Chapter 42: Family Structure
“I only now realize that in Father’s heart, a daughter is still not as important as a son.”
Hua Changxi returned to her room with a long face.
Hua Liulang followed behind her, and upon hearing her complaint, immediately retorted, “Jiu Niang, what are you saying? Father dotes on you so much, even I am envious.”
Hua Changxi snorted, “Yes, Father dotes on me, I don’t deny that. But Father’s affection for me is different from his affection for Eldest Brother.”
“Father dotes on me by buying me food and clothes, but for Eldest Brother, he cares about his feelings and his dignity.”
“Just now in the main hall, Eldest Brother was clearly provoking trouble, but Father was the one who sent me away. He was helping Eldest Brother maintain his dignity, without any regard for my own feelings.”
“In Father’s heart, Eldest Brother is much more important than I am.”
Hua Liulang got a headache, “Why do you have to compare yourself to Eldest Brother?”
Hua Changxi retorted, “Why can’t I compare myself to Eldest Brother?”
Hua Liulang didn’t know what to say.
Hua Changxi said with a sigh, “It’s quite sad to be a daughter of the Hua family. Grandfather and the others seem to never see my value, or perhaps they see it but choose to ignore it.”
“Pharmacist Xu can at most refine pills for Third-Rank Martial Artists. Father is always so polite when he sees him.”
“I, a pharmacist who can refine pills needed by Sixth-Rank Martial Artists, was treated by my family members in the main hall just now, Sixth Brother, you saw how they treated me.”
“Especially Eldest Brother, would he dare to order around a pharmacist outside? Just because I am his sister, can he order me around as he pleases?”
“Grandfather is even more ridiculous. Not only did I contribute my effort, but he also wants to take my personal savings to support his grandson. In his eyes, I am not his granddaughter, but a tool whose thoughts and feelings can be ignored.”
Hua Liulang quickly said, “It’s not that serious, it’s not that severe.”
Hua Changxi said, “How is it not that serious? As soon as I returned, Grandfather and the others didn’t even ask if I was doing well in the Labor Department, they immediately started asking about alchemy.”
Knowing that Sixth Brother couldn’t empathize with her, Hua Changxi waved her hand, “Forget it, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. Sixth Brother, you go play, I want to rest.”
Hua Liulang knew he couldn’t reason with his sister, so he couldn’t persuade her and could only leave for now.
Hua Changxi slid the bolt shut, opened the bundle she had brought back, and sorted out the pills inside. Apart from the Strengthening Pills she had specifically refined and the pills for Hua Liulang to use for practicing martial arts, she planned to sell the rest.
She had no use for money in the Labor Department, but she wanted to buy a house, a courtyard that belonged only to her.
The Hua family was too large, and there was no privacy for anything she did at home.
In the future, she would refine pills more and more often, and she needed a secret base.
If she refined them at the Hua family’s home, given the personalities of Old Master Hua and Old Madam Hua, they would definitely force her to hand over the results.
Even if she could resist, it would cause trouble. She could disregard others, but she couldn’t disregard her parents.
Hua Changxi put the pills she intended to sell into another bundle. As soon as she placed it in the cabinet, she heard a knock on the door, “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Third Brother!”
Hua Changxi locked the cabinet, opened the door, and looked at Hua Sanlang in surprise, “Third Brother, did you need something?”
Hua Sanlang chuckled, “Can’t I look for you if I don’t need anything?”
Hua Changxi moved aside, letting Hua Sanlang into the room, “Are you here to comfort me?”
Hua Sanlang asked with a smile, “Do you need me to comfort you?”
Hua Changxi shook her head, “No.”
Hua Sanlang sat down, “Then that’s that. I’m looking for you for something else.”
Hua Changxi looked at him, “What is it?”
Hua Sanlang’s expression turned serious, “The Qi and Blood Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Foundation Solidifying Pills you gave to Liulang, I studied them and found that their medicinal efficacy is much better than those sold on the market.”
Hua Changxi gave Hua Sanlang a look of appreciation.
Hua Sanlang said, “Jiu Niang, can you show me the prescription?”
Hua Changxi neither agreed nor refused, but instead asked, “Third Brother, do you also want to refine pills?”
Hua Sanlang smiled, “Speaking of which, most of my alchemy skills were taught by you.”
Hua Changxi asked again, “Third Brother, are you refining pills for yourself, or for the family?”
Hua Sanlang was stunned for a moment, “Is there a difference?”
Hua Changxi said, “Of course there’s a difference. Answer me quickly.”
Hua Sanlang said, “If the pills are so effective, and if I can refine them, I’ll sell them in our apothecary shop. This way, it can bring in some income for the family, and I’ll have the pills needed for myself and other brothers to practice martial arts.”
Hua Changxi said, “That means you’re refining for the family. If that’s the case, then if I give you the prescription, I should also get a share of the silver earned by the family’s apothecary shop.”
Hua Sanlang hesitated, “I can’t make decisions about the apothecary shop.”
Hua Changxi smiled, “Then go find someone who can make decisions and talk to them about it.” She paused, “Third Brother, looking for me for the prescription, it’s not just your idea, is it?”
Hua Sanlang was silent for a moment, “Jiu Niang, we are all family…”
Hua Changxi interrupted him directly, “Even brothers should settle accounts clearly. Third Brother, there’s no room for negotiation on this matter.”
Hua Sanlang sighed, stood up, and said, “Then I’ll go talk to Grandfather.” After speaking, he was about to turn and leave, but as he stepped over the threshold, he turned back and asked.
“Jiu Niang, what if I were refining pills for myself?”
Hua Changxi smiled, “You are my Third Brother. It’s just a few prescriptions, I can afford to give them to you.”
Hua Sanlang’s expression shifted slightly, he said nothing more, and quickly left.
“What, Jiu Niang wants a share of the apothecary shop’s silver? She’s just a young woman, what does she need money for!”
First, she made Hua Changxi give silver to Hua Da Lang to buy medicine, which ended without success. Now she wants her to provide prescriptions for the family’s use, and she wants a share.
Old Master Hua was extremely displeased with this granddaughter. He kept puffing on his dried tobacco, and soon the main hall was filled with the smell of dried tobacco.
Second Uncle Hua looked at Old Master, and seeing that Old Master was unwilling to speak directly to Eldest Brother, he had to speak for the sake of his two sons being able to practice martial arts.
“Eldest Brother, if you don’t control Jiu Niang, she’s really going to climb over all of us.”
Hua Minghe glanced at Second Uncle Hua but said nothing.
If Jiu Niang’s alchemy skills were cultivated by the family, he would have her hand over the prescriptions without anyone needing to persuade her.
But the problem was, the family had never provided any support for Jiu Niang. Even as her father, he had no face to ask his daughter to work for the family.
Old Madam Hua, seeing that her eldest son remained silent, said angrily, “Only when the whole family works together can life get better and better. Everyone in our family is good, but this Jiu Niang, whenever she’s involved, something is bound to happen.”
Hua Minghe looked at Old Madam Hua helplessly, “Mother, don’t talk about Jiu Niang like that.”
Seeing her eldest son refute her, Old Madam Hua became even more furious, “Did I say something wrong? The family provides her with food and drink, and now that she has some skills, she doesn’t care about the family’s difficulties and only talks about money. Even a dog is more grateful than she is.”
Hua Changxi suddenly entered the main hall, “Grandmother, I can give Third Brother the recipes for Qi and Blood Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Foundation Solidifying Pills, but from now on, I will owe nothing to the Hua family.”
Old Madam Hua laughed in anger, “What, are you going to sever ties with the Hua family?”
Hua Changxi said, “I didn’t say sever ties, but from now on, you and others in the family should never again say that cliché about the Hua family providing me with food and drink.”
Old Madam Hua snorted, “Three prescriptions to buy out the Hua family’s upbringing of you? You’re thinking too highly of yourself.”
Hua Changxi let out a cold laugh. Just as she was about to say something, Hua Minghe spoke.
“Mother, what are you saying?”
Old Madam Hua glanced at her eldest son, turned her head away, and stopped speaking.
Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi, “Jiu Niang, go to the kitchen and help your mother.”
Hua Changxi didn’t want to cause too much of a scene during the New Year, so she hummed and left.
As soon as she left, Hua Da Lang quickly pulled Hua Sanlang aside, “What’s going on with Jiu Niang? She used to have a bit of a temper, but she wasn’t this arrogant before?”
Hua Sanlang hesitated for a moment and said, “Since Jiu Niang entered the Medical Affairs Department, she has become more confident.”
Hua Da Lang said, “Does she think she can make money now and doesn’t need to rely on the family anymore?”
Hua Sanlang said, “There must be some reason for that.”
Hua Da Lang shook his head, “She’s still too childish. How would she know how difficult it is for a young woman to live without her family’s protection? Does she really think money can solve everything?”
Hua Sanlang smiled, “Jiu Niang often bickers with Grandmother. Their words are just words said in the heat of the moment and shouldn’t be taken seriously. Eldest Brother, looking at how happy Liulang was just now, Jiu Niang must have given him some pills again. Shall we go take a look?”
Hua Da Lang nodded and followed Hua Sanlang to find Hua Liulang.
Hua Liulang was indeed hiding in his room, testing the effects of the Bone Strengthening Pill. There was a wooden post in his room. After taking the pill, he felt his whole body filled with energy. He took off his shirt and started practicing with the wooden post.
When Hua Da Lang and Hua Sanlang entered, Hua Liulang was already sweating profusely from practicing.
Seeing Hua Da Lang, Hua Liulang’s eyes lit up, and he clenched his fist and attacked him.
Seeing this, Hua Da Lang raised an eyebrow. After all, he was his brother, so he gave him face and sparred with him.
This sparring session made Hua Da Lang extremely surprised by his sixth brother’s boundless energy. After sparring for more than two quarters of an hour, Hua Liulang finally lay on the ground, panting heavily.
“That was so exhilarating!”
“Eldest Brother, let’s continue tomorrow!”
Hua Sanlang pulled Hua Liulang up from the ground, “Did you take a pill?”
Hua Liulang didn’t hide it from his two brothers and took out the pills Hua Changxi had given him like a treasure, “These are Bone Strengthening Pills refined by Jiu Niang. I just took one, and the effect is excellent.”
“The Bone Strengthening Pills sold outside can probably only strengthen one bone per pill, but Jiu Niang’s pills can probably strengthen three bones per pill.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Sanlang immediately became interested. He quickly poured out a pill, sniffed it, and tasted it.
Hua Da Lang shook the porcelain bottle, “How many pills are in here?”
Hua Liulang took the porcelain bottle and then said, “Jiu Niang gave me fifty, and said if it’s not enough, I can ask her for more.”
Hua Da Lang was unhappy after hearing this, “Jiu Niang is so generous to you, why is she so stingy with me? She even argued with Grandfather over it.”
Hua Liulang glanced at Hua Da Lang, “Eldest Brother, Jiu Niang doesn’t like to be pressured. If you want her help, just talk to her privately, don’t involve the elders.”
“Also, the pills Jiu Niang gave me, she must have more in stock. She gave them to me because she had a surplus.”
“But she didn’t have the Breaking Shackles Pill that Eldest Brother wanted, and Grandfather even wanted her to use her personal savings. Isn’t that like cutting Jiu Niang’s flesh? She definitely wouldn’t agree.”
Hua Da Lang frowned, “But I am her Eldest Brother, and I don’t take her things for free. I will definitely repay her generously in the future.”
Hua Liulang said, “Eldest Brother, your words, in Jiu Niang’s terms, are just drawing a pie. Qiniang and the others might believe it, but Jiu Niang won’t.”
Hearing this, Hua Da Lang was speechless.
The three brothers hadn’t talked for long when Old Madam Hua’s voice was heard from the courtyard, calling them to eat.
When she was in the Labor Department, Hua Changxi had looked forward to returning home, but now her good mood was completely gone. She ate the New Year’s Eve dinner without any taste, and after finishing quickly, she returned to her room to cultivate.
Madam Yao saw this and glared at Hua Minghe with some displeasure.
After the couple returned to their room, Madam Yao began to scold Hua Minghe, “Can’t anything wait until after these two days? Why did you have to ask Jiu Niang as soon as she returned?”
Hua Minghe looked helpless, “Aren’t Father and Mother worried about Da Lang?”
Madam Yao was even more displeased, “Is it so urgent that it can’t wait?”
“Jiu Niang has never been a stingy person. She refined pills and thought of you and Liulang, there’s no reason she wouldn’t think of Da Lang.”
“If Da Lang’s matter was discussed privately between the siblings, how could they have argued?”
“Old Master and Old Madam interfered, and instead of solving the problem, it affected Da Lang and Jiu Niang’s sibling relationship.”
“No wonder Jiu Niang was unwilling to tell the family about her alchemy skills. Look at the family, they haven’t even done much yet, and they’re already trying to take everything from Jiu Niang.”
Hua Minghe disagreed, “Is it really that serious? We are all family.”
Madam Yao snorted, “You know your daughter’s personality. After today’s incident, if anything happens to her in the future, she probably won’t tell the family.”
Hua Minghe rubbed his hair with a headache, “This can’t be blamed on Father and Mother. They are too concerned about the future of their descendants. Knowing that Jiu Niang can refine pills, the young men in the family will be able to practice martial arts in the future. Let alone them, even I can’t sit still.”
Madam Yao lowered her eyes, “No matter how much you care about your sons and grandsons, you can’t ignore your granddaughter’s feelings.”
Hua Minghe was silent for a moment, “I will remind Father and Mother to pay attention in the future.”
Madam Yao said nothing more. Jiu Niang, this girl, is someone who values herself highly. If her family continues to ignore her thoughts and feelings, they will only push her further and further away.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after paying respects to the elders in the family, Hua Changxi did not go out to play with Hua Qiniang and the others, but continued to stay in her room to cultivate.
Madam Yao came to call her several times, but could not get her out of the room.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, married daughters returned to their maternal homes. Hua Sangu and Hua Erniang both returned with their husbands, but Hua Wuniang was nowhere to be seen. The Marquis’s Mansion only sent a maid to deliver some New Year’s gifts.
Since Hua Wuniang was brought into the Marquis’s Mansion, she had not contacted her family. Fourth Aunt Hua was very worried. Upon seeing the person from the Marquis’s Mansion, she couldn’t help but ask, “Chunyu, is Wuniang doing well at the Marquis’s Mansion?”
The person who came was Chunyu, the maidservant sent by Madam Zhou from the Great Clan Elder’s family to Hua Wuniang.
Chunyu smiled and said, “Madam, please rest assured. Concubine Hua is very favored by Third Master and Third Madam at the Marquis’s Mansion.”
The Hua family members hardly believed this.
If Wuniang was truly doing well at the Marquis’s Mansion, why hadn’t she contacted her family for so long?
Chunyu remembered that when she left, Third Madam had stipulated that she had to return within two hours, so she said, “The Marquis’s Mansion is quite busy these days, I must return.”
Hua Changxi put the Strengthening Pills she had refined into a sachet and handed it to Chunyu, “This is my New Year’s gift for Fifth Sister. Please help me deliver it to her.”
Chunyu took it and left in a hurry.
Later, when Hua Sangu and Hua Erniang left, Hua Changxi also gave each of them a bottle of Strengthening Pills.
Starting from the third day of the Lunar New Year, Hua Changxi no longer stayed at home. After breakfast, she went out shopping. Hua Liulang wanted to follow, but she sent him away.
She wanted to sell pills, get silver, and then buy a house. She didn’t want anyone in the family to know about this.
She had understood the family’s power structure very early on. Old Master Hua was the head of the household, followed by her father and two uncles, and then her elder brothers, the male grandchildren.
Old Madam Hua shared Old Master Hua’s power. Her mother and two aunts were all under Old Madam Hua’s management.
As for her and Hua Qiniang, they were at the bottom of the family hierarchy. Anyone could manage them, anyone could lecture them.
In the Hua family, she had no voice. Even if she displayed her value, that value was to serve the male members of the Hua family.
She would not only receive no recognition but would also be suppressed. If she didn’t meet their expectations, she would be met with all sorts of accusations and moral blackmail.
She couldn’t sever love and affection or completely cut ties with the Hua family, but she could break free from this family structure!
