Chapter 227: Elevating Hua Wuniang to Principal Wife

Hua Changxi did not wish to stay in the main hall; using the excuse of playing with He Xiaoman, she informed Old Lady Hua and took Hua Wuniang to her own room.

"Xiaoman's arms and legs are truly sturdy."

Hua Changxi smiled as she watched the energetic little child crawling endlessly on the bed, then suddenly looked at Hua Wuniang: "Is the rate of ancestral bloodline awakening high among the He family?"

Hua Wuniang smiled awkwardly: "I am not very clear on that."

She was merely a concubine; although the Marchioness now brought her along for the He family's social engagements, she remained excluded from the He family's internal private matters.

Seeing the embarrassment on Hua Wuniang's face, Hua Changxi realized she had asked the wrong question and hastily explained: "I merely wished to calculate whether our little Xiaoman might inherit the He family's ancestral bloodline awakening."

"The He family's Golden Tiger bloodline, when cultivated alongside body-refining techniques, undoubtedly yields formidable combat power."

Upon hearing this, Hua Wuniang immediately asked: "Ninth Sister, can you determine yet whether Xiaoman possesses a spiritual root?"

Innate spiritual roots generally exist from birth; however, at birth they are fragile and require gradual nurturing until they become supple and solid before cultivation can begin.

Those with abundant resources nurture their spiritual roots early and can begin cultivation by three or four years of age.

Those lacking resources, relying solely on the body to nurture the spiritual root, consider beginning cultivation in their late teens or twenties as early.

Hua Changxi had already employed the Observation, Listening, Questioning, and Pulse-Taking Technique to examine him, finding no spiritual root within He Xiaoman; looking at Hua Wuniang who gazed at her expectantly, she hesitated briefly before shaking her head.

Seeing this, Hua Wuniang first showed disappointment, then displayed an unwillingness to believe, seeking confirmation from Hua Changxi once more.

"Ninth Sister, the child is still so young; could it be that the spiritual root has not yet manifested, or perhaps, perhaps you made a mistake?"

Hua Changxi looked at her: "Fifth Sister, Xiaoman lacks a spiritual root, meaning he cannot pursue the path of a qi cultivator, but he can still follow the path of a body cultivator."

"Many in our family lack spiritual roots; do they not all practice body cultivation?"

"Moreover, Xiaoman possesses the He family bloodline; if he can achieve ancestral awakening, his future path of cultivation will not be poor."

Hearing these words, Hua Wuniang's expression improved somewhat, yet she looked at Hua Changxi with something left unsaid.

Seeing her like this, Hua Changxi felt somewhat headache-inducing: "Fifth Sister, speak whatever is on your mind directly."

Hua Wuniang said: "...Ninth Sister, I know you are very capable; I wish to know, do you happen to know any method to stimulate ancestral bloodline awakening in people?"

Hua Changxi looked at her: "Fifth Sister, why do you think to ask this? Did Third Master He send you to ask?"

Hua Wuniang first shook her head, then nodded: "Third Master did mention it, but I also wish to know myself; after all, the rate of ancestral bloodline awakening in our family is far too high, and I simply wish to know if it is because of you."

Hua Changxi replied: "Fifth Sister, the ancestral bloodline awakening in our family has nothing to do with me."

Hua Wuniang's eyes flashed; Ninth Sister had only stated that the family's ancestral awakening was unrelated to her, yet she had not denied possessing a method to stimulate such awakening in others.

"No one knows what this world will become in the future; since Xiaoman lacks a spiritual root, I just wished..."

Hua Wuniang grasped Hua Changxi's hand: "Ninth Sister, I merely wish for Xiaoman to have the strength to protect himself in the future; without a spiritual root, relying solely on body refinement will likely yield no prospects; can you help him achieve ancestral bloodline awakening?"

Hua Changxi withdrew her hand and smiled: "Fifth Sister, you worry too much; Xiaoman is still young."

Hua Wuniang said: "Ninth Sister, you may not yet comprehend a mother's heart; once you have children of your own, you will understand that every mother wishes to leave the best things for her child."

Hua Changxi continued to play with He Xiaoman, who was crawling on the bed, and did not respond.

Seeing this, Hua Wuniang walked over: "Ninth Sister, there is another matter I must tell you; Third Master said he intends to divorce his Third Lady."

Hua Changxi paused, looking at Hua Wuniang: "Was not Third Lady He sent to the manor? Why has Third Master He suddenly decided to divorce his wife?"

Hua Wuniang fell silent for a moment before speaking: "Third Master said that as an illegitimate son, he deeply understands the awkward position of such sons; he does not wish for Xiaoman to suffer the same cold stares from the world."

"He wishes... he wishes..."

Seeing Hua Wuniang struggling to speak, Hua Changxi voiced it for her: "Does Third Master He wish to elevate you to the position of principal wife?"

Hua Wuniang nodded: "Yes; before the return visit, Third Master approached the Marquis regarding this matter, and both the Marquis and the people of Hou Fu agreed." Speaking thus, she paused, a hint of joy subtly appearing on her face.

"Third Master should also inform the family of this today; Ninth Sister, once I am elevated, I will no longer be a concubine and will no longer bring shame upon the family."

Hua Changxi asked: "Third Master He only spoke of wishing to divorce his wife before the return visit?"

Hua Wuniang's eyes flashed slightly as she nodded; she understood clearly in her heart that Third Master's decisive decision to divorce his wife, coupled with Hou Fu's lack of obstruction, was entirely because Ninth Sister had obtained the Divine Wood Secret Realm.

The He family had seen signs of the Hua family's prosperity and wished to forge a closer relationship with them.

"Ninth Sister, are you not happy for me?"

Hua Changxi smiled faintly: "Fifth Sister, you are the one living these days; as long as you are happy, that is what matters."

Hua Wuniang once again took Hua Changxi's hand: "Ninth Sister, I know the He family has its own schemes, but once I am elevated, I will become a legitimate daughter-in-law of Hou Fu, and the Hua family will have gained a powerful marital alliance."

"This is also a good thing for the Hua family, is it not?"

Hua Changxi smiled and withdrew her hand once more: "Fifth Sister, as you know, matters within our family are decided by Grandfather and Grandmother; there is truly no need for you to discuss these things with me."

Hua Wuniang perceived Hua Changxi's aloofness and, greatly puzzled, hesitated before finally asking: "Ninth Sister, do you feel I ought not to be elevated?"

Hua Changxi laughed lightly: "Fifth Sister, to speak words you may not wish to hear, your life within Hou Fu concerns me not; live as you please, and there is no need to care about anyone else's opinions."

Hua Wuniang said: "But we are family; your opinions matter greatly to me."

Hua Changxi fell silent for a moment: "Fifth Sister, since you put it that way, I shall share my thoughts with you."

"Whether Hou Fu elevates you is Hou Fu's decision; I have no objection, nor do I have the right to object."

"However, I simply feel that Third Master He is far too heartless; I am unwilling to acknowledge such a brother-in-law."

Hua Wuniang was truly bewildered: "Ninth Sister, initially Third Lady wished for me to die in childbirth, and it was you who insisted on punishing Third Lady severely; I thought you detested her."

Hua Changxi replied: "I indeed detest Third Lady He for attempting to take your life, but that does not prevent me from also detesting Third Master He."

"People like Third Master He always prioritize their own interests above all else."

"When you were giving birth, he only desired a son to continue the lineage; thus, when you suffered severe hemorrhaging after delivering the child, whether you lived or died was of no consequence to him; he could disregard the danger to your life."

"Now, seeing that the Hua family has something to be exploited and wishing to curry favor with them, he casually sacrifices his original principal wife."

"Such a person who profits by sacrificing women is exceedingly selfish and exceedingly heartless."

Hua Wuniang stood stunned; Third Master He intended to elevate her, and she had been so focused on the change in status for herself and her son that she had not considered the points Ninth Sister raised.

Hua Changxi said: "Fifth Sister, Third Master He views women as tools, summoning them when needed and discarding them when not; this is something I cannot tolerate, and he and I are simply not the same kind of people."

"Therefore, Fifth Sister, let me warn you in advance: do not come to me regarding He family matters in the future; even if you do, I will not respond."

In the main hall, Third Master He indeed informed the Hua family of his intention to elevate Hua Wuniang, and as he had anticipated, most of the Hua family reacted with overwhelming surprise and flattered delight.

Among the powerful nobles of the capital, the Marquis Wu Yi's residence was certainly ranked high, whereas the Hua family was merely a humble household.

For the Hua family to ally with the Marquis's residence was once unthinkable; now that they had become relatives by marriage, it was absolutely a glory to their ancestors.

However, at the banquet for the bride's return home, Third Master He noticed that Hua Changxi did not treat him kindly, her eyes even revealing a hint of disgust, which puzzled him greatly.

By elevating Fifth Lady Hua to the position of principal wife, the Hua family and the Marquis's residence had become proper in-laws, allowing the Hua family to break into the circle of capital nobility through the Marquis; with such great sincerity, what dissatisfaction could Ninth Lady Hua possibly have?