Old Madam’s newly formed wrinkles smoothed out as she smiled. “Hearing you say this brings me such joy. Those who should study will study, those who should embroider will embroider. If things can truly be this way, the family will be stable. With stability, what cannot be achieved? Grandmother is truly at ease now.”
Hua Zhi was about to kneel and apologize, but before her knees touched the ground, she was gently held up. “Grandmother knows what you want to say. I don’t blame you. Your third aunt went too far. Don’t hold a grudge against her. She’s short-sighted, only able to see what’s right in front of her. But she means no harm. As you said, you are family. Families have conflicts and disagreements, but in the end, you are still family. When she faces difficulties, you must still support and protect her. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, Grandmother. I understand your meaning. I won’t hold a grudge against Third Aunt.”
“Grandmother knows you are a good child. Your third aunt doesn’t see it clearly. She thinks managing the household is a good thing, not realizing how much pressure and hardship it entails for the Hua family now.” Seeing how much thinner her granddaughter had become, Old Madam’s heart ached. If she could manage it herself, she wouldn’t have let a girl who had just come of age shoulder such burdens.
Holding her granddaughter’s slender arm, Old Madam said softly, “You’ve suffered.”
“I don’t feel I’ve suffered.” Hua Zhi remembered there was one more matter to report and took the opportunity to change the subject. “I should let you know, Grandmother, during this trip to the estate, I punished Chen Jin’s family. I allocated three acres of land for them to farm.”
“His family has deep ties with me. A light punishment would suffice.”
Hua Zhi shook her head. “If it were a minor matter, I wouldn’t have taken action. Do you know what he did? As soon as I arrived at the estate, I encountered his son forcibly seizing a tenant farmer’s daughter. If I hadn’t arrived in time to rescue the girl, she would have been violated. If she had been more strong-willed, could she have survived? And who would bear the blame in the end? Upon further investigation, I discovered that the rent you set at three-tenths was being collected at four-tenths on the estate. During years of disaster, when you ordered rent exemptions, the estate never complied and still collected the full four-tenths. He profited handsomely from this, while the Hua family bore the bad reputation. If we let someone like this off, how can we command respect in the future?”
Old Madam’s hands trembled with anger. She knew that family had been taking advantage over the years, but she thought Chen Jin, bold as he was, would only withhold some grain. How could she have imagined he would dare to go this far!
Hua Zhi gently patted the old woman’s chest to soothe her. “I’m telling you this not to upset you. You’ve already shown Chen Jin more kindness than he deserved, and you’ve done enough for anyone. I was the one who punished him, and I will take responsibility for these matters from now on. You are the Hua family’s pillar of stability. As long as you are well, the Hua family will thrive. You trust me, don’t you?”
“I trust you, of course I trust you.” Old Madam regained her composure and clasped her granddaughter’s hand. At first, she trusted her because of the old master, but now she trusted her for who she was! Compared to her, Third Aunt was utterly overestimating herself.
“The Chen family acquired a house over the years. I’ve sent someone to deal with it. There are also some banknotes and silver, which I’ve recorded separately. You shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. I plan to use them for other purposes.”"Grandmother knows you have your plans." Old Madam nodded toward Su Momo, who understood the cue and retrieved several banknotes from beneath the pillow. "This is the money from selling the estate outside the city. I'm entrusting it all to you."
"Yes, I'll come back to explain everything in detail once matters are settled. Even though you trust me, you should still know where the money is being used. That way, you won't be left anxiously wondering."
Seeing her grandmother's weary expression, Hua Zhi set aside her intention to discuss the Hua family's Clan school. She helped the old woman back to bed, knelt to remove her shoes, and assisted her in lying down. "This granddaughter is thoughtless to disturb your rest at this hour. It's still early—please sleep a while longer."
"Such is old age—constantly wanting to sleep yet never sleeping long. You've been busy outside for so long; you should rest properly too. Grandmother sees you've grown much thinner—you mustn't work yourself to exhaustion."
"Yes, granddaughter understands."
Meanwhile, the Zhu residence was bustling with commotion. Nanny Lin lay prostrate on the floor, weeping uncontrollably. "Madam's sister-in-law's words were like daggers to Madam's heart! Since the Hua family's misfortune began, has Madam ever once suggested seeking help from her maiden family? Having been so cherished in her parental home, how could she bear to drag the Zhu family into this quagmire without any regard for them? You claim Eldest Miss breaking off her engagement will affect the marriage prospects of Zhu family's young ladies—this is practically forcing Eldest Miss to her death!"
Crash! A teacup shattered into pieces, tea splashing across the floor. Old Madam Zhu trembled with rage, her voice like crushed ice. "Good, very good! I never knew our Zhu family had such a devoted daughter-in-law, so considerate of her husband's family!"
The Zhu family's eldest daughter-in-law knelt pale-faced on the ground, not daring to utter a word in her own defense. She never expected—never imagined—that her usually gentle and uncomplaining sister-in-law would suddenly strike back like this.
As if seeing nothing, Nanny Lin continued, "The Hua family knows full well they've lost imperial favor and shouldn't burden their relatives and old friends. They understand the emperor's decree is final—even if they dragged everyone down, the Hua gentlemen wouldn't return. That's why they had each daughter-in-law send letters to their maiden families, temporarily cutting ties. They never intended what Madam's sister-in-law implied. I beg Old Madam to see this clearly."
Old Madam Zhu closed her eyes to steady her emotions. "Eldest daughter-in-law, leave us."
"Mother..."
"Out!"
The Zhu family's eldest daughter-in-law, née Ren, bit her lip and withdrew with bowed head. She needed to think—to figure out how to smooth this over. She would accept any punishment, so long as this matter didn't reach her husband.
The old madam dismissed everyone else. "Lin Shuang, stand and speak."
Nanny Lin Shuang rose as commanded, her eyes still swollen, tear tracks fresh on her face.
"Who put you up to this performance?"
Lin Shuang hesitated, uncertain whether to tell the truth.
"Don't I know Xuan'er's temperament? Even if Ren bullied her into crying under the covers, she'd never think to complain to me. And you've always been dutiful—you wouldn't attempt such a maneuver without guidance. Was it Zhi Er or Berlin?""Nothing escapes Old Madam's notice. It was the Eldest Miss who sent this servant here. She said the Madam is soft-hearted, but there's one who isn't." Lin Shuang's face showed a hint of pride. "To let Old Madam know, the Hua family is currently being managed by the Eldest Miss. When the Aunt sent people over, the Eldest Miss had gone to the manor due to some matters. As soon as she returned today, she noticed something amiss with the Madam, quickly uncovered the disloyal maid, and sent this servant to the Zhu residence."
After a pause, Lin Shuang's tone shifted. "The Eldest Miss didn't mean to send this servant to cause trouble. She only acted out of concern for the Madam. She also said... she also said..."
"Speak plainly."
"Yes. The Eldest Miss said she doesn't rely on anyone, nor does she need to. In fact, the suggestion to sever connections between the women of each branch and their maternal families was proposed by the Eldest Miss herself. Neither the Hua family's Old Madam nor the Madam had any intention of seeking help from the Zhu family."
PS: Last day of February! Ladies, if you have monthly votes, cast them quickly.
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