Chapter 38: Confrontation at Close Quarters
Hua Zhi watched quietly as Liu Cui continued to struggle. "Want me to spare you?"
Liu Cui nodded vigorously, her eyes full of hope, making muffled sounds through her gag.
"Did you ever think about sparing my mother when you were bullying her? Did you feel any guilt when she cried under her quilt? Spare you? Are you joking?" Hua Zhi stepped over her and walked toward the door. "Clean her up. Don’t let Third Aunt think we’ve mistreated her people."
Liu Xiang smiled faintly. "Don’t worry, Miss. This servant will make sure she’s properly tidied up."
Old Madam was about to take her afternoon nap when she heard Hua Zhi had arrived. Her eyelids twitched involuntarily. This child’s conduct was always impeccable—if she came at this hour, it surely meant something serious.
As soon as Hua Zhi entered, she apologized. "Forgive me for disturbing your rest, Grandmother. But this matter is like a fishbone stuck in my throat—so uncomfortable that I can’t feel at ease until it’s dealt with immediately."
Old Madam and Su Momo exchanged glances. Ever since Hua Zhi took charge of household affairs, they had only seen her confident and capable. This was the first time she had spoken so meekly.
Old Madam could no longer lie down. She sat up and prepared to get out of bed.
Hua Zhi quickly stopped her. "Please don’t get up, or it will make me seem even more inconsiderate."
Old Madam patted her hand, slipped on her shoes, and stood up with Hua Zhi’s support. "Lying down all the time is tiresome anyway. Tell me, what has angered you so?"
Hua Zhi glanced back. Understanding her meaning, Ying Chun pushed Liu Cui forward to kneel to the side.
"Isn’t that your mother’s chief maid? What has she done?"
"She is indeed my mother’s maid, but her body is here while her heart belongs elsewhere. Her loyalty lies entirely with someone else."
Old Madam frowned. No one liked disloyal servants. After a moment’s thought, she had an idea who that "someone else" might be. "Third Daughter-in-Law?"
"Grandmother, why not invite Third Aunt over? Let’s confront each other directly and clarify things, so I don’t misunderstand her intentions."
Old Madam’s first instinct was to suppress the matter. In families like theirs, even when everyone knew the truth, they would cover it up with a veil of propriety. No matter how strong the disagreement, they maintained surface harmony—this was the norm among noble families. She had never seen anyone like Hua Zhi, who charged in and demanded to lay everything bare.
But she swallowed her words of caution. Zhi Er was now in charge of the household—it wouldn’t do to let her stew in resentment. Besides, Old Madam truly disliked Third Daughter-in-Law’s behavior. The Hua family was already in such a state; instead of uniting to support the household, she resorted to underhanded tactics to compete. What was there even to compete for?
"Cuixiang, go summon her."
Su Momo bowed in acknowledgment, her gaze lingering on the eldest young lady for a moment longer.
Xia Shi arrived quickly. Her cheerful voice preceded her. "Mother, what’s so urgent that it can’t wait until after my nap… Oh, the eldest young lady is here too?"
As she stepped across the threshold and saw Hua Zhi, her heart, which had been pounding nervously on the way over, beat even faster. The sight of Liu Cui kneeling pale-faced to the side made everything clear.
She had known things would go badly when Liu Cui was taken away, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. She had assumed her mother-in-law would handle the matter discreetly, and even if she were to be reprimanded, it would be in private."It wasn't Grandmother looking for Third Aunt, it was me." Hua Zhi performed a proper greeting. "If Third Aunt wants to know about Mother's affairs, you might as well ask me directly. I'll tell you everything I know."
"What nonsense are you speaking, Eldest Miss." Xia Shi forced a smile. "Why would I inquire about Eldest Sister-in-law's affairs without reason?"
"And if there were a reason? For instance... the authority over the Hua family household. If my mother were persuaded by you, and insisted I relinquish this authority to avoid me appearing in public and ruining my marriage prospects, as a filial daughter, should I comply or not? And if I did, who should take charge of the household?"
Hua Zhi analyzed with a cheerful smile, each word striking Xia Shi's heart. "Grandmother needs rest, my mother is unreliable, Second Aunt lacks proper standing, and Fourth Aunt is heavily pregnant. Who do you think would ultimately end up with the household authority?"
Xia Shi almost flinched, averting her gaze uncomfortably. "I only shared some private words with your mother, showing concern for your marriage prospects. I meant nothing else—you're misunderstanding."
"Whether it's a misunderstanding, we both know the truth. Since Liu Cui is your person, please take her back. I presume Third Aunt is more compassionate than my mother and wouldn't cause another fatal incident at such a time, providing more gossip for others. Let me overstep my bounds to remind you further."
Hua Zhi fixed her gaze on Xia Shi. "Though a broken ship still has three thousand nails, those nails alone cannot feed the hundreds in the Hua family. Previously, the family's annual expenses exceeded ten thousand taels, not including the valuable items Grandfather and Father purchased. Now we only have two to three thousand taels in total. Have you considered how to use this silver to prevent the family from starving? Can you make money multiply?"
Xia Shi felt her blood boiling with each sentence and blurted out, "If I can't, can you?"
"I can." The firm and resolute answer left everyone in the room stunned. "Not only can I, but I can also ensure the Hua family remains secure in our corner. Those who should study can study, those who should embroider can embroider. We can laugh joyfully and cry freely, without living in constant fear. Third Aunt, you may not believe me, and you may stand by to see what I can achieve. But I ask you not to engage in any more schemes. We are family, and we share the same goal of wanting our family members to return. Even if there are conflicts of interest, they should come after that. Don't you agree?"
Xia Shi stood stiffly, her face pale, and said nothing.
The Old Madam turned her back. In the wake of Hua Zhi's powerful words, the quiet room felt as silent as a pin drop.
After a long while, the Old Madam broke the silence. "Let this matter be put to rest. No one is to mention it again. Third Daughter-in-law, take Liu Cui and return. There's no need for you to come pay respects these next few days. Reflect carefully on what is truly best for the Hua family. Do not forget one thing: you are a daughter-in-law of the Hua family. Only when the Hua family thrives can you thrive, and your children can benefit."
Though the matter seemed heavily addressed but lightly resolved, everyone could tell the Old Madam had unequivocally sided with Hua Zhi. Xia Shi wished she could vanish into a crack in the ground. She gave a hasty bow and hurried away, looking utterly disgraced.
Liu Cui trembled as she lay prostrate on the floor. She did not want to go to the Third Madam—she knew she would suffer if she did.Without waiting for Old Madam's instruction, Su Momo waved her hand, and two sturdy maids nearly carried her away by both arms.
Only then did Old Madam turn around, her eyes red yet clearly smiling. "You there, usually so quiet, but when your temper flares you're just like your father—throwing straight punches right at people's faces, always aiming for the most conspicuous spots. When your father caused that scene back then, I truly disliked it in my heart, but now I find it extremely satisfying."
PS: This was incredibly satisfying to write!!! Did you ladies enjoy it too!!!
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