Blossoms in Adversity

Ying Chun greeted her young lady at the door, leaning in to whisper, "Old Madam has been coughing terribly."

Hua Zhi glanced around. "Where's Cao Cao?"

"I saw her just a moment ago... There she is."

Shaoyao emerged from the room carrying a bowl, walking quickly yet steadily toward Hua Zhi. "Give this to your grandmother."

The water in the bowl was pale green, and Shaoyao's fingertips were tinged with the same color. Hua Zhi took it and asked, "For the cough?"

"Yes. It won't cure the root cause, but coughing like this isn't sustainable." That's why she had specifically requested some cough-relieving herbs when having medicinal ingredients delivered. "I've dried some of them. Once they're fully dried, I'll grind them into powder to make tea for daily consumption. It should ease her suffering."

"Good. Thank you for your hard work."

"Hehe, not hard at all. I enjoy making medicine."

Hua Zhi carried the bowl into the room. Seeing her grandmother's flushed face from coughing, she didn't say much but went straight to her side and brought the bowl to her lips.

Su Momo, having overheard the conversation outside, hurried over to help support Old Madam.

Between coughs, the old lady drank the entire bowl of liquid in intermittent sips. After a few more light coughs, the fit gradually subsided.

Noticing Shaoyao peeking in from the doorway, Old Madam wiped her mouth and chuckled softly. "A bit bitter, but with a sweet aftertaste. Not unpleasant to drink at all."

Shaoyao smiled secretly outside the door before running off to sort through her herbs. Of course it wasn't unpleasant—she had gathered these from deep mountains, saved the seeds, and cultivated them herself. They weren't even available in herbal shops.

Watching Shaoyao's retreating figure, Hua Zhi also smiled. "She's very well-behaved."

"You used to be well-behaved too."

"But not this vibrant." Hua Zhi knew exactly what kind of demeanor she had displayed before—not much different from a block of wood.

Old Madam laughed in amusement. At least she was self-aware. "Were they angered by their humiliation?"

"They didn't gain any advantage."

"That's good. You're the head of the household now. Even if they were truly capable, there's no reason to let them step all over you, let alone when they're practically useless. If this is the level of talent among capital's celebrated ladies, we shouldn't look among them for future daughters-in-law for the Hua family."

Seeing her grandmother's improved complexion, Hua Zhi felt her heart lighten. "You're tarring everyone with the same brush. Talented ladies aren't necessarily well-versed in the Analects or Spring and Autumn Annals. Their strength lies in poetry and lyrics. If you asked Second Sister and Third Sister to compose a poem, they'd surely satisfy you."

"Don't try to fool an old woman like me. How can one compose good poetry without solid foundations? I'd believe it if you said you could write excellent poetry."

"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed—I can't write poetry."

Old Madam tapped her forehead, not believing a word. Before, she had been like wood, showing nothing. And look how that turned out—was there anything she couldn't do?

Thinking of her two granddaughters who usually performed so well, Old Madam's smile faded as she sighed. "I had hoped to find someone to share your burden, but it seems you'll have to continue bearing it alone."

"I've actually thought of a solution."

"Quick, tell me! What is it?"

Fu Dong quietly entered with maids carrying several plates of pastries, then silently withdrew.

Hua Zhi pushed a plate toward her grandmother. "These contain honey, which is good for coughs."

Though without appetite, Old Madam took a small piece and put it in her mouth. The soft, sweet pastry had an excellent texture. She ended up eating several pieces before setting down her chopsticks.Making a mental note to have someone deliver a portion daily from now on, Hua Zhi shared her plan, "I want Bolin to serve as the teacher for the junior class while I'm away."

Old Madam looked startled, "Bolin? How can someone so young be a teacher?"

"When we divided the classes earlier, Mr. Mu and I tested everyone. Bolin scored the highest, which shows he hasn't slacked off even during the time when the clan school was closed. Having him teach the junior class has its benefits too—to teach others, one must first master the material themselves. Explaining it again reinforces his own memory, making it more solid than others', and thus strengthening his foundation."

"But he's still a student himself. Wouldn't teaching others hold him back?"

"That leads to my other plan—I want Bolin to formally become Mr. Mu's disciple."

Once formally accepted as a disciple, he would be under Mr. Mu's tutelage. As far as she knew, Mr. Mu hadn't taken any disciples yet. "Grandfather himself praised Mr. Mu's knowledge. If he hadn't given up on pursuing higher exams, he would have long since achieved success. But what reassures me more is his character—in my view, character is more important than knowledge."

Anyone praised by the old master couldn't be lacking. Old Madam was also very satisfied with Mr. Mu, who had willingly come to teach at the clan school after the Hua family's decline. She had no objections to her grandson becoming his disciple, but, "Wouldn't becoming someone's disciple require even more time dedicated to studying?"

"After becoming his disciple, Bolin wouldn't be limited to just the classroom. Even if he misses morning classes, he could make them up with his teacher. I doubt Mr. Mu would object."

That made sense. Old Madam nodded slightly, "Becoming a disciple is a significant matter. Normally, I should handle it, but you're managing the household now, and Mr. Mu holds you in high regard. You discuss it with him—I trust you to handle it."

"Yes."

Hua Zhi was always one to act promptly. After having lunch with Bolin, she explained her plan to him.

Upon hearing that he was to teach his younger brothers, Hua Bolin first felt a surge of excitement, then shook his head vigorously, "Elder Sister, how can I be a teacher now? It's just not possible."

"The junior class is learning things you've already mastered. Why wouldn't it work? Or have you not truly learned them?"

"I have, but how can I be a teacher..."

Hua Zhi understood her brother well. He was bold and interested in teaching, but he feared his abilities were insufficient and that he wouldn't teach well.

Taking a sip of tea, Hua Zhi suddenly changed the subject, "After Fourth Aunt gives birth, I plan to go to the northern lands."

"To the northern lands?" Hua Bolin's voice rose sharply, "Elder Sister, you can't go! It's too far. You're a woman—how can you travel such a distance? Absolutely not!"

"I'm a woman, and I'm still teaching, aren't I?" Hua Zhi frowned, "Bolin, I've taught you to stay calm in situations. What's with all this fuss?"

Hua Bolin struggled to suppress his anxiety, taking several deep breaths before firmly expressing his opposition, "Elder Sister, I don't agree with you going. By the time Fourth Aunt gives birth, it'll be November. The cold will be life-threatening."

The more Hua Bolin thought about it, the more he felt his elder sister would perish if she went. His voice grew choked with urgency, "Elder Sister, let me go instead. I'm a man—I'm not afraid!""How old are you, to boast so shamelessly about being a man." Hua Zhi pressed a handkerchief firmly against the corners of his eyes for a moment. "I won't go alone. You must trust your elder sister's capabilities."

"But Elder Sister, you're also so young..." The little man who had been holding back his tears found them flowing freely at his sister's comforting words. "Elder Sister, I don't want you to go!"

"The outside world isn't that frightening. The Daqing Dynasty is relatively stable now, and I'll stick to official roads throughout the journey. Nothing will happen."

Hua Bolin just kept crying. He was too afraid - even when he learned their father had been exiled, he hadn't felt this terrified.