Jinyi Spring

Chapter 116 Ask for advice
On the afternoon of the ninth day of the second month, Feng Chuchen returned home from the Ming Mansion.

As soon as I entered, I went to the kitchen. "Aunt Wu, have you bought all the groceries I asked you to?"

Aunt Wu pointed to the pile of things on the cutting board, "Look, young lady, I bought everything."

There are braised pork hock, spare ribs, duck blood, pork throat, eel, bean sprouts, bean curd sheets, wood ear mushrooms, and tender shepherd's purse just sprouting in the field...

Today I'll make a dish that they've never eaten before, a Sichuan-style main course—Mao Xue Wang (spicy blood curd), along with pickled pepper pork knuckle and the Golden Series.

A while ago, Aunt Wu learned how to make luncheon meat from Feng Chuchen. Feng Buji and Wang Shuping loved it and would add some to their noodles and soups. Now it's not called luncheon meat, but spiced meat.

If you can also figure out their limits on how spicy they can handle, this dish will definitely be a hit.

As usual, Ming Shanfeng was the first to arrive.

He continued to ask Feng Chuchen for advice on how to be a good assistant, and every now and then he would sniff and ask what good dishes were served today.

The second to arrive was Ah Xuan; the little guy hadn't visited the Feng family in a long time.

As soon as it arrived, it called out, "Miss, Little Feng, Little Leader, even the lotus cannot compare to your beauty..."

The crisp birdsong mixed with quirky poetry instantly added a touch of fun to the courtyard.

Ming Shanfeng was hurt. "They even called me 'Big Head,' but not me. Follow me, Little Fengfeng, Little Fengfeng..."

Ah Xuan ignored him, tapped Feng Chuchen's ear, and then flew out to play on Big Head's body.

As dusk settled and the lanterns were lit, two carriages entered the Feng residence.

The first carriage was driven by Guo Hei, carrying two masters. The second carriage was driven by Duan Yan, carrying Song Xian and two guards from the Shangguan family.

Ming Shanyue, dressed in plain clothes, got out of the carriage first. He lifted the curtain and teased, "What's wrong? Are your legs weak? Do you need your brother to carry you down?"

"roll!"

The carriage curtain swayed, and Shangguan Ruyu, dressed in a light blue wide-sleeved robe and wearing a pearl crown, bowed as she stepped out of the carriage.

He remained as gentle and refined as ever, and as beautiful as a flower, though he had noticeably lost weight, and there was a hint of shyness in his eyes.

Feng Buji could no longer contain himself and stepped forward with a smile, "Lord Ming, Brother Shangguan."

He grabbed Shangguan Ruyu's clothes, tilted his little face up, his eyes full of joy and longing.

"Brother Shangguan, why haven't you come to visit for so many days? I miss you so much!"

I don't know how many times I said "you can think about it".

Shangguan Ruyu was deeply moved, "Brother misses you too."

Ming Shanyue, dressed in a bright blue, arrow-sleeved robe, stood tall and straight. Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Only him, not me?"

To give Shangguan Ruyu the unique respect she deserved, Feng Buji pursed his lips and remained silent.

Shangguan Ruyu finally regained some face and retorted, "You're the King of Hell, who would dare to think of you?"

Feng Chuchen came out to greet them, smiling slightly, "Lord Ming, Young Master Shangguan, please come in."

Ming Shanyue nodded.

Shangguan Ruyu tried her best to maintain a calm and composed demeanor. Her gaze quickly swept over Feng Chuchen's face before she hurriedly looked away. She said in a relaxed manner, "It's been a while since I last saw you, Miss Feng, you've lost weight."

As soon as the words left her mouth, her ears turned slightly red, and her hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Feng Chuchen was speechless. It's you who's being cut back, isn't it?

However, the child was just too adorable, and Feng Chuchen regretted hurting him so much back then.

He smiled and said, "Yes, the clinic has been quite busy lately."

Shangguan Ruyu raised her head and arrogantly entered the house first.

Ming Shanyue glanced at Feng Chuchen; today wasn't the right day to discuss that matter. He was simply looking for an opportunity to have his grandfather invite Feng Buji over for dinner tomorrow, along with several other people, and then find a chance to speak with Feng Chuchen alone.

Ming Shanfeng came out and said with a smile, "We're having spicy blood curd today. Take a sniff, it smells different."

Ming Shanyue and Shangguan Ruyu sniffed; it was indeed a smell they had never encountered before—strong, with a hint of beef and spiciness.

After the guests entered the house, Feng Chuchen went to the kitchen. To avoid embarrassing Shangguan Ruyu, she tried to appear in front of them as little as possible.

Guo Hei looked around and was a little uneasy when he didn't see the dark-skinned girl.

Feng Buji still sat with the guests in the main hall, while Uncle Wu sat with the servants and guards in the east room.

Mao Xue Wang is served in a copper basin, heavy and hot, and is brought to the table by a strong-willed peony.

The dishes were served first to the master's table, and the aroma filled the room as soon as they arrived. The aroma was so enticing that the guests didn't want to speak, afraid of missing out on a single bite.

At the table of back-end lackeys, Peony deliberately avoided looking in Guo Hei's direction, her expression very deliberate.

Song Xian, Duan Yan, and the others winked at Guo Hei.

As soon as Shaoyao went out, Guo Hei bulged his eyes and said, "What, want to fight?"

Song Xian laughed and said, "Why are you fighting? Eat quickly. Every extra word you say means you'll eat one less piece of meat."

Everyone took a bite and found it fragrant, spicy, and incredibly satisfying. They quickly devoured it, afraid of missing out on even a single bite.

When Mu Jin served the dishes, she smiled and said, "My daughter loves this cold mung bean sprout salad. You should try it."

The slender mung bean sprouts were mixed with a few pieces of chili pepper and scallions, creating a refreshing and tempting dish with their white, red, and green colors.

Everyone who ate it praised it highly.

Guo Hei took several bites and praised, "This is the best vegetarian dish. It's refreshing, cuts through the greasiness, and looks delicious too."

Mu Jin said proudly, "It was made by Sister Shaoyao."

A few soft laughs rang out. Guo Heigang stuffed a large mouthful of bean sprouts into his mouth, unsure whether to eat it or spit it out.

He looked at Mu Jin; this girl must be doing it on purpose.

Mu Jin turned and left.

She ran to the kitchen and said with a smile, "Sister Peony, everyone says that cold mung bean sprout salad is both pretty and delicious."

Peony looked smug. "That's right."

"Brother Guo loves to eat this the most, and he keeps praising how delicious it is."

The crowd roared with laughter.

The two tables of spicy blood curd were completely devoured, leaving not even a bean sprout.

After the meal, Ming Shanfeng, Ming Shanyue, and Shangguan Ruyu each rewarded the cook with one tael of silver.

Shangguan Ruyu was happy while eating, but after finishing, she started to worry about getting pimples on her face.

Banxia handed three packets of powder to Shangguan Ruyu and the Ming brothers, saying, "This is a beauty powder made by my daughter. It clears heat, removes acne, and beautifies the skin."

Shangguan Ruyu happily accepted it; it's no wonder he couldn't bring himself to hate Feng Chuchen—she was truly understanding.

Ming Shanyue handed his bag to Shangguan Ruyu with a disdainful expression.

"A grown man like you has to take medicine for a pimple."

While in the army, the soldiers often teased him for being a pretty boy, and he wished he had more pockmarks and pimples on his face.

After seeing the guests off, the Feng family was filled with joy from top to bottom.

Feng Buji clung to Feng Chuchen's arm and grinned foolishly, "Sister, I'd like Brother Shangguan even if he weren't my brother-in-law." Wang Shuping said, "That's right. Of all the guests, I'm afraid of everyone except Lord Shangguan."

Feng Chuchen then learned that Shangguan Ruyu had an exceptionally good relationship with everyone in the family. With their relationship back to normal, the whole family was overjoyed.

The next day at the end of the Chen hour, Feng Chuchen arrived at the main courtyard of the Ming Mansion.

The courtyard was a riot of color, with many pots of blooming Cymbidium goeringii brought out from the greenhouse, their subtle fragrance filling the air and refreshing the soul.

The girls were all beaming with joy, as if some great joy had occurred.

Granny Li was standing guard under the eaves. When she saw Feng Chuchen arrive, she trotted over, her old eyes almost overflowing with joy, even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes revealed happiness.

She pulled Feng Chuchen aside and whispered with a smile, "The Duke just went to Furong Hospital to pay his respects. Doctor Feng, please take a good look at my lady's pulse today and see if there's anything wrong."

This means the Duke spent the night here and just left. Madam Ming is concerned about potential health issues from certain activities and needs a thorough check-up…

Feng Chuchen immediately understood that the couple had reconciled.

How were people in ancient times feudal? The couple did that thing and made the whole courtyard celebrate, as if they wanted everyone to know.

Judging from this, I should be getting a big reward today.

Feng Chuchen remained calm and nodded slightly.

Upon entering the side room of the main house, Madam Ming was sitting on the daybed.

Although a faint weariness lingered between her brows and eyes, it could not conceal her radiant glow. Her eyes, as they moved, seemed to hold a subtle, subtly alluring charm.

It is said that a woman who is nourished by love is the most beautiful, and this is certainly true.

Feng Chuchen pretended not to notice anything and took her pulse with a slight smile.

After a moment, he smiled and said, "Madam is well and there is nothing wrong."

A look of relief crossed the faces of both Madam Ming and Granny Li.

Granny Li glanced at Doctor Feng out of the corner of her eye. How could this be a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl? She was insightful about the ways of the world but didn't point it out. She was as wise and experienced as someone who had seen it all.

Just as the needle was placed in Madam Ming's possession, the pearl arrived.

She laughed and said, "My husband heard from the eldest and second masters that Miss Feng's spicy blood curd is extremely delicious, and he's been craving it ever since. He wants to have it for lunch. He wants to invite the Feng family's cook to the small kitchen at Fu Rong Tang to make that dish, and the old lady wants Brother Feng to come too."

"The aunt asked Miss Feng what dishes we needed to prepare."

What a willful old couple.

Feng Chuchen told Banxia to hurry up and bring Aunt Wu, Shaoyao, and Feng Buji over, along with the leftover beef from yesterday, homemade spicy sauce, and other ingredients.

He then named a few dishes for Pearl, adding, "It would be even better if there were butter, squid, and eel."

It's impossible to find tripe or thousand-layer bread.

Pearl hurriedly went to the main kitchen and asked them to buy the necessary ingredients.

Before long, the Ming family father and his two sons arrived at the main courtyard.

Since the Ming brothers couldn't go into the side room, the Duke of Ming walked in directly.

He was radiant and looked incredibly handsome, as if he had aged ten years in his youth—a true middle-aged heartthrob.

He first glanced at the lady with a smile in his eyes, then turned his gaze to Feng Chuchen and said with a smile, "Dr. Feng is a miraculous healer; the lady's illness is much better now."

Feng Chuchen said, "You flatter me, Your Excellency."

Ming Shanfeng, who was in the hall, said, "Miss Feng, I told my grandfather how delicious Mao Xue Wang is, and he was drooling with envy..."

Duke Ming frowned and interrupted him, "You scoundrel, how dare you speak of your grandfather like that?"

Ming Shanfeng slapped his mouth. "Oh, I misspoke. Grandfather said it tasted like the chili-stewed duck blood he used to eat in Sichuan, so he quickly invited my eldest uncle, Uncle He, and Uncle Jin over for lunch..."

The Duke of Ming scolded, "You're all grown up now, all you know is eating."

“Not only do I want to eat it, but Grandmother does too. She said that Third Uncle likes spicy food, so he will definitely like it too. She even asked the kitchen to make a bowl and send it to him. Oh, she also invited Mother and Doctor Feng to have lunch in the main courtyard.”

Feng Chuchen hurriedly said, "Madam Ming can't eat spicy food like Mao Xue Wang."

She thought to herself, even if she invited Shangguan Yunqi, she wouldn't go to Furongyuan. As for Feng Buji, since she had already let it go, there was no harm in meeting him.

The treatment was completed at noon, and the two brothers went inside to chat and laugh with Madam Ming.

Madam Ming said, "You should go and have dinner with the elders and the guests."

Duke Mingguo wanted to spend more time with his wife, but today the Imperial Son-in-Law Shangguan, Lord He, and Lord Jin were coming, so he had to go and entertain them.

Ming Shanfeng also invited Feng Chuchen to go with him.

Feng Chuchen shook his head and said, "No, I ate too much chili yesterday and I'm feeling a bit unwell. Let's finish our meal quickly and have them meet here."

Ming Shanyue said, "Father and Second Brother, go ahead. I'll stay with Mother."

It was still Granny Li who accompanied Feng Chuchen and Banxia to the west wing room for dinner.

After they finished eating, Granny Li said, "Miss Feng, my master says he has something he'd like to ask you."

Feng Chuchen assumed that someone in the mansion had been discovered who was detrimental to her or Madam Ming, and readily followed her to the west room of the main house.

This is Madam Ming's study and music room, furnished very elegantly. There are two rows of bookshelves, paintings of ladies hanging on the walls, a large desk under the west window, a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), and a gilded jade incense burner.

Dressed in plain clothes, Ming Shanyue sat behind his desk with his back to the window, his whole body shrouded in shadow. His stern features appeared even colder, with only the bright red mole at the corner of his eye standing out.

He didn't speak, but pointed to the guqin two steps away from him, where there was a brocade stool.

This should be the limit of their distance; what they have to say is no small matter.

Feng Chuchen sat down, and Granny Li poured them tea.

Ming Shanyue said, "Granny, go outside and keep watch, don't let anyone disturb us."

After Granny Li left, Ming Shanyue suddenly leaned back in her chair, her posture as taut as a bowstring, her thin lips pressed tightly together, and a very faint blush spreading across her ears.

Feng Chuchen was surprised. What kind of difficult task could make this plague god feel a little ashamed?
After a short silence, he finally spoke, "I have a case involving the murder of an infant. I want to know if midwives are more likely to kill infants during vertical delivery?"

So that’s what happened.

Feng Chuchen pondered for a moment and said, "That's true. When a woman in labor is standing, her lower body is covered by her skirt and legs, making it easier for her to make small movements without being seen by others. If she also has an accomplice to cover her up, it will be even easier to carry out her plan."

His eyes were clear, and he showed no embarrassment whatsoever.

Ming Shanyue's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

He couldn't quite understand this girl. She wouldn't say anything that he thought was perfectly acceptable for normal conversation. He assumed some of her offensive remarks would likely offend others, but she seemed completely unconcerned.

He then asked, "If you don't allow an infant to cry and kill it directly, and you don't want anyone to find out, how do you do it?"

Feng Chuchen was taken aback, but still said, "The most direct way is for the midwife to put her hand into the birth canal and strangle the infant before the baby is born."

"Or, as soon as the baby is born, the midwife can quickly cover the baby's mouth and nose to suffocate him, but this method is easily detected. There is also a more secretive method: if the midwife is very skilled in acupuncture and familiar with human bone structure, she can quickly insert a needle into the fontanelle as soon as the baby's head emerges from the birth canal."

The fontanelle, also known as the fontanelle, refers to the space between the skull bones in an infant.

Ming Shanyue leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the bookshelf as he fell into deep thought.

He felt that Dr. Cai most likely used the third method. Her medical skills were superb, especially her acupuncture; the Cai family was also renowned for its orthopedics, allowing her to quickly and accurately locate the fontanelle and apply needles. With an accomplice providing cover, Xiao's confidants would have no chance of discovering it…

Would she really kill a nursing infant?
(End of this chapter)