Chapter 47: I Have a House Now

Chapter 47: Owning a House

The people from the Tri-Branch Pharmacy were causing trouble at the warehouse, but it was Hua Changxi who became the famous one; this female servant had once again become the subject of everyone's gossip.

Compared to the previous rumors, the focus of discussion this time was no longer whether Hua Changxi and Yu Hui shared an improper relationship.

There was no helping it; while Yu Hui could not handle the people from the pharmacy, he was forced to apologize by Hua Changxi. Everyone was curious about what she had actually done.

Was Hua Changxi a martial artist? How high was her cultivation? She was only thirteen or fourteen, still a young girl—how did she practice martial arts? Who was her master?

These became the questions of greatest concern to everyone.

Strength is ultimately the foundation upon which a person stands. Because of this incident, the people in the Servant Hall no longer felt that Hua Changxi would be a mere dependent of Yu Hui.

And because it involved the people from the pharmacy, Eunuch Yu and several managers of the Servant Hall also paid attention to the matter.

Eunuch Yu’s expression was not good when he learned that Hua Changxi had dismissed Mao Yong and the others with just a few words. What he needed was a servant who could help him refine medicine, help him earn silver, and obey his commands—not a partner who could stand on equal footing with him.

Eunuch Bao of the First Bureau had developed a bit more interest in Hua Changxi due to her excellent processing abilities, so he had also heard of this matter.

"So she is a martial artist; no wonder she has such confidence!"

"Next time I borrow her to help, it seems I'll have to give her a bit more face."

After hearing about this, Xiao Luzi and Manager Leng, much like Eunuch Yu, did not look very pleased.

There was no helping it; when subordinates are too powerful, they are difficult to manage, and Hua Changxi had already shown signs of being unmanageable in many aspects.

They needed capable subordinates, but the prerequisite was that those subordinates had to be obedient. If they weren't obedient, no matter how capable they were, they were useless.

Xiao Luzi looked at Manager Leng. "Didn't you say you arranged for someone to get close to Hua Changxi? How is it going?"

Manager Leng sighed. "Hua Changxi's tongue is too sharp; she is very difficult to approach."

Xiao Luzi fell silent for a moment. "Have your people keep a close eye on her. You must find out the truth about her relationship with Eunuch Yu."

Manager Leng was puzzled. "Our Third Bureau and the warehouse are supposed to mind our own business. If we investigate this, won't we offend Eunuch Yu?"

Xiao Luzi gave a cold laugh. "Hua Changxi is a person of the Servant Hall; it is my right as an Eunuch to investigate her."

"That man, Yu Zhouquan, never acts without profit, and he has no interest in women. His sudden frequent summons of Hua Changxi to his No. 9 Qihuang Hall must have an ulterior motive."

"If Hua Changxi truly has any talent, she should have offered her respects to me first. Instead, she actually runs to curry favor with Yu Zhouquan. She simply has no respect for me!"

"Since she is so capable, go tell Du Ruo to assign more tasks to Hua Changxi. She must be kept busy from morning till night."

Upon hearing this, Manager Leng readily agreed with a smile. She also disliked subordinates who were out of control, so she would let Eunuch Lu discipline Hua Changxi. She had to make her realize who her real boss was.

Hua Changxi had no idea that the commotion caused by the pharmacy people would attract so much attention. After leaving the Medical Bureau, she went directly to a reputable broker to ask where houses were for sale.

Her goal was very clear: she wanted to buy a residence with a storefront in the front and a courtyard in the back.

Such houses were clearly not cheap, and no one would sell a well-located one. After viewing several storefronts, Hua Changxi finally spent nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine taels of silver to buy a residence that relatively met her requirements in Feng'an Ward of the Outer City.

It had three storefront rooms with a small courtyard in the back. The courtyard contained three main rooms, with two side rooms on each side, and there was even a well in the yard.

Hua Changxi was very satisfied with the layout, though the location was a bit remote—tucked away in the furthest corner of the innermost street of Feng'an Ward.

For business, this location would certainly be poor, but Hua Changxi didn't intend to do simple retail. Once she could refine pills in bulk in the future, she wanted to be a wholesaler.

"As expected, no matter where you are, buying a house empties your wallet."

After buying the house, Hua Changxi was left with only a few dozen taels of silver.

Although her purse was empty, she was still happy to think that she was now a homeowner in the Great Jin. However, this happiness only lasted until she returned to the Sixth Bureau.

"Manager Du, what do you mean when you say you're increasing my workload starting tomorrow?"

Du Ruo looked at Hua Changxi. "This is Eunuch Lu's intention. Eunuch Lu does not like it when the servants under his command cause trouble everywhere."

Hua Changxi laughed in anger. "What trouble have I caused?"

Du Ruo eventually gave her a hint. "Changxi, I know you are capable, but you cannot be too high-profile and flamboyant. Not everyone has the capacity to tolerate others."

Hua Changxi frowned. "And if I refuse to listen?"

Du Ruo looked at her. "It only takes one word for Eunuch Lu to kick a servant out. If you don't want to stay in the Servant Hall, you are free not to follow orders." Having said that, she turned and left.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi was very annoyed and returned to the back courtyard with a long face.

Since joining the Servant Hall, aside from being more proactive regarding her proximity to Yu Hui and Eunuch Yu, she had been entirely on the defensive in all other matters.

If trouble didn't come looking for her, she wouldn't go looking for trouble.

And yet, this was considered high-profile and flamboyant?

Or was it that one could only be considered low-profile and dutiful if they passively endured and swallowed their grievances when trouble arose?

"Changxi!"

As Hua Changxi was about to reach her dormitory, Granny Sun from the dining hall waved to her.

"Granny Sun."

Hua Changxi walked toward her.

Granny Sun looked at her with a smile. "Manager Qin made sweet and sour pork ribs today and specifically saved a few pieces for you. Come, follow me to the kitchen to eat."

Granny Sun had a chronic heart palpitation issue that Hua Changxi had treated, so she was exceptionally kind to her.

Having been out all day, Hua Changxi had not yet eaten, so she did not refuse Granny Sun's kindness and followed her to the kitchen.

"What happened to you? Why do you look so unhappy?"

Hua Changxi sighed and explained how Eunuch Lu intended to increase her chores.

"Granny Sun, Manager Du said I am too high-profile, but I didn't initiate any of these matters. It's as if her meaning is that when trouble arises, the only correct way is to swallow one's anger."

Granny Sun smiled. "Just listen to Du Ruo's words; don't take them seriously."

Hua Changxi had only wanted to vent and didn't expect a response, so she looked over in surprise.

Granny Sun served the ribs to Hua Changxi and said with a smile, "Don't be fooled by Du Ruo being a manager. At her core, she is just a messenger. She doesn't hold real power. When she considers things, she only thinks from her own perspective, assuming that if something goes wrong, it's because she did something wrong and just needs to change."

"But that's not the reality at all. If the higher-ups want to target you, everything you do will be wrong."

"What you should be thinking about now is not what Du Ruo said, but why Eunuch Lu is doing this."

Hua Changxi: "Is it because I am too high-profile?"

Granny Sun laughed and shook her head. "That is just Du Ruo's opinion. Whether you are high-profile or flamboyant, how does it affect Eunuch Lu?"

Hua Changxi: "Perhaps he just can't stand someone like me?"

Granny Sun: "Perhaps. But Eunuch Lu manages hundreds of people and has to serve by Eunuch Jia's side. Why would he pay attention to a lowly servant like you, let alone exert effort to target you?"

"A person's time is limited; they only pay attention to things they care about. If Eunuch Lu wants to target you, it must be because you have touched upon something he cares about."

Hearing Granny Sun's words, Hua Changxi felt as if the clouds had been cleared. She had been influenced by Du Ruo and hadn't thought of this layer.

Indeed, the people at the top wouldn't be so idle as to specifically come looking for trouble with a mere foot soldier.

But how had she offended Eunuch Lu?

Because she went to the First Bureau and earned ten taels of silver without offering him a tribute?

No, it wouldn't be that.

If it were for that reason, he would have lashed out when work resumed after the New Year.

Looking at the contemplative Hua Changxi, Granny Sun added a reminder: "The Medical Bureau is a government office. The most taboo thing in a government office is to be in the camp of one side while your heart belongs to another."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi realized instantly. "Because of Eunuch Yu?"

Granny Sun smiled. "For a while now, the Servant Hall has been buzzing with rumors that you have defected to Eunuch Yu. I've heard of it, and Eunuch Lu must have known as well."

"Although several Eunuchs came from the palace, who knows what their actual relationship is like?"

Hua Changxi looked at Granny Sun. "Granny, thank you. I think I know the reason now."

Granny Sun smiled. "Once you find the crux of the matter, things become easy to handle." As she spoke, she pushed the ribs toward Hua Changxi. "Eat quickly, they're getting cold."

As she gnawed on the ribs, Hua Changxi looked at Granny Sun. "Granny, where did you work before?" A mere kitchen old woman wouldn't have such insight.

Granny Sun gave a faint smile. "The past is in the past. I am just an old woman watching over the kitchen."

Seeing that Granny Sun did not want to say more, Hua Changxi did not press further. After eating, she returned to her room, grabbed a bottle of Body Strengthening Pills, and brought them to Granny Sun.

"Granny, thank you for your guidance. These are pills I refined to strengthen the body."

Granny Sun did not refuse and took the pills with a smile. "Changxi, if you want to realize your ambitions in medicine, staying in the Medical Bureau is your best choice. When trouble comes, do not meet it head-on. Developing yourself is the most important thing."

Hua Changxi was stunned, feeling there was a deeper meaning in Granny Sun's words. She wanted to ask for clarification, but Granny Sun waved her off and told her to go back and rest.

There was no other choice, so Hua Changxi returned to her room. Instead of immediately starting her cultivation, she thought about how to resolve the issue of Eunuch Lu increasing her workload.

She had already absorbed and refined the Low-grade Essence Spirit Pills; to increase her cultivation now, she had to rely on spending time practicing.

Time was undoubtedly precious to her.

Eunuch Lu was targeting her likely because she visited the Qihuang Hall too often, making him think she had defected to Eunuch Yu.

Furthermore, she stayed at the Qihuang Hall for a long time; Eunuch Lu must have suspected she was doing work for Eunuch Yu, and now he likely just couldn't guess exactly what she was doing.

She approached Eunuch Yu because he could provide discarded medicinal materials, which was the basis of their cooperation.

Hua Changxi's eyes flickered. Since Eunuch Yu managed the warehouse, he had the authority to divert discarded medicinal materials. As the chief manager of the Third Bureau, did Eunuch Lu not have similar authority?

If Eunuch Lu could also provide medicinal materials, then she could cooperate with him as well.

Having thought this through, the worry on Hua Changxi's face vanished.

A partner shouldn't be limited to just one; the more, the better.

Eunuch Yu had always been dissatisfied with her taking a forty percent share, and she could feel it. She indeed should not put all her eggs in one basket.

Having found a solution, Hua Changxi's mood calmed, and she began her cultivation.

The next morning, after breakfast, Hua Changxi did not go to collect her duties but went directly to find Eunuch Lu.

As the chief manager of the Third Bureau, Eunuch Lu lived in a separate small courtyard. When Hua Changxi arrived, Manager Leng was serving him breakfast.

Seeing Hua Changxi, Eunuch Lu was somewhat surprised.

Manager Leng, however, was very angry.

Subordinates had to report to her first; only after her permission could they be brought to see Eunuch Lu.

Someone like Hua Changxi, who came directly to see him, was simply lacking in discipline.

Just as Manager Leng was about to reprimand Hua Changxi, Hua Changxi beat her to it.

"Eunuch Lu, I have come to report to you regarding the work I am doing for Eunuch Yu."

Hua Changxi knew that when speaking to a leader, it was best to be direct and hit the point they cared about.

As expected, upon hearing this, Eunuch Lu finally looked up at her, though his tone was not very pleasant. "So you do know that you should report to me?"

Hua Changxi, of course, did not admit she was wrong. "I didn't come before not because I didn't want to, but because you are a busy man, and I couldn't see you."

Eunuch Lu gave a cold laugh and did not wish to argue over this. "Speak then, I am listening."

Hua Changxi did not answer immediately but glanced at Manager Leng.

Seeing this, Manager Leng's face turned cold, and she said sarcastically, "Oh? Is there something I'm not allowed to hear?"

Eunuch Lu glanced at her and waved his hand for Manager Leng to leave.

Manager Leng glared at Hua Changxi and left, snapping her handkerchief.

Once she was gone, Eunuch Lu looked at Hua Changxi. "You may speak."

Hua Changxi: "I am helping Eunuch Yu refine medicine."

Eunuch Lu's eyes flickered, but he showed no great reaction.

Hua Changxi continued, "With a fifty percent share, I saved enough money to buy a house in the Outer City in just three months."

Hearing this, Eunuch Lu finally lost his composure. "How much silver have you saved?"

Hua Changxi held up one finger.

Eunuch Lu's breathing quickened. He knew the housing prices in the capital; saving ten thousand taels in three months...

He knew it now; without sufficient profit, how could Yu Zhouquan treat a female servant with such special regard?

Hua Changxi did not want to wait passively for Eunuch Lu's arrangements, so she said proactively, "Eunuch, if you can provide medicinal materials, we can also cooperate."

Eunuch Lu did not agree immediately but looked at Hua Changxi scrutinizingly. "You have quite the nerve. Is this why you joined the Servant Hall?"

In the outside world, training a pharmacist was not easy. Besides needing a lineage, one also needed a sufficient amount of medicinal materials for practice, which ordinary families could not afford.

And in the Medical Bureau, even by joining the Servant Hall, one could come into contact with enough medicinal materials. With a clever mind, one could even have free materials to practice with.

Hua Changxi did not deny it, merely saying, "Eunuch, the Medical Bureau is a sacred land that all healers aspire to; I am naturally no exception."

Eunuch Lu was silent for a moment. "Twenty percent."

Hua Changxi feigned ignorance. "What?"

Eunuch Lu: "I can provide you with medicinal materials, but you can only take a twenty percent share."

Hua Changxi frowned. "Eunuch Yu gave me a fifty percent share."

Eunuch Lu sneered. "Enough, don't try to play tricks in front of me. I know Yu Zhouquan better than you do. With his stingy nature, how could he possibly give you a fifty percent share?"

Hua Changxi was not panicked. "That is because you haven't seen the pills I refine yet." As she spoke, she handed over the Pulse-Opening Pills she had prepared in advance.

"The pills I refine have better efficacy than those on the market, and they require fewer medicinal materials."

Eunuch Lu was a fourth-rank martial artist. He took the Pulse-Opening Pill and inspected it. After confirming there was no issue, he swallowed it directly. Immediately after, his expression changed.

"Thirty percent. I will give you thirty percent at most."

Hua Changxi was somewhat reluctant. "Forty percent, I cannot go any lower. Eunuch, you won't find a pharmacist like me out in the world."

Eunuch Lu also felt that a forty percent share was too much and did not really want to agree, but the pills Hua Changxi refined were indeed stronger than those on the market—no, they were stronger than those of the pharmacists in the Medical Bureau.

He had been stuck at the fourth rank for many years. Previously, no matter how many Pulse-Opening Pills he took, he could not break through to the fifth rank, but after taking the pill Hua Changxi gave him, he felt the signs of a breakthrough.

"Fine, forty percent."

He would strike for the fifth rank first. Once he became a fifth-rank martial artist, he would go to Yu Zhouquan.

He didn't believe Yu Zhouquan would be willing to share profits with Hua Changxi. At that time, the two of them could join forces to suppress her, and ideally, make her obediently refine medicine for them while they only had to give her a small monthly allowance.