Chapter 6: The Patriarch of a Feudal Household

[Level: Qi Refining Stage 1/1000]
[Herbal Scripture Annotations (Complete): Tasted 365/1000 Herbs]
Hua Changxi was temporarily unable to acquire other medicinal materials. The next chapter of the Herbal Scripture Annotations could only be unlocked after she was admitted to the Medical Department.

She was very curious about what would come after Ordinary Plants and Spiritual Plants.

As for cultivation...

A scene from her dream surfaced in Hua Changxi’s mind—herself transformed into a little bird, breathing as lightly as one.

She knew that her cultivation should be practiced through controlled breathing.

With this in mind, Hua Changxi quickly gave it a try, wondering if she could cultivate during the day. She initially intended to sit cross-legged in meditation but then recalled that birds breathe lying prone, so she lay face down on the bed instead.

Unfortunately, Hua Changxi couldn’t calm her mind at all. Though she imagined the bird’s breathing, her thoughts scattered wildly, and her breathing was erratic, let alone drawing in the surrounding energy.

The entire afternoon was spent experimenting, yet by dinnertime, she had achieved nothing.

...

As evening approached, the Hua family courtyard grew lively.

Madam Yao and two sisters-in-law bustled in the kitchen; preparing meals for more than twenty family members was no easy task.

Grandma Hua sat outside the main hall under the eaves, spinning thread and doing embroidery with several granddaughters.

Grandpa Hua and his three sons, Hua Minghe and his brothers, smoked pipe tobacco inside the main hall, while several grandchildren sat nearby chatting about events beyond the household.

When Hua Changxi stepped out of her room, all eyes fell upon her.

Grandma Hua continued spinning thread without pause, lifting her eyelids to ask, "Are you feeling better?"

Hua Changxi smiled in reply, "Grandmother, I’m fine now."

Grandma Hua, always stern before her granddaughters, merely grunted softly and began to lecture: "After this lesson, let’s see if you dare run around anymore."

"The youngest lady of the house, you’re the most disobedient."

"I don’t understand—other Hua girls like Fifth Miss stay quietly at home, embroidering and weaving. Why must you always run off?"

Accustomed to Grandma’s nagging, Hua Changxi’s expression remained unchanged, letting the words pass in one ear and out the other.

“Ninth Miss, come help serve the dishes.”

Madam Yao’s voice called from the kitchen, rescuing Hua Changxi from the lecture.

...

With over twenty people in the Hua household, dinner was split into two tables—one for adults and one for children.

Before eating, Grandpa Hua suddenly beckoned Hua Changxi to his side, his expression somewhat kind as he asked, "Did you go to the pharmacy this afternoon?"

Hearing this, Hua Changxi immediately glanced at Hua Sanlang and Hua Silang.

Sanlang looked surprised, while Silang dared not meet Hua Changxi’s gaze.

Hua Changxi instantly understood why Grandpa had known about her trip: "Yes, I went to the pharmacy and picked up some herbal prescriptions to tonify qi and blood."

Grandma Hua’s face darkened, "You were just kidnapped yesterday, and today you dare sneak out again? You really have no sense."

“Ninth Miss, you’re just making trouble, ruining your reputation. How will you ever marry like this?”

Grandpa Hua let Grandma scold her for a while before continuing in a calm but firm tone, "Ninth Miss, you’re already thirteen, a grown girl now. It’s not good for you to be out and about anymore."

"From now on, don’t help at the pharmacy anymore."

"Your Sixth and Eighth brothers have stopped studying and should start training at the pharmacy. You should stay home and embroider with your sisters."

These words stirred mixed feelings among the family.

Both the second and fourth branches of the family were somewhat displeased that Hua Changxi could help at the pharmacy while their daughters had to learn embroidery at home—it felt unfair.

Moreover, Hua Changxi’s talent in medicine made the second and fourth branches wary; they feared she might take resources meant for their sons.

Grandpa Hua’s words were gentle but carried an unyielding authority.

Hua Minghe hesitated to speak but seeing his second and fourth brothers’ families agreeing, he did not defend his daughter.

The family’s resources were mostly controlled by the eldest branch.

The eldest son was enrolled in the martial academy, costing a hefty monthly fee.

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Starting from age eight, Sanlang had been apprenticed at the pharmacy, managing its purchasing affairs.

Now that Sixth Brother was to join the pharmacy as well, letting Ninth Miss stay on would naturally upset the second and fourth brothers.

Madam Yao wanted to advocate for her daughter, but as a daughter-in-law, she had no right to oppose Grandpa.

The couple could only look apologetically at their daughter.

Hua Changxi had resolved to apply for the Medical Department and would not cling to the family pharmacy, but she resented how all resources were tilted toward the sons.

"Grandfather, I have helped at the pharmacy for three years. The brothers receive wages, but I have never been paid. If I stop coming, shouldn’t I settle accounts?"

Grandpa Hua looked up at her indifferently, "Where do you think the food and clothes you wear come from?"

Grandma Hua chimed in with a sour tone, "You haven’t even been charged tuition for learning medicine, and now you want wages?"

Knowing the elders didn’t value her, Hua Changxi felt frustrated and wanted to argue but was firmly pulled back by Madam Yao.

Madam Yao noticed Grandpa’s anger; when he got mad, he really punished his grandchildren.

Seeing Hua Changxi’s sour expression, Sixth Brother spoke up to Grandpa, "Grandfather, I don’t like helping at the pharmacy. Let Ninth Miss take my place."

Grandpa’s demeanor changed sharply; he slapped the table and sternly said, "If you don’t learn a skill at the pharmacy, what do you plan to do?"

"You’re fifteen this year, soon to be betrothed. Without knowledge or skill, which good family would marry you?"

Sixth Brother shrank back but still mustered courage, "Grandfather, I don’t want to study medicine. I want to practice martial arts."

First, Ninth Miss rudely asked for wages, and now Sixth Brother openly defied Grandpa. His face darkened immediately.

"This house is upside down! Who do you think you are to defy me?"

"I’ve lived my whole life without doing as I please. What right do you, a mere child, have to choose?"

Seeing Grandpa’s anger, Sanlang quickly stood in front of Sixth Brother, "Grandfather, Sixth Brother knows his mistake. I will make sure he works well at the pharmacy."

Grandpa shot a glance around the family, noting their varied expressions and then looked at the defiant Hua Changxi. Finally, he said to Sixth Brother, "Go kneel in the courtyard for an hour and reflect."

Hua Changxi wanted to say something but was pulled out the door by Sanlang.

...

At dinner afterward, Hua Changxi did not eat but watched Sixth Brother kneeling in the courtyard, feeling irritated.

"Sixth Brother, stop kneeling. You’re not at fault."

Sixth Brother shook his head, "Grandfather is angry. I shouldn’t have talked back."

Hua Changxi said, "That wasn’t talking back. We were just expressing our concerns reasonably."

Seeing her raise her voice, Sixth Brother quickly pulled her, "Keep your voice down. If Grandfather hears, he might punish you too."

"Fine, it’s only an hour of kneeling. I did make Grandfather angry just now. Don’t worry about me. Go eat."

Grandpa Hua’s authority was like an iron hoop around the family’s heads—no one dared challenge it. Punishments were carried out meticulously. Hua Changxi felt powerless and returned to her room in frustration.

Back in her room, still unsettled, Hua Changxi lay face down on her bed again, simulating the bird’s breathing from her dream, trying to calm her mind.

Gradually, the courtyard noises dimmed, and she found herself in a world where only she existed.

"Hoo~"

Warm breath exhaled from her nose. Hua Changxi felt transformed into a little bird; with each breath, her body grew warmer.

When Madam Yao finished cleaning the kitchen and came to comfort her, she found her daughter already asleep and couldn’t help but smile.

She had expected sulking but not that she would fall asleep outright.

The next morning, with dawn barely breaking, Hua Changxi awoke feeling refreshed.

[Level: Qi Refining Stage 2/1000]

Seeing the words before her, Hua Changxi smiled contentedly. She confirmed that as long as she could immerse herself in the bird-like breathing rhythm, she could cultivate.

Noticing some impurities flowing from her body, she quietly fetched water to bathe without disturbing the family.

After a night’s rest, her injuries had improved greatly; many wounds were scabbing over.

No wonder people wanted to cultivate immortality; aside from other benefits, it genuinely strengthened the body.

...

Forbidden from helping at the pharmacy, Hua Changxi spent the next half-month “nursing her injuries” in her room, dedicating all her time to practicing rapid immersion into the bird’s breathing state.

After two weeks of practice, she finally found the key. Now, whether sitting, standing, or lying prone, as long as she could calm her mind, she could enter cultivation.

Of course, lying prone was the fastest method.

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She also discovered that bathing in moonlight or dawn light accelerated her cultivation progress.

[Level: Qi Refining Stage 33/1000]

In these two weeks, all her time was devoted to cultivation, yet she only reached level thirty-three.

"I wonder if there’s any other way to speed up cultivation?"

Though she had fortuitously obtained the chance to cultivate immortality, she was utterly ignorant about it.

Fortunately, the Medical Department had posted a notice recruiting apprentices.

As long as she passed the entrance exam and joined the Medical Department, through the inheritance of medical arts, she could gradually unveil the mysterious world of cultivators.

The recruitment exam was set for September 20th, and applicants had to register before the 15th.

A few days ago, Apothecary Xu came to the Hua family pharmacy looking for Hua Changxi but didn’t find her, so he sent a message back via Sixth Brother.

Apothecary Xu asked Hua Changxi to come to the Medical Department on September 7th, saying he would personally help her register and explain the exam details.

Today was September 6th; tomorrow would be the seventh.

Hua Changxi felt uneasy these days because she knew her father disapproved of her applying to the Medical Department. Without his consent, her mother likely wouldn’t give her the household registration permit.

While pondering how to persuade her parents, an unexpected visitor arrived.

“What? Tomorrow we’re going to the clan elder’s residence?”

A Hua clan member came to the house, and after they left, Grandma Hua summoned several granddaughters to the main hall, instructing them to rise early the next morning and accompany her to visit.

The girls were delighted to visit relatives, but Hua Changxi, preoccupied with the Medical Department registration, was reluctant: "Grandmother, I won’t go."

Grandma Hua shot her a sideways glance, "You’re always running around without reason, and now that you’re told to go out, you refuse. Are you nothing but rebelliousness?"

At this moment, Grandpa Hua spoke decisively, "Everyone must go. The clan elder values our family; we cannot embarrass ourselves."

With that, he turned and left the hall with a solemn face.

Having lived in the Hua family for thirteen years, Hua Changxi knew that when Grandpa Hua spoke, no one could oppose him. Her resentment only deepened.

What was a feudal patriarch?

This was it—Grandpa Hua’s word was law in the Hua household.

As long as he spoke, no matter what others planned, his orders took precedence.

Madam Yao saw her daughter’s sullen face and quickly pulled her out of the hall, "It’s just a visit to the clan elder’s house. Why so unhappy?"

Hua Changxi kept a stiff expression, "I have something to do tomorrow."

Madam Yao chuckled, "What could you possibly have?"

Hua Changxi gave up making excuses and bluntly said, "Mother, I want to register at the Medical Department."

Madam Yao was stunned, then fell silent. After a moment, she said, "You’ll have to discuss this with your father first."

Hua Changxi looked her mother in the eye, seriously, "Mother, this is my matter. I can decide for myself."

Madam Yao scolded, "Why are you such a headstrong young lady? Your grandfather already said you must go to the clan elder’s tomorrow."

Seeing Hua Changxi still wanted to argue, she added, "Don’t make things difficult for yourself. If your grandfather gets angry and punishes you, even your father can’t help."

Recalling the times she was punished by Grandpa Hua for talking back and forbidden from eating, Hua Changxi felt frustrated, "Mother, if this keeps up, I’ll suffocate."

Madam Yao’s expression was calm, "Suffocate? This is just the beginning. You live in your own home now. Even if the elders are strict, they won’t truly harm you."

"Wait until you marry and face your in-laws and sisters-in-law. Then you’ll know what real suffocation is."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi fell silent.

With so many people in the Hua family, conflicts were inevitable.

Though her mother was the eldest daughter-in-law, she was not favored by Grandma Hua, who preferred the second aunt—her mother’s niece.

The second aunt often clashed with her mother, and when disputes escalated, Grandma Hua usually sided with the second aunt, causing her mother to suffer many grievances.

Her mother had used her own humiliations to advise her, so Hua Changxi felt it was futile to argue further.

Seeing her daughter’s downcast face, Madam Yao said, "Enough. Go back to your room and think about what to wear tomorrow."

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