Chapter 4: Moving Out of the Old Residence
"Miss, it's almost time."
Hua Zhi opened her eyes and saw only five small bundles in the room. She looked at the four servants in confusion.
Ying Chun helped her out while softly explaining, "The larger items were taken out first."
Hua Zhi asked no more and headed directly to her mother's courtyard. Just as she reached the entrance, she encountered Hua Bolin emerging from within.
"Elder Sister." Hua Bolin hurried over in quick steps, gazing at her with pleading eyes. The unease in his eyes made Hua Zhi's heart ache. As the legitimate son of the eldest branch, Berlin had grown up in comfort. Facing such circumstances without breaking down like other children was quite remarkable. He had probably comforted his mother when faced with her tears earlier. In normal times, she would have praised him generously to let him not grow up too fast, but now, she couldn't.
Hua Zhi patted his head. "You mustn't panic or become disordered. You are now the eldest male in the Hua family. If you panic and become disordered, what will your younger brothers do? I will be very busy from now on, so I'm entrusting the care of your younger siblings to you. The future of the Hua family rests on your shoulders, understand?"
Hua Bolin sniffled and nodded firmly. "I'll listen to you, Elder Sister."
"Let's go. It's almost time."
Bad news travels fast. In just this short while, news of the Hua family's complete downfall had spread throughout the city. Onlookers gathered at the alley entrance, saying all sorts of things. However, since the Hua family hadn't been particularly disliked normally, people mostly just whispered among themselves. When they saw the family emerge, no one shouted embarrassing remarks to humiliate them.
All the horses had been taken away, but the carriages were put to use. Two servants carried each carriage on either side, piled high with belongings.
One carriage was particularly different. Not only was it carried by four people, but it was also surrounded by numerous maids and servant women. Squeezed inside were the Hua family's five unmarried young ladies, the youngest only three years old. Even at such a time, Old Madam hadn't forgotten to protect her granddaughters' reputations.
The Hua family had seven male children under ten years old, one still being carried in arms. The wives and concubines of the Hua family all wore veils over their faces. The entire procession followed behind the carriages. The ladies, who had never been so openly stared at before, blushed and kept their heads down, wishing they could reach their destination with the next step.
In contrast, Old Madam appeared particularly composed. She didn't allow anyone to support her, walking alone at the front with her cane, head held high and chest out, as if determined to carve a path for her family single-handedly.
The chattering crowd fell silent at the sight of such an Old Madam, quietly watching the long procession pass before them and move into the distance, watching the Hua family's main gate close and be sealed.
Having been watched all the way, everyone had been sustained by sheer willpower. When they reached the wide-open, disorderly residence in the southern part of the city and sat down, they couldn't get up again.
Hua Zhi was actually exhausted too. As a young lady from a prominent family who rarely left the inner quarters, she naturally lacked physical strength. But she didn't dare delay now.
Opening her small bundle and asking for Fu Dong's, she counted the banknotes, gold, and silver inside. Under everyone's surprised gazes, she explained, "When I heard the commotion, I had them hide some. Fortunately, it wasn't found."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Although they had been caught off guard, none of them were the type to keep all their money in plain sight. Each branch had managed to save some amount, just not as much as Hua Zhi."Mother, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, please gather some people to make several sets of clothing. They need to be sturdy, the kind where you can't immediately tell there's something hidden inside by touch. Do you understand?"
The women exchanged glances and nodded.
"Start immediately. Get more people to help divide the work. We have at most two hours."
They hurried off to begin, feeling somewhat less panicked now that they had tasks to focus on.
"Fu Dong, find some oilpaper and wrap the silver notes securely. They'll be sewn into the clothes later. Also gather all the silver ingots and sew them into the garment corners."
"Yes."
"Bao Xia, go to the Chu family clinic to see Doctor Chu. Buy some medicinal pills and ointments from him. Discuss with him about what specific items to get, but make sure to stock up extra on frostbite ointment."
"Yes."
Hua Zhi turned to her grandmother. "Grandmother, please write a letter to Grandfather. You know him best and how to persuade him. We can't let Grandfather lose heart."
The Old Madam stared at her intently. "Who do you plan to send?"
"I'll go myself. I don't trust anyone else with this. The men of the Hua family need to know we're all well and waiting here for their return. Steward Xu, I'll need a horse."
"Rest assured, Miss. This humble one can arrange that."
Hua Bolin grabbed his sister's hand. "Sister, let me go. My horsemanship is better than yours."
"I must go myself." Hua Zhi offered no further explanation. "You take care of things at home."
Hua Bolin had always been attached to his sister. He'd heard countless stories from her, secretly read through her journals, watched her prepare various delicacies with her four maids, and teach them things he never knew. He'd also seen her relaxed, leisurely side that differed from her proper demeanor in public. He trusted this sister who handled everything with ease, and believed every word she said.
So he voiced his greatest worry: "Sister... will Father... ever return?"
"He will return. All the men of our Hua family will return."
Her firm response comforted Hua Bolin and gave strength to others present. The Old Madam had Su Momo help her stand. "I'll go write the letter now."
With the Hua family having angered the Emperor, Hua Zhi dared not do anything more. When others suggested writing letters too, she refused them all. Sending some clothing and similar items should be acceptable even if the Emperor found out, but too many letters would draw attention. She also worried the women might write something inappropriate that could fall into the wrong hands - that would be catastrophic for the Hua family, who couldn't withstand even the slightest disturbance now.
Two hours passed quickly. Steward Xu waited by the back gate with a horse.
The Madam watched her eldest daughter, dressed practically for travel, opening and closing her mouth without managing to utter a word.
Stop her from going? How could she? Her husband had left in such haste without even change of clothes, let alone warm garments. Wearing only those thin summer clothes, he would likely fall ill as soon as he arrived.
But letting her go... Zhi Er had only learned horsemanship at their family estate, with hardly any experience traveling alone, never mind long journeys. What if she got lost or encountered bandits...
Hua Zhi had no time to comfort her mother now. She directed people to pack the items separately, distributing the weight so nothing would be too heavy.Carrying several bundles on her back and with many more secured on the horse, Hua Zhi mounted the saddle. Looking down at the numerous pairs of eyes gazing at her intently, she said, "Wait for my return. Berlin, as the eldest brother in the family now, you must take good care of our elders and younger siblings."
"I will, Elder Sister."
Madam ultimately couldn't resist stepping forward, "Zhi Er..."
"Mother, I will return as soon as possible. Rest assured, nothing will go wrong."
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