that belonged solely to her.
Hua Zhi didn't stand on ceremony before Wu Shi, appearing somewhat relaxed. "I'll take that as a compliment then. What has this Hua Yan done?"
"Who knows when she became acquainted with that Feng family boy? Two days ago, the Feng family sent people to collect Hua Yan."
Collect? Hua Zhi straightened up. Did she mean what she thought?
Wu Shi smiled bitterly. "Yes, she's willing to become a concubine, just to enter the Feng household."
"Has she no shame? Eaten by dogs?" Hua Zhi's eyes turned cold. "I remember stating clearly that the Hua family would never resort to marrying off daughters to maintain our standing in the capital, unlike the He family!"
"No one in the fourth branch agrees. Even if Feng Changyu weren't already married, given his character, our family would never consent to such a match. But the Feng family has already visited, openly and covertly spreading rumors that the two have been improperly involved. This matter probably can't be suppressed."
"Then don't suppress it. What use is keeping someone who's turned traitor? If she insists on this path to ruin, I'll grant her wish."
"Zhi Er, whether Hua Yan comes to good or bad ends isn't our concern, but this incident will likely damage the reputation of all Hua family daughters."
Hua Zhi could imagine the consequences. However, the Feng family...
She distinctly remembered her grandfather warning her against two families—the Wei family and the Feng family. Having now sorted out the capital's power structure, she knew this Feng Changyu came from that very Feng family. She remembered him particularly because his reputation in the capital was considerable—unfortunately, entirely notorious.
"I'll go deal with this."
"I'll accompany you."
Having been weighed down by this matter all night, Wu Shi had felt utterly miserable. Seeing the eldest young lady's composure now steadied her. As they walked toward the fourth branch, she found herself discussing other matters. "Are you acquainted with the young master from the Jiang family? He came calling while you were away."
"Jiang Huanran?"
"Yes, that was the name on his card."
"I know him. We met during my southern trip—he provided some assistance. Did he state his business?"
"He didn't. When told you weren't home, he left."
Hua Zhi asked no further. Since Jiang Huanran had contributed to this seafood venture, she'd bring the Jiang family in for a share of profits, repaying his camaraderie from when they fought side by side.
Watching her unmoved expression, Wu Shi sighed inwardly. The Jiang family had good principles. If not for the heavy burden of the large Hua family, Zhi Er wouldn't have a hard life married into their household. What a pity...However, she had broken off an engagement with a family like the Shen Family so easily, so it seemed the Jiang Family truly couldn't sway her either. Wu Shi didn't know whether to feel relieved or regretful for her, only sensing a deep unease in her heart, yet she was grateful that the Hua family could now enjoy such stability.
The fourth branch didn't know Hua Zhi had returned. When Old Madam came out to greet her, her face was filled with obvious guilt.
Hua Zhi performed a proper salute. "Fourth Aunt, I'm back."
"It's good you're back, it's good you're back."
Hua Zhi took a stack of family letters from Bao Xia and handed them over. "I only returned last evening and didn't want to disturb you then."
Not just Old Madam, but all the other ladies and young misses from various households lowered their heads. They couldn't share the burdens, and now that Hua Zhi had just returned without even time to rest, she had to deal with this messy situation again. Just thinking about it made their faces burn with shame.
Facing these people who hadn't done anything wrong but were already blaming themselves, Hua Zhi couldn't muster any anger. She stepped forward to support the old lady and decided to be direct. "Where's Hua Yan?"
"Locked in her room." The old lady patted the hand supporting her and sighed deeply. "It's my fault. I thought she had nowhere else to go, and since she only visited Qin'er a few times frequently, there was no need to restrict her. I never imagined she had other plans. Zhi Er, Fourth Aunt knows you have good judgment. Don't worry about me—do what needs to be done. We can't let one rotten apple spoil the entire barrel of Hua family's unmarried young ladies."
"With your words, I know how to proceed."
Arriving at the young lady's courtyard, Hua Zhi released her hand. "You don't need to come in. I'll handle this alone."
"How can that be..."
"It's fine. I need to understand what made her abandon all sense of dignity."
What could the old lady say? She truly stopped and didn't advance further, though she showed no intention of leaving.
A servant unlocked the door and opened it, then stood aside with hands clasped.
"Not locking me up anymore? Thinking you can just..." The sneer froze on her lips, and her voice cut off abruptly. Hua Yan stared at the visitor in stunned silence for a moment before instinctively standing up.
Hua Zhi quietly observed Hua Yan, who stood half a head taller than her. The beauty of Hua family's young ladies wasn't the stunning kind but rather the comfortable sort. Being raised in such a family, literacy was fundamental. With brothers and elders all being highly educated, they naturally absorbed some scholarly refinement through constant exposure. With beauty, grace, and literary talent, the Hua family's young ladies had always been highly sought-after before the family's downfall.
And Hua Yan possessed all these qualities along with a unique, striking charm—especially now when she spoke with resentment. Though somewhat aggressive, it highlighted that captivating allure.
She certainly had some capital.
Hua Zhi reached her conclusion and gracefully sat down, gesturing for Hua Yan to sit as well.
Hua Yan, feeling pressured step by step, couldn't resist at all now. She sat at the other side of the octagonal table, keeping her gaze lowered, unsure whether she didn't dare or didn't want to look at the other.
"I heard you're willing to be Feng family's concubine, and their sedan chair has already arrived at our door."
"...Yes."
"Why?" Hua Zhi genuinely couldn't understand. The Hua family still had chances to recover. If they endured through this, she could marry properly with all the formal ceremonies. Why would she rather become a concubine?Hua Yan lifted her head, her gaze profound. "Cousin, I'm sixteen now and have already been rejected in a marriage proposal once. It will be difficult for me to marry into a good family in the future. I don't want to keep dragging on in the Hua family, nor do I want to remain an old maid for life. I don't have your capabilities—I just want a place where I can live without pressure."
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