Last year was a plain year, so Hua Zhi wanted to have a more lively New Year this year.
Mrs. Wu is capable and has prepared everything properly.
On the 30th day, Hua Zhi led all the old and young from the Hua family's side branches to the ancestral hall. She was in front, followed by her brothers in the middle, and then the Hua sisters. The ladies of each branch knelt outside the door with Hua Xian. Even though the family was divided into two halves, the Hua family could still be considered to have many children.
Holding incense in her hand, with green smoke curling up, Hua Zhi's eyes fell on the spirit tablet of Hua Jingyan on a high place. When she first learned about this ancestor of the Hua family, she had doubted whether he was from the future like her. However, after looking through all the records about him, she found out that he was a local aboriginal. His intelligence was so great that even a time traveler was not worth mentioning in front of him. His erudition, vision, and military skills were worthy of being on par with great men.
Even more fortunately, he met a good monarch who did not abandon him after he had done his job, nor did he make his achievements too great to frighten the ruler. The two of them got along well with each other, and maintained that relationship of both monarch and friend until their death. It was also this man with high emotional intelligence and EQ who set many family rules, positioning the Hua family as pure scholars, making the Hua family different from other ministers, and allowing the family to be passed down to this day.
But it only got here.
Hua Zhi bowed his head, put his hands at shoulder level, and said in a clear voice: "The current head of the Hua family, Hua Zhi, respectfully informs the ancestors that this year the descendants of the Hua family are diligent and studious, behave properly, abide by the rules of our Hua family, and follow the laws of our Daqing. The ancestors warned us not to miss the day."
Hua Zhi paused and continued, "Next year, the Hua family will be even better. Please bear witness, ancestors."
Kowtowed again, Hua Zhi avoided the housekeeper who was coming to take the incense, and inserted the incense into the incense burner herself, then stepped back, knelt down and kowtowed again.
The ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows was completed meticulously.
After standing up, Hua Zhi turned around to face her brothers and sisters. According to the procedure, it was time to give them a lecture.
"Everyone has grown a lot this year. I hope I can still say this by this time next year." Hua Zhi glanced at the children whose faces were still young, and said in a gentle tone, "The Hua family has been scholars for generations. Books are the foundation of the Hua family. Everyone must keep this in mind at all times."
Everyone responded in unison, and even though it was childish, it created a lot of laughter.
Hua Zhi turned around and looked at Hua Jingyan's spirit tablet, "Let's work together to protect the reputation of our Hua family."
"Protect the Hua family's reputation!"
Outside the ancestral hall, some people were already shedding tears. It was just an ordinary remark, but it touched the softest part of their hearts. They were obviously happy, but they couldn't hold back their tears.
But they feel at ease. Last year, they didn’t know what the future would be like. They had no direction, didn’t know what to do, and were filled with panic. But now, someone is leading them forward.
***
On the 30th, no one is idle.
The three aunts and uncles also found some work to do, and the two aunts accompanied them. In the past, they had no qualifications to accompany guests, but now no one in the Hua family cared about this.
Hua Zhi had been beating, knocking, and rubbing everyone over over the past year, and everyone had gotten used to uniting and living in peace, especially since they had received generous dividends before the New Year. Those empty things were nothing compared to the real benefits.
Hua Zhi came over and chatted with them. No one mentioned the unhappy things. They just talked about which boy had made progress and which girl was getting better at managing the household. The whole place was very harmonious.
When they saw Yingchun come in, they just glanced at her and continued talking.
Hua Zhi noticed something was going on, and with a sinking heart, she found an excuse to get up and leave the house.
"What is it?"
Yingchun swallowed her saliva and said in a low voice, "An angel has come."
Hua Zhi was startled. She quickly walked to the front yard while thinking about whether there was a precedent for sending angels on the 30th. After thinking for a while, she called a maid over and said, "Go tell the fourth lady that if I'm not here, she will take charge of everything."
The maid responded crisply and walked towards the Fourth Madam's courtyard.
"Miss, what is the emperor going to do?" Yingchun almost cried. She still clearly remembered what happened to Miss when she came out of the palace last time. She was afraid that Miss would suffer again this time.
"Don't worry, it's customary to give out food on New Year's Eve. Maybe the emperor will be happy to give me some."
Hua Zhi didn't know whether she was talking to the maid or to herself, and she didn't dare to slow down all the way. Finally, she took off her cloak and threw it to the maid, and her steps became a little lighter.
The angel is not Lai Fu.
Hua Zhi's heart sank even more. She bowed and greeted him, "My daughter Hua Zhi greets the angel. I am sorry for not welcoming her in person. Please forgive me."
The eunuch flicked his whisk and said sharply, "The emperor has ordered that the daughter of the Hua family enter the palace to see him."
Hua Zhi took a deep breath and nodded.
The carriage drove in, and the father-in-law lifted the curtain and said, "Young lady, please."
Hua Zhi bowed again and looked up to see Wang Rong in the corner. Their eyes met and Wang Rong nodded slightly to her.
Hua Zhi calmed down and was about to step forward when she felt a weight on her shoulders. Yingchun put on her young lady's cloak under her father-in-law's gaze. Baoxia immediately stuffed a light but definitely not small purse into her and pleaded in a low voice, "Young lady is weak, please take care of her, father-in-law."
"He is protecting his master." The eunuch touched his purse, held onto the edge of the carriage and sat on the frame. The carriage drove out of the Hua family under the escort of a group of guards.
Bao Xia clutched her palm tightly, "I'm going to Zhu's..."
"Don't make a fuss." Yingchun couldn't help biting her fingernails. "On normal days, you can pass a badge into the palace, but today is the 30th of the lunar year. Unless it's a military or national event, who dares to go without permission? It's useless to ask Old Master Zhu. Let's not make a fuss for now. Maybe the young lady will be back soon."
Moreover, the Sixth Prince has already returned to the palace, and the powerful leader of the Seven Stars Division should also be in the palace now. He will not watch the young lady suffer.
Yes, those two both think highly of the young lady and will definitely protect her.
What is she going to do? Yes, she is going to...
Yingchun slammed her head and told herself to calm down again and again. If it was the young lady at home, how would she handle it? Yes, she would calm everyone in the family. She would find the best reason to hide it from everyone and let everyone have a peaceful New Year.
Yes, looking for the fourth lady...
"Where is Zhier?" Mrs. Wu almost ran over and asked while panting.
Yingchun shivered, but miraculously calmed down. It was the end of the year, and Huazhi had given everyone a holiday. There were not many people in the front yard, so she dismissed the others and told the fourth lady the truth, "The emperor has summoned you."
Wu's legs went weak and she almost fell to the ground.
In the carriage, Hua Zhi pricked up her ears to listen to the noise outside, and spread out the small ball of paper in her hand. On it was written in sloppy handwriting: This is a reminder from a noble person, it has malicious intentions, be careful.
This was thrown in by the eunuch when he got on the carriage. Although it is not known which side he is from, it can be seen from these words that her entry into the palace must be caused by Haoyue, and he is full of ill will towards her.
She was not surprised that Haoyue would attack her, but he chose to do it on New Year's Eve... According to the rules, there should be a royal family banquet later, so why did he want her to go? He couldn't be planning to expose her and Yan Xi's relationship on this occasion and hurt both of them.
Putting the note into her mouth and chewing it slowly, Hua Zhi thought inappropriately that the small notes used to pass information in spy movies were all handled in this way. She didn't expect that she would need it too.