Jinyi Spring

Chapter 228 has other arrangements.

The wind howled outside, like someone sighing softly in the distance. Chen Qingrui closed her eyes, and those gentle yet world-weary eyes reappeared in her mind.

At the beginning of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), before dawn, Shui Chuchen opened her eyes. Chen Qingrui had just fallen asleep, her breathing light and long.

Shui Chuchen quietly got up, put on her clothes, and walked to the west courtyard with Shaoyao.

Big Head climbed out of his den, shook his fur, and followed behind.

Last night, Ming Shanyue and two military officers rested in the west courtyard, while the other soldiers stayed in the villagers' homes.

Ming Shanyue had already gotten up and was practicing boxing in the courtyard. The morning breeze was biting, but his movements were fluid and powerful.

Hearing footsteps, he stopped, turned around and saw Shui Chuchen. He smiled slightly, said nothing, just pointed towards the courtyard gate, and strode out.

He knew she practiced Tai Chi every morning and didn't want to disturb them.

Feng Buji also came out rubbing his eyes, his hair sticking up and his clothes not yet properly dressed.

Upon seeing Shui Chuchen, he grinned and said, "Sis, it's been so long since I've boxed with you."

The three of them then lined up in the courtyard and slowly began to practice Tai Chi.

Three shadows moved in the dim light of the corridor, one of them with a light and graceful figure, her clothes fluttering as if she were about to ride the wind away.

This was the first time Ming Shanyue had ever seen Shui Chuchen practice boxing, and she stared at her intently.

Chen Qingrui was awakened by Feng Buji's laughter and Da Tou's shouts. She put on her clothes, got up, walked to the side door, and looked through the crack in the door.

Before dawn, a few cold stars hung in the sky, and two lamps were lit under the west courtyard corridor, their warm light spreading across the ground.

She glanced at Feng Buji, then at Shui Chuchen. The two children moved in unison, their features even bearing a striking resemblance. Perhaps it was because they had grown up together since childhood that their appearances had become somewhat similar.

After finishing her practice there, Chen Qingrui hurried back to the kitchen.

After Shui Chuchen arrived, she went straight to the kitchen, hugged her mother, and gave her a few words of advice.

Chen Qingrui's tears flowed again.

Shui Chuchen said, "I'll find a way to visit Mother on the fifteenth."

Then, I watched her go into the cave.

After breakfast, Shui Chuchen took Feng Buji and Shaoyao into the carriage and, under the protection of the Flying Eagle Guard, headed towards the capital.

The villagers came to see them off. Da Tou ran ahead and accompanied them all the way out of Bai Ma Village before Aunt Qian pulled him back.

Da Tou stayed in the East Courtyard to "look after the house".

During that day and night, Shui Chuchen and Ming Shanyue didn't get a single moment to talk alone. But being able to glance at each other occasionally was enough to make them very content.

Upon arriving at the crossroads in the capital, Feng Buji pouted and got out of the car, taking another car back to the Xiao residence.

It was already late noon when they returned to the palace.

In the following days, Shui Chuchen summoned Shangguan Ruyu, Banxia, ​​and Cai Yuxiu to the Princess's residence to discuss in detail the surgery for Wang Tu. From the selection of the operating room location and the sterilization of instruments to the preparation of medicinal materials, from the anesthesia prescription to postoperative care, everything was finalized one by one.

Cai Yuxiu and Banxia became Shui Chuchen's medical assistants in the palace, and the operating room was eventually set up in an empty room in the Imperial Hospital. That evening, Emperor Jianzhang went to Cining Palace to pay his respects.

Empress Dowager Xue casually mentioned, her face full of displeasure, "A princess of noble birth, spending her days fussing over those sordid matters, and His Majesty doesn't even care. She wants to open a clinic to treat patients, and I don't stop her; that's called 'saving the people from suffering.' But 'performing surgery,' all that blood and gore, how terrifying!"

“She has no shortage of food and clothing now. Her private property is far more than that of several princesses combined, and even the empresses and concubines are not as rich as her. Why would she bother with this?”

She paused, then said with difficulty, "Alas, Xue Qinghe did such a despicable thing. I want to say something to Yong'an, but I have to think twice, for fear that she will think that I am in cahoots with Xue Qinghe."

His words not only expressed his displeasure with Yong'an, but also his dissatisfaction with the Emperor's bestowal of so many gifts upon Yong'an.

Emperor Jianzhang pretended not to understand and laughed, "Mother, you are overthinking it and too kind-hearted. As an elder, it is only right for you to discipline the younger generation. I think Yong'an has the magnanimity and courage of Empress Shengde."

"Back then, Empress Shengde and Princess Changning never flinched in the face of swords and bloodshed for the sake of the country. Killing the enemy was far more bloody than surgery, yet they were equally fearless. If Yong'an's surgery is successful, it will be a blessing for our Great Yan and a boon for the people."

These words both praised Yong'an and linked her to Empress Shengde, whom the Empress Dowager revered most.

Empress Dowager Xue, feeling embarrassed, turned somewhat cold. "Yong'an is still young. His Majesty should be more restrained in praising her. If she hears too much praise, she may become complacent, which would not be good for her."

Emperor Jianzhang glanced at his mother but did not reply. Instead, he brought up another matter, saying, "Raofu should be seventeen this year, and her birth mother has passed away. If Your Majesty has a suitable son, please arrange a marriage for her."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "Yong'an is the eldest sister, her marriage should be arranged first."

Emperor Jianzhang shook his head, "I have other plans for Yong'an. Xue Heqing is a criminal woman, and Raofu does not need to observe mourning for her. We can grant her marriage first."

He only said this because he heard that Empress Dowager Xue was looking for a husband for Yong'an, so as to prevent her from making random matchmakers.

The Empress Dowager looked on with great interest, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Which young man has taken a fancy to, my son? It wouldn't be Ruyu, would it?"

In her heart, Ming Shanyue was a cursed star, and the Emperor would never betroth Yong'an to him. Among the several older men in the capital, Shangguan Ruyu was undoubtedly the most outstanding.

She then shook her head and said to herself, "Yu'er won't do. Rao Fu had feelings for him when he was young, but I didn't agree. Now that Yong'an has returned, I'm going to give him to her. Both children have just lost their birth mother and are very pitiful. I can't favor one over the other."

Emperor Jianzhang said, "It is not like jade."

"And who is that?" The Empress Dowager became even more interested.

Emperor Jianzhang smiled, picked up his teacup, and slowly took a sip. "Things are not yet completely settled. Please allow me to keep you in suspense for now."

The Empress Dowager stared at him for a couple of moments, knowing she wouldn't get anything out of him, and reluctantly fell silent. She thought to herself, "That matter must be dealt with quickly; I must summon the Sun family mother and daughter-in-law to the palace tomorrow..."

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the government offices opened and the morning court session was held.

Two things that Shui Chuchen had mentioned to Emperor Jianzhang before the New Year—expanding the medical clinic and transferring imperial physicians—were completely forgotten by the emperor after the New Year.

Just as the court session was about to end, He Quan quietly mentioned it to Emperor Jianzhang, who then remembered it.

He quickly recounted the two matters, adding, "These two matters are beneficial to the country and its people, so they are approved. The Ministry of Works, the Capital Prefecture, and the Imperial Medical Academy, each shall carry them out. As for the specifics, ask Yong'an and seek her instructions."

The relevant ministers dared not be negligent and stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Xiao Henian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Lord Hu, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, and Lord Li, the Director of the Imperial Medical Academy, jointly presented a memorial, requesting an audience with Princess Yong'an.

Before the New Year, Xue Jixiang, the Minister of Revenue, was dismissed, and the Left Vice Minister was promoted to Minister. The Left Vice Minister of Works was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue to fill the vacancy, and Xiao Henian, a secretary in the Ministry of Works, was naturally promoted to Left Vice Minister of Works. (End of this chapter)