Chapter 8: Humans as Objects

In the flower hall, the young ladies of each family sat quietly beside their elders, listening to the elders chat about daily life, smiling at appropriate moments or nodding occasionally; unless called upon by name, they never spoke.

Whenever Old Woman Zhou entered, whether adults or young ladies, everyone rose to greet her with eager smiles.

Watching this scene, Hua Changxi's gaze inevitably fell upon Hua Wuniang.

After Fifth Sister's coming-of-age ceremony, the family had begun busily inquiring about suitable matches, though progress had not been smooth.

The clan possessed extensive connections; if they could help facilitate introductions and inspections, it might not necessarily be a bad thing for Fifth Sister.

But would the clan help without expecting anything in return?

Of course not.

To the clan, clansmen were merely a 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 are resources for? They are for trading!

Hua Changxi reasoned that the elders of each family surely understood this point, yet despite knowing it, everyone still participated enthusiastically.

Waiting for fate to be arranged by others, having one's life dictated, and then having to thank the arranger—in this moment, Hua Changxi felt the helplessness and sorrow of the insignificant, while simultaneously warning herself never to let herself fall into such a predicament.

"Drink less tea; this is someone else's home, so we cannot act as freely as we please."

Feeling irritable and depressed, Hua Changxi wanted to use tea to extinguish the nameless fire burning in her heart, but just as she was pouring her second cup, Old Lady Hua spoke up to stop her.

Hua Changxi felt somewhat helpless internally; Old Lady was being too cautious—no, not just Old Lady Hua, but the women of other families were the same.

Having waited in the flower hall for so long, few had even lifted a teacup, and those who did drink merely moistened their lips with the tea.

Even though no servants from the senior clan elder's household were watching inside the flower hall, everyone dared only sit obediently and wait, fearing that any improper action might displease the hosts.

Hua Changxi stopped drinking water and, imitating the other young ladies, pasted on a fake smile, becoming like a wooden doll.

They sat like this for over an hour; it was nearly noon before it was finally Hua Changxi's family's turn to meet the senior clan elder's wife.

The senior clan elder's wife, Zhou Yu'e, was a kind and benevolent old lady; although her generation was one higher than Old Lady Hua's, she was not many years older.

"We pay our respects to you, Auntie."

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

Seeing this, the three Yao sisters-in-law led Hua Changxi and the others to do the same.

Lady Zhou waited until Old Lady Hua and her party had finished bowing before leaning slightly forward and raising a hand in a gesture of virtual support: "Please, no more bows."

"We are all one family; here in my room, throw all those external formalities aside; it is proper for us women to have a good chat."

Having spoken, she glanced at Old Woman Zhou, who was waiting nearby.

Receiving the instruction, Old Woman Zhou immediately beamed, stepped forward to pull up Old Lady Hua, guided her to the chair on Lady Zhou's lower left, and directed the three Yao 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 reception hall.

Lady Zhou first chatted about daily life with Old Lady Hua, then discussed insights on life with the three Yao sisters-in-law, before finally turning her gaze to Hua Changxi and the others.

"The young ladies of your family are truly exceptional one and all; I saw them and immediately took a great liking to them."

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

Old Woman Zhou hurried into the bedroom and soon returned carrying a box about a palm wide and a foot long.

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

Inside the box were several lifelike pearl silk flowers, each adorned with a small, exquisite silver pendant.

Seeing the beautiful silk flowers, not only Hua Wuniang and the others, but even Hua Changxi's eyes lit up.

Although the Hua family did not treat their young ladies harshly, their care was limited to ensuring they were fed and clothed; they almost never purchased jewelry for them.

Today, going out as guests, Hua Wuniang was fine; having reached adulthood, her ears were pierced, she wore earrings, and a pearl flower adorned her hair bun.

But Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shier'niang had only hair ribbons tied on their heads.

Seeing the silk flowers, Old Lady Hua quickly said, "Auntie, please do not waste such fine things; where could these girls possibly wear such precious items?"

Ordinary silk flowers cost several dozen cash each; those with pearl and silver pendants probably cost several hundred cash, or even more.

For several young ladies together, this would amount to several taels of silver; it was far too valuable!

Lady Zhou feigned dissatisfaction: "Why can they not wear them? In my opinion, they are worthy of wearing things even better than these."

Having spoken, she did not say she was giving the silk flowers to the young ladies, but instead smiled at Hua Changxi and the others: "You few stand up; let Great-Grandmother see how well you have learned your manners?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Wuniang glanced at Old Lady Hua and Fourth Aunt Hua, then obediently stood up.

Seeing this, Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shier'niang also stood up.

Hua Shisiniang wanted to imitate her older sisters, but before she could stand, Old Woman Zhou picked her up, moved her aside, and handed her to Fourth Aunt Hua.

Hua Changxi knew the clan might help arrange a match for Wuniang; she quickly glanced at Lady Zhou, guessing that the interview for Wuniang was about to begin, and they were merely incidental.

Afterwards, Lady Zhou's condescending, scrutinizing gaze swept back and forth over the four girls, saying nothing, simply looking at them.

The room suddenly fell silent.

The three Yao sisters-in-law seemed eager to speak but held back; seeing that Old Lady Hua said nothing, they too remained silent.

Being blatantly inspected from head to toe, after a short while, Hua Wuniang, Hua Qiniang, and Hua Shier'niang became somewhat nervous and uneasy, lowering their heads uncomfortably.

But within Hua Changxi's heart, a fire was ignited.

That the clan wanted to help arrange a match and that Lady Zhou would first interview the young ladies of each family, she could understand, but what kind of look was that?

Feeling Lady Zhou's gaze linger heavily on her chest and hips, Hua Changxi suddenly raised her eyes, meeting Lady Zhou's stare directly, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

Lady Zhou paused for a moment, somewhat surprised; after locking eyes with Hua Changxi for a few seconds and seeing that she neither looked away nor hid, the corner of her mouth curled upward.

"Good appearance, good figure."

Lady Zhou smiled at Old Lady Hua: "These four young ladies of yours, at a glance, look like they will be easy to bear children."

Easy to bear children?

Hua Changxi frowned deeply; was it appropriate to evaluate young ladies in such a manner upon first meeting?

Old Lady Hua, however, took this as praise and immediately smiled: "If that is truly the case, then they are merely benefiting from your good fortune, Auntie."

Lady Zhou smiled, said nothing, slowly lifted her teacup, took two sips, and then asked, "How old are they all?"

Old Lady Hua replied, "Fifth Daughter has already reached her hair-pinning age; Seventh Daughter and Ninth Daughter are the same age, thirteen this year; Twelfth Daughter is a year younger, twelve; and the youngest, Fourteenth Daughter, is already seven."

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhou nodded: "None of them are small anymore." After a pause, she added, "Daughters from good families must begin seeking matches at twelve or thirteen. After all, every good young man is fought over; one must secure them early."

Old Lady Hua hastily agreed: "That is indeed the truth." Then, looking slightly embarrassed, she said, "Auntie knows well that our family lacks foundation; the marriages of these girls will inevitably require your esteemed self to help us judge suitable matches."

Hearing this, Lady Zhou's smile deepened. She glanced at Old Lady Hua, then at the three Yao sisters-in-law: "I will not do such an unpopular thing. If the matches I suggest prove unsuitable, won't you blame me?"

Old Lady Hua said, "Auntie must not be modest. You have eaten more salt than we have eaten rice; any family you deem worthy must be excellent indeed."

Lady Zhou laughed and dropped the topic, her gaze falling once more upon Hua Changxi and the other three girls: "Come, step forward a few paces so I may see you clearly."

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

Lady Zhou examined Hua Wuniang's features closely, her eyes sweeping up and down her figure several times, then nodded with satisfaction and smiled encouragingly: "Come, perform a curtsy for me to see."

Hearing this, Hua Wuniang did not hesitate, bending her knees to squat: "I pay my respects to Great-Grandmother."

Lady Zhou's eyes crinkled with delight, clearly fond of Hua Wuniang's obedience: "Good, very good, and your voice is pleasant too."

Saying this, she took a silk flower from her box, bent down, and personally pinned it onto Hua Wuniang's head.

After pinning it, Lady Zhou personally helped Hua Wuniang up, held her hand and stroked it a few times, then said to Old Lady Hua, "Your Fifth Daughter is one who knows how to win affection."

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

Lady Zhou signaled Zhou Pozi to move Hua Wuniang's brocade stool beside her own, letting Hua Wuniang sit next to her; meanwhile, she did not let go of Hua Wuniang's hand, seeming truly very fond of the girl.

Overwhelmed by Lady Zhou's attitude, Hua Wuniang felt both honored and shy, smiling faintly until her earlobes turned red.

Satisfied with Hua Wuniang's reaction, Lady Zhou said, "Truly a pitiable and lovable child," then turned her gaze to Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shier-niang: "You three also come forward and perform a bow for me to see."

Hua Qiniang glanced at her two younger sisters, then stepped forward first to pay her respects.

Lady Zhou did not spare her praise: "Good, Qiniang is also a sensible and obedient child." Saying this, just as she had with Hua Wuniang, she took a silk flower from the box and personally pinned it onto Hua 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 she remained standing still. Hua Shier-niang signaled her several times, yet receiving no response, she had to step forward herself.

Lady Zhou glanced at Hua Changxi, then looked kindly at Hua Shier-niang squatting by her feet and asked, "What do you sisters usually like to do at home?"

Hua Shier-niang's voice was light, quick, and sweet: "Replying to Great-Grandmother, we sisters usually enjoy doing needlework."

This answer seemed to satisfy Lady Zhou; seeing Shier-niang act so confidently, she immediately smiled and said, "This girl is clever; she will surely marry into a fortunate family in the future."

Hua Shier-niang smiled even more sweetly: "Thank you, Great-Grandmother, for your auspicious words."

As Zhou Pozi handed over the box, Lady Zhou glanced sideways at Hua Changxi, then directly took two silk flowers and pinned them onto Hua Shier-niang: "I like this girl; she is one worthy of affection."

Receiving an extra silk flower, Hua Shier-niang was so delighted her eyebrows danced; she even cast a triumphant glance toward her Second Aunt.

Seeing her daughter outshine the girls from the Fourth Branch—Hua Wuniang and Hua Qiniang—Second Aunt also felt honored.

Once Hua Shier-niang returned to her place, Lady Zhou turned her gaze to Hua Changxi, watching her with composed leisure, saying nothing, as if waiting for her to step forward voluntarily.

Hua Changxi did not move; even though both Old Lady Hua and Lady Yao signaled her with their eyes, she remained still, yet she had no intention of making the scene too awkward.

"Great-Grandmother, please forgive my offense. I was injured some time ago; my waist and leg injuries have not fully healed, so I cannot step forward to bow."

The way Lady Zhou looked at them was not like an elder observing juniors, but like someone inspecting goods; beneath her scrutinizing gaze lay nothing but an assessment of their market value.

Under what circumstances must a junior squat at an elder's feet before receiving a gift?

To humble oneself and curry favor just to earn a reward—this was clearly a test of obedience.

If she truly stepped forward, squatted at Lady Zhou's feet, and accepted her silk flower, she would effectively be treating herself as merchandise for selection.

Old Lady Hua knew Hua Changxi's injuries had long healed; seeing her behave so improperly while visiting another's home, she was furious inwardly, yet forced an awkward smile: "Auntie, this girl is useless; please do not take her behavior to heart."

Seeing her daughter's stubborn nature flare up again, Lady Yao also explained to Lady Zhou: "Auntie, please forgive us. My Ninth Daughter was captured by an evil Daoist priest some time ago and indeed suffered severe injuries; she absolutely means no disrespect toward you."

Lady Zhou's smile never faded; she waved her hand: "Why are you all so nervous? I am just an old woman; surely I would not quarrel with a child?"

Then, looking at Hua Changxi, she said, "This Ninth Daughter has quite a personality!"

"Having a personality is good; even in a crowd, one remains memorable."

"Ninth Daughter, I hope you can always maintain this personality!"

Hua Changxi met Lady Zhou's gaze: "Rest assured, Great-Grandmother, I will."

She only wished to preserve her dignity as a human being, not to be treated like an object; if this was what Lady Zhou called "personality," then she would certainly maintain it forever.