Jinyi Spring

Chapter 114 Long-term pain is worse than short-term pain
Her affection for her grandfather was always tinged with a layer of careful flattery.

From childhood to adulthood, she always maintained proper posture and manners in front of her grandfather, striving for excellence in everything she did.

She is the most filial granddaughter, the most outstanding student, and the most capable doctor.

She also received her grandfather's full support: she was the only one to learn all the Shui family's signature skills, secretly received a large sum of money as a gift, and when her grandfather went to Beijing to consult with high-ranking officials, she was the only one he took with him. With this foundation, she alone could easily crush her scumbag father's entire family…

Her grandfather always maintained a layer of authority over her despite their closeness; his gaze and tone always conveyed three parts praise and seven parts expectation.

The conversations between the grandfather and grandson mostly revolved around medical principles, academic studies, and future prospects, with an atmosphere as solemn as discussing politics in a study.

That relationship contained respect, care, and expectations, but it lacked the carefree and intimate intimacy of my dreams.

She always felt that her grandfather still wanted to be close to her.

When she was little, her grandfather would stroke her head and say, "So precocious at such a young age, like a little old lady..."

The image of a spoiled, pursed-lip, and innocent-looking young girl in the dream never existed in the real Shui Chuchen.

Upon further reflection, she realized that in her past life, she never wore her hair in a bun. The little finger she raised when taking pulses in her dream, her straight back even when bending over, and the elegant handwriting of the prescriptions she wrote were all completely different from her past self.

Feng Chuchen's eyes widened suddenly, and a startling guess exploded in her chest like a thunderclap!

Could it be that her aunt traveled back to her past life, just as she traveled to this Great Yan Dynasty?
My aunt had a very deep relationship with my grandfather in this life. If she were to become "Water Emerges from the Dust," she would surely cherish the regained bond between grandfather and granddaughter even more.

Or perhaps, her grandfather in her previous life had similarities to her grandfather in this life, which made her feel increasingly close to him.

But if souls are swapped, shouldn't she and the original owner of the body swap?
But Feng Chuchen was certain that the "she" in her dream was definitely not the original owner of the body; she was clearly her aunt in life.

If my aunt really went to modern society, she could save the pregnant women and babies who had once left her helpless, and she could use the Taiyin Divine Needle that she had never had the chance to do in this life.

She can also be with her grandfather, whom Feng Chuchen worries about the most, and ensure that the Shui family's acupuncture techniques continue to flourish. Her large savings won't benefit her scumbag father and stepmother either…

Furthermore, Shui Chuchen comes from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, has a respectable job, solid knowledge, and outstanding abilities—such a background is enough for her to stand calmly in the world, without having to look up to anyone or feel inferior.

Her smile was so gentle and bright; had she already forgotten the past and let go of the past?

"Hehe, hehehe, hahahaha..."

Feng Chuchen first chuckled softly, then her laughter grew louder and louder.

This was a kind of almost manic, almost insane, magical laugh that she had never experienced in her past or present life, a laugh filled with immense relief and disbelief.

As Feng Chuchen smiled, hot tears welled up uncontrollably again.

I hope this is true.

If it's true, I hope that in that new world, my aunt can meet someone who truly understands and loves her, share the joys and sorrows of life, and live a fulfilling life together.

The original owner of the body is truly gone.

Then I will live well for her, and take good care of Xiao Buji, whom my aunt and she are worried about.

I wonder if my aunt from another time and space will dream of her in this life on some night.

A knocking sounded at the door. "Young lady, what's wrong?"

It was Banxia, ​​her voice filled with terror.

Feng Chuchen wiped away her tears. "It's nothing."

"It's time to box."

"Oh, come right out."

As Feng Chuchen walked out the door, Du Ruo took a closer look at her and said, "The girl has dark circles under her eyes."

"I had a dream all night and didn't sleep well."

After breakfast, Feng Chuchen insisted on taking Shaoyao and Datou back to the old house in a mule cart.

Aunt Wang asked, puzzled, "Young lady, why do you want to go back for no reason?"

Feng Chuchen said, "I dreamt about my aunt last night, and I want to go see 'her'."

Aunt Wang said regretfully, "My eldest sister has been gone for so long, but I've never dreamed of her even once."

Feng Buji wanted to go back with them.

Feng Chuchen said, "I'm still waiting for you to take care of me in my old age. How can you not work hard?"

Feng Buji thought about it and agreed, so he went to the private school obediently.

Feng Chuchen carefully folded the painting of her grandfather from her previous life, which she had drawn when she first transmigrated, and put it in her bosom—she wanted to confirm it one last time.

At 9:00 AM, the mule cart reached the fork in the road. Feng Chuchen took Datou to Jiupoling and sent Shaoyao and Uncle Wu back to the old house.

Peony refused, saying, "Miss, I'll go with you."

"No need."

In early spring, Jiupoling is covered in a light green, interspersed with clusters of tender yellow forsythia, creating a vibrant scene.

Today, Feng Chuchen felt a different mood; she was relaxed, relieved, and even a little excited.

She remained where the original owner had fallen, lit incense and candles, and burned paper money.

Amidst the rising smoke, she softly murmured, "Chuchen, rest in peace. May you be reborn into a good family in your next life, never abandoned, enjoying the love and care of your parents, and dying a peaceful death..."

Of the three of them, only the original owner of the body truly passed away.

Afterwards, I went to my aunt's grave.

She didn't burn paper money, but stood silently for a long time, her gaze turning to the green reeds at the foot of the mountain.

There, two new mounds of earth had quietly appeared sometime earlier.

This land was cultivated by my aunt with her own hands, hoe and pickaxe. She has welcomed countless newborns here, and also buried the remains of those infants who could not survive, chanting sutras to pray for the souls of those who died young.

Beneath the loess soil lies the regret of those who could never open their eyes. Above the loess soil lies her undying compassion. Day after day, this desolate place carries not only life and death, but also serves as her sacred ground where she, in her mortal body, practices the heart of gods and Buddhas.

It was in this reed marshland, both the end and the beginning, this land soaked day and night by her obsession and compassion, that a cause and effect quietly wove itself together in the gaps of life and death. This allowed two bodies separated by two different times and two souls that would never have crossed paths to complete a silent exchange and continuation, each embarking on a mysterious rebirth.

Feng Chuchen's heart was clear: in that distant world, her aunt was taking her place, completing the tasks left unfinished in her past life. And in this world, she would continue to shoulder her aunt's unfinished responsibilities, protecting this "homeland" that was both her final destination and her starting point…

The old woman is a true deity. The "Upper Yin Divine Needle" and "Taiyin Divine Needle" she taught can be used by both her aunt and herself, and can continue to save people in different times and spaces.

Considering how this body completely "crushed" Ming Shanyue, many things that happened to her after she transmigrated were truly mysterious.

She wondered if there were any other mysterious things. She remembered that she had dreamt of familiar scenes several times in her past life. Perhaps those scenes were things she had seen in her past life or the life before that?

After descending the mountain, Feng Chuchen went to Qingweidang to burn incense and recite the Rebirth Sutra.

After having lunch at the old house, he asked someone to invite Feng Changfu over.

Feng Changfu met his aunt's grandfather when he was a child.

She gave Feng Changfu two pounds of pastries and two doses of tonic, then took out the picture and said with a smile, "Look at the picture, who does the person in it look like?"

Feng Changfu took it, squinted and examined it for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, "It looks just like him! He really looks like my great-great-grandfather, who was also my direct great-great-grandfather."

A hint of reminiscence flashed in his eyes as he looked up and smiled, "Chen girl is truly capable; not only is her medical skill excellent, but her painting is also so lifelike."

Just as I suspected, I was right.

Feng Chuchen gently put the drawing away and continued, "When I was little, I often heard my aunt tell stories about my great-grandfather, how learned he was and how upright he was. Last night, I dreamed of a little girl who looked very much like my aunt, accompanied by a kind elder. I guessed that the elder must have been my great-grandfather, so when I woke up, I drew it based on my memory."

He then feigned disbelief, saying, "Could it be that my aunt specially brought my great-grandfather into my dream?"

Feng Changfu nodded repeatedly, his tone certain, "It must be! They saw from heaven that Chen'er was teaching her younger brother well and running the clinic well, and they were happy, so they came to see you."

Feng Chuchen smiled slightly, "Yes, my aunt told me to do my job well and finish what she didn't finish."

After a few casual words, Feng Changfu took his leave.

Feng Chuchen went to her aunt's room, searching her memory for fragments of her aunt's life. It wasn't until sunset that the group hurriedly headed back to their home in the capital.

-

The night was deep, and the stars in the sky shone brightly and coldly like shattered silver. In the distance, the sound of the third watch gong drifted in, its lingering notes dissipating into the wind, and all things returned to silence.

Ming Shanyue had just taken off his clothes and lay down when he heard the sound of the courtyard gate opening, followed by the servant Yinhe's low exclamation, "Oh, young master, what's going on... Please slow down, my master has just finished resting."

"Get out of here." A dejected, low shout followed by unsteady footsteps shattered the tranquility of the night.

Shangguan Ruyu had never come this late before, and she was still in this mood...

Ming Shanyue's heart sank. She got out of bed and rushed out to greet the stumbling Shangguan Ruyu without even putting on her outer robe.

The starlight, like water, reflected Shangguan Ruyu's unprecedented dishevelment. A lock of black hair fell across her forehead, her eyes were bloodshot, her clothes were disheveled, and her incomparably handsome face was filled with utter despair and despondency.

Ming Shanyue felt a sudden "boom" in his mind, as if a thunderbolt had exploded. "Ruyu, little brother, tell your brother, what's wrong?"

Shangguan Ruyu gripped Ming Shanyue's arm tightly, her lips trembling as she choked out, "Brother..."

That single word "brother" contained endless grievances, pain, and helplessness.

Ming Shanyue's heart sank even further, her eyes reddening as she roared, "Tell me, who bullied you? I'll go kill him right now and dig up his ancestral graves!"

Shangguan Ruyu could only shake her head and sob.

Ming Shanyue half-supported and half-carried Shangguan Ruyu, who was almost exhausted, into the side room and settled her on a soft couch by the window.

Yinhe quickly lit the lamp and served tea, then quietly withdrew and closed the door.

The candlelight flickered in the room, casting Shangguan Ruyu's distraught shadow on the wall. Ming Shanyue sat beside him, her warm hand gently stroking his back.

After Shangguan Ruyu calmed down a bit, he asked gently, "What happened? Don't worry, tell me slowly. Even if the sky falls, your brother will hold it up for you. If anyone bullied you, your brother will avenge you."

Shangguan Ruyu looked up at him, her eyes red and her voice hoarse, "Brother, do you know, my father... he used to have an affair with Miss Feng's aunt."

Upon hearing that it was an old story, Ming Shanyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought it was...

But the next second, he suddenly realized what he had said, his eyes widening in shock, "What did you say? My uncle and..."

Shangguan Ruyu murmured, "Back then, my father caused a huge uproar in Zhongnan, defying imperial orders several times and even destroying the Shangguan family, all in order to find the old Doctor Feng who disappeared without a word... There is no possibility for me and Miss Feng in this life..."

Before she could finish speaking, she broke down again, burying her face in her hands and sobbing uncontrollably.

Ming Shanyue was utterly incredulous, "My uncle and Doctor Feng... they actually..."

His mind raced through Shangguan Yunqi's unusual behavior over the years, and the rumors of that legendary female doctor who never married... So this was the root of the problem.

Shangguan Ruyu sobbed, “In all my life, this is the first time I have truly admired a girl and desperately wanted to marry her. I have dreamed of her countless times, but I can never have her…”

"I thought it was something I hadn't done well enough, but it turns out that knot was tied long ago in the previous generation. Between her and me lies the regret and betrayal of our parents, a chasm that my father can never bridge..."

"No matter how much I struggle or try, it's all in vain. There's no way she'll ever accept me..."

The sounds continued, broken and fragmented, sounding especially desolate and mournful in the quiet of the night.

Ming Shanyue listened silently, his heart also churning. Looking at his cousin, who was almost overwhelmed by immense pain, he was at a loss for words to offer comfort.

He reached out and pressed hard on Shangguan Ruyu's trembling shoulder, trying to convey a bit of strength and support.

He didn't know much about love and relationships. But deep down, he still felt that even without this old grudge, Shangguan Ruyu and Feng Chuchen were not a good match.

After a moment of silence, he calmly said, "Ruyu, the past of our parents may only be one reason. Miss Feng's rejection of you may not be entirely due to that."

He carefully chose his words, “Miss Feng is insightful, strong-willed, and independent. She has always believed that she will never marry until she finds a suitable partner. What she seeks is not simply mutual affection or mutual respect. It’s not that you are not good enough, but that your goodness… she cannot afford it.”

He wanted to say, "Your kindness is not the kindness she wants," but then felt he shouldn't be too harsh on Shangguan Ruyu at this moment, so he changed his words.

"You are heartbroken right now, but looking at the long term, the fact that you two didn't end up together might not be a bad thing for either of you. Not only do the elders carry the regret and burden between you, but..."

"You two are fundamentally different, differing in temperament, interests, and even your understanding and handling of worldly affairs. Forcing a union would only lead to daily friction, a form of torment. A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one..."

Shangguan Ruyu's sobs subsided slightly as she argued resentfully, "How could she not want my goodness? How am I any different from her? I respect her, love her, and do everything in my power to protect her. We even share the same interests and are both passionate about medicine... Isn't that enough?"

He lacked confidence; these were all things he considered good. But what kind of "good" did Miss Feng actually want...?

Ming Shanyue said, "But now, whether it's enough or not, there's no possibility for you and Miss Feng anymore."

Shangguan Ruyu covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.

Ming Shanyue then comforted him, "Who are you? You are the handsome and unparalleled Young Master Shangguan, with your refined and elegant demeanor. What kind of good girl can't you have?"

"But all I want is her..."

Ming Shanyue remained silent, her expression one of helplessness.

The night was thick, and the whispers from the small window continued until dawn.

(End of this chapter)