Chapter 10

The Hua family in Xiuzheng Ward.

Near dusk, the three brothers of Hua Minghe returned home from their shifts, and the Hua family courtyard immediately became lively.

Listening to the commotion outside, in the side room, Hua Changxi opened her eyes from her cultivation.

【Realm: Qi Refining Realm 35/1000】

Seeing that the realm points had increased by another point, Hua Changxi was happy in her heart.

However, she had new doubts.

What exactly is the use of this increase in realm points?

She could feel a force accumulating in her body, but how was she to use this force?

Outside the courtyard, the sound of Old Lady Hua calling everyone to eat rang out. Hua Changxi suppressed the doubts in her heart, walked to the door, and peered through the crack to watch the situation in the courtyard.

Her mother and two aunts carried the food into the main room, and the people playing in the courtyard followed one after another. Soon, there was no one left in the courtyard.

Hua Changxi rubbed her shriveled stomach, feeling indignant. Every time she did something that went against the wishes of the Old Master and Old Lady, she would be locked in confinement and punished by being forbidden to eat.

She wondered how many days they would starve her this time?

She must not let it delay her from signing up at the Medical Department!

Hua Changxi pulled on the door bolt and tried to open it several times, but failed to break the iron lock outside.

She could feel her strength growing, but 35 realm points were probably still too low and not enough to break the iron lock.

Hua Changxi looked around the enclosed side room, especially seeing the windows sealed with mud and stone, and her mouth twitched. The Old Master really went to great lengths to punish them.

Fortunately, she had the soul of an adult and was not afraid of the dark, nor was she afraid of being alone.

If it were a real child, being locked in once or twice would probably have scared them out of their wits, and they would definitely do whatever the adults said and act however they were told.

The sky gradually darkened, and moonlight spilled over the earth.

Hua Changxi saw the moonlight shining in through the crack in the door and hurriedly moved the meditation cushion to the doorway, then sat leaning against the door, letting as much moonlight as possible spill onto her.

"Hoo~"

Hua Changxi closed her eyes again and began to cultivate under the moonlight. She could clearly feel the warm current flowing in her body becoming stronger and faster.

During this time, the courtyard was lively for a while again.

It must have been after dinner, and everyone had come to the courtyard to enjoy the cool air and chat.

Gradually, the courtyard became quiet again, and the entire Hua residence slowly fell into silence.

"Ninth Miss~"

In the dead of night, even a slight sound was enough to wake someone up.

Hua Changxi opened her eyes with a "swish" and looked through the crack in the door, seeing Hua Liulang poking his head in, acting suspiciously.

"Sixth Brother."

Hua Changxi's expression brightened, and she hurriedly asked: "Sixth Brother, did you go to the Medical Department to see Pharmacist Xu?"

Having been dragged to the Great Clan Elder's house today and unable to sign up at the Medical Department, Hua Changxi had asked Hua Liulang to help run the errand and explain to Pharmacist Xu why she couldn't go.

Hua Liulang nodded: "I saw him. Pharmacist Xu wanted me to tell you that if you want to apply to the Medical Department, you should go sign up quickly. He said this additional recruitment is a bit strange, and he's afraid that if you go late, you might not be able to sign up."

Hua Changxi's expression tightened: "Why wouldn't I be able to sign up?"

Hua Liulang: "Because there are too many people signing up. I saw so many people at the Medical Department today, all there to apply as apprentices."

He paused, then added, "You are locked up now, so don't worry about the sign-up for now. Come, eat something first."

As he spoke, Hua Liulang tried to push a white steamed bun through the crack in the door.

Just then, a dark shadow loomed over Hua Liulang's head.

"Ah~"

Hua Liulang was startled, fell to the ground with a "thump," and the bun in his hand also fell to the ground.

Hua Changxi was also startled. When she saw the dark shadow clearly, she was both speechless and annoyed: "Grandmother, do you know that scaring people can scare them to death?"

Old Lady Hua snorted, bent down to pick up the bun on the ground, and said to Hua Liulang: "Your grandfather and I are punishing the Ninth Miss to correct her temperament; we are doing it for her own good."

"Liulang, do you know that what you are doing is harming the Ninth Miss? If the Ninth Miss's temperament isn't changed, she will bring disaster to the family. When that time comes, it will not only implicate the family but also harm herself."

Hua Liulang lowered his head: "I was just worried that the Ninth Miss was hungry."

Old Lady Hua: "We won't starve her to death. You hurry back to your room and sleep. You are not allowed to eat all day tomorrow either."

Hua Liulang looked at Hua Ninth Miss through the crack in the door, gave her a helpless look, and then slunk away.

Once Hua Liulang left, Old Lady Hua looked at Hua Changxi again: "Aren't you very capable? You even dared to offend the Great Clan Elder's wife. What are you eating for?" After finishing, she took the bun and left.

The next moment, Old Lady Hua's voice rang out in the courtyard.

"Eldest, the Ninth Miss's temperament must be properly polished. If you don't have the heart to discipline her, then let your father and me be the villains."

"If you want her to become a lawless troublemaker in the future and bring disaster to the family, then just keep pulling my leg from behind."

Hua Changxi listened to this and was furious.

She only wanted to preserve some dignity as a human being; how did that bring disaster to the family?

In the east room of the main house, Hua Minghe and the Yao family were not asleep.

Hearing Old Lady Hua's words, Hua Minghe said to the Yao family: "Let's not interfere with the Ninth Miss's punishment this time."

The Yao family's brows knotted: "But with the Ninth Miss's temperament, I'm afraid she won't bow her head. Are we going to watch her starve until she faints again?"

Hua Minghe also grabbed his head in a headache: "Let's take it one step at a time. If it really doesn't work, I will go plead with Father and Mother again."

A night passed, and the Hua family courtyard became lively again.

At breakfast, Old Master Hua said to everyone: "I will go to the Great Clan Elder's house later. The Ninth Miss offended Auntie Yumei, so I will go over and apologize."

The Second Hua, Hua Mingang, immediately spoke up: "The trouble the Ninth Miss caused, how can we let Father go and apologize?"

Hua Minghe frowned slightly, looking at Old Master Hua with disapproval: "Father, isn't this making a mountain out of a molehill?"

"The Ninth Miss did contradict Auntie Yumei, but she didn't make too much of a scene and gave a reasonable excuse. Now that we are rushing to apologize, it makes it seem like we have done something very wrong."

Old Master Hua threw his dry tobacco pipe on the table with a "slap": "What do you mean by 'didn't make too much of a scene'? How much more of a scene do you want the Ninth Miss to make at someone else's house?"

Hua Mingang hurriedly handed over tea: "Father, please calm your anger. Getting angry early in the morning is bad for your health."

Old Master Hua didn't drink the tea. He was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "The Eldest Son will graduate from the martial arts academy next year. Where is his future? Have you made any progress on his marriage?"

"And the Hua Sanlang, the Fourth Son—they are all at the age to establish a family and career."

"Without the clan's support, relying only on ourselves, ask yourselves: can you pave the way for the children?"

Once these words were out, Hua Minghe, Hua Mingang, and Hua Mingcheng all lowered their heads.

Although they all worked in the yamen, the jobs in the yamen were not only wanted by them; others wanted them too. To arrange for one's own family members to get in, besides spending a large amount of silver for favors, one also needed strong connections.

Not to mention that the Hua family couldn't come up with too much silver, the connections they had accumulated in the yamen hadn't reached the point where they could just stuff people in.

Old Lady Hua stepped out to smooth things over: "Alright, it's getting late, let's eat quickly."

Hua Minghe thought for a moment and looked at Old Master Hua: "Father, I will go ask the Chief Constable for leave later. After I return, I will go with you to the Great Clan Elder's house in the afternoon."

Clan members were also people who looked up to the high and stepped on the low. The Old Master was old; going to apologize meant he would definitely have to humble himself. As a son, how could he watch his father bow his head to others?

He was, after all, a fifth-rank martial artist; the clan would give him some face.

Seeing that Hua Minghe was going to accompany him to the Great Clan Elder's house, Old Master Hua's expression was clearly happy.

His eldest son also had a stubborn temper. Because of his marriage, he had had unpleasantness with the clan, and for these years, he hadn't had much contact with them.

Now that his eldest son was willing to interact with the clan, he was truly happy. After all, the family would still have to rely on the eldest son to support it in the future.

Old Master Hua smiled: "Good, in the afternoon, we two will go see the Great Clan Elder together."

Unfortunately, plans could not keep up with changes.

Not long after the three brothers of Hua Minghe went out, the steward of the Great Clan Elder's house arrived and invited Old Master Hua and Old Lady Hua over at the same time.

In the side room, because she could cultivate, Hua Changxi felt that this confinement was not as difficult to endure as before.

However, because of the scene last night, Old Lady Hua had used the excuse of doing it for her own good. She guessed that her parents probably wouldn't secretly take care of her like they used to.

As for being hungry, Hua Changxi wasn't too worried; the family wouldn't starve her to death anyway.

What made her anxious now was the matter of applying to be an apprentice at the Medical Department.

"Mother~"

"Mother~"

Knowing that Old Master Hua and Old Lady Hua had gone out, Hua Changxi pounded on the door and loudly called for the Yao family.

The Yao family had no choice but to come outside the side room.

Hua Changxi: "Mother, let me out. I want to go to the Medical Department to sign up. I promise to go and return quickly; I will definitely be home before Grandfather and Grandmother return."

The Yao family stood still: "I told your father about applying to the Medical Department, and he doesn't agree."

Hua Changxi was anxious: "On what grounds does Father not agree? Besides, this is my business; it's useless even if he doesn't agree."

The Yao family frowned: "He is your father; of course he has the power to disagree. Alright, be quiet. I'll go get you something to eat."

Hua Changxi hurriedly stopped her: "Mother, you can't do this. If I miss the chance to apply to the Medical Department, I will hate you."

Upon hearing this, the Yao family stopped, turned to look at Hua Changxi, and was shocked: "You will hate your father and me just because we won't let you apply to the Medical Department?"

As soon as the words were out, Hua Changxi regretted it.

Her parents in this life were quite good to her.

With her modern values, no matter how she pretended, her words and actions were somewhat out of place with the young ladies of this era, but her parents tolerated all of this and didn't try to restrain her with all their might.

For this, she felt quite fortunate and grateful.

However, applying to the Medical Department was related to cultivation, so she had to fight for it to the end.

Seeing her daughter hanging her head and not speaking, the Yao family was silent. After a long while, she spoke: "Your grandmother always says your temperament is bad and that you always defy your elders. I didn't take it to heart because I thought you knew your limits."

"But now, just because a small matter didn't go your way, you want to hate your own parents. Ninth Miss, you have truly saddened me. Your temperament really needs to be changed."

After finishing, she left without looking back.

Hua Changxi shouted: "It's not a small matter, it's a big matter, a very important matter..."

Afterward, Hua Changxi called for the Yao family for a while longer, but could never get her to come over again.

"Why is it so hard to do something independently?"

At 2:00 PM, Old Master Hua and Old Lady Hua returned.

"Father, Mother, you are back. I will go serve you food."

Seeing the old couple return, the Second Aunt immediately stepped forward to greet them diligently.

Old Lady Hua shook her head: "No need, we already ate at the Great Clan Elder's house."

Upon hearing this, the three sisters-in-law of the Yao family couldn't help but look happy.

Second Aunt smiled: "They kept you for a meal at the Great Clan Elder's house; I suppose they are no longer angry with our family, right?"

Old Lady Hua did not answer the Second Aunt, but instead looked up at the Fourth Aunt, saying nothing.

The Fourth Aunt felt something was wrong and couldn't help but ask: "Mother, is there something wrong?"

As soon as the words fell, Old Master Hua stood up: "You tell the children; I am going out for a walk." After finishing, he strode out of the main room.

In the side room, Hua Changxi heard that Old Master Hua and Old Lady Hua had returned, so she peered out through the crack in the door.

"Huh, why did he go out again as soon as he got back?"

Seeing Old Master Hua go out with his hands behind his back, Hua Changxi was a bit strange. The next moment, she heard the Fourth Aunt's angry scream.

"No~"

"I don't agree!"

Hua Changxi thought to herself that something must have happened, and she peered through the crack in the door, trying to hear the conversation in the main room clearly. Unfortunately, the sound was suppressed by Old Lady Hua.

However, it wasn't long before someone came to enlighten Hua Changxi.

"Ninth Miss, the Great Clan Elder's house truly has no good intentions. They want the Fifth Sister to be a concubine for a man in his thirties."

Hua Qiniang rushed outside the side room, her eyes red and her voice choked with sobs.

Hua Changxi listened and was silent for a while.

Her previous guess had come true!

"Don't be anxious yet. As long as Grandfather, Grandmother, and Fourth Uncle and Aunt don't agree, the clan wouldn't dare to force the Fifth Sister to be a concubine."

Hua Qiniang's eyes became even redder: "But Grandfather and Grandmother agreed."

Hua Changxi looked surprised. Although Old Master Hua and Old Lady Hua favored boys over girls, she didn't believe they were people who would sell their daughter for glory.

"Did the clan threaten Grandfather and Grandmother?"

Hua Qiniang shook her head: "I don't know, but the clan promised benefits, saying they would give an admission spot to the martial arts academy, and all the cultivation resources for the first three years would be covered."

"Grandmother said that as long as the Fifth Sister agrees to be a concubine, this spot will be given to the Hua Shiyilang."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi didn't know what to say. The conditions offered by the clan—not to mention Old Master Hua and Old Lady Hua, she estimated that even the Fourth Uncle and Aunt would be tempted.

The Fourth Branch had five children, from oldest to youngest: Hua Wuniang, Hua Qiniang, Hua Hua Shiyilang, Hua Thirteenth Son, and Hua Fourteenth Miss.

The Hua Shiyilang was the eldest son of the Fourth Branch. In a situation where the resources in the family had already been mostly occupied by the Eldest and Second Branches, he had to find another way out.

Entering the martial arts academy, with all cultivation resources covered for the first three years, was undoubtedly a very good way out for the Hua Shiyilang.

"What did the Fourth Aunt say?"

Hua Qiniang's sobbing became heavier: "Mother didn't agree at first, but... after being persuaded by Grandmother for a while, she hesitated and said she would discuss it after Father returned."

Hua Changxi sighed. She had already foreseen the fate Hua Wuniang was about to face: "Go keep the Fifth Sister company."

Hua Qiniang could no longer hold back and crouched down to cry.

Not long after, Hua Twelfth Miss was called over by Old Lady Hua and told to take Hua Qiniang back to their room.

Hua Changxi felt sad for Hua Wuniang. This was the fate of women who lived by relying on the family; if the family wanted to trade her away, she had no power to resist.

On this day, the main room was never quiet. After the Second and Fourth Uncles returned from their shifts, a fierce argument broke out, and it wasn't until after 9:00 PM that the courtyard slowly quieted down.

Having been hungry for two days, Hua Changxi had no energy to eavesdrop on the situation in the main room and could only sit leaning against the door, cultivating in the moonlight.

Sunlight spilled over the earth again, and a new day began.

When Hua Changxi woke up from her cultivation, it was already mid-morning. Turning her head, she saw a paper package at the crack in the door, and her expression immediately brightened as she quickly picked it up.

Looking at the few pieces of mung bean cake in the paper package, Hua Changxi was so happy that her eyes crinkled.

She knew her parents, Third Brother, and Sixth Brother wouldn't ignore her.

After Hua Changxi finished the mung bean cake, she stood up and began to pound on the door again, preparing to call her mother over. Who knew that as soon as she pulled the door bolt, the door opened.

"Huh?"

Hua Changxi looked at the open door, stunned for half a second, then was ecstatic, and quickly stepped out of the side room.

The courtyard was quiet, and there was no one there.

Hua Changxi looked up at the sun in the sky. Cultivating in the morning light was so comfortable that she had been too immersed and didn't know when her family had gone out.

Too lazy to care where her family had gone, Hua Changxi quickly went to her parents' room; she had to take the household registration document and sign up at the Medical Department.

The Yao family almost never hid things from Hua Changxi when packing, so Hua Changxi quickly found the household registration document in the wardrobe.

After getting the document, Hua Changxi returned to her room, changed into clean clothes, and headed straight to the Medical Department to sign up.