The flower hall was filled with a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
Old Madam Zhu was determined to uphold her granddaughter's dignity. She no longer worried about Zhi Er being unable to command respect, but rather feared that others would see her as a fat sheep to be fleeced relentlessly.
"Didn't you just return yesterday? I'm still rather confused myself. You asked me to invite someone, so I did, but I truly don't know the reason behind it."
Hua Zhi deliberately slowed her pace. As expected, Fourth Aunt-in-law spoke up with a ashamed expression, "This is truly a disgraceful matter that's hard to speak of. Somehow Hua Yan became acquainted with that young man from the Feng family, and now she's willing to become his concubine. When has the Hua family ever had such a thing happen? I was completely at a loss. If not for the eldest young lady's timely return and her methodical approach, I truly wouldn't know what to do."
At least she's honest, Old Madam Zhu thought, feeling somewhat relieved. Being in the same aristocratic circle in the capital, plus Feng Changyu's blatant boasting, how could she not know about this matter? It had become the laughingstock of every household during tea time. Though worried for her granddaughter, she could do nothing—even in decline, this was the Hua family's internal affair, with no room for outsiders to interfere.
Unexpectedly, Zhi Er had sent someone first thing in the morning to ask for her help. Having a role to play, she naturally wanted to handle it perfectly, though she still worried this matter might tarnish Zhi Er's reputation. After all, she was also a daughter of the Hua family, and one who appeared in public at that.
Glancing at her granddaughter, Old Madam Zhu showed just the right amount of surprise. "So now..."
The matriarch of the fourth branch looked at Hua Zhi, who took over the conversation. "For the sake of the Hua family's reputation, I wish to borrow Madam Li's good standing in the capital to verify Hua Yan's purity. I've already checked—her chastity mark is still intact. Even if she becomes a concubine, she will enter their household untouched, completely unlike what the Feng family claims."
Hua Zhi stood and bowed to Madam Li. "Please help us, Madam."
Madam Li sidestepped the bow, smiling. "If your family's young lady is indeed pure, this old woman would merely be speaking the truth and doesn't deserve your courtesy."
"Having you involved in such a matter is already the Hua family's fault," Hua Zhi said politely before sitting back down. "The Feng family's sedan chair will arrive soon. If you need to prepare anything for her, please do so now."
Though heartbroken, Hua Yan's mother—who had always cherished the flesh of her flesh—couldn't let her daughter enter the household so unprepared despite her grief and disappointment. Lowering her head, she bowed all around before covering her mouth and retreating from the room.
The old matriarch glanced around. "I'll have the young ladies return to their rooms."
"That won't be necessary. I won't allow Feng Changyu to enter." Hua Zhi looked toward the door, where Bao Xia appeared with Hua Yan.
Under the stares of resentment and anger from so many people, Hua Yan merely hung her head without saying a word.
"Hua Yan, if you don't want to enter their household bearing the reputation of improper conduct, go with Madam Li for verification."
Hua Yan blushed crimson, clutching her clothes. For a young woman, such an examination was a great humiliation, but she understood what mattered more—she couldn't enter with that reputation.
"I'll listen to Cousin."
Hua Zhi's lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Without needing further instruction, Madam Li stood up, and a maid promptly led both women to an adjacent room.The atmosphere in the room was tense, but Hua Zhi made no attempt to console anyone. She couldn't offer comfort—truth be told, she was the one in need of solace. Her body felt as heavy as if filled with lead, and though she longed to rest at home, she had no choice but to step forward and deal with this messy affair.
"Grandmother, I must trouble you to act as a witness and press your fingerprint here."
Old Madam Zhu read the document carefully, her expression shifting with surprise as she noticed the fingerprints already at the bottom. "Did she truly agree to this?"
"I gave her a way out, but she insisted on walking this path of no return." Had Hua Yan shown any hesitation upon seeing this contract, which was almost equivalent to severing ties, Hua Zhi could have found a way to smooth things over. But the other party had resolved to follow this dark road to the end, agreeing without much deliberation, and in that moment, Hua Zhi's heart turned cold.
Old Madam Zhu sighed inwardly, rolled up her sleeve, and pressed her fingerprint onto the document. Hua Yan didn't understand—a woman without her natal family was like a rootless duckweed, entirely at the mercy of her husband's household, who could mold and manipulate her as they pleased.
"Eldest Miss, someone from the Feng family has arrived."
"Close the gate and have him wait outside."
"Yes." The gatekeeper paused before adding, "Young Master Feng has brought quite a few people with him."
"Naturally, people are eager to watch a good spectacle. Pay them no mind. Have the family guards secure the premises."
"Yes."
Almost immediately, Nanny Li returned, followed by a blushing Hua Yan. The examination methods had been... truly humiliating.
Hua Zhi rose to her feet. "Nanny Li."
"As Eldest Miss said, Hua Yan remains untouched. This old woman is willing to bear witness to that."
The women of the Hua family collectively breathed a sigh of relief. To others, this might be a matter of mere words, but for them, it was a issue that would shape their entire lives.
"Thank you for being willing to wade into these troubled waters."
Nanny Li waved her hand dismissively, offering no further words. Having witnessed countless underhanded schemes, she found Hua Zhi's straightforwardness particularly refreshing.
Hua Zhi turned her gaze to Hua Yan. Even now, there was still a glimmer of expectation in her eyes. Hua Zhi wondered how much confidence Hua Yan had in herself, how highly she regarded her own worth.
Catching Bao Xia's eye, Hua Zhi signaled silently. Understanding her meaning, Bao Xia stepped forward and presented a stack of silver notes.
"These are five thousand taels in silver notes. I said every Hua family daughter would receive her share, and I won't withhold yours. Hua Yan, I wish you may achieve all you desire."
The silver notes weren't a single large denomination but a mix of large and small bills, both for Hua Yan's convenience and to ensure everyone in the room understood: this money hadn't fallen from the sky—it was earned tael by tael through her own efforts.
Hua Yan's eyes reddened. Suddenly, she felt she might have made a mistake, but the thought of returning to her former life quickly suppressed that flicker of doubt.
"Let's go. The Feng family's sedan chair has arrived."
Outside the Hua family gates, Feng Changyu stood dressed in brand-new clothes, his spirited appearance almost resembling that of a groom.
Behind him waited a simple green sedan chair carried by two bearers. There were no musicians, no wedding procession, no bridal attendant, no wedding candies—nothing. This was the treatment of a concubine. For Feng Changyu to come in person was already an exception; typically, taking a concubine involved nothing more than a green sedan chair carrying the woman through the back door.
"Hey, Brother Feng, they say this residence is rented—is that true? That Eldest Miss is truly remarkable, managing to hold the Hua family together like this.""Truly, I've heard it's the eldest young lady who's paying the rent now." Feng Changyu's eyes sparkled brightly. Those fools—how could they possibly catch a glimpse of the eldest young lady when she rarely ever went out? He was much smarter; by taking in someone from the Hua family, he would establish a connection with them. Would there be any lack of opportunities to meet her in the future? The one closest to the water gets the moonlight first!
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became, and Feng Changyu's heart burned even hotter. Staring at that tightly shut gate, he wished he could bore two holes through it with his gaze.
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