Chapter 113: Lotus Nest
“Fifth Sister!”
Seeing Hua Changxi enter the room, Hua Wuniang weakly raised her hand.
Hua Changxi quickly stepped forward and held her hand, “Fifth Sister, I’m here.”
Hua Wuniang’s eyes welled up with tears, “Jiu Niang, I thought I was going to die this time and would never wake up again. Before I fell unconscious, I thought I saw the road to the underworld. It was you, it was you who pulled me back from the road to the underworld.”
Hua Changxi looked at her, “Fifth Sister, it’s all over now. This childbirth has injured your body, so you must take good care of yourself. Only by recovering your health can you take care of the child. Have you seen the baby? He’s so cute.”
Speaking of the child, tears slid down Hua Wuniang’s eyes, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, “I have. Eldest Aunt and my mother brought him to see me. Jiu Niang, can you name the child?”
Hua Changxi widened her eyes and shook her head repeatedly, “Me? Name him? No way, I’m terrible at naming. If the little nephew grows up and thinks the name is ugly, he’ll blame me, his ninth aunt.”
Hua Wuniang rarely saw Hua Changxi looking flustered, and she couldn’t help but laugh. After laughing, she said, “You delivered the baby. If it weren’t for you, either the child and I would have died together, or the child would have been motherless from birth. Jiu Niang, you saved us, mother and child. I hope the child’s name is chosen by you.”
Hua Changxi got a headache. She was truly bad at naming, “How about I give him a nickname?”
Seeing her genuine difficulty, Hua Wuniang nodded, “Alright.”
Hua Changxi scratched her head and thought, “Xiao Man, He Xiao Man, how about that?”
Hua Wuniang said, “He Xiao Man, like the waxing and waning of the moon, and the overflowing of water. Xiao Man is just right.” With that, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Hua Changxi, “The child will be named He Xiao Man.”
Hua Changxi didn’t know if the name was good or not, but seeing Hua Wuniang so satisfied, she didn’t say anything more. After all, it was just a nickname.
Seeing that Hua Wuniang’s emotions were relatively stable, Hua Changxi hesitated for a moment before asking, “Fifth Sister, do you still want to stay in the Marquis’s Mansion? If you don’t, I have a way to take you away.”
Hua Wuniang looked at Hua Changxi, “Jiu Niang, I believe you, but if I leave the Marquis’s Mansion, what about the child? Third Master is already past thirty and has always longed for an heir. He won’t let me take the child away.”
“Moreover, if I return home, in the eyes of outsiders, I will be a discarded wife, which will affect the family’s reputation and be detrimental to the future marriages of my brothers and sisters.”
Hua Qiniang, who had been guarding by the side, quickly said, “What reputation? We don’t care.”
Hua Wuniang forced a strained, bitter smile, “You don’t care, but Grandfather and Grandmother do. You know how much Grandfather cares about face. Besides, the other brothers and sisters might not be indifferent either.”
Hua Changxi was silent for a moment and said, “Fifth Sister, our family’s situation is different from before.”
“Many of our brothers and sisters are cultivators. The main tasks of cultivators are cultivation and experience. Marriage and such things have to come later. If you’re not afraid of loneliness, living alone is also an option.”
“Reputation and such things are really not as important as before.”
“Furthermore, after embarking on the path of cultivation, both women and men have more choices. They don’t necessarily have to get married and have children.”
Hua Wuniang disagreed, “Jiu Niang, cultivators and martial artists should be similar, right? Except for a few martial artists who like to wander the world, most martial artists do get married.”
“Eldest Uncle’s martial arts are quite high, aren’t they? But he didn’t refrain from marrying and having children because he practiced martial arts. Female martial artists, as rumored in the streets, also hope to have a home to shelter them from the wind and rain.”
Hua Changxi couldn’t refute this. It wasn’t just a generational gap in thinking; more importantly, she herself hadn’t fully figured out some things.
After becoming a cultivator, their physical fitness improved significantly, and their lifespan also increased. In the long years, could one truly endure the loneliness of walking the world alone?
Understanding Hua Wuniang’s wishes, Hua Changxi respected her choice and didn’t say more. She recounted to her everything the Marchioness had promised the Hua family in the main hall.
After listening, Hua Wuniang’s eyes reddened again, “Jiu Niang, thank you.”
She knew very well that without Jiu Niang’s help in fighting for her, neither the Marquis’s Mansion nor Third Master would have cared about her, a mere concubine. The family would likely have tried to downplay the matter.
The confidence she had, backed by her family, was actually always given to her by Jiu Niang.
Hua Changxi said, “Fifth Sister, take good care of your health. I’m usually quite busy and won’t be able to visit you often. After I return, I’ll send someone to help you recuperate.”
Hua Wuniang smiled and accepted Hua Changxi’s kindness, not asking further about Hua Changxi’s affairs.
Afterward, Fourth Aunt Hua and Hua Qiniang stayed at the Marquis’s Mansion to take care of Hua Wuniang and the newborn child. The other Hua family members, along with Hua Tai and his wife, and Hua Zhong, left the Marquis’s Mansion.
As soon as the Hua family left, Third Master He was summoned to the main courtyard of the Marquis’s Mansion.
In the main courtyard were the Marquis Wu Yi and his wife, the Heir He and his wife, Second Master He and his wife, and a group of younger He family members including He Dalang.
Even He Sirong and He Siqi had returned from the Medical Affairs Department.
As soon as Third Master He entered the main hall, he knelt down, “Father, Mother, I did not handle the affairs of the inner courtyard properly. Please punish me.”
He Sirong and He Siqi had already learned about Hua Changxi’s disturbance at the Marquis’s Mansion. Seeing that Marquis Wu Yi and the Marchioness had grim expressions, they exchanged glances, stood up, and knelt behind Third Master He.
“Grandfather, Grandmother, it was we who told Hua Changxi about Concubine Hua’s matter.”
Hearing this, Third Master He turned his head sharply to look at the two, his eyes filled with displeasure.
Marquis Wu Yi saw this, picked up the teacup beside him, and smashed it at Third Master He, “Useless wretch! If it weren’t for Sirong and Siqi, our family would have made an irreconcilable enemy of the Hua family.”
He then looked at He Sirong and He Siqi, telling them to get up.
“Notifying Hua Changxi about Concubine Hua’s matter was the right thing to do.”
Third Master He was doused with tea and knelt on the ground without a word.
Marquis Wu Yi looked at him angrily, “Figure out a way to mend relations with the Hua family yourself.”
The Marchioness did not want to deal with her concubine’s son’s affairs. Today, she had lowered herself to meet the Hua family, only to be retorted and mocked by a junior from the Hua family. She still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it, but as the matriarch, some matters had to be handled by her.
“Concubine Hua’s difficult childbirth was the doing of Third Master’s wife. The Hua family demands an explanation from the Marquis’s Mansion. Third Master, what do you plan to do?”
Upon hearing this, before Third Master He could speak, He Dalang couldn’t help but interject, “Grandmother, our dignified Marquis’s Mansion needs to give an explanation to a fallen family like the Hua family?”
Marquis Wu Yi looked at He Dalang with some disappointment and directly addressed Third Master He, “Send Madam Shen to the estate.”
Third Master He looked up sharply, “Father, how long will Madam Shen have to stay at the estate?”
Marquis Wu Yi paused, “That depends on whether the Hua family has any prospects.”
Third Master He understood what Marquis Wu Yi meant and lowered his head, not pleading for Madam Shen.
Marquis Wu Yi waved his hand, “Alright, you all may leave.”
As everyone withdrew, only Marquis Wu Yi, the Marchioness, the Heir He, and Second Master He remained in the hall.
The Heir He looked at Marquis Wu Yi, “Father, do we need to place so much importance on the Hua family?”
Marquis Wu Yi moved his stiff left shoulder. He had just clashed with Hua Changxi using his bloodline divine ability and was injured, “Hua Changxi’s cultivation is far above mine.”
Upon hearing this, the Heir He and Second Master He’s expressions changed drastically, “How is that possible?”
Marquis Wu Yi looked at his two sons, “There’s nothing impossible. With the spiritual energy revival, everything will be reshuffled. Even the royal family is not exempt, let alone our family.”
“Various forces in Kunlun Mountain were vying for power, but in the end, a wild kid became the master of Kunlun Mountain.”
“And Five Finger Mountain. Although it’s still unclear what the background of that Fire Lotus Fairy is, after months of struggle among various factions, she suddenly appeared and reaped the rewards. This is very telling.”
“Power and status can bring some advantages, but the path of cultivation involves many profound and unfathomable things. Just having power may not lead to the end.”
Hearing this, the Heir He and Second Master He’s expressions became somewhat solemn. The recent scramble among various forces to send their alchemists into the Medical Affairs Department had already made them feel a sense of crisis.
It turned out that many nobles had been secretly cultivating their own alchemists and cultivators, and their family was clearly far behind.
They hadn’t managed to secure any of the apothecary shops on First Street.
Speaking of alchemy, Second Master He thought of the scene where Hua Liulang and He Dalang consumed pills during their fight. He immediately told Marquis Wu Yi and the Heir He about it.
Marquis Wu Yi narrowed his eyes, “It seems the Hua family is more extraordinary than I imagined.” He then looked at his two sons, “Sirong and Siqi, you did very well this time. Go back and tell them to continue to befriend Hua Changxi.”
The Heir He and Second Master He nodded in agreement and then left the main courtyard.
Meanwhile, Hua Zhong brought Hua Tai back to Dingyuan Earl’s Mansion and met with the Earl and the Heir Hua.
“What? Marquis Wu Yi, after clashing with Hua Jiu Niang, chose to retreat voluntarily?”
After hearing the reports from Hua Zhong and Hua Tai, the Earl of Dingyuan’s eyes flickered.
Marquis Wu Yi was famously arrogant among military officials. Anyone who could make him voluntarily back down must be someone he had no confidence in defeating.
Hua Jiu Niang’s cultivation was actually above Marquis Wu Yi’s!
Upon reaching this conclusion, the Earl of Dingyuan was shocked. However, thinking of Hua Shi Niang from Taisu Palace, he seemed to understand.
It seemed that Hua Shi Niang had been secretly guiding Hua Jiu Niang onto the path of cultivation for a long time, and had also informed Hua Jiu Niang in advance that the Medical Affairs Department was a sacred land.
Otherwise, Hua Jiu Niang wouldn’t have entered the Medical Affairs Department two years ago, not even caring if she was just a laborer.
The Heir Hua frowned, “Hua Liulang and Hua Jiu Niang are both cultivators, but they didn’t report it to the clan. What do they mean by this?”
The Earl of Dingyuan interrupted him, “Don’t pursue this matter, it’s meaningless.” He then tapped the table, “Hua Dalang is a cultivator, and Hua Liulang and Hua Jiu Niang are too. There’s no reason why Hua Sanlang wouldn’t be.”
“With five children who are all cultivators, Hua Minghe and his wife are most likely cultivators too.”
A family full of cultivators, the Earl of Dingyuan was even envious, “Hua Minghe has given birth to a good daughter!” He then looked at Hua Tai, “Hua Jiu Niang saved Hua Wuniang, so her medical skills should be quite good?”
Hua Tai nodded, “Madam Zhong went in to examine Hua Wuniang’s condition and said that if an ordinary doctor had gone, they wouldn’t have been able to save her life.” He paused, “If Hua Jiu Niang hadn’t arrived in time, Madam He would likely have taken Hua Wuniang’s life to keep the child.”
The Earl of Dingyuan was not concerned with the squabbles of the women in the inner courtyard. What he was focused on now was Hua Jiu Niang, the twin sister of Hua Shi Niang.
Hua Zhong stepped forward to add, “Hua Liulang was carrying a large quantity of elixirs, the kind that can instantly replenish spiritual energy.”
The Heir Hua was very concerned about the pills, “Who provided them with the elixirs? How did the Hua Bin family get the connections to know an alchemist?”
Hua Tai hesitated for a moment and said, “Perhaps… they refined them themselves.” Seeing the Earl of Dingyuan and the Heir Hua look at him, he continued.
“Not long after Hua Jiu Niang entered the Medical Affairs Department, the Hua Family Apothecary Shop began selling pills for martial artists. They were all refined by Hua Sanlang himself. I’ve taken them, and their medicinal efficacy is better than those sold in many other apothecary shops.”
The Earl of Dingyuan rapidly spun the thumb ring on his right hand, “The clan has paid too little attention to the Hua Bin family. We must prioritize them in the future.”
He then looked at the Heir Hua, “Have Shu Ran interact more with Hua Jiu Niang at the Medical Affairs Department. She and Hua Shi Niang are twins, and Hua Shi Niang is a direct disciple of the Sect Leader of Taisu Palace. She knows many things we cannot access. Perhaps through Hua Jiu Niang, we can glean some information.”
Just as the Marquis’s Mansion and the Earl’s Mansion were discussing the Hua family members, Hua Changxi returned to the Hua Family Courtyard with her family.
Hua Changxi had expected to be lectured by Old Master Hua and Old Madam Hua for her assertive behavior at the Marquis’s Mansion. To her surprise, they said nothing about it.
“Grandmother, say what you want to say.”
Seeing Old Madam Hua glancing at her from time to time, wanting to speak but hesitating, Hua Changxi couldn’t help but ask directly.
Old Madam Hua couldn’t keep things hidden either. Looking at the red lotus pattern on Hua Changxi’s brow, she said, “Why did you draw a floral hairpin on yourself?”
Hua Changxi hadn’t expected it to be about this. She touched her brow, “Doesn’t it look good?”
Old Madam Hua said irritably, “You’re already eye-catching enough on your own. Now with a floral hairpin… it’s too ostentatious. Don’t wear it again in the future.”
Hua Changxi turned to look at Madam Yao, asking if it looked good.
Madam Yao examined it carefully and smiled, “It looks good.” She then looked at Old Madam Hua, “Mother, many young women wear floral hairpins. Jiu Niang isn’t that conspicuous.”
Old Madam Hua looked at Hua Changxi’s maturing features. Her fair skin made her want to look at her more, “You haven’t seen what your daughter looks like. You indulge her, but do you really think being too outstanding is a good thing for a young woman?”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi finally understood what Old Madam Hua meant. Was she implying that she was too beautiful?
Hua Changxi thought for a moment and took out the Totem Golden Alms Bowl.
Hua Liulang immediately stepped forward, “Jiu Niang, what is this?”
Hua Changxi replied, “This is the Totem Golden Alms Bowl. It can reveal the bloodline totem within a person’s body.”
Hua Liulang asked in confusion, “What is a bloodline totem?”
Hua Changxi explained, “The tiger that appeared in Third Master He’s body is the He family’s bloodline totem.”
Hua Liulang had experienced the power of that illusory tiger up close, “Do we have one too?”
Hua Changxi looked at the people in the room, “We’ll know if we shine it on you.”
Next, starting with the younger generation, Hua Changxi shone the Totem Golden Alms Bowl on them one by one.
To her surprise, all the younger generation of the Hua family revealed a lotus totem.
Hua Changxi then began to shine it on the adults. Hua Minghe, Hua Ming’ang, and Hua Mingcheng, the three brothers, all revealed lotus totems. However, Second Aunt Hua showed nothing. Madam Yao revealed a Vermilion Bird.
“So many people in our family have ancestral bloodline return? Have we entered a lotus nest?”
Hua Changxi shone the bowl on Old Master Hua and Old Madam Hua again. Old Madam Hua also showed nothing, but something even more surprising appeared.
The lotus totem that appeared on Old Master Hua was the clearest, meaning his bloodline ancestral return was the highest.
Regarding cultivation, it was impossible for Old Master Hua to have never been tempted. However, there were only three portions of the pills brought back by Shi Niang, so they could only be prioritized for the grandsons.
When his ninth granddaughter revealed the lotus totem, Old Master Hua excitedly asked, “Jiu Niang, can I cultivate too?”
Hua Changxi nodded, “You can, but it will be very difficult.”
Old Master Hua grinned. What was hardship? His life had been turbulent, and he feared nothing more than hardship.
Hua Changxi asked curiously, “Grandfather, did you eat anything that caused ancestral return before you got married?”
Otherwise, there was no explanation for so many people in their family having ancestral bloodline return.
Old Master Hua shook his head, “How would I know about ancestral return or not?”
Hua Changxi said, “Think carefully, did you eat anything special or unusual?”
Old Master Hua recalled events before his marriage and shook his head, “When I was young, I ate from many families. As I grew up, I wandered around and ate whatever I could find when I was hungry. I can’t remember.”
