Chapter 183: Beauty is more than skin deep.
Hua Zhi ignored the spectacle, her eyes drawn to the grand Song mansion. A cynical smile touched her lips as she considered her fate.
Would she meet her end here?
It seemed a fittingly dramatic conclusion, though she wondered if the Song family might be so inclined to open a new chapter.
"Miss." The maids were a bit nervous, almost wanting to surround the young lady to shield her from prying eyes.
"It's fine." Hua Zhi was completely indifferent. If she didn't want such a spectacle, she could have chosen to come on the fifth or sixth day of mourning when fewer people would be paying their respects, avoiding any unwanted attention.
But she chose today. She intended for the whole city to know that Hua Jing had been disowned by the Hua family. There was no longer any connection between Hua Jing's descendants and the Hua family. She wanted to publicly sever all ties with the Song family in front of everyone!
"Let's go."
Just as Hua Zhi was about to step forward, she heard someone call out behind her, "Eldest Miss."
The voice sounded familiar. Hua Zhi turned around to see Shen Qi, with Shen's grandmother standing beside him.
Hua Zhi gave a distant greeting, and Shen's grandmother raised her hand in acknowledgment.
Regret flooded Shen Qi after impulsively calling out to her. They had once been engaged, and he shouldn't have stopped her in such a public setting; it could spark gossip.
So, he escorted his grandmother over.
Shen's grandmother sighed inwardly. Despite the circumstances surrounding the Hua family, she held no ill feelings towards Hua Zhi. In fact, she couldn't help but admire her a bit. For an unmarried young woman, she was handling things quite well.
"You look much thinner. Even during mourning, take care of yourself."
"Yes, thank you for your concern." Hua Zhi bowed again. "I wish you good health as well."
"Good, good child."
This was Shen Qi's first time seeing Hua Zhi after the incident with the Hua family. It was also the first time he saw a resolute Hua Zhi who no longer hid her true feelings – standing there with an air of calm confidence, appearing unafraid.
This was the Hua Zhi who had almost belonged to him but was now out of reach.
Suddenly, Hua Zhi looked at him, and their eyes met. Her gaze was so calm, so determined, making him feel even more inadequate. Shen Qi suddenly felt a sharp pang in his heart.
Would he never see that mischievous girl again, the one who used to tease her younger brother and steal snacks from servant girls?
"If you ever face difficulties, send someone to inform me, and I will do my best to help."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly but didn't reply. She wouldn't. And Shen Qi knew she wouldn't.
"After you, Madam." Hua Zhi stepped aside to let Shen's grandmother go first, lowering her eyes slightly but maintaining her grace.
Shen's grandmother sighed and gently patted her grandson's hand before walking towards the Song family. Some opportunities, once missed, were lost forever. Even if the Shen family were willing to reconcile now, they might never get the chance. Besides, the Shen family couldn't turn back either.
The onlookers gazed at Shen Qi with subtle expressions. He had just let go of such a beautiful woman. A whisper circulated among them!
This young lady from the Hua family had remarkable grace.
More eyes fell on Hua Zhi. Beauty lay in her bones, not just her appearance. They all wanted to see if Hua Zhi was truly as beautiful as they had heard.
Suyun Mama stepped forward to support Hua Zhi. "Miss, it's time to go."
Hua Zhi lifted her head and glanced at the Song family's door lintel once more, her back standing straight, the slightly long cloak trailing on the ground as she walked towards the Song family in the sight of everyone.
When she reached the doorstep, Hua Zhi paused, looking up to find the spot where Hua Jing had hanged herself. Just as others thought she would pause here to pay her respects, she strode straight inside. Only then did the people at the Song family realize that the spot she had passed was where Hua Jing had taken her own life.
The crowd exchanged glances, feeling that the Hua family's young lady seemed a bit different from what they had expected.
Wait a minute!
The current head of the Hua family was the young lady herself.
Previously, Hua Zhi had sent servants to retrieve her second aunt when she was mistreated by the Yang family.
Could it be that she was taking revenge for her first aunt now?
Thinking that there would be something exciting to watch, everyone quickened their pace. This kind of excitement could not be missed.
As the singing of hymns continued, the mourners, all with solemn expressions, paid their respects by lighting incense and bowing until a voice announced, "The Hua family's young lady has arrived!"
At the doorway receiving guests, Song Chenghao was the first to see Hua Zhi. Initially delighted by her presence, he couldn't help but gaze at her today, causing his eyes to linger. He briskly stepped forward, fixating his eyes on her, and said, "Cousin, you're here."
The room had mainly female guests, but there were also young gentlemen accompanying their wives or elders from their families. When they realized it was the Hua family's young lady, they recalled rumors from the capital and were eager to see her true appearance. However, Song Chenghao and Hua Zhi were standing face-to-face, blocking her face completely.
Thankfully, Hua Zhi quickly moved, stepping aside to prevent Song Chenghao from continuing inside. Her face was finally revealed, allowing everyone a clear view.
Is she an ordinary beauty or a celestial being in disguise?
The answer was clear now. With such an icy demeanor, she must be a celestial being, right?
Song Chenghao was taken aback, hastily following her inside.
As they reached the altar, a servant presented a lit incense to Hua Zhi, but she didn't reach out for it. Recognizing this, Ying Chun stepped forward, took the incense, and just as the others thought she would hand it to the master, she instead offered a respectful bow.
The Song family members' expressions immediately soured. Arranged neatly, resembling a groom, Song Zhengzu restrained his anger and said, "Why does the Hua family treat us, the Song family, in this manner?"
After Ying Chun placed the incense and bowed three times, she inserted it into the holder and then retreated behind her mistress.
Hua Zhi then turned to her eldest uncle-in-law, whom she had called for many years, speaking calmly, "Hua Jing supposedly hanged herself."
Song Zhengzu's eyes flickered. "I never expected her to make such a decision. The Song family never mistreated her. Even the Hua family should know that Hua Jing was a crab in the Song household."
"So, Mr. Song is suggesting that Hua Jing grew tired of her comfortable life and decided to end it joyfully?"
Amused, some nearby individuals had to hide their laughter at Hua Zhi's words, while more people noted her addressing him not as uncle but as Mr. Song.
Was she no longer treating the Song family as relatives?
Song Zhengzu wasn't known for his patience and was visibly irritated by her words, on the verge of losing his temper. Song Chenghao quickly stepped in front of his father, looking mournful as he addressed Hua Zhi, "We mourn for the loss of our mother as well..."
"I don't see a hint of sorrow in you, your father, or anyone in the Song family. What's there to be sad about? The Hua family is finished, isn't it?"
Hua Zhi lifted her chin defiantly, her mask of pretense shattered. "You say the Hua family was like a crab in your pot. Why? Because Hua Jing had the Hua family's claws to protect her. When she married into your family, Old Master Song was a mere fifth-rank official. You feared the Hua family's wrath, so you coddled this sideways-crawling crab. Now that she's served her purpose, you've cast her aside. Who else but her was destined for such an end?"
She sneered. "It takes a certain kind of skill to hang oneself from the main beam of a third-rank official's mansion while supposedly bedridden."
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TN:
A viper disguised, a venomous heart, You slithered in, tearing us apart. Your words, a poison, a deadly art, A twisted soul, a shattered heart.
I unleashed the rain, a fiery blight, A burning vengeance, a terrible sight. Your name, a curse, a mournful sound, A haunting echo, forever bound.
You betrayed me, a traitorous deed, A callous act, a wicked seed. Your cruelty, a mark of shame, A tarnished legacy, a blackened name.