Hua Xian had been holding on alone for too long, and she felt drowsy when she settled down and lay in her mother's arms. Hua Zhi had her carried on a slide to her third aunt's yard.
As soon as she lay down on the bed, Hua Xian fell asleep almost the moment she lay down, perhaps because the room and the bed were filled with the familiar, reassuring smell.
Third Aunt's tears kept falling like beads from a broken string. Her daughter was being bullied for a long time. She used to think that even because of the Hua family's status, the Yang family would not dare to bully Xian'er. But now she realized that when a person is too weak, he or she will be bullied at any time.
Xian'er is also stupid. She didn't tell anyone when she came back. How could she not support the master when he was around? Fortunately, the eldest girl can handle the responsibility, otherwise...
After carefully covering her daughter with a quilt, Third Aunt tiptoed out of the house. The Hua family members in the outer room had not left yet, and there was more or less concern in their eyes. Third Aunt had never felt such a strong sense of belonging to the Hua family before.
Zhu's eyes were red and swollen, so she asked in a low voice, "Is my aunt asleep?"
"I'm asleep. Thanks to everyone today."
"We didn't do anything." Xia looked at Hua Zhi and said, "It's the eldest girl who has the courage."
The third aunt nodded in agreement, "Yes, no one can compare to our eldest daughter."
"No one would ignore such a thing if they encountered it." Hua Zhi did not take credit for it. "Then we will not disturb you here, so as not to disturb Second Aunt. Sui'an, I will take you to where you live."
"Yes." Yang Sui'an bowed to his step-grandmother and immediately followed her out. He knew that his cousin must have something to ask him.
Hua Zhi took him to the west wing and asked, "Do you know why your father beat your aunt?"
"I know a little." Yang Sui'an pursed his lips. Although it was a family scandal, he did not intend to hide it in front of his cousin. "It should be the scene of the students seeing off my grandmother on the day of her funeral that made him think about it. He wanted to get to know some people through the Hua family. He needs influence among the students to make further progress."
"Your mother refused?"
"My mother said that the Hua family now consists of mostly women and the younger generations are still young, so they would not contact those people and attract gossip. So that man started to attack. I guess he wanted to scare my mother so that she would listen to him." Although he was sitting next to the brazier, Yang Sui'an felt a chill all over his body.
"Has he ever laid hands on my aunt before?"
"No, he would say harsh words to her, would not enter her room for a long time, and would deliberately provoke the maids around her, but he would not take action. Maybe he did not dare to do so at that time."
"Since you know all this, why don't you come back and tell Grandfather? Don't say your mother is a concubine's daughter. Grandfather has never treated any of his children badly."
Yang Sui'an lowered his head. "I didn't know much until shortly before my grandmother passed away. Then I went to investigate and gradually found out more. Mom kept telling me that she wanted to move out of the main courtyard on her own initiative, saying that she didn't like it there. Every time I went back, she was very happy and didn't seem reluctant at all. That's why I..."
Yang Sui'an fell on his knees, a posture that sought a sense of security. He choked and said, "I should have paid more attention to my mother."
Hua Zhi put some charcoal into the brazier, watching the black charcoal ignite little by little, and did not persuade the boy with heaving shoulders. She suddenly found that it had been a while since she had the idea that children should not take on responsibilities too early. After the accident of the Hua family, she realized that no one voluntarily understands things that they should not understand, but they are forced to do so for various reasons.
This is true in Berlin and also in Sui'an.
***
There is never a shortage of topics in the capital, and the most talked about person recently is the eldest daughter of the Hua family.
First, the men of the Hua family were sentenced to exile, and then the old lady passed away. They were still lamenting that such a big family might be broken up, but who could have known that while they were still lamenting, she let her ten-year-old brother take people to forcibly take the bullied aunt back home. She didn't seem like a coward at all. For a while, it seemed that everyone in the capital was interested in this eldest girl of the Hua family.
Along with the eldest girl, Hua Bailin also gained fame. Such a big kid, not even ten years old, was able to do things with logic and discretion. He was not afraid of confronting Lord Yang. It was said that when he was surrounded by people from the Yang family and they didn't allow him to take away the second aunt of the Hua family, he rushed out with only a few people. Even some adults would not have done better than him.
Tsk, this is the younger generation brought up by the Hua family. They are different from those from other families.
Baoxia described these to the young lady in vivid detail. The other maids looked depressed, but the protagonist was very calm. She put down the pen, blew on the ink, and handed it to Baoxia, "Give it to Fudong and let her try it out."
"Miss!"
"What do you want me to say? Praise them for what they said?" Hua Zhi raised the corners of her lips, as if she was smiling. "Or send me in front of them so that they can see how beautiful I am?"
Bao Xia finally realized what her young lady's personality was like, and lowered her head with an expression of admitting her fault. Yingchun couldn't stand her perfunctory attitude, so she pushed her out and said, "Hurry up and leave. Don't upset the young lady here."
Baoxia stuck out her tongue and ran away.
Hua Zhixu nodded at Yingchun, and Yingchun smiled ingratiatingly.
Hua Zhi was also happy to see them living in harmony, and she would not tolerate any intrigue around her.
Liu Xiang came in with a basket, "Miss, it's time to go to the clan school."
"Yes." After washing her hands, Hua Zhi instructed: "The girls are all talented and knowledgeable. If they have any questions and send someone to ask you, you should teach them well."
"Whoever is in charge of the family always holds on to the things at hand. But you, after taking charge, can't wait to hand over all the power." Yingchun brought a thick cloak to her and put it on. She was stunned for a moment when she looked at the fiery red fox fur. Yes, she still owed Mr. Lu a lot of money.
"Miss?"
"Nothing." Hua Zhi lowered her head and gathered her cloak. "Is it worth worrying about just that little bit of power? If I can bring them all out, I can let them take care of the family affairs in the future. I will be happy and relaxed. Nianqiu, remember to do the public accounts using the old method that everyone can understand. Don't use the method I taught you."
Nian Qiu nodded reluctantly. It would be great if she could use the young lady's set. It would be much more convenient and save a lot of effort.
Before leaving, Hua Zhi turned back and gave instructions, "Pay more attention to Second Aunt, and make sure that each room has something that she needs. I remember that the monthly allowance for children aged fourteen or fifteen was twenty taels. You should give Sui An the same amount every month in the future. Also, he must have pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. He must have everything that Berlin has. Remember that?"
"Yes, I will do it myself."
Hua Zhi nodded, pulled her cloak closer again, and held the hand warmer in her sleeves. She was ready to go out but was still startled by the wind. The weather was getting colder and colder, and she really didn't want to take a step out when the cold wind blew.
"Next year, we will install floor heating in the clan school. Liu Xiang, please remember this for me. I'm afraid I'll forget it."
"yes."