Chapter 11: Deciding Life with a Laugh

As soon as the news broke that the Department of Medicine was recruiting more apprentices, not only did people in the capital city flock to sign up, but candidates from other regions also came in droves.

When Changxi Hua arrived at the Department of Medicine, there was still a long line at the entrance.

Most of the people waiting were young men in their teens or twenties, though there were some older middle-aged men as well.

Besides the men, there were quite a few women applying too.

The Department of Medicine was one of the few government offices that did not restrict female applicants.

According to Apothecary Xu, the department had some highly skilled female doctors and pharmacists.

In the Da Jing Dynasty, although women were free to go out on the streets, their participation in society remained very limited. Achieving financial and personal independence was exceedingly difficult; most women had to rely on their families or men throughout their lives to survive.

Therefore, whenever a job opportunity that women could competently perform arose, it attracted countless female applicants.

Changxi Hua was a modern woman. Even if she did not have the luck to obtain a cultivation opportunity, she was determined to find a position and do her utmost to control her own life.

After waiting in line for nearly half an hour, Changxi successfully registered, received her stamped examination permit from the Department of Medicine, and then waited for the exam on September 20th.

After that, she didn’t linger outside and quickly returned to the Hua family home.

When she got home, the rest of the family had already returned.

Upon entering the courtyard, Changxi immediately sensed something was amiss.

The adults sat quietly in the main room, while the children stood silently under the eaves. No one spoke.

Not wanting to bring bad luck, Changxi tiptoed back to her room. Just as she was about to take a nap, Seventh Aunt Hua and Twelfth Aunt Hua came in.

As soon as they entered, Seventh Aunt Hua’s tears flowed freely. “Ninth Sister, Fifth Sister is really going to become a concubine for some old man.”

Changxi was taken aback. “Has the family already agreed? Have Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt agreed as well?”

Twelfth Aunt Hua nodded gloomily. “This morning, Grandfather and Grandmother, along with Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt, took Fifth Sister to meet that old man. When they came back, they gave their consent.”

Changxi was silent for a moment. “What about Fifth Sister? What did she say?”

Twelfth Aunt Hua: “What could she say? How could she go against the family?”

Seventh Aunt Hua: “Fifth Sister cried all night; her eyes are swollen beyond recognition.”

Changxi paced the room. “If Fifth Sister doesn’t want this, she should speak to Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. They can’t ruin their daughter’s life just for their son.”

Seventh Aunt Hua replied, “But Fifth Sister doesn’t want to delay Eleventh Brother’s future.”

Changxi snorted coldly. “Eleventh Brother won’t achieve his future on his own. Even if Fifth Sister is the elder sister, she doesn’t have to be responsible for his entire life, does she?”

Twelfth Aunt Hua: “Fifth Sister wouldn’t be so selfish as to disregard Eleventh Brother.”

Changxi sighed, thinking of Fifth Sister’s nature. “She cares too much for others. If she doesn’t change, endless grievances await her in the future.”

Hearing this, Seventh and Twelfth Aunt Hua looked at Changxi in unison.

Changxi, feeling puzzled, asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Twelfth Aunt Hua said, “Fifth Sister often receives praise from the elders, and when visiting others, the elders all like her. The one who needs to change is you.”

Changxi rolled her eyes. “Then you should learn from Fifth Sister—making yourself a living sacrifice, using your flesh and blood to fulfill others, just to earn a few insincere compliments.”

She tapped their foreheads with her index finger.

“You two little fools, use your brains. Isn’t a compliant, sensible girl like Fifth Sister the easiest to manipulate?”

“You should be more like me. It’s not bad for a young lady to have a fiery temper; that way, no one dares to bully you.”

“Do you think only outsiders bully people? Family members do it too. People always pick the softest target.”

“If I were the one forced to become a concubine, just watch me turn the family upside down. Do you think the house would remain so quiet and peaceful?”

Seventh and Twelfth Aunt Hua listened in astonishment, their faces also showing some confusion.

Seeking the elders’ favor, earning outsiders’ praise, repaying family support by helping brothers—wasn’t all that proper? These were the virtues expected of young ladies!

Yet, the fact that Fifth Sister was sacrificing herself to become a concubine for Eleventh Brother’s future seemed somehow wrong to them.

Once, they thought Ninth Sister was troublesome and disobedient, but now, she didn’t seem so bad.

Changxi looked at the two and pondered. “If Fifth Sister dared to fight for herself, I don’t think the family would force her. But if she doesn’t stand up for herself...”

“Since becoming a concubine is already decided, to ease Fifth Sister’s pain, we can only advise her to think of the positives.”

Seventh and Twelfth Aunt Hua didn’t stay long before going to see Fifth Sister. Changxi thought for a moment and followed them.

...

By evening, Minghe Hua returned from his duties. Hearing from Mrs. Yao that the family had agreed to let Fifth Sister become a concubine, he fell silent.

Mrs. Yao folded the freshly laundered clothes and sighed, “Fourth Sister-in-law usually loves her daughter, but I didn’t expect she could be so heartless.”

Becoming a concubine—even in a prominent household—meant living as a servant in all but name. Just thinking of Fifth Sister’s future made one anxious.

Fifth Sister was Fourth Brother’s daughter. Since Fourth Brother and his wife had made their decision, Minghe didn’t want to argue. He noticed the household registration document on the bed and asked in surprise, “Why did you take out the household registration?”

Suddenly remembering something, Minghe stood up sharply. “Ninth Sister took the registration to register at the Department of Medicine?”

Mrs. Yao nodded faintly without stopping her work.

Minghe frowned deeply. “Why didn’t you stop her? The Department of Medicine is a government office; matters inside are not something a young lady like her can manage.”

Mrs. Yao put down her work and looked at Minghe. “Her Highness, I was also opposed to Ninth Sister joining the department before, but Fifth Sister’s situation changed my mind.”

Minghe said angrily, “Fifth Sister is Fifth Sister, Ninth Sister is Ninth Sister. How could I allow Ninth Sister to become a concubine?”

Mrs. Yao replied, “I know you wouldn’t. But in this capital, many things are beyond our control.”

“Do Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law really want to have Fifth Sister become a concubine?”

“It’s the clan. The clan used Eleventh Brother’s future as leverage to coerce Fourth Brother and his wife. Did they have any choice?”

“I fear that one day someone will use your life or the futures of your eldest sons to blackmail me. When that time comes, no matter how unwilling I am, I might have to give up Ninth Sister.”

“How many decisions can a young lady in our family make for herself? Even major matters like marriage are dictated by others.”

“Since ultimately we cannot escape being manipulated, now that Ninth Sister has something she wants to do, why shouldn’t I let her try? Regardless of the outcome, it’s her own will.”

Minghe’s spirit weakened, his voice low. “It’s my fault. I haven’t given you and the children a good life.”

Mrs. Yao took his hand. “No, you’re not at fault. You’ve tried your best. The world is like this; we can only go with the flow.”

---

In the second household.

Second Aunt Hua sighed, “Fifth Sister’s nature being what it is, if she becomes a concubine, she’s bound to suffer.”

Second Uncle Hua said, “Don’t only see the bad side. Think about the He family’s status. Becoming a concubine to the son of the Marquis of Wuyi is actually a blessing for Fifth Sister. If it weren’t for the Earl’s household arranging it, such a good opportunity wouldn’t have come to us.”

Second Aunt Hua rolled her eyes. “You say that easily, but can common folk like us understand the complicated twists and turns in noble families?”

“Besides, Fifth Sister is too meek. If you ask me, it’d be better for Ninth Sister to take that concubine position. With her temperament, she might really make a name for herself in the Marquis’s mansion.”

Second Uncle Hua rolled his eyes. “Shut up. They want a gentle concubine, not a matriarch. Which concubine isn’t soft and obedient?”

“Sending Ninth Sister to be a concubine wouldn’t forge a marriage tie; it’d make an enemy!”

“There’s no need to worry about Fifth Sister as long as she behaves properly. Considering the Earl’s household, Third Young Master He won’t mistreat her too much.”

“Third Young Master He is already thirty and still childless. If Fifth Sister can bear him a son, her blessings are still ahead.”

While the second household debated, the fourth household was very quiet, only muffled sobs could be heard.

Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle looked troubled. They felt deeply pained to send their daughter to be a concubine, but they had no other choice.

Eleventh Brother lingered outside Fifth Sister’s room, wanting to go in but ultimately unable to take a step.

...

At the family patriarch’s home.

“How is it?”

“Is Third Young Master He satisfied with Fifth Sister?”

Madam Zhou asked her eldest son, Tai Hua.

Tai Hua smiled broadly. “The person Mother chose, how could Third Young Master He dislike her?” He then produced three admission notices for the Martial Academy.

“Third Young Master He gave ten admission tickets: six went to the Earl’s household, one to Hua Bin, and the remaining three are for us to allocate.”

Madam Zhou nodded with a smile. “Decide on the Martial Academy candidates with your father.”

Tai Hua nodded happily. “By the way, Mother, Third Young Master He wants to bring Fifth Sister into the mansion within a month.”

Madam Zhou chuckled. “It seems Third Young Master He is quite anxious about having an heir.”

Tai Hua sipped his tea with a smile. “How could he not be? He’s already thirty, and his only heir is a young lady.”

Madam Zhou said, “Hua Bin’s line prospers, and Fifth Sister looks capable of bearing children. Third Young Master He’s wish will come true.”

Tai Hua: “That’s even better. Mother, you’ll have to arrange Fifth Sister’s induction into the Marquis’s household.”

Madam Zhou: “Those are small matters. Leave them to me; you focus more on external affairs and clan matters.”

Tai Hua hurriedly said, “Mother, this is not a small matter. Third Young Master He said if he truly has a son, there will be rewards afterward.”

Madam Zhou considered and said, “Then I’ll bring Fifth Sister over for a few days of training. The Earl’s wife is not easy to get along with. We can’t have Fifth Sister fall ill before the child is even born.”

Tai Hua stood and bowed. “Thank you, Mother. With your guidance, Fifth Sister will surely be blessed.”