Jinyi Spring

Chapter 62 Best Friends in Another World
Undeterred, Feng Chuchen expanded his search to cover the past six months, but still couldn't find a single clue.

She put down the journal listlessly.

My aunt must be afraid of being discovered, which is why she doesn't record anything related to that man.

Despite all her precautions, she hadn't anticipated that after her death, the man would visit her grave multiple times, wearing a "couple's pouch," and she just happened to be there when he saw her notes and the pouch...

Was she hurt too deeply by that man, so she wanted to erase all traces?
In this vast sea of ​​people, I wonder if I will ever meet that man again.

Although the separation of men and women is not strictly enforced here, it is still not easy for a female doctor in the community to see a high-ranking male official.

Feng Chuchen thought to herself that she'd better not get married. She wouldn't be interested in men who weren't good enough, and men who were too outstanding would mind her background and were prone to infidelity. The most heartbreaking thing was that in ancient times, it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines…

There aren't many men as devoted and outstanding as the late Duke Ming; I'm just not lucky enough to have met one.

Aunt Wang and Banxia didn't get home until just before the city gate closed that night.

After taking a bath, Aunt Wang came to the east wing. "The baby has been delivered, and both mother and child are safe. However, the woman's body has been damaged, and she may have difficulty conceiving in the future. Fortunately, it was a boy."

Feng Chuchen ignored those words and asked, "Aunt Wang, you've been with my aunt for so many years, has my aunt ever had a man she liked?"

She hoped to hear some information about her aunt's love life from Aunt Wang.

Aunt Wang laughed and said, "No, I've never heard my eldest sister talk about men, nor have I ever seen her look at any man seriously. As for that sickly man who was supposed to be married off to bring good luck, I only heard about him from the villagers."

"When my eldest sister was young, she was beautiful, skilled in acupuncture, good at making money, and had beautiful handwriting. At least twenty widowers asked people to mediate between her and her husband, including one scholar, but she refused them all. She even declared that she would never remarry and would live with her parents' family..."

Her expression turned serious again. "Young lady, have you heard some gossip? Don't be fooled. My elder sister is not only a righteous woman, but also a chaste woman."

Feng Chuchen was very disappointed. "No one said anything. I was just asking. Aunt Wang, go and rest."

Feng Chuchen didn't sleep well that night; the images of her aunt and that man kept flashing before her eyes.

She had never been this conflicted even in her past life when she was heartbroken...

The next morning after breakfast, Aunt Wang was invited to help deliver another baby. It was a government official surnamed Guo who sent a horse-drawn carriage to pick her up.

Feng Chuchen took a car to the Hu residence to deliver two baskets of fresh vegetables. He ate lunch at the Hu residence and did not return home until the afternoon.

When Aunt Wang returned home that evening, she asked with a smile, "Girl, guess which Guo family they hired me to deliver their baby?"

"Which one?"

"She is the second daughter-in-law of the Guo family magistrate of Princess Yanghe's residence. The Guo family residence is not far from Nan'an Ward. Mother and daughter are safe and sound, and she even rewarded me with four silver ingots."

Feng Chuchen asked in bewilderment, "Guo Jialing, how did he know we moved?"

Aunt Wang looked very pleased and said with a smile, "I was wondering about that too. I heard from Madam Guo that Master Guo cares a lot about the young lady and the young master, and he knows most of our family's situation."

"She also said it was Her Highness the Eldest Princess's instruction. The Feng family saved Young Master Shangguan for two generations, and she has always remembered this favor. If we are in trouble, she asked the Guo family to help us."

He then put his hands together and said, "Princess Yanghe is a celestial being, yet she still thinks of us common folk. Amitabha, may the Bodhisattva bless her with a long and healthy life."

Feng Chuchen was also quite moved. That effort wasn't in vain. Although he lost his reputation, he had the Princess's Mansion to rely on. If there were any difficult problems that even Lord Hu couldn't solve, there would always be someone to ask for help.

Should I bring my younger brother to visit and express my gratitude, and try to build a better relationship with him?

After thinking about it, I decided against it. My aunt didn't want her descendants to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy.

The Princess's residence is different from the Hu residence; it's far too grand and luxurious.

Feng Chuchen felt a little ashamed. In her previous life, she was quite proud and self-reliant, unwilling to climb the social ladder, but here she always wanted to find someone to rely on.

There's nothing we can do about it.

A doctor can be aloof, but a leader must be pragmatic and consider all aspects of life.

She instructed, "When you go to the Guo family's house for the baby's third-day celebration the day after tomorrow, bring two boxes of Sophora flavescens repair ointment for Second Madam Guo, and also give Madam Guo a basket of our apricots. Tell her about the special features of the Women and Children's Hospital."

Sophora flavescens ointment is in very short supply these days; it's mostly bought through acquaintances asking others to buy it. It costs 600 wen a box, and even then, demand exceeds supply.

They will officially start selling when the maternal and child health clinic opens.

Before selling them, one must report to the Imperial Hospital.

On May 11, Feng Chuchen rode his own donkey cart to Yixiangju Restaurant.

Get off the bus at the street corner.

Feng Chuchen said, "Uncle Wu, go back. I'll call a car to go home this afternoon."

Cai Yuxiu was waiting at the entrance of the restaurant.

She wore a light red silk dress and had her hair styled in a bun. She was pretty and lively, much more striking than the stiff and rigid look I had seen her on the previous two occasions. Even her smile was brighter.

Feng Chuchen approached and smiled, "So Dr. Cai is this beautiful."

Cai Yuxiu laughed, "Miss Feng is much prettier than me." She added, "Why are you being so polite? How about we call each other sisters? How old are you?"

"I'm fifteen."

"I'm eighteen. From now on, I'll call you Sister Feng, and you can call me Sister Cai."

Cai Yuxiu's smile also infected Feng Chuchen, who called her "Sister Cai".

"Let's go take a look at the study over there."

The study is a few shops away from here.

Cai Yuxiu asked, "Is Sister Feng engaged?"

"No, How about you?"

"deal."

"Why become a female doctor if you've already made the decision? You have to wait seven years to leave the palace and get married."

Cai Yuxiu sighed, "In a family like ours, a lineage of physicians needs to produce an imperial physician and a female physician in each generation to avoid decline. My family has few male members; in my father's generation, there was only my father as a male, so my eldest aunt had to become a female physician."

"My generation only has one son, my younger brother, so I had to become a female doctor. My fiancé's family is very supportive and willing to wait."

Cai Yuxiu's lack of hesitation actually made Feng Chuchen feel more favorably toward her.

She continued, "My eldest aunt got married and still worked in the palace, but unfortunately she died young. My father told me that the person my eldest aunt admired most was Doctor Feng, and my father wanted me to learn from Doctor Feng and Miss Feng. I never expected that I would meet you, I'm so happy."

He looked very honored.

Feng Chuchen knew that the renowned female doctor Cai was even more famous than female doctor Zhou when she was alive; she was skilled in midwifery and pediatrics.

The eldest aunt had mentioned her to the original owner many times, saying that if she didn't know how to use the Supreme Divine Needle, Dr. Cai would be even better in pediatrics.

Such a good female doctor, it's a pity she died in her early thirties.

Feng Chuchen said, "Sister Cai is too modest. My aunt told me that the Cai family is one of the four great medical families in the capital, running Henian Hall, specializing in sores and bone setting. That female doctor Cai is even more remarkable; my aunt admires her greatly..."

The two hit it off immediately and found themselves getting along very well. After a little over fifteen minutes, they were holding hands.

Cai Yuxiu said, "Sister Feng's hands are so cold. Holding your hand in the summer is as refreshing as drinking cold water on a hot day. You must be cold-natured. You should take some medicine to nourish yourself, otherwise it will be bad for your fertility."

Feng Chuchen laughed, "People who can use Yin Shen Needle have a cooler body temperature than ordinary people, and they don't have any other problems. In the summer, my younger brother especially likes to hold my hand."

Cai Yuxiu added, "Many people regret that you didn't become a female doctor, but it's actually better that you didn't. Female doctors may look glamorous, but they live in constant fear, and if they're unlucky, they can die quickly."

“My mother doesn’t want me to go, but my grandfather and father say it’s my responsibility as a daughter of the Cai family, and I have to go.” Feng Chuchen thought of palace intrigue. Eunuchs, palace maids, imperial physicians, and female doctors are most likely to know things they shouldn’t know, and that’s why they die quickly.

This child talks a bit too much.

She reminded her, "Sister Cai, you must be careful with your words and actions in the palace, and don't say things you shouldn't say."

Cai Yuxiu squeezed her hand and smiled, "I know I don't talk much to others, but I talk more with you because I'm familiar with you. I don't know why, but I just feel like I've known Sister Feng for a long time."

Feng Chuchen smiled and said, "That's what it means to hit it off immediately. I feel the same way."

When the two arrived at a calligraphy studio, they encountered an acquaintance, Dr. Fan, who had taken the exam with them last time.

Cai Yuxiu greeted her warmly, "Dr. Fan."

Dr. Fan also smiled and said, "Dr. Cai."

He seemed not to have seen Feng Chuchen.

Feng Chuchen acted as if she hadn't seen her.

The two women exchanged a few polite words and then went their separate ways.

Cai Yuxiu whispered, "Physician Fan is Vice Envoy Fan's niece. She entered the palace as a maid with the ultimate goal of becoming a female physician. Her fiancé is a relative of the Xue family, which is why Physician Fan is rather arrogant."

He added, "The Xue family is the family of the Imperial Uncle Xue, the maternal family of the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine."

The Fan family is the head of the four great medical families in the capital. Qianjintang is run by the Fan family, and now they have produced a deputy director of the Imperial Medical Academy, a fifth-rank official.

Consort Xue was the niece of Empress Dowager Xue. Since the emperor did not have an empress, the Xue family was the most powerful maternal relatives in the court.

Even after marrying into the Xue family, Doctor Fan remained aloof and superior.

Feng Chuchen gossiped, "I heard that Miss Xue's illness was cured as soon as she broke off her engagement with Young Master Ming."

Cai Yuxiu giggled, "It's true, isn't it incredible?"

Feng Chuchen was somewhat surprised. Was it really that mysterious?
He then asked, "Is it true that the eldest son of the Ming family doesn't like women and has something going on with a certain young master?"

Cai Yuxiu said seriously, "Don't believe those nonsense stories; they're all made up by others. My father often goes to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion to treat Master Ming the Third, so he knows some inside information. Master Ming the Eldest is an extremely Yang person, whose five elements are detrimental to his wife; a high monk has predicted this."

"Young Master Ming is extremely skilled in military strategy, proficient in both literature and martial arts, and became famous at a young age. He is also handsome, but unfortunately, his fate is not good. He and Young Master Shangguan are cousins ​​who grew up together and have never had any sordid affairs."

Feng Chuchen then asked, "So, does this mean Young Master Ming is really going to remain a bachelor for life?"

"Not necessarily. If he meets a girl who can suppress his fate, he can marry her. If he doesn't, alas, he'll probably be a bachelor for life. Old Madam Ming and Madam Ming are extremely worried about this."

Not wanting to discuss family matters further, Feng Chuchen pulled Cai Yuxiu into the nearby Tianfangzhai.

Now that she has some spare money, Feng Chuchen wants to use better quality daily necessities.

Tianfang bath beans, Tianfang soap, Tianfang tooth powder... not only are they beautifully designed, but they also have a pleasant fragrance.

I went to Ningxiangzhai and bought incense cakes and incense balls, and went to the porcelain shop and bought a set of beautiful celadon teacups.

If you have money, why should you compromise yourself?

After finishing their meal, the two continued strolling around.

Cai Yuxiu was very interested when she heard that Feng Chuchen wanted to open a maternal and child clinic that specialized in delivering babies and treating breastfeeding mothers.

“Miss Feng has some ideas. When I leave the palace for my vacation, I will visit your home and then take a look at that clinic.”

The female doctor takes a break once a month, which lasts for three consecutive days.

They parted ways around 1:00 PM.

Feng Chuchen was very excited today. This was her first female best friend in this life, and they even shared the same interests.

She waved and hailed a donkey cart across the street. The donkey cart was rudimentary, without even a canopy.

As soon as she reached the donkey cart, she saw a familiar figure waving at her.

It is Shangguan Ruyu.

He arrived gracefully, dressed in a moon-white robe with cloud-patterned wide sleeves, wearing a pearl crown to tie his hair, holding a folding fan, with sparkling peach blossom eyes and a mouth shaped like flower petals.

Like a beautiful flower drifting by, it attracted countless eyes.

Behind him followed a handsome young man of about twenty years old, and several attendants.

Feng Chuchen didn't want to run into him on the street at all, so she pretended not to see him.

Shangguan Ruyu hurried over, clasped her hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Miss Feng, how have you been?"

Feng Chuchen said with a blank face, "It's alright."

She got into the donkey cart and said to the driver, "Beianfang."

Shangguan Ruyu took two quick steps and said softly, "Because you saved me, you've suffered some injustice."

Feng Chuchen thought to himself, "Xiuhua is all show and no substance, far inferior to my princess mother and my husband father."

Seeing the driver straining his ears to listen, he urged, "Hurry up."

Shangguan Ruyu then said, "I heard that your younger brother is attending a private school. May I visit him to discuss his studies?"

"No need."

The driver, embarrassed to listen any longer, cracked his whip and shouted, "Giddy up!"

The donkey started trotting.

Shangguan Ruyu stared blankly at that back figure. Several months had passed since she last saw her, and Miss Feng seemed to have grown even more beautiful and pretty, and her voice was so pleasant.

Especially her cold, icy eyes and tightly pursed lips—she was more beautiful than any man or woman.

He really wanted to visit Miss Feng to discuss medical techniques, or at least make friends with her brother, but his father forbade him from disturbing them.

If Miss Feng is willing, then he will not be disturbing her.

But Miss Feng kept everyone at arm's length.

Seriously, if we can't be husband and wife, can't we even be friends?
Jiang Jichang's gaze followed the slender figure as he chuckled, "Is that Miss Feng who saved you with the dysphoric method? Haha, quite the cold beauty, with bright blue and white hair, rather attractive..."

Shangguan Ruyu's face darkened immediately. "She is my savior. You are not allowed to speak of her like that, nor are you allowed to make any advances towards her, or I will turn against you."

It was rare to see Shangguan Ruyu so serious, so Jiang Jichang quickly stopped smiling. "Alright, alright, it's my fault. Come on, your little Aman and my little Ruru are waiting for us."

Shangguan Ruyu shook her head and said, "I just remembered I have something to do, so I'll go home first."

Jiang Jichang objected, "Hey, if you want to go home at this time, isn't that a downer?"

Shangguan Ruyu walked in the opposite direction, saying, "I'm just spoiling the mood, what can you do about it?"

Jiang Jichang still couldn't bear to part with Xiao Ruru, and walked towards Qinglou while cursing.

Once Jiang Jichang was out of sight, Shangguan Ruyu mounted her horse and said, "Let's go to the Ministry of Justice."

Duan Yan didn't move an inch. "Second Master, didn't you say you wanted to hear Gai Hetian perform?"

Shangguan Ruyu said, "I don't want to hear it again."