The Hua Family spent ten days getting the old residence into a barely livable state. Without needing to discuss it, everyone unanimously and eagerly wanted to go back.
Large and small bundles, carriages borrowed from various households, and the people who had come to help — led by the Zhu brothers — packed the alley so full it felt like a bustling thoroughfare, the entrance alive with the constant flow of carriages and horses.
This was the scene Hua Zhi arrived to find when she came over. She did not step down from her carriage, and instead instructed the coachman to drive around to the back gate.
“First Young Miss! You’re back!” The gatekeeper was overjoyed and quickly sent someone inside to deliver the news.
“I’m back. Is everyone ready?”
“Yes, all ready!” The gatekeeper answered with a booming, vigorous voice, his smile so wide it nearly reached the back of his ears. Was it not because they were going home? He was a bondservant born into the Hua Family, born and raised within it — that place was his home!
Hua Zhi smiled and gave him a nod before walking inside.
All along the way came greetings, the same light and quick footsteps, the same smiling faces. Though the spirit of the Hua Family had never completely collapsed, it was only at this moment that it could truly be said to have fully returned. This sense of belonging to the family could only be understood in its full intensity by those who were part of it, and it ran especially deep in the Hua Family, who were known for their unity and rare discord.
After walking through it all, Hua Zhi felt as though a weight had lifted from her body.
“Elder Sister.”
Hua Bailin jogged over, wanting to take her arm, but Hua Zhi sidestepped him and shot him a glare. “Do you take me for someone old?”
“Elder Sister is not old at all.” Hua Bailin hastily objected and withdrew his hand. He certainly would not say that he had simply wanted to be closer to her!
Hua Zhi tapped his forehead and looked out at the scene of vibrant energy all around her, smiling. “Everyone is so happy.”
“They are. Last night, I don’t know how many people couldn’t sleep, just longing for daybreak to come sooner.” Hua Bailin rubbed his nose — he himself had been one of them. “The books have all been packed into crates, Elder Sister. Don’t worry, not a single one was left behind.”
“The things in Grandmother’s room…”
“Several of the nannies went together to pack it up. I checked on it earlier — nothing was left behind.”
Hua Zhi nodded. “Let everyone know we depart in a quarter of an hour. And also — carry Grandmother’s memorial tablet carefully. We are taking her home with us.”
Hua Bailin’s nose stung. He nodded firmly.
Hua Zhi returned to her own courtyard. Nian Qiu spotted her and hurried over. “Why have you come back? Everything is packed up, nothing was left behind.”
“We all came out together, so we return together.” Hua Zhi looked at the room, now nearly empty, her gaze falling to the space beneath the large chest.
Before she could ask, Nian Qiu quickly said, “Don’t worry, everything from inside has already been taken out.”
Having such capable maids truly saved time and effort. Hua Zhi took one last look at the room. “Help me change my clothes.”
In the front courtyard, the assembled procession was arranged just as it had been when they left. Hua Zhi stood at the very front, taking the place once held by the old mistress. Bailin stood behind her, holding the memorial tablet. The young ladies were seated in carriages. The married women wore veils over their faces and supported one another. The children who had once been so small had all grown by varying degrees. Behind them came the maids and servants — neat and orderly, their expressions a solemn composure that barely contained their excitement.
Hua Zhi looked quietly over everyone. “We’re going home.”
The crowd responded with a great unified cry. The sound carried beyond the gate, and everyone outside fell silent, eyes fixed on the main doors.
Hua Zhi, dressed in her official robes, walked out first. Behind her came Hua Bailin, holding the memorial tablet in his arms. The two siblings came to a stop and bowed to the gathered crowd — once in thanks for those who had not abandoned them when the Hua Family had fallen into hardship, and again for those who had come today.
The crowd, flustered, all bowed in return.
The long procession walked from the southern city to the northern city. Every passerby stopped to watch. Even the teahouses and taverns that were usually filled with loud voices fell silent.
They found themselves thinking hazily of that scene two years ago — the same long procession. Back then, the one leading it had been the old matriarch of the Hua Family. Now she had become a memorial tablet cradled in the arms of her eldest grandson. The one standing in her place was the First Young Miss of the Hua Family — the Imperial Tutor to the reigning Emperor.
Two years — enough time for many to live and die, enough for several noble families to rise and fall. Yet the Hua Family had not tumbled from its pedestal, and its people had not bent their backs. Two years on, they remained the Hua Family — the one that scholars across the realm aspired to.
Regardless of what opinions each person held about a woman serving in office, in this moment everyone stood and watched in silence as a gesture of respect. Perhaps their views differed, but that could not erase the contributions the First Young Miss had made to the great nation of Daqing, nor could it deny the efforts she had put forth over these two years. They held in deep regard the First Young Miss who had nearly sacrificed her own life in doing so — and in this, it had nothing to do with being a man or a woman.
Gu Yanxi remained hidden in the shadows, following along the entire way. Two years ago, he had not had the chance to walk alongside her as she left the Hua Family’s home. Now, he wanted to accompany her as she returned. Every road that lay ahead — he wanted to walk it by her side.
The carriages moved slowly forward, pedestrians stepped aside, and all along the way, Hua Zhi’s thoughts wandered — and yet she felt as though she had thought of nothing at all. She only knew that home was ahead, and without needing her mind to guide the way, her feet knew exactly where to go. It was only when she truly entered Hualin Alley and saw the wide-open gates of the Hua Family home that a sense of settled peace finally came to rest in her heart.
The ordeal the Hua Family had endured — it had truly passed.
All the ancestral tablets that had been carried away were returned to the family shrine and arranged in their proper order, the memorial plaques restored to their places. Finally, Hua Zhi set her grandmother’s tablet in its rightful position, lit incense, and burned offerings. Leading all the descendants of the household, she performed the grand ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations before the ancestors of the Hua Family.
When it was done, Hua Zhi raised her head, looked at the shrine filled to the brim with presence, and let out a long, slow breath. She walked out and said to the female members of the family waiting outside, “Everyone go rest and recuperate. Take a good rest and save up your energy. Once Grandfather and the others are all home, we’ll celebrate properly.”
Everyone beamed with unrestrained joy and nodded again and again. Wu Shi spoke on behalf of them all. “How much longer before they arrive home?”
“They are just as eager to return and won’t delay on the road. By my reckoning, they should arrive in another ten or so days.”
They had already waited two years — what was ten more days? Everyone encouraged one another, and in small groups of two and three, they made their way back to the inner courtyard.
Hua Xian, who had been away from home for so long, looked a little uncertain about what to do. Her own boudoir was still there and ready for her whenever she wished — but Sui’an…
“Your younger cousin’s courtyard is next to Bailin’s.” The little aunt was simply too easy to read — Hua Zhi saw through her in an instant. “I had it furnished to match Bailin’s side. If you find anything you don’t like, just tell Steward Xu. Coming here is coming home — don’t feel like a stranger.”
The quietly uneasy heart of Yang Sui’an was completely soothed by these words. “Sui’an thanks you, Elder Cousin.”
“Everything I said before still stands. Don’t feel uncertain just because you don’t carry the Hua surname. Whatever the children of the Hua Family receive, you will not be shortchanged. But the expectations placed on you will also be on par with those for the Hua children — that won’t change simply because your surname is Yang. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
Hua Zhi smiled and nodded. “Bailin, take your elder cousin to get familiar with the place. Oh, and I’ve added a few attendants for you. If any of them don’t behave themselves, just come and tell me. The sort of pleasant distractions that would disrupt your studies — I hope that won’t be happening to you.”
Yang Sui’an, already sixteen and currently being considered for a match, naturally understood the implication, and his face immediately flushed a deep red — even Hua Xian, who had not yet left, covered her mouth and laughed.
After Hua Bailin led his mortified elder cousin away, Hua Xian stepped forward, taking her niece’s hands in hers, and sighed softly. “Little aunt thanks you.”
“We’re family — no need for such words. Just take good care of yourself. The Hua Family’s sky is almost back. No one will dare bully you after this.”
“Even now, no one has bullied me.” Hua Xian touched Hua Zhi’s slender shoulders. “You have protected all of us so well. It’s you who has suffered.”
Hua Zhi lowered her head and smiled softly. She did not feel that she had suffered. But now that it had come to this, she could at last say with honesty that she had a clear conscience.