Chapter 42: Family Structure

"I know now that in Father's heart, a daughter is still not as good as a son."

Hua Changxi returned to her room with a long face.

Hua Sixth Brother followed behind. Hearing her complain like this, he immediately retorted: "Nine-Niang, what are you saying? How much Father loves you on weekdays, even I am jealous when I see it."

Hua Changxi hummed: "Yes, Father loves me, I don't deny this. But Father's love for me is different from his love for Eldest Brother."

"Father loves me, but it's just buying me some food and clothes, while for Eldest Brother, he cares about his feelings and takes care of his face."

"Just now in the main hall, it was clearly Eldest Brother who was picking a fight, but the person Father drove away was me. He was maintaining Eldest Brother's dignity, without any regard for whether I could pass on the surface."

"In Father's heart, Eldest Brother is much more important than me."

Hua Sixth Brother had a headache: "Why do you have to compare with Eldest Brother?"

Hua Changxi asked back: "Why can't I compare with Eldest Brother?"

Hua Sixth Brother didn't know what to say.

Hua Changxi said sadly: "Being a daughter of the Hua family is quite sad. Grandfather and the others seem to never see my value, or rather, they see it and choose to turn a blind eye."

"Pharmacist Xu can refine pills for third-grade martial artists at most. Every time Father sees him, isn't he polite?"

"I, a pharmacist who can refine pills needed by sixth-grade martial artists—just now in the main hall, Sixth Brother, you saw how the family treated me."

"Especially Eldest Brother, does he dare to be bossy to a pharmacist outside? Is it just because I am his sister that he can order me around at will?"

"Grandfather is even more ridiculous. It's not enough for me to contribute, he even wants to scrape out my private money to support his grandson. In his eyes, I am not his granddaughter, but a tool whose thoughts and feelings don't need to be cared about."

Hua Sixth Brother hurriedly said: "Not to that extent, how can it be so serious."

Hua Changxi: "How can it not be so serious? As soon as I came back, Grandfather and the others didn't ask if I was doing well in the Menial Hall, but came up to ask about refining medicine."

Knowing that Sixth Brother couldn't empathize with her, Hua Changxi waved her hand: "Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. Sixth Brother, go play, I want to rest."

Hua Sixth Brother knew that he couldn't win against his sister in reasoning and couldn't persuade her, so he could only leave first.

Hua Changxi inserted the door bolt, opened the luggage she brought back, and sorted out the pills inside. Except for the body-strengthening pills specially refined and the pills left for Hua Sixth Brother to practice martial arts, she planned to sell the others.

She had no place to spend money in the Menial Hall, but she wanted to buy a house, a courtyard that belonged only to her.

The Hua family had too many people, and there was no privacy in doing anything at home.

In the future, the number of times she refined medicine would only increase, and she needed a secret base.

If she refined it in the Hua family, with the temper of Hua Old Grandfather and Hua Old Grandmother, they would definitely force her to hand over the results.

Even if she could resist, it would cause trouble. She could ignore others, but she couldn't ignore her father and mother.

Hua Changxi put the pills to be sold into another luggage, and just as she put it in the cabinet, she heard a knock on the door: "Who is it?"

"It's me, Third Brother!"

Hua Changxi locked the cabinet and opened the door, looking at Hua Third Brother in surprise: "Third Brother, do you have something to do with me?"

Hua Third Brother laughed: "Can't I find you if there's nothing to do?"

Hua Changxi moved aside to let Hua Third Brother into the room: "Are you here to open my mind?"

Hua Third Brother asked with a smile: "Do you need me to open your mind?"

Hua Changxi shook her head: "No need."

Hua Third Brother sat down: "Then that's it, I'm looking for you for something else."

Hua Changxi looked at him: "What is it?"

Hua Third Brother's expression became serious: "I studied the qi-blood pills, body-tempering pills, and bone-strengthening pills you gave Sixth Brother and found that the efficacy is much better than what is sold on the market."

Hua Changxi gave Hua Third Brother a "knowing goods" look.

Hua Third Brother: "Nine-Niang, can you show me the prescription?"

Hua Changxi didn't say give or not give, but asked: "Does Third Brother also want to refine medicine?"

Hua Third Brother smiled: "Speaking of which, most of my ability to refine medicine was guided by you."

Hua Changxi asked again: "Third Brother, is your refining medicine for yourself, or for the family?"

Hua Third Brother was stunned: "Is there any difference?"

Hua Changxi: "Of course there is a difference, you answer me quickly."

Hua Third Brother: "The efficacy of the pills is so good, if I can also refine them, then put them in our family's pharmacy to sell. This way, it can add some income to the family, and the pills needed for me and other brothers in the family to practice martial arts will also be available."

Hua Changxi: "That is refining medicine for the family. Since that's the case, the silver earned by the pharmacy must have a share for me."

Hua Third Brother hesitated: "I can't be the master of the pharmacy's affairs."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Then you go find someone who can be the master to talk about this." Pausing, "Third Brother, looking for me to get the prescription, it shouldn't be your own idea, right?"

Hua Third Brother was silent: "Nine-Niang, we are all one family..."

Hua Changxi directly interrupted him: "Brothers calculate accounts clearly. Third Brother, this matter is not negotiable."

Hua Third Brother sighed, stood up: "Then I'll go talk to Grandfather." After saying this, he was about to turn and leave. When he stepped out of the threshold, he turned back and asked.

"Nine-Niang, what if I refine medicine for myself?"

Hua Changxi smiled: "You are my Third Brother, just a few prescriptions, I am still willing."

Hua Third Brother's expression moved, didn't say anything, and left quickly.

"What, Nine-Niang also wants to split the silver in the pharmacy? She is a young lady, what silver does she want!"

First, letting Hua Changxi take silver to buy medicine for Hua Eldest Brother was fruitless, and now she wanted to take out the prescription for the family to use, and she wanted to split the profits.

Hua Old Grandfather was extremely dissatisfied with this granddaughter, constantly sucking on the dry tobacco, and before long, the main hall was full of the smell of dry tobacco.

Hua Second Uncle looked at the old grandfather. Seeing that the old grandfather was unwilling to speak directly to the eldest brother, in order for his two sons to practice martial arts, he could only say it himself.

"Eldest Brother, if you don't manage Nine-Niang again, she will really climb on top of all of us."

Hua Minghe glanced at Hua Second Uncle and didn't speak.

If Nine-Niang's ability to refine medicine was cultivated by the family, he wouldn't need anyone to persuade him, and he would let Nine-Niang take out the prescription for the family.

But the problem was, the family hadn't provided any support to Nine-Niang. Even if he was a father, he didn't have the face to ask his daughter to do things for the family.

Hua Old Grandmother saw her eldest son not speaking and said angrily: "Only by working together can the days get better and better. Everyone in our family is good, just this Nine-Niang, once you meet her, there will definitely be trouble."

Hua Minghe looked at Hua Old Grandmother helplessly: "Mother, don't say that about Nine-Niang."

Seeing her eldest son refute her, Hua Old Grandmother became even angrier: "Did I say it wrong? The family provides her with food and drink. Now that she has some ability, she doesn't care about the family's difficulties. Every time she opens her mouth, she wants silver. Raising a dog is better than her knowing how to be grateful."

Hua Changxi suddenly entered the main hall: "Grandmother, the prescriptions for qi-blood pills, body-tempering pills, and bone-strengthening pills can be given to Third Brother, but from now on, I don't owe the Hua family anything."

Hua Old Grandmother laughed angrily: "Why, do you want to break with the Hua family?"

Hua Changxi: "I didn't say break with them, just that from now on, you and others in the family can never say the cliché that the Hua family provides me with food and drink."

Hua Old Grandmother hummed: "Three prescriptions want to buy out the Hua family's upbringing of you, you think too beautifully."

Hua Changxi sneered, just as she wanted to say something, Hua Minghe spoke.

"Mother, what are you saying?"

Hua Old Grandmother glanced at her eldest son, turned her head to the side, and stopped talking.

Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi: "Nine-Niang, go to the kitchen to help your mother."

Hua Changxi didn't want to make too much trouble during the New Year, gave an "Mm," and left.

As soon as she left, Hua Eldest Brother hurriedly pulled Hua Third Brother: "What exactly is going on with Nine-Niang? Although she had some small temper before, she wasn't as arrogant as she is now?"

Hua Third Brother hesitated and said: "Nine-Niang's confidence has become fuller and fuller since she entered the Medicine Department."

Hua Eldest Brother: "Does she feel that she can earn money, so she doesn't need to rely on the family anymore?"

Hua Third Brother: "There must be this aspect of the reason."

Hua Eldest Brother shook his head: "Still too childish. She doesn't know how difficult it will be for a young lady to live without the protection of her family. Does she really think money can solve everything?"

Hua Third Brother smiled: "Nine-Niang often quarrels with Grandmother. Their words are all words that come out of words, and they can't be taken seriously. Eldest Brother, I just saw Sixth Brother's happy look, it should be that Nine-Niang gave him pills again, shall we go and see?"

Hua Eldest Brother nodded and followed Hua Third Brother to find Hua Sixth Brother.

Hua Sixth Brother was indeed hiding in his room trying the effect of the bone-strengthening pills. His room had a wooden stake. After the pills went into his stomach, he felt full of energy, took off his upper clothes, and started hitting the wooden stake.

When Hua Eldest Brother and Hua Third Brother entered, Hua Sixth Brother was already sweating all over.

Seeing Hua Eldest Brother, Hua Sixth Brother's eyes lit up, he clenched his fist and attacked him.

Seeing this, Hua Eldest Brother raised his eyebrows. After all, it was his own younger brother, so he gave face and sparred with him.

This sparring made Hua Eldest Brother extremely surprised by his younger brother's energy. After sparring for a full two quarters of an hour, Hua Sixth Brother lay on

"That was such a satisfying fight!"

"Big Brother, let's continue tomorrow!"

Hua Sanlang pulled Hua Liulang up from the ground: "Did you take some medicinal pills?"

Hua Liulang did not hide it from his two brothers; he took out the pills Hua Changxi had given him like they were treasures: "This is the Bone-Forging Pill refined by Jiuniang. I just took one, and the effect is excellent."

"A Bone-Forging Pill sold outside can probably only forge one bone, but the pill Jiuniang refined can likely forge three."

Upon hearing this, Hua Sanlang immediately became interested and hurriedly poured one out to smell and taste it.

Hua Dalang, meanwhile, took the porcelain bottle and shook it: "How many pills are in here?"

Hua Liulang took the bottle back and then said: "Jiuniang gave me fifty, and she said if it's not enough, I can ask her for more."

After hearing this, Hua Dalang was displeased: "Jiuniang is so generous to you, why is she so stingy with me? She even got into an argument with Grandfather over it."

Hua Liulang eyed Hua Dalang: "Big Brother, Jiuniang doesn't like being forced. If you want her help, just talk to her privately. Don't drag the elders into it."

"Also, the pills Jiuniang gave me—she definitely still has more. She gave them to me because she had a surplus."

"But you wanted the Shackles-Breaking Pill, which she doesn't have. Grandfather actually wanted her to take out her own private savings; isn't that like cutting off her flesh? Of course she wouldn't do it."

Hua Dalang frowned: "But I am her Big Brother. I wouldn't take her things for nothing; I would definitely repay her handsomely in the future."

Hua Liulang: "Big Brother, in Jiuniang's words, that's just 'drawing a pie in the sky.' Qiniang and the others might believe it, but Jiuniang won't."

Hearing this, Hua Dalang was speechless.

The three brothers didn't talk for long before Old Madam Hua's voice came from the courtyard, calling them to eat.

When she was at the Menial Hall, Hua Changxi had been looking forward to coming home, but now her good mood was completely gone. The New Year's Eve dinner tasted like nothing, and after eating in a rush, she returned to her room to practice.

Seeing this, Yao Shi glared at Hua Minghe with some dissatisfaction.

Once the couple returned to their room, Yao Shi began to lecture Hua Minghe: "What couldn't wait until after these two days? Did you have to ask her the moment Jiuniang got back?"

Hua Minghe looked helpless: "Aren't Father and Mother worried about Dalang's future?"

Yao Shi was even more dissatisfied: "Is the matter really so urgent that it couldn't wait a moment?"

"Jiuniang has never been a stingy person. If she refined pills and could think of you and Liulang, there's no reason she wouldn't think of Dalang."

"If Dalang's matter had been left for the siblings to discuss privately, how could they have possibly ended up arguing?"

"With Grandfather and Grandmother meddling, the matter wasn't resolved, and instead, it affected the sibling bond between Dalang and Jiuniang."

"No wonder Jiuniang didn't want to tell the family she could refine medicine. Look at this family—nothing has even happened yet, and they are already eager to wring Jiuniang dry."

Hua Minghe looked disapproving: "How is it as serious as you say? We are all one family."

Yao Shi huffed: "You know your daughter's temperament. After what happened today, I'm afraid she won't tell the family about anything else in the future."

Hua Minghe grabbed his hair in a headache: "You can't blame Father and Mother for this. They are also thinking too much about the descendants' future. Knowing Jiuniang can refine medicine means the family's sons can practice martial arts in the future. Don't talk about them—even I couldn't sit still."

Yao Shi lowered her eyes: "No matter how much you think of the descendants, you can't ignore the granddaughter's feelings."

Hua Minghe was silent for a moment: "I will remind Father and Mother to be more careful in the future."

Yao Shi said nothing more. Jiuniang is a girl who values herself highly; if the family continues to ignore her thoughts and feelings, they will only push her further and further away.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after paying respects to the elders, Hua Changxi did not go out to play with Hua Qiniang and the others, but instead stayed in her room to practice.

Yao Shi came to call her several times, but could not get her out of the room.

By the second day of the Lunar New Year, when married daughters return to their maiden homes, Hua Sangu and Hua Erniang both returned accompanied by their husbands, but Hua Wuniang was nowhere to be seen. The Marquis's Mansion only sent a maid to deliver some New Year gifts.

After Hua Wuniang was carried into the Marquis's Mansion, she had not sent any news home. Hua Si-shen was very worried, and upon seeing the person from the Marquis's Mansion, she couldn't help but ask: "Chunyu, is Wuniang doing well in the Marquis's Mansion?"

The person who came was Chunyu, the maid sent to Hua Wuniang by Old Madam Zhou of the Great Clan Elder's house.

Chunyu smiled: "Madam, rest assured, Concubine Hua is very favored by the Third Master and the Third Madam in the Marquis's Mansion."

The Hua family members almost didn't believe this.

If Wuniang were really doing well in the Marquis's Mansion, why would she have gone so long without contacting home?

Chunyu remembered that when she left, the Third Madam had stipulated that she must return within two hours, so she said: "The Marquis's Mansion is quite busy during this time; this servant must return."

Hua Changxi put the body-strengthening pills she had refined into a pouch and handed it to Chunyu: "This is a New Year gift for my Fifth Sister. Please pass it to her for me."

After Chunyu took it, she left in a hurry.

Later, when Hua Sangu and Hua Erniang left, Hua Changxi also gave each of them a bottle of body-strengthening pills.

Starting from the third day of the Lunar New Year, Hua Changxi stopped staying at home. She went out to shop after breakfast, and even when Hua Liulang wanted to follow, she sent him away.

She wanted to sell pills to earn silver so she could buy a house; she didn't want anyone in the family to know about this.

She had long since understood the Hua family's power structure: Old Master Hua was the head of the family, followed by her father and two uncles, and then the male grandsons like her Big Brother.

Old Madam Hua shared Old Master Hua's power, and her mother and the two aunts were all under Old Madam Hua's management.

As for her and Hua Qiniang and the others, they were at the very bottom of the family hierarchy; anyone could manage them, and anyone could lecture them.

In the Hua family, she had no voice. Even if she revealed her value, this value served the Hua family's males.

Not only would she not receive any recognition, but she would also be suppressed. If she didn't meet their expectations, she would be met with all sorts of accusations and moral kidnapping.

She couldn't cut off all ties and completely abandon the Hua family, but she could jump out of this family structure!