The second day of the first lunar month — the day for married daughters to return to their maiden homes.
The mourning period had already ended, and Hua Zhi no longer restricted the female members of the household. Those who wished to return home were free to do so.
Women by nature harbored deep attachment to their maiden families, and on such days most were eager to return — even Xia Shi, who had previously been on rather unpleasant terms with her maiden family, was no exception.
Knowing that Fourth Aunt had no plans to return came as no surprise to Hua Zhi. Among the aunts, Fourth Aunt had the clearest sense of right and wrong. But she hadn’t expected that her three younger sisters would also have no plans to visit their maternal families.
After a moment’s thought, Hua Zhi had someone summon the three of them.
“You must all go along. Second Aunt and Third Aunt are both soft-natured — if their families flatter them a little, there’s no telling what they might agree to. You need to go and keep an eye on things.”
The three sisters exchanged glances. They had been thinking about it the wrong way — they’d only been thinking about avoiding those snobbish relatives, forgetting that their mothers weren’t necessarily the sort of people who knew what was good for them.
“You must not fall short in matters of propriety. When you are out, your every word and action represents the Hua Family. Especially at a time like this, you must hold yourselves steady and not let others look down on you. Just remember this: the sky will not fall, and even if it truly did, it would not land on you. What is good or bad for the Hua Family has nothing whatsoever to do with outsiders — whatever they say is not worth a second thought.”
Hua Zhi looked at the three of them. “Of course, you must not allow yourselves to be bullied. If anyone behaves indecently, strike back hard. I will bear all consequences.”
All three nodded vigorously.
Hua Zhi sent Second Sister and Third Sister to go and prepare, keeping her younger half-sister behind.
All of the Hua girls had changed considerably — they had grown more composed, and more assured. With such an example before their eyes, they had all unconsciously been shifting in that direction. The trace of pettiness that had once clung to Hua Rong was visibly gone.
“I had intended to keep Concubine Qin confined to the house, but she went and appealed to Mother, and Mother, for your sake, gave her permission to go. You must be especially watchful on this trip — do not let your mother be taken in by anyone. If anyone brings up your marriage prospects, simply say that I already have a plan for the matter and that the affairs of the Hua Family require no outside interference. Do you understand?”
A flash of fierce resolve crossed Hua Rong’s face. “Yes, Elder Sister. These past days I have seen enough of both sincerity and pretense. I will not listen to them.”
“Good that you have your wits about you. But there is no need to worry too much — the Qin Family is presently eager to mend relations with me and has likely already given them a stern warning. Concubine Qin doesn’t know much of what goes on in the family anyway, so there’s no fear of her being drawn out in conversation. You only need to guard against her rashly agreeing to anything.”
“Yes, I’ll remember.”
Looking at her half-sister who seemed to have grown up so suddenly, Hua Zhi’s expression softened. “Don’t worry about your marriage. You’re still young, and I will certainly find you a good match. Whatever the other sisters have, you shall have as well. You will not be left out.”
“I never worried.” Hua Rong bit her lip lightly. “I trust Elder Sister.”
She trusted that Elder Sister would not carelessly betroth her to just anyone. She trusted that Elder Sister would not let her suffer. She trusted Elder Sister more than anyone in the world.
Before leaving, Hua Zhi made one more stop at Yan Xi’s room. The pair inside — brother and sister — looked over at her together, wearing such woeful expressions of abandonment that she almost wanted to laugh. “I promise I’ll be back after the midday meal. Fudong will prepare plenty of good things for you to eat. Oh — and some small dried fish came in from the seafood delivery. Have Fudong fry them up for you to eat.”
That last sentence was meant for Peony, and seeing her swallowing her saliva only deepened Hua Zhi’s smile. No matter how much had happened, no matter how much ugliness she had witnessed in the world, to still have someone like this by her side, just as they had always been — that was truly a good thing.
Hua Zhi looked up and met Yan Xi’s gaze. She narrowed her eyes and smiled, the dimples appearing in her cheeks.
Gu Yan Xi could not help but think: how wonderful it would be if time could stop at this very moment.
……
They had set out a little late, and the moment they entered the Zhu Family residence they were met with reproaches.
“I’ve been waiting so long for you, dear — my neck has grown several inches.” Old Madam Zhu actually reached up to feel her neck, as though it truly had lengthened.
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhu Family joined in cheerfully: “Surely you wouldn’t begrudge Little Sister taking a little extra time to prepare? I think she looks particularly radiant today.”
“Elder Sister-in-law is always teasing me.” Zhu Shi led her daughter in making a round of greetings. “If it were just me, I’d have been back before dawn. But what can I do when I have such a terribly busy person at home? Up and busy from the moment she woke, and still making rounds right up to when we left. In ordinary times I’d have just told her not to bother coming.”
“With such a large household, everything inside and out falls to her — how could she not be busy?” Old Madam Zhu poked her on the forehead. “And you have the nerve to say anything. If you were a little more capable, would Zhi’er even need to manage the inner household?”
Zhu Shi laughed and acted spoiled, every inch the indulged youngest daughter.
Hua Zhi smiled and smoothly took up the thread. “Most of the household affairs are managed by Fourth Aunt. Mother is often with Fourth Aunt and helps out a great deal as well.”
“No need to speak up for her — everyone in this house knows what she’s like.” Though she said this, Old Madam Zhu was actually very pleased. Just from Zhi’er’s manner, one could see how protectively she sheltered her mother, and that was a good thing — it meant there would be no rift growing between mother and daughter.
Speaking of rifts, Old Madam Zhu inwardly sighed, though her expression remained warm and smiling as she turned to give an order. “Shan’er, aren’t you going to greet your aunt and cousins?”
Zhu Shan stepped out from behind the old lady and gave a proper bow. “Wishing Aunt good health and Cousins good health.”
“Happy New Year to you as well, Cousin.” Hua Zhi had spotted Zhu Shan standing behind her grandmother the moment she arrived. It seemed the old lady had taken her suggestion and was keeping Zhu Shan by her side to personally oversee her upbringing. She could only hope it would be enough to draw the girl out from the corner she had backed herself into.
Zhu Shan greeted Zhu Shi as well and offered an apology. “I behaved badly before. Please don’t hold it against me.”
“Such a small thing — would your aunt really take offense with a child?” Zhu Shi took her by the hand. “It’s the New Year, we don’t speak of old matters. What’s past is past; don’t dwell on it any longer.”
With that, Zhu Shi asked Lin Shuang to bring over a small box and open it. “Aunt’s eyes aren’t good for picking things out, so I had your cousin buy this for you. I thought the quality looked quite fine — wear it for fun.”
Inside the box lay a pair of red jade earrings, excellent in both material and craftsmanship. Zhu Shan naturally liked them and accepted the gift, thanking her softly and offering Hua Zhi a small curtsy as well.
To Hua Zhi’s ears, this expression of gratitude sounded far more genuine than before.
A good sign.
Zhu Shi glanced at her two sisters-in-law and, living up to her habit of asking whenever something puzzled her, said: “Why is it that Elder Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law haven’t gone back to their maiden homes?”
“They’re both right here in the capital — no need to rush on this particular day.” Old Madam Zhu said it lightly, but Hua Zhi understood the real reason: most likely, everyone was waiting for her.
“Where is Grandfather?”
Old Madam Zhu was just about to reply when sounds came from outside. Shortly after, the curtain was lifted, and she smiled. “There — didn’t I say so?”
Filing in were the men of the Zhu Family. Zhu Ziwen, the eldest grandson, was among them. As they entered, their gazes fell directly on Hua Zhi. They couldn’t very well glare at her, yet they couldn’t simply swallow their agitation either. Really — could she not let every family in the capital have a peaceful New Year?
Hua Zhi rose to greet them. Old Master Zhu pinched the bridge of his nose, then looked up at his wife. “I’m taking Zhi’er with me. You handle things well here.”
The old lady glanced at her granddaughter and could only nod. This matter had indeed grown rather large. It was only the second day of the new year, and already four rounds of visitors had come under the pretense of New Year’s calls but in truth to probe for information.