Jinyi Spring

Chapter 123 Returning to Zixia Nunnery

As for Empress Dowager Xue, everyone says she is virtuous and righteous, deeply devoted to the late emperor and empress, and has protected the eldest prince and Lady Xiao. But whether she was loyal or treacherous remains unknown.

The original owner's father, the emperor who was above all others, not only failed to investigate the truth, but also sent his wife to a nunnery.

This father is essentially no different from the scumbag father from my previous life.

Now, aside from the mute jade bead and the tattered cloth, Feng Chuchen has no concrete evidence to prove that she is Empress Xiao's dead child. She doesn't know how far Ming Shanyue's investigation can go.

His birth mother became a nun, his maternal clan's glory faded, and his elder brother in the palace faced hardship...

Feng Chuchen never wanted to be a princess. If this identity were to be exposed, she feared that every step she took would be a dead end.

Her best course of action now is to remain inactive, to be a clear-headed observer, to stay hidden in the shadows and wait and see what happens.

We also need to maintain contact with Ming Shanyue and Shangguan Ruyu to find out their movements as soon as possible and make plans accordingly.

Of course, if she had the chance to help the eldest prince, his poor mother, and the Xiao family, she would do everything in her power...

Having figured all this out, Feng Chuchen suddenly felt a surge of strength. She threw back the covers and walked out of the room, feeling light and refreshed.

Outside, the spring sun was warm, and golden rays were splashed freely on the eaves, treetops, and flowers, so bright that Feng Chuchen had to close his eyes.

She built this home herself; it's small but warm.

I don't know when Ah Xuan arrived, but he was standing on Big Head's back, reciting "The wind rises, the clouds fly..."

Seeing Feng Chuchen come out, it lightly landed on the back of her hand, tilted its little head up, and chirped crisply, "Miss, even the lotus cannot compare to your beauty..."

Feng Chuchen had never met her mother in this life, but she must look very much like her, so Ah Xuan recited this poem as soon as he saw her.

And because he liked that "mother," he also came to like her, calling her "little aunt" and "big sister" indiscriminately...

Feng Chuchen stretched out a finger and gently stroked Ah Xuan's smooth feathers, a bright smile spreading across her lips.

"Ah Xuan, you're so kind."

He secretly thought to himself, "I'll find some time to go to Zixia Nunnery again..."

Peony came over and said, "Are you hungry, young lady? I'll go get some food."

Feng Chuchen nodded and then asked, "Where is Miss Cai?"

“Someone is giving birth over there, and Miss Cai went to help.”

Thinking of Dr. Cai, who knew she was dying, yet still did everything in her power to save that tiny baby before calmly facing death... how tragic and magnificent was her righteousness and composure!

Feng Chuchen secretly resolved to treat Cai Yuxiu even better.

At the beginning of Shen Shi (3-5 PM), Cai Yuxiu came over.

She took off her work clothes and smiled, "It's getting late, I should go back."

Feng Chuchen said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Have Uncle Wu take you after dinner."

Are you feeling better?

"You're feeling better. Come here, I'll teach you how to perform an episiotomy. You can practice your skills at the clinic and strive to become the first female doctor to perform this kind of surgery. What else do you want to learn? I'll teach you everything so you can become the best female doctor, just like your aunt."

Cai Yuxiu's greatest dream is to become the best female doctor, just like her aunt.

"But I'm stupid, that's what you said too."

"Don't you know that diligence can make up for lack of talent?"

"You have to hit me right where it hurts."

Despite saying that, Cai Yuxiu still sat down quickly and started learning from Feng Chuchen.

Feng Chuchen would occasionally probe with a question or two, as she was very curious about how Dr. Cai, the female doctor, knew that kind of Li ethnic secret technique.

Unfortunately, no useful information was found. Perhaps it was a top secret of the Cai family, which they dared not divulge, or perhaps even the Cai family did not know it.

After dinner, Feng Chuchen delivered a box of mochi to the Cai family and asked Uncle Wu to drive Cai Yuxiu home.

That evening, another woman went into labor and gave birth to a girl with great difficulty. The baby had already stopped breathing, which was just the right time to apply the Yin Shen acupuncture needle.

When Feng Chuchen administers the Yin Shen acupuncture at the clinic, he always calls Du Ruo to his side.

Du Ruo knew that her good days were hard-won, so she worked very hard and was very smart, making great progress. In just over half a year, she had flattened three copper rings with her fingers, and her right thumb was deformed from playing so much.

In mid-March, the clinic recruited twelve more people, including an accountant, midwife, assistant midwife, medicine maker, pharmacist, and general laborer. They also bought five girls aged ten to thirteen to train as medical staff.

One of the maids was born on the fifteenth of the seventh month at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), was ten years old, and was named Dujuan. She studied with Du Ruo.

The former accountant, Sister Zhao, was officially appointed as the deputy director of the maternal and child health clinic, which is equivalent to the deputy manager.

Aunt Wang was also appointed as the deputy director of the maternal and child health clinic, in charge of production-related matters.

Three more doctors specializing in gynecology and pediatrics were added to the resident ward, including Dr. Qin, a disciple of Dr. Fang.

Because Doctor Qin offended the manager of Dechuntang, he was ostracized there, which also implicated Doctor Fang.

Dr. Fang recommended him.

Feng Chuchen warmly welcomed Dr. Qin's joining Tongji Medical Center and is grooming him to become the future technical director of Yisheng Center. He is currently a specialist in pediatrics.

Feng Chuchen was finally freed from miscellaneous tasks, and apart from the major matters that had to be handled, he was only responsible for administering acupuncture and treating patients.

On March 20th, the new accommodation area was fully renovated. The doors of the five main rooms in the two front courtyards were moved to the accommodation area, and the previous doors were blocked off. These ten rooms were used as delivery rooms, waiting rooms, a patient canteen, a storage room, and a midwife's office, among others.

Only the east and west wing rooms and the rear building remain in both courtyards.

The previous clinic had a pharmacy in the back, and doctors' offices in the east wing, one for Dr. Feng Chuchen and Dr. Qin, and one shared by two other doctors. The west wing had two rooms for making medicine and one room for the gatekeeper.

In the previous residence, one room at the back served as Feng Chuchen's clinic for skin treatments, while the other two rooms were the clinic's administrative offices. Three rooms in the west wing were connected to three rooms in the east wing of another courtyard, serving as treatment rooms for acupuncture and massage. Two rooms in the east wing were staff dormitories, and one was a staff kitchen.

All the maternity wards were moved to the inpatient ward. Those pregnant women who were on the waiting list and wanted to check in earlier have all arrived.

The number of pregnant women staying at the ward suddenly increased to forty-two. Five patients were also admitted to the first-class ward: one was the young mistress of an official, and four were women from merchant families.

By the end of March, the courtyard was already enveloped in the warmth of spring.

The purple peonies gifted by Shangguan Ruyu were in full bloom, with sixty or seventy deep purple blossoms hanging low like brocade, creating a charming contrast with the various flowers and plants in the courtyard. Amidst the myriad colors, the fragrance of flowers and herbs mingled and intertwined, fully expressing the unique splendor, abundance, and vibrant life of this little world.

Feng Chuchen loves this family very much.

Every evening, after a long day, she would sit on the veranda, holding a cup of tea. The warm breeze would carry away her weariness, leaving only a comforting peace in her heart…

She insisted on returning Wei Zi to Shangguan Ruyu, but fortunately he returned her, which brought her much more joy.

Feng Chuchen is extremely content with this peaceful little home.

On the second day of the fourth lunar month, the previous husband of the Bi family got married, and the wedding was a very lively affair with lots of banging and noise.

He, a doctor familiar with the Chai family, went to the wedding banquet and returned to tell Aunt Wang, "The bride is obviously pregnant, at least three months along. No wonder the Chai family was so eager to divorce Bi."

Mr. Bi was unaffected and remained cheerful.

In her opinion, the time she spent living with the Feng family was much more pleasant than that with the Chai family. Although it was harder work, she wasn't beaten or scolded, and she could learn how to give birth and save money to send her son to school for two more years.

She believed that the person she dreamed of that day was Doctor Feng, who said she would give birth to a healthy son, and she did indeed give birth to a healthy son.

The Cold Food Festival falls on the fourth day of the fourth lunar month, and the Qingming Festival falls on the fifth day. The two festivals together give for a four-day holiday, which is equivalent to the "Golden Week" of the past, second only to the long holiday during the Spring Festival.

It was agreed a few days ago that Feng Buji, Aunt Wang, and Wang Shuping would go to the countryside to sweep the tombs on Qingming Festival, while Feng Chuchen would go to Zixia Temple to offer incense, and then stay at the old house for two days.

Banxia and others stayed at the clinic on duty. The overtime pay was three times their usual monthly salary, so many people were more willing to work overtime.

They spent the Cold Food Festival at their home in the capital, and on the morning of Qingming Festival, the family split into two groups.

Although Feng Buji didn't want to be separated from his sister, it was the first time he had led a group of people to the tomb alone as the pillar of the family, and his sense of responsibility outweighed his dependence on and reluctance to part with his sister.

Feng Chuchen only brought peony with her, and the two of them hired a donkey cart to go to Zixia Temple.

She also wore a green headband, with the tassel hanging down in the center perfectly concealing the cinnabar mole.

Although Aunt Wang said that no one would see the cinnabar birthmark, she still wanted to hide it.

She knew that going there was somewhat impulsive, and that she was unlikely to encounter the imprisoned nun Qingxin. But she still wanted to go, to get closer to that poor mother.

I need to go back to that stream to pay my respects to the late Dr. Cai, and walk the path from Zixia Temple to the reed marshes once more. Previously, I walked from Baima Village to Zixia Temple, in the opposite direction.

At the foot of Baoxiang Mountain in late spring and early summer, the lush greenery is vibrant, with streams winding around and clusters of bright wildflowers dotting the landscape, creating a breathtaking scene.

At the beginning of noon, in front of a secluded Zen temple in Zixia Nunnery, Shangguan Ruyu escorted Princess Yanghe to the gate.

The eldest prince is about to be granted the title of king and take a wife. The Empress Dowager has shown great leniency by sending someone to Zixia Nunnery to inquire about the nun Qingxin's requests and wishes.

Upon learning this news, Princess Yanghe went to plead with the Empress Dowager. Before Qingxin became a nun, they were very close, so this was a good excuse to visit her.

Shangguan Ruyu and the others were asked by the nuns to wait in the pavilion next door, while Princess Yanghe entered the temple with the help of Granny Tong.

A nun stood quietly inside the door.

Her black hair had all fallen out, and she wore a gray monk's hat. The slightly oversized gray monk's robe wrapped around her thin body, as if the years and hardship had gradually eroded away her former plumpness and splendor, leaving only a gaunt silhouette.

Those bright, captivating eyes that once made the six palaces pale in comparison were now like two dried-up ancient wells, so still that not a single ray of light could be seen.

The lines around his eyes were deep and fine, like carvings of time. His nose was still straight, but it seemed even more aloof. His lips were tightly pressed together, creating two deep nasolabial folds.

Her once plump, flower-petal-like cheeks are now deeply sunken, pale and lifeless, with not a trace of their former softness remaining.

Thirty-six years of life, sixteen of which were spent confined to this desolate and cold place.

That once dazzling brilliance that captivated emperors has long been worn away by the endless morning bells and evening drums, the solitary lamps and ancient Buddhas, leaving only this gray robe covering a body soaked in suffering.

She was none other than Qingxin, the former Empress Xiao Wan, who was once the most beautiful and youngest woman in the land.

Princess Yanghe was stunned for a moment, then her eyes filled with tears. She hurried forward and reached out to take Qingxin's cold, withered hands.

She choked back tears as she said, "Master Qingxin, it's only been sixteen years since we last met, how have you changed so much?"

A faint ripple finally appeared in his eyes, which had been as still as a dry well, as if a breeze had swept across stagnant water, before they returned to their suffocating silence.

She slowly withdrew her hand, bowed slightly, clasped her hands together, and spoke as softly as a wisp of smoke about to dissipate.

"Amitabha Buddha, it is a great honor for this humble nun to have Her Highness the Princess grace us with her presence."

Qingxin's aloofness left Princess Yanghe at a loss for words. She reached out and took one of her hands, saying, "Heng'er is getting married. The Empress Dowager has granted me permission to meet with you and ask if you have any requests or any messages for the child."

Qingxin's lips trembled. For her son's sake, she had to endure everything. Apart from her son, her family, Jing'an, and him and his family, she trusted no one else now.

Qingxin remained expressionless and said with her eyes lowered, "Your Highness, please come inside and take a seat."

She tried to pull her hand away but couldn't, and the two walked hand in hand into the meditation room.

Jingci and Granny Tong followed them into the room. After Jingci served tea, she withdrew and stood behind Qingxin.

Princess Yanghe took the package handed to her by Granny Tong and placed it on the coffee table. She untied the plain silk, revealing several brocade boxes.

She took out a magnificent brocade box and opened it. "This century-old ginseng was bestowed by the Empress Dowager. She has always thought of you. She said that for Heng'er's sake, you should put your mind at ease and wait for the day when you and your son are reunited. When... then, Heng'er might even take you to live in the Prince's mansion and stay with you year after year."

"At that time" of course refers to after the emperor's death.

Qingxin shook her head. How could her body possibly outlast him, who was in the prime of his life?
Yang He realized he had misspoke, pursed his lips sheepishly, and continued, "Mother Empress has gone to great lengths to choose a consort for Heng'er, comparing more than a dozen young ladies before finally settling on one. Although Miss Xie's family isn't of the highest rank, the Xie family has a pure and upright character, and the young lady is beautiful, talented, and gentle as water. Heng'er also likes her..."

His once clear and desolate eyes finally showed clear emotion, and tears of gratitude quickly welled up in them.

She rose and clasped her hands in prayer towards the capital, her voice as soft as a wisp of smoke rising from an incense burner.

"This humble nun kowtows to express her gratitude to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty is merciful, for you have always remembered this humble nun from outside the world, and have even taken Heng'er into your care..."

Her throat bobbed slightly, and the Buddhist prayer beads twirled between her fingers. "And she has raised the Crown Prince so well. Now that I have entered the Buddhist order, I should be devoted to the Buddha and the lamp, relinquishing all worldly ties. But this motherly heart..."

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she spoke again, her voice trembled slightly.

"In the end, my cultivation is insufficient, and I am always preoccupied with these thoughts. Now that His Highness the Crown Prince has come of age and is about to be married, this humble nun should let go of them..."

She took a deep breath, gripping the prayer beads tightly, "May the Buddha's compassionate light shine upon Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, granting her good health and lasting blessings. May His Highness the Crown Prince enjoy a harmonious marriage and many children..."

I prayed silently, and even begged Buddha to protect me and not let the evildoer who killed my daughter get away with it...

Her eyes returned to being as still and lifeless as a dry well. Sixteen years of kneeling and worshipping before the Buddha had taught her to bury the deepest obsessions within her.