Chapter 10: Becoming a Concubine

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At the Hua family residence in Xiuzheng Lane.

As evening approached, the three Hua brothers—Minghe and his siblings—returned home from their duties, instantly bringing warmth and liveliness to the Hua courtyard.

Hearing the commotion outside, Hua Changxi slowly opened her eyes from cultivation in the secluded chamber.

[Realm: Qi Refinement Stage 35/1000]

Noticing her realm points had increased slightly, a hint of happiness stirred in her heart.

Yet, a new doubt arose within her: What practical use was this advancement in realm points?

Outside, the old matriarch’s voice called everyone to dinner. Hua Changxi suppressed her doubts and moved to the door, pressing her face against the crack to observe the courtyard.

Her mother and two aunts carried dishes into the main hall, following closely behind the children playing outside. Soon, the courtyard emptied.

Rubbing her hollow stomach, Hua Changxi felt a surge of bitterness. Every time she displeased her grandfather or grandmother, she was locked away and punished by being denied food.

Who knew how many days she would starve this time?

She just hoped it wouldn’t delay her from registering at the Medicinal Department!

She tugged hard on the door latch several times but couldn’t break the iron lock outside.

She could feel her strength growing stronger, but 35 realm points were still too low to break the iron lock.

Looking around the sealed chamber, especially at the windows blocked with mud and stones, her lips twitched—her grandfather’s method of punishment was truly meticulous.

Fortunately, she possessed the mind of an adult; she wasn’t afraid of darkness, hunger, or solitude.

Had she been a genuine child, locked away once or twice, she would have likely been terrified into submission, obeying every command without question.

As dusk deepened, moonlight bathed the earth.

Hua Changxi saw moonlight filtering through the door crack, quickly dragged her mat to the doorway, and sat leaning against the door to let as much moonlight as possible shine upon her.

“Whoosh~”

She closed her eyes again and resumed cultivation under the moonlight, clearly feeling a warm current inside her body growing stronger and flowing faster.

Meanwhile, the courtyard grew lively once more—likely the family enjoying the cool evening and chatting after dinner.

Gradually, the courtyard fell silent again, and the entire Hua residence sank into stillness.

“Jiu-niang~”

In the deep quiet of the night, even the slightest sound could rouse someone from sleep.

Hua Changxi instantly opened her eyes and peeked outside the door crack to see Hua Liulang sneaking about.

“Sixth Brother.”

Her expression brightened as she hurriedly asked, “Sixth Brother, have you visited Apothecary Xu at the Medicinal Department?”

She had been taken to the clan elder’s home today and couldn’t register herself, so she sent Hua Liulang to explain her absence to Apothecary Xu.

Hua Liulang nodded. “I saw him. Apothecary Xu told me to tell you to hurry and register if you want to take the apprenticeship exam. He said this recruitment is unusual and fears you might miss the chance if you’re late.”

Her expression tightened. “Why would I miss the chance to register?”

Hua Liulang replied, “Because there are too many applicants. I saw a crowd today, all vying to become apprentices at the Medicinal Department.”

“Since you’re locked up now, don’t worry about registration. Here, eat something first.”

He then shoved a white steamed bun through the door crack.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over Hua Liulang’s head.

“Ah!”

Startled, Hua Liulang fell backward to the ground, dropping the bun.

Hua Changxi was also taken aback. Upon seeing the shadow, she sighed in exasperation and anger: “Grandmother, do you know scaring someone like that could frighten them to death?”

The old matriarch snorted, bent down to pick up the fallen bun, and told Hua Liulang, “Your grandfather and I punish Jiu-niang to correct her temper; it’s for her own good.”

“Sixth Brother, do you realize that your actions are harming Jiu-niang? If she doesn’t change her temper, she’ll cause trouble for the family and bring disaster upon herself.”

Hua Liulang lowered his head. “I’m just worried she’s hungry.”

The old matriarch said, “We won’t starve her to death. Now go back to your room and sleep. Tomorrow, no food for you all day.”

Hua Liulang glanced at Hua Jiu-niang through the door crack, gave her a helpless look, then slinked away.

Once he left, the old matriarch turned her gaze to Hua Changxi. “If you’re so capable, how dare you offend the clan elder’s wife? You don’t deserve to eat.” Saying this, she took the bun and left.

The next moment, her voice echoed through the courtyard:

“First son, Jiu-niang’s temper must be properly disciplined. If you can’t bear to teach her, then let your father and I be the villains.”

“If you want her to grow up wild and uncontrollable, bringing disaster upon the family, then you can sabotage me behind my back.”

Hua Changxi listened in fury.

She only wished to preserve some dignity as a person—how could that be considered bringing trouble to the family?

Upstairs in the old room, Hua Minghe and Madam Yao had not yet slept.

After hearing the old matriarch’s words, Hua Minghe said to Madam Yao, “Let’s not get involved in punishing Jiu-niang this time.”

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Madam Yao frowned deeply. “With Jiu-niang’s temper, she probably won’t bow her head. Do you want to see her starve until she faints again?”

Hua Minghe scratched his head, troubled. “Let’s wait and see. If it gets too bad, I’ll plead with Father and Mother.”

...

A night passed, and the Hua courtyard buzzed with activity again.

At breakfast, Elder Hua addressed everyone: “I’ll visit the clan elder’s home later. Jiu-niang offended Aunt Yuer, so I must go and apologize.”

Second Brother Hua Mingang immediately objected: “Why should Father go apologize for Jiu-niang’s mischief?”

Hua Minghe frowned slightly, disapprovingly looking at Elder Hua: “Father, isn’t this making a mountain out of a molehill?”

“Jiu-niang did speak out against Aunt Yuer, but it wasn’t too much. She had reasonable grounds. If we rush to apologize, it looks like we’re in the wrong.”

Elder Hua slammed his hand and dropped his tobacco pipe on the table. “What do you mean ‘not too much’? Do you want to see Jiu-niang cause a scene in someone else’s home?”

Hua Mingang hurriedly offered tea, “Father, calm down. Getting angry early in the morning isn’t good for your health.”

Elder Hua didn’t drink. After a pause, he continued:

“Dalang will graduate from the martial academy next year. What future does he have? Has his marriage been arranged?”

“Third and Fourth brothers are also of age to start families.”

“Without the clan’s support, relying only on ourselves—be honest, how many children can you pave the way for?”

Hearing this, Hua Minghe, Mingang, and Mingcheng all lowered their heads.

Though they served at the government office, many others desired those positions. To get their own family members placed, they would need to spend a great deal of silver and have strong connections.

Not to mention the Hua family had limited funds. Even with some connections, they weren’t strong enough to place people casually.

The old matriarch stepped in to smooth things over: “Enough, it’s late. Let’s eat quickly.”

Hua Minghe thought it over and looked toward Elder Hua, “Father, I’ll ask the chief constable for leave later and come back to go with you to the clan elder’s home this afternoon.”

Clan politics were all about showing respect to the powerful and stepping on the weak. The elder was old; going in person to apologize meant humbling himself. As a son, he could not watch his father be treated like that.

He was a fifth-grade martial artist; the clan would surely give him some face.

Elder Hua’s expression brightened at Minghe’s offer to accompany him.

His eldest son had a stubborn streak. Years ago, because of marriage disputes, he had little contact with the clan.

Now that his eldest was willing to engage with the clan, he was genuinely pleased. After all, the family would rely on the eldest son in the future.

Elder Hua smiled, “Good. This afternoon, the two of us will visit the clan elder.”

But plans rarely go as expected.

Not long after the three Hua brothers left, the steward from the clan elder’s residence came to fetch Elder Hua and the old matriarch.

...

Inside the sealed chamber, since she could still cultivate, Hua Changxi found this imprisonment less unbearable than before.

Because of the commotion last night and the old matriarch’s claim that it was for her own good, she guessed her parents would turn a blind eye this time.

She wasn’t too worried about hunger; the family wouldn’t let her starve to death.

What truly troubled her was the apprenticeship registration at the Medicinal Department.

“Mother~”

“Mother~”

Knowing her parents had left, Hua Changxi pounded on the door, calling loudly for Madam Yao.

Unable to ignore her, Madam Yao came outside the chamber.

Hua Changxi pleaded, “Mother, please let me out. I want to register at the Medicinal Department. I promise to go quickly and return before Grandfather and Grandmother come back.”

Madam Yao stood still, silent. “I told your father about this. He doesn’t agree.”

Hua Changxi grew anxious. “Why doesn’t Father agree? Besides, this is my matter. His refusal doesn’t count.”

Madam Yao frowned. “He is your father; of course he has the right to refuse. Now calm down. I’ll get you some food.”

Hua Changxi quickly called after her, “Mother, you can’t do this. If I miss the apprenticeship registration, I will hate you and Father.”

Hearing this, Madam Yao stopped and turned, shocked. “You’d hate us over the Medicinal Department registration?”

Immediately regretting her words, Hua Changxi thought about how good her parents had been to her.

With her modern values, no matter how much she tried to fit in, she was somewhat out of place compared to other young ladies of this era. Yet her parents tolerated her and never tried to strictly restrain her.

But the Medicinal Department exam was crucial for her cultivation; she had to fight for it.

Seeing her daughter silent, Madam Yao remained quiet for a long moment before speaking:

“Your grandmother always says your temper is bad and that you disrespect your elders. I don’t take it to heart because I believe you know your limits.”

“But now, over a small disagreement, you threaten to hate your parents. Jiu-niang, you truly break my heart. Your temper really needs changing.”

With that, she turned and left without looking back.

Hua Changxi shouted, “It’s not a small matter—it’s important, very important...”

She called for Madam Yao a few more times but no longer received any reply.

“How hard is it to do something on my own?”

...

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At the fourth quarter of the Wu hour (14:00), Elder Hua and the old matriarch returned.

“Father, Mother, you’re back! I’ll bring you some food right away.”

Seeing them return, Second Aunt immediately stepped forward attentively.

Old Matriarch Hua said, “No need. We ate at the clan elder’s home.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Yao and the three aunts looked pleased.

Second Aunt smiled, “Since the clan elder’s home saved us a meal, perhaps they’re no longer angry with our family.”

Old Matriarch glanced at Fourth Aunt but said nothing.

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Fourth Aunt asked, “Mother, is something wrong?”

Before anyone could answer, Elder Hua stood up. “You tell the children. I’m going out for a walk.” With that, he strode out of the main hall.

Inside the sealed chamber, Hua Changxi peeked out as she heard their return.

“Huh, why did Father leave again so soon?”

Seeing Elder Hua walk out with his hands behind his back, she felt puzzled. Then she heard Fourth Aunt’s angry scream.

“No!”

“I disagree!”

Hua Changxi’s heart sank; trouble had surely erupted. She pressed her ear to the door crack, trying to catch the conversation inside, but the old matriarch quickly suppressed the voices.

Soon, someone came to explain to Hua Changxi.

“Jiu-niang, the clan elder’s home has bad intentions. They want Fifth Sister to become a concubine to a man over thirty.”

Flustered and tearful, Hua Qiniang appeared outside the chamber, her voice choked with sobs.

Hua Changxi fell silent, suspecting her fears were true.

“Don’t worry. As long as Grandfather, Grandmother, Fourth Uncle, and Fourth Aunt don’t agree, the clan won’t force Fifth Sister into concubinage.”

Hua Qiniang’s eyes reddened further. “But Grandfather and Grandmother have agreed.”

Surprised, Hua Changxi frowned. Despite their preference for sons, she didn’t believe her grandparents would sell their daughters.

“What did the clan offer in return?”

Hua Qiniang nodded. “The clan offered our family a spot at the martial academy, with all training resources covered for the first three years.”

“Grandmother said if Fifth Sister agrees to be a concubine, that spot will go to Eleventh Brother.”

Hearing this, Hua Changxi was at a loss for words. The clan’s offer was tempting. Even Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle would be tempted.

The fourth branch had five children: from eldest to youngest, Fifth Sister, Seventh Sister, Eleventh Brother, Thirteenth Brother, and Fourteenth Sister.

Eleventh Brother was the eldest son of the fourth branch. With resources largely taken by the first and second branches, he had to seek other opportunities.

Entering the martial academy with three years of fully funded training was undoubtedly a great path for him.

“How did Fourth Aunt respond?”

Hua Qiniang’s sobs grew heavier. “Mother initially refused, but after being persuaded by Grandmother, she hesitated and said she’d wait for Father to return before discussing it.”

Hua Changxi sighed deeply, already foreseeing Fifth Sister’s fate. “Go stay with Fifth Sister.”

Unable to hold back, Hua Qiniang crouched down in tears.

Soon, Twelfth Sister was called by the old matriarch to take Hua Qiniang away.

Hua Changxi sighed again, pitying Fifth Sister. This was the reality for women born into powerful clans: when the family used them as bargaining chips, they had no power to resist.

The main hall remained noisy throughout the day. When Second and Fourth Uncles returned from their duties, a fierce argument broke out, lasting past the late night hours before the courtyard finally fell silent.

Having been hungry for two days, Hua Changxi lacked the strength to eavesdrop further and instead sat by the door, cultivating under the moonlight.

Sunlight bathed the earth again as a new day began.

Hua Changxi woke from cultivation well past morning. Turning her head, she noticed a paper package at the door crack and instantly brightened, quickly grabbing it.

Inside were several green bean cakes, making her smile with delight.

She knew her parents, Third Brother, and Sixth Brother wouldn’t abandon her.

After finishing the cakes, she stood and began pounding the door, intending to call her mother. But when she pulled the latch, the door swung open.

“Hmm?”

She was stunned for half a second, then burst with joy and quickly stepped out of the chamber.

The courtyard was silent—no one was around.

Looking up at the sun in the sky, she felt the morning light was perfect for cultivation and was so immersed she didn’t notice when her family had left.

Too lazy to care where they’d gone, Hua Changxi hurried to her parents’ room to fetch her household registration booklet for the Medicinal Department registration.

Madam Yao rarely packed without telling Hua Changxi, so she quickly found the booklet in the wardrobe.

After obtaining it, she changed into clean clothes and headed straight to the Medicinal Department to register.