The Hua family had a simple year.
They eat vegetarian food, eat vegetarian fruits and wear vegetarian clothes, so they are also vegetarians in terms of their identity.
Fudong was the chef who prepared the New Year's Eve dinner. She and dozens of people in the big kitchen started preparing it on the 28th. The aroma never stopped for several days. From time to time, some snacks were taken out so that the servants who were ordered to come would not return empty-handed.
Of course, the one that runs the fastest is Peony.
After she ran into the kitchen again, Liu Juan smiled with red cheeks and handed her the prepared fried meatballs. "Sister Fudong said that no matter what is made, someone will send a portion to you, so don't run away."
Shaoyao was laughing, with crumbs of pastry still on the corners of her mouth, and she looked so silly.
She no longer needs to wear a veil in the Hua family. At first, some people were afraid to look at her face, but after seeing her greedy and clingy appearance for so long, they couldn't be afraid of her anymore.
Hua Zhi didn't care about her and let her be as she pleased as long as she didn't think about going out.
Inside the house, Yingchun looked at the clepsydra again and reminded in a low voice: "Miss, it's time to go."
"Yes." Hua Zhi responded, but she did not stop writing.
Yingchun sighed secretly, feeling heartbroken beyond words, and said she would rest until the 15th, but after only two days of rest she picked up her pen again.
After a while, Hua Zhi put down her pen and frowned as she looked at what she had written. Was she making a big deal out of nothing? But if she didn't do this, she would be too passive.
They are already so much slower than others and their strength is vulnerable. If they don't think of some means of self-protection, even if the border is not in chaos, given the temperament of those princes, they will not let the Hua family go free.
"Miss, everyone should be here by now."
"Let's go."
There were three tables in the side hall of the Hua family's main courtyard, and except for the main seat which was still empty, everyone else had already taken their seats.
The seating arrangement was not divided into men, women, old and young as before, but was arranged according to the family as Hua Zhi wanted. Everyone felt a little fresh and good about it. Isn't a family reunion dinner meant for the whole family to be together? Who can be closer than children!
Bai Jun was greedy for food and asked quietly, "Mother, why hasn't my eldest sister come yet?"
Mrs. Wu patted her hands and said softly, "Eldest sister is very busy. She will come over when she is done."
"My eldest sister is so busy every day."
"Yes, she is very busy. If you grow up quickly and can help her, she won't be so busy anymore."
"I know. Sixth brother said that we all need to become very powerful so that we can help eldest sister."
The childish voice makes people feel proud and sad.
Hua Zhi was still dressed in white, and walked into the room with a hand warmer in her sleeve. All the people sitting stood up, even the aunt who was two generations older than her.
This is the attitude towards the head of the family. Even if Hua Zhi doesn't care, they cannot take advantage of their seniority.
"Please take a seat." Hua Zhi quickly took off her cloak, put down the hand warmer, and bowed to the elders, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm late."
There was no explanation, but the Hua family understood that Hua Bailin had already told everyone that his eldest sister was busy.
Sitting next to her mother, Hua Zhi glanced around. Everyone was looking at her, with pure happiness, dependence on her, gratitude and satisfaction, but no panic. This was the greatest compliment for her during these days as the head of the family.
In just half a year, the Hua family went from being a top family with two Hanlin scholars to being confiscated and exiled, followed by the death of the old lady, the pillar of support. Under the double blow, the Hua family did not fall into devastation as outsiders had expected, and they are in good spirits and have no disappointment in the future. The Hua family has a bright future.
Hua Zhi raised her glass, "Cheers to the Hua family."
The children's cups contained sugar water, and the adults' cups contained sweet wine, and everyone drank it all in one gulp.
The maid quickly refilled everyone's empty cups.
Hua Zhi raised her glass again, "The second cup is for ourselves."
Some people's eyes suddenly turned red for unknown reasons, but they drank without hesitation, not a drop left.
After the third cup was filled, Hua Zhi turned the cup around and raised it again, "This last cup is for a prosperous future."
Zhu turned her head to wipe away her tears quietly. Hua Zhi looked at her and took the lead in picking up her chopsticks, putting the food into her mother's bowl. "I am afraid that everyone is too nervous, but I am also afraid that everyone is too relaxed. I will not hide it so that everyone can understand. The Hua family is now just meat on someone else's chopping board. It is far from the time to relax. In the future, please work together to protect our Hua family."
Hua Bolin was the first to respond, "Protect our Hua family!"
The children followed up with crisp voices, "Protect our Hua family!"
Everyone either choked up, was hoarse, or excited and spoke out, "Protect our Hua family!"
Shaoyao, who was sitting next to Huazhi, looked around and shouted, "Protect Huahua."
The excitement and even tragic emotions in her heart were instantly broken. Hua Rong couldn't help laughing out loud, which made everyone who were trying to hold back their laughter burst into laughter, and the atmosphere suddenly became cheerful.
Hua Zhi rewarded Shaoyao with a big spoonful of her favorite Laba beans, which she fried with some garlic leaves. It was delicious. Shaoyao could finish a bowl of rice with just this spoonful!
Although it was all vegetarian, the taste was no worse than the big fish and meat we usually eat. The reunion dinner did not follow the usual rules of not talking while eating. They ate and drank sweet wine while chatting and laughing quietly. Except for the absence of that upright man by their side, they felt extremely relaxed.
The Third Aunt glanced at Hua Zhi and asked her grandson softly, "After the New Year, you must say hello to your cousin when you return to the Yang family, just like you had to say hello to the Yang family wherever you went before."
Yang Sui'an immediately understood and nodded, "Yes, I understand."
"It would be better if you really understood." Looking at her daughter who had finally gained some weight and covered her face with makeup, Third Auntie thought of what Wu had said secretly and asked casually, "Xian'er, are you planning to go back?"
Hua Xian looked up, her face full of panic, "Do you want me to go back?"
"Don't panic for now. If you don't want to go back, no one will force you. Even if you divorce Yang Qi, this place will always be your home. You won't be left with nowhere to go."
Hua Xian's heart suddenly blossomed. She was so moved and wanted to break up with Yang Qi so much, but the Hua family had never set such a precedent. It was already embarrassing enough for the Hua family that she was taken back to her parents' home. If they divorced again, her parents' home would be ashamed of her.
The light in her eyes gradually faded, Hua Xian lowered her head again and said softly: "I... I'll leave it like this."
"What if someone from the Yang family comes to pick you up?"
Hua Xian's face turned pale and she shook her head at her mother. She didn't want to go back.
"Then let's get a divorce. The Hua family doesn't need you to eat, and you are also welcome." At the New Year's Eve dinner, Xiaoyi's gentle Third Aunt was decisive for once. "The eldest lady said that as long as you are willing, you will always be a member of the Hua family. From now on, you will get the same twenty taels of silver as the young men of your age in the Hua family every month. You will have everything that Berlin has, so you don't need to worry about anything, and you don't need to force yourself."
PS: Second update. Okay, I’ll try my best.