Chapter 7: An Appraisal
On the seventh day of the ninth month, Hua Changxi, along with Old Madam Hua, went to the Great Clan Elder’s home.
Did she not want to resist?
She did.
It was just that if she resisted, she would definitely have to pay a price.
Not being involved in production, she had no source of income, and her food, clothing, housing, and transportation all depended on her family.
The family didn’t even need to impose any harsh punishments; by simply withholding her food, they could control her completely.
In a large family like the Hua family, with so many descendants, grandsons are not even considered precious, let alone granddaughters. If they said they wouldn’t give her food, they truly wouldn’t.
Hua Changxi had experienced being starved for three days and three nights. She was so weak she could barely stand, yet Old Master Hua did not soften his heart until she bowed her head, admitted fault, and submitted.
Why did she insist on applying to the Medical Affairs Department?
Firstly, upon entering the Medical Affairs Department, even as an apprentice, she would receive wages.
With money in hand, she wouldn’t be constrained by her family in every matter and wouldn’t be unable to act independently.
Secondly, by entering the Medical Affairs Department, she would gain a social status. As long as she had social status, she would be a member of society.
A young woman confined to the inner chambers could only rely on her family for help when encountering trouble.
However, a member of society could build their own social circle and seek help from friends when facing difficulties, making it much harder for her family to arbitrarily manipulate her.
The Hua clan’s ancestral home was not in the Capital City, but because they produced the Dingyuan Earl, the clan members had established a firm foothold in the Capital City. After several generations of development, they had now become deeply rooted.
The Hua family lived in the outer city, while the more successful Hua clan members lived in Anyi Ward within the inner city, close to the Dingyuan Earl’s Mansion.
The first time she brought her daughter-in-law and granddaughters to the Great Clan Elder’s home, Old Madam Hua was unusually generous and hired a carriage, setting out early.
Forced to do something she didn’t want to do, Hua Changxi was naturally unhappy. She didn’t speak the entire way, instead leaning against the carriage window and watching the merchants and pedestrians on the street.
Old Madam Hua glanced at Hua Changxi a few times, too lazy to bother with this rebellious granddaughter. She tirelessly repeated her instructions to the other granddaughters about visiting the clan elder’s home.
“When we arrive at the Great Clan Elder’s home, you must behave yourselves. Smile at everyone you meet, speak sweetly, be humble, and know how to please the elders.”
“Of course, you don’t need to be overly solicitous, but you absolutely cannot be too stiff, like a block of wood.”
Old Madam Hua’s initial instructions were relatively normal, teaching her granddaughters the etiquette for visiting guests. However, as she continued, her words became increasingly stern.
“No looking around, no loud talking, and certainly no covetous eyes that can’t look away from good things.”
“When visiting someone else’s home, you must be well-behaved and obedient. Do not get into conflicts with anyone, and do not cause trouble for the family.”
“Anyone who dares to cause trouble outside will be directly beaten with a yellow willow branch when we get home.”
Upon hearing that they might be beaten, Hua Wuniang and the others instinctively flinched. Already nervous about visiting the Great Clan Elder for the first time, they became even more so.
“Also, you must always remember that your every word and action represents our family’s reputation. In front of outsiders, stand with good posture and sit with good bearing.”
“If anyone makes a fool of themselves in front of outsiders, I will absolutely not bring such a disgraceful young woman out for future visits.”
Hua Wuniang and the others’ expressions immediately turned serious, and even the youngest, Hua Shisi Niang, became tense.
“Have you all remembered?”
“Grandmother, we have remembered.”
Seeing her granddaughters behaving obediently, Old Madam Hua showed a satisfied expression.
Hua Changxi watched this scene and then turned her gaze back to the outside of the carriage. She had always kept her distance from this kind of fear-based upbringing.
Before anything even happened, the elders would first scare you, telling you what you can and cannot do, like reciting a mantra that constantly implants rules into your mind.
Raised with such upbringing from childhood, it was predictable that the result would be individuals confined by various rules, like templates.
And yet, the adults expected their children to bring honor to the family. With their words and actions so restricted, where would they find the courage and motivation to conquer the outside world?
Hua Changxi could not change the Hua family’s upbringing methods; all she could do was protect herself and prevent herself from being assimilated.
Two quarters of an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a four-courtyard residence.
“The Great Clan Elder’s home is truly magnificent!”
Second Aunt Hua exclaimed, and the young women’s eyes also lit up.
A two-courtyard residence in the outer city was already a dream home for many, but compared to the Great Clan Elder’s home in the inner city, it seemed rather unimpressive.
After her daughter-in-law and granddaughters had alighted from the carriage, Old Madam Hua did not lead them to knock on the door. Instead, she walked along the street, then turned into an alley, and finally stopped at a small door in the middle of the alley.
“Grandmother, why aren’t we entering through the main gate?”
Looking at the small door before them, Hua Shierniang couldn’t help but ask.
As soon as she spoke, Second Aunt Hua quickly pulled her aside: “Why ask? Just follow your grandmother.”
Old Madam Hua knew her granddaughters were young and didn’t understand social niceties, so she explained: “It’s because our family isn’t qualified for them to open the main gate for us.”
Hua Shierniang had also been doted on and raised by Second Aunt Hua, so she was bold. Even after being stopped by her mother, she dared to ask again: “Then how can we become qualified?”
Old Madam Hua did not respond to this question; instead, her expression darkened slightly.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi answered for her: “When our family’s status and position are higher than the Great Clan Elder’s family, or when our family possesses a rare value that others do not, then we will naturally be treated with courtesy.”
Old Madam Hua glanced at Hua Changxi, said nothing, and stepped forward to knock on the door.
“Creak~”
A stout, middle-aged woman, picking her teeth with a bamboo skewer in her left hand and holding the bolt with her right, opened the door.
“Who are you looking for?”
The woman continued picking her teeth, glancing sideways at Old Madam Hua and her party, her tone lazy.
Old Madam Hua smiled broadly: “We are from Hua Bin’s family. Yesterday, a clan member came to inform us that Aunt Yu’e wished to see us.”
The woman let out a knowing ‘oh’ and her gaze fell upon Hua Changxi and the other young women, brazenly scrutinizing them one by one.
“Alright, wait here.”
With that, she slammed the door shut with a ‘bang’.
Seeing this, Old Madam Hua didn’t mind, but the smile on her face faded.
Hua Changxi, however, had a bad premonition.
The gaze of that woman just now was too brazen. The behavior of a servant could reflect the attitude of the master.
If the servant didn’t take them seriously, then the Great Ancestor Madam likely looked down on them as well. In such a situation, she didn’t believe that the sudden summons would bring anything good.
After waiting for about ten minutes, the back door opened again.
This time, the person who emerged was a woman dressed in a refined manner.
“Greetings to Old Madam, the Madam, and the young ladies.”
As soon as the woman appeared, she curtsied and bowed to Old Madam Hua and her party.
Before the woman could bend her knees, Old Madam Hua grabbed her hand: “Granny Zhou, you flatter us. Wuniang, quickly lead your sisters to pay respects to your Granny Zhou.”
Madam Zhou was the most trusted subordinate of Madam Zhou Yu’e, the Great Clan Elder’s wife.
When Hua clan members saw her, they dared not act presumptuously.
Hua Wuniang, being called upon, reacted quickly and, with her sisters, curtsied and bowed to Granny Zhou: “Greetings, Granny Zhou.”
Granny Zhou’s gaze followed the sound and fell upon Hua Wuniang. Seeing that the young women were all exceptionally beautiful, her smile deepened. While chatting with Old Madam Hua, she led the group into the residence.
“It’s just a coincidence today; several other families are also visiting. When you meet them later, you must chat well.”
“In the past two years, Madam has become increasingly fond of young ladies coming to entertain her. In the future, if you have time, bring the young ladies over more often. Madam will only be pleased.”
Upon hearing that other families were also coming, Old Madam Hua’s eyes flickered, and she exchanged glances with her three daughters-in-law.
Soon, the group was led into a flower hall.
Several families were seated in the flower hall, all consisting of elders accompanied by young ladies.
These people clearly recognized Old Madam Hua. After appraising Hua Changxi and the others behind her, they began to chat and laugh together.
Granny Zhou took the opportunity to say: “I still need to attend to Madam. You all sit here for a while, and I will call for you later.”
After Granny Zhou left, the other families began to inquire about Hua Wuniang and the others.
“How old are you?”
“Are you engaged?”
“With such beautiful young ladies at home, why didn’t you bring them out for us to see?”
Hua Changxi found the atmosphere in the flower hall somewhat strange. Although the other families were chatting lively with Old Madam Hua and the three sisters-in-law Yao, their words and attitudes subtly carried a sense of competition and rivalry.
Those young ladies were also peculiar; they didn’t chat but sat obediently beside their elders.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Granny Zhou returned and took away one family: a group consisting of an old madam, two women, and three young ladies.
The families who arrived earlier showed no surprise at this.
Old Madam Hua, however, was somewhat confused. She quietly asked a Zhao-surnamed old madam, with whom she was on relatively good terms: “Elder sister, why isn’t Madam Yu’e meeting us together?”
Old Madam Zhao was surprised: “You don’t know the purpose of Aunt Yu’e meeting us today?”
Old Madam Hua shook her head: “Yesterday, a clan member came to our home and merely said that Aunt Yu’e wanted to see the young ladies of the family.”
Old Madam Zhao lowered her voice: “She does want to see the young ladies, but it’s not a simple meeting; it’s a matchmaking session.”
Old Madam Hua’s eyes widened: “Matchmaking?”
Upon hearing this, the three sisters-in-law Yao were both surprised and taken aback.
Seeing the reaction of the Hua family’s matriarch and daughters-in-law, Old Madam Zhao looked somewhat perplexed: “What’s going on? You don’t even know this? Your news is too out of date.”
Old Madam Hua gave an awkward smile. Their family had always been on the fringes of the clan, unable to gather any substantial information.
Sensing Old Madam Hua’s embarrassment, Old Madam Zhao quickly added: “I think your young ladies are all exceptionally beautiful. Perhaps this good fortune will fall upon your family.”
Old Madam Hua replied with humble politeness but couldn’t help but shift her gaze to her granddaughters, who were whispering amongst themselves.
Wuniang had already reached her coming-of-age ceremony this year. If the clan were to help with matchmaking, and she were chosen, it would certainly be the best outcome.
However, among all her granddaughters, the most striking was Jiuniang, with her rebellious spirit, though she was still a bit too young.
Looking at Hua Jiuniang, Old Madam Hua’s gaze involuntarily fell upon Madam Yao.
Old Madam Hua still harbored dissatisfaction towards this daughter-in-law.
Firstly, Madam Yao was not her choice.
Secondly, Hua Minghe was her most promising son. The Earl’s Mansion had intended to groom him and had arranged a good marriage for him. However, to marry Madam Yao, her eldest son had offended the Earl’s Mansion. A significant reason why their family had been ostracized by the clan for years was because of this.
Being disregarded by the clan was one thing, but what angered her most was that Madam Yao had hindered her eldest son’s future.
Her eldest son was a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist, yet he was still just a constable in the Six Doors.
The old man had spent money to investigate the reason, and they told him it was because their eldest son had married someone he shouldn’t have.
Madam Yao had been married into the Hua family for over twenty years. Regarding the Yao family’s situation, she and the old man knew only a few names; they knew nothing else.
Her eldest son married a woman of unknown origin who also affected the Hua family’s future. How could she not be angry?
Looking at Madam Yao’s beautiful face, Old Madam Hua grew angrier the more she thought about it.
Hua Changxi, sitting in the back, was chatting with Hua Wuniang and two others about the clothing and appearance of the other young ladies. Noticing that Old Madam Hua was looking at her mother with an unfriendly gaze, she picked up the teacup on the table and walked over: “Grandmother, have some tea.” Then, she used her body to block the old madam’s line of sight.
Old Madam Hua snorted upon seeing this.
The grandchildren of the first branch truly made her feel both love and hate.
All three grandsons inherited their father’s stubborn temperament and were fiercely protective of Madam Yao.
As for the two granddaughters, Ten Niang, who was away at Mount Qi Yun, was not worth mentioning. This Jiuniang was simply a rebel.
Words of praise for a young lady’s virtues, such as obedience and humility, had no connection to her whatsoever.
Old Madam Hua glared at Hua Changxi, withdrew her gaze, and saw another family being led away from the flower hall. Thinking that the Great Clan Elder’s wife had summoned them for matchmaking, she called the only granddaughter who had reached her coming-of-age ceremony, Hua Wuniang, to her side and whispered instructions.
Matchmaking?
Because she was standing close, Hua Changxi overheard what Old Madam Hua was telling Hua Wuniang and her heart skipped a beat.
Were they going to interfere in their marriages?
If parents might consider their children’s wishes and feelings in marriage, then with the clan’s involvement, marriage would likely become a mere transaction.
