Chapter 39: I Am That Kind of Woman

On her first day helping at the First Bureau, Hua Changxi spent it processing Ironwood Root while explaining the processing steps to the apprentices from the Apprentice Hall.

She processed herbs quickly and held nothing back during her explanations. Steward Bao was very satisfied with this, so when she asked to return to the Sixth Bureau for dinner and rest at precisely 18:00, he didn't stop her and simply let her go.

Meanwhile, the other menials at the First Bureau and the apprentices from the Apprentice Hall who had come to help were busy until midnight.

After dinner, Hua Changxi went straight back to the dormitory, took a Mid-grade Yuanling Pill, and began cultivating.

Three shichen later, she opened her eyes in surprise.

Previously, absorbing and refining one Mid-grade Yuanling Pill had taken her four shichen, but now it only took three.

"My cultivation speed has increased!"

Hua Changxi was somewhat puzzled. The factors that affect cultivation speed are无非功法、灵qi浓度、心境这些东西.

She hadn't changed any of these factors, so why had her cultivation speed improved?

Hua Changxi felt helpless. Without guidance or systematic study of cultivation knowledge, she could only rely on guesswork whenever she encountered something she didn't understand.

Fortunately, an increase in cultivation speed was a good thing, so she didn't dwell on it too much. She simply filed the question away in her mind, waiting to resolve it later.

Taking another Mid-grade Yuanling Pill, Hua Changxi resumed cultivation.

The next day, Hua Changxi didn't finish cultivating until 6:00. By the time she had breakfast and arrived at the First Bureau, it was almost 7:00.

By then, the menials and apprentices who had left later than her the previous night had already arrived and begun processing herbs.

Hua Changxi had wanted to continue using the furnace from yesterday, but she found it was already taken, so she could only choose the last remaining furnace that hadn't been lit to process Ironwood Root.

Just as she started the fire, Manager Qin came over: "Changxi, Steward Bao said that since you're capable, you must process more Ironwood Root today. Everyone was busy until midnight last night; you should help everyone out more today."

"Today's task is to finish processing all the Ironwood Root in the courtyard. We can go back to rest only when the work is done."

Hua Changxi followed Manager Qin's gaze to the courtyard. Sure enough, over twenty baskets of Ironwood Root were piled up there.

And what was that about everyone working until midnight last night? Having to finish all the work before going back to rest today—was this some kind of grudge against her for leaving early yesterday?

At most, everyone else combined could process seven or eight baskets of Ironwood Root; the rest would have to be done by her.

They were trying to squeeze out every bit of her surplus value.

Hua Changxi disliked this kind of collective task, where the more capable person was expected to do more. If it weren't for her desire to quickly upgrade the Complete Manual of Processing to Mastery, she would have just slacked off.

Not wanting to return too late at night and delay her cultivation, Hua Changxi let herself go and sped up her Ironwood Root processing.

When the apprentices from the Apprentice Hall who were processing Ironwood Root with Hua Changxi learned that they had to finish over twenty baskets of Ironwood Root today, their faces turned green.

They knew that being assigned such a heavy task was all because of Hua Changxi, and they blamed her for it. A few apprentices who couldn't control their emotions shot hateful looks at her.

However, soon the apprentices from the Apprentice Hall no longer knew how they should feel toward Hua Changxi.

The Ironwood Root in the courtyard was processed by Hua Changxi at an astonishing speed. They had thought they might have to work through the night, but who would have guessed that before 17:00, all twenty-plus baskets of Ironwood Root were finished.

Manager Qin was just as stunned as the apprentices. When Hua Changxi told him the task was done and that she was going back to the Sixth Bureau for dinner and rest, he could only nod dazedly in agreement.

Thanks to Hua Changxi, the apprentices from the Apprentice Hall spent an even easier day at the First Bureau than they would have studying at the Apprentice Hall.

"Sis, weren't you supposed to be helping at the First Bureau? How do you have time to come see me?"

Lu Qingluo looked at Lu Qingling in surprise. She had also gone to help at the First Bureau before, so she knew very well how heavy the workload there was these days.

Lu Qingling's expression was complicated: "Qingluo, now I finally understand why the people in the Sixth Bureau dislike Hua Changxi."

Lu Qingluo looked surprised: "Sis, did you run into Changxi at the First Bureau?"

Lu Qingling: "I'm in the same group as her. We're both responsible for processing Ironwood Root."

Lu Qingluo asked anxiously, "Sis, did you have a conflict with Changxi?" Hua Changxi was not someone to be trifled with, and she was worried her sister might be bullied.

Lu Qingling shook her head: "Why would I have a conflict with her? But even without any conflict at all, Hua Changxi is just not someone you can bring yourself to like."

Lu Qingluo was puzzled: "But did Changxi do something that disgusts you?"

Lu Qingling shook her head again: "No. Hua Changxi just did as she was told. It's just... she's too capable. So capable that she makes everyone else feel defeated and useless."

She paused, looking at Lu Qingluo.

"No one wants to feel useless. Being around someone like Hua Changxi constantly reminds you that you're inferior in every way. How could someone like that ever be likable?"

Lu Qingluo fell silent. She had once harbored the very mentality her sister spoke of.

Lu Qingling continued with a smile, "Hua Changxi leaves early and comes late every day, while others have to toil until midnight. Looking at her leisure and then at their own hardships, it would be strange if the people in the Sixth Bureau liked Hua Changxi."

"Even when she goes to help at the First Bureau, she's just as unpopular."

"The apprentices of the Apprentice Hall have always prided themselves as being above the menials of the Menial Hall. Now that they are overshadowed by Hua Changxi, a menial, they won't think Hua Changxi is amazing; they'll only feel humiliated for being inferior. They won't befriend her; instead, they'll distance themselves and ostracize her."

Lu Qingluo didn't quite understand her sister's meaning and asked, "Sis, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Lu Qingling's smile vanished, and she said seriously, "Hua Changxi is too sharp and flashy. Those above won't want to see her climb over their heads, and those below won't want to see her rise to prominence either."

"Her rumors are spreading like wildfire in the Menial Hall. Why do you think that is? There are too many people who don't want to see her do well."

"Qingluo, remember this: when dealing with others, you must not be too ostentatious. Learn to hide your talents."

Lu Qingluo nodded. "Sis, I will."

At the corner of the backyard wall, Hua Changxi overheard everything the Lu sisters said. Only after the two had walked far away did she step out and return to her dormitory.

Too sharp and flashy?

Hua Changxi didn't think so. She only displayed her value at the appropriate times and, when being bullied, showed appropriately that she was not to be trifled with.

By showcasing her value, she befriended Yu Gui, which led to the collaboration with Eunuch Yu on alchemy.

By letting others know she wasn't easy to mess with, others wouldn't dare to act recklessly in front of her.

If this was what being ostentatious meant, then so be it.

She had always believed that to stand firm in the world, one must have their own value and inviolable boundaries.

Relying on hiding one's talents could avoid some trouble, but it also meant living a spineless life.

If one dares not seize opportunities when they come, they'll likely spend their entire life in mediocrity.

Heaven had given her the chance to cultivate, and her ability to protect herself surpassed many in this world. Under such circumstances, if she still couldn't live for herself or vent her grievances, she would deserve to be struck by lightning.

Unpopular? Hmph, was she born to please others?

If she was going to be anything, she would be the kind of person others scrambled to please!