Jinyi Spring

Chapter 115 Jade Beads

The following morning, a rather imposing woman in charge rushed into the clinic. It was the Du family; Du's second wife had suffered severe postpartum hemorrhage and needed Feng Chuchen's help for emergency treatment.

Feng Chuchen used acupuncture to save a pregnant woman who had been told by the imperial physician that "medicine is ineffective."

The Du family was pleased and rewarded her with two hundred taels of silver.

They might think this is a great gift, but little do they know that Feng Chuchen used the Taiyin Divine Needle, which is even rarer than the Shangyin Divine Needle and is priceless.

Feng Chuchen was extremely exhausted. After returning home, he slept soundly until dusk the next day.

Since I was able to use the Taiyin Divine Needle, it has become less strenuous to perform the Yin Divine Needle.

As soon as she finished dressing and entered the hall, Feng Buxiao presented her with a bowl of fruit tea, saying, "Sister, you've worked hard. Have some sweet soup."

The siblings were huddled together chatting and laughing when Aunt Wang, looking displeased, walked in.

Feng Chuchen asked, "What's wrong?"

Aunt Wang snorted coldly, "Mrs. Bi came to see me again just now, saying that she was bleeding down there. I told her that the baby was probably not going to survive, and that it would be better to terminate the pregnancy sooner rather than later, so that she would suffer less and recover her health so that she could get pregnant again in the future. But she absolutely refused."

"Oh dear, she's covered in bruises, that man beat her a lot. She bought two doses of medicine to prevent miscarriage, and I had someone cook four poached eggs for her. She swallowed them one after another, like a starving ghost. The Chai family has plenty of money, why bother saving her a bite?"

Two years ago, Ms. Bi gave birth to a child with a cleft lip, who died within half a day. Her husband was an only son, and the Chai family always felt that there was something wrong with this daughter-in-law. They not only didn't want her to have children, but also wanted to divorce her.

Feng Chuchen frowned and said, "The Chai family treats their pregnant daughter-in-law so harshly, aren't they afraid of retribution?"

Aunt Wang sighed, "The man has already changed his heart. He's just waiting for that vixen to come in. How can he be good to her? She was pregnant and was beaten so badly. If it were me, I would agree to a divorce. What's there to miss about that home?"

That evening, just as Feng Chuchen was about to rest, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

She pushed open the door and asked, "What happened?"

Uncle Wu, who had gone out to see what was going on, came back and said, "Old Chai's wife, Bi, has suddenly disappeared, and they're making a fuss about looking for her."

Aunt Wu curled her lip and said, "That family is dishonest. They only started looking for someone so late, and they've made a scene that the whole neighborhood knows. They're clearly trying to ruin the Bi family's reputation."

Mu Jin ran out and interrupted, "Could it be that Sister Chai couldn't understand and jumped into the river?"

Peony added, "They might have been killed by the Chai family."

Aunt Wang made a gesture, "Shh, keep your voice down, don't wake the young master."

The next morning, the Chai family reported the incident to the authorities.

Just as lunch was being served, the sounds of crying, cursing, and arguing came from the alley ahead.

Many people went to watch the spectacle, including the Feng family's daughters.

When Peony returned, she said, "Sister-in-law Chai was beaten until her head was bleeding. The Chai family said that she disappeared for a night and was fooling around with some wild man, and they want to divorce her. Sister-in-law Chai cried and said that she didn't fool around, but went to the reed marshes to sleep for a night. Doctor Feng is the mother of a thousand babies and will protect the baby in her womb."

Feng Chuchen asked incredulously, "She slept in the reed marshes all night?"

Peony nodded, "Yes. Not only does the Chai family not believe it, but the neighbors don't either. They say the reed marshes are filled with yin energy, and it's so cold. Even a healthy person would get sick from sleeping there for one night, let alone someone who's heavily pregnant..."

Sister-in-law Wu shook her head and said, "I don't believe it either, how could that be?"

Everyone sat down to eat.

Just as we finished eating, we heard the sound of the courtyard gate.

It is Bi Shi.

She was carrying a gray cloth bundle in her hand, and her eyes were red and swollen.

Upon seeing Feng Chuchen, she knelt down and cried, "Dr. Feng, I've been divorced. My stepmother is in charge of my family, and I can't go back. I heard the clinic is short of handymen, and I can do anything. Please take me in. I don't need wages, just give me some food."

Feng Chuchen helped her up, saying, "With such a big belly, don't hurt the baby."

She took the opportunity to check Bi's pulse and was surprised to find that the pulse was steady and smooth, a far cry from its previous weak and feeble state.

"Your pulse is steady; you're much better."

Feng Chuchen had previously examined her pulse and found that the pregnancy was unstable.

Overjoyed, Bi wept, stroking her lower abdomen and choking back tears, “I did indeed sleep in the reed marshes last night. If I were lying, both my unborn child and I would die. I also dreamt of a woman in a blue cloth dress who said she was Doctor Feng and even gave me acupuncture. She touched my belly and said that I would give birth to a healthy son, not a cleft lip… It must be Doctor Feng who protected me.”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and the room fell silent for a moment.

Feng Chuchen was even more puzzled. Hadn't her aunt gone to the modern world? How could she possibly have a clone to protect her?

This is too far-fetched.

However, Bi's pulse was indeed much more stable.

Regardless of whether "the woman in the dream" was her aunt or not, Bi Shi encountered something mysterious in the reed marshes, just as there were inexplicable things about her.

Out of compassion, and because of this "dream" that was kind enough to both Aunt and Qingweidang, Feng Chuchen decided to keep her.

"You can stay. You're six months pregnant, so you can do whatever you can. You'll be paid as a general laborer, and you can stay in an empty hospital room for now. You can eat here..."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Madam Bi kowtowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Doctor Feng, thank you, Dr. Feng..."

Feng Chuchen added, "Don't say that out loud. If women with poor pregnancy symptoms go to the reed marshes to spend the night and something happens, it will be bad, and you won't be able to escape responsibility."

"Yes."

Aunt Wu took her to the kitchen and made her a big bowl of egg noodles.

After arranging a place for Bi to stay, Aunt Wang and Aunt Wu found some old clothes for her.

This family has taken in yet another pitiful woman who has nowhere else to go.

The night was as black as ink, and a light drizzle was falling from the sky.

Several horses moved forward in the rain, with ram's horn lanterns hanging in front of them, casting a blurry, dim yellow light.

Ming Shanyue wore a cloak and a straw raincoat, her lips pressed tightly together, Xiao Henian's voice echoing in her mind...

He had just secretly met with Xiao Henian at the villa.

Upon arriving at the outer study, he took a bath, changed his clothes, and dismissed the servants.

He took the bead out and examined it carefully.

The jade beads lay in my thick, broad palm, glistening and translucent in the orange light, emitting a faint, cool green glow.

Xiao Henian received two from the eldest prince today and gave one to him.

It is said that the eldest prince searched for a long time in secret before finally finding it.

Of the thirteen beads, only twelve remain. It is unknown whether the missing bead has some other reason.

Xiao Henian also recounted an old story.

Seventeen years ago, the second prince was just over one year old. He was sick and Dr. Cai was giving him acupuncture. The second prince cried a lot.

Consort Xue was displeased and sternly rebuked the female physician Cai for her poor medical skills and framing the royal heir. She ordered her attendants to drag her out and beat her to death.

Empress Xiao, who was then the Empress, stopped Consort Xue, saying that it was normal for a one-year-old child to cry out of fear of pain, and the same was true for the eldest prince when he received acupuncture. She argued that frequently beating and killing female physicians and imperial physicians, and abusing private punishments, would not only break their hearts but also bind their hands and feet, preventing them from providing medical assistance.

Xiao had saved Cai's life, but a year later, Cai killed Xiao's child with her own hands and held "Red Rabbit" in her arms, saying that she had delivered a "monster"... At that time, Xiao Henian, who was guarding outside the delivery room, also took a look at the "monster". It was all red and had no breath, like a rabbit that had been skinned.

Ming Shanyue leaned back slightly against the back of the rosewood chair, his slender index finger and thumb gently twirling a small jade bead as he sorted through the clues one by one:

Dr. Cai insisted on a vertical delivery.
Almost everyone says that Dr. Cai is kind-hearted and skilled, especially in midwifery and orthopedics;
Ms. Xiao had been kind to Dr. Cai;

The female doctor, Cai, was Wang Tu's cousin-in-law;
The day before Xiao gave birth, Wang Tu drowned in the Baicang River in front of Zixia Temple, and his body was never found.
Wen Qian said that the little princess born to Xiao was thrown into the Bai Cang River;

A jade bead was missing from the delivery room for no apparent reason.

These seemingly unrelated clues, like threads scattered in the shadows, gradually intertwined in Ming Shanyue's mind, vaguely outlining a blurry yet terrifying silhouette.

Ming Shanyue's eyes grew even darker.

Is it possible that during upright delivery, whether it's for saving or harming someone, it's easier for the midwife to perform the act without being noticed by others? If so, what methods are used?
He knew nothing about childbirth and needed to find someone knowledgeable to ask.

But this case is extremely serious, so we can't ask the prison guards or the untrusted midwives...

A beautiful yet aloof face flashed into his mind.

Feng Chuchen!
First, she is the most trustworthy person, already involved in many secrets, so this one more won't make a difference. Second, she is an expert in midwifery, having witnessed the entire birthing process of a newborn. Third, her intelligence is unparalleled.

However, she was still a young woman; how could she possibly ask such a question?

If I ask, will she be able to tell me?
Perhaps, she will not only remain silent, but also retort.

Or perhaps, she'll just walk away expressionlessly...

Ming Shanyue's ears burned, but she couldn't think of anyone more suitable than her.

He clenched the jade bead in his palm, got up, and went to the window. Pushing open the small window, a cool breeze rushed in, making his mind even clearer.

The drizzle was still falling, and the lanterns under the eaves were surrounded by a red mist.

That face was like an imprint on the inky night sky, with incredibly bright, clear eyes and a small, striking cinnabar mole.

Ming Shanyue's heart skipped a beat; for the first time, he felt a slight sense of apprehension towards a woman.

After a moment of contemplation, a smile appeared on his lips as he came up with an idea that could also ease the tension between Shangguan Ruyu and that girl.

On the evening of the seventh day of the lunar new year, the sky was filled with colorful clouds.

After seeing off the last gynecological patient seeking treatment for infertility, Feng Chuchen stood up, stretched her waist, and took a couple of sips of tea.

There are relatively few patients today.

Birds chirped outside the window, interspersed with faint groans coming from the delivery room, where two midwives were assisting with the birth.

Ms. Bi strongly insisted on learning midwifery so that she could earn more money after giving birth to her son.

Aunt Wang told her to go inside and help.

Suddenly, a loud commotion came from the courtyard, and Peony's voice was particularly jarring.

"You bastard, you charcoal head, get out, get out..."

Feng Chuchen walked over quickly, and Shaoyao was swinging a broom, hitting a big, dark-skinned man repeatedly.

The burly man covered his head with his arms, cursing, "You crazy woman, if it weren't for Miss Feng, I would have smashed you flat and pulled out your front teeth with pliers..."

Peony's hands didn't stop. "You dare pull my teeth? I'll beat the shit out of you today, you're lucky you're clean..."

Hibiscus, standing to the side, watched in surprise, wanting to pull him but not daring to.

Wang Shuping was terrified and ran to the base of the wall to squat and tremble.

Feng Chuchen stepped forward and shouted, "Stop!"

Peony threw down the broom, pointed at Guo Hei, and stomped her foot, saying, "Girl, this guy Hei insulted me."

Guo Hei ignored her and turned to Feng Chuchen, cupping his fists and saying, "Miss Feng, my master asked me to deliver a letter to you. But as soon as I entered the door, this girl rolled her eyes at me and even cursed at me. This is not the way to treat a guest."

“The younger one got angry too, and said that if she dared to roll her eyes again, I would knock out her front teeth, so she picked up a broom and hit me.”

Peony retorted, "He rolled his eyes even bigger than I did. I told him that apart from the whites of his eyes being white, the rest of his body was blacker than charcoal, so black you couldn't find him if he fell on the ground. It was clearly the truth, but he said I was insulting him."

Feng Chuchen secretly suppressed a laugh; they really were a pair of sworn enemies.

She glared at Peony, feigning anger, and said, "Guests are guests, I'll settle the score with you later."

He then said to Guo Hei, "I'm sorry, it's my fault for not keeping the girl in check. Where's the letter?"

Guo Hei took out a letter from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

Feng Chuchen unfolded the letter.

"For Miss Feng's perusal:"

I apologize for writing this letter so presumptuously. I hope you will forgive my intrusion.

My cousin Shangguan has been absent from the yamen recently, deeply distressed, which we are all deeply concerned about. Let bygones be bygones, and not let it burden future generations, adding only new sorrow.

I humbly request that you, young lady, go to the trouble of preparing some light tea and wine so that we may have a chat. I hope that this place will allow us to open our hearts and perhaps find a chance to resolve the situation.

thank!

Respectfully presented by Ming Shanyue

In fact, even if Ming Shanyue hadn't written a letter, Feng Chuchen was still planning to host a banquet on the evening of the ninth day, inviting Shangguan Ruyu and the Ming brothers to have a meal, giving Shangguan Ruyu a way out.

Since the Imperial Son-in-Law Shangguan has been honest with her about that past matter, he will surely tell his son as well. Given Shangguan Ruyu's character, knowing the heavy past of the previous generation, she will certainly not insist anymore, nor will she blame her.

The past is over, and there is no need to push Shangguan Ruyu away any further.

He was a good kid, and Feng Chuchen couldn't just watch him go down that path; she didn't want to lose such a good friend.

Feng Chuchen said, "Go back and report to Lord Ming that on the evening of the ninth, please invite him, Lord Shangguan, and Young Master Ming to my home for a small gathering. Please also ask Lord Ming to invite the other two."

Guo Heixin is overjoyed.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, smiling, "On behalf of my master, thank you, Miss Feng. My master said it would be best to make some dishes with a Central South or Sichuan flavor, like braised pork knuckle with fish-fragrant sauce, they all like that."

He scratched his head and chuckled, "Miss Feng, it's my fault for being so rash just now. Well, please don't punish Miss Peony. I promise I won't hold it against her next time."

Feng Chuchen said to Shaoyao, "I'll let you off this time for Master Guo's sake, but don't let it happen again."

Guo Hei clasped his hands in a fist salute, then turned and left.

Mu Jin laughed and said, "Sister Shaoyao, Master Guo is quite a man. He even pleaded for you. Don't roll your eyes at him next time. I saw it clearly just now. You were the one who rolled your eyes and cursed first."

Just then, Aunt Wu returned from grocery shopping and said with a smile, "I also think Master Guo is quite good. Every time he gets so angry, it's always Peony who starts the trouble first."

Peony retorted, "It was clearly that hater who rolled his eyes first and had a foul mouth, why are you all siding with the outsider?"

Feng Chuchen added, "I saw it too. You're always the one who starts trouble."

(End of this chapter)