[{"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-17":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},151703,261,"Chapter 17: Not Optimistic","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>Because she helped Du Ruo transport two cartloads of medicinal herbs, Hua Changxi could clearly feel that Du Ruo had become a bit more enthusiastic toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two returned to the Sixth Bureau, it happened to be dinnertime, and Du Ruo took the initiative to call Hua Changxi to go to the mess hall together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were very few people in the mess hall; not many could finish their tasks on time every day. Those who were slower had to work until late into the night, and some might even have to pull an all-nighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi asked, \"Manager Du, if we work late and miss dinner, what should we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruo said, \"Then you need to build good relationships with the others. Have someone bring a few steamed buns to your dorm room, so you can have something to pad your stomach when you go back at night. If no one helps you, then you'll just have to go hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you before—the Chores Hall has one day off per month, and every ten days, there is also a half-day rest period.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, Du Ruo told Hua Changxi some more things about the Chores Hall, and after they finished dinner, the two parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi returned to her dormitory; no one was in the room. After quickly washing up, she climbed onto the bed, lay face down, closed her eyes, and began to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having worked all day, she was actually quite tired. As she cultivated, the physical fatigue was gradually relieved bit by bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky gradually darkened, and only when it was completely dark did people begin to return to their rooms one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi had gone to sleep, the roommates showed no intention of lowering their voices; instead, they spoke louder and louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, no matter how loudly everyone talked, Hua Changxi showed no sign of waking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is she sleeping so soundly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look how young she is, and it's her first day at the Chores Hall. She's probably exhausted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices of the crowd gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hua family in Xiuzheng Ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hua Sanlang returned home and relayed the message brought by Pharmacist Xu, the Hua family learned that Hua Changxi would be staying at the Chores Hall and only had one day off per month. Their expressions turned somewhat complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao was extremely worried: \"Jiuniang has never left home since she was little. When she left this morning, she didn't bring any luggage. I need to pack some things and send them to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop right there!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua called out to Yao and sternly looked at the members of the eldest branch: \"None of you are allowed to send anything to Jiuniang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiuniang has far too many ideas of her own—so many that she doesn't even listen to me, her grandfather. For the sake of entering the Medical Department, she has gone her own way, not caring at all about the family's opinions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where does she get the confidence to act like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it from your indulgence? No matter what trouble she causes, you'll always clean up her mess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When she was young, it was one thing, but now that she's older, can you guarantee that you'll be able to handle the trouble she stirs up in the future?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let her suffer a bit in the Chores Hall, let her know how hard it is to make a living, and then she'll understand how important her family is to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She needs to realize that the only reason she dared to throw tantrums before was because the family protected her. Now that she's left home, she's nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe frowned, and Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang also had stiff expressions, clearly disagreeing with Old Master Hua's approach. Yao simply lowered her head, hiding her reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the tense atmosphere, Old Madam Hua stepped in to smooth things over: \"Children need stricter discipline as they grow up, especially young ladies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eldest son and his wife, tell me yourselves—with Jiuniang's temperament, which family would dare to take her as a daughter-in-law?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If her temper doesn't change, she will suffer greatly when she marries into her husband's family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since she's not married yet, we can help discipline her more. That way, when she goes to her husband's family, she'll face less hardship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your father and I have worn ourselves out for this family. If you don't understand and cooperate, it will truly break our hearts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Uncle Hua immediately chimed in: \"Eldest brother and sister-in-law, I think Father and Mother are right. None of the boys in the family are as headstrong as Jiuniang. This won't do—she must be properly disciplined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at Fourth Uncle Hua and said, \"Fourth brother, what do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Uncle Hua glanced at the old master and old madam, then at Hua Minghe and Yao, and said vaguely, \"Jiuniang... is indeed not very obedient and humble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking, Old Madam Hua turned to Hua Minghe: \"You may choose not to listen to your father and me, but you should at least consider the words of your two brothers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe quickly stood up, bowed, and said, \"Mother, what are you saying? We never meant to disobey you and Father. We're just worried about Jiuniang suffering in the Chores Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Madam Hua said irritably, \"Is this suffering inflicted by the family? She brought it on herself. People say a fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. Whether Jiuniang learns her lesson depends on what you do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe was silent for a moment before finally giving in: \"We will listen to you, Mother and Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you mean what you say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Madam Hua and Old Master Hua exchanged a glance, their faces showing satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shier Niang leaned toward Hua Qi Niang and whispered, \"Seventh Sister, you said before that Ninth Sister would become more and more confident. See? Even First Uncle doesn't think much of her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At home, Ninth Sister didn't even wash First Uncle’s, Third Brother’s, and Sixth Brother’s clothes. How could she bear the hardship of being a servant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just wait. Maybe in a couple of days, Ninth Sister will come back with her tail between her legs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, when the first rays of light shone upon the earth, a harsh gong sounded in the Miscellaneous Servants Hall. People in every servant room opened their eyes, preparing to get up and start work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why hasn't she woken up yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we call her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's there to call about? She works so fast. What's wrong with letting her sleep a bit longer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, Qingluo, stop meddling. Maybe if you call her, she won't even appreciate it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hurry up and go. If we're late, we'll have to queue again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, the servants raced against time: queuing for meals, queuing for medicinal herbs, queuing to turn in tasks. The work was already heavy; if they moved any slower, there wouldn't be enough time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the Chen hour (7:00 AM), the servants had already collected the day’s herbs to be washed, hauled them to the ditches, and started cleaning and processing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After her subordinates had begun working, Du Ruo came around for a look and quickly noticed that Hua Changxi hadn't arrived yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spent several years in the Miscellaneous Servants Hall, she understood that Hua Changxi hadn't adapted to the hall's routine, had woken up late, and that her roommates hadn't called her either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of hesitation, Du Ruo decided not to send someone to call Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a newcomer, a little hardship was necessary to learn how to integrate into the team and how to conduct oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the second quarter of the Si hour (9:30 AM), Hua Changxi finally opened her eyes, stretched, and got out of bed with a smile that she couldn't hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She discovered that cultivating here was much faster than cultivating at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Realm: Qi Refining Stage 51\u002F1000]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After one night, not only had she fully recovered the spiritual energy she had depleted yesterday, but her realm points had also increased by two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi estimated that cultivating for one night at home only raised two realm points, but here, one night could raise five realm points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivating here was more than twice as fast as at home!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This discovery excited Hua Changxi, but also left her puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was cultivating in the Miscellaneous Servants Hall faster than at home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that the spiritual energy in the air of the Miscellaneous Servants Hall was richer than at home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Joining the Miscellaneous Servants Hall was definitely the right choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi glanced at the sky and saw the sun already high. Her expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had definitely woken up late!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it—the midnight and dawn periods were the most efficient for cultivation, when spiritual energy flowed most smoothly. She didn't want to waste that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She probably wouldn't get breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi found two coarse grain steamed buns at the head of her bed. Delight flickered across her face. \"Who put these here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that among her new roommates, there were still very friendly people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi quickly washed up, grabbed the buns, and ate them as she walked toward the front courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front courtyard, the servants on both sides of the ditch were busy working with great fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruo saw her and said, \"Today you need to wash and process 500 herbs. If you don't finish, you're not allowed to sleep. Go to the storeroom and pick up the herbs to be processed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Du Ruo didn't scold her for waking up late, Hua Changxi felt delighted and immediately decided that as long as Du Ruo didn't say anything, she would keep waking up late.\u003C\u002Fp>",1658,"2026-05-29T04:10:26.746Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","13529f18fc316293ae795151affb6fe2fb7c33bc4b137c0d493f48f037c8f46d","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-18","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-16",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]