Hua Zhi, who had turned back, stood outside the room for a long while. The muffled sobs were restrained and sorrowful—the woman who had never known sorrow was now grieving for her. She felt comforted by such concern, yet angered that someone had stirred up trouble in her absence.
With a shift of her gaze, Hua Zhi looked at Ying Chun.
Ying Chun nodded.
Only when the weeping gradually subsided did Hua Zhi quietly depart.
In the main courtyard, Liu Cui, the chief maid serving the First Madam, looked alarmed and uneasy as she was watched by two stout matrons, unaware of what she had done wrong. On the other side, the dowry maid Lin Mama kept her head bowed, her eyes downcast, yet her face showed no panic.
When she saw the eldest young lady emerge, Liu Cui tried to speak but was silenced by the stout matrons, who clamped their hands over her mouth and restrained her on either side.
Without any attempt to conceal her actions, Hua Zhi marched the First Household’s servants through several courtyards back to her own quarters. In the familiar surroundings, her expression revealed a trace of weariness—she had endured a long carriage ride, returned to constant turmoil, and her still-recovering body was struggling to cope.
After taking a few sips of ginseng tea, Hua Zhi turned her gaze to Lin Mama.
Her mother was famously soft-hearted, yet over the years, her courtyard had always been well-managed and free of incidents, largely thanks to Lin Mama. Her maternal grandmother had likely recognized her daughter’s incorrigibly weak nature early on and trained a maid to assist her.
With her father’s protection externally and Lin Mama’s support internally, her mother had remained naive even as her children grew up. Given Lin Mama’s loyalty, it was unlikely she would neglect her mistress just because the Hua family had fallen.
“Lin Mama, what happened to Mother while I was away?”
Lin Mama prostrated herself on the floor, her voice filled with remorse. “It is this servant’s fault. A while ago, my son fell ill, and I requested three days’ leave from Madam to care for him. When I returned, I noticed Madam seemed troubled. Later, through indirect inquiries, I learned that the Third Madam had spoken some harsh words, and Madam took them to heart. Coincidentally, that day, the Zhu Family’s aunt sent someone with a message implying that Madam should stop sending letters to her maternal family, lest it cause difficulties for the Eldest Young Master. They also said… since the Eldest Young Lady’s engagement has been broken off, the Zhu Family’s daughters still need to marry…”
Hua Zhi laughed in anger. How could her broken engagement affect the marriage prospects of the Zhu Family’s daughters? Should the Hua Family’s daughters simply hang themselves to avoid trouble?
The maids were also seething with rage. Who was it that had frequently pestered the First Madam before? The Hua Family had only fallen recently—even if people abandoned them, the indifference was far too swift!
“Did Mother send a letter to the Zhu Family? Rise and speak.”
Lin Mama stood up, still keeping her eyes lowered. “Not only Madam, but all the other households also sent letters back. You had previously instructed everyone to cut ties with their maternal families, and the Old Madam later reminded them again, so they all sent messages to their families.”
“Do you know what was written in the letters?”
“This servant knows. Madam was worried about writing anything improper and had me glance over it. From what I saw, she merely expressed more concern for her relatives and worry for the First Master. There was no mention of asking her family for help or pleading on their behalf. I do not know how the aunt inferred that it would cause difficulties for the Eldest Young Master.”Hua Zhi understood exactly what her aunt was thinking. Her mother, being the youngest daughter in the family, had always been doted on by her parents and elder brothers. When her mother expressed concern for the eldest master, in her aunt's eyes, it must have seemed like she was hoping her maternal family would exert some effort in this matter. Her aunt had likely sent someone over secretly, calculating that her mother's timid nature wouldn't dare bring this matter to Old Madam's attention.
Unfortunately, there was someone here who wasn't so timid.
Hua Zhi picked up the teacup, sniffed the ginseng scent with disgust, and set it down again. "Has Third Aunt recovered from the blow of her son being exiled?"
Nanny Lin responded solemnly, "This servant thinks so. She's been visiting Old Madam's courtyard quite frequently these days."
"To resort to every trick to seize control of this sinking ship that is the Hua family—with such limited vision, does she think Grandmother would entrust the household to her?" Hua Zhi smiled, but her eyes were icy. "I'll show her the gap between us, Nanny Lin."
"Your servant is here."
"Go through the servants attending to my mother and find someone capable to train properly by your side. They should know how to protect their mistress when you're not around."
"As you command."
"Then go to the Zhu family. In front of my aunt, cry about what she did before Grandmother. My mother can tolerate being wronged, but I cannot." Hua Zhi sneered. "Don't worry about offending anyone. I don't expect anyone's help, nor do I need it."
"Yes." Nanny Lin responded loudly, as if exhaling the pent-up frustration she had been holding in.
"Go now. Immediately."
"Yes, your servant takes her leave."
Nian Qiu approached with the ginseng tea. "Miss, please drink a few more sips."
"Bring me some normal tea. If I keep drinking this, I'll vomit just from the smell."
Nian Qiu had no choice but to brew a cup of warm water. There would be no tea leaves—Miss was still healing, and if the new flesh darkened from drinking tea, they would have nowhere to cry about it.
"Bring Liu Cui in."
Liu Cui knelt trembling before Hua Zhi. "E-eldest Miss."
"Liu Cui, how long have you been serving my mother?"
"Seven years. I came to the First Madam's side when I was eleven."
"Seven years." Hua Zhi looked at her calmly. "With my mother's gentle nature, I imagine you haven't suffered much."
Liu Cui's heart raced with panic, and she could only agree. "The First Madam is kind-hearted. She has always treated us servants well."
"So you've figured out my mother's temperament, thinking that even if she finds out, she won't do anything to you?"
Liu Cui collapsed to the ground, her lips trembling speechlessly.
Hua Zhi had initially been only thirty percent certain, but this bluff confirmed her suspicions completely.
Nanny Lin was reliable and understood the nature of the mistress she had served for years. If she was leaving, she wouldn't have failed to make arrangements. Yet, despite these arrangements, her mother still faced bullying from Third Aunt. The problem could only lie with Liu Cui, who held the second-highest position after Nanny Lin. If Liu Cui had remained upright, those under her wouldn't have dared to scheme behind her back.
"What did Third Aunt promise you?"
Liu Cui bit her lip and prostrated on the ground without a word. She didn't dare speak. In seven years of serving the First Madam, she had seen the Eldest Miss countless times, but never had she felt such oppressive pressure. She had always thought the Eldest Miss was harmless—no, not just her, before the Eldest Miss declared she would take charge of the household, who hadn't thought she was harmless?
But it was too late. They had all realized it too late."No need to speak, I'm not that eager to know." Though her sore, weak body was screaming for rest from head to toe, Hua Zhi brushed off her sleeves nonchalantly as if nothing was wrong and rose from the chair, leaning on it for support. "Take her with us."
"Eldest Miss..." Liu Cui suddenly grabbed Hua Zhi's leg, causing her to stagger and nearly lose her balance. Ying Chun and Nian Qiu both leaned forward simultaneously to steady her, glaring furiously at Liu Cui.
The matron, a step too late, pressed Liu Cui firmly to the ground without holding back her strength. Liu Cui wanted to cry out in pain, but her mouth was immediately covered. Only then did true fear begin to take root in her heart.
PS: If Kongkong doesn't specify at the end of the chapter that there's only one update, there will usually be two.
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