Chapter 666: Returning the Way We Came
It took the Hua family ten full days to make the old residence barely habitable again. Without needing discussion, everyone was unanimously and eagerly ready to return.
Parcels of all sizes, borrowed carriages from various families, and helpers led by the Zhu brothers crowded the alley until it was packed full. The entrance actually had the bustling atmosphere of a busy thoroughfare.
Hua Zhi, who hadn't left the old residence for ten days, saw this scene upon arrival. Without alighting from her carriage, she instructed the coachman to drive to the back entrance.
"Young Miss! You've returned." The gatekeeper was overjoyed and immediately sent someone inside to announce her arrival.
"I'm back. Is everyone prepared?"
"Yes, all ready!" The gatekeeper replied with vigorous energy, his smile so wide it nearly reached his ears. After all, they were going home! As someone born and raised in the Hua household, that place was truly his home.
Hua Zhi smiled slightly, nodded to him, and proceeded inside.
Greetings followed her along the way, all accompanied by light footsteps and beaming faces. Although the Hua family's spirit had never completely broken, only now had it fully returned. This sense of belonging to the family could only be felt by those within it, and the Hua family, known for their unity and rare conflicts, felt it especially strongly.
After walking this path, Hua Zhi felt considerably lighter.
"Elder Sister."
Hua Bolin hurried over to support her, but Hua Zhi avoided his hand and chided him, "Do you think I'm old?"
"Elder Sister is far from old." Hua Bolin quickly retorted, withdrawing his hand. He wouldn't admit he just wanted to be close to his elder sister!
Hua Zhi tapped his forehead and smiled at the thriving scene around them. "Everyone seems very happy."
"Yes, last night countless people couldn't sleep, just waiting for daybreak." Hua Bolin rubbed his nose—he himself was among them. "The books are all packed. Don't worry, Elder Sister, not a single volume was left behind."
"And Grandmother's belongings..."
"The maids went together to pack them. I checked earlier—nothing was missed."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Inform everyone we depart in fifteen minutes. Also, you'll carry Grandmother's memorial tablet. We're bringing her home."
Hua Bolin's nose tingled with emotion as he nodded firmly.
Hua Zhi returned to her courtyard, where Nian Qiu hurried to greet her. "You're back? Everything is packed—nothing left behind."
"We came together, so we'll return together." Hua Zhi surveyed the nearly empty room, her gaze lingering beneath the large chest.
Before she could ask, Nian Qiu quickly added, "Rest assured, everything inside has been taken out."
Having capable maids truly saved trouble and worry. Hua Zhi took one last look at the room. "Help me change."
In the front courtyard, the arranged procession mirrored their arrival. Hua Zhi stood at the forefront, occupying the position once held by the Old Madam. Bolin stood behind her, holding the memorial tablet. The young ladies sat in carriages, while the married women, faces veiled, supported each other. The children, who had all grown noticeably, stood further back, followed by maids and servants in neat rows, their expressions solemn yet barely containing their excitement.
Hua Zhi quietly observed everyone. "We're going home."
A resounding chorus of agreement erupted, the commotion carrying beyond the gates where all outside fell silent, watching the entrance intently.Dressed in her official uniform, Hua Zhi stepped out first, followed by Hua Bolin holding the ancestral tablet. The siblings stood firm and bowed to the crowd, first thanking them for not abandoning the Hua family in their time of trouble, and second thanking them for their presence today.
The crowd hastily returned the courtesy, none daring to slight the gesture.
The long procession moved from the southern to the northern part of the city, with passersby stopping to watch. Even the usually noisy teahouses and taverns fell silent.
Vaguely, people recalled the scene from two years ago—a similarly long procession, but then it was the Old Madam of the Hua family leading at the front. Now, she was reduced to an ancestral tablet held by her legitimate grandson, while her position was taken by the eldest daughter of the Hua family, the current Grand Tutor.
Two years were enough for many lives to begin and end, enough for several noble families to rise and fall. Yet the Hua family had not fallen from grace, nor had its members bowed their heads. After two years, they remained the Hua family that scholars across the land revered!
Regardless of their usual views on women holding office, at this moment, everyone expressed their respect by standing and watching the procession pass. Perhaps their beliefs differed, but that did not diminish the contributions the eldest daughter had made to the Great Qing, nor could they deny the efforts she had exerted over these two years. They respected the eldest daughter, who had nearly given her life for this cause—a respect that transcended gender.
Gu Yanxi followed discreetly from the shadows. Two years ago, he had missed the chance to accompany her as she left the Hua family. Now, he wanted to walk beside her as she returned. For all the paths ahead, he wished to stay by her side.
Carriages and horses halted, pedestrians made way. Along the journey, Hua Zhi thought of many things, yet it seemed she thought of nothing at all. She only knew that home lay ahead—her feet knew the way without her mind having to guide them. Only when she truly entered Hualin Alley and saw the wide-open gates of the Hua family did she feel a sense of finality settle in her heart.
The Hua family’s ordeal was truly over.
After returning all the ancestral tablets that had been taken from the Hua family to the ancestral hall and arranging them in order, Hua Zhi finally placed her grandmother’s tablet in its rightful position. She lit incense and burned paper money, leading all the family’s descendants in performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations to the Hua ancestors.
Having completed these rites, Hua Zhi looked up at the fully occupied hall and let out a long sigh. Stepping outside, she said to the women waiting there, "Everyone, return to your quarters and rest. Take this time to recuperate and gather your strength. Once Grandfather and the others return, we’ll celebrate properly."
Overjoyed, they nodded repeatedly. Wu Shi spoke on behalf of everyone, "How much longer until they arrive home?"
"They are just as eager to return and won’t delay on the road. By my estimate, they should be here in about ten days or so."
After waiting two years, what were ten more days? Encouraging one another, they dispersed in small groups to the rear courtyards.
Hua Xian, long absent from home, felt somewhat uncertain. Her old room was still there, ready for her to occupy, but what about Suian…
"Your cousin’s courtyard is next to Berlin’s," Hua Zhi said, easily reading her aunt’s hesitation. "I arranged it similarly to Berlin’s. If there’s anything you don’t like, just speak to Steward Xu. Returning here means coming home—don’t feel like an outsider."
Yang Suian’s quietly anxious heart was soothed by these words. "Suian thanks his cousin.""Everything I said before still stands. Don't feel insecure just because you don't bear the Hua surname. Whatever the Hua family children receive, you won't be shortchanged. However, the expectations placed upon you will be the same as those for the Hua family children. This won't change because your surname is Yang. Do you understand?"
"...Yes."
Hua Zhi smiled and nodded. "Berlin, take your cousin to get familiar with his quarters. By the way, I've added several servants to attend to you. If anyone fails to follow the rules, just inform me directly. I don't wish to see any 'adding fragrance to the red sleeves' situations happening to you."
Yang Suian, already sixteen and currently considering marriage prospects, naturally understood these matters. Upon hearing this, he immediately flushed bright red, causing Hua Xian, who hadn't left yet, to cover her mouth and laugh.
After Hua Bolin led his thoroughly embarrassed cousin away, Hua Xian approached and grasped her niece's hand with a sigh. "Thank you, auntie is grateful to you."
"Family shouldn't speak like strangers. Just focus on recuperating well. The Hua family's fortunes are about to be restored, and from now on, no one will be able to bully you."
"Even now, I haven't been bullied." Hua Xian touched Hua Zhi's thin shoulders. "You've protected all of us very well, but it's been hard on you."
Hua Zhi lowered her head and smiled. She didn't really feel it had been hard - it's just that now she could finally say she had a clear conscience.
PS: Book recommendation: "Come On, My Violent Queen" by a screenwriter sister who has helped me before. The quality is absolutely guaranteed. Everyone, please go to the book review section to leave comments and boost its popularity. As you girls know, Kongkong recommends books not based on connections, but solely on quality.
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