[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin":3,"chapter-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-141":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The First Iron Rice Bowl of Great Jin",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},151827,261,"Chapter 141: Different Upbringings","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-141",141,"\u003Cp>Old Master Hua was utterly furious at Hua Changxi's striding off, feeling both the shame and anger of losing face in front of outsiders, and deep pain and disappointment at Hua Changxi's utter disregard for her family's feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't bother with her. Her wings are stiff; if she wants to leave, let her. The family can get along fine without her. Everyone sit down and eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua suppressed his anger with difficulty, gestured for everyone to start eating, and then began to eat in silence, head down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was oppressive and stagnant; no one dared to provoke the old master at this moment, so they could only pick up their chopsticks and eat, unable to taste the food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the dining table, Hua Mingzhe and his two sons, as well as Third Master He, were all extremely depressed. They had given up family reunions to come specifically to the Hua residence for a meal, never expecting to witness such a farce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the oppressive atmosphere, lunch ended hastily. Then, Hua Mingzhe and his two sons found an excuse to leave the Hua residence. Third Master He also took Hua Wuniang and his children and left closely behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriages of the two families drove out of Xiuzheng Ward one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Hua Jiuniang is too disobedient and unfilial!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage, for Hua Hongchen and Hua Hongtao, who were meeting Hua Changxi for the first time, today was truly an eye-opening experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongtao: \"Uncle Minghe is too ineffectual. Seeing Hua Jiuniang talk back to Grandpa Bin, he didn't even step in to control her. If I were him, I would have come out and taught Hua Jiuniang a lesson long ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongchen: \"That's right. I used to think he was the most responsible person in Grandpa Bin's family, but now it seems that's somewhat exaggerated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongtao suddenly sneered: \"So what if the whole family are cultivators? Even a granddaughter dares to talk back to her grandfather. Such a family cannot prosper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongchen: \"Just thinking about having to fawn over people like that in the future leaves a bad taste in my mouth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Mingzhe looked at his two sons who were gossiping: \"Enough, stop talking. Before we obtain the body-tempering cultivation method, you must not show the slightest disdain for Hua Bin's family in front of them. If you miss out on the method because of your own improper words and actions and lose your future prospects, you'll have to bear the consequences yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his father was angry, Hua Hongchen quickly said: \"Father, don't worry. We know the gravity of the matter. We're just complaining privately a little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongtao also chimed in: \"That's right. In the Earl's mansion, we've already gotten along well with Hua Silang and the others.\" He paused, \"Hua Silang, Hua Qiniang, and the others are all easy to get along with. It's just this Hua Jiuniang we saw today—arrogant, aloof, with a look of wild arrogance, as if she doesn't regard anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Mingzhe sighed: \"The more capable a person is, the harder they are to befriend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongchen and Hua Hongtao heard this, exchanged a glance, and both fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When their family was still glorious, they were often taken by the Earl and the Heir to social events and had seen some favored sons of heaven. Although some of those favored sons were relatively approachable, most of them didn't like to engage with others, much like Hua Changxi's attitude toward them today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Mingzhe: \"Regardless, in the future you still need to actively seek to befriend Hua Jiuniang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the three—father and sons—returned to their residence. As soon as they arrived home, they were summoned to the main courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The already seventy-plus-year-old Grand Clan Elder Hua Xianyao was specifically waiting for the three to return: \"Why are you back so early?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Mingzhe immediately recounted the farce that had occurred at Hua Bin's home: \"Uncle Bin was extremely angry. I didn't think today was the right time to discuss matters, so I brought the two children back first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, the Grand Clan Elder frowned and said: \"Hua Bin doesn't know how to discipline his descendants.\" He then looked at Hua Tai, \"You should take the opportunity to advise him more. A grandfather—how can he let a junior ride roughshod over him, and a young lady at that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai thought of the arrogant and unruly Hua Changxi and immediately got a headache: \"Father, Hua Bin does have a way of disciplining his descendants. Most of his grandchildren obey the family's arrangements. It's just Hua Jiuniang who has gone astray.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Clan Elder snorted: \"It's still that his methods aren't tough enough. If the methods were tough enough, even a crooked one could be straightened. How hard can it be to manage a young lady?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai: \"I feel that tough methods are useless against Hua Jiuniang. They might even backfire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Clan Elder sneered at this statement. He believed that under a heavy fist, everyone would submit. As long as the fist came down hard enough, even the hardest bones could be smashed to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough, stop talking about Hua Jiuniang. A young lady can't influence much. As long as Hua Bin still wants to prove himself in front of the clan, we can achieve our goals through him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, the Grand Clan Elder discussed matters of the Earl's mansion with Hua Tai and Hua Mingzhe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongchen and Hua Hongtao saw that there was nothing for them to do, so they gave Hua Wanyue a wink. The three siblings then left the room one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wanyue, you've interacted with Hua Jiuniang in the Medical Department. What do you think of her as a person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Wanyue thought for a moment and said: \"Hua Jiuniang's medical skills are indeed beyond reproach, but I don't like her as a person. She's too arrogant. Even when Shuran, from the Heir's household, actively tried to get closer to her, she acted indifferent and unresponsive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongchen asked further: \"I heard she's quite famous in the Medical Department?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Wanyue let out a snicker: \"Fame? It's just that she gave some lectures to the menial laborers in the Menial Hall for a while. No one in the Medical Department had ever given lectures like that before, so that's what made her stand out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know? Now the department head's two disciples, along with Gu Jinfan of the Xin State Duke, are all giving lectures in the Medical Department. Ever since they started, there's been no place for Hua Jiuniang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Hua Jiuniang gives lectures, only a few menial laborers go to listen. But when Gu Jinfan and the others give lectures, the entire Medical Department turns out—seats are hard to come by. Now who still remembers Hua Jiuniang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Hua Hongtao said directly: \"Father told us to actively befriend Hua Jiuniang. I think we should forget it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Hongchen: \"We still need to maintain a superficial courtesy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Third Master He also brought Hua Wuniang and the children back to the Marquis of Wuyi's mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth Lady, take the child back to the room first. I'll go pay my respects to Father and Mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Third Master He's receding figure, Hua Fifth Lady's expression turned somewhat desolate. Her treatment in the He household had indeed improved, but only in terms of good food and drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master had never taken her to the main courtyard to pay respects to the Marquis and the Marchioness, nor had he ever told her about the He family's affairs. Although the Marchioness and the Heir's Wife sent things over every month, they had never even seen Xiaoman. And when there were family gatherings or visits from relatives and friends, she had never been allowed to attend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Third Master had voluntarily offered to accompany her back to her natal home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Though overjoyed, she guessed he had another purpose. Judging from his behavior at the Hua residence today, he was aiming for Ninth Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Fifth Lady thought of Ninth Lady's temperament, and a worried look came over her face. She could foresee that no matter what Third Master wanted to gain from Ninth Lady, he would not succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Fifth Lady lowered her head to look at the child in her arms and murmured, \"I just hope that when the time comes, Third Master won't vent his anger on us, mother and child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main courtyard of the Marquis's residence, Third Master He recounted everything he had experienced at the Hua residence to the He family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Marquis Wuyi laughed twice. \"When a capable person appears in the family, the first ones to jump out and tie their hands are their own family members. Truly both laughable and lamentable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his laughter, Marquis Wuyi straightened his expression. \"That Hua Changxi will definitely be someone to be reckoned with in the future. Though she is a young lady and a junior, she is neither moved by the judgment of outsiders nor swayed by family affections. That is not something ordinary people can do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marchioness disagreed upon hearing this. \"Someone like that is simply too cold and heartless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyi shook his head. \"To accomplish great things, one cannot be subject to too many distractions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marchioness said, \"Hua Ninth Lady is just a young girl. What great things can she accomplish? The way I see it, she's merely a little more capable than average. But if she can't even get along with her own family, you can imagine she's probably not easy to deal with among outsiders either. Someone like that is suited to be a lone wolf—she won't achieve anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyi did agree with that remark. He turned to look at his two granddaughters. \"Sirong, Siqi, what do you think of Hua Changxi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong thought for a moment and said, \"Hua Changxi is indeed a bit too much of a maverick.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Siqi also compared the lectures of Hua Changxi with those of Gu Jinfan, Mu Qingying, and Yuan Tianchou. \"Hua Changxi's lectures are just pure teaching. Although she has gathered some followers, they are all menial servants—not very useful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even though Gu Jinfan and the other two haven't been lecturing as long as Hua Changxi, their gains are definitely far greater than hers. For instance, in terms of reputation in the Medical Department, Gu Jinfan and the other two are now known to everyone, while as for Hua Changxi... perhaps only the servants in the Servant Hall still remember her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong added, \"Granddaughter believes that whether in medical skill or alchemy, Hua Changxi is absolutely superior to Gu Jinfan and the other two. When she lectures, she caters to the servants, teaching basic medical knowledge; whereas Gu Jinfan and the other two teach about spiritual plants and spiritual pills. That's why they are more popular than Hua Changxi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Granddaughter thinks that if Hua Changxi were willing to teach about spiritual plants and spiritual pills, she would absolutely not lose to Gu Jinfan and the other two. But for some unknown reason, she has never given a lecture on spiritual plants or spiritual pills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyi looked at his two granddaughters. \"So you still think highly of Hua Changxi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong and He Siqi both nodded without the slightest hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong said, \"Granddaughter feels that Hua Changxi has a very strong personality. Although she is not easy to befriend, she simply makes one unable to look away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Siqi said, \"When Hua Changxi lectures, she is completely devoted. When asked questions, she also shares her insights without any reservation. Granddaughter feels very fortunate to have attended her class.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Marquis Wuyi looked at Third Master He. \"Lao San, we cannot let the relationship with the Hua family be severed. In the future, let that concubine of yours visit her natal home more often.\" He paused. \"And remember to bring the child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master He listened and nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyi added, \"We still need to get the Hua family's Body Forging Technique as soon as possible. If the He family army begins body forging, in the future they will surely become a formidable force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master He thought of Hua Changxi's attitude toward him and his expression grew troubled. \"That might be rather difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyi was silent for a moment, then turned to look at the Marchioness. \"From now on, let Hua Fifth Lady also receive guests. For any banquets in our household, also send invitations to the Hua family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Affinal relatives ought to help each other. If we treat Hua Fifth Lady well, surely the Hua family won't fail to reciprocate, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2142,"2026-05-29T04:10:26.746Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","9111e2cb4860734090828af7fceb0927740fb1e39301aecbc9cb35fa75ccbbfd","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-142","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-140",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]