Inside and outside the room, everyone had fallen to their knees — solemn, grief-stricken, their weeping carefully restrained.

Hua Zhi held her grandmother for a long while, her hand patting gently, rhythmically, as though coaxing someone to sleep. Then she laid her down, folding her grandmother’s hands lightly over her lower abdomen, her movements unhurried and tender throughout — as though afraid of waking her.

Standing still before the bed, Hua Zhi gazed at her grandmother’s face. “Has the burial garment been prepared?”

Nanny Su, who was weeping so hard she could barely breathe, choked out her reply. “It — it has been, the Old Madam — the Old Madam knew, knew she wasn’t well, and had it prepared in advance.”

“Bring it out. Help Grandmother change her clothes.”

Nanny Su retrieved the burial garment. Chun Xiang, sharp as ever, found another maid and had them carry in water. Hua Zhi rolled up her sleeves, washed her hands first, then began unfastening her grandmother’s clothes.

Nanny Su quickly stepped forward. “Young Miss, let this servant—”

“This is mine to do.”

Nanny Su’s tears fell again. She nodded and said no more, simply standing beside her to help.

Once the body had been cleaned and dressed, Hua Zhi tidied her grandmother’s appearance, then gave her orders without turning around. “Burn the mourning paper. Light the eternal lamp.”

“Yes.”

Burning paper — also known as burning the departing-soul paper — Chen Nanny was about to go burn it in the courtyard when she heard the Young Miss speak again: “Open the main gate. Burn it at the front gate. Tell Steward Xu to begin the mourning rites.”

Chen Nanny couldn’t hide her surprise. In the months since they had moved to the southern part of the city, the Hua Family’s front gate had never once been opened after they arrived. And yet now—

She then reminded herself that the Young Miss was now the head of the household, and she only needed to follow orders. She curtsied quickly and hurried away.

Hua Zhi took one last look at her grandmother, then finally turned away — not a trace of grief on her face.

Nanny Su suddenly realized that, until this moment, the Young Miss had not shed a single tear. She had arranged everything methodically, as though the person who had just passed had nothing to do with her.

But how could she not be grieving? She had traveled so far to return, only to be met with this. The girl who had given the Old Madam peace enough to pass — how could she not be devastated?

Nanny Su wept even harder, her sorrow surging afresh.

“Nanny Su — all of you should come serve under me from now on.”

Nanny Su looked up through tear-blurred eyes. Had the Young Miss just said—

“My quarters are short a few head nurses.”

Nanny Su was naturally more than willing, but if they left, what would become of the others who served in the Old Madam’s rooms? She could not bear the thought of them scattering the moment her mistress had barely drawn her last breath.

As though understanding her hesitation, Hua Zhi put her fears to rest. “My quarters have enough attendants already, but there will always be room somewhere. I will not mistreat anyone who has been loyal to the Hua Family.”

Nanny Su’s heart settled. Together with the other two nurses in the room, they performed a deep bow. The four of them had served the Old Madam for decades — there had been rivalries in their younger days, but the bond between them was genuine. To continue serving under the same mistress was the best outcome they could hope for.

With their minds at ease, Hua Zhi pulled on her cloak before stepping outside. She was cold.

“Elder Sister!” Seeing her emerge, Hua Bailin, kneeling at the very front, called out in a small, soft voice. Hua Zhi looked at him. “Grandmother has passed.”

Hua Bailin’s eyes filled with tears almost instantly, yet he held his head up stubbornly, his back straight.

“You are the eldest male of this household. You will take the lead in these matters.”

Hua Bailin did not know what exactly he was supposed to do, but that didn’t stop him from nodding. If he didn’t know, he would learn. If no one taught him, he would ask. He would figure it out.

“Hua Xin.”

Hua Xin, kneeling on the other side, hadn’t expected to be addressed, and hoarsely answered at once.

“Take your younger siblings inside to keep vigil at Grandmother’s side. Mind the eternal lamp — do not let it go out.”

Hua Xin instinctively looked toward her mother. Qi Shi nodded to her repeatedly.

Hua Xin agreed, took the two youngest by the hand, and led them inside. The rest of the younger generation followed.

The room outside emptied at once. Facing the Hua Family’s new head of household, Wu Shi was the first to respond. “Zhier, whatever you need us to do, just say the word. We will cooperate fully.”

The others all nodded as well.

“I am young and do not know the customs of mourning. I will need all of you to manage these matters. Whatever needs to be purchased, whatever needs to be done — you do not need to come through me. Arrange it directly. I have only one request.”

Hua Zhi looked steadily at the four elders. “Do not let anyone look down on the Hua Family.”

Wu Shi answered on behalf of all of them. “We understand. Though for now, it would not be appropriate to make too grand a show of things—”

“There is no need for extravagance. Sincerity is enough.”

“Understood. We will handle it well.”

Hua Zhi walked out of the room. She had no time for comforting words, no time to console her mother, whose eyes were swollen from crying. There was too much to attend to.

“Where is Steward Xu?”

Before Ying Chun could answer, Steward Xu himself spoke up. “I am here, Young Miss.”

Xu Dongjin came in from outside the courtyard. He had known the Young Miss would need him and had been waiting just outside.

Hua Zhi’s legs had gone weak. She did not try to hide it — she simply turned and went back inside. Xu Dongjin hurried after her.

Bao Xia quietly pressed a cup of tea into her mistress’s hand. Hua Zhi drank it down in one breath. During this moment, Xu Dongjin faced the inner room and bowed deeply before the Old Madam.

“The death notices need to be sent.”

Xu Dongjin wiped his eyes. “Yes. Which households should be informed?”

“Grandmother’s maternal family, the Hua Family’s branch lines, the maternal families of the four wives, Second Aunt, and Master Mu.” Hua Zhi paused, and ultimately left Master Lu’s name out. “The other households can wait a little longer. See if there is anyone I’ve missed, and draw up a list for me as quickly as you can.”

“Yes.” Xu Dongjin glanced quickly at her. “And the First Aunt—”

Everyone strained to hear Hua Zhi’s decision. Hua Jing bore undeniable responsibility for the Old Madam’s death. Yet Hua Jing was an elder regardless, and no matter what Hua Zhi did it would be seen as wrong — but to swallow this grievance would be difficult to justify to the others.

Hua Zhi ran her fingers along the smooth rim of the teacup, her eyes narrowing slightly. “How could we leave her out? I will go fetch her myself.”

“Zhier—” Zhu Shi was sick with worry. She had been on the receiving end of her elder sister-in-law’s cruelty more than once and had always been afraid of her. Hearing that her daughter intended to confront her, her heart seized up immediately.

“She is nothing more than someone who throws her weight around at home. She can only bully people who still care about her. I will teach her, on Grandmother’s behalf, how to conduct herself.”

Hua Zhi, who had not planned to go immediately, suddenly found she couldn’t wait a moment longer. “Bring me my mourning garments.”

It is said that mourning dress makes a beauty all the more striking — and this was proven true. Hua Zhi put on the white mourning clothes, bound a white mourning cloth in her hair, and her already considerable beauty rose from nine parts to twelve.

What was more, after her long and grueling journey she was not in good color — against the white robes, this pallor lent her an air of fragility that softened her presence somewhat.

“Ying Chun. Bao Xia.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

“No more holding back. Manage this household well and let everyone see what you are capable of.” Hua Zhi threw on another pure-white cloak — also white, yet rather than adding to her frailty, it drew back every bit of the presence she had momentarily lost, and then some.

Ying Chun and Bao Xia exchanged a glance and answered with full force.

Hua Zhi’s eyes were cold. She would make Hua Jing understand what she stood to lose now that Grandmother was gone.