Chapter 17: Pessimistic

Because she had helped Du Ruo transport two cartloads of medicinal herbs, Hua Changxi could clearly feel that Du Ruo had become noticeably more enthusiastic toward her.

When the two returned to the Sixth Bureau, it happened to be dinner time. Du Ruo proactively invited Hua Changxi to go to the dining hall together.

There were very few people in the dining hall. Not many could finish their chores on time every day; those who were slow-handed would be busy until well past midnight, and some might even have to work through the night.

Hua Changxi asked, "Manager Du, what happens if someone works late and misses dinner?"

Du Ruo replied, "That is when you need to build good relationships with the others so they can bring a few steamed buns to your dormitory for you to snack on at night. If no one helps, you'll just have to go hungry."

"By the way, I forgot to tell you earlier—the Labor Hall gets one day off a month, and every ten days, there is a half-day rest period."

Afterward, Du Ruo shared more details about the Labor Hall with Hua Changxi, and after dinner, the two parted ways.

When Hua Changxi returned to her quarters, the room was empty. After a hurried wash, she climbed into bed, lay on her stomach, closed her eyes, and began her cultivation.

Having worked all day, she was actually quite exhausted. As her cultivation progressed, the physical fatigue was gradually relieved bit by bit.

The sky gradually darkened, and only when it was pitch black did people begin returning to their rooms one after another.

Seeing that Hua Changxi was asleep, her roommates made no effort to lower their voices; instead, their conversations grew louder and louder.

Unfortunately, no matter how loud they spoke, Hua Changxi showed no intention of waking up.

"How can she sleep so soundly?"

"She looks young, and today was her first day at the Labor Hall. She's probably exhausted."

The voices gradually faded away.

***

The Hua Family of Xiuzheng Workshop.

When Hua Sanlang returned home to relay the words brought back by Alchemist Xu, the Hua family members' expressions grew complicated upon learning that Hua Changxi would be living in the Labor Hall with only one day off per month.

Lady Yao was worried sick. "Jiu-niang has never even left home until now. She didn't even bring luggage when she left this morning. I must go pack some things and send them to her."

"Stop!"

Old Master Hua called out to Lady Yao, looking sternly at the members of the first branch. "You are not allowed to send anything to Jiu-niang."

"Jiu-niang's ideas have become too big—so big that she won't even listen to her grandfather. In her pursuit of entering the Medical Bureau, she has been obstinate and completely disregarded the family's opinion."

"Where does her confidence to act this way come from?"

"It comes from your indulgence! Whenever she causes trouble, you are there to clean up her mess."

"It was one thing when she was small, but now that she is growing up, can you guarantee that you'll be able to handle the trouble she causes in the future?"

"Let her suffer a bit in the Labor Hall. Only when she realizes how difficult life is will she understand how important her family is to her."

"She needs to know that she only dared to be willful before because the family was protecting her. Now that she has left home, she is nothing."

Hua Minghe's brow furrowed, and both Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang had grim faces, clearly disagreeing with Old Master Hua's approach. Lady Yao simply lowered her head to hide her reluctance.

Seeing the atmosphere turn sour, Old Lady Hua stepped in to smooth things over. "As children grow, they must be disciplined more strictly, especially young ladies."

"Eldest, eldest daughter-in-law, think about it yourselves. With Jiu-niang's temperament, what family would dare take her as a bride?"

"If she doesn't change her ways, she will suffer greatly in her future in-laws' home."

"Since she hasn't married yet, if we help discipline her now, she will suffer less hardship once she reaches her husband's family."

"Your father and I have worked ourselves to the bone for this family. If you do not understand and cooperate, it will truly break our hearts."

Second Uncle Hua immediately chimed in, "Brother, Sister-in-law, I think Mother and Father are right. None of the boys in this family have as much of an opinion as Jiu-niang. This behavior is unacceptable; she must be properly disciplined."

As he spoke, he looked toward Fourth Uncle. "Fourth, what do you think?"

Fourth Uncle glanced at the Old Master and Old Lady, then at Hua Minghe and Lady Yao, and said vaguely, "Jiu-niang... is indeed not very submissive or humble."

As soon as he finished, Old Lady Hua looked at Hua Minghe. "You may not listen to your father and me, but you should at least consider the words of your two brothers."

Hua Minghe hurriedly stood up and bowed. "Mother, what are you saying? It's not that we won't listen to you and Father; it's just that we feel for Jiu-niang suffering in the Labor Hall."

Old Lady Hua said crossly, "Is this suffering something the family inflicted on her? She brought it upon herself. They say experience is the best teacher; whether Jiu-niang learns her lesson depends on what you all do."

Hua Minghe fell silent for a moment before finally compromising. "We will listen to Mother and Father."

"I hope you mean what you say."

Old Lady Hua and Old Master Hua exchanged a glance, looking satisfied.

Hua Twelve-niang leaned toward Hua Qi-niang and whispered, "Seventh Sister, you used to say that Ninth Sister's confidence would only grow. See? Even Eldest Uncle doesn't think highly of her."

"At home, Ninth Sister wouldn't even wash the clothes of Eldest Uncle, Third Brother, or Sixth Brother. How can she endure the hardships of being a laborer?"

"Just watch. In a couple of days, she'll probably come crawling back in disgrace."

***

The next day, as the first rays of light touched the earth, the piercing sound of a gong rang out through the Labor Hall. People in the various laborer quarters opened their eyes one after another, preparing to rise and start work.

"Why hasn't she woken up yet?"

"Should we call her?"

"Why call her? She works so fast; what's wrong with her sleeping a little longer?"

"Enough, Qingluo, stop meddling in other people's business. If you wake her, she might not even appreciate it."

"Hurry up, if we're late, we'll have to queue again."

The laborers were in a daily race against time. They had to queue for meals, queue to receive medicinal herbs, and queue to submit tasks. The workload was already heavy; if they were any slower, they wouldn't have enough time.

By the beginning of the Hour of the Dragon (7:00 AM), the various laborers had already begun receiving the herbs they were to clean for the day and had moved them to the ditches to begin processing.

After her subordinates had started working, Du Ruo came by for a round of inspection and quickly noticed that Hua Changxi had not yet arrived.

Having stayed in the Labor Hall for several years, she understood that Hua Changxi simply hadn't adjusted to the schedule and had overslept; furthermore, her roommates hadn't called her.

After a moment of hesitation, Du Ruo ultimately decided not to send anyone to wake her.

Newcomers had to suffer a little to learn how to integrate into the team and how to conduct themselves.

At the middle of the Hour of the Snake (9:30 AM), Hua Changxi finally opened her eyes. She stretched, got out of bed with a smile, and her face was filled with irrepressible joy.

She discovered that cultivating here was much faster than at home.

[Realm: Qi Refining Stage 51/1000]

One night had passed, and not only had she fully restored the spiritual energy consumed yesterday, but her realm points had also increased by two.

Hua Changxi estimated that cultivating for one night at home only yielded two realm points, whereas here, she could gain five points in a single night.

Cultivating here was more than twice as efficient as at home!

This discovery left Hua Changxi both excited and somewhat puzzled.

Why was cultivation in the Labor Hall faster than at home?

Could it be that the air in the Labor Hall contained more spiritual energy than at home?

"Joining the Labor Hall was definitely the right move."

Hua Changxi glanced at the sky, saw that the sun was already high, and her expression changed.

She had definitely overslept!

There was no helping it; the midnight and dawn periods were the most efficient for cultivation, as the spiritual energy flowed most smoothly during those times, and she didn't want to waste them.

She likely wouldn't be able to eat breakfast.

"Huh?"

Hua Changxi noticed two coarse grain buns placed by her bedside. Her face lit up with joy. "Who put these here?"

It seemed there were some very friendly people among her new roommates.

Hua Changxi hurriedly washed up, grabbed the buns, and walked toward the front courtyard while eating.

Upon reaching the front courtyard, the laborers on both sides of the ditches were working feverishly.

Du Ruo saw her. "You have 500 stalks of medicinal herbs to clean and process today. You aren't allowed to sleep until they are finished. Go to the warehouse to collect the herbs you need to process."

Seeing that Du Ruo didn't scold her for waking up late, Hua Changxi felt a surge of joy. She immediately decided that as long as Du Ruo didn't say anything, she would continue to wake up late.

(End of Chapter)