Chapter 12: Unlocking a New Technique

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Fifth Miss Hua was taken away by Aunt Zhou, who served Lady Zhou. Hua Changxi saw that the carriage had disappeared from sight, while Aunt Si Hua still stood at the doorway, gazing into the distance for a long time. Unable to hold back, she stepped forward again and said, “Aunt Si, since you don’t want Fifth Sister to become a concubine either, you should hurry and call her back. There’s still time.”

Aunt Si’s eyes reddened, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

Old Lady Hua’s displeased voice rang out: “Hua Jiuniang, who let you out? Matters concerning the master are none of your concern, you little girl.”

“Aunt Si!”

Hua Changxi called out once more to Aunt Si, but she lowered her head and did not respond.

Seeing this, Hua Changxi felt powerless. Noticing Old Lady Hua’s anger was about to overflow, and unwilling to be locked away in the ear room again—which might jeopardize her apprentice medical examination in four days—she obediently returned to her chamber.

Back in her room, Hua Changxi was somewhat lost in thought.

Looking at Fifth Miss Hua, she couldn’t help but think of herself.

Until now, she had been somewhat satisfied with her fate in the Hua family overall.

Though the elders favored sons over daughters, and family resources leaned toward the male heirs, the young ladies of the house were not mistreated.

But after Fifth Miss Hua’s situation unfolded, her perspective changed.

For the sake of the family’s male heirs, the young ladies could be sacrificed.

Today it was Fifth Miss Hua; tomorrow, it could be her.

Though she had luckily obtained the opportunity to cultivate immortality, she still knew nothing about it, and the future that awaited her was unknown.

Now, the only thing she could do was to enter the Medical Department and work hard to advance her medical skills and inheritance level.

In the following days, the Hua family’s courtyard was filled with quietness, and Hua Changxi sat quietly in her room, focusing on cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, it was September 20th. Hua Changxi left the house before dawn, accompanied by Sixth Brother Hua, heading straight for the Medical Department.

“The Medical Department is not so easy to enter,” said Yao Shi, standing at the gate and watching the two children disappear into the distance. Hua Minghe approached and said, “I’ve inquired around; many people are applying this time. Jiuniang might not get in.”

Yao Shi frowned in disagreement. “Jiuniang’s medical skills have the approval of Apothecary Xu.”

Hua Minghe sighed. “Having skills is important in government work, but connections matter even more.”

Yao Shi frowned. “Do people with connections really care about apprentice positions in the Medical Department?”

Hua Minghe replied, “Every family has some relatives. Even if a noble doesn’t care, their relatives might.”

“Many people have their eyes on the Medical Department. When Third Brother was fifteen, I considered getting him in, but his medical skills weren’t good enough. I couldn’t even get through by using connections.”

Yao Shi was surprised. “Why didn’t you tell Third Brother?”

Hua Minghe said, “No use talking about failed things. Besides, Third Brother is grown up and proud.”

Yao Shi frowned. “Is it really that hard to enter the Medical Department?”

Hua Minghe explained, “The Medical Department is a government office. Even the coldest, most powerless office in the capital is highly sought after. The Medical Department isn’t quiet at all—it’s closely watched by the emperor himself.”

Yao Shi looked worried. “So, by your account, Jiuniang has little chance of entering the Medical Department?”

Hua Minghe sighed deeply. “Our daughter is proud and stubborn, naturally unwilling to accept defeat.”

“You’re right to let her try the Medical Department exam. Let her face some setbacks; then she’ll realize how cruel the world outside is, something a young lady like her can’t easily handle.”

Just as Yao Shi was about to say more, there was a sudden splash behind them. A basin of water was thrown onto the street at the gate, stirring up dust.

“Mother!”

Hua Minghe and Yao Shi turned to see Old Lady Hua standing behind them, holding a wooden basin.

“You’re getting more and more audacious, letting Jiuniang go to the Medical Department exam without informing the family. Do you still care about this household?”

With that, Old Lady Hua angrily returned to the courtyard, basin in hand.

Hua Minghe and Yao Shi hurried after her.

“Mother, it’s not that we didn’t inform the family. We didn’t have much hope for Jiuniang’s exam; we just let her try for fun.”

“We didn’t tell the family because we didn’t want them to worry…”

Because of Old Lady Hua’s sudden appearance, before Hua Changxi even entered the exam hall, everyone in the Hua family already knew she was taking the apprentice exam at the Medical Department today.

…

The Medical Department was located northeast of the capital, covering a vast area spanning three streets—several times larger than an ordinary ward.

When Hua Changxi and Sixth Brother Hua arrived, a large crowd had already gathered at the entrance.

“So many people!” Sixth Brother Hua was tongue-tied upon seeing the steady stream of exam candidates entering the Medical Department.

Someone nearby immediately spoke up: “I heard several thousand people applied this time, but the Medical Department only admits two hundred.”

Sixth Brother Hua swallowed nervously and looked at Hua Changxi. “Jiuniang, with so many people, do you think you can get in?”

Hua Changxi looked at the Medical Department’s signboard, her eyes flashing with determination. “Sixth Brother, you can go home. I’m going in.”

With that, she took out her exam admission ticket and lined up.

The Medical Department was home to the kingdom’s top medical experts. Even apprentices were expected to have a certain level of medical knowledge.

Previously, apprentice recruitment only required a written test, but this time, a practical herb-processing segment was added.

Hua Changxi was confident. Though she once lacked skills in handling medicinal herbs as a warrior, the “Annotated Herbal Classic” had already filled that gap.

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As for processing herbs, that was even easier.

In her past life, since she could walk, she had followed her grandfather, learning how to handle traditional medicines. In this life, she had also helped in the Hua family’s pharmacy for several years, preparing many of the herbs sold there.

The written test assessed the candidates’ medical knowledge accumulation. After browsing the questions, Hua Changxi was confident and began answering calmly.

Due to the fierce competition, to attract the examiners’ attention as a promising talent, she deliberately submitted her answer sheet first.

After finishing the written test, she was immediately escorted by a medical officer to a square.

The square had several rows of wooden tables, each laid out with several herbs.

The medical officer led Hua Changxi to one table and gestured toward the people inside the building on the west side of the square. Soon, a middle-aged medical officer came over with paper and pen.

“Someone finished the written test so quickly? I heard this test wasn’t easy.”

The middle-aged officer scrutinized Hua Changxi for a moment and smiled, “You didn’t answer the questions and just came out, did you?”

The escorting officer bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Officer Sun. I’m only responsible for guiding candidates here. Whether she answered the test, I don’t know. I’ve brought her here. Officer Sun, please supervise her practical exam.”

After the escort left, Officer Sun looked at Hua Changxi.

She bowed with cupped fists, imitating the escort. “I, Hua Changxi, respectfully greet Officer Sun.”

Seeing this, the middle-aged officer raised an eyebrow and smiled, then pointed at the herbs on the table: “Process these five herbs.”

There were five herbs on the table: three common herbs and two used by warriors.

Hua Changxi had processed the common herbs before, but the two warrior herbs were new to her.

However, the “Annotated Herbal Classic” provided detailed explanations of their properties, so she could process them accordingly.

With this in mind, she began her work.

The first step in processing herbs was washing, to remove dirt and impurities.

As she finished washing one herb, a line of text suddenly appeared in her vision:

[Purity Technique (Beginner): Washing Herb 1/10]

Hua Changxi’s eyelids twitched as she suppressed her excitement, carefully washing all five herbs.

After finishing, the text changed:

[Purity Technique (Beginner): Washing Herb 5/10]

Having washed the herbs, she began processing them.

There were several processing methods: water-based, fire-based, or combined water and fire.

According to the herbs’ properties, all five were to be processed by fire.

Hua Changxi took the cleaned herbs to an iron stove and began roasting them, adjusting the drying degree based on their properties.

Officer Sun watched her skilled and smooth movements and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you come from a family of healers?”

Hua Changxi smiled and replied, “Yes, Officer Sun. My family runs a pharmacy. My grandmother’s family are medicine merchants.”

Officer Sun nodded knowingly: “No wonder you’re so proficient at handling herbs.” Then he inquired about the Hua family’s background.

Learning that they were low-level officials in the government, he lost interest in probing further.

At that moment, a group of people pushed several carts of herbs across the square, led by a pale-faced eunuch without a beard.

Hua Changxi looked at the herbs on the carts, her heart burning with excitement.

These herbs were unfamiliar to her, but all were recorded in the “Annotated Herbal Classic.”

Officer Sun greeted the eunuch with a broad smile. “Eunuch Jia, just returned from the pharmacy?”

Eunuch Jia waved for his escorts to continue walking but stopped himself and asked, “Officer Sun, why is the place arranged like this?”

Officer Sun laughed, “Eunuch Jia, you must have forgotten today is the day for extra apprentice recruitment?”

Eunuch Jia made a long “Oh” sound and said nothing more, instead watching Hua Changxi roasting the herbs.

“Not bad. Your technique is quite skilled. Looks like the apprentice hall is gaining new talent,” he remarked.

Officer Sun sighed, “Thanks for your kind words. The Warrior Academy’s demand for medicine keeps increasing. The apprentice hall is overwhelmed. If we can recruit capable people, it would ease the burden.”

Eunuch Jia nodded toward Hua Changxi. “Talent is right in front of you. If the apprentice hall had more clout, there’d be no shortage of capable recruits.”

Without waiting for a reply, Eunuch Jia bid farewell and strode away.

Officer Sun spat softly, then turned sharply to look at Hua Changxi.

Seeing her focused on roasting herbs and ignoring him, a hint of regret appeared on his face.

At that moment, a strange medical officer arrived with five candidates.

Hua Changxi glanced at them briefly, noticing three women among the five, somewhat surprised but said nothing, returning to her work.

As she took out a processed herb, another line appeared:

[Complete Processing Manual (Beginner): Herb Processing 1/10]

Her heart lifted at the new technique unlocked.

Indeed, coming to the Medical Department was the right choice—she had just unlocked two new techniques.

Before she could react further, Officer Sun walked over and said, “That’s enough. You can leave now.”

Hua Changxi looked at the herbs still roasting. “The herbs aren’t finished yet.”

Officer Sun replied, “That’s none of your concern. You may leave.”

Frowning slightly at his impatience, not wanting to offend him, she placed the processed herbs on the table and slowly walked away.

She didn’t leave directly but stopped at a corner of the square, where no one was around, peering back toward the square.

Seeing what happened there, anger surged within her.

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The five new candidates had each handed Officer Sun a note.

Although he was reluctant, Officer Sun accepted all five.

Hua Changxi wanted to rush over and catch them in the act but suppressed her impulse.

Pretending not to see it gave her a chance to enter the Medical Department. If she exposed the matter publicly, she might never be admitted.

But could she truly enter the Medical Department on her own medical skills?

Her five herbs weren’t even fully processed yet.

Getting into the Medical Department was crucial for Hua Changxi; she did not want to give up so easily.

If her name wasn’t on the acceptance list three days later, she would be lost.

She thought of Apothecary Xu, knowing he worked on Ninth Street inside the Medical Department, and discreetly sought him out.

Her luck was good; Ninth Street was right next to the square.

“Ninth Street, No. 12…”

Following Apothecary Xu’s directions, she found the pharmacy where he worked.

Just as someone came out, she hurried forward. “Greetings, sir. I’m looking for Apothecary Xu. Could you please help me send a message?”

Soon, Apothecary Xu appeared.

“Jiuniang, what are you doing here?”

Surprised to see her, he quickly pulled her into an alley.

“The Medical Department doesn’t allow outsiders to wander around freely.”

“Are you here to take the exam?”

Hua Changxi nodded and quickly recounted the incident at the square: “Uncle Xu, Officer Sun didn’t even let me finish processing the herbs before sending me away. Does that mean I won’t be accepted?”

Apothecary Xu was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Jiuniang, try again next time.”

Hua Changxi’s expression turned anxious. “Why?”

Xu’s tone turned sharp. “Because the spots are already taken.”

Hua Changxi said, “You told me they were recruiting fifty female apprentices this time. Surely not all fifty spots are filled?”

Apothecary Xu said nothing, implying yes.

Hua Changxi’s eyes widened. “All fifty really taken?”

Xu nodded. “It never used to be like this, but this time, many noble families are pushing their daughters into the Medical Department.”

“Did you know even the marquis’s daughters are involved?”

Hua Changxi frowned. “Why would noble families want apprentice positions in the Medical Department? Isn’t it undignified?”

Xu explained, “Actually, the Medical Department’s positions are quite sought after. Noble families train medical girls as dowries for their daughters.”

“Where’s the best place to train medical girls? The Medical Department!”

Hua Changxi’s anger simmered, but after calming, she looked up at Xu earnestly.

“Uncle Xu, I must get into the Medical Department. Please help me. I will reward you handsomely in the future.”

Xu looked troubled. “I don’t have much say during apprentice recruitment.”

Hearing this, Hua Changxi was silent for a moment, then said fiercely, “I’ll go back and confront Officer Sun. If he refuses me, I’ll expose his acceptance of notes.”

Xu was startled and grabbed her. “Oh, my dear lady, don’t do that. Even if you succeed by threatening him, once inside, you’ll face retaliation and eventually be kicked out.”

He paused, then added, “Let me try talking to Officer Wang, who’s friendly with me in the apprentice hall. Maybe I can help you.”

Hearing this, Hua Changxi’s face brightened.

Xu added, “But don’t get your hopes up. The Medical Department may be different from other offices, but it’s still a government office with endless tangled politics.”

“Like this extra apprentice recruitment—deciding who to accept isn’t really up to the apprentice hall.”

Hua Changxi bowed her head. “Uncle Xu, I understand. I’m troubling you.”

After a moment’s thought, Xu advised, “Jiuniang, listen to me. If you don’t get in this time, try again next time. I refuse to believe noble families take every spot every time.”

Hua Changxi forced a smile. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. You go about your business; I’ll head back.”

Xu was still worried. “Don’t confront Officer Sun, alright?”

Hua Changxi nodded. “I won’t. I was just angry and said that.”

Xu reminded her again before reluctantly entering the pharmacy, glancing back several times.

…

Knowing she was likely not to enter the Medical Department, Hua Changxi was very unwilling to accept it.

If her skills were lacking, she could accept it, but that was not the case.

Although she promised Xu not to confront Officer Sun, her feet involuntarily led her back to the square.

By then, the square was full of candidates taking the practical exam.

More medical officers, about a dozen, were supervising besides Officer Sun.

Hua Changxi thought that if she hadn’t submitted early, she might not have seen Officer Sun receiving those notes.

…