Chapter 45: Separation of Issues

After her realm advanced to the Qi Sea stage, Hua Changxi found that her cultivation speed increased; previously, absorbing a low-grade Yuanling Pill took two hours, now it only took one.

She could absorb and refine a hundred low-grade Yuanling Pills in just over ten days.

Earlier, Yu Gui had told her that the ones escorting the Yuanling Grass to the Medicine Department were laborers from the Three Fork Medicine Valley.

"Three Fork Medicine Valley..."

Wanting to learn more about Three Fork Medicine Valley, Hua Changxi took the chance to ask when Yu Gui gave her the silver notes for buying the Body Tempering Pill: "Brother Yu, every spring, aren't the laborers from the Laborer Hall sent to the various medicine farms and valleys to help plant herbs?"

Yu Gui nodded, thinking Hua Changxi was worried about being sent, so he smiled and said, "Don't worry, little sister. Usually, it's only male laborers who are sent to help."

Hua Changxi probed, "Have female laborers never been sent?"

Yu Gui paused for a moment: "They have been. If a female laborer makes a mistake or offends a steward, she can also be sent down to work at a medicine farm or valley."

Seeing the eager look on Hua Changxi's face, Yu Gui quickly said, "Little sister, you're not thinking of going to a medicine farm or valley, are you?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "I've never seen herbs covering the mountains and fields. I'd like to go see."

Yu Gui said anxiously, "You'd better put that idea out of your head. Do you think medicine farms and valleys are some blessed land? Let me tell you..."

Seeing Yu Gui hesitating as if finding it hard to speak, Hua Changxi grew curious: "Brother Yu, go on. I'm listening."

Yu Gui: "Medicine farms and valleys are generally in remote places. The male laborers stationed there can't go home more than once a year. What do you think they do when they see a female laborer?"

Hua Changxi blinked, seeming to understand what Yu Gui meant.

Yu Gui looked at Hua Changxi: "Little sister, stop thinking about going to a medicine farm or valley. If a female laborer goes there, heaven won't answer and earth won't respond."

Lowering his voice, he added, "Several of those female laborers who were punished and sent to the medicine farms hanged themselves after returning from their assignments."

Hua Changxi said nothing. She had the means to protect herself, so she wasn't afraid.

Thinking she had taken his advice to heart, Yu Gui dropped the subject and said instead, "Little sister, tomorrow my godfather will bring a batch of discarded herbs to the No. 9 Qihuang Hall. Make sure you go."

Hua Changxi hummed in acknowledgment. Since there was still time before laborers were sent to the medicine farms and valleys, she set the matter aside for now.

"Brother Yu, do the herbs delivered from various places all arrive at the warehouse first?"

"Of course not. Herbs used by warriors of the seventh rank and above are sent directly to the medicine halls on Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Streets."

"Newly discovered herbs from various places are also sent directly to designated medicine halls."

"Also, the pharmacists and physicians on Ninth Street are granted usage rights to certain herb fields based on their rank. The produce from those fields is sent directly to the respective pharmacists and physicians."

Hua Changxi hadn't expected that the pharmacists and physicians in the Medicine Department had such benefits. Those herb fields were basically like officials' salary farms. No wonder doctors from all over wanted to join the Medicine Department.

"Brother Yu, which streets are the pharmacists who research new herbs mainly on?"

"Most are on Second and Third Streets. There are some on Fourth Street, but not many."

Hua Changxi rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought: "If only I could work at one of those medicine halls."

Hearing this, Yu Gui couldn't help but laugh. When Hua Changxi looked over, he quickly suppressed his smile and explained, "Little sister, I know with your abilities, you'd be more than qualified to be a nominal disciple of a Ninth Street pharmacist."

"But you have to understand, this is the Medicine Department—a government office. When working in a government office, ability is certainly important, but what's even more important is having connections behind you."

"Don't even mention that you're just a laborer. Even the preparatory disciples in the Disciple Hall, if they want to enter a certain medicine hall on Ninth Street without connections, have to use every trick they have and fight tooth and nail just for one spot."

Hua Changxi frowned: "Can't it be a fair competition?"

Yu Gui: "It's not that there isn't any."

"Every three years, the Medicine Department holds an Alchemy Competition. The top three can directly become disciples of a pharmacist, and others who perform well in the competition may also be favored by some pharmacists or physicians and taken as nominal disciples."

Seeing Hua Changxi's eyes light up, Yu Gui sighed: "Unfortunately, laborers cannot participate."

Hua Changxi's expression stiffened, but she soon calmed down.

The Medicine Department recruited apprentices every year. If the Ninth Street medicine halls were indeed collecting spiritual plants, she could just resign as a laborer, reapply to the Apprentice Hall, and once she became an apprentice, compete in the Alchemy Competition.

"Brother Yu, when was the last Alchemy Competition held?"

Yu Gui: "July of last year. The next one will be the year after next."

Hua Changxi said "Oh" and kept this in mind. She stopped asking and chatted with Yu Gui about other things before returning to the Sixth Bureau.

When she returned to the dormitory, it happened to be lunchtime. Wang Yunchu and the others were all there. As soon as Hua Changxi entered, she saw an unfamiliar young woman.

Thinking it was just another roommate's sister, Hua Changxi didn't pay attention and was about to get on the bed to cultivate, but then she saw the young woman smilingly walk to her bedside.

"You must be Changxi, right? I'm Su Ruoli, the new handyman. I heard from Sister Yunchu and the others that you're really good at cleaning medicinal herbs. If there's something I don't understand, can I ask you for advice?"

Hua Changxi glanced at the new young woman, did not respond, but turned to look at Wang Yunchu, Lu Qingluo, and the others: "Can't a dormitory only hold ten people?" Their group was just full.

Wang Yunchu looked at Su Ruoli: "Aunt Shi was transferred to another group."

Upon hearing this, Su Ruoli immediately looked flustered and said, "I didn't know about this. Steward Leng told me to follow Steward Du."

Hua Changxi said nothing, lay face down on the bed, closed her eyes, and began to cultivate.

Seeing this, Su Ruoli still wanted to say something, but Wang Yunchu pulled her away.

"Changxi is going to sleep. Don't disturb her."

Su Ruoli looked surprised: "Sleeping at noon? Then won't she be able to sleep at night?"

Thinking of Hua Changxi's fondness for sleep, everyone else in the dorm showed odd expressions. Wang Yunchu said vaguely, "Changxi likes to sleep."

Seeing that the others didn't want to say more, Su Ruoli didn't ask. After everyone finished resting, she followed them to work.

At the fourth ke of the You hour, Hua Changxi finished cultivating and went to the dining hall to eat. She had just sat down when someone sat opposite her.

"Changxi, what a coincidence."

After sitting down, Su Ruoli waved at Wang Yunchu and Lu Qingluo nearby: "Sister Yunchu, Qingluo, there are still seats here by Changxi."

Wang Yunchu and Lu Qingluo exchanged a glance, hesitated for a moment, but still carried their rice bowls and walked over.

Seeing the two sit down, Su Ruoli cheerfully started eating: "The food in the Chores Hall is really good."

Wang Yunchu: "There's no meat or fish. What's so good about it?"

Su Ruoli smiled bitterly: "It's already very good for me. I've grown up and never had enough to eat at home." As she spoke, she smiled, "Now I can eat my fill. I'm very content."

Seeing her like this, both Wang Yunchu and Lu Qingluo showed sympathy.

Wang Yunchu: "The dining hall's food is unlimited. You can eat as much as you want, but don't stuff yourself."

Su Ruoli smiled emotionally: "Sister Yunchu, you're so kind. I'll be careful." As she spoke, she quickly glanced at Hua Changxi, who showed no reaction.

Hua Changxi felt that this new female handyman was strange. Although she displayed an attitude of wanting to quickly integrate into the group, she was too enthusiastic.

She had always been somewhat resistant to overly enthusiastic people.

Hua Changxi had no interest in the gossip Wang Yunchu and the other two were chatting about. She quickly finished her meal: "I'm done. Take your time eating." With that, she stood up and left.

Seeing her leave, Su Ruoli looked at Wang Yunchu and Lu Qingluo: "Is Changxi going back to sleep again?"

Lu Qingluo hummed in agreement.

Su Ruoli showed concern: "Changxi sleeps so much during the day, is that really okay?"

Wang Yunchu: "Of course it's fine. Changxi herself is a doctor."

Su Ruoli looked astonished: "Changxi is a doctor? Then why is she here as a handyman?"

Wang Yunchu looked at Su Ruoli: "You seem especially interested in Changxi?"

Su Ruoli did not deny it: "Someone like Changxi, aren't you all interested?"

Wang Yunchu said nothing.

Lu Qingluo: "Let's hurry up and eat."

On the other side, after returning to the room and washing up, Hua Changxi continued to cultivate on the bed. The next day, she woke up at the end of the Mao hour as usual, and as soon as she woke up, she saw steamed buns placed at the head of the bed.

Looking at the steamed buns, Hua Changxi was a bit surprised. Seeing that Wang Yunchu and the others hadn't left yet, she immediately asked, "Who brought me these steamed buns?"

Su Ruoli smiled: "It was me. I heard from Sister Yunchu and the others that you wake up late, so I brought you some steamed buns when I had breakfast."

Not wanting to strike someone who smiles at her, Hua Changxi found it hard to say anything else, but simply said, "In the future, don't bring me steamed buns anymore."

Su Ruoli's smile remained unchanged: "Changxi, no need to be polite. It's just a simple matter. We share a dorm, so we should help each other out."

Hua Changxi hated people who can't take a hint. She looked at her: "Do I look like I'm being polite?"

Su Ruoli's smile froze, and she seemed at a loss.

Seeing this, Lu Qingluo quickly stepped forward: "Changxi, Ruoli meant well."

Hua Changxi: "But I don't need this kind of goodwill. Even though I got up a bit later than you all, it wasn't so late that the cafeteria had run out of breakfast."

As she spoke, she looked at Su Ruoli. "I'll go to the cafeteria myself for breakfast. Don't bring me anything next time."

Su Ruoli quickly apologized: "Okay, I understand. I was wrong today."

Seeing her like this, many in the dormitory felt that Hua Changxi was being a bit pushy.

Hua Changxi said nothing more, picked up her washbasin, and left.

As soon as she was gone, Su Ruoli let out a long sigh of relief and even patted her chest: "That scared me to death."

Wang Yunchu frowned at her: "This morning when you brought the steamed buns, I already reminded you that Changxi didn't need them, but you still brought them. You deserved to be called out."

Hearing this, Lu Qingluo quickly tugged at Wang Yunchu's sleeve.

Sister Lin and the others also looked at Wang Yunchu disapprovingly: "Yunchu, don't scold Ruoli anymore. Changxi was a bit cold and unreasonable. Someone kindly brought her food, and she didn't even appreciate it."

Wang Yunchu snorted sarcastically: "If someone doesn't need your kindness, can it really be called kindness?"

Su Ruoli's eyes glistened with tears: "Sister Yunchu, I was wrong. I shouldn't have ignored your advice."

Sister Lin couldn't stand it and looked at Wang Yunchu: "Yunchu, you used to be the one most unhappy with Hua Changxi. How come now you're always speaking up for her?"

Wang Yunchu: "Before, I didn't know Changxi. Now that I understand her character, of course I won't misunderstand her anymore."

Sister Lin laughed mockingly: "Usually, Hua Changxi doesn't interact much with you. How do you understand her?"

Seeing Wang Yunchu and Sister Lin starting to argue, Lu Qingluo had to quickly step in to mediate.

Su Ruoli also kept saying it was her fault.

Seeing everyone siding with Su Ruoli, Wang Yunchu snorted and left the dorm room.

Lu Qingluo saw Su Ruoli so anxious she was crying and could only comfort her first: "You've just arrived and don't know everyone yet. It'll get better with time. Changxi and Yunchu both have sharp tongues but soft hearts. They're actually good people."

Su Ruoli wiped her tears: "I know. You're all good people."

Hua Changxi didn't know what had happened in the dormitory. After breakfast, she went straight to the storeroom to pick up medicinal herbs. As she was pulling the cartload of herbs to the ditch, Su Ruoli appeared again.

"Changxi, let me help you."

Su Ruoli said as she lifted the herbs off the cart: "I was wrong this morning. Don't be mad at me. I won't bring you steamed buns anymore."

Hua Changxi looked at her, her brow furrowed into a knot. She really didn't like people who acted overly familiar too quickly.

But since the other offered to help, she had no reason to refuse, so she just stood there with her arms crossed, watching Su Ruoli move the herbs.

After moving a few pieces, Su Ruoli saw that Hua Changxi had no reaction and looked a bit awkward.

Hua Changxi: "Aren't you going to help me? Keep going, don't stop."

Su Ruoli said uneasily: "Changxi, have I made you angry again?"

Hua Changxi gave a faint, ambiguous smile: "What do you think?"

"I..."

Just as Su Ruoli was about to say something, Du Ruo walked over.

Seeing Du Ruo, Su Ruoli looked as if she had seen a savior and quickly said: "Manager Du, I wanted to help Changxi, but I seem to have made things worse again."

Du Ruo thought about how Manager Leng had specifically asked her to take care of Su Ruoli. With a mental sigh, she said to Su Ruoli: "Changxi doesn't need your help here. Go take care of your own tasks."

Su Ruoli, looking like she had done something wrong, glanced at Du Ruo, then at Hua Changxi, and left hesitantly.

As soon as she left, Hua Changxi began moving the herbs from the cart and quickly dumped them into the ditch.

"See that?"

A few meters away, Wang Yunchu suddenly spoke to Su Ruoli.

Su Ruoli was taken aback: "See what?"

Wang Yunchu tipped her chin toward Hua Changxi: "You saw how strong Changxi is, didn't you? Do you think she needs your help?"

"With your little strength, you not only can't help Changxi but actually slow her down. I really don't understand why you insisted on running over to help her."

Seeing Su Ruoli about to cry again, Lu Qingluo quickly stopped Wang Yunchu: "Yunchu, say a few less words."

Su Ruoli quickly said, "I was too rash." With that, she lowered her head and began washing the medicinal herbs, occasionally raising her hand to wipe away her tears as she worked.

The members of the same group watched this scene, all looking at Wang Yunchu with disapproval.

Feeling aggrieved at being stared at like that, Wang Yunchu thought she had only spoken a few honest words and hadn't done much to Su Ruoli, so she barked in a displeased tone: "What are you crying about?"

Su Ruoli was startled, and then her tears fell even harder.

"Yunchu, what's wrong with you?"

"Exactly, Ruoli didn't provoke you, why are you yelling at her?"

"If you're angry, don't just take it out on others!"

Hua Changxi had long noticed the commotion. She glanced at Wang Yunchu, who was being condemned by everyone, but said nothing and did nothing, quickly finishing her own tasks before heading to the Qihuang Hall to refine medicine.

Time flew by, and it was soon the last day of the first month.

"Sis."

After receiving her monthly allowance, Lu Qingluo saw Lu Qingling waiting outside the Sixth Bureau.

Lu Qingling glanced at Su Ruoli beside Lu Qingluo and asked in surprise, "Where's Yunchu? Isn't she with you?"

An awkward expression flickered across Lu Qingluo's face. She first sent Su Ruoli back, then told Lu Qingling about what had happened recently.

"Ruoli wants to get along with everyone. Seeing that Changxi has misunderstandings about her, she often goes to explain to Changxi on ordinary days, but her actions are inevitably a bit too eager. Yunchu can't stand it and keeps clashing with her."

Lu Qingling was surprised: "Didn't Yunchu dislike Hua Changxi?"

Lowering her voice, Lu Qingluo said, "Sis, have you forgotten? Last time we went to help at the First Office, it was Changxi's prescription that helped everyone detoxify. Because of that, Yunchu is very grateful to Changxi."

"Later during the New Year, Yunchu gave Changxi some auspicious knots she made herself, and Changxi gave Yunchu two Body Strengthening Pills in return—the same kind I gave you, which you said were good."

"Yunchu's younger brother has been weak and sickly since childhood. After taking the Body Strengthening Pills, his health improved a lot, making Yunchu even more grateful to Changxi."

"Ruoli keeps bothering Changxi, and Yunchu wants to stand up for her."

Lu Qingling asked, "How did Hua Changxi react?"

Lu Qingluo: "Changxi's words are quite hurtful. She always leaves Ruoli in an awkward position."

Lu Qingling shook her head: "I mean, how does Hua Changxi treat Yunchu?"

Lu Qingluo was taken aback: "Changxi treats Yunchu... the same as before, nothing has changed."

Lu Qingling immediately snorted with laughter: "I knew it. Someone like Hua Changxi is very hard to win over. Even if Yunchu offends the entire dormitory for her sake, I'm afraid she wouldn't care at all."

Seeing her sister's puzzled expression, she explained.

"Yunchu probably wants to befriend Hua Changxi, but since she has nothing impressive to offer, she can only play the villain and help drive away the flies buzzing around Changxi."

"You must never follow Yunchu's example. I admit Hua Changxi is capable, and capable people always make others want to get close to them. But look at Yunchu now—she's a cautionary tale."

"Yunchu used to be the leader in your dormitory, but now, just because she spoke up for Hua Changxi, she has made everyone resent her."

"I've said it before: getting close to someone like Hua Changxi brings no benefits, and even if there are benefits, they're hard to grasp. With one careless move, you can easily get pulled in and become her stepping stone."

"By the way, keep your distance from that Su Ruoli too. The fact that she could make you all alienate Yunchu and get close to her instead shows she's not simple."

"Sis, don't you think you're overthinking this..."

Hua Changxi had told Du Ruo in advance that she would take a day off at the end of the month. After receiving her monthly allowance, she planned to go back to her room, grab the banknotes from selling pills, and look at houses. Who would have thought she would run into the Lu sisters having their heart-to-heart talk again.

She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but her hearing was now too sharp. As long as she focused, she could clearly hear people's conversations from dozens of meters away.

Of course, she knew about the conflict between Wang Yunchu and Su Ruoli.

Whether Wang Yunchu spoke up out of gratitude or simply couldn't stand Su Ruoli, their discord was entirely their own affair. She didn't think it had anything to do with her.

But judging by Lu Qingling's words, it seemed like she was expected to take responsibility for Wang Yunchu.

She had never asked Wang Yunchu to do anything. Everything Wang Yunchu did came from her own volition, so she should bear the consequences herself.

She didn't get involved because she knew it wasn't trouble she had stirred up. She wouldn't take other people's matters onto herself—getting involved would only be foolish.

Besides, Su Ruoli could handle things on her own. There was no need for Wang Yunchu to do anything. Everything Wang Yunchu did was simply because she wanted to.

Just because the reason for someone else's actions involves her, does she have to pay the price?

What twisted logic!