Chapter 45: Separating the Subject
After her Realm advanced to the Qi Sea Realm, Hua Changxi found that her Cultivation speed had increased. Previously, absorbing a low-grade Spirit Origin Pill took two hours, but now it only took one.
She could absorb and refine a hundred low-grade Spirit Origin Pills in just over ten days.
Previously, Yu Hui had told her that the Laborers escorting the Spirit Grass to the Medical Affairs Department were from the Three Forked Medicine Valley.
“Three Forked Medicine Valley.”
Hua Changxi wanted to learn more about the Three Forked Medicine Valley. When Yu Hui gave her the Banknotes for the Body Tempering Pills, she took the opportunity to ask, “Brother Yu, every spring, are the Laborers from the Labor Department sent to various Medicine Farms and Medicine Valleys to help plant and harvest Medicinal Herbs?”
Yu Hui nodded, thinking Hua Changxi was worried about being sent away, and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, sister. Generally, only male Laborers are sent to help.”
Hua Changxi probed, “Have female Laborers never been sent?”
Yu Hui was silent for a moment: “There have been cases. If a female Laborer makes a mistake or offends a Steward, she will also be assigned to work at a Medicine Farm or Medicine Valley.”
Seeing Hua Changxi’s thoughtful expression, Yu Hui quickly said, “Sister, are you perhaps thinking of going to a Medicine Farm or Medicine Valley?”
Hua Changxi smiled, “I’ve never seen fields of Medicinal Herbs stretching as far as the eye can see. I want to go and see.”
Yu Hui anxiously said, “Quickly put that thought away. Do you think Medicine Farms and Medicine Valleys are some kind of paradise? Let me tell you…”
Seeing Yu Hui hesitate, looking as if he had something difficult to say, Hua Changxi became curious, “Brother Yu, please tell me. I’m listening.”
Yu Hui said, “Medicine Farms and Medicine Valleys are usually located in remote areas. The male Laborers guarding them can’t go home even a few times a year. What do you think they would do when they see female Laborers?”
Hua Changxi blinked her eyes, seeming to understand Yu Hui’s meaning.
Yu Hui looked at Hua Changxi, “Sister, don’t think about going to the Medicine Farms or Medicine Valleys anymore. If female Laborers go there, they’ll be in a situation where no one will hear them even if they cry out.”
He lowered his voice, “Several female Laborers who were punished and sent to the Medicine Farms committed suicide by hanging after their tasks were completed.”
Hua Changxi remained silent. She had the ability to protect herself, so she wasn’t afraid.
Yu Hui thought she had taken his words to heart and didn’t continue the topic. Instead, he said, “Sister, tomorrow my Godfather will bring a batch of discarded Medicinal Herbs to Number Nine Qihuang Hall. Remember to go there.”
Hua Changxi ‘hmm’-ed. Thinking that there was still some time before Laborers would be sent to help at the Medicine Farms and Medicine Valleys, she put the matter aside for now.
“Brother Yu, are the Medicinal Herbs sent from various places first delivered to the Storeroom?”
“Of course not. Medicinal Herbs used by Martial Artists of Seventh Rank and above are delivered directly to the Apothecary Shops on Second Street, Third Street, Fourth Street, and Fifth Street.”
“New Medicinal Herbs discovered in various places are also delivered directly to designated Apothecary Shops.”
“Also, Pharmacists and Physicians on Ninth Street are granted usage rights to a portion of Medicine Fields based on their rank. The produce from these Medicine Fields is delivered directly to the respective Pharmacists and Physicians.”
Hua Changxi hadn’t expected the Pharmacists and Physicians of the Medical Affairs Department to have such benefits. Weren’t those Medicine Fields equivalent to the stipends of officials? No wonder Doctors from all over wanted to join the Medical Affairs Department.
“Brother Yu, on which streets are the Pharmacists who research new Medicinal Herbs mainly located?”
“Most are on Second and Third Streets. There are some on Fourth Street, but fewer.”
Hua Changxi rested her chin on her hand, contemplating, “It would be great if I could work at those Apothecary Shops.”
Hearing this, Yu Hui couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing Hua Changxi look at him, he quickly suppressed his laughter and explained, “Sister, I know that with your abilities, becoming a registered Apprentice to a Ninth Street Pharmacist would be more than enough.”
“However, you must understand that this is the Medical Affairs Department, and the Medical Affairs Department is a government office. When working in a government office, ability is important, but what’s more important is having connections.”
“Let alone you being just a Laborer, even the probationary Apprentices in the Disciple Hall, if they want to enter a Ninth Street Apothecary Shop without connections, they have to exert all their efforts and fight tooth and nail for a spot.”
Hua Changxi frowned, “Can’t there be fair competition?”
Yu Hui replied, “It’s not that there isn’t any.”
“Every three years, the Medical Affairs Department holds an Alchemy Competition. The top three can directly become Apprentice Pharmacists, and others who perform exceptionally well in the competition will be noticed by some Pharmacists and Physicians and taken on as registered Apprentices.”
Seeing Hua Changxi’s eyes light up, Yu Hui sighed, “Unfortunately, Laborers cannot participate.”
Hua Changxi’s expression stiffened, but she quickly calmed down.
The Medical Affairs Department recruited Apprentices every year. If the Ninth Street Apothecary Shops were indeed collecting Spiritual Plants, she could just resign from her Laborer position, reapply to the Apprentice Hall, and then participate in the Alchemy Competition after becoming an Apprentice.
“Brother Yu, when was the last Alchemy Competition held?”
Yu Hui replied, “Last year in July. The next Alchemy Competition will be in two years.”
Hua Changxi ‘oh’-ed and noted it down. She didn’t ask further questions and chatted with Yu Hui about other things before returning to the Sixth Bureau.
When she returned to the Dormitory, it was lunchtime. Wang Yun Chu and the others were there. As soon as Hua Changxi entered, she saw an unfamiliar Young Woman.
Thinking it was another roommate’s sister, Hua Changxi didn’t pay much attention and was about to get on her bed to Cultivate when she saw the Young Woman walk towards her bed with a smile.
“You must be Changxi. My name is Su Ruoli. I’m a newcomer Laborer. I heard Sister Yun Chu and the others say that you are very skilled at washing Medicinal Herbs. Can I come and ask you if I don’t understand something?”
Hua Changxi glanced at the newcomer Young Woman and didn’t respond. Instead, she turned to Wang Yun Chu, Lu Qingluo, and the others, “Can a Dormitory only house ten people?” Their group was already full.
Wang Yun Chu looked at Su Ruoli, “Sister Shi, don’t transfer to another group.”
Upon hearing this, Su Ruoli immediately said with a helpless expression, “I didn’t know about this. Steward Leng asked me to follow Steward Du.”
Hua Changxi said nothing and lay down on her bed, closing her eyes to Cultivate.
Seeing this, Su Ruoli wanted to say something more, but Wang Yun Chu pulled her away.
“Changxi is going to sleep. Don’t disturb her.”
Su Ruoli looked surprised, “If you sleep at noon, won’t you be able to sleep at night?”
Thinking of Hua Changxi’s good sleep, the others in the Dormitory had strange expressions. Wang Yun Chu vaguely said, “Changxi likes to sleep.”
Seeing that the others didn’t want to say more, Su Ruoli didn’t ask. After everyone had rested, she followed them to work.
At the fourth quarter of the evening, Hua Changxi finished her Cultivation and went to the Canteen for dinner. Not long after she sat down, someone arrived at the seat opposite her.
“Changxi, what a coincidence.”
After Su Ruoli sat down, she waved to Wang Yun Chu and Lu Qingluo beside her, “Sister Yun Chu, Qingluo, there’s still space here with Changxi.”
Wang Yun Chu and Lu Qingluo exchanged glances. After hesitating, they still picked up their rice bowls and walked over.
Seeing them sit down, Su Ruoli happily started eating, “The food in the Labor Department Canteen is really good.”
Wang Yun Chu replied, “There’s no meat or fish. How can it be good?”
Su Ruoli’s expression turned bitter, “It’s already very good for me. In my entire life, I’ve never eaten enough at home.” She then smiled, “Now that I can eat my fill, I’m very satisfied.”
Seeing her like this, Wang Yun Chu and Lu Qingluo both showed sympathy.
Wang Yun Chu said, “The food in the Canteen is unlimited, you can eat as much as you want, but don’t stuff yourself.”
Su Ruoli smiled emotionally, “Sister Yun Chu, you’re so kind. I’ll be careful.” As she spoke, she quickly glanced at Hua Changxi, who showed no reaction.
Hua Changxi felt that this new female Laborer was strange. Although she displayed an attitude of wanting to quickly integrate into the group, she was too enthusiastic.
She had always been somewhat resistant to people who were too enthusiastic.
Hua Changxi was not interested in the gossip Wang Yun Chu and the other two were discussing. She quickly finished her meal and said, “I’m done eating. You guys eat slowly.” With that, she got up and left.
Seeing her leave, Su Ruoli looked at Wang Yun Chu and Lu Qingluo, “Is Changxi going back to sleep again?”
Lu Qingluo ‘hmm’-ed.
Su Ruoli looked worried, “Is it okay for Changxi to sleep so much during the day?”
Wang Yun Chu replied, “Of course, it’s fine. Changxi herself is a Doctor.”
Su Ruoli looked surprised, “Changxi is a Doctor, then why is she working as a Laborer?”
Wang Yun Chu looked at Su Ruoli, “You seem particularly interested in Changxi?”
Su Ruoli did not deny it, “Aren’t you interested in people like Changxi?”
Wang Yun Chu fell silent.
Lu Qingluo said, “Hurry up and eat.”
Meanwhile, after returning to her room, Hua Changxi washed up and went back to bed to Cultivate. The next day, she woke up as usual at the end of the Mao hour and saw the Steamed Buns placed by her bedside.
Looking at the Steamed Buns, Hua Changxi was a little surprised. Seeing that Wang Yun Chu and the others hadn’t left yet, she immediately asked, “Who brought me Steamed Buns?”
Su Ruoli smiled, “It was me. I heard Sister Yun Chu and the others say that you wake up late, so I brought you Steamed Buns when I went to get breakfast.”
One shouldn’t hit a smiling face. Hua Changxi couldn’t say anything else, only stating, “Please don’t bring me Steamed Buns in the future.”
Su Ruoli’s smile remained unchanged, “Changxi, you don’t need to be polite. It’s just a small thing. We’re in the same Dormitory, so we should help each other.”
Hua Changxi disliked people who didn’t understand what was being said. She looked at her, “Do I look like I’m being polite?”
Su Ruoli’s smile froze, and she looked a bit helpless.
Seeing this, Lu Qingluo quickly stepped forward, “Changxi, Ruoli meant well.”
Hua Changxi replied, “But I don’t need this kind of kindness. Although I wake up a little later than you, I don’t wake up so late that there’s no breakfast left in the Canteen.”
She then looked at Su Ruoli, “I’ll go to the Canteen to eat breakfast myself. Don’t bring me any next time.”
Su Ruoli quickly apologized, “Okay, I understand. I made a mistake today.”
Seeing her like this, many people in the Dormitory felt that Hua Changxi was being a bit too aggressive.
Hua Changxi said no more and picked up her Water Basin to go out.
As soon as she left, Su Ruoli immediately let out a long sigh of relief and patted her chest, “You scared me to death.”
Wang Yun Chu frowned and looked at her, “I reminded you this morning when you brought the Steamed Buns that Changxi didn’t need them, but you still brought them. You deserve to be told off.”
Hearing this, Lu Qingluo quickly tugged at Wang Yun Chu’s sleeve.
Sister Lin and the others also looked at Wang Yun Chu disapprovingly, “Yun Chu, don’t scold Ruoli. Changxi is a bit unapproachable. Someone kindly brought her food, and she didn’t even appreciate it.”
Wang Yun Chu snorted sarcastically, “Is kindness that others don’t need considered kindness?”
Su Ruoli’s eyes welled up with tears, “Sister Yun Chu, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have ignored your advice.”
Sister Lin couldn’t stand it and looked at Wang Yun Chu, “Yun Chu, you were the one most dissatisfied with Hua Changxi before. Why are you defending her now?”
Wang Yun Chu replied, “I didn’t understand Changxi before. Now that I know her character, I naturally won’t misunderstand her anymore.”
Sister Lin let out a scoff, “Hua Changxi doesn’t interact with you much on a daily basis, so how do you know her?”
Seeing Wang Yun Chu and Sister Lin arguing, Lu Qingluo could only quickly step forward to mediate.
Su Ruoli also kept saying that it was her fault.
Seeing that everyone was siding with Su Ruoli, Wang Yun Chu snorted and left the Dormitory.
Seeing Su Ruoli about to cry, Lu Qingluo could only comfort her first, “You’re new here and don’t know everyone yet. It will get better with time. Changxi and Yun Chu are both sharp-tongued but soft-hearted people; they are actually quite nice.”
Su Ruoli wiped away her tears, “I know. You are all good people.”
Hua Changxi was unaware of what had happened in the Dormitory. After breakfast, she went directly to the Storeroom to collect Medicinal Herbs. When she was pulling the Medicinal Herbs to the Ditch with a cart, Su Ruoli appeared again.
“Changxi, let me help you.”
Su Ruoli said as she took the Medicinal Herbs off the cart, “I was wrong this morning. Don’t be angry with me. I won’t bring you Steamed Buns anymore.”
Hua Changxi looked at her, her brows furrowed into a knot. She really disliked people who were so forward.
However, since the other person wanted to help, she had no reason to refuse. She just stood there with her arms crossed, watching Su Ruoli move the Medicinal Herbs.
After moving for a while, Su Ruoli saw that Hua Changxi had no reaction and looked a bit embarrassed.
Hua Changxi said, “Didn’t you want to help me? Continue, don’t stop.”
Su Ruoli said uneasily, “Changxi, have I angered you again?”
Hua Changxi said with a half-smile, “What do you think?”
“I”
Just as Su Ruoli was about to say something, Du Ruo walked over.
Seeing Du Ruo, Su Ruoli seemed to see a savior and quickly said, “Steward Du, I wanted to help Changxi, but I think I’ve caused more trouble.”
Du Ruo thought that Steward Leng had specifically instructed her to take care of Su Ruoli. She sighed inwardly and said to Su Ruoli, “Changxi doesn’t need your help here. Go and do your own work.”
Su Ruoli looked like she had made a mistake. She looked at Du Ruo, then at Hua Changxi, and left hesitantly.
As soon as she left, Hua Changxi began to move the Medicinal Herbs from the cart, placing them in the Ditch in a few moves.
“See?”
From a few meters away, Wang Yun Chu suddenly said to Su Ruoli.
Su Ruoli was stunned for a moment, “See what?”
Wang Yun Chu nodded her chin in Hua Changxi’s direction, “You saw how strong Changxi is, right? Do you think she needs your help?”
“With your strength, you not only can’t help Changxi, but you’ll also slow her down. I really don’t know what you were thinking, insisting on helping Changxi?”
Seeing that Su Ruoli was about to cry again, Lu Qingluo quickly stopped Wang Yun Chu, “Yun Chu, say a few less words.”
Su Ruoli quickly said, “It was my rashness.” As she spoke, she lowered her head and began to wash the Medicinal Herbs, wiping her tears from time to time.
The people in the same group looked at this scene and disapproved of Wang Yun Chu.
Wang Yun Chu felt annoyed by their stares. She had only spoken a few truths, and she hadn’t done anything to Su Ruoli, so she yelled in a bad tone, “What are you crying for?”
Su Ruoli was startled, and then her tears fell even more fiercely.
“Yun Chu, what’s wrong with you?”
“Exactly, Ruoli didn’t provoke you, why are you yelling at her?”
“If you’re upset, don’t take it out on others!”
Hua Changxi had already noticed the commotion. She glanced at Wang Yun Chu, who was being condemned by everyone, said nothing, did nothing, quickly finished her task, and then went to the Qihuang Hall to refine medicine.
Time flew by, and it was the last day of the first lunar month.
“Sister.”
Lu Qingluo returned after collecting her monthly allowance and saw Lu Qingling waiting outside the Sixth Bureau.
Lu Qingling glanced at Su Ruoli beside Lu Qingluo and asked in surprise, “Where’s Yun Chu? She’s not with you?”
A hint of awkwardness crossed Lu Qingluo’s face. She first sent Su Ruoli back, and then she told Lu Qingling about what had happened during this period.
“Ruoli wants to get along with everyone. She sees that Changxi misunderstands her and often goes to explain to Changxi, so her actions are inevitably a bit too eager. Yun Chu can’t stand it and often clashes with her.”
Lu Qingling listened and asked in surprise, “Doesn’t Yun Chu dislike Hua Changxi?”
Lu Qingluo lowered her voice, “Sister, have you forgotten? Last time we went to help at the First Department, it was Changxi’s prescription that saved everyone from the poison. Because of this, Yun Chu is very grateful to Changxi.”
“Later, during the New Year, Yun Chu gave Changxi some Ruyi knots she made herself. Changxi gave Yun Chu two Strengthening Pills in return, the same kind of Pills you said were good when I gave them to you last time.”
“Yun Chu’s younger brother has been weak and sickly since childhood. After taking the Strengthening Pills, his Body improved greatly. Yun Chu became even more grateful to Changxi.”
“Since Ruoli keeps bothering Changxi, Yun Chu wants to stand up for Changxi.”
Lu Qingling asked, “What’s Hua Changxi’s reaction?”
Lu Qingluo replied, “Changxi’s words are quite hurtful, often leaving Ruoli unable to respond.”
Lu Qingling shook her head, “I mean, how is Hua Changxi towards Yun Chu?”
Lu Qingluo was stunned, “Changxi’s attitude towards Yun Chu is the same as before. There’s no change.”
Lu Qingling immediately let out a scoff, “I knew it. People like Hua Changxi are hard to impress. Even if Yun Chu offends the entire Dormitory for her, she probably won’t even care.”
Seeing her sister’s confused expression, she explained.
“Yun Chu probably really wants to befriend Hua Changxi, but she doesn’t have anything impressive to offer, so she can only play the villain and help drive away the flies buzzing around Hua Changxi.”
“You absolutely must not learn from Yun Chu. I admit that Hua Changxi is capable. Capable people always make others want to get close to them, but look at Yun Chu now; she’s a cautionary tale.”
“Yun Chu could be considered the leader of your Dormitory before, but just because she spoke up for Hua Changxi, now everyone is unhappy with her.”
“I’ve said it before, getting close to people like Hua Changxi is not beneficial. Even if there are benefits, they are not easy to obtain, and if you’re not careful, you might end up being a stepping stone for her.”
“By the way, stay away from that Su Ruoli too. It’s not simple that this person can make you distance yourselves from Yun Chu and get closer to her.”
“Sister, aren’t you overthinking things?”
Hua Changxi had informed Du Ruo in advance that she would take a day off at the end of the month. After collecting her monthly allowance, she was preparing to return to her room to get the Banknotes from selling Pills and look for a house. Who would have thought she would run into the Lu Qingluo sisters discussing personal matters?
She didn’t intend to eavesdrop. It was just that her hearing was too sharp now. As long as she concentrated, she could hear people talking clearly from dozens of meters away.
She was naturally aware of the conflict between Wang Yun Chu and Su Ruoli.
Whether Wang Yun Chu was helping her out of gratitude or simply couldn’t stand Su Ruoli, their discord was entirely their own business. She didn’t think it had anything to do with her.
However, from what Lu Qingluo’s sister implied, it seemed like she should be responsible for Wang Yun Chu.
She hadn’t asked Wang Yun Chu to do anything. All of Wang Yun Chu’s actions were voluntary, so all the consequences should be borne by Wang Yun Chu herself.
She didn’t get involved because she knew it wasn’t something she had caused. She wouldn’t impose others’ affairs onto herself; getting involved would be foolish.
Besides, Su Ruoli could handle things herself, so Wang Yun Chu didn’t need to do anything. Everything Wang Yun Chu did was entirely because she wanted to do it herself.
Should she be held accountable for what others did, simply because their actions involved her?
What kind of twisted logic is that!
