Chapter 42: 42. Chapter 42, Family Structure

Chapter 42: Family Structure

"Only now do I realize that in Father's heart, a daughter can never compare to a son."

Hua Changxi returned to her room with a long, sullen face.

Hua Liulang followed behind her. Hearing her complain, he immediately retorted, "Jiu-niang, what are you saying? Father dotes on you so much that even I get envious."

Hua Changxi snorted. "Yes, Father dotes on me; I won't deny that. But his affection for me is different from his affection for Eldest Brother."

"Father's way of doting on me is simply buying me food and clothes, but for Eldest Brother, he cares about his feelings and protects his dignity."

"Just now in the main hall, it was clearly Eldest Brother who was picking a fight, yet the one Father drove away was me. He was helping Eldest Brother maintain his dignity without any regard for whether I could save face or not."

"In Father's heart, Eldest Brother is far more important than I am."

Hua Liulang felt a headache coming on. "Why do you have to compare yourself to Eldest Brother?"

Hua Changxi shot back, "Why can't I?"

Hua Liulang was at a loss for words.

Hua Changxi said despondently, "Being a daughter of the Hua family is quite tragic. It seems Grandfather and the others will never see my value—or rather, even if they do, they choose to turn a blind eye."

"A Practitioner named Xu can at most refine pills for Third-Grade martial artists, yet every time Father meets him, he is incredibly polite."

"I am a practitioner capable of refining pills for Sixth-Grade martial artists. Six-ge, did you see how the family treated me in the hall just now?"

"Especially Eldest Brother. Would he dare to boss around a practitioner like that if he were outside? Does he think he can order me around just because I am his sister?"

"Grandfather is even more ridiculous. Not only is my contribution not enough, but he also wants to strip me of my personal savings to support his grandson. In his eyes, I am not his granddaughter, but a tool whose thoughts and feelings don't matter."

Hua Liulang hurriedly said, "It's not that bad; it's not that serious."

Hua Changxi countered, "How is it not serious? As soon as I returned, Grandfather and the others didn't even ask if I was doing well at the Labor Hall; they immediately started asking about pill refining."

Knowing that her brother could not truly empathize with her, Hua Changxi waved her hand. "Forget it. Even if I tell you, you won't understand. Six-ge, go play. I want to rest."

Hua Liulang knew he couldn't win an argument against his sister through logic. Unable to persuade her, he could only leave.

Hua Changxi slid the door bolt shut and opened the bundle she had brought back. She took out the pills and began organizing them. Aside from the specially refined Body Strengthening Pills and the pills intended for Hua Liulang's martial arts training, she planned to sell the rest.

She didn't have much use for money at the Labor Hall, but she wanted to buy a house—a courtyard that belonged solely to her.

The Hua family was too large; there was no privacy for anything she did at home.

In the future, her pill refining would only increase, and she needed a secret base.

If she refined pills within the Hua household, given the temperaments of Old Master Hua and Old Madam Hua, they would surely force her to hand over her results.

Even if she could resist, it would cause conflict. She could ignore others, but she couldn't ignore her parents.

Hua Changxi packed the pills she intended to sell into another bundle. Just as she placed it in the cabinet, she heard a knock at 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, do you need something?"

Hua Sanlang chuckled. "Can't I visit you for no reason?"

Hua Changxi stepped aside to let him in. "Are you here to comfort me?"

Hua Sanlang asked with a smile, "Do you need comforting?"

Hua Changxi shook her head. "I don't."

Hua Sanlang sat down. "Then that's fine. I'm here for something else."

Hua Changxi looked at him. "What is it?"

Hua Sanlang's expression turned serious. "The Blood Qi Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Foundation Stabilizing Pills you gave to Liulang—I took them to study, and I found their medicinal effects are much better than what is sold on the market."

Hua Changxi gave him a look that said, *'You certainly know quality.'*

Hua Sanlang asked, "Jiu-niang, could you show me the formulas?"

Hua Changxi didn't say yes or no, but instead asked, "Does Third Brother want to refine pills too?"

Hua Sanlang smiled. "Truth be told, most of my pill-refining skills were guided by you."

Hua Changxi asked again, "Third Brother, are you refining pills for yourself, or for the family?"

Hua Sanlang paused. "Is there a difference?"

Hua Changxi replied, "Of course there is. Answer me quickly."

Hua Sanlang said, "The pills have such great effects. If I can refine them too, we can sell them in our family's pharmacy. That way, we can bring in more income for the family, and the other brothers will have the pills they need for martial arts."

Hua Changxi said, "So, you're refining pills for the family. In that case, since I am providing the formulas, I must also have a share of the silver earned by the family pharmacy."

Hua Sanlang hesitated. "I don't have the authority over the pharmacy."

Hua Changxi smiled. "Then go find the person who does have authority and talk to them." She paused. "Third Brother, asking me for the formulas probably wasn't just your idea, was it?"

Hua Sanlang fell silent for a moment. "Jiu-niang, we are all family..."

Hua Changxi interrupted him directly. "Even close brothers keep clear accounts. Third Brother, this is non-negotiable."

Hua Sanlang sighed and stood up. "Then I will go speak with Grandfather." As he turned to leave, he paused at the threshold and looked back. "Jiu-niang, what if I were refining pills for myself?"

Hua Changxi smiled. "You are my Third Brother. It's just a few formulas; I can afford to give them to you."

Hua Sanlang's expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing more and left quickly.

***

"What? Jiu-niang wants a share of the pharmacy's silver? She's just a young girl, what does she need silver for!"

First, they had tried to get Hua Changxi to give money to buy medicine for Hua Dalang, which failed. Now that she was providing formulas for the family to use, she wanted a profit.

Old Master Hua was extremely dissatisfied with this granddaughter. He puffed incessantly on his tobacco pipe, and soon the main hall was filled with the scent of smoke.

Second Uncle Hua looked at the Old Master. Seeing that the Old Master was unwilling to speak directly to his eldest brother, he felt he had to speak up for the sake of his two sons.

"Brother, if you don't manage Jiu-niang, she truly will end up walking all over us."

Hua Minghe glanced at Second Uncle but said nothing.

If Jiu-niang's pill-refining skills had been cultivated by the family, he wouldn't need anyone to persuade him; he would have asked her for the formulas himself.

The problem was, the family had provided no support for her. Even as her father, he had no face to demand that his daughter work for the family.

Seeing her eldest son remain silent, Old Madam Hua said indignantly, "A family must work together to make life better. Everyone in this family is capable, except for this Jiu-niang. Whenever she shows up, trouble follows."

Hua Minghe looked at Old Madam Hua helplessly. "Mother, don't speak of Jiu-niang like that."

Seeing her eldest son contradict her, Old Madam Hua grew even angrier. "Am I wrong? The family provides her food and drink, and now that she has a little skill, she doesn't care how difficult the family is. She opens her mouth and immediately asks for silver. Even a dog would know more gratitude than her."

Hua Changxi suddenly entered the main hall. "Grandmother, I can give Third Brother the formulas for the Blood Qi, Body Tempering, and Foundation Stabilizing pills, but from now on, I will owe the Hua family nothing."

Old Madam Hua laughed in anger. "What, are you planning to sever all ties with the Hua family?"

Hua Changxi replied, "I didn't say I'd sever ties. I am simply saying that in the future, you and the rest of the family should never use that old cliché about the Hua family providing my food and drink again."

Old Madam Hua snorted. "You think three formulas can buy out the family's upbringing of you? You're dreaming too big."

Hua Changxi let out a cold laugh. Just as she was about to speak, Hua Minghe intervened.

"Mother, what are you saying?"

Old Madam Hua shot a look at her eldest son and turned her head away, falling silent.

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 trouble during the New Year, so she gave a brief "Mhm" and left.

Once she was gone, Hua Dalang quickly pulled Hua Sanlang aside. "What is going on with Jiu-niang? She had a bit of a temper before, but she was never this arrogant."

Hua Sanlang hesitated before saying, "Ever since Jiu-niang joined the Medical Bureau, her confidence has grown."

Hua Dalang asked, "Does she think she can make money and no longer rely on the family?"

Hua Sanlang replied, "That is certainly part of it."

Hua Dalang shook his head. "She's still too childish. How does she know how difficult life is for a young girl without the protection of her family? Does she really think money can solve everything?"

Hua Sanlang smiled. "Jiu-niang often bickers with Grandmother; their words are just reactionary. You shouldn't take them literally. Brother, seeing how happy Liulang looked just now, she must have given him more pills. Shall we go check?"

Hua Dalang nodded and followed Hua Sanlang to find Hua Liulang.

As expected, Hua Liulang was hiding in his room testing the effects of the Bone Forging Pills. He had a wooden post in his room, and after swallowing the pill, he felt a surge of strength. He stripped off his shirt and began striking the post.

By the time Hua Dalang and Hua Sanlang entered, Hua Liulang was drenched in sweat.

Seeing Hua Dalang, Hua Liulang's eyes lit up. He clenched his fists and lunged at him.

Hua Dalang raised an eyebrow. He was his brother, after all, so he humored him and sparred with him.

The sparring left Hua Dalang incredibly surprised by his younger brother's boundless energy. It took more than two quarters of an hour of sparring before Hua Liulang finally collapsed on the floor, panting heavily.

"That was so exhilarating!"

"Brother, let's continue tomorrow!"

Hua Sanlang pulled Hua Liulang up from the floor. "Did you take some pills?"

Hua Liulang didn't hide it from his brothers. He pulled out the pills Hua Changxi had given him as if they were treasures. "These are the Bone Forging Pills refined by Jiu-niang. I just took one, and the effect is incredible."

"A Bone Forging Pill sold outside probably only strengthens one bone, but one of Jiu-niang's pills can probably strengthen three."

Hearing this, Hua Sanlang's interest was piqued. He quickly poured one out to smell and taste it.

Hua Dalang, meanwhile, shook the porcelain bottle. "How many pills are in here?"

Hua Liulang took the bottle and said, "Jiu-niang gave me fifty. She said if I don't have enough, I can ask her for more."

Hua Dalang became unhappy upon hearing this. "Jiu-niang is generous to you, but why is she so stingy with me? She even argued with Grandfather about it."

Hua Liulang looked at Hua Dalang. "Brother, Jiu-niang doesn't like being pressured. If you want her help, just talk to her privately. Don't involve the elders."

"Besides, Jiu-niang definitely has more of the pills she gave me; she gave them to me because she has a surplus."

"But she doesn't have the Broken Shackles Pills you want. Grandfather actually wants her to use her personal savings for it—isn't that just carving meat from her own body? Of course she won't do it."

Hua Dalang frowned. "But I am her eldest brother. I won't take her things for nothing; I will surely repay her many times over in the future."

Hua Liulang said, "Brother, in Jiu-niang's words, that's just 'painting a big cake' (making empty promises). Seventh Sister and the others might believe it, but Jiu-niang won't."

Hua Dalang was speechless.

The three brothers hadn't spoken long before Old Madam Hua's voice drifted from the courtyard, calling them to eat.

While at the Labor Hall, Hua Changxi had been looking forward to coming home, but now her good mood was completely gone. The New Year's Eve dinner was tasteless. After eating hurriedly, she went back to her room to cultivate.

Seeing this, Lady Yao gave Hua Minghe a dissatisfied glare.

Once the couple returned to their room, Lady Yao began to scold him. "Why couldn't that matter wait a few days? Why did they have to ask her the moment she returned?"

Hua Minghe looked helpless. "Father and Mother were just worried about Dalang."

Lady Yao was even more dissatisfied. "How is this matter so urgent?"

"Jiu-niang has never been a petty person. When she refines pills, she thinks of you and Liulang; there's no reason she wouldn't think of Dalang."

"If Dalang's matter had been discussed privately between the siblings, how could they have ended up arguing?"

"With the Old Master and Old Madam interfering, the problem wasn't solved; instead, it damaged the bond between Dalang and Jiu-niang."

"No wonder Jiu-niang was unwilling to tell the family about her pill-refining skills. Look at this family—before anything has even happened, they are already eager to strip her clean."

Hua Minghe disagreed. "Is it really as serious as you say? We are all family."

Lady Yao snorted. "You know your daughter's temperament. After what happened today, if something happens in the future, I'm afraid she won't tell the family at all."

Hua Minghe scratched his head in frustration. "You can't blame Father and Mother. They are just too concerned about the future of the descendants. Knowing Jiu-niang can refine pills means the boys in the family can all practice martial arts. Even I can't sit still."

Lady Yao lowered her eyes. "No matter how much you care for the descendants, you cannot ignore the feelings of your granddaughter."

Hua Minghe fell silent. "I will remind Father and Mother to be more careful in the future."

Lady Yao said no more. Jiu-niang was a girl who valued herself highly. If her family continued to ignore her thoughts and feelings, they would only push her further away.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after paying respects to the elders, Hua Changxi did not go out to play with Hua Qiniang and the others, but continued to stay in her room to cultivate.

Lady Yao came to call her several times, but could not get her out of the room.

By the second day of the New Year, when married daughters return to their natal homes, Third Aunt Hua and Second Aunt Hua both returned accompanied by their husbands. However, Fifth Sister Hua was nowhere to be seen; the Marquis's manor had only sent a maid to deliver some New Year gifts.

Since being brought into the Marquis's manor, Fifth Sister had not communicated with the family. Fourth Aunt was very worried and, upon seeing the messenger from the manor, could not help but ask, "Chunyu, is Fifth Sister doing well in the manor?"

The messenger was indeed Chunyu, the maid sent to Fifth Sister by Madam Zhou of the Great Clan Elder's family.

Chunyu smiled. "Rest assured, Madam. Concubine Hua is very much favored by the Third Master and the Third Madam in the manor."

The Hua family almost entirely disbelieved this.

If Fifth Sister were truly doing well in the manor, why hadn't she contacted the family for so long?

Remembering that the Third Madam had stipulated she must return within two hours, Chunyu said, "The manor is quite busy lately; I must return now."

Hua Changxi placed her Body Strengthening Pills into a small pouch and handed it to Chunyu. "This is a New Year gift for Fifth Sister. Please pass it to her for me."

Chunyu took it and left in a hurry.

Later, when Third Aunt and Second Aunt were leaving, Hua Changxi also gave each of them a bottle of Body Strengthening Pills.

Starting from the third day of the New Year, Hua Changxi no longer stayed at home. After breakfast, she would go out to wander the streets. When Hua Liulang tried to follow her, she sent him away.

She needed to sell the pills to get money to buy a house, and she did not want anyone in the family to know about this.

She had understood the family's power structure long ago. Old Master Hua was the head of the household, followed by her father and two uncles, and then the male grandsons like her eldest brother.

Old Madam Hua shared Old Master Hua's power; her mother and the two aunts were all under Old Madam Hua's authority.

As for her and Hua Qiniang and the others, they were at the very bottom of the family hierarchy. Anyone could manage them, and anyone could lecture them.

In the Hua family, she had no voice. Even if she demonstrated her value, that value would only serve the male members of the family.

Not only would she receive no recognition, but she would instead face suppression. If she failed to meet their expectations, she would be met with various accusations and moral kidnapping.

She could not completely sever her emotions and cut ties with the Hua family, but she could jump out of this family structure!