Chapter 111: Whetstone
In the delivery room, Hua Changxi looked at Hua Wuniang, who had already fallen into a coma and was breathing weakly. Understanding what the He family meant by “protecting the child,” her disgust for the He family members reached its peak.
When she examined Hua Wuniang’s body, she discovered that Hua Wuniang had also been given medication to induce heavy bleeding. Her anger instantly ignited and spread rapidly.
Just then, a commotion erupted in the courtyard.
“What kind of scoundrel dares to trespass into Marquis Wu Yi’s Mansion?”
Hua Changxi flew into Marquis Wu Yi’s Mansion on her cloud, startling the guards. Seeing the direction Hua Changxi descended, the guards immediately pursued her.
Upon entering the courtyard and seeing the maids and wet nurses lying unconscious all over the ground, the guards immediately drew their sabres and stood ready.
Third Master He saw this and quickly said, “They are not scoundrels. It’s Concubine Hua’s sister who has arrived. This is none of your business, you can all withdraw.”
Seeing Third Master He signal them to leave, the guards glanced at the East Wing Room, sheathed their sabres, and prepared to report back to the Heir.
However, Third Madam He spoke up at this moment, “These maids and wet nurses lying on the ground are in the way. Take them away.”
The guards looked at Third Master He. Seeing that he did not stop them, they prepared to carry away the unconscious people.
However, as the guards carried the people to the courtyard gate, they found they could not leave. A fiery red Spiritual Energy Shield suddenly appeared, enveloping the small courtyard.
“Third Master!”
The guards’ faces changed drastically, and they all looked at Third Master He.
Third Master He frowned and walked over quickly. Looking at the Spiritual Energy Shield covering the small courtyard, his eyelids twitched.
No need to think, it must be Hua Changxi. She wouldn’t let the people in the courtyard leave.
Third Master He was somewhat annoyed by Hua Changxi’s behavior. This was Marquis Wu Yi’s Mansion, not the Hua Family. How could she arbitrarily set up a Spiritual Energy Shield and restrict others’ entry and exit?
Knowing that sufficiently strong Spiritual Power could break through a Spiritual Energy Shield, Third Master He used his full strength to attack it.
However, the Spiritual Energy Shield showed no reaction.
Third Master He’s attack was like a splash of water thrown into a river, causing not the slightest ripple.
Seeing this, Third Master He’s heart trembled.
Relying on the Cultivation Resources provided by the Marquis’s Mansion and the Martial Arts Academy, he was now a cultivator in the Late Qi Refining stage, yet he couldn’t shake Hua Changxi’s Spiritual Energy Shield in the slightest.
What was Hua Changxi’s Cultivation?
Third Master He once again thought of the look Hua Changxi gave him before entering the delivery room, sharp as an arrow piercing him. Even now, a chill ran down his spine.
Third Master He’s expression became solemn. If Concubine Hua truly died, given Hua Changxi’s attitude, he and the Hua Family would be locked in a mortal feud.
If it were in the past, he would certainly not have taken a mere Hua Family seriously. But now, the situation was in turmoil, cultivators were rising strongly, and the future development was unpredictable.
The Hua Family had produced Hua Changxin, and Hua Changxi, whom he saw today, was also so powerful. Furthermore, several cultivators had emerged from the younger generation of the Hua Family. This was a force not to be underestimated.
This should have been his support, but now it was turning into an enemy. Third Master He was extremely regretful and turned to glare coldly at Third Madam He.
Concubine Hua was merely a concubine giving birth. This jealous woman couldn’t even tolerate that. If not for her causing trouble, how could such a mess have occurred?
Third Madam He, Madam Shen, had a powerful family background to marry into Marquis Wu Yi’s Mansion. Apart from Hua Changxi’s aggressive arrival at the beginning, which made her a little flustered, she had calmed down by now.
She was Third Master He’s legal wife, the daughter-in-law brought into Marquis Wu Yi’s Mansion with a grand sedan chair. Even if Concubine Hua died today, the Hua Family could do nothing to her.
Even to maintain the Marquis’s Mansion’s reputation, the He Family would not allow a concubine’s family to humiliate her, the legal wife.
However, Third Master He’s cold gaze made Third Madam He feel a little scared. She wasn’t afraid of fighting with Concubine Hua; Concubine Hua’s family background was inferior, and she couldn’t win against her. But she was afraid of completely losing her husband’s heart.
In the delivery room, Hua Changxi, who was urgently trying to save Hua Wuniang, had no time to deal with Third Master He and the others. After setting up the Spiritual Energy Shield to prevent people in the courtyard from leaving, she ignored them and focused on rescuing Hua Wuniang, who was on the verge of death.
“Wuniang~”
Steward Kong was efficient. Within an hour, he had invited Concubine Hua’s maternal family.
Hearing the anxious shouts and hurried footsteps outside the courtyard, Third Master He’s expression relaxed.
As an instructor at the Martial Arts Academy, he knew that young people were prone to impulsiveness, resorting to violence at the slightest displeasure and acting without considering the consequences. It was much easier to reason with elders.
With elders present, things would not escalate uncontrollably.
“Wuniang!”
The first to rush into the courtyard was Fourth Aunt Hua, followed closely by Old Madam Hua, Madam Yao, and Second Aunt Hua. Further behind were the younger generation of the Hua Family. All the Hua Family members present at home had arrived.
Even Hua Silang, Hua Qiniang, and Hua Shierniang, who were cultivating at the Earl’s Mansion, came along when Steward Kong approached the Earl’s Mansion and informed them of the matter.
Seeing so many Hua Family members arrive in a grand procession, Third Master He’s eyelids twitched.
These people were coming to cause trouble. It was only when he saw the couple Hua Tai and the Grand Steward of Dingyuan Earl’s Mansion, Hua Zhong, who could handle matters, at the end of the procession that he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Third Master, where is my Wuniang? Wasn’t it said that her pregnancy was very stable? Then why is she having a difficult labor?”
Fourth Aunt Hua grabbed Third Master He’s arm as soon as she arrived.
Madam Zhong saw Third Master He frowning under Fourth Aunt Hua’s tugging and quickly stepped forward to pull Fourth Aunt Hua away. “Now is not the time to ask these questions. Let’s check on Wuniang’s condition first.”
“Third Master, how is Wuniang?”
Third Master He glanced at the delivery room. “Jiu Niang is here. As soon as she arrived, she drove everyone out. I’m not clear about the current situation.”
Upon hearing this, Fourth Aunt Hua immediately ran into the delivery room, followed closely by Madam Yao. Hua Qiniang and Hua Shierniang followed without hesitation.
Old Madam Hua took a few steps forward but finally stopped, her eyes red and her expression anxious as she looked at the delivery room, seemingly afraid to enter.
Seeing the Old Madam like this, Second Aunt Hua stayed by her side and did not enter.
Hua Liulang, Hua Silang, Hua Balang, and Hua Shisanlang stood together and asked anxiously, “Why can’t I hear Fifth Sister’s voice? Don’t people usually shout when giving birth? Why is Fifth Sister so quiet?”
Hearing this, Madam Zhong looked at Hua Tai and the head steward with a solemn expression.
Hua Tai frowned and walked up to Third Master He, asking in a low voice, “Third Master, what exactly is going on?”
Third Master He naturally wouldn’t say that Third Madam He had tampered with things. He simply said, “Concubine Hua accidentally fell while taking a walk yesterday.”
“Yesterday!”
Hua Liulang, with his sharp ears, immediately shouted upon hearing Third Master He’s words, “My Fifth Sister fell yesterday, so she’s been in labor all night? Why didn’t you notify us during this time?”
Third Master He was somewhat displeased with Hua Liulang’s attitude, but he explained, “We really didn’t expect Wuniang to have a difficult labor. We were planning to bring you the good news after she gave birth.”
Hua Liulang didn’t believe him. “I think you never intended to notify us. If something happened to my Fifth Sister, without us here, you could decide her fate as you pleased.”
“Liulang!”
Hua Tai reprimanded Hua Liulang. “How could Third Master watch Wuniang get into trouble? Wuniang is carrying the child he has long awaited. You don’t know the full story, so don’t speak carelessly.”
Old Master Hua wasn’t here. Without him watching, Hua Liulang had no intention of giving Hua Tai face. He glared at Third Master He angrily. “Third Master He, if my Fifth Sister is fine, then so be it. If anything happens to her, we won’t let this go.”
Hearing this, Third Master He and Hua Tai both knitted their brows.
Madam Zhong saw this and quickly interjected, “Stop arguing. Be careful that Wuniang hears you and it affects her labor. I’ll go in and check on Wuniang now. Everyone, don’t worry.” With that, she also stepped into the delivery room.
After that, everyone in the courtyard stared anxiously at the delivery room.
When Third Madam He saw the Hua Family members enter, the Spiritual Energy Shield was removed. Now that everyone’s attention was on the delivery room, she immediately signaled to the two maids beside her.
The maids, seeing this, helped up an unconscious wet nurse and tried to leave amidst the chaos.
However, as soon as they reached the door, the small courtyard was once again enveloped by the Spiritual Energy Shield.
Seeing this, Third Madam He’s expression tightened. She realized that the Hua Family did not intend to let this matter go easily this time.
This made her a little worried. However, thinking of her father-in-law, Marquis Wu Yi, who valued his reputation the most, Third Madam He’s expression relaxed slightly.
She was Third Master’s legal wife, and her father-in-law would not allow a concubine’s family to slander her.
In the delivery room, Hua Changxi was fully focused on treating Hua Wuniang. When Fourth Aunt Hua and the others entered, she had no time to pay attention to them. She directly threw a Spiritual Energy Shield at them, confining them to a corner to prevent them from interfering.
Looking at Hua Wuniang, who was covered in silver needles, and the bedding on the bed soaked in blood, Fourth Aunt Hua and the others covered their mouths tightly, trying not to cry out.
Madam Zhong, who entered later, also looked somewhat grim upon seeing Hua Wuniang’s tragic state.
After an unknown amount of time, a baby’s cry of “wa” broke the silence of the delivery room and the small courtyard.
Hearing the cry, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Hua Changxi removed the Spiritual Energy Shield from Fourth Aunt Hua and the others, letting them take the baby. She then asked Hua Qiniang to go and brew medicine, as she needed to continue applying needles to Hua Wuniang to ensure she wouldn’t bleed heavily again.
“Shi’er Niang, come here.”
After finishing the acupuncture, Hua Changxi called Shi’er Niang to her side. “Fifth Sister suffered so much. Go and ask Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, Grandfather, and Grandmother what their plans are.”
Hua Shierniang replied, “Grandfather didn’t come, and Fourth Uncle and the others are also on duty.”
Hearing that Old Master Hua wasn’t present, Hua Changxi sneered. “Have Sixth Brother and the others go and call them. Fifth Sister almost died. The Marquis’s Mansion must give our family an explanation. How can they not be here?”
Hua Shierniang was also frightened by Hua Wuniang’s condition. She nodded and turned to find Hua Liulang and the others.
Seeing that the child was born safely and Concubine Hua was out of danger, Third Master He thought the matter would be over after an apology. He never expected the Hua Family to linger in the small courtyard with no intention of leaving. Hua Liulang and the others even went to summon Hua Mingcheng and the others, who were still on duty at the yamen.
Third Master He did not want to cause further trouble and could only look at Hua Tai.
Hua Tai was helpless and looked at Madam Zhong.
Madam Zhong saw this and could only brace herself and walk to Old Madam Hua’s side. “Wuniang is fine now. The people from the Marquis’s Mansion will take good care of her. Let’s go back. Staying here will only cause trouble.”
Hua Qiniang heard this, and the anger suppressed in her heart erupted. “Grandma Zhong, didn’t you see my sister’s condition just now? Have the people from the Marquis’s Mansion taken good care of her?”
“You want us to leave now. Do you want my sister to fall into helplessness and despair again, to die a second time?”
Madam Zhong was somewhat annoyed. “I meant well…”
“Meant well?”
Hua Qiniang directly interrupted her. “It was you all who said the Marquis’s Mansion was a blessed place and asked my Fifth Sister to become a concubine to Third Master He. But is this a blessed place? This is clearly a tiger’s den that devours people without spitting out bones.”
“What are your true intentions? Do you think we are all fools and don’t know? And you still have the audacity to speak of good intentions. If this were truly a blessed place, why wouldn’t you let your own granddaughter become a concubine?”
“Enough!”
Hua Tai roared and looked at Old Madam Hua. “It wasn’t us who forced you back then; you went willingly. How has it become our fault now?”
Hearing this, Old Madam Hua quickly glared at Hua Qiniang, telling her to stop talking.
This time, Hua Qiniang didn’t listen to Old Madam Hua and looked at Hua Tai coldly. “You didn’t openly force us. You just kept pressuring us with the clan’s authority. It seemed like you gave us a choice, but in reality, there was none, because you knew our family wouldn’t dare to defy the clan.”
Hearing this, Hua Tai was furious. Just as he was about to reprimand Hua Qiniang, he heard a commotion from outside the courtyard.
Then, He Dalang appeared at the courtyard gate with a group of guards. They wanted to enter the courtyard but were blocked by the Spiritual Energy Shield.
“Third Uncle, what’s going on?”
Third Master He walked to the courtyard gate. “Concubine Hua had a difficult labor, and the Hua Family seems to want to hold me accountable.”
He Dalang’s eyes widened. “A concubine’s family dares to be so arrogant, daring to run to Marquis Wu Yi’s Mansion to cause trouble? Do they still have the Marquis’s Mansion in their eyes?”
Third Master He also felt very ashamed and blamed himself. “Hua Jiu Niang’s Cultivation is above mine. I cannot break this Spiritual Energy Shield.”
Upon hearing this, He Dalang immediately gathered his Spiritual Energy and attacked the Spiritual Energy Shield.
The Spiritual Energy Shield showed no reaction.
Seeing this, Third Master He’s heart sank. Da Lang had good cultivation talent and his Cultivation was even higher than his. He had advanced to the Late Qi Sea Realm last month, yet he still couldn’t break Hua Changxi’s Spiritual Energy Shield!
“What are you doing?”
Hua Liulang, accompanied by Fourth Uncle Hua, arrived at the Marquis’s Mansion. Seeing a group of people surrounding the small courtyard, he rushed over.
He Dalang saw Hua Liulang and, knowing he was from the Hua Family, attacked him without a word.
Hua Liulang, seeing this, couldn’t dodge and could only counterattack head-on.
In an instant, the two began to fight.
“Liulang is also a cultivator?”
Watching Hua Liulang fight He Dalang, Steward Hua Zhong of the Earl’s Mansion, who had been silent, spoke up, looking at Hua Tai in surprise.
Hua Tai was also full of surprise. He had no idea Hua Liulang was also a cultivator.
The registered cultivators in Hua Bin’s Family were only Hua Da Lang, Hua Shi Niang, Hua Si Lang, Hua Shi’er Niang, Hua Qi Niang, and Hua Shi Yi Lang, a total of six people.
Originally, Steward Kong’s informing them that Hua Jiu Niang was a cultivator was surprising enough. They didn’t expect Hua Liulang to be a cultivator as well.
Seeing another cultivator from the Hua Family, Third Master He’s temples throbbed painfully.
The Spiritual Meridian shaped by the Creation Pill was comparable to a congenital Spiritual Meridian. Hua Liulang had a Single Fire Spiritual Root, and the Burning Flame Art he cultivated was also a high-grade Cultivation Method. With no shortage of Pills or Spirit Stones, he was now a cultivator in the Late Qi Sea Realm.
Although Hua Liulang’s Cultivation was comparable to He Dalang’s, he lacked combat experience and was constantly being suppressed by He Dalang.
At some point, Hua Changxi walked out of the delivery room. Seeing the two fighting, she chuckled and said, “Sixth Brother, if you win against this person, I’ll give you a Storage Ring.”
Hua Liulang’s face lit up when he heard this. “Really?!”
Following this, Hua Liulang seemed to be injected with chicken blood, attacking He Dalang with all his might.
At first, He Dalang could still cope, but gradually he began to feel overwhelmed. Hua Liulang, on the other hand, became more ferocious as the fight progressed.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi’s lips curved. Weren’t the He family treating Fifth Sister as a breeding tool? Then she would let the He family’s eldest grandson be a whetstone for her Sixth Brother.
