Chapter 288: Speak with Integrity

Hua Zhi saw a few servants standing outside, waiting for orders. She smoothly stood up and declared, "I’ll go check on my cousin."

Wei Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law of the fourth branch, nodded quickly, grateful for Hua Zhi’s willingness to help. She led her toward the place where her cousin was staying.

Before leaving, Hua Zhi shot a glance at her mother, Zhu Shi. Without a word, her mother simply waved her hand, signaling Hua Zhi to take care of her duties.

The moment Hua Zhi stepped out, the room buzzed with conversation. The third aunt of the Fourth Branch sighed dramatically and muttered, "It’s hard for the eldest daughter. Just look at how much weight she’s lost after this trip."

Not just thinner, Zhu Shi noticed the faint trace of worry on her daughter’s face. She could’ve sworn she smelled something off earlier.

Hua Zhi was good at hiding it, but what injury was she hiding?

Zhu Shi’s concern only deepened. The way Hua Zhi carried herself, it seemed like the girl was holding it together, but how much longer could she keep it up?

Zhu Shi’s thoughts wandered to the younger girls who were already married off. It hurt her more than it should. Her own daughter, Hua Zhi, should’ve been married by now, but...

Wu Shi, sensing Zhu Shi’s frustration, gently squeezed her hand. "Eldest sister, why don’t you go check on Bailin and Sui’an? The Hua family’s reputation depends on them today. There can’t be any mistakes."

Zhu Shi, forcing herself back into focus, nodded in agreement. "You’re right. I’ll go check on them."

Meanwhile, as the preparations for the wedding continued, Hua Zhi, following Wei Shi's lead, made her way to the courtyard where Hua Qin lived. Unlike the main branch, where everyone had their own space, here, several sisters shared the same courtyard.

As Hua Zhi entered, the other girls stood up, bowing respectfully. Wei Shi sent a few of them off and led Hua Zhi toward Hua Qin’s room. But as they walked, one of the taller girls deliberately blocked their path, throwing a look of pure jealousy and resentment at Hua Zhi.

If she hadn’t been rejected, she would have been the one walking down the aisle by the end of the year. It was supposed to be her day. But Hua Zhi had promised to treat everyone fairly. If Hua Qin got her share, so would she!

That silver was her guarantee.

How could her future not be bright?

She’d be married off too, no doubt about it.

The room was decked out with all the trimmings for the occasion, and there she was—Hua Qin, sitting on the bed in her grand wedding attire. The moment she saw Hua Zhi, her face lit up, and she jumped up with a smile, “Cousin!”

“Sit down,” Hua Zhi replied, her voice sharp. “Just looking at you makes me tired.” She had felt the same when she first slipped into her wedding dress. It was massive, easily weighing twenty pounds. The phoenix crown, perched on her head, was so heavy it felt like she couldn’t even move her neck.

Hua Qin’s smile only got brighter, her makeup making her look even more radiant.

After exchanging a few formal words, Wei Shi made a quick exit, leaving the two cousins alone in the room.

Hua Zhi wasn’t particularly close to Hua Qin. They only saw each other a handful of times each year. If they were in a good mood, they could chat, but most of the time, they wouldn’t exchange a single word for months.

Right now, Hua Zhi didn’t know what to say, so she fumbled through the awkward silence, eventually forcing out a few words. “Don’t overthink it. Be happy. If your in-laws mistreat you, don’t just sit back and take it, like my Second Aunt did. Endurance only makes them worse. Your family’s got your back. You have brothers and people who’ll stand by you.”

Hua Qin laughed softly at her words. “Cousin, you’re only a few months older than me, but you talk like you’re my elder.”

Hua Zhi realized she had come off a little too much like a mentor.

Hua Qin bit her lip, leaned forward, and grabbed her cousin’s hand, running her fingers over the rough calluses. For a moment, she felt a pang of sadness.

The Hua daughters, no matter what life threw at them, were still treated with care. But here was her cousin, hands worn from hard work, and suddenly, she felt a wave of helplessness. They’d been pampered, but it was clear to Hua Qin that they were as good as useless, stuck in the safety of the inner courtyard.

“You’ve given me confidence, cousin,” Hua Qin said, her voice quivering as she looked up with teary eyes. “I’ll remember what you told me. Marriage is just that—marriage. He can’t eat me. If he treats me well, great. But if he doesn’t, I’ll send for you. You have to keep your word and bring me back.”

It wasn’t the kind of thing someone usually says on their wedding day. Hua Zhi couldn’t help but smile. She had expected nothing less. Women who didn’t stand up for themselves were always the ones who got trampled on, no matter the time or place. Her own mother had been one of the lucky few who avoided that fate.

“Promise me this,” Hua Zhi said firmly. “Live your life. Don’t go looking for an escape route at the first sign of trouble.”

"I get it," Hua Qin muttered, her eyes locking on her cousin with a mixture of softness and something sharp beneath it. She couldn’t even remember what her cousin had been like before, but she knew one thing—this version of her cousin, the one standing before her now, wasn’t the same. And strangely enough, she liked this new side of her.

"Cousin, tell me about the world outside. I've never left the capital. Is it anything like this place?"

"It’s similar, but not quite the same. The capital is home to a bunch of nobles, more than anywhere else. The South’s humid, and when it rains, it’s followed by a blistering heat that clings to your skin and makes you feel sticky and gross..." Hua Zhi’s words were soft but detailed, as she explained the world outside to the soon-to-be sixteen-year-old bride-to-be, painting a picture of everything from the South’s dampness to the dry, harsh winters up North, even mentioning the notorious Yingshan Pass.

"Up there, the cold hits hard early on, with strong winds and heavy snow. If you don’t shovel the snow from your yard, you won’t even be able to open the door the next day. You’ll have to melt snow to get water. The other seasons? They’re a nightmare too—sandstorms tearing through, and if you’re unlucky, it could turn into a place of exile."

Hua Qin, who had been listening with rapt attention, suddenly felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "Grandpa and Dad live somewhere like that..."

Hua Zhi’s heart clenched with sympathy. She had studied the geography, knew the worst of the winds and sandstorms hit during summer and autumn. The trip she was about to undertake would be brutal.

As she saw her cousin about to break down, Hua Zhi cursed herself for bringing it up. She quickly shifted gears. "I’m heading north soon. Why don’t you write a letter to them? Tell them about your good news. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to hear it."

"Heading north again?" Hua Qin grabbed her cousin's hand, her grip tight and firm. "But Cousin, you just got back from the south. How much more can your body handle with all this constant traveling?"

"I’ll rest up the next few days. It’s already July, and I’m behind. If I hadn’t had to go south, I would’ve left earlier. I need to see for myself that everyone’s alright. I have to tell them with my own words that everything back home is fine—that Grandmother’s fine, Little Aunt’s fine, and even Hua Jing’s fine."

Hua Qin nodded, her eyes wide and understanding. "I get it. Everyone at home is fine. They don’t need to worry about us."

Hua Zhi felt a pang of regret, thinking back on how distant she had been from everyone. If she’d opened up to Hua Qin sooner, she might have had someone else to rely on, someone to talk to.

She pulled a silver note from her sleeve and suddenly felt like an old woman who had everything she needed—money to spare—and was eager to give it to a younger relative, worried they might go hungry or get pushed around.

"Keep this to yourself. Don’t tell anyone. It might come in handy when you’re in a tight spot."

Hua Qin hesitated, her brow furrowing. "But I’ve already received so much from you…"

"Take it. Don’t worry about me. I’ll earn more when I need to."

Hua Qin bit her lip, clearly torn, before finally slipping the silver note into her sleeve. Along with it, she tucked away her cousin’s affection, feeling the weight of both the note and the care behind it.

———TN: Hua Zhi, can I get it too? I need money just as much as you all do... but guess what? My last name isn’t even Hua. Sob... sob... sob...