Chapter 392: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey

The Hua family's major rules remained unchanged, but the minor rules were set according to Hua Zhi's preferences.

She was busy, often out of the house, so unlike before where everyone had to gather for meals on even-numbered days, everyone now enjoyed their freedom. They had all learned that if the eldest Miss requested everyone to dine together, it meant an important announcement was to be made. Those who had various thoughts upon receiving the news had been on edge for most of the day, fearing that their own thoughts might be discovered by the eldest Miss.

The only one truly at peace was Hua Xian. She was content with the peaceful days and had no extra thoughts. Even her concubine mother had started reciting sutras in her leisure time, understanding that as long as she stayed out of trouble, there wouldn't be any trouble for her as long as the eldest Miss was in charge. Even when the time came to pass the torch to someone else, things would be better with Sui'an around to protect his mother.

Everyone arrived early, and when Hua Zhi arrived, everyone was waiting for her.

"Let's eat first."

The dishes were served continuously, and the Hua family's cooks were now adept at making vegetarian dishes. However, there were few who truly enjoyed the food. Recently, Hua Zhi had a poor appetite and only ate a small bowl of rice and half a bowl of soup before putting down her chopsticks.

As soon as she did so, everyone else followed suit.

After rinsing her mouth, Hua Zhi swept her eyes around the room. "Most of those seated here are my elders. While I am in charge of the household now, I try to be considerate. I have entrusted all the matters of the inner courtyard to Fourth Aunt. Second and Third Aunt should be the most aware that we rarely interact. Is that correct?"

Qi Shi and Xia Shi exchanged a glance, feeling slightly uneasy. They could only nod, as this was the truth. In front of everyone, they couldn't say anything contrary.

"I have always believed that respect is mutual. I respect you, and you respect me. However, obviously, you do not have this self-awareness."

The dozens of people in the room remained silent, no one daring to speak.

Hua Zhi continued, "My grandfather and others are trying their best to find a way back, and the children are working harder than ever before. They want to restore the glory of the Hua family with their own efforts. I have racked my brains to provide assistance to the Hua family. We are all working hard, and I believe our efforts are sufficient. You just need to be obedient in your roles as wives and ladies of the house, and that is the greatest help you can provide to us."

The more piercing the words, the more embarrassing they were for the listeners. Hua Zhi no longer minced her words. Some people didn't understand, thinking that whatever others did was the norm, so whatever she did was expected. But that wasn't how the world worked.

Hua Zhi stood up; the soft demeanor she had shown in recent days due to her brothers' protection dissipated. In its place was a cold detachment. "I don't demand that you must have hope for the Hua family's revival. I don't ask you to make sacrifices for the Hua family, or even to do anything. If you think the Hua family is fine as it is now, then please focus on maintaining that status quo. Don't try to take advantage of it. Without my approval, none of you can divide it."

The silence persisted.

"Second, Third, and Fourth Sisters are willing to share my burdens, and I accept. The canned goods business will now be managed by you."

Although the three sisters had long received their eldest sister's approval, being publicly announced still made their blood rush, causing them to awkwardly respond, clearing the stagnant air from the room.

"I will personally take charge of my sisters’ marriages—no one else has the right to meddle. Let me make this crystal clear: men of the Hua family are strictly forbidden from getting involved in business matters. This rule has stood firm and will not change. Anyone daring to break it will have only themselves to blame for what happens next."

Hua Zhi's tone sharpened as she made her stance unmistakably clear, adopting the classic tactic of "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys." Her gaze settled on Concubine Qin. "Concubine Qin, in honor of the kindness our grandmother once showed you, I think it would be fitting for you to do your wishes to transcribe one hundred volumes of the Sutra of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. Mother, perhaps you can supervise her efforts."

Although Zhu Shi had no clue why Concubine Qin had suddenly decided to take on the task of transcribing scriptures for her mother-in-law, she wasn’t about to question it. After all, her daughter had said so, and Zhu Shi wasn’t one to argue. She nodded enthusiastically, her tone filled with approval. “Absolutely! I couldn’t agree more. Concubine Qin is truly a paragon of filial piety, so kind and considerate.”

Behind her, Concubine Qin stood frozen, her eyes widening in disbelief.

When had she ever said she planned to transcribe a hundred volumes of scriptures?

Where had this ridiculous idea even come from?

But she wasn't foolish; the Eldest Miss's words indicated that she was aware of her past actions. Transcribing a hundred volumes of scriptures was her punishment, so she had to accept it, gritting her teeth.

But a hundred volumes—how long would that take!

"Concubine Qin, don't you want to transcribe scriptures for our grandmother?"

Concubine Qin lowered her head. "I am willing, I am willing."

"Then please finish before the anniversary of our grandmother's passing." Without giving Concubine Qin any room for rebuttal, Hua Zhi continued, "For the stability of the Hua family, Concubine Qin, you should not see your family again. I have already spoken to Madam Qin about this, and I assume Concubine Qin's family also knows what to do. Of course, Concubine Qin has another choice."

Everyone's hearts were hanging in suspense.

Hua Zhi lifted her red lips and coldly uttered three words, "Return to your family."

Concubine Qin's legs weakened, and she knelt down. She knew the situation at home better than anyone else. If the Hua family prospered, she was treated as a treasure by her parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law. But now, if she dared to return, they wouldn't even open the door for her. Even if she died outside, they would probably send her back to the Hua family, claiming that she belonged to them.

Not to mention that even if the Hua family was not flourishing, she dare not leave.

"I will tolerate this only once. If there is a next time, regardless of who it is, I will ask them to leave." Hua Zhi turned and walked out. The sky was dark, the wind howled, and her heart felt cold.

As she wrapped a thin cloak around the maid, Hua Zhi straightened her clothes and looked back at the still figures of the crowd. "When you have any thoughts, go to the ancestral hall, listen to the sound of reading, and maybe those thoughts will disappear."

With a slight inclination, Hua Zhi left the room.

If coldness and firmness were what it took to keep them in line, then so be it.

*

On the day of the Autumn Imperial Examination, the entire capital seemed to be filled with the fragrance of ink. The area outside the Imperial Examination Hall was bustling, with young aspirants full of ambition, and others making a final attempt despite their hair turning gray, all aiming to achieve success with a single examination.

Becoming a Jinshi was equivalent to half an official position. Only by becoming a Jinshi could one step into the officialdom, after studying hard for more than a decade or even decades. Only this last hurdle remained, and everyone wanted to cross it.

Hua Zhi called Bai Yu. "Go and offer incense to the Sage, may he bless them with smooth success."

Every three years, her grandfather would offer incense for them, joking that he never dreamed that every one of them would pass, only hoping that they could endure these nine days and nights smoothly. Now that her grandfather was gone, the incense still had to be offered.

Bai Yu complied and went, the half-grown child becoming even more steady.

Hua Zhi made her way to the front yard and was met by Bao Xia, who came rushing toward her, lifting her skirt as she ran. "Miss, the ship's here!"

Finally!

Hua Zhi had been on edge for days, her mind constantly preoccupied with this one worry. She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, fearing that something might go wrong during the journey or that trouble could arise back in Zhenyang. If the ship didn’t show up within the next few days, she had already planned to use Yan Xi's connections to find out what was happening.

"Get the carriage ready, I’m heading to the docks." Hua Zhi quickly issued her orders as she walked briskly. "Tell the seafood shop to get ready for the delivery, and don't forget to alert Fu Dong."

"Understood," Bao Xia responded with a quick nod.