Chapter 8: Man as Object

In the flower hall, the young ladies of various families sat quietly beside their elders, listening to them chat about daily life, occasionally offering a smile or a nod. Unless called upon, they did not dare to speak.

Whenever Granny Zhou entered, both the adults and the young ladies would rise to greet her with earnest smiles.

Watching this scene, Hua Changxi’s gaze involuntarily drifted toward Hua Wuniang.

After the Fifth Sister reached her coming-of-age age, the family had begun busy inquiring about suitable matches, though it had not been particularly smooth.

The clan had extensive connections; if they could help arrange introductions, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for the Fifth Sister.

However, would the clan help for free?

Of course not.

To the clan, clan members were a type of resource to be mobilized and allocated.

Asking the clan to help arrange a match was equivalent to handing over a young lady's marriage to the clan.

What were resources for? They were for trading!

Hua Changxi thought that the elders of every family must be well aware of this, yet even knowing this, everyone still participated enthusiastically.

Waiting for one's fate to be arranged by others, having one's life orchestrated, and then having to thank the one doing the arranging—at this moment, Hua Changxi felt the helplessness and sorrow of the common person. At the same time, she warned herself in her heart: never let herself end up in such a position.

"Drink less tea; this is someone else's house, it is not proper to be so casual."

Hua Changxi was feeling frustrated and wanted to use the tea to douse the nameless fire in her heart, but just as she was about to pour a second cup, Old Lady Hua stopped her.

Hua Changxi felt a sense of helplessness. The Old Lady was too cautious—no, it wasn't just Old Lady Hua; the women from the other families were the same.

Despite waiting in the hall for so long, very few people actually picked up a teacup; even when they did, they only used it to moisten their lips.

Even though there were no servants from the Great Clan Elder's household watching them in the hall, everyone sat waiting with strict decorum, fearing that any improper behavior might displease the hosts.

Hua Changxi stopped drinking water and learned to wear a fake smile like the other young ladies, acting like a wooden statue.

After sitting like this for over an hour, it was finally approaching noon when it was Hua Changxi's family's turn to meet the Great Clan Elder's wife.

The Great Clan Elder's wife, Zhou Yu'e, was a kind and amiable old lady. Although she was a generation above Old Lady Hua, she was not much older in years.

"Greetings to Auntie."

As soon as Old Lady Hua entered the parlor, she hurriedly bowed to Madam Zhou, who sat in the seat of honor.

Seeing this, Lady Yao and her three sisters-in-law followed suit with Hua Changxi and the others.

Only after waiting for Hua Changxi's group to finish their greetings did Madam Zhou lean forward slightly and raise her hand in a gesture of dismissal. "Please, no need for formalities."

"We are family. In my house, throw all those external formalities aside; it is more important that we ladies have a proper chat."

As she spoke, she cast a glance at Granny Zhou, who was waiting nearby.

Receiving the signal, Granny Zhou immediately approached with a face full of smiles, took Old Lady Hua's hand, and led her to a chair to the lower left of Madam Zhou, while instructing Lady Yao and her sisters-in-law to sit on either side.

As for Hua Changxi and the other young ladies, they were seated on the brocade stools in the center of the parlor.

Madam Zhou first chatted about daily matters with Old Lady Hua, then shared some reflections on life with the sisters-in-law, and finally turned her gaze toward Hua Changxi and the others.

"The young ladies of your house are truly exceptional; I like them the moment I see them."

"Go, bring the flower box from my dressing table."

Granny Zhou hurried into the bedroom and soon returned with a box about a palm's width long.

At Madam Zhou's signal, Granny Zhou opened the box and tilted it slightly toward the young ladies so that Hua Changxi and the others could see the contents clearly.

Inside were several lifelike silk flowers, adorned with delicate silver pendants.

Seeing the beautiful silk flowers, not only did Hua Wuniang and the others' eyes light up, but Hua Changxi's did as well.

Although the Hua family was not harsh toward their young ladies, they only provided enough to ensure they were well-fed and clothed; they almost never bought them jewelry.

Today, while visiting, Hua Wuniang was doing well enough—having reached her coming-of-age age, she had her ears pierced, wore earrings, and had jeweled flowers in her hair.

But Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shinian were wearing nothing but hair ribbons.

Seeing the silk flowers, Old Lady Hua hurriedly said, "Auntie, please don't waste such fine things; these girls cannot wear such precious items."

An ordinary silk flower cost dozens of wen, and those with pearl and silver pendants likely cost hundreds, if not more.

To give them to all the young ladies would cost several taels of silver—it was far too extravagant!

Madam Zhou feigned dissatisfaction. "Why shouldn't they wear them? I think they are worthy of even better things."

Having said that, she didn't say she would give the flowers to them, but instead looked at Hua Changxi and the others with a smile. "You girls, stand up. Let your Great-Grandmother see how well you have learned your manners."

Hearing this, Hua Wuniang glanced at Old Lady Hua and her fourth aunt, then obediently stood up.

Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shinian followed suit.

Hua Shinian wanted to follow her sisters, but before she could stand, Granny Zhou picked her up and handed her to the fourth aunt.

Knowing that the clan might help Wuniang find a match, Hua Changxi quickly glanced at Madam Zhou, guessing that this was the beginning of an "interview" for Wuniang, and they were merely incidental.

Then, Madam Zhou's gaze swept back and forth over the four of them from a high vantage point. She said nothing, simply watching them.

The room suddenly fell silent.

Lady Yao and the sisters-in-law were hesitant to speak, but seeing that Old Lady Hua said nothing, they remained silent.

Being scrutinized so blatantly from head to toe, Hua Wuniang, Hua Qiniang, and Hua Shinian soon became nervous and uneasy, lowering their heads.

Meanwhile, a fire was ignited in Hua Changxi's heart.

She understood that if the clan wanted to help with matchmaking, Madam Zhou might want to interview the young ladies first, but what kind of look was that?

When she felt Madam Zhou's gaze linger heavily on her chest and hips, Hua Changxi suddenly raised her eyes and met Madam Zhou's gaze directly, making no attempt to hide her displeasure.

Madam Zhou was momentarily stunned and surprised. After locking eyes with Hua Changxi for a few seconds and seeing that the girl did not shrink away, the corners of her mouth curled upward.

"A fine appearance, and a fine figure as well."

Madam Zhou looked at Old Lady Hua with a smile. "These four young ladies of yours look like they are built for bearing many children."

*Built for bearing children?*

Hua Changxi frowned. Was it appropriate to make such a comment upon a first meeting?

Old Lady Hua, however, took it as a compliment and smiled immediately. "If that is true, then they are merely sharing in your good fortune, Auntie."

Madam Zhou smiled but said nothing more. She leisurely picked up her teacup, took two sips, and then asked, "How old are they all?"

Old Lady Hua replied, "Wuniang has reached her coming-of-age age. Qiniang and Jiuniang are the same age, thirteen this year; Shinian is a year younger, twelve; and the youngest, Shisinian, is seven."

Madam Zhou nodded upon hearing this. "They are not small anymore." She paused, then added, "For a good family, young ladies must start being considered for matches at twelve or thirteen. After all, everyone is competing for the best husbands; one must secure them early."

Old Lady Hua quickly agreed. "That is true," she said, looking embarrassed. "As you know, Auntie, our family has no great foundation; we will inevitably need your help to keep an eye on these girls' marriages."

Hearing this, the smile on Madam Zhou's face deepened. She looked at Old Lady Hua and then at the sisters-in-law. "I won't take on such an unpopular task. If the match isn't good, won't you all blame me?"

Old Lady Hua replied, "Auntie, please don't be modest. You have tasted more salt than we have eaten rice; the families you favor are bound to be excellent."

Madam Zhou laughed and moved on from the topic, her gaze falling once again on Hua Changxi and the others. "Come, step forward a few paces so I may see you."

Hua Wuniang glanced at Old Lady Hua again, and seeing her nod, she took small steps toward Madam Zhou, stopping about a meter away.

Madam Zhou scrutinized Wuniang's features, her gaze circling her body a few times, before nodding with satisfaction. She smiled encouragingly, "Come, perform a kneeling greeting for me."

Hearing this, Hua Wuniang did not hesitate and knelt down. "Greetings to Great-Grandmother."

Madam Zhou's eyes crinkled with a smile, seemingly very pleased with Wuniang's submissiveness. "Good, very good. Your voice is lovely as well."

As she spoke, she took a silk flower from the box and leaned down to personally pin it into Wuniang's hair.

After pinning it, Madam Zhou personally helped Wuniang up, held her hand and stroked it a few times, and then said to Old Lady Hua, "Your Wuniang is a girl who knows how to be cherished."

Old Lady Hua smiled quickly. "It is this girl's fortune to win Auntie's favor."

Madam Zhou signaled Granny Zhou to move Wuniang's stool next to her so she could sit beside her. She also did not let go of Wuniang's hand, appearing to truly like her.

Hua Wuniang was somewhat overwhelmed by Madam Zhou's attitude, smiling shyly with red ears.

Madam Zhou watched Wuniang's reaction with satisfaction. "Truly a girl to be pitied and loved." She then turned her gaze toward Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shinian. "You three, come forward and perform your greetings for me as well."

Hua Qiniang glanced at her two sisters and was the first to step forward to pay her respects.

Madam Zhou was not stingy with her praise. "Good, Qiniang is also a sensible and well-behaved child." Just as she had done with Wuniang, she took a silk flower from the box and personally pinned it onto Qiniang.

Wearing the silk flower, Hua Qiniang returned to her seat with a face full of joy.

According to seniority, it should have been Hua Changxi's turn next, but Hua Changxi remained standing. Even after Hua Shinian gave her several meaningful looks, she did not react, so Shinian had to step forward herself.

Madam Zhou glanced at Hua Changxi, then looked kindly at Hua Shinian, who was kneeling at her feet, and asked, "What do you and your sisters like to do at home on ordinary days?"

Hua Shinian's voice was bright and sweet. "To answer Great-Grandmother, we sisters like to do needlework and embroidery."

Madam Zhou seemed very satisfied with this answer. Seeing Shinian's poised manner, she smiled and said, "This girl is clever; she will surely marry into a blessed household in the future."

Hua Shinian's smile grew even sweeter. "Thank you for your kind words, Great-Grandmother."

As Madam Zhou reached for the box Granny Zhou offered, she caught a glimpse of Hua Changxi out of the corner of her eye. She then directly picked up two silk flowers and pinned them on Hua Shinian. "I like this girl; she is quite endearing."

Having received an extra silk flower, Hua Shinian was overjoyed, casting a triumphant look toward the Second Aunt.

Seeing her daughter outshine Hua Wuniang and Hua Qiniang from the Fourth Branch, the Second Aunt also felt a sense of pride.

Once Hua Shinian returned to her seat, Madam Zhou turned her gaze toward Hua Changxi. She watched her with composure, saying nothing, as if waiting for her to step forward of her own accord.

Hua Changxi did not move. Even though Old Lady Hua and Lady Yao were giving her meaningful looks, she remained still, though she had no intention of making the situation too awkward.

"Forgive me, Great-Grandmother. I was injured a while ago, and my injuries to my waist and legs have not yet fully healed, so I cannot step forward to pay my respects."

The way Madam Zhou looked at them was not that of an elder observing juniors, but that of someone inspecting goods; her scrutinizing gaze was entirely about assessing their value.

In what situation does an elder give a gift to a junior only if the junior kneels at their feet?

To humble oneself and please others to receive a reward—this was clearly a test of obedience.

If she truly stepped forward, knelt at Madam Zhou's feet, and accepted her silk flower, she would truly be treating herself as a piece of merchandise for selection.

Old Lady Hua knew that Hua Changxi's injuries had long since healed. Seeing her being so indiscreet while visiting another house, she felt extremely frustrated and offered a sheepish, apologetic smile. "Auntie, this girl is useless; please do not take her behavior to heart."

Seeing her daughter's stubbornness flare up again, Lady Yao also explained to Madam Zhou, "Forgive us, Auntie. My Jiuniang was captured by a demonic priest a while ago and did indeed suffer serious injuries; she means no disrespect to you."

The smile on Madam Zhou's face did not fade, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Look how nervous you all are. I am just an old woman; how could I possibly hold a grudge against a child?"

As she spoke, she looked at Hua Changxi. "This Jiuniang has quite a personality!"

"Having personality is quite good; even in a crowd, one would remember you."

"Jiuniang, I hope you can always maintain this personality!"

Hua Changxi looked back at Madam Zhou. "Rest assured, Great-Grandmother, I will."

She only wished to retain her dignity as a human being and did not want to be treated as an object. If that was what Madam Zhou called "personality," then she would certainly maintain it.