Chapter 354: Facilitating a Happy Union
As if granting his wish, the main gate slowly opened, revealing the face that had haunted his dreams—Hua Zhi. He unconsciously took two steps forward.
Meanwhile, the young nobles behind him who had come to spectate exchanged bewildered glances. The Hua family had already been disgraced by having a concubine in their ranks, yet Hua Zhi herself was personally seeing her off? Given her previously demonstrated temperament, she didn’t seem like someone who would be so accommodating!
Hua Zhi hadn’t allowed anyone else to intervene. Accompanying her were only her personal maid, Hua Yan, and Matron Li, who was present as a witness.
Impatient at heart, she handled matters with even more blunt directness.
“I’ve heard that a daughter of the Hua family admires Young Master Feng’s talent so deeply that she would rather become a concubine to facilitate this happy union.”
Feng Changyu genuinely thought Hua Zhi was praising him and instinctively puffed out his chest. Those behind him stifled their laughter—talent? Feng Changyu had talent? Ha! Talent for bedding women, perhaps? Was the young lady’s remark actually sarcasm?!
“I have a heart that delights in facilitating happy unions and would never stand in the way of lovers. However, the Hua family cannot bear certain slanders. Matron Li, if you please.”
Matron Li stepped forward, her voice soft yet impossible to ignore. “This old woman has just verified that Hua Yan is a virgin. I am willing to stake my reputation on it.”
Hua Zhi inclined her head slightly toward Matron Li, but her gaze on Feng Changyu was far from courteous. “I don’t know where those unpleasant rumors originated, but you, Young Master Feng, should know the truth best.”
Feng Changyu, whose mind had long deserted him, immediately declared, “Of course! Hua Yan and I have behaved with propriety, never overstepping bounds.”
“Knowing that you hold Hua Yan in such high regard puts my mind at ease. Even though she will have no maternal home to return to, I trust she will receive some care from you in the Feng family. After all, not many would abandon their family and willingly become a concubine for your sake.”
Something about this sounded off. Feng Changyu might lack wits, but the others hadn’t lost theirs. Someone asked, “Might I ask what the young lady means by that?”
Hua Zhi produced the contract. “From today onward, Hua Yan has no further ties to the Hua family. This contract serves as proof. She consented to it herself, with the Old Madam of the Zhu family as witness.”
Feng Changyu’s face paled dramatically. His ultimate goal had never been merely taking a concubine!
“But young lady, you said you wanted to facilitate a happy union…”
“And I have.” Hua Zhi’s lips curved into a smile. “But the Hua family has its rules. This is the price she must pay. The Hua family does not have daughters who become concubines. I trust you will cherish Hua Yan all the more, since she no longer has a family to rely on.”
“…” Bred in an aristocratic family, Feng Changyu finally grasped Hua Zhi’s scheme. She had first made him publicly affirm Hua Yan’s purity, indirectly clearing the Hua family’s name. Then, by expelling Hua Yan, she made the family’s stance clear. Moreover, she had trapped him with her words—no matter how he grew to dislike Hua Yan in the future, he could not mistreat her, for she had given up her family for him.
But this was completely contrary to his aims! What he had always wanted was not Hua Yan, but Hua Zhi herself!
“Hua Yan, go on. We won’t see you off.” Hua Zhi’s cold smile was dazzlingly beautiful. The young nobles stole glances, torn between their inability to look away and their fear of drawing her attention, lest she mistake them for allies of those bullying the Hua family.
At that moment, they desperately wished to dissociate themselves from Feng Changyu.His gaze inadvertently fell upon Hua Yan. Whether from grievance or resentment, her face was flushed with a stubborn expression that actually carried a hint of Hua Zhi's aura!
The same thought simultaneously crossed their minds: Had Feng Changyu been attracted to this aspect of Hua Yan? But that couldn't be right—if he truly fancied her, why did he now wear the expression of someone who had tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice?
Wait!
Tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice? Could this fellow have been plotting that? The person who suggested this must have had a grudge against Feng Changyu. Given the eldest young lady's temperament, if he actually managed to pair up with a Hua family daughter, would he dare to flirt with her? And even more so, expect her to become a concubine!
Exchanging glances, they unanimously took a step back, distancing themselves from Feng Changyu. While they dearly wished for the eldest young lady to notice them, it absolutely couldn't be under such circumstances.
Accompanied only by her personal maid, Hua Yan carried her bundle and endured the humiliation as she entered the sedan chair herself. Watching coldly, Hua Zhi felt no sympathy for the maid. Some matters couldn't have been accomplished by Hua Yan alone—had the maid reported this from the beginning, things would never have reached this point.
"Eldest Young Lady, I..."
Unwilling to accept this outcome, Feng Changyu tried to persist, but Hua Zhi had already turned and entered the house. The door slammed shut with a bang, showing not even the patience to hear him out.
Hearing the noise, Hua Yan lifted the curtain to look at the closed gate. An inexplicable sorrow washed over her—there was no longer a place for her in the Hua family.
"Stop your crying. If you don't want to come with me, then go back," Feng Changyu snapped, already furious and further irritated by Hua Yan's appearance.
With Hua Zhi gone, the previously timid noble sons immediately became lively. One approached and slung an arm over Feng Changyu's shoulder, laughing, "What's this? The eldest young lady said you should cherish Hua Yan all the more to deserve her sincere feelings for you."
Feng Changyu felt these words like a blow to his chest. Pushing the man away, he mounted his horse. "What are you standing around for? Carry her back."
Inside the sedan chair, Hua Yan wept bitterly. She didn't know why she was crying—she had gotten what she wanted, escaped the hopeless Hua family, obtained the silver she desired—yet she couldn't control her tears.
It's fine, she told herself. She would live well. She would use the silver to buy shopfronts. Since her husband had no heirs, she would bear him a first son. All the suffering and humiliation would be worth it.
Only after entering did Hua Zhi discover that Old Madam and the wives of all the branches were present—even Old Madam Zhu hadn't been excluded.
"Why has everyone come?" Hua Zhi approached with a smile. "Do you think I've been too heartless?"
Old Madam wiped the corner of her eye. "This is the best possible outcome. The Hua family's reputation is cleared without affecting the other girls. We didn't withhold anything she wanted to take—consider it our final act of care for her."
"And not just ordinary care," interjected Mama Li, who rarely spoke out of turn. "Though the eldest young lady appears stern, she has actually provided much protection for that Hua girl. By using her words to corner that young master, as long as he cares about face, that girl will have support in the rear courtyard. Who would want to be the heartless one? Even if pretending, he'll have to show some affection."
The fourth branch wife—Hua Yan's mother, her eyes swollen from crying—bowed deeply to Hua Zhi.Hua Zhi could not possibly accept a bow from an elder, so she stepped aside and personally helped the woman up. Turning back, she said, "No one can stop someone determined to climb higher. Fourth Aunt, please do not blame my aunt-in-law."
The elderly lady sighed. "I understand. When one's ambitions grow, they will find ways to achieve what they desire. I don't blame her—I cannot blame her."
The haggard mother finally could no longer hold back and burst into loud sobs.
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