Chapter 139: Thirty Years East, Thirty Years West

Outside the room, Yao Shi heard the argument between her eldest son and daughter. She hesitated about whether to go in and mediate, but was pulled directly to the kitchen by Old Madam Hua.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, since you and the eldest son are reluctant to discipline Jiuniang, let Dalang do it. In the past two years, Jiuniang has been coming home less and less. If you want to let her go on like this, then continue to indulge her."

Second Aunt Hua also followed: "That's right, sister-in-law. Jiuniang is becoming more and more estranged from the family. She doesn't even tell the family when she does things outside. How is this like a family?"

Because of Hua Dalang's investigation, the Hua family knew that Hua Changxi had opened eleven pharmacies in the capital and had a Fire Spirit Mine in Sancha Medicine Valley.

The Hua family's reaction to this was very strong.

Yao Shi heard Old Madam Hua and Second Aunt Hua's words, feeling both helpless and powerless.

That her daughter didn't trust her family, and was even somewhat guarded against them, was something she hadn't expected. Before, she only thought Jiuniang had a stubborn temperament, but in the past two years, she increasingly discovered that she didn't seem to understand her own daughter at all.

Opening a pharmacy was one thing, but that Fire Spirit Mine in Sancha Medicine Valley, she had quietly found outsiders to partner with and occupy it. This completely exceeded her imagination.

You must know, Sancha Medicine Valley was imperial court territory, and the Fire Spirit Mine was so close. How did Jiuniang dare to occupy it as her own? The fearlessness toward the imperial court revealed by her daughter made her heart jump.

Yao Shi also knew that her daughter needed discipline, otherwise, she was really afraid that one day she would do something earth-shattering and irreparable.

Fourth Aunt Hua was grateful to Hua Jiuniang from the bottom of her heart. She knew that the family was coveting the industry Jiuniang had earned, so she couldn't say anything, only saying: "Sister-in-law, Dalang has a sense of proportion. Let the siblings talk it out properly."

As a married-out daughter, Third Aunt Hua couldn't interfere in her maiden family's affairs, so she had been silent.

However, she truly admired her niece Jiuniang. Without a sound, she had earned such an industry for herself, which was even more impressive than most men.

In the Hua family main hall, Hua Mingzhe talked happily with Old Master Hua and the three brothers of Hua Minghe. Sometimes when the topic ended, he would take the initiative to bring up new topics to ensure the atmosphere in the room was harmonious and happy.

Hua Hongchen and Hua Hongtao sat silently to the side. Watching their father quietly flattering Old Master Hua and the others, they felt uncomfortable.

Because their great-grandfather was the great elder of the Hua clan, their family had always been competed for and flattered by clan members. But in the last year or two, everything had changed.

Because of the appearance of cultivators, and because no one in their family had spiritual roots except for their younger sister Hua Wanyue, their family's status in the clan had plummeted.

Once, if Grandfather Bin's family wanted to see their grandfather or father, they had to send word in advance and wait to see if their grandfather or father had the time and mood to see them.

But now, because Grandfather Bin's family were all cultivators, their status in the clan had instantly risen by a large margin.

That the whole family were cultivators, after this was exposed, not only them but other Hua clan members were shocked beyond belief.

But the fact was, Grandfather Bin's family were truly all cultivators. Although more than half were body-refining cultivators, body refining was also a form of cultivation.

Cultivators with spiritual veins were a minority after all. Body refining provided a path of cultivation for those without spiritual veins, and becoming a body-refining cultivator was something many people dreamed of.

Grandfather Bin was also appointed as the twelfth elder of the Hua clan by the clan leader because he contributed body-refining techniques to the clan.

Hua Silang and others who were cultivating in the Count's Mansion also rose with the tide. Now, when the Count's heir went out to visit friends, he would take them with him, clearly treating them as confidants to be cultivated.

Now, it was their family's turn to beg Grandfather Bin's family.

Great-grandfather still had some face with the Count. He learned from the Count that the body-refining technique Grandfather Bin contributed to the clan was not the best, and they had even better body-refining techniques in their hands.

Their father was flattering Grandfather Bin's family so much just to win better body-refining techniques for them, so they could stand out in the clan.

Watching Old Master Hua, who was flushed with flattery and had long forgotten the unpleasantness with Hua Jiuniang, Hua Hongchen and Hua Hongtao looked at each other, their eyes filled with self-reproach and guilt.

Their father had sacrificed his face for them like this; who knew if he could achieve his goal?

In Hua Changxi's room, facing Hua Dalang who accused her of not having the family in her heart, at first, she really started to reflect on herself, thinking she had gone too far, but soon, she became clear-headed again.

"Eldest Brother, everyone must be responsible for their own life. Don't push the life you should bear onto me."

"You eat as much as you are capable of."

"The prosperity of the Hua family depends on everyone in the Hua family, not just me alone. I ask myself, my contribution to the family is enough."

"I dare say, everyone in the family has benefited because of me. Don't just keep picking on me. If you have the ability, go urge the other brothers and sisters in the family to work hard."

"As for what you said about the danger encountered in the turbulent situation, there is no way around it. Everything I possess now didn't come out of thin air; I am also risking my life."

Hua Dalang looked at Hua Changxi in disbelief: "Father and Mother love you so much, they have indulged you to be so selfish, only knowing how to think for yourself, you are simply..."

Before Hua Dalang's angry words could come out, with a 'creak', the door was forcibly pushed open by Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang.

"It's time to eat."

"Eldest Brother, Uncle and the others are still in the main hall. Grandfather wants you to go keep them company." Hua Sanlang pulled Hua Dalang out of the room and gave Hua Liulang a look.

After the two left, Hua Liulang walked to Hua Changxi and sat down: "Eldest Brother is just like that, always liking to preach. I'm annoyed by him too."

While speaking, he looked at Hua Changxi. Seeing she didn't speak, Hua Liulang added, "Eldest Brother's mouth is a bit annoying, but he is a good person. He is wholeheartedly for the good of our family."

Hua Changxi looked over: "Eldest Brother is wholeheartedly for the good of the family, then that's good. I didn't stop him, but he shouldn't require me to be like him."

Hearing this, Hua Liulang asked weakly: "Jiuniang, don't you want our family to be well?"

Hua Changxi: "Did I not do good for this family? Can't you see what I've done for the family? Must I sacrifice everything to be considered good for the family?"

She paused.

"Eldest Brother is wholeheartedly planning for the family because he will inherit this family in the future. But what about me? I am not within this scope of inheritance, yet I am asked to contribute all my strength to this family. Why?"

Hua Liulang was bald-headed, scratching his head, not knowing how to respond: "... Then you can't fall out with the family, right?"

Hua Changxi: "I don't want to fall out. I won't ask about what the family does, and the family shouldn't ask about what I do. I want to be at peace with each other. It's Grandfather and Eldest Brother who are unwilling; they insist on making me act according to their wishes."

As she spoke, she looked exhausted.

"Sixth Brother, every time I come home, I feel very tired. Clearly, it's the family who is greedy, but they act as if I did something wrong. If this continues, I really don't want to come back."

Hua Liulang was anxious: "Don't, if you don't come back, Father and Mother will be sad."

Hua Changxi looked bitter: "The storage bag I gave to Father, Father gave it to Eldest Brother. I gave him the storage bag because I wanted him to have extra protection, because I was worried about his safety. This was my intention and concern for him, but he gave my intention away."

Hua Liulang said dryly: "Eldest Brother is in the Demon-Suppressing Army, and his work is more dangerous, so Father gave the storage bag to Eldest Brother."

Hua Changxi knew the family would persuade her like this, so she didn't want to speak anymore.

Hua Liulang's head swelled. He didn't know how to persuade her, fearing that if he said something wrong, it would make the relationship between his sister and the family even more rigid, so he could only stiffly change the topic.

"By the way, Grandfather is now the twelfth elder of the Hua clan. Now the clan values our family very much."

Hua Changxi was indeed distracted, surprised: "How did Grandfather become a clan elder?"

Hua Liulang's expression stiffened, and he wanted to slap himself. Why did he choose such a topic?

Hua Changxi looked at his reaction and thought for a moment: "Did Grandfather give the body-refining technique to the clan?"

Hua Liulang was shocked: "You know?"

Hua Changxi's expression was very calm: "Given our family's situation, is it hard to guess what could be exchanged for a clan elder position?"

Hua Liulang looked at Hua Changxi's face: "Jiuniang, you aren't angry, are you?"

Hua Changxi didn't speak. She didn't mind the Qihuang body-refining technique being spread out. According to her understanding, the things in the Qihuang Hall were originally meant to be spread to everyone.

What she cared about was that the family used the resources she brought back, but still kept asking for more, which really made her feel somewhat annoyed.

Just then, Fourth Aunt Hua's voice sounded in the courtyard.

"Wuniang, Third Master, why are you here?"

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I accompanied Wuniang and the child to come over to celebrate the festival with everyone."

Hua Changxi and Hua Liulang looked into the courtyard and saw Hua Wuniang holding the child, standing beside Third Master He. Behind them were several maids, and the maids were holding generous gifts in their hands.

"This is the first time Third Master He has visited our home, right? Truly a rare guest." ===== CHAPTER 140 =====