Chapter 41: Sentiment and Obligation

"Nine-Niang!"

Knowing that Hua Changxi was on holiday today, Hua Sixth Brother had been waiting at the back door of the Medicine Department early.

From several meters away, Hua Changxi could see the good mood that her Sixth Brother couldn't hide. After walking closer, she couldn't help but joke: "Sixth Brother, so happy, are you already a second-grade martial artist now?"

The smile on Hua Sixth Brother's face faded, and he said in surprise: "How did you see that? I wanted to give you a surprise."

Seeing that he had really become a second-grade martial artist, Hua Changxi was happy: "Martial arts have improved, congratulations, Sixth Brother."

Hua Sixth Brother scratched his head with a smile: "I could become a second-grade martial artist, thanks to you, Nine-Niang." As he spoke, he took the luggage on Hua Changxi's shoulder.

Hua Changxi walked out with Hua Sixth Brother: "Sixth Brother, this is just the beginning. I still have bone-forging pills in my hand. I'll give them to you when I get back. Sixth Brother, work hard on martial arts. I'll cover all the pills you need."

Hua Sixth Brother stopped and looked at Hua Changxi with wide eyes: "Nine-Niang, you... you're serious?"

Because he used the body-tempering pills and qi-blood pills given by Nine-Niang, he became a second-grade martial artist in just over a month. If he really had a steady supply of pills, wouldn't he really have a day to become a Grandmaster?

Hua Changxi took a porcelain bottle directly from the luggage and stuffed it to Hua Sixth Brother: "There are 50 bone-forging pills in here. I don't know to what extent martial artists need to forge bones, so take these and use them first. If it's not enough, tell me."

Hua Sixth Brother held the porcelain bottle, a bit scared. You know, a bone-forging pill in the pharmacy costs ten taels of silver, and fifty pills is five hundred taels of silver.

Last time Nine-Niang gave him more than five hundred taels of silver worth of pills. Not long after, she took out so many again, which made Hua Sixth Brother very worried.

If being a menial was so profitable, he thought everyone would want to come to be a menial.

"Nine-Niang, what exactly are you doing in the Menial Hall?"

Last time Nine-Niang didn't explain it clearly to him, and he had been thinking about this during this time.

Seeing her Sixth Brother looking at her with a "don't go astray" look, Hua Changxi was helpless and could only say: "I'm not refining medicine? I'm secretly helping a eunuch refine medicine. The pills I gave you are the reward I deserve."

Hearing this, Hua Sixth Brother breathed a sigh of relief, but the worry on his face remained: "What if you are discovered secretly refining medicine?"

Hua Changxi didn't care: "If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. I'm just a little menial who listens to instructions."

Hua Sixth Brother was still worried: "You'd better be careful. Didn't Father go out of the capital to handle official business last time? He ran outside for more than a month, not only was he injured, but he also had to accept punishment after coming back."

Hua Changxi was shocked: "Is Father's injury serious? How is he now? Sixth Brother, why didn't you tell me this when you came to see me before?"

Hua Sixth Brother: "Don't worry, Father's injury is not serious, and he is fine now. It was Father and Mother who didn't let me tell you, fearing you would worry."

Hua Changxi looked at him seriously: "Sixth Brother, when I'm not at home, you must tell me if anything happens at home."

"Especially things like injuries and illnesses. I might not be able to help with other things, but I am definitely better than ordinary doctors at seeing injuries and treating illnesses."

Hua Sixth Brother nodded repeatedly: "Okay, I will definitely tell you if anything happens at home in the future." After Hua Changxi's emotions calmed down, he continued.

"Father was punished, not because Father did anything wrong, but because he was a scapegoat for his superior."

"Nine-Niang, Father is an old man of the Six Fan Gate. Even he couldn't avoid being pushed out to take the blame, let alone you."

"You just entered the Medicine Department and haven't figured out anything, yet you cooperated with others to refine medicine. I'm afraid that if something happens, you will be pushed out by that eunuch to block the knife."

"Father said that people in officialdom are best at shirking responsibility."

Hua Changxi knew her Sixth Brother was worried about her, so she didn't interrupt him, listened to him patiently, and then said: "Sixth Brother, don't worry, I will be careful."

Just as the brothers and sisters were about to walk out of the back street, a speeding carriage drove up from behind.

Hearing the sound of horse hooves, Hua Sixth Brother hurriedly pulled Hua Changxi to lean against the wall. Hua Changxi turned her head to look at the carriage, and seeing this, she was surprised.

"Sister Changxi!"

The person driving the carriage was Yu Gui, Wan Xiaozhou, and Li Meng. The three were also surprised to see Hua Changxi.

"Whoa—"

Stopping the carriage, Yu Gui jumped off the carriage and walked to Hua Changxi with a smile: "Sister Changxi, the people in the Menial Hall left early, and it's almost noon, why are you leaving now?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "Something delayed me. What about you, why did you leave so late?"

Yu Gui touched his nose and looked around. Seeing that there was no one on the back street, he said to Wan Xiaozhou and Li Meng, who were still sitting on the carriage: "Move some New Year goods down for Sister Changxi."

Hua Changxi looked at the things on the carriage. Because the carriage didn't have a carriage box, everything on it could be seen.

A full carriage, all kinds of New Year goods.

Soon, Li Meng and Wan Xiaozhou each brought a large bag over.

Hua Changxi hurriedly declined: "Brother Yu, I can't take your New Year goods."

Yu Gui laughed: "These are not the New Year goods I prepared, but the New Year goods issued by the Medicine Department to the Menial Hall."

Wan Xiaozhou also helped: "Sister Changxi, Brother Yu gave them to you, so just take them."

Hua Changxi looked at Yu Gui suspiciously: "The Menial Hall's New Year goods? Do we menials also have New Year goods?"

When she went to the First Bureau to collect silver, she saw apprentices from the Apprentice Hall carrying large and small bags, saying they were New Year goods issued by the Apprentice Hall. At that time, she was still a bit envious.

Yu Gui was a bit embarrassed and said vaguely: "The Menial Hall has never issued New Year goods."

The New Year goods issued by the Medicine Department to the Menial Hall had always been split equally by several eunuchs. Yu Gui could get a carriage, still because of Eunuch Yu.

Hua Sixth Brother had been helping in the Hua family pharmacy for a few months and had some discernment. Feeling that the atmosphere was wrong, he immediately said with a smile: "Nine-Niang, who is this brother?"

Hua Changxi also didn't continue to grab the matter of New Year goods and introduced her Sixth Brother with a smile: "Sixth Brother, this is Brother Yu. He is the steward of the warehouse and takes good care of me on weekdays."

"Brother Yu, this is my Sixth Brother, Hua Hongming."

Yu Gui smiled and exchanged greetings with Hua Sixth Brother, and after chatting for a while, he said goodbye.

Watching the carriage go far away, Hua Sixth Brother bent down to look through the two large bags left by Yu Gui.

A bag of ten catties of white rice, a bag of ten catties of white flour, a bag of white sugar, a bag of salt, a bag of red dates, a bag of tea leaves.

"Nine-Niang, these New Year goods are quite a lot. It seems that Yu Gui is really good to you."

Hua Changxi was in a low mood: "But these things were originally New Year goods that should have been issued to menials, but now they have become a favor."

Hua Sixth Brother was silent: "... All government offices are like this."

Hua Changxi didn't want to continue this topic to affect her mood, so she carried a bag of New Year goods: "Sixth Brother, let's go home."

Hua Sixth Brother quickly picked up another bag and said with a smile: "It's time to go back. We have to walk faster. Father and Mother have been looking forward to your return."

"By the way, Nine-Niang, Eldest Brother is back."

"Really? When did he come back?"

"He came back the day before yesterday. Let me tell you, Eldest Brother is now a sixth-grade martial artist, even more powerful than Father, which made Grandfather and Grandmother very happy."

"Then while Eldest Brother is here, you must ask him for advice."

"Mm, I think so too. As long as I have time, I will definitely ask Eldest Brother to guide me in practicing martial arts."

"Hoo—hoo—"

Hua Sixth Brother was slightly out of breath. Seeing that Hua Changxi was fine, he couldn't help but say: "Nine-Niang, why do I find that you are not only much stronger, but your foot speed is also faster than mine."

"Maybe it's because I've done more work in the Menial Hall, so my hands and feet are more flexible than before. Sixth Brother, you must work hard on martial arts, don't let me surpass you in the future."

"Impossible, how could I not surpass you? Absolutely impossible."

The brothers and sisters chatted and competed with each other's foot speed. The journey that should have taken more than an hour took less than half an hour.

Hua family courtyard.

When Hua Changxi and Hua Sixth Brother returned, the men of the Hua family were sitting in the living room chatting, and the women of the Hua family were either busy in the kitchen or pasting couplets, New Year pictures, and window flowers.

"Nine-Niang is back."

Hua Seventh Sister was the first to see Hua Changxi and Hua Sixth Brother and immediately shouted loudly toward the main hall.

"Sixth Brother, what did you bring back?"

Hua Eighth Brother ran out of the main hall. Seeing Hua Sixth Brother carrying things, he immediately ran over.

Hua Sixth Brother smiled: "These are the New Year goods brought back by Nine-Niang."

At this time, Yao Shi also came out of the kitchen and looked at her daughter in surprise: "Isn't the Menial Hall busy? Why do you have time to prepare New Year goods?" As she spoke, she flipped through the things in the bag.

Hua Changxi: "These are New Year goods issued by the Menial Hall."

Hua Second Aunt also walked out, surprised: "Menials also have New Year goods?" She also followed Yao Shi to flip through the things in the bag.

After looking, she exclaimed in surprise.

"No wonder everyone wants to enter the government office to work. Even a small menial in the Medicine Department can bring back so many New Year goods."

Hua Old Grandmother walked out of the main hall. Seeing the people gathered in the courtyard, she said unhappily: "What are you doing gathered together? Don't you see what time it is? Is the New Year's Eve dinner ready?"

Yao Shi hurriedly smiled: "It's almost ready. Grandmother, Nine-Niang brought New Year goods back to honor you. Come and see."

Hua Old Grandmother glanced at the two large bags gathered by the crowd: "What's there to see." As she said this, she turned and entered the main hall.

Seeing this, the smile on Yao Shi's face stiffened. Just as she wanted to say something to Hua Changxi, she heard her eldest son's voice.

"Nine-Niang, why don't you hurry into the room to pay respects to Grandfather and Grandmother."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Eldest Brother standing at the door of the main hall, seeing him looking at herself seriously, and felt uncomfortable in her heart.

This Eldest Brother, it was true that he loved his younger brothers and sisters, and he would rush to the front when something happened, but he was just too pedantic and valued rules too much.

Hua Changxi gave up the idea of arguing with him, gave up the idea of theory, and walked into the main hall: "Grandfather, Grandmother, I'm back."

Hua Old Grandmother saw that she didn't kneel or bow, and said sarcastically: "Yo, I wonder who it is, so it's my Hua family's menial who is back."

Hua Changxi looked at her: "Grandmother, don't look down on menials. Maybe one day I will become the most promising person in our family."

Hua Old Grandmother really wanted to prick her a few more words, but Hua Old Grandfather spoke up from the side: "Talk about business." As he spoke, he looked at Hua Minghe sitting on the side.

Hua Minghe coughed lightly: "Nine-Niang, are the bone-strengthening pills you gave Sixth Brother really refined by you?"

Hua Changxi looked at her father asking this in front of everyone in the Hua family, and knew that her refining medicine was no secret in the Hua family.

Just as Hua Sixth Brother walked in, Hua Changxi looked at him angrily.

Hua Sixth Brother hurriedly said: "I didn't want to say it, but Father was worried about you and said he wanted to go to the Menial Hall to ask you clearly, so I told him you could refine medicine."

Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi: "Don't blame your Sixth Brother. You let him give the bone-strengthening pills to me, so I definitely have to ask clearly where they came from."

Hua Second Uncle followed: "That's right, what can't be said in a family."

Hua Changxi didn't think about hiding her refining medicine from her family, so she didn't hide it and roughly talked about her cooperation with Eunuch Yu: "Those pills were refined by me. I provide the technology, others provide the medicinal materials, and after refining, we split the profits four-six."

Hua Old Grandfather asked eagerly: "Nine-Niang, can you refine the shackles-breaking pill? Your Eldest Brother is now a sixth-grade martial artist. As long as he breaks the twenty-four shackles in his body, he can become a seventh-grade martial artist."

A seventh-grade martial artist is considered to have entered the ranks of experts. As long as Eldest Brother becomes a seventh-grade martial artist, it is not only beneficial to his future, but also a guarantee for the entire Hua family.

Other children and grandchildren of the Hua family can also have better development in the capital because a seventh-grade martial artist stands behind them.

Hua Changxi glanced at Hua Eldest Brother, who was pretending to be calm but whose eyes were still flickering with tension, and nodded: "If there are medicinal materials, I can refine them."

Hua Eldest Brother couldn't help it: "Do you know the prescription for the shackles-breaking pill?"

Hua Changxi didn't know the formula of the shackles-breaking pill sold on the market, but she could match it herself: "I know."

Hua Eldest Brother was silent for a while: "What medicinal materials do you need?"

Hua Changxi reported twenty-four kinds of medicinal materials in one breath. Every medicinal material was expensive, and there were several medicinal materials that Hua Eldest Brother had never heard of.

Seeing Hua Eldest Brother silent, the others in the Hua family were a bit anxious.

Hua Old Grandfather cared most about the eldest grandson's future and asked eagerly: "Eldest Brother, how is it? Can you get the medicinal materials Nine-Niang mentioned?"

Pausing, "Don't worry about not having enough silver. Your Grandmother and I still have some coffin money. As long as we can help you become a seventh-grade martial artist, our whole family will support you."

Hua Eldest Brother certainly wouldn't want the coffin money of Hua Old Grandfather and Hua Old Grandmother, and said with a smile: "Grandfather, I will think of a way for the medicinal materials myself. I have also known some people in the Martial Arts Academy for these years, so I will visit them one by one during the New Year."

Hua Minghe glanced at his eldest son, then looked at Sixth Brother and Nine-Niang who were winking at each other, and stood up: "Father, today is New Year's Eve, a day for family reunion. Let's talk about Eldest Brother's affairs later."

Hua Old Grandfather squinted at Hua Minghe and said unhappily: "Eldest Brother's affairs are the biggest affairs in our family."

As he said this, he looked at Hua Changxi.

"Nine-Niang, you also have to contribute to Eldest Brother's affairs. You have to know that having a seventh-grade martial artist brother, you can also stand straighter when you go out."

Hua Changxi: "Grandfather, I will contribute. As long as Eldest Brother collects the medicinal materials, I will definitely help him refine the medicine."

Hua Old Grandfather was silent for a while, and for the sake of the entire Hua family, he finally spoke: "Nine-Niang, you cooperate with others to refine medicine. Besides the pills given to Sixth Brother, you still have a lot left, right?"

Hua Changxi instantly understood Hua Old Grandfather's meaning and immediately smiled: "Grandfather, do you know how much silver it takes to find a pharmacist who can refine the shackles-breaking pill?"

Hua Eldest Brother listened and looked at Hua Changxi, frowning: "Nine-Niang, what do you mean by this? Do you and I, brother and sister, still need to be so clear?"

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Eldest Brother, not to mention you, even Father and Mother, in my place, some things should be clear, so they must be clear."

"Helping you refine the shackles-breaking pill is for the sake of the brother-sister sentiment between you and me, but you have to know that this is not my obligation."

Hua Eldest Brother's brows tied into a knot: "Nine-Niang, how can you have such rebellious thoughts? You are a daughter of the Hua family, everything you have is given by the Hua family."

Hua Changxi's face turned cold instantly: "Eldest Brother, I admit that some things were given to me by Father and Mother, but if you want to say that everything I have is given by the Hua family, I will never admit this."

Hua Eldest Brother stood up with a "swoosh" and said angrily: "You have only been in the Medicine Department for a few months, how did you become so ignorant of the heights of the earth!"

Hua Changxi sneered: "Is it that I don't know the heights of the earth, or is it that you, Eldest Brother, want to take all the advantages and sit back and enjoy the fruits?"

Seeing Sixth Brother and Nine-Niang arguing, Hua Sixth Brother didn't know what to do and hurriedly looked at Hua Minghe for help.

Hua Minghe's face was quite ugly because of the eldest son and daughter arguing on New Year's Eve, and he said to Hua Sixth Brother: "Sixth Brother, take Nine-Niang back to her room."

Hua Changxi looked around at the Hua family in the main hall and turned to leave.

Hua Eldest Brother saw her attitude and looked at Hua Minghe in confusion: "Father, how did Nine-Niang become so ignorant of etiquette? You and Mother really shouldn't have let her go to the Medicine Department." ===== CHAPTER 42 =====

Hua Changxi glanced around at the Hua family members in the main room, then turned and left.

Seeing her attitude, Hua Dalang looked at Hua Minghe in confusion: "Father, how has Jiuniang become so lacking in manners? You and Mother really shouldn't have let her go to the Medicine Department."