Chapter 6: The Feudal Patriarch

[Realm: Qi Condensation 1/1000]

[Annotations on the Classic of Hundred Herbs (Mastered): Tasted Herbs 365/1000]

Hua Changxi temporarily had no way to obtain other medicinal ingredients; the next chapter of the Annotations on the Classic of Hundred Herbs could only be unlocked after she passed the entrance exam for the Medical Bureau.

She was very curious: after ordinary plants and spiritual plants, what would come next?

As for cultivation...

An image floated in Hua Changxi's mind from her dream: herself transformed into a small bird, breathing just like a bird.

She knew her cultivation must proceed through breathing and exhalation.

Thinking of this, Hua Changxi immediately gave it a try, wanting to see if she could cultivate during the day. She had intended to sit cross-legged in meditation, but recalling that the bird had been lying prone, she instead lay flat on the bed.

Unfortunately, Hua Changxi could not calm her mind at all. Though she imagined the scene of the bird breathing, her thoughts flew chaotically, her breathing rhythm was disordered, and there was no question of drawing the surrounding qi into her body.

All afternoon, Hua Changxi remained engaged in experimentation, yet by dinnertime she still had not succeeded.

At dusk, the Hua family courtyard grew lively.

Lady Yao and her two sisters-in-law were all busy in the kitchen; preparing meals for more than twenty members of the Hua household was no easy task.

Old Lady Hua, accompanied by several granddaughters, sat under the eaves outside the main hall, spinning thread and doing needlework.

Old Master Hua sat in the main hall smoking a pipe with his three sons—Hua Minghe and his two brothers—who had returned from their duties, while several grandchildren, including the Third Young Master, sat nearby, chatting about events outside the home.

When Hua Changxi emerged from her room, she immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.

Old Lady Hua did not stop her spinning, but lifted her eyes to look at Hua Changxi. "Are you feeling better?"

Hua Changxi smiled and replied, "Grandmother, I am perfectly fine now."

Old Lady Hua was invariably stern and unsmiling in front of her granddaughters. She gave a faint "Hmm," then began to lecture: "After this lesson, let's see if you still dare to run off recklessly."

"Among all the young ladies of this family, you are the most disobedient."

"I simply cannot understand it. We are all Hua family young ladies; the Fifth Young Lady and the others can stay home quietly, embroidering and weaving, so why must you insist on running outside?"

Hua Changxi had long grown accustomed to Old Lady Hua's nagging; her expression remained unchanged as she let the words enter one ear and exit the other.

"Ninth Young Lady, come inside to serve the dishes."

Lady Yao's voice came from the kitchen, rescuing Hua Changxi from Old Lady Hua's scolding.

With over twenty people in the Hua family, meals were served at two tables: one for the adults, and one for the children.

Before eating, Old Master Hua suddenly beckoned Hua Changxi to his side and asked in a relatively gentle tone, "Did you go to the apothecary shop this afternoon?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi immediately looked toward Third Young Master Hua and Fourth Young Master Hua.

Third Young Master Hua looked somewhat surprised, while Fourth Young Master Hua did not dare to meet Hua Changxi's gaze.

Hua Changxi immediately understood how Old Master Hua knew she had gone to the apothecary shop. "Yes, I went to the apothecary to fetch a few prescriptions to replenish my qi and blood."

Old Lady Hua's face immediately lengthened. "You were kidnapped only yesterday, yet today you dare to sneak out again. You truly have no memory."

"Hua Ninth Young Lady, just carry on like this. Once you ruin your reputation, let's see how you will ever marry!"

Old Master Hua allowed Old Lady Hua to lecture for a while before continuing: "Ninth Young Lady, you are already thirteen, a grown young lady now; it is no longer proper for you to continue appearing publicly outside."

"From now on, you are not to go to the apothecary shop to help anymore."

"You—"

Hearing these words, the expressions of everyone in the Hua family shifted slightly.

Regarding Hua Changxi's ability to help at the apothecary shop, both the second and fourth branches of the family had actually been somewhat dissatisfied.

Firstly, since they were all Hua family young ladies, the fact that Hua Changxi could go to the apothecary to learn medicine while the other young ladies had to stay home learning needlework and weaving naturally made the members of the second and fourth branches feel it was unfair.

Secondly, the talent for medical texts that Hua Changxi had displayed made the second and fourth branches somewhat wary, fearing she would seize resources meant for their own sons.

Old Master Hua's words were spoken slowly and gently, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Hua Minghe seemed about to speak, but seeing that his second brother's couple and fourth brother's couple both wore expressions of agreement, he ultimately did not speak up for his own daughter.

The eldest branch already commanded the most resources in the family.

The Eldest Young Master had entered the Martial Academy, which required considerable silver every month.

The Third Young Master had begun studying medicine at the apothecary shop at age eight and managed the shop's purchasing affairs.

Now the Sixth Young Master was also going to help at the apothecary; if Ninth Young Lady were still allowed to remain there, his second and fourth brothers would indeed have cause for dissatisfaction.

Lady Yao wished to plead for her daughter, but since her father-in-law had spoken, she, as a daughter-in-law, had no qualification to object.

The couple could only look at their daughter with apologies in their eyes.

Hua Changxi had already resolved to take the entrance exam for the Medical Bureau, so she would not cling stubbornly to staying at the Hua family apothecary shop; nevertheless, she remained deeply unconvinced by the family's practice of tilting all resources toward the males.

"Grandfather, I have helped at the apothecary shop for three years. My older brothers all receive wages, yet I have never received a single coin. Now that I am no longer going, should you not settle my wages?"

Old Master Hua raised his eyes to look at Hua Changxi, his expression indifferent. "Where do your food and clothing come from?"

Old Lady Hua also cut in, speaking irritably: "We have not even asked you for tuition fees for your medical studies, yet you dare to demand wages."

Knowing that the old couple did not value their granddaughters, Hua Changxi had never expected them to deny her worth so completely. Angered, she wanted to argue, but Lady Yao firmly held her back.

Lady Yao had already noticed her father-in-law's anger; when he became angry, he would truly punish her daughter.

"Hua—"

Old Master Hua was far less gentle with his grandsons; he slapped the table beside him with a sharp "Pa!" and spoke sternly: "If you do not go to the apothecary shop to learn a trade, what do you intend to do?"

"You are fifteen this year; in another couple of years, it will be time to arrange your marriage. With neither scholarly learning nor a skilled trade, which good family's young lady do you think would marry you?"

Sixth Young Master Hua shrank back slightly, but still summoned the courage to say, "Grandfather, I do not wish to study medicine; I want to practice martial arts."

First, the Ninth Granddaughter had inappropriately demanded wages from the family; now, the Sixth Grandson had contradicted and talked back. Old Master Hua's face immediately darkened.

"This is sheer rebellion! Would you like to run this household instead?"

"I have lived my entire life without being able to do exactly as I please; where does a mere whelp like you get the right to choose?"

Seeing that Old Master Hua had erupted in anger, Third Young Master Hua quickly rose and stood before Sixth Young Master Hua. "Grandfather, Sixth Young Master knows his mistake. This grandson will properly guide him in his work at the apothecary shop."

Old Master Hua swept his gaze across the family members, whose expressions varied widely, then looked at Hua Changxi's defiant face, and finally addressed Sixth Young Master Hua: "Go kneel in the courtyard for one double-hour and reflect thoroughly on your behavior."

Hua Changxi saw Old Master Hua punishing Hua Liulang and wanted to say something, but Hua Sanlang dragged her out the door.

At dinner that evening, Hua Changxi did not go to eat; watching Hua Liulang kneeling in the courtyard, she felt somewhat irritable: "Sixth Brother, rest a while. Everyone is eating, and no one is watching you."

Hua Liulang shook his head: "Grandfather is angry. I should not have talked back to him. If he knows I am not reflecting properly, he will add to my punishment."

Hua Changxi said: "How could that be considered talking back just now? We were merely expressing our demands reasonably; it is Grandfather whose heart is not broad enough."

Seeing his sister's voice grow somewhat loud, Hua Liulang quickly tugged at her: "Keep your voice down. If Grandfather hears you, he might punish you too."

"Enough. It is only kneeling for one double-hour. I did provoke Grandfather's anger just now. Do not worry about me; go eat quickly."

Old Master Hua's authority was like a golden fillet embedded in the minds of the Hua family; no one dared challenge it. The family carried out his punishments with meticulous precision. Feeling powerless against this, Hua Changxi could only return to her room in depression.

After returning to her room, Hua Changxi's mood remained unsettled. She simply lay prone on the bed, once again simulating the breathing of the little bird from her dream, attempting to calm her mind.

Slowly, the sounds in the courtyard faded, and unconsciously, Hua Changxi entered a state where the world contained only herself.

"Hoo~"

Scorching breath exhaled from her nose; Hua Changxi felt as though she had become the little bird. With each inhalation and exhalation, her body began to grow warm.

When Lady Yao finished tidying the kitchen and came over intending to comfort Hua Changxi, she found her daughter already asleep and could not help but smile wryly.

She had thought the girl would sulk in silence, yet she had fallen straight asleep.

The next day, as the first light of dawn appeared, Hua Changxi opened her eyes, feeling completely refreshed.

[Realm: Qi Refining 2/1000]

Seeing the characters in her vision, Hua Changxi smiled with satisfaction, confirming that as long as she could immerse herself in breathing synchronized with the little bird, she could cultivate.

Noticing more filth exuding from her body, Hua Changxi did not disturb her family this time; she fetched water from the courtyard herself and returned to her room to bathe.

After one night, her injuries had improved significantly; many wounds had begun to shed their scabs.

No wonder everyone wants to cultivate immortality; setting aside other benefits, it truly strengthens the body and improves health.

Unable to continue helping at the medicine shop, Hua Changxi stayed in her room for the next half-month to 'recover from injuries,' devoting all her time to practicing how to quickly enter the immersive state of the little bird's breathing.

After half a month of practice, Hua Changxi had indeed found the method; now, though not anytime and anywhere, as long as she calmed her mind, whether sitting, standing, or lying prone, she could enter cultivation.

Of course, cultivating while lying prone was the fastest.

She also discovered that cultivating while bathed in moonlight or morning dawn accelerated the speed.

[Realm: Qi Refining 33/1000]

During this half-month, despite devoting all her time to cultivation, she had only advanced to 33.

"I wonder if there are other methods to increase cultivation speed?"

Although she had fortunately obtained an opportunity for immortality cultivation, she knew absolutely nothing about the matter itself.

Fortunately, the notice regarding the Medical Bureau recruiting additional apprentices had been posted.

As long as she passed the examination to enter the Medical Bureau and advanced through the inheritance of medical arts, she would eventually lift the veil of the cultivator world bit by bit.

The examination for the Medical Bureau's additional apprentices was scheduled for the twentieth day of the ninth month; those wishing to apply had to register at the Medical Bureau before the fifteenth.

Two days prior, Apothecary Xu had visited the Hua Family Medicine Shop looking for Hua Changxi; finding no one there, he had asked Hua Liulang to relay a message.

Apothecary Xu instructed Hua Changxi to meet him at the Medical Bureau on the seventh day of the ninth month, saying he would personally take her to register and explain the precautions for the examination.

Today was the sixth day of the ninth month; tomorrow would be the seventh.

Hua Changxi had felt somewhat headache-inducing these past two days, for she knew her father did not support her applying to the Medical Bureau; if he disagreed, her mother likely would not give her the household registration document.

Just as Hua Changxi was pondering what reason to use to persuade her parents, an unexpected guest arrived.

"What? We are going to the main branch's old home tomorrow?"

A member of the Hua clan had visited; as soon as the clansman left, Old Lady Hua summoned several of her granddaughters to the main hall, instructing them to rise early tomorrow morning to accompany her on a social visit.

Hua Wuniang and the others were delighted to visit relatives, but Hua Changxi, thinking about registering at the Medical Bureau, was reluctant to go: "Grandmother, I will not go."

Old Lady Hua glanced at her sideways: "On ordinary days, you love running outside whether there is business or not; now that I tell you to go out, you refuse. Tell me, are you made entirely of rebellious bones?"

At this moment, Old Master Hua spoke, settling the matter with a single stroke: "Everyone must go. When the elder of the main branch seeks us out, it is an honor bestowed upon our family; we cannot cause them to lose face."

Speaking thus, he clasped his hands behind his back and left the main hall with a grim expression.

Having lived in the Hua family for thirteen years, Hua Changxi knew that when Old Master Hua spoke, no one could contradict him; this knowledge only increased her inner resistance.

What is a feudal patriarch?

This was it; the Hua family was Old Master Hua's one-man rule.

Once Old Master Hua spoke, regardless of whether others had other matters, his affairs took absolute precedence.

Seeing her daughter's face fall, Lady Yao quickly pulled her out of the main hall: "It is merely a visit to a clansman's home; why are you so unwilling?"

Hua Changxi maintained a stiff expression: "I have matters to attend to tomorrow."

Lady Yao smiled wryly: "What matters could you possibly have?"

Hua Changxi abandoned the search for excuses and stated directly: "Mother, I am going to the Medical Bureau to register."

Lady Yao paused, then fell silent; only after a long while did she say: "This matter must first be discussed with your father."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi looked straight at Lady Yao, her face utterly serious: "Mother, this is my affair; I can decide it myself."

Lady Yao retorted irritably: "How is it that you, a young lady, have such grand ideas? Your grandfather has already spoken; tomorrow you must go to the clansman's old home."

Seeing Hua Changxi about to talk back, she added: "Do not seek trouble for yourself. If your grandfather loses his temper and decides to punish you, even your father pleading for you will be useless."

Hua Changxi recalled the previous times she had talked back to Old Master Hua and been punished by being forbidden to eat; feeling somewhat irritable, she said: "Mother, if it is always like this, I will die of suppression."

Lady Yao's expression remained indifferent: "Suppression? This is nothing yet. Now you are in your own home; even if the elders are somewhat strict, they will not truly do anything to you."

"Wait until you marry in the future and face your sisters-in-law and parents-in-law; only then will you know what true suppression is."

Hearing these words, Hua Changxi fell silent.

The Hua family had many members, so conflicts were inevitable.

Although her mother was the Hua family's eldest daughter-in-law, she did not enjoy Old Lady Hua's favor; the old lady preferred the second aunt, who was her own niece from her maiden family.

On ordinary days, the second aunt often clashed with her mother; sometimes when disputes escalated, Old Lady Hua always sided with the second aunt, causing her mother to suffer much grievance.

Since her mother had even used her own embarrassing incidents to advise herself, Hua Changxi found it difficult to continue arguing with her.

Seeing her daughter hanging her head, Lady Yao said, "Enough. Go back to your room and see what clothes to wear tomorrow."