Chapter 12: New Skill Unlocked
Hua Wuniang was taken away by Granny Zhou, who served Madam Zhou.
Watching the carriage disappear, the Hua family members were all incredibly silent.
Seeing Fourth Aunt Hua standing at the door, lost in thought for a long time, Hua Changxi stepped forward again, “Fourth Aunt, since you also don’t want Fifth Sister to become a concubine, then quickly call her back. It’s still not too late.”
Fourth Aunt Hua’s eyes reddened, her lips trembled, and she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
Old Madam Hua’s displeased voice rang out, “Hua Jiuniang, who let you out? Do the affairs of adults concern a young woman like you?”
“Fourth Aunt!”
Hua Changxi called out to Fourth Aunt Hua again, but Fourth Aunt Hua lowered her head and did not respond.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi felt powerless. Noticing Old Madam Hua’s barely concealed anger, and not wanting to be locked in the side room again, which would affect the Medical Affairs Department apprentice examination four days later, she obediently returned to her room.
Returning to her room, Hua Changxi was somewhat lost in thought.
Looking at Hua Wuniang’s plight, she couldn’t help but think of herself.
Before this, she was generally satisfied with being born into the Hua family.
Although the elders were somewhat patriarchal, and the family’s resources were mostly directed towards the male heirs, the young women in the family did not suffer any mistreatment.
However, after Hua Wuniang’s incident, her perspective changed.
For the sake of the male heirs in the family, a young woman could be sacrificed.
Today it was Hua Wuniang, tomorrow it could be her.
Although she had luckily obtained an opportunity for cultivation, she knew nothing about cultivation, and she had no idea what awaited her in the future.
The only thing she could do now was to be admitted into the Medical Affairs Department and strive to improve her medical skills inheritance level.
For the next few days, the Hua Family Courtyard was rather silent, and Hua Changxi also quietly stayed in her room, focusing on cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, it was the twentieth of September. Before dawn, Hua Changxi, accompanied by Hua Liulang, left home and headed straight for the Medical Affairs Department.
“The Medical Affairs Department is not that easy to get into.”
Seeing Madam Yao standing at the entrance watching the two children’s receding backs, Hua Minghe walked over, “I inquired, and there are many people applying for the Medical Affairs Department this time. Jiuniang may not necessarily get in.”
Madam Yao showed disagreement, “Pharmacist Xu also recognizes Jiuniang’s medical skills.”
Hua Minghe sighed, “When working in the yamen, being capable is important, but connections are even more important.”
Madam Yao frowned, “Do people with connections care about the position of apprentice in the Medical Affairs Department?”
Hua Minghe: “Who doesn’t have a few relatives? The nobles might not care, but their relatives might.”
“Many people are eyeing the Medical Affairs Department. When San Lang was fifteen, I thought about getting him into the Medical Affairs Department, but unfortunately, his medical skills were not refined enough, and he didn’t pass. Even if I tried to pull strings, it didn’t work.”
Madam Yao exclaimed in surprise, “Why haven’t you ever mentioned this to San Lang?”
Hua Minghe: “Why talk about something that didn’t work out? Besides, San Lang is older now and cares about his reputation.”
Madam Yao frowned, “Is the Medical Affairs Department that difficult to get into?”
Hua Minghe: “The Medical Affairs Department is a yamen. Even the most powerless and deserted yamen attracts a lot of attention. Moreover, the Medical Affairs Department is not deserted; it’s a place the Emperor himself keeps an eye on.”
Madam Yao worriedly said, “Then, according to you, Jiuniang most likely won’t be able to get into the Medical Affairs Department?”
Hua Minghe sighed deeply, “Our daughter is rather proud and stubborn, with a naive and defiant spirit that doesn’t bow to anyone.”
“It’s right for you to let her take the exam for the Medical Affairs Department. Let her fall hard a few times, and she’ll know how cruel the outside world is.”
Just as Madam Yao was about to say something, with a splash, a basin of water was thrown from behind, drenching the street at the entrance and raising a cloud of dust.
“Mother!”
Hua Minghe and Madam Yao turned around and saw Old Madam Hua standing behind them, holding a wooden basin.
“You’re getting more and more audacious. Letting Jiuniang, a young woman, apply to the Medical Affairs Department without even telling the family? Do you even have this family in your hearts?”
After speaking, Old Madam Hua angrily returned to the courtyard with the wooden basin.
Hua Minghe and Madam Yao quickly followed.
“Mother, it’s not that we didn’t tell the family. When Jiuniang applied to the Medical Affairs Department, we didn’t really have much hope. We just let her take the exam for fun.”
“We didn’t tell the family because we didn’t want everyone to worry together.”
Because of Old Madam Hua’s sudden appearance, the entire Hua family knew that Hua Changxi was taking the apprentice examination for the Medical Affairs Department today, even before she entered the examination hall.
The Medical Affairs Department is located northeast of the Capital City, occupying a vast area that spans three streets, several times larger than a normal residential district.
When Hua Changxi and Hua Liulang arrived, a large crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the Medical Affairs Department.
“So many people!”
Seeing the examinees entering the Medical Affairs Department one after another, Hua Liulang was somewhat speechless.
Someone next to them immediately chimed in, “I heard that several thousand people are applying for the Medical Affairs Department this time, but they will only recruit 200 people.”
Hua Liulang swallowed and looked at Hua Changxi, “Jiuniang, with so many people, can you get into the Medical Affairs Department?”
Hua Changxi looked at the plaque of the Medical Affairs Department, her eyes flashing with determination, “Sixth Brother, you should go home. I’m going in.”
Saying this, she took out her admission ticket and joined the queue.
The Medical Affairs Department is the gathering place for the medical masters of the Great Jin Dynasty. Even to become an apprentice, one must possess a certain level of medical knowledge.
Previously, only a written test was required for recruiting apprentices, but this time, a practical processing of medicinal herbs segment was added.
Hua Changxi was very confident in herself. If it were her in the past, she would have had serious deficiencies regarding martial artist medicinal herbs, but the Pure Body Technique had already compensated for this.
As for processing medicinal herbs, that was even less of a problem.
In her previous life, from the time she could walk, she followed her grandfather to learn how to process traditional Chinese medicine. In this life, she had also helped at the Hua Family Apothecary Shop for several years, and many of the medicinal herbs sold by the Hua family were prepared by her.
The written test assessed the accumulation of medical knowledge. After Hua Changxi finished reviewing the questions, she felt confident and began to answer them calmly.
Due to the fierce competition, in order to attract the attention of the invigilators as a ‘promising talent,’ she deliberately submitted her paper first.
After the written test, without giving Hua Changxi any time to rest, she was directly led to a plaza by an official physician.
Several rows of wooden tables were placed in the plaza, with several medicinal herbs on each table.
The official physician led Hua Changxi to a wooden table and beckoned to someone in the room on the west side of the plaza. Soon, a middle-aged official physician arrived with paper and a pen.
“Someone finished the written test so quickly? I heard this written test is not simple.”
The middle-aged official physician sized up Hua Changxi and smiled, “You didn’t answer any questions and came out, did you?”
The leading official physician cupped his fists in greeting, “Greetings, Physician Sun.” Then he smiled and said, “I’m only here to lead the way. I don’t know if she answered the questions. I’ve brought her here, Physician Sun. Please supervise her practical test.”
After the leading official physician left, Physician Sun turned his gaze to Hua Changxi.
Hua Changxi cupped her fists and bowed, imitating the leading official physician’s greeting, “This humble one, Hua Changxi, greets Lord Sun.”
Seeing her like this, the middle-aged official physician raised an eyebrow, chuckled, and without saying much, pointed to the herbs on the table, “Process these five medicinal herbs.”
There were five medicinal herbs on the wooden table. Three of them were ordinary herbs, and two were medicinal herbs used by martial artists.
Hua Changxi had processed the ordinary herbs before, but she had not processed the two medicinal herbs used by martial artists before.
However, the Hundred Herbs Annotation provided detailed explanations of the properties of the two medicinal herbs, so she could process them according to their properties.
Thinking this, Hua Changxi began to act.
The first step in processing medicinal herbs is washing, to remove dust and dirt from the herbs.
As Hua Changxi finished washing one medicinal herb, a line of text suddenly appeared in her vision.
Pure Body Technique Beginner: Wash Medicinal Herbs 1/10
Hua Changxi’s eyelids twitched. She suppressed the excitement in her heart and diligently washed the herbs. After washing all five medicinal herbs clean, the text in her vision changed.
Pure Body Technique Beginner: Wash Medicinal Herbs 5/10
After washing the medicinal herbs, it was time for processing.
Processing medicinal herbs involves methods such as water preparation, fire preparation, and combined water and fire preparation.
For the five herbs on the table, fire preparation was sufficient according to their properties.
Hua Changxi took the washed medicinal herbs to the iron stove nearby for roasting, determining the degree of drying based on their properties.
Physician Sun watched Hua Changxi’s skilled and smooth movements and couldn’t help but ask, “Do your elders practice medicine?”
Hua Changxi quickly replied with a smile, “Replying to Lord Sun, my family runs an apothecary shop, and my maternal grandmother’s family are medicine merchants.”
Physician Sun looked as if he knew it would be so, “No wonder you are so skilled at processing medicinal herbs.” He then inquired about the Hua family’s situation.
Upon learning that the Hua family had members serving in the yamen, but they were all low-ranking officials, he lost interest in asking further.
At this moment, a group of people pushed several large carts of medicinal herbs across the plaza. The leader was a eunuch with a fair face and no beard.
Hua Changxi looked at the medicinal herbs on the carts, and her heart burned with excitement.
Those medicinal herbs were ones she had never seen before, but they were all recorded in the Hundred Herbs Annotation.
Seeing the newcomer, Physician Sun immediately greeted him with a smile, “Eunuch Jia, have you just returned from the Medicine Farm?”
Eunuch Jia waved his hand, signaling the people behind him to continue, while he stopped and asked, “Physician Sun, why is this place set up like this?”
Physician Sun smiled, “Eunuch Jia, you have a forgetful nature. Have you forgotten that today is the day for additional apprentice recruitment?”
Eunuch Jia let out a long “Oh,” and then said no more, but looked at Hua Changxi, who was roasting herbs, “Not bad, your technique is very skilled. It seems the Apprentice Hall will be getting new talent.”
Physician Sun sighed, “May your words come true. The tasks assigned by the Minister have become heavier each year, and the Apprentice Hall is almost overwhelmed. If we can truly recruit useful people, the Apprentice Hall will be a bit easier.”
Eunuch Jia gestured towards Hua Changxi with his chin, “Isn’t the talent right before your eyes? If the Apprentice Hall had a stronger backbone, why would you worry about not having usable people?”
After speaking, without waiting for Physician Sun to reply, Eunuch Jia said, “I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany Physician Sun for a chat. Farewell.”
Watching Eunuch Jia stride away, Physician Sun spat with great restraint.
Doesn’t the Apprentice Hall want a stronger backbone? But do they have strong backing?
The Apprentice Hall, the Labor Department, and the Disciple Hall are all core departments of the Medical Affairs Department. The Labor Department has the backing of people from the palace, and the Disciple Hall is personally overseen by the Director. Only the Apprentice Hall is like a stepchild, where anyone can interfere.
Physician Sun felt that Eunuch Jia had been sarcastic towards him. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he suddenly turned to look at Hua Changxi.
Seeing Hua Changxi engrossed in roasting herbs and not peeking in his direction at all, Sun Zhigang showed a hint of regret on his face.
If this candidate had shown the slightest impropriety, he would have had someone to vent his anger on.
Before long, an unfamiliar official physician led five candidates over.
Hua Changxi only glanced up at them. Seeing that three of the five were women, she was slightly surprised but didn’t think much of it, continuing to focus on roasting the herbs.
After she finished processing one herb, a line of text immediately appeared in her vision: Compendium of Processing Beginner: Process Medicinal Herbs 1/10
Hua Changxi’s heart rejoiced; a new technique had appeared.
Coming to the Medical Affairs Department was indeed the right decision. She had unlocked two new techniques at once.
Just as Hua Changxi was lost in thought, Physician Sun walked over and said to her, “Alright, you can go now.”
Hua Changxi snapped back to attention and looked at the herbs still being roasted, “The medicinal herbs haven’t been processed yet.”
Physician Sun: “You don’t need to worry about that. You can leave.”
Hua Changxi frowned slightly. Seeing Physician Sun’s impatient expression, and worried about receiving a negative evaluation, she didn’t dare to linger. She placed the processed herbs on the table and slowly walked towards the exit.
She didn’t leave directly. After turning the corner of the plaza, she saw that no one was around and stopped, leaning against the corner to look towards the plaza.
Upon seeing this, her heart immediately surged with anger.
The five newly arrived candidates were all handing slips of paper to Physician Sun.
Although Physician Sun looked somewhat unwilling, he accepted all five slips.
Hua Changxi wanted to rush forward and catch them red-handed, but in the end, she suppressed the impulse in her heart.
By pretending not to see this, she still had a chance to enter the Medical Affairs Department. If she ran out and exposed the matter, she feared she would never have the opportunity to enter the Medical Affairs Department.
However, could she really enter the Medical Affairs Department based on her medical skills alone?
Her five medicinal herbs were not yet finished processing.
Getting into the Medical Affairs Department was too important for Hua Changxi; she didn’t want to leave like this.
If she wasn’t on the recruitment list in three days, she would be in a bind.
Hua Changxi thought of Pharmacist Xu, knowing that Pharmacist Xu worked at the Ninth Street of the Medical Affairs Department, so she found him discreetly.
Her luck was quite good; Ninth Street was adjacent to the plaza.
“Number twelve, Ninth Street.”
Hua Changxi found the apothecary shop at number twelve, Ninth Street, where Pharmacist Xu worked, according to the address Pharmacist Xu had given her. Just as someone was coming out, she quickly stepped forward, “Greetings, sir. I’m looking for Pharmacist Xu. Could you please inform him?”
Soon, Pharmacist Xu came out.
“Jiuniang, what are you doing here?”
Seeing Hua Changxi, Pharmacist Xu was first surprised, then he quickly pulled Hua Changxi into a nearby alley, “Strangers are not allowed to wander around the Medical Affairs Department.”
“Are you here for the exam?”
Hua Changxi nodded and quickly recounted what had happened in the plaza, “Uncle Xu, that Physician Sun didn’t even let me finish processing the medicinal herbs before he sent me away. Does this mean I won’t be hired?”
Pharmacist Xu was silent for a moment. Seeing Hua Changxi looking at him expectantly, he sighed, “Jiuniang, come and take the exam again next time the Medical Affairs Department recruits apprentices.”
Hua Changxi’s expression became anxious, “Why?”
Speaking of this, Pharmacist Xu’s tone became a bit sharp, “Why else? The spots have all been taken.”
Hua Changxi: “Didn’t you tell me before that they would recruit 50 female apprentices this time? Surely all 50 spots haven’t been taken?”
Pharmacist Xu remained silent, implicitly confirming it.
Hua Changxi’s eyes widened, “Are all 50 really taken?”
Pharmacist Xu: “This situation wouldn’t have happened before, but this time, for some reason, many noble families are trying to get people into the Medical Affairs Department.”
“Do you know, even the young lady from the Duke’s Mansion came to get involved this time.”
Hua Changxi’s brows furrowed, “Why would noble families care about the position of apprentice in the Medical Affairs Department? Don’t they find it undignified?”
Pharmacist Xu: “The positions in the Medical Affairs Department are actually quite sought after. Noble families have a custom of cultivating medical women as dowries for their daughters.”
“What place is most suitable for cultivating medical women? The Medical Affairs Department!”
Hua Changxi was furious. After her emotions subsided, she looked at Pharmacist Xu expectantly, “Uncle Xu, I must get into the Medical Affairs Department. Please help me, and I will repay you handsomely in the future.”
Pharmacist Xu showed a troubled expression, “I have no say in the recruitment of apprentices.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi fell silent. After a moment, her expression hardened, “I’ll go back and find that Physician Sun. If he doesn’t hire me, I’ll expose his acceptance of the slips.”
Hearing this, Pharmacist Xu was startled and grabbed Hua Changxi, “Oh, my dear lady, please don’t do that. Even if you succeed through threats and really get into the Medical Affairs Department, you will face a series of retaliations, and in the end, you will still be expelled from the Medical Affairs Department.”
He paused.
“How about this, I’ll go and find Physician Wang in the Apprentice Hall, who I’m on good terms with, and see if I can arrange something for you.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi’s expression immediately brightened.
Pharmacist Xu added, “But don’t get your hopes too high. Although the Medical Affairs Department is different from other yamen, it is still a yamen, and matters within a yamen are all interconnected.”
“For example, this time the Apprentice Hall is recruiting additional apprentices, the Apprentice Hall doesn’t have much say in who they recruit.”
Hua Changxi fell silent, lowering her head, “Uncle Xu, I understand. I’ve caused you trouble.”
Pharmacist Xu thought for a moment and still advised, “Jiuniang, listen to Uncle Xu. If you can’t get into the Medical Affairs Department this time, we’ll try again next time. I don’t believe the nobles can occupy all the spots every time.”
Hua Changxi forced a smile, “Okay, I’ll listen to Uncle Xu. Uncle Xu, you should go and attend to your business. I’ll be going back now.”
Pharmacist Xu was still a bit worried, “Don’t go looking for Physician Sun, understand?”
Hua Changxi nodded, “I won’t. I was just speaking out of anger.”
Pharmacist Xu gave a few more instructions before entering the apothecary shop, looking back repeatedly.
Knowing that she most likely wouldn’t be able to get into the Medical Affairs Department, Hua Changxi was extremely unwilling.
If her medical skills were insufficient, she would accept it, but it wasn’t the case.
Although she had verbally agreed with Pharmacist Xu not to find Physician Sun, Hua Changxi’s feet uncontrollably led her towards the plaza.
At this time, the plaza was already filled with candidates participating in the practical test.
The invigilating officials were no longer just Physician Sun, but also about ten other official physicians.
Hua Changxi thought that if she hadn’t submitted her paper early, she might not have witnessed Physician Sun accepting the slips.
