The heavy doors of the Hua family residence slammed shut, cutting off all prying eyes from the outside.
Hua Yizheng gazed at the familiar plants, trees, corridors, and pillars in the courtyard. His heart, which had wandered adrift for two years, seemed to have found its home, finally settling into peace at this moment.
He looked at his eldest granddaughter, a trace of worry in his eyes. "Is your grandmother ill?"
At this point, Hua Zhi no longer concealed the truth. She knelt on the ground, forcing out the words that were difficult to utter. "I failed to keep my promise. On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the year before last, the day I returned from Yinshan Pass, Grandmother passed away."
Hua Yizheng staggered, his mind going blank. When he hadn’t seen her outside, he had feared her health had deteriorated. If she could have moved at all, she would have been there. But he never imagined... never imagined she hadn’t made it through the first year.
That woman, not particularly capable but still retaining kindness and warmth even as a grandmother, had not lived to see his return. He dared not imagine how much regret and worry had filled her heart in those circumstances.
"Father..." Hua Pingyu, also struck by the tragic news, came to his senses and called out softly, his eyes on his still-kneeling daughter. This matter could not be blamed on Zhi Er.
Hua Yizheng glanced blankly at his eldest son, then followed his gaze. Gradually, his mind cleared. He helped Hua Zhi to her feet, his voice hoarse as he stated, "So, for over a year, nearly two years, you’ve been carrying everything inside and out."
"Not alone. Mother and my three aunts managed the inner household affairs—I rarely intervened. As you know, I have capable maids who handled all business matters. My younger brother Berlin took charge of our brothers, and our sisters have each made progress... It was everyone working together that brought us to this day."
"It was the Eldest Miss’s achievement."
Wu Shi was the first to refute, and Hua Bolin quickly followed. "It was Elder Sister’s achievement."
Then, in unison, the others echoed, "It was the Eldest Miss’s (Elder Sister’s) achievement."
Hua Zhi shook her head and fell silent.
She felt she could not face her grandfather. She had promised not to let the Hua family lose a single member, yet she had let him lose his lifelong partner.
Hua Yizheng walked toward the family shrine, and the others followed in silence.
Amid the curling incense smoke, Hua Yizheng first paid respects to the ancestors, inserting the incense into the burner. Then, he lit three more sticks and placed them in the smaller incense burner before a newer-looking memorial tablet. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Did she live to see you return?"
"Yes. Grandmother entrusted the family to me before she passed away peacefully."
"Peacefully?"
"Yes, peacefully." Hua Zhi lifted her head to look at the tablet, as if transported back to that snowy day—a day when her heart had been full of joy at finally returning home, only to be met with tragic news. "I promised Grandmother that I would ensure the Hua family could live in peace and security, that those who should study would study, those who should embroider would embroider, that I would bring the Hua men back, and that one day, the Hua family would restore all its former glory."
Hua Yizheng’s expression grew distant, lost in thought. He recalled that day—how his once indolent granddaughter had stood firm in the wind and snow, her vow resolute. At the time, he had thought, he believed she would fulfill every word of her promise. Wan Niang’s heart, upon receiving that vow, must have felt just as he had then. That was why she could depart in peace."Grandfather does not blame you." Looking at his granddaughter's ashamed expression, Hua Yizheng sighed. "I originally thought with your grandmother overseeing the household and balancing relationships among the various branches, coupled with your own capabilities assisting, everything could be stabilized. But I never expected your grandmother would pass away so early, leaving this enormous burden entirely on your shoulders. Zhi Er, this isn't your fault. No one could have done better than you."
Hua Zhi pressed her lips together and softly acknowledged with "Yes."
"What illness? Your grandmother... what sickness took her so suddenly?"
Hua Zhi stopped concealing the truth and revealed everything Hua Jing had done, not even hiding how she later dealt with Hua Jing and the Chen family.
Hua Yizheng found it utterly absurd - it was actually because of that unfilial daughter? The person who had been so healthy when he left had actually been angered to death? He wanted to dig up Hua Jing's body and whip it!
Hua Zhi supported her grandfather, whose chest was heaving violently, as they left the dimly lit room. She signaled Berlin to fetch Yu Lao, who had been requested by Yan Xi to temporarily reside with the Hua family. "Grandmother has already been driven to her grave by her. Do you want to make yourself ill over her too?"
Hua Yizheng looked down at his uncontrollably trembling hands, unable to comprehend. As the eldest daughter of the Hua family, they had carefully raised her and married her off with great splendor. How could she show no gratitude at all? Not helping her maternal family during such times was bad enough, but she actually wanted to take advantage of them? Did she consider the Hua family as another He family?
"She's already dead, Grandfather. A person cannot die twice." Hua Zhi helped him sit down in the corridor. "Unfilial children, an unfaithful husband, and she didn't meet a good end herself - this is the greatest punishment for her."
Looking at his granddaughter's increasingly pale skin in the sunlight, Hua Yizheng felt a pang of heartache. His previously uncontrollable emotions gradually calmed down. That's right, how could he make Zhi Er exhaust herself comforting him at such a time.
"Grand Tutor."
Hua Zhi was momentarily stunned, then suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed. Since assuming the position of Grand Tutor, her family had never addressed her by this official title. Now being called this by such close family members suddenly made her feel like showing off before an expert.
But Hua Yizheng smiled. The dazed, dreamlike feeling that had plagued him since learning of his wife's passing finally began to fade. Leaning against the corridor pillar, he teased: "Before we only had two Hanlin scholars in one family. Now we have to add a first-rank Grand Tutor. Such glory is truly unique in the entire Qing dynasty."
"I don't need to attend court sessions or participate in political discussions. It's merely an honorary position. After three years when the Emperor gets married, my duties will be complete. This was personally permitted by the late Emperor, and later confirmed by the Empress Dowager. I doubt anyone would make an issue of this."
"Have you considered continuing long-term on this official career path?"
"Grandfather..." Seeing her father approach, Hua Zhi momentarily didn't know how to respond. Three high-ranking officials in one family - people might understand temporarily, but over time, who wouldn't impeach the Hua family relentlessly? Moreover, she had never harbored such ambitions.
Hua Pingyu sat down on his daughter's other side. "Knowing you now hold the position of Grand Tutor, we discussed it on our way back. As your father, I could..."
"Father!"Hua Pingyu waved his hand, "Let me finish. During my two years at Yinshan Pass, I wasn't completely without gains. Compared to being an esteemed Hanlin academician, I find greater interest in being an educator. If you're willing to pursue an official career, your father will seize the opportunity to retire and do what he truly enjoys. Don't think I'm doing this solely for your sake—I'm actually fulfilling my own aspirations."
"I don't have such thoughts, not in the slightest."
Hua Yizheng chuckled, "I told you Zhi Er wouldn't let you have your way, but you didn't believe me."
Hua Pingyu's face flushed with embarrassment at having his true intentions exposed before his daughter. "It would be such a waste to let a talent like Zhi Er's go unused."
"It's not entirely impossible for Father to retire."
Hua Pingyu looked at his daughter with hopeful eyes, while even Hua Yizheng straightened up, thinking his granddaughter had changed her mind.
Hua Zhi turned her gaze toward the young man approaching briskly with Yu Lao, who stood as straight as a young poplar. "Berlin, as a study companion, will inevitably spend much time by the emperor's side in the future. If Father has no interest in an official career, it might be better for him to step down early."
Father and son both looked over simultaneously. Indeed, after going through these trials, the young men in the family had noticeably matured—with Berlin showing the most remarkable growth.
OpenNovel