Jinyi Spring

Chapter 132 A Marriage Strengthened
Ming Shanyue used reverse psychology, saying, "There is no distinction between men and women in medicine. Third Uncle is a true man, not afraid of death, so why would he be afraid of a girl coming to treat him?"

Seeing that Ming Changli's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets, and that he was about to smash the wine bowl over, Ming Shanyue quickly begged for mercy.

"Alright, alright, I won't look at 'that kind of illness,' I'll just look at your leg... Is that still not enough? It was my fault for being nosy, let's not talk about it anymore."

Although Ming Changli is only four years older than Ming Shanyue, he is an elder and should be treated with respect.

Ming Shanyue rambled on for a few minutes, then poured himself a bowl of wine and began to mutter to himself.

"Don't underestimate Miss Feng just because she's young; her medical skills are truly exceptional. My mother had been ill for seventeen years, and we had consulted at least a hundred doctors before, but none of them could cure her. She cured her of the disease in just six months."

"She also managed to cure most of my grandmother's chronic illnesses. She knew how to use 'miracle needles' and invented the 'Feng's Erection Method' and 'cardiopulmonary resuscitation,' saving many lives and earning her a place in the Imperial Medical Academy's 'Great Yan Medical Canon'..."

He kept rambling on and on, but Ming Changli pretended not to hear him, drinking his wine in silence, a layer of gloom lingering between his brows.

Just then, Yinhe hurried in and reported, "Master, Young Master Cousin has arrived. He originally wanted to come directly, but I persuaded him not to."

Ming Shanyue looked at Ming Changli and said, "Third Uncle, how about we invite Ruyu to come here and have a drink together? It would be more lively."

Ming Changli waved his hand impatiently, his face full of disgust, "I won't see her. That crybaby, all that whining, it's so annoying to watch."

When he was young, Shangguan Ruyu always came to the Ming Mansion to pester him and Ming Shanyue, as delicate as a little girl. If he got impatient for a moment, the boy would grin and howl, and the father would beat him frequently for this.

Ming Shanyue smiled and said, "Ruyu has stopped crying a long time ago."

"I won't see him either."

Ming Shanyue remained seated, saying, "Never mind him, I'll stay with Uncle San."

"I don't need your company, get out!"

Ming Shanyue touched her nose and had no choice but to get up and leave.

He took a few steps, then turned back, leaned down and whispered in Ming Changli's ear, "Third Uncle, think carefully about my suggestion. Rather than being trapped in this small space, be brave. Miss Feng is truly different..."

Before he could finish speaking, he received a solid slap on the back of the head.

"roll!"

Ming Shanyue rubbed his head and had no choice but to leave.

At noon on April 15th, Feng Chuchen was busy at the clinic when Mu Jin arrived.

"Miss, Granny Li and Master Guo have arrived. Master Guo is dressed particularly well today. He usually wears either military uniform or gray clothes, which make him look dark and intimidating. Today, he is wearing a bright blue silk robe and a jade hairpin in his hair, making him look much more handsome and refined."

Having guessed a possibility, Feng Chuchen chuckled and hurried over to the house.

Peony served them tea and stood behind Feng Chuchen with a slightly flushed face.

As Feng Chuchen entered the room, Guo Hei stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Miss Feng."

Granny Li smiled and said, "I'm here today on behalf of my master to tell Miss Feng some good news."

He glanced at the peony again from the side.

Guo Hei's dark face turned even redder, and he chuckled foolishly a few times.

Even the peony and the hibiscus knew what she meant.

Feng Chuchen smiled and said, "Peony, go to the kitchen and help Aunt Wu cook a few more dishes so that Granny Li and Master Guo can have lunch here."

Peony blushed and withdrew.

Granny Li first praised Guo Hei, saying, "Guo Hei has followed my master through thick and thin, and has made countless military achievements. He's already twenty, and many families are eyeing him."

"But this child is picky. He says he's an orphan and wants to find a girl who can handle things. He especially dislikes weak and delicate young ladies. Normally, the servants' marriages are decided by their masters, but my master is considerate of his servants and insists on the servants' approval first."

"Yesterday, someone came again asking me to play matchmaker, and I went to ask Guo Hei. He blushed and stammered, too embarrassed to speak. It was Song Xian, who was standing nearby, who said that he had taken a liking to your family's Peony Girl."

"The old man asked me to ask Doctor Feng what he thinks. If he is willing, we will formally ask the matchmaker to propose marriage another day."

Upon hearing this, Guo Hei stood up again and bowed deeply to Feng Chuchen, saying, "I beg Miss Feng to grant my request. I will definitely cherish Miss Shaoyao and not let her suffer."

Guo Hei is indeed a good candidate. Although he is a slave, he has a bright future. In the future, he will either be released from slavery to work in the army or hold an important position in the Ming government.

Feng Chuchen smiled and said, "Master Guo is very good, heroic and magnanimous, which is a great thing. However, I still need to ask what Shaoyao thinks."

He winked at Mu Jin, "Go ask her what she thinks. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Granny Li pulled Mu Jin aside again and said, "Let me secretly tell you something: Guo Hei gained a lot of spoils when he fought alongside the master, and he was also favored by the Duke and the master. He is quite wealthy and a small tycoon."

A little over an hour later, Mu Jin returned and said with a smile, "I told Sister Shaoyao what the young lady and Granny Li had said, and she agreed."

Feng Chuchen smiled and said, "In that case, we'll just wait for Master Guo to send a matchmaker to propose marriage."

Guo Hei was overjoyed and readily agreed.

Granny Li smiled and pinched her fingers, "The seventeenth of this month is an auspicious day. On that day, we will invite a matchmaker to formally propose marriage."

The 17th is the day after tomorrow.

Guo was so happy he was practically blind.

Marrying the girl named Peony was not only out of loyalty to the emperor and obedience to his master, but also because he genuinely liked her.

Less than a quarter of an hour after they left after the meal, word spread that Shaoyao was getting engaged to Guo Hei. Everyone offered their congratulations, and Shaoyao, embarrassed, ran back into her house, too ashamed to come out.

Many people would never have imagined that the burly and ill-tempered Peony could find a fiancé like Guo Hei.

Mu Jin asked with a smile, "Miss, is Sister Shaoyao staying in our family or going to the Ming Mansion after she gets married?"

Before Feng Chuchen could speak, Aunt Wu laughed and said, "Silly girl, a woman follows her husband wherever he goes. Since Shaoyao is marrying Master Guo, of course she has to go to the Duke's mansion with him."

Mu Jin said reluctantly, "With Sister Shaoyao gone, our family is missing someone who can fight."

Feng Chuchen said, "Let's arrange their engagement first, and the wedding will have to wait two more years."

Peonies are now indispensable in our home.

Then he said to Aunt Wang and Aunt Wu, "There are many things I don't understand, so please take good care of the peony."

Before we knew it, it was the seventeenth, and the Feng residence was decorated with a festive atmosphere.

As an elder, Aunt Wang wore a festive outfit and waited at home for the matchmaker.

From 9:00 AM onwards, the area around the house became lively, with many neighbors coming to watch the excitement.

Feng Chuchen continued working at the clinic as usual, while Shaoyao stayed inside, too embarrassed to come out.

At noon, Wang Shuping excitedly ran into Feng Chuchen's clinic.

Shouting loudly, "Big sister, the matchmaker, Granny Li, and Brother Guo came to propose marriage. The matchmaker said Sister Peony is beautiful and intelligent, and Brother Guo wants to marry her. My mother said Brother Guo is heroic and handsome, and highly skilled in martial arts, so Sister Peony is willing to marry him. Granny Li even put a beautiful hairpin in Sister Peony's hair..." Feng Chuchen laughed heartily, "Shuping has a good memory. They've left?"

He tiptoed and whispered in Feng Chuchen's ear, "They're gone. I heard Brother Guo tell my mother that Lord Ming and Lord Shangguan are coming to our house for dinner tonight, and they asked us to cook something delicious."

Feng Chuchen smiled and pinched his little face.

At the end of the 5-7 PM, fiery clouds filled half the sky, and intense orange light poured down, making the entire courtyard even more lush and beautiful.

Because the flowers and trees in the new house's courtyard were too dense, two carriages drove into the gate of the old house.

Shangguan Ruyu and Ming Shanyue got out of the carriage one after the other, followed by five attendants.

On the way, Shangguan Ruyu learned that Guo Hei had become engaged to Shaoyao, and she was so shocked that she couldn't close her mouth for a long time.

He was indignant. "I knew Miss Feng first, and our friendship is definitely deeper than yours. How could you beat me to such a good thing? Since your Guo Hei married Shaoyao, then my Duan Yan will marry Banxia!"

Ming Shanyue looked at him as if he were an idiot: "You want to argue about this too?"

Shangguan Ruyu immediately ordered the carriage to stop.

Duan Yan, who was in the car behind, hurriedly ran forward and asked, "Master, what are your orders?"

Shangguan Ruyu said, "Guo Hei has chosen Shaoyao, so you should marry Banxia for me."

Duan Yan's face flushed red instantly, and he whispered a reminder, "Master, of course I will obey your orders... but would Miss Feng be willing?"

The implication is that even if you still have feelings for Miss Feng, she won't reciprocate, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Shangguan Ruyu, remembering Feng Chuchen's temperament, waved his hand and said, "I will discuss it with Miss Feng myself. If she agrees, you will marry Banxia."

Ming Shanyue did not expect Shangguan Ruyu to interfere at this time, drawing more attention to the Feng family.

He frowned and said, "Lord Shangguan, think about how much trouble you've already caused Miss Feng. In less than a month, Xue Yan'er's confinement period will be over."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Ruyu remained silent for a moment, then finally gave up and said dejectedly, "Fine, you can go back now."

The carriage continued on its way. Shangguan Ruyu suddenly sighed softly, a lingering melancholy in her eyes, "The maids are all engaged, but what about Miss Feng? She'll be sixteen this August."

Her delicate features were furrowed in a frown, revealing an unconcealable heartache.

"Alas... Your tears flow, my tears flow, the knot of our hearts remains untied... Lovers in this world are destined to be apart, my heart is truly filled with sorrow..."

Ming Shanyue forced herself not to utter the words "unjustified affection".

After getting out of the car, the group went through the side door and entered the new house.

As twilight shimmered, Feng Chuchen stood on the veranda, dressed in a light green gown. A faint smile played in her eyes, her lips the color of cherry blossoms in spring. Two simple jade hairpins adorned her dark hair, making her skin appear even whiter, as if she were enveloped in a radiant glow, unlike anyone from this world.

She stepped forward with a slight smile, "Gentlemen, please come inside."

Shangguan Ruyu swiftly unfolded her folding fan and stepped forward to block Ming Shanyue.

He said with a smile, "I heard that Guo Hei and Shaoyao are engaged? That's great! Perhaps we can arrange another marriage between them and make them a perfect couple."

Feng Chuchen was slightly taken aback, "A marriage between relatives?"

Shangguan Ruyu gave her a look of disdain that said, "You don't even understand this?" She tapped her fan lightly and said, "My cousin and I are relatives. Now that he has become in-laws with you, our two families are related by marriage. In the future, if one person from my family and one person from your family marry into our family, wouldn't that be even more family-oriented?"

Feng Chuchen was speechless for a moment and couldn't respond to his words.

Ming Shanyue stood quietly in the center of the courtyard, her gaze slowly sweeping over every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree, finally settling on that beautiful figure.

His eyes held a deep, unfathomable depth, as if he wanted to meticulously etch everything here into his gaze and then carefully store it in his heart.

This place must be perfectly sealed, impregnable. Even amidst fierce storms and torrential rains, it must remain the most fortified island…

Guo Hei also arrived. Peony was so embarrassed that she stayed in the kitchen and didn't dare to go out, and was teased by Banxia and the others.

A clear laugh drifted from the small window, clearly mocking Peony and Guo Hei, which inexplicably pleased him.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, and Ming Shanyue and Shangguan Ruyu each took two bowls of caramel pudding home.

After that, Guo Hei would go to Feng's residence every day or two to see the "beauty," mostly after finishing his official duties, and then he would freeload a meal there.

Sometimes when no one is around, he will give Peony a small gift, such as a small comb or a piece of jewelry, and Peony will reciprocate with a purse, a handkerchief, or something similar.

The social customs of this era were relatively open-minded, and there was no such thing as unmarried couples not being able to meet. In addition, Peony was a maid with a carefree personality, so she didn't care even if the neighbors said something unpleasant.

On the evening of the 27th, a weary Feng Chuchen sat on the veranda listening to the servants chatter and laugh. She had received the Yin-Yang Acupuncture treatment the day before and had rested for a full day and night.

Guo Hei came to Feng's residence again.

The explanation was, "Tomorrow is Prince Qin's wedding, and the lord will personally lead the Flying Eagle Guards on a patrol of the streets. We are responsible for patrolling this area. We just finished our shift and came to check..."

The eldest prince, Shui Heng, who has turned eighteen, has been granted the title of Prince Qin and will marry Princess Xie tomorrow, April 26.

Banxia asked curiously, "Has Master Guo met Prince Qin?"

Guo Hei looked at her, and standing beside her was Shaoyao, dressed in a light red dress... She was so beautiful, how come he hadn't noticed her before?

Guo Hei laughed, his dark face making his teeth appear even whiter. "I've seen him a few times from afar. Prince Qin is extremely handsome. I heard from my cousin that Prince Qin is kind, virtuous, and very learned."

Mu Jin asked curiously, "I heard that when the prince got married, there were people from the Imperial Music Bureau in the wedding procession?"

Guo Hei nodded and said, "That's for sure. The musicians are all handpicked from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau). With gongs and drums leading the way and strings playing continuously, that's what you call the grandeur of an imperial family."

Peony also became interested, "Which main streets will Prince Qin's wedding procession take? Let's go to the streets tomorrow to watch the excitement."

"The Princess's home is on Donghe Street, and Lianhuakou Street is the closest to you. If you only want to see Prince Qin, wait at Lianhuakou Street at noon. If you also want to see the bridal sedan chair, go there at the beginning of the afternoon."

Mu Jin said, "Let's go in the afternoon, then we can see the prince and the bridal sedan chair."

On April 28th, the King of Qin held his wedding.

Because the Duke of Ming's mansion maintained a cautious distance from the princes, none of the men attended the banquet.

The Dowager Lady Yongning had a good relationship with the imperial family and a deep affection for the Empress Dowager. She personally visited the Prince Qin's Mansion with her daughter-in-law, Madam Ming, and her adopted daughter, Madam Xia, to offer congratulations and have a banquet.

Pinellia, hibiscus, peony, and perilla all went to the street to watch the excitement.

Feng Chuchen also wanted to see her elder brother in this life with her own eyes. But thinking about her two visits to Zixia Nunnery and the encounter with the Xue family once, she didn't want to attract attention again.

The four maids returned, chattering excitedly about the grand occasion.

Zisu said, "Oh my, Prince Qin is extremely handsome, and his wedding procession is incredibly long, longer than a street..."

Banxia rolled her eyes and looked at the roof. "Hmm, why does Prince Qin look so familiar? I've never seen him before."