Chapter 14: Stepping Out of the House

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Having spent some time at the Servants’ Hall, it was already late by the time Changxi Hua left the Medical Department. When she returned to the Hua family residence, her three elder brothers—Minghe Hua and the others—had already come back from their duties. Although Minghe Hua and Mrs. Yao had used various excuses to soothe the old matriarch and the rest of the family, the grandmother still harbored resentment over Changxi’s secret application to the Medical Department without informing the family.

After waiting all day, the ninth granddaughter finally returned. The old matriarch was about to make a sarcastic remark but saw her dash straight to her room and close the door behind her. Angered by Changxi’s silence, the grandmother pointed at Mrs. Yao and scolded, “Look at the daughter you raised—does she still have any semblance of a proper young lady?”

Aunt Hua Er standing nearby chuckled, “Mother, you should calm down. I think Ninth Miss must have realized she won’t get into the Medical Department and went to her room to cry.”

At this, the grandmother’s anger softened, and Mrs. Yao’s face showed worry.

Young Master Hua Liu quickly said, “Dinner’s almost ready. I’ll go call Ninth Miss.” With that, he hurried to knock on Changxi’s door.

“Ninth Miss, dinner’s ready!”

There was a loud splash as a basin fell inside the room, followed by the creak of the door opening. Seeing the water spilled on the floor, Hua Liu looked puzzled. “Ninth Miss, what are you doing?”

Changxi squatted to pick up the basin. “My hand slipped.”

Hua Liu responded with an “Oh,” then lowered his voice, “Grandfather and grandmother seem displeased about your Medical Department application. Be careful at dinner.”

Changxi nodded. “I understand. You go ahead to the main hall; I’ll just sweep up the water and come out.”

Hua Liu left without suspicion.

Once alone, Changxi closed the door again, clenched her fists, and bounced excitedly around the room. After mastering the rudimentary ‘Immaculate Technique,’ her mind was filled with methods to cleanse spiritual plants and beasts—water control, wind control, fire control.

Just moments ago, she had dipped her hand into the basin and, following the technique’s guidance, manipulated the water to swirl at her will. The basin’s water spun rapidly, forming a whirlpool until Hua Liu’s knock startled her, causing the basin to fall.

Looking at the puddle, Changxi raised her right hand; a swift gust blew across the spill, drying the floor halfway within a minute. She had hoped to dry it completely, but...

[Realm: Qi Refinement Stage 0/1000]

The words flashing before her eyes indicated her stored spiritual energy was depleted. Though she would need to build it up from scratch again, she was elated. The ‘Immaculate Technique’ could be used not only to cleanse medicinal herbs but also in daily life. As her spiritual reserve grew, perhaps she could eventually protect herself.

“Ninth Miss, dinner’s ready!” Mrs. Yao’s voice called in, and Changxi quickly composed herself, opened the door, and stepped out.

...

In the main hall, the dishes were served and the family seated.

“Ninth Miss, tonight you’ll sit at the main table.”

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Changxi was heading toward the younger generation’s table but was stopped by the family patriarch.

Due to the recent unsettling atmosphere caused by Fifth Miss becoming a concubine in the He family, the old master decided to use Ninth Miss’s secret Medical Department exam as an opportunity to restore order.

Changxi took her seat beside Minghe Hua and Mrs. Yao at the main table.

The hall quieted; no one touched their food as all eyes fixed on the patriarch and Changxi.

She glanced at the stern grandmother and then the frowning grandfather smoking his dry pipe. Not wanting them to set rules for her, she took the initiative: “I’m reporting to the Medical Department tomorrow.”

“Ah!”

“What?!” The silence shattered instantly.

Young Master Hua Liu even came up to the main table. “Ninth Miss, isn’t the apprentice acceptance list only announced in three days?”

Minghe Hua also spoke seriously. “Ninth Miss, what’s really going on?”

Changxi briefly explained her day at the Medical Department: “Pharmacist Xu told me all the medical apprentice slots were preassigned.”

“Luckily, I met the steward Jia at the Servants’ Hall and helped him with a small favor. He agreed to let me join the Servants’ Hall.”

“Servants’ Hall?!” Mrs. Yao gasped in disbelief, never imagining her daughter would make such a choice.

The grandmother scoffed, “I thought you were capable, but after all this fuss, you’re just going to be a servant!”

“Seems you’ve grown soft, looking down on embroidery and weaving, wanting to go suffer outside. Why not go to the docks and carry heavy loads!”

What’s a servant? It’s hard labor.

Even within the Medical Department, joining the Servants’ Hall meant doing the most grueling, miscellaneous tasks.

Minghe Hua looked at Changxi. “Ninth Miss, tomorrow your father will accompany you to the Medical Department and get you out of the Servants’ Hall duties.”

Changxi met his gaze steadily. “Father, I’m thirteen and fully aware of what I’m doing. Since I’ve made this decision, I will take responsibility for my actions. Whether the future is good or bad, I accept it.”

Mrs. Yao became anxious. “Ninth Miss, have you forgotten why you entered the Medical Department? You’re there to learn medicine, not to do menial labor. How will being a servant help your studies?”

Changxi smiled. “Mother, even servants can learn medicine. Today alone, I saw many herbs in the Servants’ Hall that aren’t found in the market.”

“Father, Mother, please believe me. If I gained nothing from the Servants’ Hall, I wouldn’t have gone. Your daughter isn’t that foolish.”

Minghe Hua rubbed his temples in frustration; Mrs. Yao looked helpless.

The grandmother sneered again, “Ninth Miss, keep defying us. You’ll see when it’s time to marry—who would want a servant as a wife?”

A servant? That’s no different from a slave!

The patriarch smoked his pipe, staring at his rebellious granddaughter. He asked gravely, “You insist on becoming a servant at the Medical Department?”

Changxi replied resolutely, “Yes, I must.”

He paused, then asked, “Even if you can’t marry into a good family later, will you still go?”

She nodded firmly. “Yes, I’m determined.”

He took two more puffs. “If the family forbids you, what will you do?”

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Having lived in the Hua family for thirteen years, Changxi knew the patriarch’s temper well.

His words signaled his intent to use his authority to suppress her.

Realizing it was either she persuades the family or they crush her, she no longer held back: “Grandfather, I want to learn skills and earn money. I don’t want to face the same fate as Fifth Sister.”

At this, the patriarch’s face darkened instantly; Fourth Uncle and Aunt’s expressions also soured.

No matter how they disguised it, no matter how noble the reasons, the family was ultimately selling daughters for sons’ futures.

Second Uncle and Aunt watched the drama unfold amusedly; the younger members thought, “Ninth Miss is so bold to confront Grandfather.”

Minghe Hua and Mrs. Yao exchanged glances; their resolve to prevent Changxi from joining the Servants’ Hall wavered.

Though the family had some say over Fifth Miss becoming a concubine, in reality, they had none.

The clan seemed lenient only if the family cooperated; disobedience risked not just ostracism but worse.

Changxi continued, “Grandfather, since the family cannot arrange futures for every grandchild, maybe letting us find our own way will bring unexpected opportunities.”

The patriarch raised his eyelids, scowling. “Well, well, our family has produced quite a remarkable young lady.”

“A man struggles to make a living, yet you, a young lady, speak louder than men.”

“Servants in the Medical Department are at the bottom, used by everyone. Do you think a bit of medical skill can help you stand out?”

“I’m warning you today: if you bring trouble or disgrace to our family, I will throw you out.”

Changxi saw no further resistance and said no more. She paid no mind to his threats.

...

Early the next morning, Changxi took a steamed bun from Mrs. Yao and smiled, “Mother, no matter how others view servants, believe in me—maybe I can make a name for myself in the Servants’ Hall.”

Mrs. Yao smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but advised, “Take good care of yourself. If you can’t adapt, come home.”

Changxi laughed, “I know. I’m off!”

Others either sat in the main hall or stood in the courtyard, silently watching Changxi leave. No one spoke.

Once outside the Hua estate gate, Changxi glanced back, her eyes shining bright.

From this moment on, her world would no longer be confined to the Hua family courtyard.

Seventh and Twelfth Miss stood at the gate, watching Changxi walk away with a happy face, their expressions mixed.

Twelfth Miss muttered, “Being a servant is hard and exhausting. Grandmother was right; Ninth Miss is really stirring up trouble.”

Seventh Miss replied, “But... servants can earn money too. With money, you can do many things and don’t have to obey the family in everything.”

Twelfth Miss looked surprised. “Seventh Sister, I feel like you actually support Ninth Sister becoming a servant.”

Seventh Miss was silent for a moment. “Whenever we want to buy something, we have to ask the family for money. Do you think that’s a pleasant feeling?”

Twelfth Miss fell silent.

Seventh Miss added, “Ninth Miss found a job for herself. I think that’s good. Watch, her confidence at home will only grow stronger.”