Chapter 9: Solitary Confinement

“Nanny Zhou, my Ninth Lady is just a wild girl. I see that Auntie seems angry; you must help me explain things to her more often.”

As Nanny Zhou was seeing Old Lady Hua and her party out, Old Lady Hua held Nanny Zhou's hands, incessantly expressing her apologies.

Nanny Zhou chuckled, “Oh, you, you are overthinking it. She is just a young lady; how could she be worth the Dowager Madam's anger?”

Neither Old Lady Hua nor the three sisters-in-law, the Yao clan, took these words seriously.

If Dowager Madam Zhou truly wasn't angry, it was already noon; she should have at least invited them to stay for lunch, yet now she hadn't even offered a single polite word.

As they spoke, the group reached the back gate.

Nanny Zhou smiled as she pulled her hands back from Old Lady Hua's grasp. “Alright, I will see you off here.” She paused, then turned to Old Lady Hua.

“I know your family is very busy, but if you find yourselves free and wish to show respect to our manor, do bring a few more young ladies over to visit more often.”

Old Lady Hua's expression shifted instantly, and she hurriedly replied with a forced smile, “What are you saying, Nanny Zhou? We look forward to it day and night, hoping for the chance to come and pay our respects to Auntie.”

Nanny Zhou nodded with a smile. “I know your intentions, but intentions must be backed by action, mustn't they?” Without waiting for Old Lady Hua to respond, she waved her hand.

“Take care on your way back.”

Seeing this, Old Lady Hua could only lead her daughters-in-law and granddaughters away.

Once they turned the corner and boarded the carriage waiting by the roadside, Old Lady Hua's face darkened instantly, her eyes glaring at Hua Changxi as if breathing fire.

The sight of Old Lady Hua gnashing her teeth in fury left everyone else in the carriage silent with fear.

Hua Changxi frowned and avoided her gaze, turning her head to the side.

*Did I do something wrong?*

She didn't think so.

If she had truly met that Great Matriarch's scrutinizing gaze—the kind used to inspect goods—and bowed down at her feet, she would have loathed herself. Her dignity as a person would not allow it.

Throughout the journey, no one in the carriage dared to speak; they returned to the Hua residence in total silence.

The moment they entered the house, Old Lady Hua erupted: “Yao, lock Hua Jiuniang in the side room. She is not to be fed for the next few days!”

Hua Changxi broke free from her mother's grasp and shouted back, “On what grounds am I being locked up?”

Old Lady Hua grew even angrier, pointing a finger at Hua Changxi. “You still dare to ask? We went there as guests today, yet you offended the host. You certainly are something!”

“I'm telling you, if you ruin Fifth Lady's matchmaking, just wait and see how I deal with you!”

Hua Changxi gave a sarcastic smile. “Grandmother, I advise you not to hold too high expectations for the clan. In my view, this so-called matchmaking is likely not a good thing.”

That Dowager Madam Zhou seemed to be inspecting their etiquette, but in reality, she was selecting—selecting those young ladies who were willing to be submissive and pleasing.

Was this how one properly matched a wife?

And it was several families being matched together at once.

Who would believe there wasn't something fishy going on?

Seeing that she still dared to talk back, Old Lady Hua looked around, then strode toward the eaves, grabbed a broom, and threw it at Hua Changxi.

“Hua Jiuniang, you are truly out of line!”

Hua Changxi dodged quickly.

“What is all this noise about?”

Master Hua walked out of the main hall with a grim face. The clan had suddenly approached the family, leaving him feeling uneasy. He hadn't gone out today, waiting at home to hear the news as soon as possible.

To his surprise, his wife began raging the moment she returned.

“What are you all making a fuss about?”

Old Lady Hua quickly recounted what had happened at the Great Matriarch's house, pointing at Hua Changxi. “This girl is beyond control!”

As soon as Master Hua heard that Hua Changxi had offended the Great Matriarch's household, his anger was instantly ignited. He looked at Yao with a sharp tone, “What, is your mother-in-law unable to command you? Is this how a daughter-in-law should behave?”

Seeing the old man venting his anger on her mother, Hua Changxi was about to argue, but before she could open her mouth, Yao covered it with her hand.

“Your daughter-in-law will take Jiuniang to the side room immediately.”

Saying this, she pulled Hua Changxi toward the side room without allowing any argument.

Hua Changxi knew that if she didn't cooperate, the old couple would surely vent their anger on Yao, so she obediently entered the side room and watched as the old lady brought a lock to secure the door.

“Grandmother, just you wait. When people show unearned kindness, they are either up to no good or looking to steal. The clan suddenly arranging matchmaking for Fifth Sister is definitely not for a good cause.”

“You and Grandfather try your heart out to be on good terms with the clan, but the clan only sees you as pawns.”

Old Lady Hua had mostly vented her pent-up frustration, so her reaction to Hua Changxi's words was indifferent. “What does a young girl like you know?”

“Just because you've read a few books, you think you know everything. Pawns? Let me tell you, if the clan truly treated our family as pawns, that would actually be a blessing for us.”

Having said that, she left, jingling her keys.

Hua Changxi was fuming, but she didn't dwell on it too much, knowing it was a clash of perspectives. She turned and sat on the only meditation mat in the room.

She was no stranger to this side room; she couldn't even remember how many times she had been locked in here.

The Hua family was large, and in a two-courtyard residence, there weren't even enough rooms for everyone to have their own. Yet, this side room was kept vacant specifically for the purpose of punishing descendants with confinement.

Sitting on the mat, Hua Changxi calmed her emotions for a moment, then closed her eyes and began to practice the Little Bird Breathing Method.

Under the eaves above, Second Aunt Hua, Fourth Aunt Hua, and Fifth, Seventh, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Ladies all watched with their own eyes as Hua Changxi was locked in the side room.

Twelfth Lady laughed. “Thank heavens. It's a good thing Eldest Uncle wasn't here today, otherwise, Jiuniang definitely wouldn't have been confined.”

Second Aunt said, “Even if your Eldest Uncle were here today, given that Jiuniang offended the Great Matriarch, she would have been locked up regardless. You know better than anyone how much your Eldest Uncle values the clan.”

Seventh Lady was somewhat confused. “Jiuniang didn't do anything excessive, did she?”

Second Aunt glanced at Fourth Aunt. “Today, the Great Matriarch was inspecting the clan's young ladies. With Jiuniang's stunt, the Great Matriarch's impression of our family's girls will certainly not be good. She might even ruin your Fifth Sister's matchmaking prospects.”

Fourth Aunt did not dispute this.

Regarding the scene Hua Changxi caused at the Great Matriarch's house, it was impossible for Fourth Aunt and Fifth Lady to feel no resentment in their hearts.

Seeing her mother and sister's expressions darken, Seventh Lady didn't dare speak anymore.

“Let's go, back to our rooms.”

Watching Fourth Aunt lead Fifth, Seventh, and Fourteenth Ladies away, Second Aunt felt a sense of schadenfreude.

Among the three daughters-in-law of the Hua family, the Fourth Sister-in-law usually preferred to stay close to the Eldest Sister-in-law, isolating herself. Now, if Jiuniang truly ruined Fifth Lady's marriage prospects, let's see how they would continue to get along.

In the main hall, Master Hua kept glancing at his tobacco pipe, looking at Old Lady Hua with dissatisfaction. “What were you doing? How could you fail to keep an eye on Jiuniang when you went to the Great Matriarch's house?”

Old Lady Hua was displeased. “Could I have controlled her? With Jiuniang's rebellious nature, she dares to disobey even your words, let alone mine.”

Master Hua's face darkened. “We must deal with that girl properly this time. Keep a close watch on the side room; do not allow anyone from the First Branch to bring Jiuniang food.”

As he spoke, Master Hua stood up and began pacing the room.

“I must go to the Great Matriarch's house personally to apologize to Auntie.”

Old Lady Hua hesitated. “I have already apologized. There is no need for you to make the trip, is there? I saw that Auntie seemed quite fond of Fifth Lady; she should help with the matchmaking.”

Master Hua shook his head. “Fifth Lady's matter is secondary. What worries me is the future of Da-lang and the others.”

“Even though Minghe and the other two work in the yamen, their positions are too low. Now that the grandsons are all growing up, if they don't rely on the clan's support, what kind of bright future can they find?”

“Our family and the clan are already somewhat distant; we cannot allow a rift to form over this matter.”

Old Lady Hua asked, “Then when will you go? I should prepare some apology gifts.”

Master Hua glanced at the sky. “Tomorrow.”

***

At the Great Matriarch's house.

Hua Tai, the eldest son of the Great Matriarch, had been thinking about the clan's matchmaking today. As soon as he finished his duties in the afternoon, he went straight to Dowager Madam Zhou's room. “Mother, how did the matchmaking go today?”

Zhong, Hua Tai's wife, happened to be there and immediately said, “Mother worked so hard today; she was so tired she barely ate a few bites at noon.”

Dowager Madam Zhou waved her hand. “It wasn't exhaustion, I just had no appetite.”

Hua Tai hurriedly said, “Mother, you must take good care of your health. I still have some medicinal herbs rewarded by the Marquis's manor; I will have the maid bring them to you shortly. Your health is what concerns your son most.”

Seeing her eldest son so concerned, Dowager Madam Zhou felt quite satisfied.

Zhong smiled as she brought up a freshly brewed cup of tea. “If you ask me, it is because Mother is too good to the clansmen that she was angered by a young girl.”

Hua Tai's expression changed instantly. “Who dares to anger my mother?”

Dowager Madam Zhou gave Zhong a faint glance and shook her head. “She is just a young lady; how could she anger me?”

“It is just that seeing those young ladies today—looking so beautiful and blooming, only to be sent off to be concubines—it makes my heart ache.”

Hearing this, Hua Tai immediately stood up and gave a long, respectful bow to Dowager Madam Zhou. “I have caused Mother to worry.”

Dowager Madam Zhou sighed. “Forget it. This sinful business of selecting the clan's young ladies to be concubines... it is a task that must fall to an old woman like me. In the future, if the clansmen want to curse someone, let them curse this old woman.”

Hua Tai and Zhong exchanged a glance, and Hua Tai quickly said, “How can this be called sin? To be chosen by Mother and enter a noble household as a concubine is a blessing for the clan's young ladies.”

Dowager Madam Zhou remained silent.

Hua Tai asked tentatively, “Which family's young lady did Mother take a liking to?”

Dowager Madam Zhou looked at her son. “What do you mean, 'take a liking to'? I merely selected according to the standards you set.”

“Must be fertile, must be good-looking, and must have a submissive temperament, not one who will be jealous of the primary wife. After selecting and selecting, there are only one or two who are suitable.”

Seeing her son looking at her expectantly, Dowager Madam Zhou named the person she had chosen. “Fifth Lady from Hua Bin's house is the most suitable; she is of age as well.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Tai thought about Hua Bin's situation. Knowing that Hua Bin had always been a man who understood the ways of the world, he smiled immediately. “As expected, when Mother takes action, nothing is impossible.”

Dowager Madam Zhou looked at her son. “Since they are giving up a young lady, do not be too stingy on your end.”

Hua Tai laughed. “Rest assured, Mother. With so many clansmen watching, I will not lose sight of the big picture and alienate the clan. Doesn't Hua Bin have many grandsons? Nowadays, every young lad wants to practice martial arts. I will send them enrollment slips for the martial academy.”

“Exchanging a young lady for a boy's entry into the martial academy—they won't lose out!”

Dowager Madam Zhou nodded. “Keep a polite attitude as well. Hua Bin's lineage still has a bit of backbone.” As she spoke, she couldn't help but think of that Hua Jiuniang who dared to meet her gaze.

Dowager Madam Zhou suddenly smiled. “Speaking of which, those young ladies from Hua Bin's house are quite good-looking. Once they fully mature in a couple of years, they will certainly be top-tier beauties.”

Hua Tai laughed along with her. “To catch Mother's eye, those young ladies are truly blessed. Once they reach their coming-of-age ceremony, Mother can help select suitable families for them then.”

The mother and son exchanged a glance and shared a knowing smile.

(End of Chapter)