Chapter 10: Going Home

Within hours of Hua Qiyue returning home, the news that she wanted to adopt a foster son spread all over the capital. All of the commoners were talking about it. If a child could be adopted by the Hua family, he would surely have a great future. What happened in the Hanyue Temple was widely spread by storytellers, with embellishments from some of the pilgrims who’d witnessed the scene. It seemed Hua Qiyue’s bad reputation was quickly being forgotten. Hua Qiyue told Youshui to have a master write a notice about the adoption. Once Hua Mengshi returned, she informed the Old Madam that Hua Qiyue had her hairpin stolen in the Hanyue Temple and been framed for flirting with a monk. She also punished Lanzhu with fifty lashes. The Old Madam flew into a rage. A servant framing a noble lady? It was unheard of! For having the courage to confess her servant’s mistake, the Old Madam forgave Hua Mengshi, only fining her two months' pocket money. Lvxin couldn’t understand why Hua Qiyue didn’t complain about her sisters to the Old Madam. She’d just gone to her small courtyard to prepare for the adoption. Hua Qiyue smiled, not offering any explanation. She knew the Old Madam didn’t like troublemakers, and if she’d complained first, the Old Madam would just be annoyed. She asked Lvxin to put on light makeup and dress appropriately, then went to meet the old lady. Lvxin and Youshui were shocked, once again. In the past, Hua Qiyue was afraid of meeting the Old Madam, literally shaking in her presence. The Old Madam had tired of the good-for-nothing young miss, and had requested that she no longer visit. The Fuxin Courtyard was where the Old Madam lived. It was busy today, because Hua Mengshi, the Second Concubine, and the Third Concubine were here. Since the servant of the Second Concubine’s daughter had made a big mistake, the Second Concubine was trying to brown-nose the Old Madam. After punishing Lanzhu and having her dragged away, the people started to chat and laugh again, as if no one remembered what happened to Hua Qiyue. They should have been indignant and outraged, but not a single person comforted Hua Qiyue. In their eyes, there was no need to comfort a weak and stupid girl whose Qi channels had already been shattered. While everyone was happily chatting, a calm voice came from outside the door. "Grandmother, how bustling your yard is!" The people in the room immediately became quiet, and everyone looked towards the door. Hua Qiyue walked in with Lvxin and Youshui. She was wearing a light pink dress and a light green cloak with a pair of plain white shoes, looking refreshingly elegant. The light makeup on her face made her look like a crescent moon breaking through the clouds, shining a cool and radiant light. On this sweltering June morning, everyone was amazed by her appearance. "Hey, big sister, aren't you tired after your visit to Master Xuanji in the Rongfu Temple? You should be resting right now," sneered Hua Xiaoyi, and everyone’s expression changed. Ignoring her sister, Hua Qiyue approached the Old Madam, took a bow and said, "Grandmother, I apologize for not visiting for so long. It’s entirely my fault." After that, she paid her respects to the Second Concubine and the Third Concubine. The expressions of Hua Mengshi and Hua Xiaoyi changed to squints of confusion and suspicion. Why was Hua Qiyue so obedient and sweet? How did she change so much overnight?