Early the next morning, Hua Ling went to Great Clumsy Temple.
The number of name cards today had increased by several more compared to yesterday. Hua Zhi wrote replies to each one and handed them to Steward Xu. "No matter what harsh words you hear, there's no need to get angry. Just pretend you didn't hear them."
Steward Xu received them with both hands. "Don't worry, Eldest Miss. I've already given instructions. What happened yesterday won't occur again."
"Send him ten taels of silver and tell him to rest well and recover from his injuries." Hua Zhi hadn't expected that a servant would get into a conflict with someone after hearing disparaging remarks about her, resulting in him returning with some injuries.
Oriole Cloud Alley would open tomorrow. After arranging all matters and busying herself with tasks, most of the day had already passed.
Checking the time, Hua Zhi went to the large kitchen in the backyard. Making dried meat required many hands, so those from various households who weren't busy came to help. Over the past few days, they had produced quite a lot.
As they were still in the mourning period, Hua Zhi had only tasted a small piece on the first day, spitting out the crumbs. She then sent some to Shaoyao, asking her to remember the flavor. Every subsequent batch was given to Shaoyao for tasting, and so far, she hadn't reported any discrepancies in the taste.
"The quantity is still somewhat insufficient. Fourth Aunt, please arrange for more people to help—"
"Eldest Miss!" A nearly shrill voice accompanied by hurried footsteps made Hua Zhi's heart sink abruptly.
She took a few deep breaths inwardly and turned around, her expression already composed. The maids and servants who had been frightened by the commotion saw her calm demeanor and steadied themselves, covering their chests as they looked toward the person rushing in from the moon gate.
It was Dongzi! The one she had assigned to accompany Hua Ling!
Hua Zhi quickened her pace and approached him. "What happened?"
Dongzi was covered in dust, his face bruised and swollen, but he paid no mind to it now. "Third Miss has been abducted by Young Master Wei!"
Hua Zhi bit the tip of her tongue lightly. "Explain clearly!"
"Yes." Dongzi slapped himself hard to calm down. "On the way back, we encountered Eldest Young Master Wei. Third Miss didn’t want to cause trouble and even told us to make way. But somehow, Young Master Wei recognized it was the Hua family’s carriage. Not only did he block our way, but he also tried to forcibly lift the carriage curtain. Of course, we couldn’t allow that, so a conflict broke out. Su Momo was kicked off the carriage while trying to protect Third Miss and is still unconscious. They outnumbered us, and we couldn’t hold them off. I was useless..."
Dongzi slapped himself again, his voice hoarse. "I came back to report. Chunshan is looking for clues to follow them."
"Wei Chengxi?"
"Yes."
"How many people were on their side?"
"Seven, including Young Master Wei."
Hua Zhi strode past him and hurried outside.
Wu Shi couldn’t help but call out to her, "Zhi Er..."
Hua Zhi paused, turned around, and looked at the group of servants who were grieving over Hua Ling’s plight. She smiled. "I’m here."
I’m here. I will do my best to protect her. Even if things reach the worst possible outcome, I will ensure she has a safe place to live, where no one can bully her!
Wu Shi covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. She understood what Zhi Er meant. Yes, our own girls—we will protect them ourselves!
"Don’t stop what you’re doing. Speak less and work more." With these words, Wu Shi went to find Xia Shi. At a time like this, even if there were conflicts with her natal family, she had to seek their help! What if... they were willing to lend a hand?
Hua Zhi went directly to find Wang Rong. He was no longer just the Hua family’s Wu Xiansheng but also the Eldest Miss’s personal guard."Mr. Wang, Wei Chengxi has taken Third Sister away. I beg you to use all your skills to find her."
Wang Rong acknowledged this as his oversight and had no objections. "Where was Third Young Lady taken from?"
"Dongzi, lead the way for Mr. Wang."
"Yes."
Rescuing someone was as urgent as saving a life, so the two dared not delay and quickly departed.
Hua Zhi bit her finger. "Steward Xu, go personally to the Zhu Family. Borrow manpower from my maternal grandmother to search for her, and also request my cousin's assistance."
"Yes."
No matter what, the Seven Constellation Bureau could not be involved. She couldn't let anyone know the Bureau was at her disposal, nor cause trouble for Yan Xi.
What else could be done? Hua Zhi forced herself to calm down. The Wei Family, the Wei Family...
She had to block this opening at the Wei Family and leave a path to survival for Hua Ling!
"Li De, prepare twenty-four coffins for me! Size doesn't matter. Take the able-bodied men from our household and carry them directly to the front of the Wei Family's residence. Be quick."
Everyone was startled. What was the Eldest Young Lady planning?
Having been trained by Steward Xu for some time, Li De remembered his instructions clearly: follow the Eldest Young Lady's orders without question or delay!
Without pondering her intentions, he respectfully acknowledged and went straight to the coffin shop.
Then Hua Zhi went to the clan school.
For the first time, she interrupted the lessons of both teachers and gathered all twenty-four children together.
"Hua Ling was abducted by Wei Chengxi of the Wei Family on her way back from praying for Grandmother."
Zheng Zhi and Mu Qing were taken aback, their expressions turning grim. When a young lady was abducted, even if returned unharmed, her reputation would be ruined.
Even the beginners understood the situation. Hua Ling's half-brother Hua Bokong stepped forward anxiously. "Elder Sister, I want to rescue Third Sister."
Hua Zhi patted his head and looked at the others. "What do you all think?"
The children wore the clan school's uniform, their sleeves and hems stained with ink. Now they were all filled with righteous indignation. "Rescue Third Sister!"
"Good, then follow me."
Leaving the clan school, Hua Zhi accidentally glanced back and noticed Xiao Han had followed. "Xiao Han, you cannot come."
Zeng Han looked at the others. "Everyone is going."
His teacher Zheng Zhi spoke up: "He can go. His family's relationship with you has already received official approval from that person. It's fine."
Anxious about Hua Ling's situation, Hua Zhi thought it through and stopped objecting. She nodded and continued walking out.
The main gate of the Hua residence was rarely opened, but this day it swung wide. Hua Zhi led the way, followed by twenty-four children arranged in pairs from shortest to tallest. Though their youth made them seem far from formidable, they somehow projected that very impression.
The coffins arrived before the people did.
Twenty-four coffins were neatly arranged before the Wei Family's gate. The Wei steward was cursing angrily, directing guards to smash them. The Hua family guards, trained over the past year, were physically stronger now and stood their ground fearlessly, chests out in confrontation.
By the time Hua Zhi arrived, both sides were on the verge of fighting. Although the Wei Family was prestigious, many dared to gather and watch the spectacle. Hua Zhi's conspicuous procession had drawn even more onlookers.
Servants reflect their masters. The Wei Family looked down on the Hua Family, and their steward didn't hold back upon seeing Hua Zhi, confronting her directly: "What is the meaning of this, Eldest Young Lady? Do you truly believe such disgraceful schemes will succeed?""Only those with filthy minds would think of others in such filthy terms." Hua Zhi's voice was icy, her gaze cold. "I came today to ask when the Wei Family took up banditry as their trade. What is the meaning of your eldest son intercepting my sister on the road and abducting her?"
The Wei steward was inwardly startled, but maintained an unyielding facade. "Without evidence, how dare you make such baseless accusations!"
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