Chapter 205: A Visit to the Yang Family

Having learned that her fourth aunt had visited the Yang family, Hua Zhi was not at all surprised to see her return empty-handed and fuming with anger.

"You have no idea what a high-handed attitude that old woman from the Yang family had, Zhi'er. She acted as if her nose was stuck up in the air. Has she forgotten what she was like before?"

"It's because she had to be humble in front of Grandmother and wear a mask of friendliness in front of you that she dares to put on such an arrogant act now." Hua Zhi had seen too many people like this and knew exactly what they were capable of. "She doesn't agree?"

Wu shi gritted her teeth, "Not only does she disagree, but she said that if they want a divorce, the Yang family will issue a letter of dismissal."

Hua Zhi's eyes narrowed.

So arrogant?

Do they really think the Hua family will just let them push them around?

"Zhi'er, there are so many unmarried girls in the Hua family. We absolutely cannot accept such a letter of dismissal."

"I understand. Don't worry, fourth aunt, I will make sure that she gets a proper divorce decree."

Wu shi didn't know where she got her confidence from, but ever since Zhi'er had taken charge of the household, there was nothing she couldn't accomplish. Including Wu shi herself, all the members of the Hua family had a blind faith in her. Hearing her say this, they felt sure that she would be able to do it.

As soon as Wu shi left, Bao Xia angrily spoke up, "Miss, the Yang family is too much!"

"It's not surprising. That's just how life is." Hua Zhi calculated the time. Tomorrow was a day off. "Bao Xia, go send a calling card to the old master of the Yang family. I will go pay him a visit early tomorrow morning."

Bao Xia was taken aback. "Old Master Yang? Not the old matriarch?"

"Didn't the old matriarch force the fourth aunt to return? If I go, she'll certainly put on airs as my elder. Why should I humiliate myself? It's different if I send a calling card to Old Master Yang. This is a meeting between the heads of two families. No matter how impoverished the Hua family is, as long as the Yang family doesn't intend to completely sever ties with us, they'll have to see me."

Just as she expected, Bao Xia returned with the calling card. The vigorous handwriting on it indicated it wasn't from a servant.

Hua Zhi tapped the card. "Very well, then. Let the battle begin!"

Gu Yanxi, as usual, came for dinner right on time. Hearing about this, she asked casually, "What are your plans?"

"Let's see what Yang Zheng's attitude is. If he's wise, he should know that a divorce decree is in the best interest of both families. With Sui'an around, we won't become enemies. But if he insists on making things difficult, I won't agree."

Glancing at the man, Hua Zhi asked, "How much longer will it be before Shao Yao can leave the palace?"

"In a day or two. Do you need her?"

"I'll borrow her medicine."

Gu Yanxi raised an eyebrow. Was she planning to take a more forceful approach?

"There are no honest officials in the Great Daqing Dynasty. I can cause some trouble for Yang Zheng."

Hua Zhi shook her head. "Personal matters should be kept separate from official business. I won't do anything like that."

"Then count me in." Gu Yanxi thought back to that rainy night. She hadn't seen Ah Zhi like that in a long time, and he didn't want to miss it.

*

"The weather took a sudden turn for the worse the next day. The wind whipped and the rain fell in erratic gusts, turning a promising day chilly once more. Hua Zhi added an extra layer of clothing compared to yesterday.

When she saw the brand-new outer garment that Ying Chun had brought, she declined. "My usual clothes will do. It's not like I'm going to visit someone."

*

The Yang family indeed didn't treat her as a guest. Old Madam Yang even muttered some unpleasant words, while Yang Qi wore a sullen expression, looking as if he were ready to pick a fight with anyone at any moment.

Yang Zheng had completely given up on his eldest son. Too weary to offer any advice, he simply instructed his wife, "Don't show your face today."

The old lady reluctantly agreed. She had originally planned to summon Hua Zhi and give her a stern talking-to. What kind of young lady was always the subject of gossip?

The steward came to report, "Miss Hua Zhi of the Hua family has arrived."

Yang Zheng instructed, "Please escort her to the flower hall."

"Yes."

Yang Zheng turned to his son again, feeling compelled to say more. "Pay close attention to Sui'an. There’s no such thing as holding a grudge against your own son. Even if all your concubine-born sons banded together, they wouldn’t equal him."

"Then I'll just have more,' Yang Qi retorted.

Yang Zheng glared at him in disbelief. The old matriarch quickly intervened, '" think Sui'an’s heart has already drifted towards the Hua family...'

"He bears the Yang name! That surname alone dictates everything!" Yang Zheng looked at his wife and son helplessly, shook his head, and walked towards the flower hall.

Yang Qi tried to say something more, but the old matriarch quickly stopped him, shaking her head. The old man looked like he was about to lose his temper. They couldn't possibly continue.

In the flower hall, Hua Zhi sat calmly, sipping tea. Her two senior maidservants, Ying Chun and Bao Xia, stood behind her. She had only brought these two with her today.

The maids in the room were all stealing glances at the girl who had been the subject of so much gossip. She was indeed very beautiful, but there was nothing particularly imposing about her. However, the maids behind her seemed different. They subconsciously imitated her, holding their hands properly, straightening their backs, and tilting their heads in a respectful yet slightly upward gesture...

As soon as Yang Zheng's voice sounded, they immediately returned to their previous posture of bowing their heads slightly and leaning forward in reverence.

"We've kept the eldest miss waiting."

Hua Zhi stood up and curtsied. It was interesting; in other families, 'eldest miss' referred to one's position in the family, but in her case, it had become a kind of code name, used by both young and old, male and female.

After a few polite exchanges, Hua Zhi got straight to the point. "Yesterday, my fourth aunt came to the Yang residence to discuss my Second Aunt's divorce. I didn't expect the old lady to misunderstand the Hua family's intentions and say she was willing to grant my Second Aunt a letter of dismissal. I'm very puzzled. I wonder what reason the Yang family intends to use to give letter of dismissal to my Second Aunt? Did she fail to learn the virtues of obedience and submission? Or has she committed some other unforgivable crime that warrants the Yang family humiliating her with a letter of dismissal?"

Yang Zheng had heard the rumors about Hua Zhi, but hearing them and facing her were two entirely different experiences.

She didn’t explicitly blame the Yang family in any of her words, yet every sentence seemed to do so. Outsiders might not know the full story, but both families were well aware of Hua Xian’s condition when she returned to the Hua family. They could have denied everything outright without losing face, but Yang Zheng couldn’t bring himself to do so in front of a young woman so much younger than him.

So he simply avoided the question, “I understand that eldest miss would naturally protect her family. But as the old saying goes, it’s better to tear down ten temples than to ruin one marriage. Things haven’t gotten to that point yet.”

Hua Zhi smiled, “You say I’m protecting my family. Of course I can’t let my Second Aunt be beaten again. Yes, she’s weak, but weakness isn’t a crime, nor a reason to be treated so cruelly. To be blunt, if your daughter were married and treated this way, could you tolerate it? Whether you could or not, I can’t. I’m not here to discuss peace or dismissal. I hope the Yang family will issue a divorce decree, even if it’s out of consideration for the long-standing relationship between our two families. Please grant my Second Aunt some dignity.”

With that, Hua Zhi stood up and curtsied to Yang Zheng.

Yang Zheng made a perfunctory gesture in return but didn’t fully acknowledge her. It wasn’t just Yang Qi who coveted the Hua family’s wealth; he wanted a piece of the pie as well.

After a few rounds of verbal sparring, Hua Zhi realized that her soft approach wasn’t working. She sneered inwardly, ‘If kindness doesn’t work, then I’ll have to get tough.’