Jinyi Spring

Chapter 91 Other Layouts
According to Dingguo Gongdao, "The Empress Dowager had a deep affection for the late Emperor and Empress, and was highly respected by the Emperor and his ministers. She also had a deep bond with her mother. Although she was born into the Xue family, she was virtuous and just in handling affairs, and had a distant relationship with her maternal family."

"If it weren't for her strenuous efforts to protect them, the eldest prince and Lady Xiao would have died long ago. She was always unhappy that Consort Xue was too biased towards the Xue family, and she also strictly followed the late emperor's instructions to oppose the Xue family's grandson re-entering the Eastern Palace..."

Ming Shanyue said, "I'm not saying that Empress Dowager Xue was definitely involved. Since we're conducting a thorough investigation, we should consider all possible outcomes..."

The Duke of Dingguo pondered for a moment and said, "Wen Qian was only transferred to the Imperial Guard as a commander a few years ago. Before that, he had been working in the Beijing Garrison. It's impossible for him to have escorted Lady Xiao and Consort Xue to the Zixia Temple to offer incense, let alone be involved in that secret matter."

"How could he possibly know about such highly confidential palace secrets?"

Ming Shanyue also found it strange, "Let alone him in the capital garrison, even the Twelve Imperial Guards shouldn't know such a secret, unless they are absolute confidants of the Xue family. Perhaps there are some fish that the Xue family failed to catch back then who leaked the information to him."

"It's possible that the fish is still alive and currently hiding in western Hunan. It's a pity that Wen Qian died before he could reveal it. Such a vast area, without a single clue, how can we find it?"

The Duke of Dingguo continued his analysis, "Wen Qian is a man who is always cautious, family-oriented, and shrewd. The Xue family chose him to report Xiao Henian precisely because they value his 'family-oriented' nature. If the matter fails, they can use his family to force him to shut up."

"Given his character, he should have anticipated that if things were exposed, he would become a pawn to be discarded. He should still have a backup plan... Your appointment as the Zhenbei Fushi was an accident. He told you about it simply to use your strength to increase his chances of winning."

"Perhaps his family knows something about it?"

Ming Shanyue nodded, then shook her head.

"Wen Qian must have made other, more secretive plans. But my grandmother has never liked Madam Wen, saying that she is talkative and prone to making mistakes, and is not a reasonable and insightful person. Wen Kai is also too straightforward."

"Given Wen Qian's cautious nature, he might not dare to reveal this earth-shattering secret in its entirety; otherwise, there would have been no need for him to see me before he died. I have already sent someone to secretly contact Wen Kai, hoping to obtain some clues from him."

At this moment, the Wen family was tightly surrounded by the Flying Eagle Guards, and the centurion in charge of this matter was Xue Jicheng's confidant.

In order to avoid attracting the attention of the Xue family and to prevent them from killing him to cover it up, Ming Shanyue could not meet Wen Kai directly. Instead, she sent a trusted confidant from the Flying Eagle Guard to make secret contact.

Xue Jicheng had been operating within the Flying Eagle Guard for many years, and with the support of his elder sister, the Imperial Concubine, and the Second Prince, his influence within the Flying Eagle Guard far surpassed that of Ming Shanyue, a newcomer.

Currently, Ming Shanyue only has a few trusted confidants in the Flying Eagle Guard, and they were given to him by the Duke of Dingguo.

The Duke of Dingguo then instructed, "Don't tell Father about this for now. It's not that I don't trust him, but I'm afraid he'll let something slip to Mother. Mother's health isn't good, and it concerns the palace; I'm afraid too much worry will affect her health."

Ming Shanyue felt the same way. The elderly couple had been loving and devoted to each other their entire lives, sharing no secrets. Telling her grandfather would put him in a difficult position; if he told her, he feared his wife wouldn't be able to handle it, but if he didn't, it would seem like he was hiding something from her…

When her family was mentioned, Ming Shanyue's tone softened a bit. "Miss Feng's medical skills are indeed superb. Not to mention gynecology and pediatrics, just in terms of acupuncture alone, I'm afraid even the best imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital would be far behind."

"Once my mother recovers, I will ask her to examine my grandmother and also take a look at my third uncle."

Thinking of her composure and calmness when administering acupuncture in the imperial prison, a barely perceptible smile flashed across Ming Shanyue's eyes.

She was just like her grandmother, a girl with both genuine talent and unwavering perseverance.

Duke Dingguo first nodded in agreement, then waved his hand repeatedly.

"How can a young woman afford to see your third uncle for his illness?"

Ming Shanyue said, "It's not about treating the illness, it's about seeing if we can cure the leg so that Third Uncle can stand up again."

The Duke of Dingguo was unsure, "Is she really that skilled, and an expert in orthopedics?"

Ming Shanyue countered, "Has Father ever seen a doctor more skilled than her?"

The Duke of Dingguo had never seen her before. "Indeed, once your mother recovers, let her take a look at your mother and third brother."

The distant sound of the watchman's drum signaled the approaching fifth watch.

Ming Shanyue then got up and returned to her own courtyard.

Ah Xuan was still cursing, his voice was hoarse from all the cursing.

It was angry, furious.

Ming Shanyue didn't sleep for two days and two nights, ignored the little thing, washed her face, changed her clothes, ate breakfast, and went to the yamen again.

Upon reaching the East Corner Gate, just as he took the horse reins from Guo Hei, he heard a voice.

"Lord Ming, something has happened."

The man had just arrived outside the East Corner Gate and saw Ming Shanyue through the gate.

Ming Shanyue stopped. "Come in and give your report."

The man entered and whispered in Ming Shanyue's ear, "I just received news that Madam Wen committed suicide last night."

Ming Shanyue's eyes narrowed, and her voice became urgent, "What happened?"

The man shook his head. "I don't know at the moment."

-

Feng Chuchen was awakened by Mu Jin's knocking on the door. "Miss, it's early morning."

Feng Chuchen opened her eyes. It was still dark, and the lamplight in front of the corridor cast a yellowish glow on the window paper.

She felt her face and pillow were a little cold, and when she wiped them, her face and pillow were covered in tears.

There was a knock on the door twice more. "Miss, are you awake?"

"Oh, I want to sleep a little longer. Let Banxia teach Buji to practice boxing."

Mu Jin asked anxiously, "Is the young lady unwell again?"

"No, I didn't sleep well last night, please don't bother me anymore."

Feng Chuchen closed her eyes again.

She dreamt of her mother from a past life all night.

These are all images of my mother and her taken two months ago; they look as real as looking at a mobile phone.

The mothers are young and beautiful, in their prime. Some are wearing light purple shirts, some are wearing camel-colored turtleneck sweaters, some are wearing printed dresses, some are pregnant, and some are holding babies...

The dream was very vivid; I could even see the cinnabar birthmark on the baby's forehead, which her mother loved to touch.

The mother's smile was beautiful, her eyes filled with tenderness for her daughter.

Grandma disliked Mom. Every time she talked about Mom, she would accuse her of being selfish, irresponsible, and unfit to be a mother. Her daughter jumped off a building when she was only two months old...

Feng Chuchen knew her mother loved her. But a person with severe depression, when provoked, truly lacked the courage to live.

She hadn't dreamed of her mother in a long time.

how so!
Having transmigrated for over a year, Feng Chuchen empathized with her eldest aunt, pitying her life of misery. She empathized with Xiao Buji, pitying him for losing all his loved ones at such a young age. She empathized with Aunt Wang, pitying her for marrying the wrong man and wasting her life.

I also feel sorry for the original owner of this body, and pity her for being born so mysteriously and dying without anyone knowing...

But they never considered that the original owner was so young and must have missed his parents.

What are her biological parents like? Why did they abandon her...?

After learning about the original owner's ordeal yesterday, the subconscious mind remaining in the original owner's body remembered his biological parents again.

She had never met her parents and hated her scumbag father, so she dreamed of her mother from a past life.

should be.

Feng Chuchen felt that perhaps the original owner's biological mother truly loved that daughter. Knowing that someone wanted to harm her, she had someone stick needles into her head to keep her alive, and then had someone send her to the Green Reed Marsh.

Hopefully, the capable old doctor Feng was also in the Green Reed Marsh at that time and could have saved her...

The mother left her daughter with a sliver of hope in this way, because there was no other way.

If that's the case, that mother should already be dead...

Fifteen years have passed, and no one has come to dig up that little mound, which means that the people who wanted to harm her believed that the baby was dead, or that they simply did not know that she was buried there.

The original owner is no longer here, so I will live on in her place and take good care of her beloved Xiao Buji.

Next time I have five days off, I'll go to a temple to offer incense to my aunt, the original owner of this body, and my adoptive parents, wishing them peace and happiness in their next life. I'll also pray for the other two people who saved her and her birth mother, hoping they are still alive.

Furthermore, just in case, it is necessary to maintain good relations with Princess Yanghe's residence and the Ming family. If something really happens, there might still be a chance to survive... After finishing his Tai Chi and finger-flicking exercises, Feng Buji came to the east wing to see his sister.

Feng Chuchen had just finished dressing.

"What's wrong, sister?"

I didn't sleep well last night.

"Had another nightmare?"

"No, it was just a beautiful dream."

"What sweet dream?"

"I dreamt of my mother."

Feng Buji thought he was dreaming about his and his sister's mother, and asked, "I've forgotten what Mother looks like, but do you still remember, sister?"

Feng Chuchen said, "Once my sister is feeling better, I'll draw pictures of my aunt and parents."

She wasn't an art student in her past life, and she hasn't studied painting in this life either, so it's impossible for her to paint a perfect likeness, but she can still manage to draw a rough outline with an ink stick.

She must remember these people, and Feng Buji must also remember them.

Feng Chuchen cupped the boy's face in his hands. The little guy had gained a lot of weight, and his face was flushed from just finishing his boxing match. He didn't look sickly at all.

Feng Buji felt as sweet as honey, and his eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter.

She felt endless pity for the little boy.

This family, including the original owner, all had such tragic and unusual fates.

The almost withered "little bean sprout" in front of us was revitalized by her arrival.

She secretly vowed that she would do everything in her power to protect him as he grew up safely, watch him go through his youth, pass through his prime, and finally be surrounded by his children and grandchildren, and die peacefully in his old age.

Only in this way can she live up to the deep kindness and generosity shown to the original owner by her aunt's family, and only in this way can she not waste the time she has taken over this body.

She also wanted to give Aunt Wang a good life to repay her for everything she had done for her and the family.

The family isn't wealthy, and Aunt Wang definitely wouldn't accept money from them, so Feng Chuchen thought of a better way for her.

Actually, Aunt Wang is not yet forty years old and still menstruates. It would be best if she could find a good man to marry and have another child.

But Feng Chuchen could tell that Aunt Wang would not remarry.

After breakfast, Feng Chuchen took Feng Buji's hand and escorted him to the private school.

After returning home, I invited Aunt Wang to the east wing.

“Aunt Wang, I want to free you from your slave status, and you can adopt a boy as your son. Let that child study hard and have a bright future. It would be best if he could pass the imperial examinations, but if not, I will fund him to start a business.”

Thinking about those wonderful days, Aunt Wang smiled, her face full of happiness.

"Thank you for thinking of me, young lady. Life is better now, and it would be even better to adopt a godson. But I'd rather not be a law-abiding citizen. My good brothers on my mother's side have never given up on the idea of ​​giving me their sons."

"Hmph, they say it's for my retirement, but I know they're after my money. If I regain my freedom, they'll come to my house and cause trouble for no reason. It's so annoying."

Feng Chuchen knew that Aunt Wang's brothers were difficult to deal with, so he decided to wait until his own family was more powerful before making any moves.

He added, "Aunt Wang, take some time to go to the brokerage and buy a young and clever boy. Ideally, the boy should be an orphan so no one will leech off him. When the clinic makes more money in the future, I'll buy you and your son a house."

Aunt Wang laughed heartily, "Hahaha, there's a human trafficking shop on North Street, I'll go check it out when I have nothing else to do."

After Aunt Wang left, Feng Chuchen locked the door.

She recalled for a moment, opened the box containing the manuscripts, and took out a manuscript from the tenth to twelfth years of the Taishuo era.

This notebook describes how to make Cishengxiang (a type of incense). She remembers that there were a few sentences mixed in that she didn't quite understand, which she had underlined. They were unrelated to Cishengxiang and she didn't know what they meant.

Turn to that page, find those few sentences, which list six medicines and six acupoints.

Searching through her memory again, she found that before the original owner learned Yin Shen acupuncture, the aunt applied acupuncture to these six acupoints in the same order.

Feng Chuchen was overjoyed; this was something that had to be done before training someone to administer acupuncture.

Give her a medicinal bath and acupuncture; once her constitution improves, you can teach her the "divine acupuncture" technique.

She then went to the cabinet and took out the copper box.

The bronze box plaque is long, with a reddish sheen amidst its black and yellow hue.

Take out the incense from inside, examine the copper box from top to bottom, tap it, and shake it.

She finally made a discovery: there was a half-centimeter difference between the inside and outside of the bottom of the box.

The universe should be here.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open the bottom.

She didn't understand why her aunt was doing this. What secret did she have? Couldn't she just explain it to the original owner of the body clearly?
Feng Buji was busy until noon when he finished school, but he still hadn't opened the bronze box.

She had no choice but to give up for the time being.

Knowing the original owner's background, the shadow left by the imperial prison became less obvious, which was a good thing.

In the late afternoon, the early winter sun shone down, turning the window paper golden.

Big Head was dozing under the eaves, and the courtyard was silent.

Feng Chuchen was sitting at the table drawing a portrait when Mu Jin's voice came from outside, "Miss, Master Duan has arrived."

Feng Chuchen really doesn't want to see Ming Shanyue and Shangguan Ruyu right now, and their servants don't like them either.

She went out and coldly invited Duan Yan into the main room.

"What brings you here, Master Duan?"

Duan Yan noticed Feng Chuchen's displeasure and guessed that his young master must have offended her. Given how much his young master valued Miss Feng, he dared not offend her.

Duan Yan smiled ingratiatingly, "Haha, Miss Feng is joking. I'm just a servant, what kind of master am I?"

There was no one else in the room. He took out two silver notes and gave them to Feng Chuchen, each worth six hundred taels of silver.

"My young master has been busy lately and in a bad mood, so he asked me to deliver this to Miss Feng as a token of his and Lord Ming's gratitude."

Feng Chuchen accepted it without hesitation; the favor was worth the price.

Duan Yan didn't even dare to drink a sip of tea before getting up to take his leave.

As he walked into the courtyard, he encountered Peony, who called out to him, "Master Duan, what's the name of that big, dark-skinned guy who came to my house with you the other day?"

Duan Yan smiled and said, "Brother Hei is Lord Ming's personal guard, named Guo Hei. He's a very nice person. You've had some misunderstandings, but it'll be cleared up soon."

Peony glared angrily, "What a load of rubbish! He's all dark-skinned and has a foul mouth."

"Peony, don't talk nonsense."

Feng Chuchen came out and stopped him.

Peony finally shut her mouth indignantly.

Feng Chuchen drew the likenesses of Aunt Feng and Mr. and Mrs. Feng Qiuen.

She couldn't quite remember what Feng Qiuen and his wife looked like, so she asked Aunt Wang and drew them three times before she finished.

She painted much better than some ancient painters; it wasn't as freehand, but at least six or seven parts similar.

Aunt Wang laughed and said, "It's so lifelike. The girl is talented; even her painting is so good."

Feng Buji held the painting with great excitement, tears welling up in his eyes. "So this is what my father and mother looked like. My father was handsome, and my mother was as beautiful as my aunt. I will keep this safe and pass it down to my son as a family heirloom."