Chapter 110

Gu Jinfan was a fairly well-known figure on Nine Street. First, she was born into the Duke of Xinguo's household and was among the first to join the Medical Bureau when all other factions disregarded it.

Second, she apprenticed under Master Tong, one of the most skilled apothecaries in the Medical Bureau, and displayed exceptional talent in alchemy—while many experienced apothecaries could only refine mortal pills, she could already refine spiritual pills.

Third, the Duke of Xinguo's household had been advancing rapidly recently. Not long ago, they reaped abundant gains from the Kunlun Mountain ruins, and it was said that the household even controlled its own secret realm.

For these reasons, Gu Jinfan had always been a figure of attention in the Medical Bureau. Now that she was so agitated toward a female menial worker, everyone was extremely curious about the menial's background.

Sensing the scrutiny, Hua Changxi frowned and turned to glance at the bearded Zhu Yu among the menials—it was he who had just called out loudly to her.

Seeing her look at him, Zhu Yu smiled awkwardly, with an apologetic expression.

Hua Changxi withdrew her gaze and noticed Gu Jinfan still staring at her, so she asked, "Seventh Miss Gu, is there anything else?"

Gu Jinfan approached Hua Changxi and whispered, "You obtained the cultivation method from the Vermilion Bird Skill-Transfer Stone, didn't you?"

Hua Changxi's eyes flickered. So the red stone she had thrown into the lava was the Vermilion Bird Skill-Transfer Stone.

A Skill-Transfer Stone...

No wonder she got the Vermilion Bird Breathing and Exhaling cultivation method when she touched that red stone—so that was the reason.

Seeing that Hua Changxi did not respond, Gu Jinfan wanted to confirm her speculation. She gathered spiritual power in her hand and suddenly attacked Hua Changxi.

Hua Changxi had not expected Gu Jinfan to strike her so abruptly. She formed her fingers into a claw, firmly grabbing Gu Jinfan's wrist, and said coldly, "Seventh Miss Gu, what do you mean by this?"

Gu Jinfan looked at Hua Changxi, who was gripping her tightly, and was shocked inside—Hua Changxi had blocked her attack so easily.

"Your luck... is really very good."

The Vermilion Bird Divine Art was the most powerful fire-attribute cultivation method in the Four Spirit Realm. She had coveted it for two lifetimes without obtaining it, yet Hua Changxi got it effortlessly.

Gu Jinfan was unwilling, but she was helpless. Having lived a second life, she knew more than others, but she could not control everything.

"A high starting point does not mean you can go far, Hua Changxi. I hope you do not disgrace that technique."

Gu Jinfan withdrew her spiritual power and pulled back her hand, then walked away directly.

Hua Changxi watched her back, filled with displeasure.

This person appeared with the attitude of a judge, as if even Hua Changxi's very existence required her approval.

She had obtained the technique from the Vermilion Bird Skill-Transfer Stone by chance, but she had nearly paid with her life. What disgrace or no disgrace—none of that was her damn business!

She had made a dramatic entrance and a clean exit, leaving Hua Changxi to face the scrutiny and probing gazes of everyone around.

The last thing she wanted was to deal with such troublesome people!

Fortunately, the Director came down from upstairs.

At last, everyone's attention shifted from Hua Changxi to the Director.

"The reason I called you all here today is to ask: who among you took the wooden plaques from the old compound in the square? Anyone who took one must register with me."

The Director had not expected so many people to have gone to the old compound, including many children of influential families, and even the imperial household was involved. Since it was impossible to use coercive interrogation, he decided to ask directly and plainly.

"Rest assured, I will not confiscate the wooden plaques. I only need to register them to facilitate the Medical Bureau's future management."

Seeing that no one stepped forward to admit taking a plaque, the Director thought for a moment and increased the pressure: "The Medical Bureau will soon undergo restructuring. Those with a wooden plaque will be given priority in job assignments."

"For example, positions like the Street Master of Nine Street can only be held by those who possess a wooden plaque."

Only after these words did the crowd react, murmuring among themselves.

Hua Changxi's gaze shifted. It seemed the Director was determined to find out who had taken the plaques—he was even openly promising positions now.

Seeing that although the discussions were heated, no one came forward, the Director added, "If you don't register now, when I have finished assigning all the positions, it will be too late to produce your plaque then."

There was a moment of silence on the scene.

Seeing this, the Director gave a wry smile and said, "The wooden plaque is just a token of identity. If you want to hide it, go ahead and hide it." With that, he prepared to leave with Yuan Tianchou and Mu Qingying.

"Director!"

At that moment, someone stepped forward.

From the crowd gathered in the disciples' hall, a young man in his twenties came out, holding up a wooden plaque. He walked up to the Director and bowed: "Greetings, Director. Disciple Shen Qianfan was fortunate enough to obtain one wooden plaque."

The Director looked at Shen Qianfan with a satisfied smile, examined the plaque in his hand, then had Yuan Tianchou record it. "Is there anyone else who wishes to come forward and register?"

"Director, I also have a wooden token."

Hua Changxi walked over holding the tenth wooden token, which had no sword pattern.

Gu Qiming showed no surprise when he saw Hua Changxi step forward—he had already learned that it was this girl who pushed open the old courtyard gate.

He was very curious: how exactly had she opened that gate?

"I heard you’ve been giving lectures in the courtyard behind the Miscellaneous Servants Hall?"

"Yes, Director."

"Why do you want to teach the miscellaneous servants?"

"Because I’m their supervisor. When the servants wash and process medicinal herbs, they often get injured. By teaching them about the properties of the herbs and the proper washing and processing methods, they can get hurt less often and work better for the Medical Bureau."

"It seems you’re very confident in your medical skills. You know, even the physicians and pharmacists on Nine Streets don’t dare to casually lecture others. I’m a bit curious—you haven’t even come of age yet, so where did you learn all this medicine?"

"My family runs a pharmacy. I’ve had a photographic memory since I was young, so I can remember any medical text I read once. After entering the Medical Bureau and getting exposed to so many herbs, I know even more. This knowledge is more than enough to guide the miscellaneous servants."

"Director, am I not allowed to lecture the miscellaneous servants?"

Gu Qiming looked at Hua Changxi, who answered without hesitation and even questioned him back, his gaze flickering. "No, go ahead and lecture. When I have time, I’ll come listen to your class too."

"If you teach well... I’ll have all the physicians and pharmacists on Nine Streets come to hear your lectures."

Hua Changxi showed delight. "Director holds me in such high regard? Then I’ll have to work hard and not disappoint your expectations."

Gu Qiming: "..."

Yuan Tianchou and Mu Qingying, standing behind him, looked at Hua Changxi with admiration as she climbed the ladder of opportunity, thinking to themselves, *Truly worthy of being the bold one who dared to wrestle with the Brocade Guard!*

The others present also wore varied expressions.

Just as Gu Qiming, unable to suppress Hua Changxi’s momentum, was about to bear down again, another person stepped forward.

A young woman of about seventeen or eighteen emerged from the Apprentice Hall’s line.

"Greetings, Director. Apprentice Zhu Qinghuan has also been fortunate enough to obtain a wooden token."

Gu Qiming examined Zhu Qinghuan, glanced at the token in her hand, then looked back at Hua Changxi and Shen Qianfan.

That someone from the Miscellaneous Servants Hall, Apprentice Hall, and Disciple Hall had all obtained tokens was something he hadn’t expected.

Before this, he hadn’t paid much attention to these three places, focusing more on Nine Streets. He never expected that this investigation of the wooden tokens would first surface from these three locations.

After all, the pharmacists and physicians on Nine Streets either had backing or their own influence; even if they held tokens, they wouldn’t reveal themselves so readily.

With Shen Qianfan, Hua Changxi, and Zhu Qinghuan stepping forward today, they now knew the holders of nine tokens. As for the remaining nine token holders...

Gu Qiming’s eyes fell on the gathered group from Nine Streets. The other nine tokens were likely in the hands of these people.

But these people were emboldened and unlikely to be roused as easily as Shen Qianfan’s trio, who had taken the bait with just a small lure.

Ah, such a headache.

To find out who had taken the other nine tokens, he would have to put in a great deal of effort.

Knowing that no one else would step forward to admit to having a token, Gu Qiming publicly praised Shen Qianfan, Hua Changxi, and Zhu Qinghuan, promising to arrange positions for them in the future, then dismissed the crowd.

Everyone returned home. As they dispersed, people from Nine Streets and the Disciple Hall walked in groups of twos and threes, while the Apprentice Hall and Miscellaneous Servants Hall moved in unison, few leaving their formations.

The Apprentice Hall had no obvious leader, so they instinctively stuck together. But the people from the Miscellaneous Servants Hall all followed Hua Changxi.

Watching this, Gu Qiming narrowed his eyes.

He might have underestimated the impact of Hua Changxi’s lectures in the Miscellaneous Servants Hall. Although only about twenty servants had come today, the fact that they spontaneously followed her in and out showed that the hall had already taken her as their backbone.

"This girl is no simple one!"

Gu Qiming returned to his office with Yuan Tianchou and Mu Qingying, then began issuing orders: "Go, investigate the backgrounds of Shen Qianfan, Hua Changxi, and Zhu Qinghuan immediately. Not only their family histories, but all their connections and dealings within the Medical Bureau."

Like Gu Qiming, Gu Jinfan was also instructing her subordinates to investigate Hua Changxi: "I want to know everything Hua Changxi has done since entering the Medical Bureau—not a single detail missed."

Someone who should have died was still alive—Hua Changxi was a variable. She had to know everything about her.

By the time she returned from First Street, it was already past the morning lecture time. Hua Changxi called twenty miscellaneous servants with alchemy talent to No. 6 Qihuang Hall and taught them to refine mortal pills.

Once these twenty had started practicing, she entered a side room, set up a barrier array, and began refining spirit pills.

After just five batches of spiritual pills were refined, Yu Gui's voice sounded in the courtyard: "Sister Changxi, someone's looking for you."

Hua Changxi stopped alchemy and walked out of the room: "Who's looking for me?"

Yu Gui pulled Hua Changxi aside and whispered, "They're from the Disciple Hall. They said they're from the Marquis Wuyi's Mansion."

"Marquis Wuyi's Mansion?"

Isn't that Fifth Sister's husband's family?

Hua Changxi hurriedly asked, "Where are they?"

Yu Gui: "I didn't dare bring them to the Qihuang Hall side. I had them wait by the warehouse."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi quickly went with Yu Gui to the warehouse. Soon, she saw two young ladies who weren't much older than herself. She had met one of them before—the young lady who smiled at her on the plaza when the Heavenly Division Head came to the Medicine and Pharmacy Department.

"You are?"

He Sirong and He Siqi first exchanged a peer-to-peer greeting with Hua Changxi, then introduced themselves: "I am the Second Miss of Marquis Wuyi's Mansion, He Sirong, and this is my Fourth Sister, He Siqi."

Hua Changxi returned the greeting: "You've come to see me—has something happened to my Fifth Sister?"

He Sirong: "Concubine Hua fell yesterday and went into premature labor."

Hua Changxi's expression changed: "Is my Fifth Sister all right?"

He Sirong shook her head: "When we came to the Medicine and Pharmacy Department this morning, Concubine Hua had not yet delivered the child."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi turned to leave. After a few steps, she looked back at the He sisters: "Thank you for coming to tell me about my Fifth Sister."

With that, she hurried away at a sprint.

Watching Hua Changxi's retreating figure, He Siqi looked at He Sirong with some concern: "Second Sister, is it appropriate for us to meddle in Third Uncle's household affairs?"

He Sirong: "Third Uncle told us to interact more with Hua Changxi. If we interact often, how can we avoid mentioning Concubine Hua?"

He Siqi thought of the gentle and forbearing Concubine Hua and sighed: "I wonder if Concubine Hua will be able to safely deliver the child?"

He Sirong's eyes flickered: "The child in Concubine Hua's womb is the heir Third Uncle has longed for. Even if Third Aunt is dissatisfied, she will let the child be born. As for Concubine Hua... it depends on whether Hua Changxi can get there in time."

At the Marquis Wuyi's Mansion, in a small courtyard behind the main compound of the Third Branch, basin after basin of bloody water was being carried out of the eastern side chamber, and maids and older servants were rushing in and out frantically.

Other women in labor would scream incessantly, but at this moment, not a single sound came from the woman in the eastern side chamber.

Third Master He sat in the courtyard with a grim expression, his eyes fixed firmly on the eastern side chamber.

Beside him sat Third Madam He, silent and still.

"Third Master, Concubine Hua has no strength left. Save the mother or save the child?"

A midwife ran out with blood on her hands, looking urgently at Third Master He.

Third Master He pressed his lips tightly together, his expression torn and hesitant.

Third Madam He looked at him: "Third Master, if you don't decide soon, both Concubine Hua and the child will be lost."

Third Master He glanced at Third Madam He and said through gritted teeth: "Save the child."

The midwife acknowledged with an "ay," and was about to enter the room when she saw someone descending from the sky on a cloud, blocking her way.

Hua Changxi heard Third Master He's words "save the child," gave him a cold look, and quickly turned to enter the eastern side chamber.

"Who are you? Get out!"

In the courtyard, Third Master He and Third Madam He only felt an invisible force emanate from the eastern side chamber. Then, all the maids and servants attending the birth inside were "flung" out, crashing to the ground with a series of thuds and falling unconscious.

Seeing this, everyone in the courtyard was terrified.

Even Third Master He was shaken by the glance Hua Changxi had just given him. Although she said nothing, he understood the look in her eyes—if anything happened to Concubine Hua, someone would have to pay with their life.

"Third Master..."

Hearing his wife's trembling voice, Third Master He finally snapped out of his shock.

Third Madam He looked at him: "Third Master, did you notify the Hua family?"

Hearing this, Third Master He's eyes suddenly lit up. He quickly walked out of the courtyard and instructed Manager Kong, who was waiting outside, to go notify the Hua family at once.

"Besides the Hua family, also notify Earl Dingyuan's Mansion and Hua Tai's home. Hurry."

Steward Kong saw that Hua Changxi had arrived on a cloud. Knowing full well how formidable this young lady was, he realized that if Concubine Hua were to die, that young lady would likely cause a major disturbance, so he rushed off to inform others.