Chapter 41: Coughing Blood
Early the next morning, Hua Zhi went to her grandmother's room to accompany her for breakfast.
Her appetite had always been good, and with all the tasks she now had to handle, her increased energy expenditure naturally led her to eat even more than usual. The Old Madam, influenced by her, also ate a few extra bites.
Su Momo brought mouthwash and smiled from the side, "This servant hopes the young lady can often come to dine with you in the future, Old Madam. Then you might eat a little more too."
"As long as Grandmother doesn’t mind how much I eat, of course I’m willing to come." Hua Zhi sighed helplessly, "I’ve spoiled my maids so much they’ve become unruly—they even control what I can and cannot eat. It’s nowhere as good as here with you, Grandmother, where I’m free to eat as I please, as long as I eat well."
"Then you’d better eat in your own room. I think your maids are quite good—they know how to care for their master."
The Old Madam teased while recalling the morning’s dishes, relieved that she herself was also unwell, so the food couldn’t possibly contain any allergy-inducing ingredients, avoiding any potential issues.
After chatting for a while, Hua Zhi brought up the main matter. "I only found out yesterday that Mr. Mu is the only one willing to continue teaching at the Hua Clan School. I was too naive."
The Old Madam sighed, "I’m actually surprised even one teacher is coming. I originally thought no one would. At least someone still remembers all the good the Old Master did."
"One teacher is too few." Especially since it was Mr. Mu. Hua Zhi felt a headache coming on. Not long before the incident, while playing chess with her grandfather, she had heard him mention that Mr. Mu had requested to resign and planned to return to his hometown. She had thought he would be the least likely to accept the invitation, yet he turned out to be the only one.
"I’ll think of another way. If nothing works, I’ll do it myself." Mr. Mu had shown loyalty first; how could she take advantage of that to hold him back? Someone had to replace him eventually. What she lacked was experience, but she could learn.
The Old Madam was taken aback, lightly patting her and laughing, "Don’t talk nonsense. In all my years, I’ve never heard of a female teacher."
"Granddaughter isn’t joking. I know everything the teachers know. Grandfather often tested me on my studies. While I may not be able to teach advanced topics, I’m fully capable with some of the Thirteen Classics. After all, I’m not going to mislead anyone’s children."
Hua Zhi was serious about this. Children in the Hua family started their education at four and entered the clan school at six. Currently, there were nearly thirty children under ten from both the main and branch families, all at different ages and learning levels. With only Mr. Mu, it wouldn’t be enough—she had to step in.
The Old Madam didn’t know what to say, so she simply patted Hua Zhi’s hand and changed the subject.
After Hua Zhi left to attend to her tasks, the Old Madam broke into a violent coughing fit. Su Momo’s expression turned to shock at the sight of specks of bright red on the handkerchief, her eyes instantly reddening. "This servant will send for a physician at once!"
"No need." The Old Madam gripped her hand, squeezing out two words before another round of coughing seized her. Su Momo, with tear-filled eyes, gently patted her back until the coughing gradually subsided.
After rinsing her mouth to remove the metallic taste, the Old Madam lay back on the bed, squinting and speaking hoarsely, "Keep this quiet. No one else must know."
"Old Madam!" Su Momo pleaded desperately, tears streaming down as she knelt by the bed. "Enduring like this won’t do—it absolutely won’t. Old Madam, I beg you, think of the young lady, think of this entire family...""Do you think Zhi Er is unaware of my condition? If she didn't know, she wouldn't have taken all these matters upon herself. Doctor Chu's visits every five days are all arranged by her. If I only had minor ailments, why would it come to this?"
Old Madam's expression was sorrowful. She wasn't unaware, but dared not dwell on it too deeply. She feared she wouldn't live to see the old master return, feared the Hua family would fall apart, leaving her ashamed to face the ancestors of the Hua family.
So even if it meant burning the midnight oil to stay alive, she would force herself to live a few more days. At the very least, she had to hold on until Zhi Er had firmly taken control of the Hua family before she could let go.
Su Momo wept bitterly, her face streaked with tears and mucus. Usually so capable, she was now at a complete loss, unsure what to do.
Old Madam patted her hand. "Get up and keep me company for a while."
Su Momo perched on the round stool by the bed, sobbing with hiccups. "You should rest. We can talk after you've rested properly."
"Let's talk first." Old Madam opened her eyes and gazed at the bed canopy. "Do you think Zhi Er was serious when she said those words?"
Still consumed by grief, Su Momo didn't immediately grasp which words she meant.
"About becoming a teacher."
Su Momo wiped her tears and thought for a moment. "This servant thinks she seemed genuine. She wouldn't have spoken with such conviction without the capability to back it up."
"I didn't think she was joking either. When I learned the old master was taking her under his wing to teach her, I didn't think much of it. I thought since girls are meant to marry into other families anyway, what use is great learning? Could she become an official? Later, when the other two girls in the family gained reputations for talent while she remained quiet and unassuming, I even laughed at the old master. Thinking back now, I'm thoroughly ashamed."
Old Madam let out a light laugh, which quickly turned into a coughing fit. The exertion left her even more exhausted. Before drifting into unconsciousness, she managed to instruct, "Don't let Zhi Er know. Don't interfere with the clan school matters. If anyone else causes trouble, use my name to warn them."
"Yes, this servant understands."
Listening to the heavy breathing and watching the chest rise and fall dramatically, Su Momo's restrained tears burst forth again. Covering her mouth, she wept heartbrokenly, yet silently.
&&&
After leaving her grandmother's room, Hua Zhi went to inspect the newly arranged clan school. Although the space was smaller than the previous clan school, its general appearance was quite similar. At the moment, many young children were inside—some reading, some practicing calligraphy. Despite the absence of any adults, there was no noise or commotion.
Hua Zhi watched quietly, her eyes soft, a slow smile spreading across her face.
This was the hope of the Hua family, its future. As long as they thrived, the Hua family would surely prosper.
Her task was to enrich this soil, allowing them to grow strong and healthy.
Quietly leaving the clan school, she found Steward Xu waiting outside. "Eldest Miss."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Who has been managing the clan school recently?"
"Replying to Eldest Miss, it's Sixth Young Master."
Hua Zhi wasn't surprised. It seemed Berlin had taken her previous words to heart, which explained why not only the main family's children but also many from the collateral branches were attending.
"Don't let them lack for ink, brushes, paper, or inkstones. Use the best quality possible—these are not areas to skimp on. Additionally, personally invite Mr. Mu. Tell him the Hua family will reopen the clan school in three days."
"Yes.""There's one more thing." In the open corridor with views on all sides, Hua Zhi stopped and turned around, "There were bandits at the estate, and Chen Liang died protecting me. Does he have any family?"
Xu Dongjin was momentarily taken aback before recalling, "He had a younger brother and sister. Back when the three siblings were destitute, Chen Liang sold himself into service at the manor, but his siblings remained free. They should both be married with families now."
"Go inquire about what kind of people his siblings are. If they've treated their elder brother well, tell them the truth and provide extra silver as compensation. If they weren't genuinely caring toward Chen Liang, still give them some silver but just say Chen Liang was sent away on assignment and couldn't return home. From now on, the Hua family will tend to his grave."
"Understood."
"There's no need to inform Grandmother about this matter."
"Understood."
PS: Seeking guaranteed monthly votes.
Probably no author begs for monthly votes more diligently than Kongkong - how shameless, haha! But Kongkong genuinely wants to earn the monthly vote rewards. Without financial stability, it's easy to compromise one's writing for market trends. Kongkong doesn't want to write whatever genre is currently popular, nor include crude jokes or plotlines just for better metrics. Not only would readers be disappointed, but Kongkong would be disappointed too. What Kongkong wants to write are books that readers will find meaningful, stories that will stay in their memories rather than blending together with other books until they can't even remember the protagonists' names.
Kongkong loves writing and has always strived to balance reality with ideals, constantly reminding myself to stay true to the original aspiration.
Love to all the readers who support me!
OpenNovel