The Annihilation of the Hua Family

“Changningju’s Hua family?”

Most people present were unfamiliar with the name.

But a few of the older ones vaguely recalled it: “Could it be the Hua family of Changningju, the one that was wiped out by bandits back then?”

Although Gu Qingyan also grew up in Qingzhou Prefecture, the Hua family had already been reduced to ashes by the time he was born, so naturally, he had never heard the name.

“Ah, Changningju—I remember them!”

“Their food was especially delicious, especially the sweet osmanthus shark fin and the hehuan soup. I used to go eat there every few days. Who would’ve thought that later…”

Prefect Ding had read about the case in the archives and couldn’t help but fix his gaze on the old woman.

“This official once read about this old case. Twenty-five years ago, the Hua family ran a restaurant in Qingzhou Prefecture called Changningju. Due to its excellent flavors, business was booming.”

“But one deep night, twenty-five years ago, river bandits broke into the Hua household. When discovered, they killed everyone to silence them. All thirty-two members of the Hua family died that night.”

“Before escaping, the bandits even set the place on fire. The Hua residence burned for a full day and night. By the time the flames were extinguished, only charred corpses could be recovered.”

The Qingzhou Prefect back then was now Wen Ruliang, Left Assistant Minister of Personnel—Ding’s direct superior.

From the records, it was clear that after the crime, Prefect Wen had dispatched men to thoroughly eliminate the bandits, sweeping out the river banditry that had long plagued the people of Qingzhou. Since then, the citizens of Qingzhou Prefecture had never again been harassed by river bandits.

Staggered by the implications, Prefect Ding shouted, “You are a member of the Hua family, then why did you poison Lu Erlang and the other scholars?”

“Because they deserved to die,” the old woman spat.

She fixed a deadly stare on Dean Lu. “The ones who exterminated my family were not river bandits, but this shameless hypocrite standing before you now, spouting virtue and morality.”

“It was him. When his pursuit of love was rejected, he turned spiteful and colluded with the river bandits to wipe out my entire family—thirty-two lives.”

“If not for the coincidence that I was out on an errand that day, I would have died with my in-laws and husband. For twenty-five years, I’ve longed to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Poisoning just one of his sons—he’s gotten off far too lightly.”

Prefect Ding furrowed his brows tightly.

With the old case surfacing again and its possible connection to this poisoning, the situation was becoming far more complex.

Dean Lu sneered, “My lord, this madwoman has already confessed. Please pass judgment at once—do not listen to her insane ramblings.”

Prefect Ding remained silent in thought.

The old woman stepped forward. “I’m willing to confess, but I ask that Your Excellency allow me to recount the events of those twenty-five years.”

“Lord Ding!” Dean Lu exclaimed anxiously.

Gu Qingyan sneered, “Why so hasty, Dean Lu? Even if someone confesses, we still need to know the full story—why she resorted to poison.”

Prefect Ding nodded. “Speak, then.”

The old woman’s gaze turned wistful.

“My surname is Zhao. I was born into misfortune. My parents died early, and I had to live with my brother and sister-in-law.”

“But I was lucky—by chance, I met the second young master of Changningju’s Hua family in Qingzhou. He was willing to take me as his wife.”

“When I married into the Hua family, I was worried my in-laws might dislike or mistreat me. But to my surprise, they were all kind and good-hearted. My in-laws were gentle, my elder brother- and sister-in-law were caring, and even my young sister-in-law, still just a girl, doted on me and worried I might feel out of place as a new bride.”

“The Hua family were outsiders with no local relatives. My sister-in-law had no family left either. But we had each other, cared for one another, and lived harmoniously.”

“My husband treated me very well. After two years, we had a clever and adorable son.”

“Changningju was unlike other restaurants—my mother-in-law handled the cooking. She was a brilliant chef who could turn the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary.”

“She once said that my husband, my brother- and sister-in-law, and even my young sister-in-law were mediocre in the kitchen—but she saw talent in me. So she brought me into the kitchen and personally taught me, hoping I would carry on her culinary legacy.”

“Those were the happiest days of my life.”

Prefect Ding coughed lightly. “Madam Hua Zhao, please get to the point. There’s no need to dwell on your family history. Explain why you resorted to poisoning.”

The old woman smiled faintly. “My lord, I am getting to that.”

“My mother-in-law and I worked in the kitchen, and Changningju’s business thrived.”

“My father-in-law then said that since the family now had some savings, and since my husband’s elder brother wasn’t suited for business but had a gift for studying, why not invest in him and send him to study at Hongshan Academy? If he could secure a good future, the Hua family might rise in status.”

“Everyone agreed. My brother-in-law was a born scholar—he passed the county exam at twenty. If he got into Hongshan Academy, his future would be boundless.”

“But that was the beginning of the Hua family’s misfortune.”

“My father-in-law searched for connections and spent a fortune. Finally, in the second year, he managed to get my brother-in-law into Hongshan Academy.”

“At first, everything was wonderful. He came home cheerful and often praised the academy’s teachers as far superior to private tutors.”

“He said he planned to take that year’s provincial exam—if he passed, he would become a juren, and the family would have someone to rely on.”

“But then…”

Madam Hua Zhao still remembered that day vividly.

Her brother-in-law had come home from the academy. It wasn’t far, so he returned every rest day to help manage the books and do what he could around the house.

The Hua family was closely knit. They always prepared good food and wine to welcome his return.

Normally, he would come home beaming, lifting the children and teaching them to read.

Madam Zhao especially loved hearing the babble of toddlers learning to speak.

But that time, he returned silent, burdened with something heavy. His face was grim.

No matter who asked, he only shook his head and claimed he was tired.

Mother Hua worried and said privately, “He won’t say what happened. Could he be getting bullied at the academy?”

“That’s unlikely,” Madam Zhao replied. “He’s knowledgeable, well-mannered, and has many friends. Who would bully him?”

Mother Hua thought that made sense—her son had always conducted himself impeccably.

Madam Zhao then suggested, “Maybe he’s just tired. The provincial exam is in three months. He’s preparing hard, the pressure must be enormous.”

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

“Is this the Hua residence? I’m Lu Mingxuan from Hongshan Academy. I’ve come to visit Brother Hua.”

Madam Zhao remembered that moment clearly—her first impression of Dean Lu was that he was a handsome scholar, full of elegance and grace. Truly fitting for a student of Hongshan Academy.

They hurried to welcome him in and treated him as an honored guest.

But upon seeing Lu Mingxuan, her brother-in-law’s expression changed. “Come with me—we need to talk.”

He dragged him away immediately. The Hua family, though surprised, assumed the two classmates had something private to discuss and didn’t interfere.

But shortly after, sounds of an argument erupted from the study…

Madam Hua was very worried. She had wanted to check in several times, but the door remained tightly shut, and there were no more sounds from inside.

A quarter of an hour later, Lu Mingxuan hurriedly left the Hua household.

“Dar-lang, why exactly did your classmate come here? Why were you two arguing just now?” Old Madam Hua was deeply concerned.

Hua Qin only said, “We were discussing our studies and disagreed on a few questions, that’s all. Don’t worry, Mother—it’s nothing.”

Seeing him as calm as ever, the Hua family was still worried but refrained from asking further.

Who would have thought that later that very night, the Lu family sent a steward with lavish gifts and a marriage proposal.

“A proposal?” Old Master Hua was shocked.

He was well aware of the Lu family’s reputation. Though their own business was doing well and their son was a scholar, their status was worlds apart from the Lus.

After his initial shock, Old Master Hua even felt a trace of delight. He wondered if perhaps his eldest son’s outstanding talent had moved the Lu family to want their daughter as a wife.

The couple exchanged glances and decided to be reserved. “We’ll need to discuss this and ask our daughter for her thoughts.”

“You misunderstand,” the steward said. “My young master wishes to take Miss Hua as a concubine.”

“What?!”

Though the Hua family wasn’t of noble descent, they dearly loved their daughter. If she were to marry as a wife, the Lu family would be a wonderful match.

But if she went as a concubine, she’d be under others’ control for the rest of her life, and even if she had children, they wouldn’t be allowed to call her mother.

Old Master and Madam Hua, out of love for their daughter, rejected the offer outright: “No. Our daughter will not become anyone’s concubine.”

The steward replied, “You’d best think it over and discuss it with your eldest son. Though it’s only as a concubine, the Lu family is wealthy and powerful. Miss Hua would have all the riches and splendor she could want.”

With that, he dropped the gifts and swept out the door.

The couple was infuriated by his attitude and shouted, “We may be a humble family, but we will never sell our daughter!”

They immediately called Hua Qin over and asked if he knew anything about this.

When Hua Qin heard that Lu Mingxuan wanted to take his younger sister as a concubine, his face changed dramatically.

“Father, Mother—how did you respond?”

“Of course we rejected them outright,” Old Master Hua said angrily. “What good can come from being a concubine? Even if it means great wealth, I could never let my daughter suffer that fate.”

Hua Qin’s expression grew even darker.

Old Madam Hua scolded him, “Don’t tell me you knew about this all along! Were you planning to sell your sister in exchange for your own future?”

“Hua Qin, let me tell you—our Hua family has never sold a daughter. If you even think about it, get out and don’t come back.”

The others in the family were frightened and rushed to intervene.

Hua Qin gave a bitter smile. “Father, Mother—my little sister is my own flesh and blood. How could I bear to see her suffer?”

“But you don’t understand—the Lu family, once they set their sights on something, won’t stop until they get it.”

The couple exchanged glances. “There’s justice in this world. If we’re unwilling, what can they do—snatch a girl from a good family by force?”

“Yes. If they dare go too far, I’ll file a complaint at the magistrate’s office.”

Hua Qin only lowered his head and smiled bitterly.

In the days that followed, there was no sign of the Lu family. Hua Qin stayed home, refusing to return to Hongshan Academy, as if worried about something.

Old Master Hua began to comfort him instead: “You’re overthinking it. Though your sister is beautiful, the Lu family is a powerful household—they wouldn’t stoop to kidnapping a girl from a good family. In two months, the provincial exams are coming up. You’d better go back to your studies and not delay your future.”

Even his little sister tried to console him, telling him not to worry.

The old woman let out a sorrowful laugh. “At the time, I thought my brother was just afraid the Lu family would return to propose again. Who could have imagined that a few days later, my little sister would go out to buy groceries and never return.”

“Father and Mother were driven mad with worry. We searched everywhere. Three days later, we finally learned that my sister had been taken to the Lu residence and had become Lu Mingxuan’s unnamed concubine.”

“He even deliberately sent her back so the family would know her innocence had been stolen—forcing our hand.”

The entire courtroom erupted in an uproar.

Lu Yanhe had a terrible reputation. He was known to beat and scold those around him, and over the years, many rumors had spread.

Any shopkeeper who had ever dealt with Lu Yanhe knew his temper and would privately say he didn’t seem like a Lu family man at all.

Lu Yanhe was like a black sheep in the Lu family.

Aside from him, Dean Lu was highly respected, and Lu Yanjun was immensely talented. Under the reputation of Hongshan Academy, scholars spoke of the Lu family with unanimous praise.

Magistrate Ding was stunned. He instinctively asked, “Madam Hua Zhao, are you sure about what you saw?”

“Absolutely certain.”

The old woman closed her eyes slightly. “Yes. Who would’ve thought that a man who speaks endlessly of propriety and virtue could be so vile?”

“Nonsense! My lord, will you allow this old woman to slander me and disgrace Hongshan Academy?” the Dean shouted angrily.

The old woman gave a bleak smile. “Even now, all Dean Lu cares about is the reputation of Hongshan Academy.”

Gu Qingyan frowned. Seeing the sorrow in her eyes, he had already begun to believe her words.

“If that’s true, then why didn’t you report it at the time?”

The old woman gave a miserable laugh. “Looking back now, if we had just swallowed our anger, perhaps all thirty-two members of the Hua family would still be alive. But we couldn’t. In just three days, my little sister had wasted away until she was unrecognizable.”

“Our parents went to the authorities, but the magistrate was in league with the Lu family and claimed that disputes involving marriage were beyond his jurisdiction.”

“He kicked us out of the yamen, then turned around and informed the Lu family. They came to our home, mocking us and saying that if we didn’t send my sister back soon, they’d make sure we all died with no graves to rest in.”

Gu Qingyan’s heart skipped a beat.

Earlier, Magistrate Ding had said that all thirty-two members of the Hua family had perished in a fire.

“My brother said, if the local magistrate wouldn’t help, he would go to the capital and petition the emperor. He couldn’t believe there was no justice in the world. Our parents, worried he would make things worse, stayed home to care for my sister, hoping she would recover.”

“But in the end…”

Madam Zhao of the Hua family’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared at Headmaster Lu, her eyes full of hatred.
“In the end, that beast colluded with river bandits and slaughtered my entire Hua family. If I hadn’t returned to my parents’ home that day, I would have died in that great fire too.”

Magistrate Zhang frowned. “All thirty-two members of the Hua family perished that night. The authorities verified the bodies.”

“The extra one was my younger sister’s wet nurse. She came to visit after hearing what had happened to my sister, but who would’ve thought she would end up losing her life as well.”

It was because of that that Madam Zhao had survived.

Everyone had assumed she too had died in the fire.

Headmaster Lu met her venomous gaze and slowly exhaled. “If one wants to accuse someone, they’ll never lack an excuse. I had already married and had children back then. Your younger sister wasn’t some peerless beauty, and I had a bright future ahead of me. Why would I ruin everything over a mere girl?”

Governor Ding also found that argument reasonable.

“Madam Zhao of the Hua family, do you have any proof of what you’re claiming?”

Madam Zhao gave a bitter laugh. “No. I have no evidence.”

Headmaster Lu bent slightly in a respectful bow. “Your Excellency, if words alone could convict someone, then today he could say I committed murder, and tomorrow say I wiped out an entire family. What justice would be left in this world?”

“I’ve never even known anyone from the Hua family, let alone some so-called younger sister. As for this ugly old woman before us, I’ve never seen her in my life.”

“This must be the work of someone jealous of the Lu family’s prestige, sending this old crone to frame me.”

Madam Zhao glared at him, as if she wanted to devour his flesh. “Your Excellency, the Hua family filed a report back then. There should be a case record in the yamen.”

Governor Ding immediately said, “Go investigate.”

But Magistrate Zhang soon returned and shook his head. “A fire twenty years ago destroyed all trial records from before that. The case file on the Hua family is incomplete, and from the looks of it, was patched together afterward.”

Governor Ding furrowed his brow deeply.

But Madam Zhao laughed. “So that’s how it is. Thirty-two lives from the Hua family can just be erased like that. No wonder people say officials cover for one another—it’s true.”

Headmaster Lu, however, remained perfectly calm.

He was certain Madam Zhao had no evidence. “The Hua family’s tragedy—I did hear of it back then. But it was the work of river bandits. The local authorities already exhausted great effort and resources to suppress them and restore order.”

“Madam Zhao, you blame others for your family’s tragic deaths and fabricate these accusations—why? Who’s behind this? Who’s instructing you to tarnish my reputation and drag down the name of Hongshan Academy?”

At that moment, even the scholars gathered outside the courtroom began to voice their disagreement.

Hongshan Academy had a stellar reputation. Most of the notable scholars in Qingzhou had studied there.

They didn’t care if Lu Yanhe’s name was tarnished, but if Headmaster Lu were to be charged, it could impact their own futures.

“That’s right—something from twenty-five years ago, and she’s free to make up whatever she wants?”

“She has no proof at all—how can she even prove she’s really Madam Zhao of the Hua family?”

“Even if she is Madam Zhao, the case back then was already resolved. It was the river bandits, and they’ve already been wiped out. What does it have to do with Headmaster Lu?”

“She can’t drag him down just because her life was tragic.”

Both sides had only their words, with no evidence, which left Governor Ding in a difficult position.

His eyes darkened slightly, gaze landing on Headmaster Lu, who met it quietly.

After a long moment, Governor Ding suddenly slammed the table.
“Madam Zhao of the Hua family, do you have any evidence? If not, you cannot pin a crime on the headmaster of Hongshan Academy based on mere speculation.”

Gu Qingyan could hear the bias in his tone.

“Your Excellency, whether it’s true or not can be easily investigated.”

“Though twenty-five years have passed, such a major event—whether Hua’s younger sister was abducted, whether the Lu family came to force a marriage, whether the Hua family filed a report with the yamen—neighbors must remember something.”

“Why not assign someone to investigate thoroughly before reaching a conclusion?”

Governor Ding gave him a sidelong glance and said coolly, “It’s been twenty-five years. Stars shift, people die, clues turn to dust—where would you even start investigating?”

Gu Qingyan wanted to say more but was cut off.

Madam Zhao looked at him and smiled—not the earlier vicious or bitter smile, but something almost kind.

One could vaguely see that she must have been a beautiful woman in her youth.

“Young master, thank you for speaking up for me. But since this old woman poisoned and killed someone, I had already anticipated the consequences.”

Gu Qingyan felt a weight sink in his heart.

He now understood Madam Zhao’s meaning: back then, after reporting the crime, the retaliation came in the form of death. She had completely lost faith in the authorities.

That’s why she had hidden for twenty-five years, waiting patiently for a chance to take revenge.

Headmaster Lu said coldly, “Your Excellency, what happened back then was Madam Zhao’s misunderstanding and slander. But now she has poisoned my son and killed three students of Hongshan Academy. The crime is beyond forgiveness.”

Governor Ding slammed the gavel.
“Madam Zhao of the Hua family, do you admit guilt?”

“Guilt? I have committed no crime.” Madam Zhao smiled.

Headmaster Lu snapped, “You just admitted to poisoning people, and now you deny guilt? This old woman is clearly inconsistent and untrustworthy.”

Governor Ding frowned. “Then did you indeed poison Lu Yanhe and the others?”

“It was I who poisoned them, but I am not guilty.”

The old woman raised her head proudly. “For twenty-five years, I didn’t dare reveal my identity, didn’t dare return to my family home. I had to live under an assumed name.”

“Twenty years ago, when a group of refugees came south from the north, I seized the chance to settle in Qingzhou under a false identity.”

“Fifteen years ago, I started working odd jobs at Qingzhou Pavilion. Relying on the culinary skills passed down in the Hua family, I was hired as a kitchen helper.”

“I worked tirelessly without complaint, asked for very little silver, and was willing to take on more tasks. I worked from dawn till night without asking for extra pay. The manager of Qingzhou Pavilion was very pleased and let me stay.”

“I knew that on my own, exacting revenge wouldn’t be easy—especially since by then, he had already become the esteemed head of Hongshan Academy. So I waited. And that wait lasted another fifteen years.”

“Lu Yanhé would come every few days, always shouting and beating people, no different from that beast of a father. Every time I saw him, I wanted to poison him right then and there.”

“But that would’ve been too easy. My Hua family lost thirty-two lives—how could one life ever be enough?”

“So that day, when I saw all three Lu sons present, I seized the moment and poisoned them. Unfortunately, only Lu Yanhé died. Lu Yanjun and Lu Yanchi both survived like mangy dogs.”

“Especially Lu Yanjun—he’s the heir of the Lu family, the legitimate eldest son that beast placed all his hopes on. Pity he had such a strong life.”

“A life for a life, a son’s debt repaid by his father—that’s the natural order. What crime have I committed?”

Her blood-soaked words silenced the noisy courtroom.

Dean Lu was both shocked and furious. “If you wanted to poison someone, why didn’t you just kill me? Why go after my son?”

“Killing you would’ve been too easy.”

Hua Zhaoshi burst into laughter. “I wanted you to feel the pain of watching your children die before you—white hair sending off black hair.”

“Did you know? After the massacre of the Hua family, not a single person came to claim the bodies. The authorities simply rolled them up and tossed them into a mass grave outside the city.”

“I searched for a long time and still couldn’t find all the bodies. When I finally found my two-year-old child, half of his face was burned off, crawling with maggots. I tried to lift him up, but as soon as I moved him, he fell apart.”

“Lu Mingxuan, you thought the Hua family had no one left to uphold justice after you exterminated us.”

“But the heavens are not blind. They left behind a wandering ghost like me to come for your life.”

Dean Lu’s eyes twitched. “My lord, this woman has clearly lost her mind. Nothing she says can be trusted!”

The old woman suddenly turned to glare at him. “Lu Mingxuan, I curse you—to bury your sons with your own hands, to watch the Lu family fall and be trampled by all. May you die miserably and suffer eternally in the eighteenth level of hell!”

“From this day forward, may you know no peace, unable to sleep, watching the Lu family crumble before your eyes.”

“I swear to the heavens—every word I’ve spoken today is true. I stake my life on it.”

With that, she charged toward a pillar, head first.

“Stop her!” Magistrate Ding cried out in alarm.

The constables rushed forward and quickly pulled her back—but it was too late. The old woman was already vomiting blood, blood streaming from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

“She took poison before she came.”