Hua Zhi smiled. "Do you think you won't face pressure entering the Feng family in this manner? Hua Yan, should I believe your words and call you naive, or tell you I'm not so easily deceived?"
"I'm not lying to you!"
"Although the Hua family no longer possesses its former immense wealth, since I took charge of the household, I believe I haven't treated any of you unfairly. You've received everything the daughters of the main branch have. You say you only want a place to survive... Has the Hua family made it impossible for you to survive?"
Hua Yan pressed her lips together. "I want to marry, to have children of my own. Even if the method of entering the household is disgraceful, as long as I can secure Feng Changyu's favor, what does it matter if I become a concubine?"
Hua Zhi didn't know where she found the confidence to control a man notorious for moving from one woman's bed to another, nor did she wish to argue about it. She simply asked, "Are you aware that the Feng family is the Hua family's political enemy?"
This wasn't a secret in the capital—something everyone knew—so how could Hua Yan be unaware? She lowered her head, her silence speaking volumes.
So she knew. Hua Zhi pressed further, "Before acting, did you consider that this would bring shame upon the Hua family? That it would tarnish the reputation of the Hua family's young ladies?"
Hua Yan knew; she had even acted with malicious intent to destroy that so-called reputation. Naturally, she wouldn't voice such thoughts and remained silent with her head bowed.
"Has the Hua family ever looked down on you?"
"Has the Hua family ever wronged you?"
"Has the Hua family ever forced you to do anything you disliked?"
Hua Zhi paused, watching her quietly, waiting for a response.
Unable to bear the weight of the silence, Hua Yan finally looked up and whispered two words: "They haven't."
Just as she braced for Hua Zhi's scolding, she heard instead: "In that case, the Hua family has a clear conscience. Since you're willing to become a concubine, then go ahead."
Hearing the words she most wanted to hear, Hua Yan felt inexplicably uneasy. Hua Zhi was being too accommodating today—it wasn't like her.
"Extend your right hand."
Confused, Hua Yan obediently held out her hand.
Bao Xia stepped forward and pushed up her sleeve—the chastity mark was still there.
Hua Zhi nodded and turned to instruct, "Notify the Feng family to come and collect her."
"Yes."
Overjoyed, Hua Yan grabbed Hua Zhi's hand. "Cousin, you once said that all Hua family daughters who marry... all..."
Hua Yan flushed, too ashamed to continue.
Hua Zhi understood her intention immediately. After a moment's thought, she decided it would be worth expelling this troublemaker from the Hua family for a sum of money. Still, she couldn't resist asking, "I can give you this silver for your security, but on the condition that you must sever all ties with the Hua family henceforth. No matter what happens, you may never set foot in the Hua household again. Do you agree?"
The color drained from Hua Yan's face. Her hands trembled, and she bit her lip.
Without her natal family... without her natal family...
But what help could the Hua family offer her now? None at all. Just look at Hua Qin—not only did her natal family provide no support, but she constantly took things from her husband's family to bring back. This might be tolerable briefly, but how could Hua Qin maintain her position in her husband's household if it continued long-term?
Considering this, what difference did it make whether she had a natal family or not?
Twisting her handkerchief, she lowered her gaze. "I agree."
"Very well, prepare paper and ink."
Liu Xiang went out and soon returned with a full set of writing materials, rolling up her sleeves to pour water and grind the ink.Hua Zhi picked up the brush, considered briefly, then swiftly wrote out the document. After reviewing it from start to finish, she turned it over and pushed it toward Hua Yan.
Hua Yan’s face turned deathly pale as she read it. "Cousin, are you expelling me from the family?"
"The Hua family has no debt to you, and thus no reason to continue bearing your burdens. Throughout our lineage, no daughter of the Hua family has ever become a concubine, and I will not break this tradition under my watch."
Hua Zhi’s smile was icy as she rose and walked to the doorway, turning back to look at her. "Hua Yan, you’d better take care of yourself."
The Hua family members were all gathered in the courtyard. With the door left open, they had heard every word of the conversation clearly. Hua Yan’s mother was already weeping uncontrollably, supported by her sisters-in-law to remain standing.
The Old Madam managed a strained smile. "The eldest young lady has done right. From now on, her honor or disgrace has nothing to do with the Hua family."
Hua Zhi supported the Old Madam as they walked out. "Before coming here, I already sent someone to fetch my maternal grandmother and Matron Li. Even if a daughter of the Hua family becomes a concubine, she must do so with integrity. Our family will not bear any slander."
Matron Li was quite renowned in the capital. Having been released from the Empress Dowager’s service as an experienced elder and with no family of her own, she had settled in the capital. Prominent families often sought out such figures to educate their daughters, and Matron Li was highly sought after—having been invited by the Zhu Family for three years.
Over the years, she had accumulated considerable savings and no longer took on work. To cleanse the family’s reputation, Hua Zhi had asked her grandmother to invite Matron Li.
In certain respects, such matrons held significant authority, with Matron Li being the most esteemed. Firstly, because she had served the Empress Dowager for years and received generous rewards upon leaving the palace. Secondly, due to her character: though well-versed in the dirty tricks of the inner chambers and imperial harem, she taught young ladies how to resolve such matters, adhering to a path of upright conduct. Thus, her words carried weight.
Seeing that Hua Zhi had made thorough preparations the day after her return, the Old Madam sighed again. The Hua family was fortunate to have someone so decisive and capable.
As soon as they entered the main hall, Liu Xiang hurried over and handed over the thin sheet of paper. Hua Yan had already signed it and pressed her fingerprint. Calculating the time, Hua Zhi smiled coldly—she hadn’t hesitated at all. To Hua Yan, the Hua family was likely nothing but a burden.
She motioned for Liu Xiang to pass the document to the Fourth Branch for each to examine. Those who were sad grew sadder; those who were angry grew more incensed.
Due to this disgraceful affair, the Fourth Branch members hung their heads in shame. Hua Zhi, however, acted as if she noticed nothing and began discussing matters of Yinshan Pass. Compared to these issues, Hua Yan was insignificant. Soon, the atmosphere lightened.
Wu Shi lowered her head to sip tea, hiding the corners of her upturned lips.
Not long after, the gatekeeper announced Old Madam Zhu’s arrival. Hua Zhi was the first to step forward to greet her, curtsying deeply from a distance.
The Old Madam pulled her up and tapped her forehead, feigning anger. "You mischievous girl, you return and don’t even come to see me, yet you’re already ordering me around!"
"The capable bear more responsibilities!" Hua Zhi glanced at the person behind her grandmother and, recognizing her identity from her posture alone, inclined her body slightly. "Thank you for your trouble, Matron Li."
Matron Li returned the gesture, lifting her head to take a few extra glances at this young lady known in the capital for her unconventional ways. If nothing else, her gaze was clear and upright.
By then, the Fourth Branch’s Old Madam had also come to exchange greetings. After mutual courtesies, they all entered the main hall.Hua Zhi glanced back, and Bao Xia understood her intention, turning to fetch Hua Yan. Her young mistress had such a decisive temperament—if something could be settled today, she would never delay it until tomorrow, especially when it was such a disgusting matter.
PS: Third watch. The swallowed book reviews infuriate me—my spiritual sustenance!
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