Chapter 280: To the Authorities

Helping her mother to sit down, Hua Zhi greeted her fourth aunt.

Wu Shi helped her up, her heart aching as she saw how much thinner her niece had become. And up close, she could clearly smell the lingering scent of medicine on her...

Meeting her elder sister-in-law's gaze, she understood. Her elder sister-in-law must have smelled it too, but knowing that Zhi'er didn't want her to know, she pretended not to notice.

"It was just a rat. There was no need for you to rush over here without even taking a breath."

How could Hua Zhi say that she had been frightened? She didn't think much of it and came over directly.

By this time, Bao Xia had already brought out a few plates of pastries from the kitchen. Her young mistress had suffered a lot these past few days.

Hua Zhi took a piece and tried to suppress the gnawing feeling in her stomach. She didn't want to appear too eager, as that would make her family think she was not doing well.

"Did Concubine Qiu say anything?"

"She begged me to let her go," Xia Shi pushed the pastries towards Zhi'er. "She said her family had encountered difficulties and needed money, which is why she did it. But that's not an excuse. Regardless of the reason, committing theft is wrong. The Hua family cannot condone such behavior."

Hua Zhi glanced at the plate of pastries, resisting the urge to take another, and turned to give an order, "Notify everyone in the household to gather in the main hall within a quarter of an hour."

The third lady's maid immediately rounded up the servants to deliver the message to each room.

Hua Zhi stood up and helped her mother, "Third Aunt, please take Concubine Qiu there. After all, she is Third Uncle's person. Give her the respect she deserves."

Although Xia Shi didn't know how the eldest young miss planned to deal with Concubine Qiu, she understood the meaning behind these words. No matter what Concubine Qiu had done, she was still part of the third branch, and if Concubine Qiu lost face, the third branch would also be shamed.

The news of Hua Zhi's return home spread through the Hua family in this way. In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone, big or small, had gathered in the main hall. Hua Bailin practically ran over and, upon seeing his sister, exclaimed, "Eldest sister!"

"Where did you learn your manners?" Hua Zhi lightly tapped his forehead, but her eyes were filled with amusement.

Hua Bailin pouted, "Why did it take you so long? I've been waiting so impatiently."

"I have to handle things before I can come back," Hua Zhi gently nudged her younger brother, Hua Bailin.

Understanding, he returned to his seat.

After greeting the elders and receiving bows from the younger generation, Hua Zhi turned to her third aunt, "Bring Qiu Shi here."

Everyone had anticipated this. It was the only matter pressing enough to deal after the eldest young miss's return home.

Qiu Shi had been the third uncle's most favored concubine. Young and beautiful, her round face could hold weight, and if she had been raised in a wealthy family, she would have remained attractive even in old age.

Now, she was dragged in by two burly maidservants. Though her clothes were tidy and her hair well-groomed, her eyes darted around, her expression filled with fear. There was no trace of her former charm.

Upon seeing Hua Zhi, she broke free from the maidservants' grasp, quickly knelt down, and begged with a trembling voice, "Eldest young miss, I know I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. Please forgive me for the sake of third master. You remember how I made clothes for you and Sixth Young Master? Even if, even if you forgive me for the sake of my sincere treatment of everyone in the Hua family, I won't dare to do it again, Eldest young miss, Eldest young miss..."

Hua Zhi remembered. When Qiu Shi had first entered the Hua family, she was only seventeen, shy and timid, and would lower her head when speaking to others. Her embroidery was exquisite, and not only had she made gifts for her and Bai Lin, but she had also made things for the other siblings. Almost everyone in the Hua family liked this concubine, who was favored but not disliked.

Yet, she was the first to falter. Hua Zhi was genuinely surprised when she learned that the problem was with Qiu Shi. She gestured for the maidservants to help Qiu Shi up and had a servant bring a chair for her to sit on. This gesture filled Qiu Shi with hope.

Xia Shi frowned and was about to speak, but Wu Shi, sitting beside her, tugged at her sleeve and shook her head.

"The Hua family is not as prosperous as before, but I dare ask Concubine Qiu, has the Hua family made you endure any hardships in the past year?"

Qiu Shi bit her lip and shook her head slightly. It was true. Even during the most difficult times, neither the old madam nor Hua Zhi, who had later taken charge, had touched their private funds.

"I'll ask Concubine Qiu one more question. Has Third Aunt treated you harshly because Third Uncle is not around?"

Qiu Shi lowered her head. She couldn't lie and say that the madam had treated them poorly. In fact, compared to when the master was alive, the madam had been kinder to them in the past year.

"Has the Hua family done anything to wrong you?"

"Have any of the Hua family's children ever disrespected you because you are a concubine and have not borne any children?"

"Have the other masters of the Hua family or any of the servants ever harbored impure thoughts towards you?"

Qiu shi lowered her head, saying nothing, her hands tightly clasped together and twisting nervously.

"You are considerate of your natal family, but you come to ruin the Hua family's reputation. Qiu shi, do you know that the Hua family has never produced a traitor since its founding? What promises did the Qiu family make? To let you return home as the respected matriarch? Or did they promise to find you another good marriage?"

Qiu shi suddenly raised her head, looking terrified.

Hua Zhi smiled, "What have I done to make you think I'm soft-hearted? That you think you can just beg me and I'll let this matter go?"

Qiu shi couldn't sit still anymore, her legs gave way and she knelt down again, "Eldest Miss..."

"Everyone must pay for what they have done. Steward Xu, send Qiu shi to the magistrate's office."

To the magistrate's office?

Wouldn't that be airing the family's dirty laundry?

Xia Shi hesitated to speak, "If we make such a big fuss, I'm afraid the Hua family will become the talk of the town again. Isn't it inappropriate?"

"Qiu shi probably thinks the same way. The Hua family cares about its reputation, and they certainly won't publicize this matter. Since I've taken charge, I don't like to use those rules to govern people. I thought that she would just suffer a bit and return to the Qiu family, and as a meritorious daughter of the Qiu family, she would definitely be able to live a good life."

Hua Zhi looked at Qiu shi, who was stunned, and smiled, "Am I right?"

Everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to object.

"The person who did wrong doesn't have the Hua surname, so I don't feel ashamed. Steward Xu, deliver my name card and ask the magistrate to severely punish the thief."

"Eldest Miss!" Qiu shi came to her senses.

The eldest miss wasn't bluffing her, she was really going to report her to the officials!

How could this be?

Once she saw the officials, what hope would she have left?

Even if she could really go back alive, the Qiu family would never want a daughter with a criminal record.

No, no!

Qiū shi fell to her knees and crawled forward, but Huā Bǎilín had anticipated her move and quickly stepped in front of her eldest sister. The burly maidservant, who had been a step behind, caught up and forced Qiū shi to the ground.

Qiū shi struggled but couldn't break free. She frantically looked up at Huā Zhǐ, no longer daring to resort to her usual tricks. Tears streamed down her face. "Eldest Miss, please have mercy on me for the sake of the three years I served the master. I'll be a servant, a beast of burden for the Huā family. Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it. Eldest Miss, Eldest Miss..."

Some people had turned away, unable to bear watching. Huā Zhǐ didn't want to torment a woman, but this matter couldn't be easily resolved. If she didn't make an example of Qiū shi, it would only be the beginning, and the Huā family would never know peace.

———TN: Qiu Shi, you messed up big time with Hua Zhi. She's not some weakling. She was a freakin' CEO of a multinational corporation in the modern era. You thought you could play her?