[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-9":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1896783,2531,"Chapter 9: Confined in Solitary Confinement","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>\"Nanny Zhou, my Ninth Lady is just a rough country girl; I noticed Auntie seemed angry, so please do explain things to her on our behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Nanny Zhou escorted Old Lady Hua and her party out, Old Lady Hua held onto Nanny Zhou's hand, repeatedly expressing her apologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanny Zhou chuckled, \"You worry too much. She is merely a young lady; why would the Grand Lady bother getting angry over her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Old Lady Hua nor the three Yao sisters-in-law took these words to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Grand Lady Zhou were truly not angry, it being noon already, she surely would have invited them to stay for a meal; instead, she did not even offer a single polite remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While speaking, the group arrived at the rear gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Nanny Zhou gently withdrew her hand from Old Lady Hua's grasp: \"Alright, I will see you off only this far.\" Pausing briefly, she added to Old Lady Hua,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know your household is extremely busy, but if you have spare time and deem our residence worthy, do bring several young ladies over more often to visit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua's expression shifted instantly; she hastily smiled ingratiatingly and replied, \"What nonsense does Nanny Zhou speak? We day and night hope for nothing more than the chance to come pay our respects to Auntie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanny Zhou nodded with a smile: \"I understand your intentions, but intentions must be followed by action, must they not?\" Without waiting for Old Lady Hua to respond, she waved her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take care on your way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Old Lady Hua could only lead her daughters-in-law and granddaughters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they turned into the alley and boarded the carriage waiting by the street, Old Lady Hua's face instantly darkened, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua's fierce, teeth-gritting demeanor silenced everyone else in the carriage, making them tremble as if cicadas in winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi frowned, avoided meeting her gaze, and turned her head aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she done wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not think so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she truly bowed down and squatted at that Great Ancestress's feet under her scrutinizing gaze, as if inspecting merchandise, she would have despised herself; her dignity as a human being would not permit such an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the journey, no one in the carriage dared speak a word; they returned to the Hua residence in complete silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they entered the house, Old Lady Hua erupted: \"Lady Yao, lock Hua Ninth Lady in the side room; do not give her any food for the next few days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi broke free from her mother's grip and retorted loudly, \"On what grounds am I being locked up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua grew even angrier, pointing at Hua Changxi: \"You dare still ask? We went today as guests, yet you offended the hostess; truly, you are remarkably capable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me tell you, if you ruin Fifth Lady's marriage prospect, just see how I deal with you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled sarcastically: \"Grandmother, I advise you not to hold too high expectations of the clan; in my view, this so-called marriage prospect today is most likely nothing good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Grand Lady Zhou appeared to be examining their etiquette, but in reality, she was selecting—selecting young ladies willing to humble themselves and curry favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this how one properly assesses a prospective wife?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, several families were being assessed together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would believe there was no trickery involved?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi still daring to talk back, Old Lady Hua glanced around, then took three large strides to the eaves, grabbed a broom, and hurled it at Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hua Ninth Lady, you have truly gone too far!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi swiftly dodged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is all this commotion about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua emerged from the main hall with a grim face; the clan had suddenly approached their family, leaving him uncertain, so he had not gone out today, staying home all along hoping to learn the news early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have expected his old wife to return and immediately fly into a rage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you all making such a fuss about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua quickly recounted what had happened at the main clan residence that day, pointing at Hua Changxi: \"This girl can no longer be left unchecked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing that Hua Changxi had offended the main clan's matriarch, Old Master Hua's fury ignited instantly; looking at Lady Yao, he snapped aggressively, \"What, is your mother-in-law unable to command you now? Is this how a daughter-in-law behaves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Old Master Hua venting his anger on her mother, Hua Changxi immediately intended to argue, but the moment she opened her mouth, Lady Yao clapped a hand over it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This daughter-in-law will immediately take Ninth Lady to the side room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she forcibly dragged Hua Changxi toward the side room without further argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi knew that if she did not cooperate, Old Master and Old Lady would surely vent their wrath upon Lady Yao, so she obediently entered the side room, watching as Old Lady approached with a lock and secured the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandmother, just wait and see: unsolicited kindness always hides ulterior motives; the clan suddenly arranging a marriage prospect for Fifth Sister absolutely means no good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You and Grandfather devote your hearts and souls to currying favor with the clan, yet the clan treats you merely as pawns.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The anger stifling Old Lady Hua's chest had mostly been vented; hearing Hua Changxi's words, she responded indifferently: \"What does a mere young lady like you understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reading a few books makes you think you know everything? Pawns, indeed? Let me tell you, if the clan truly treats our family as pawns, that would still be our family's good fortune.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, she swung the keys and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi felt choked with rage but did not dwell on it excessively, recognizing this as a clash of perspectives; she turned and sat on the only meditation cushion in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this side room, she was not at all unfamiliar; she could no longer remember how many times she had been locked inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hua family had many members; in this two-courtyard residence, there were not even enough rooms for one per person, yet this side room had still been kept vacant specifically for punishing descendants by confining them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the cushion, Hua Changxi calmed her emotions for a while, then closed her eyes and began circulating the Little Bird Breathing and Exhaling Method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the eaves of the main house, Second Aunt Hua, Fourth Aunt Hua, along with Fifth Lady, Seventh Lady, Twelfth Lady, and Fourteenth Lady, watched firsthand as Hua Changxi was locked into the side room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelfth Lady smiled: \"Thank heaven and earth, fortunately Eldest Uncle was not here today; otherwise, Ninth Lady certainly would not have been confined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Aunt Hua remarked: \"Even if Eldest Uncle had been here today, given that Ninth Lady offended the Grand Lady of the main clan, her confinement was inevitable. You all know better than anyone how much your grandfather values the clan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Lady seemed puzzled: \"Ninth Lady did not do anything excessively wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Aunt Hua glanced at Fourth Aunt Hua: \"Today, the Grand Lady of the main clan was assessing the clan's young ladies; after Ninth Lady's stunt, the Grand Lady's impression of our family's young ladies will surely be poor; she might even jeopardize Fifth Sister's marriage prospect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Aunt Hua offered no rebuttal to these words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the scene Hua Changxi created at the main clan residence, it was impossible for Fourth Aunt Hua and Fifth Lady to harbor not even a shred of resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her mother and elder sister both looking displeased, Seventh Lady dared not speak further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us go back to our rooms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Fourth Aunt Hua lead Fifth Lady, Seventh Lady, and Fourteenth Lady away, Second Aunt Hua displayed some schadenfreude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the Hua family's three daughters-in-law, the fourth sister-in-law usually preferred staying with the eldest sister-in-law, isolating herself; now things were fine, but if Ninth Lady truly ruined Fifth Lady's marriage prospects, how would they continue to get along in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main hall, Old Master Hua kept glancing at his dried tobacco pipe, looking dissatisfied at Old Lady Hua: \"How did you manage this? Going to the elder branch's old home, how could you fail to keep watch over Ninth Lady?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua became displeased: \"Could I keep watch over her? With all that rebellious bone in Ninth Lady's body, she dares disobey even your words, let alone mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua's face darkened: \"This time, that girl must be properly disciplined. You guard the side room well; do not allow anyone from the eldest branch to deliver food to Ninth Lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking thus, Old Master Hua stood up and began pacing back and forth within the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must go to the elder branch's old home myself to apologize to our aunt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua hesitated slightly: \"I have already apologized; there is no need for you to make the trip. I noticed our aunt seems quite fond of Fifth Lady; she should help arrange a match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua shook his head: \"Fifth Lady's matter is secondary; what worries me is Dalang and the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although Minghe and the other three all serve in the yamen, their positions are too low. Now that our grandsons have all grown up, if they cannot rely on the clan's support, what good prospects could they possibly find?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our family and the clan were already somewhat distant; we cannot allow this incident to create further estrangement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Hua asked: \"Then when will you go? I should prepare some gifts of apology.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Master Hua glanced at the sky: \"Tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder branch's old home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai, the eldest son of the clan elder, preoccupied with the day's matter of matching the clan's young ladies, went straight to Lady Zhou's quarters as soon as his duty ended that afternoon: \"Mother, how did the results of today's matching turn out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, Hua Tai's wife, Lady Zhong, was also present and immediately said: \"Mother worked so hard today; she was so exhausted she barely ate two bites at noon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou waved her hand: \"It was not exhaustion; I simply had no appetite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai hastily said: \"Mother must take good care of her health. I still have some medicinal herbs bestowed by the Marquis's Manor; I will have a maid bring them to you shortly. Your health is what concerns your son most.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her eldest son so concerned for her, Lady Zhou felt greatly pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhong smiled as she served a freshly brewed cup of tea: \"If you ask me, it is precisely because Mother treats the clanspeople too well that she ended up being angered by a mere young lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai's expression immediately changed: \"Who dares anger my mother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou glanced faintly at Lady Zhong and shook her head: \"Just a young lady; how could she possibly anger me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is merely that seeing those young ladies today, each one blooming like a flower, yet to be sent away to become concubines for others, made my heart feel uneasy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Tai immediately rose and performed a deep bow to Lady Zhou: \"I have caused Mother to worry on my behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou sighed: \"Let it be; this sinful business of selecting the clan's young ladies to serve as concubines for others is something this old woman must handle. If clanspeople wish to curse in the future, let them curse this old woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai and Lady Zhong exchanged a glance and hastily said: \"How could this be sinful? To be chosen by Mother and enter a noble household as a concubine is a blessing for the clan's young ladies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou remained silent without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai ventured to ask: \"Which family's young lady has Mother taken a liking to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou looked at her son: \"What do you mean, 'taken a liking to'? I merely selected according to the standards you set.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They must be fertile, possess good looks, and have a gentle, obedient nature, unwilling to quarrel jealously with the principal wife. After selecting again and again, only one or two proved suitable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her son gazing at her intently, Lady Zhou revealed the person she had chosen: \"Fifth Lady from Hua Bin's family is the most suitable; her age is also sufficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Tai considered Hua Bin's family situation, knowing Hua Bin had always been pragmatic, and immediately smiled: \"Indeed, once Mother takes action, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou looked at her son: \"After all, they have given up a young lady; you should not be too stingy on your end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Tai laughed: \"Rest assured, Mother; with so many clanspeople watching, your son would not sacrifice the greater good for petty gain and chill the hearts of the clan. Does not Hua Bin have many grandsons? Nowadays, no young man lacks the desire to practice martial arts; I shall simply send them an admission token to the Martial Academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exchanging one young lady for one young man to enter the Martial Academy and train; they suffer no loss!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou nodded: \"Be somewhat polite in your attitude; Hua Bin's lineage still possesses a certain backbone.\" Speaking thus, she could not help but think of that Hua Ninth Lady who had dared to meet her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhou suddenly smiled: \"Come to think of it, those few young ladies from Hua Bin's family all possess quite remarkable beauty; in another couple of years when they fully blossom, they will undoubtedly be first-rate beauties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Tai followed with a laugh: \"To catch Mother's eye, those few young ladies are indeed blessed; once they reach their hair-pinning ceremony, Mother can help select suitable families for them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mother and son exchanged a glance and shared a knowing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>",2338,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","ac002bf37492b97005b0fd6dae30661bf3189eb9e797b82642bb888139fb34dc","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-10","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-8",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]