Chapter 47: I Have a House Now

The people from the San Cha Yao Zhuang caused trouble for the warehouse, yet it was Hua Changxi who became famous; once again, this female laborer became the subject of everyone's gossip.

Compared to the previous rumors, the focus of discussion this time was no longer on whether Hua Changxi had an improper relationship with Yu Gui.

There was no help for it; Yu Gui could not handle the people from the Yao Zhuang, yet he was forced by Hua Changxi to apologize, and everyone was very curious about what exactly she had done.

Was Hua Changxi a martial artist? How high was her cultivation? Hua Changxi was only thirteen or fourteen years old, still a young girl; how did she practice martial arts, and from whom did she learn?

These became the questions everyone cared about most.

Strength is ultimately the foundation for a person to stand on their own; because of this incident, the people in the Laborer Hall no longer believed Hua Changxi would be a dependent of Yu Gui.

And because the matter involved people from the Yao Zhuang, Eunuch Yu and many stewards in the Laborer Hall also began paying attention to it.

Eunuch Yu knew that Hua Changxi had dismissed Mao Yong and the others with just a few words, and his expression was not pleasant; what he needed was a laborer who would refine pills for him, earn silver for him, and obey his commands, not a partner who could stand on equal footing with him.

Because of Hua Changxi's outstanding pill-processing abilities, Eunuch Bao of the First Office had paid her extra attention, and thus, he had also heard about this matter.

"So she is a martial artist; no wonder she is so confident!"

"Next time I borrow her to help out, it seems I must show her more face."

Upon hearing this news, Xiao Lu Zi and Steward Leng, like Eunuch Yu, did not have pleasant expressions.

There was no help for it; subordinates who were too powerful were detrimental to management, and Hua Changxi had already shown signs of disobedience in many aspects.

They needed capable subordinates, but the premise was that these subordinates must be obedient; if they were not obedient, no matter how capable they were, they were useless.

Xiao Lu Zi looked at Steward Leng: "Didn't you say you arranged for someone to approach Hua Changxi? How did it go?"

Steward Leng sighed: "Hua Changxi's mouth is too poisonous; she is very difficult to approach."

Xiao Lu Zi fell silent for a moment: "Have your people keep a closer watch on Hua Changxi; you must find out clearly what her relationship with Eunuch Yu is."

Steward Leng was puzzled: "Our Third Office and the warehouse have nothing to do with each other; investigating this matter, won't we offend Eunuch Yu?"

Xiao Lu Zi snorted with a laugh: "Hua Changxi is a person of the Laborer Hall; it is only right and proper for this Eunuch to investigate her."

"Yu Zhouquan has never acted without benefit, and he has no interest in women; suddenly calling for Hua Changxi so frequently to go to his Number Nine Qihuang Hall, there must be some scheme behind it."

"If Hua Changxi truly had some ability, she should have offered tribute to this Eunuch first; instead, she actually went to curry favor with Yu Zhouquan, simply not putting this Eunuch in her eyes!"

"Since she is so capable, go tell Du Ruo to assign more tasks to Hua Changxi; she must be kept busy from morning till night."

Hearing this, Steward Leng agreed with a smile; she also did not like subordinates who escaped control, so let Eunuch Lu discipline Hua Changxi; she must be made to know who her boss is.

Hua Changxi did not know that the trouble caused by the people from the Yao Zhuang would attract so much attention; after leaving the Medical Bureau, she went directly to a reputable property agency to ask where houses were for sale.

Her goal was very clear; she wanted to buy a residence with a shop in the front and a courtyard in the back.

Such residences were obviously not cheap, and no one would sell properties in good locations; after viewing several shops, Hua Changxi finally spent nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine taels of silver to buy a residence in Feng'an Ward of the Outer City that relatively matched her wishes.

There were three shop rooms, with a small courtyard behind; the small courtyard had three main rooms, two east wing rooms, and two west wing rooms, and there was also a well in the yard.

Hua Changxi was very satisfied with the layout, but the location was a bit remote, situated in the farthest corner of the innermost street of Feng'an Ward.

For doing business, this location was certainly not suitable, but Hua Changxi did not intend to simply do retail; in the future, when she could mass-produce pills, she wanted to be a wholesaler.

"Indeed, no matter where one is, buying a house requires emptying one's wallet."

After buying the house, Hua Changxi had only a few dozen taels of silver left in her hands.

Although her purse was empty, thinking that she now counted as a homeowner in Great Jin, Hua Changxi was still very happy, yet this happiness lasted only until she returned to the Sixth Bureau.

"Steward Du, what do you mean by saying that starting tomorrow, my task quota will be increased?"

Du Ruo looked at Hua Changxi: "This is Eunuch Lu's intention; Eunuch Lu does not like his laborers causing trouble everywhere."

Hua Changxi laughed in anger: "What trouble have I caused?"

Du Ruo ultimately offered her some advice: "Changxi, I know you are capable, but one cannot be too high-profile and flamboyant; not everyone has the magnanimity to tolerate others."

Hua Changxi frowned: "What if I do not listen?"

Du Ruo looked at her: "For Eunuch Lu to dismiss a laborer is merely a matter of one sentence; if you do not wish to remain in the Laborer Hall, you are free to ignore the orders." Having said this, she turned and left.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi was very annoyed and returned to the backyard with a long face.

After entering the Laborer Hall, except for being slightly more proactive in matters approaching Yu Gui and Eunuch Yu, in all other matters she could be said to be entirely on the defensive.

If trouble did not come to her, she would not go looking for it.

Was even this considered high-profile and flamboyant?

Or does one have to passively endure and swallow one's pride when encountering issues to be considered low-key and dutiful?

"Changxi!"

Just as Hua Changxi was about to reach the dormitory, Granny Sun from the mess hall waved at her.

"Granny Sun."

Hua Changxi walked toward Granny Sun.

Granny Sun looked at her with a smile: "Steward Qin made sweet and sour pork ribs today and specifically saved a few pieces for you; come, go to the back kitchen with me to eat."

Granny Sun had an old chronic heart palpitation condition; after Hua Changxi cured her, she had been especially good to Hua Changxi.

Having run around outside all day without eating, Hua Changxi did not refuse Granny Sun's kindness and followed her to the back kitchen.

"What matter have you encountered? Why do you look somewhat unhappy?"

Hua Changxi sighed and explained the matter of Eunuch Lu wanting to increase her workload.

"Granny Sun, Steward Du said I was too high-profile, but none of the matters were provoked by me; her implication seems to be that when encountering issues, the only correct response is to swallow one's pride."

Granny Sun laughed: "Just take what Du Ruo says as hearsay; do not take it seriously."

Hua Changxi had only intended to vent and did not expect Granny Sun to respond, let alone say something like this, so she looked over in surprise.

Granny Sun served the pork ribs to Hua Changxi and said with a smile: "Do not look at Du Ruo as a steward; in reality, she is just a messenger who runs errands and does not truly hold power; when considering matters, she only thinks from her own perspective, believing that if she changed whatever she did wrong, everything would be fine."

"But the reality is not like that at all; if those above want to target you, everything you do is wrong."

"What you should be thinking about now is not what Du Ruo said, but why Eunuch Lu is doing this?"

Hua Changxi asked: "Is it not because I am too high-profile and flamboyant?"

Granny Sun shook her head with a chuckle: "That is merely Du Ruo's view; whether you are high-profile or flamboyant, how does it affect Eunuch Lu?"

Hua Changxi: "Perhaps he simply cannot stand someone like me?"

Sun Pozi: "Perhaps, but Eunuch Lu manages several hundred people and must also attend to Eunuch Jia; why would he notice a mere minor laborer like you, let alone expend effort to torment you?"

"A person's time is limited; they only pay attention to what matters to them. If Eunuch Lu intends to torment you, it must be because you have touched upon something he cares about."

Hearing Sun Pozi speak thus, Hua Changxi felt as though clouds and mist had been parted; previously, she had been influenced by Du Ruo and had not considered this layer of the matter.

Indeed, how could those above be so idle as to specifically seek trouble with a mere minor soldier?

But how had she offended Eunuch Lu?

Was it because she earned ten taels of silver at the First Office and failed to offer him a tribute?

No, it could not be that.

If that were the reason, he would have erupted when work resumed after the New Year.

Sun Pozi looked at Hua Changxi, lost in thought, and added a reminder: "The Medical Bureau is a government office, and the greatest taboo in any office is serving in the Cao camp while one's heart remains with Han."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi was instantly enlightened: "Because of Eunuch Yu?"

Sun Pozi smiled: "Some time ago, rumors spread throughout the Laborer Hall that you had pledged allegiance to Eunuch Yu; I have heard of this matter, and Eunuch Lu surely knows of it as well."

"Although several of the eunuchs all came from the palace, who truly knows the nature of the relationships between them?"

Hua Changxi looked at Sun Pozi: "Thank you, Pozi; I seem to understand the reason now."

Sun Pozi laughed: "Once the crux of a matter is found, it becomes easy to handle." Saying this, she pushed the pork ribs toward Hua Changxi: "Eat quickly, before they grow cold."

Gnawing on the ribs, Hua Changxi looked at Sun Pozi: "Pozi, where did you serve in the past?" An old woman working in a kitchen would not possess such insight.

Sun Pozi smiled faintly: "The past is gone; I am merely an old woman who guards the kitchen."

Seeing that Sun Pozi did not wish to say more, Hua Changxi did not press further; after eating, she returned to her dormitory, retrieved a bottle of Body-Strengthening Pills, and handed them to Sun Pozi.

"Pozi, thank you for your guidance; these are pills I refined myself, meant to strengthen the body and improve health."

Sun Pozi did not refuse, accepting the pills with a smile: "Changxi, if you wish to realize your ambitions in medicine, staying at the Medical Bureau is the best choice. When encountering troubles, do not clash head-on; developing yourself is what matters most."

Hua Changxi listened, momentarily stunned, sensing hidden meanings in Sun Pozi's words; she wished to ask for clarification, but Sun Pozi waved her hand, urging her to return quickly and rest.

Having no choice, Hua Changxi returned to her dormitory; upon returning, she did not immediately begin cultivation, but instead pondered how to resolve the matter of Eunuch Lu increasing her workload.

She had already absorbed and refined all her Lower-Grade Yuan Spirit Pills; now, to improve her cultivation, she would have to rely on spending time cultivating.

Time, for her, was undoubtedly precious.

Eunuch Lu tormenting her was likely because she had visited the Qihuang Hall too many times, leading him to believe she had pledged allegiance to Eunuch Yu.

Moreover, since she stayed at Qihuang Hall for such long periods, Eunuch Lu must have deduced she was doing work for Eunuch Yu; nowadays, he probably just could not guess exactly what she was doing.

She had approached Eunuch Yu because he could provide discarded medicinal ingredients, which formed the basis of their cooperation.

Hua Changxi's eyes flashed with light; since Eunuch Yu managed the warehouse and had the authority to misappropriate discarded medicinal ingredients, did Eunuch Lu, as the chief steward of the Third Office, not possess corresponding authority?

If Eunuch Lu could also provide medicinal ingredients, then she could cooperate with him as well.

Having figured this out, the look of worry on Hua Changxi's face vanished.

Partners should not be limited to just one; the more, the better.

Eunuch Yu had always been dissatisfied with her taking a forty percent share of the profits; she could feel this, and indeed, she should not place all her eggs in one basket.

Having found a solution to the problem, Hua Changxi's mood calmed, and she began to devote herself to cultivation.

After waking the next day and eating breakfast, Hua Changxi did not go to collect her assignments but instead went directly to seek out Eunuch Lu.

As the chief steward of the Third Office, Eunuch Lu resided in a separate small courtyard; when Hua Changxi arrived, Steward Leng was serving Eunuch Lu his breakfast.

Seeing Hua Changxi, Eunuch Lu looked somewhat surprised.

Steward Leng, however, was very angry.

Subordinates seeking an audience with Eunuch Lu had to inform her first; only after obtaining her permission would she lead them to see Eunuch Lu.

For someone like Hua Changxi to come directly to see Eunuch Lu was simply devoid of rules and propriety.

Steward Leng was just about to scold Hua Changxi when Hua Changxi spoke first.

"Eunuch Lu, I have come to report to you regarding what I am doing for Eunuch Yu."

Hua Changxi knew that when speaking to leaders, it was best to be direct and strike immediately at the point that concerned them.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Eunuch Lu finally raised his eyes to look at Hua Changxi, though his tone was far from pleasant: "So you know you ought to come report to this eunuch?"

Hua Changxi naturally did not admit she was in the wrong: "I did not come earlier not because I did not want to, but because you were busy, and I could not get an audience."

Eunuch Lu snorted with a laugh, not wishing to dwell on the issue: "Speak then; this one is listening."

Hua Changxi did not answer immediately, but instead glanced at Steward Leng.

Seeing this, Steward Leng immediately chilled her expression and mocked: "Oh, is there something I am not allowed to hear?"

Eunuch Lu glanced at her and waved his hand, dismissing Steward Leng first.

Steward Leng glared at Hua Changxi before flicking her handkerchief and departing.

Once she had left, Eunuch Lu looked at Hua Changxi: "You may speak now."

Hua Changxi said: "I am refining pills for Eunuch Yu."

Eunuch Lu's eyes flashed slightly, showing no great reaction.

Hua Changxi added: "I receive a fifty percent share of the profits; in three months, I saved enough to buy a house in the Outer City."

Hearing this, Eunuch Lu could no longer remain steady: "How much silver have you saved?"

Hua Changxi made a gesture indicating the number 'one'.

Eunuch Lu's breathing quickened; he knew the housing prices in Jingcheng, and to save ten thousand taels in three months...

He had known all along that without sufficient profit, Yu Zhouquan would not treat a female laborer with such special favor.

Hua Changxi did not wish to wait passively for Eunuch Lu to make arrangements and spoke proactively: "Eunuch, if you can provide medicinal ingredients, we can cooperate as well."

Eunuch Lu did not agree immediately, but looked at Hua Changxi with a scrutinizing gaze: "You have quite the audacity; is this the reason you entered the Laborer Hall?"

Outside, cultivating a pharmacist is not easy; besides requiring a master to transmit the teachings, one needs a sufficient supply of medicinal ingredients to practice with, none of which ordinary families can afford to support.

As for the Medical Bureau, even entering the Miscellaneous Labor Hall would grant access to a sufficient variety of medicinal herbs; with a slightly agile mind, one could even obtain free herbs for practice.

Hua Changxi did not deny it, merely stating, "Eunuch, the Medical Bureau is a sacred ground yearned for by all healers; naturally, I am no exception."

Eunuch Lu fell silent for a moment: "Twenty percent."

Hua Changxi feigned ignorance: "What?"

Eunuch Lu: "This old one can provide you with medicinal herbs, but you may only take twenty percent of the profits."

Hua Changxi frowned: "Eunuch Yu allocated fifty percent of the profits to me."

Eunuch Lu scoffed: "Enough, do not play tricks before this old one. This old one knows Yu Zhouquan's character better than you do. With his stingy nature, how could he possibly give you fifty percent of the profits?"

Hua Changxi remained unperturbed: "That is because Eunuch has not yet seen the pills I refine." Saying this, she handed over the Meridian-Clearing Pill she had prepared in advance.

"The pills I refine possess better efficacy than those on the market and require fewer medicinal herbs."

Eunuch Lu was a fourth-rank martial artist; after taking the Meridian-Clearing Pill and examining it to confirm there were no issues, he swallowed it directly. Immediately, his expression shifted.

"Thirty percent; at most, I will give you thirty percent of the profits."

Hua Changxi appeared somewhat reluctant: "Forty percent; it cannot be any less. Eunuch, you will not find an alchemist like me out there."

Eunuch Lu also felt that allocating forty percent of the profits to Hua Changxi was excessive and was reluctant to agree, yet the pills she refined were indeed superior to those on the market—no, they should be said to be superior even to those of the alchemists within the Medical Bureau.

He had been stuck at the fourth rank for many years; previously, no matter how many Meridian-Clearing Pills he consumed, he could not break through to the fifth rank, yet after taking the Meridian-Clearing Pill Hua Changxi had just given him, he sensed signs of an impending breakthrough.

"Very well, forty percent."

First, he would attempt the breakthrough to the fifth rank; once he became a fifth-rank martial artist, he would go find Yu Zhouquan.

He did not believe Yu Zhouquan would be willing to share profits with Hua Changxi; at that time, the two of them would join forces to suppress her, ideally forcing her to obediently refine pills for them while they needed only to provide her with a small monthly allowance.