Chapter 11: Laughing Through Life's Decisions

As soon as the news of the Medical Bureau recruiting apprentices spread, not only people in the capital but also those in other places who received the news came rushing to sign up.

When Hua Changxi arrived at the Medical Bureau, there was still a long queue at the entrance.

Most of the people in line were men in their teens and twenties, though there were also some older middle-aged men.

Apart from men, there was no shortage of women applicants.

The Medical Bureau was one of the few government agencies that did not restrict women from entering the workforce.

According to Pharmacist Xu, there were already highly skilled female physicians and female pharmacists working in the Medical Bureau.

In the Great Jin Dynasty, although women were free to go out on the streets, their social participation was still extremely low, and achieving financial independence and personal autonomy was very difficult. Most women had to rely on their families or men to survive throughout their lives.

Therefore, whenever a job opportunity arose that women could handle, it would attract countless women competing for it.

Hua Changxi was a modern person; even if she hadn't been lucky enough to obtain the opportunity for immortal cultivation, she would still have sought a job to do and done her utmost to take control of her own life.

After waiting in line for nearly an hour, Hua Changxi successfully registered, obtained the admission ticket stamped by the Medical Bureau, and then waited for the exam on the twentieth day of the ninth month.

Afterward, Hua Changxi didn't linger outside any longer and quickly returned to the Hua family home.

When she got home, the other members of the Hua family had already returned.

As soon as she entered the yard, Hua Changxi sensed that the atmosphere in the courtyard was off.

The adults were sitting in the main hall, the children were standing under the eaves, and no one was speaking.

Hua Changxi didn't dare to court trouble at this moment, so she tiptoed back to her room. Just as she was about to take a nap, Hua Qiniang and Hua Shierniang arrived.

As soon as they entered, Hua Qiniang's tears streamed down: "Jiuniang, Fifth Sister really is going to be a concubine for an old man."

Hua Changxi was startled: "Has the family already agreed? Have Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt also agreed?"

Hua Shierniang nodded dejectedly: "This morning, Grandfather, Grandmother, Fourth Uncle, and Fourth Aunt took Fifth Sister to see that old man. After they came back, they agreed."

Hua Changxi was silent for a moment: "What about Fifth Sister? What did she say?"

Hua Shierniang's tone was somewhat agitated: "What could Fifth Sister say? Could she really go against the family?"

Hua Qiniang: "Fifth Sister has been shut in her room crying ever since she came back. No matter how we called her, she wouldn't respond."

Hua Changxi paced around the room twice: "Since Fifth Sister is unwilling, then she should go talk to Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. How could Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt ruin their daughter's whole life for the sake of their son?"

Hua Qiniang: "But Fifth Sister doesn't want to hold back Shiyilang's future either."

Hua Changxi snorted coldly: "Can't Shiyilang earn his own future? Although Fifth Sister is his older sister, she doesn't have to be responsible for her younger brother's life, does she?"

Hua Shierniang sighed: "Fifth Sister will never disregard Shiyilang."

Thinking of Hua Wuniang's personality, Hua Changxi couldn't help sighing: "Fifth Sister is too considerate of others. If she doesn't change that nature, endless grievances are waiting for her in the future."

Hearing this, Hua Qiniang and Hua Shierniang both looked up at Hua Changxi.

Hua Changxi was confused by their gaze: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Hua Shierniang: "Fifth Sister is often praised by the elders. When she goes out visiting, the elders all like her very much. The one who should change her nature is you."

Hua Changxi rolled her eyes: "Then you can follow Fifth Sister's example—take self-sacrifice as your mission, use your own blood and flesh to fulfill others, and in exchange earn a few insincere praises from people."

As she spoke, she tapped both of them on the forehead with her index finger.

"You two little fools, use your own brains. Isn't a young lady like Fifth Sister, who is so obedient and sensible, the easiest to manipulate?"

"You should be like me. It's not a bad thing for a young lady to have a bit of a temper—that way others won't dare to bully you."

"Do you think only outsiders bully people? Family members bully people too. 'Pick the soft persimmon to squeeze'—that's human nature."

"If it were me who had to become a concubine this time, just watch—I would surely turn the whole house upside down. Would the family be as quiet and peaceful as it is now?"

Hua Qiniang and Hua Shierniang were astonished by what they heard, and at the same time, a trace of confusion appeared on their faces.

To win the elders' favor, to earn outsiders' praise, to repay the family and support one's brothers—aren't these things right? These are the proper virtues a young lady of the inner quarters should have!

But regarding the matter of Fifth Sister becoming a concubine for Shiyilang's future, both of them felt that something about it was wrong.

The Jiuniang who used to be thought of as noisy and disobedient now didn't seem so bad, when they looked at her?

Hua Changxi looked at the two of them, thought for a moment, and said: "If Fifth Sister dares to fight for herself, I think the family won't force her. But if she won't even fight for herself..."

"Since becoming a concubine is already a settled fact, to make Fifth Sister feel a bit better, we can only advise her to look on the bright side."

After that, Seventh Lady Hua and Twelfth Lady Hua didn't stay long before going to see Fifth Lady Hua. Hua Changxi thought it over and followed along.

In the evening, Hua Minghe returned from his duties. When he heard from Yao that the family had agreed to let Fifth Lady go to the He family as a concubine, he fell silent for a moment.

Yao said while folding the sun-dried clothes, "Fourth Sister-in-law usually loves her daughter. I never thought she would have the heart to do this."

Being a concubine—even if it's a prominent household, a concubine is no different from a servant. Just thinking about it makes me worry for Fifth Lady's future days.

Fifth Lady is Fourth Brother's daughter. Since Fourth Brother and his wife have already made the decision, Hua Minghe didn't want to say more. Seeing the household register lying on the bed, he asked in surprise, "Why did you take out the household register?"

As he spoke, something occurred to him. Hua Minghe shot to his feet: "Did Ninth Lady take the household register to register at the Medical Office?"

Yao didn't pause her movements and gave a faint "Mm."

Hua Minghe frowned deeply: "Why didn't you stop her? The Medical Office is a government office. The matters inside are not something Ninth Lady, a young girl, can handle."

Yao put down her work, looked at Hua Minghe, and said, "Minghe, I didn't want Ninth Lady to enter the Medical Office before, but Fifth Lady's matter made me change my mind."

Hua Minghe said angrily, "Fifth Lady is Fifth Lady, Ninth Lady is Ninth Lady. How could I ever let Ninth Lady become someone's concubine?"

Yao said, "I know you wouldn't. But making a living in this capital city, many things are beyond our control."

"Did Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law want to send Fifth Lady to be a concubine?"

"It was the clan—the clan threatened and cajoled Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law with Eleventh Lad's future. Did they have a choice?"

"I'm afraid that one day, someone will threaten me with your life or the future of Dalang and the others. When that happens, no matter how unwilling I am, I would probably have to give up Ninth Lady."

"How many things can the young ladies in the family decide for themselves? Even matters of marriage can only be obeyed."

"Since in the end we can't escape the fate of being manipulated, now that Ninth Lady has something she wants to do, why shouldn't I let her go and try? Regardless of the outcome, at least it's her own wish."

Hua Minghe's momentum weakened, and he said somewhat dejectedly, "It's my fault. I failed to give you and the children a good life."

Yao walked over to Hua Minghe and took his hand: "No, you're not at fault. You've tried very hard. This is just the way the world is; we can only go with the flow."

Second Branch.

Second Aunt Hua also sighed: "With Fifth Lady's temperament, becoming a concubine... I'm afraid she'll suffer."

But Second Uncle Hua said, "Don't just focus on the bad side. Think about what rank the He family is. Becoming a concubine for the son of Marquis Wuyi is Fifth Lady's fortune. If it weren't for the Earl's family arranging it, such a good thing wouldn't even come to our family."

Second Aunt Hua shot Second Uncle Hua a look: "That's easy for you to say. Can ordinary folks like us handle all the twists and turns inside a high-ranked household?"

"And Fifth Lady's disposition is too soft. If you ask me, it would have been better to let Ninth Lady be that concubine. With her temperament, she might really be able to carve out a place in the Marquis's household."

Second Uncle Hua rolled his eyes: "Shut your mouth. They're looking for a concubine, not a matriarch. Have you ever seen a concubine in any household who isn't meek and obedient?"

"Letting Ninth Lady be a concubine—that wouldn't be forming a marriage alliance, it would be forming enmity!"

"There's no need for us to worry about Fifth Lady. As long as Fifth Lady stays within her bounds, out of consideration for the Earl's family, Third Master He won't make things too hard for her."

"Third Master He is thirty this year and still has no son. If Fifth Lady's belly is lucky enough to bear him a son, her good fortune will still lie ahead."

The Second Branch debated endlessly, but the Fourth Branch was very quiet, with only suppressed sobbing audible.

Fourth Aunt Hua and Fourth Uncle Hua both looked terrible. Having their daughter become a concubine pained them deeply, but they had no other choice.

Hua Shiyilang paced back and forth outside Hua Wuniang's door, wanting to go in, but in the end couldn't take the step.

The main house of the clan.

"How did it go?"

"Is Third Master He satisfied with Hua Wuniang?"

Old Madam Zhou asked her eldest son, Hua Tai.

Hua Tai beamed: "With the person Mother selected, how could Third Master He not be impressed?" As he spoke, he took out three admission letters for the Martial Academy.

"Third Master He gave ten admission letters for the Martial Academy. The Earl's house took six, one was given to Hua Bin, and the remaining three are ours to distribute."

"Only three..."

Old Madam Zhou pondered for a moment: "The Earl's house planned it perfectly—just enough to get our family's Third Lad, Fourth Lad, and Fifth Lad into the Martial Academy."

Hua Tai had no objection to the Earl's allocation. After all, with the He family's social standing, without the Earl's house, they wouldn't have been able to reach that high. Besides, the entire Hua clan depended on the Earl's house for advancement.

"By the way, Mother, He San Ye means to bring Hua Wu Niang into the mansion within a month."

Madam Zhou laughed: "It seems He San Ye is quite anxious about producing an heir."

Hua Tai picked up his tea and took a sip, saying with a chuckle: "How could he not be anxious? He San Ye is a concubine's son, already thirty, with only a daughter to his name. If he doesn't produce a son soon, the marquis's estate will have nothing to do with him."

Madam Zhou: "Hua Bin's branch has many descendants. I've also seen Hua Wu Niang—she looks like she'll bear children easily. He San Ye will get his wish."

Hua Tai smiled: "That would be best. Mother, the matter of Hua Wu Niang entering the marquis's mansion will still require you to arrange it personally."

Madam Zhou waved her hand: "These are small matters. I'll handle them. You should focus more on the important affairs outside and within the clan."

Hua Tai quickly said: "Mother, this is no small matter. He San Ye said that if he truly gets a son, there will be gratitude later."

Madam Zhou thought for a moment: "Then I'll bring Hua Wu Niang over to train her for a few days. He San Ye's wife is not easy to get along with. We don't want her to be destroyed before the son is even born."

Hua Tai stood up and bowed: "Thank you for your trouble, Mother. With Mother's training, Hua Wu Niang will certainly be a blessed person."