Jinyi Spring

Ming Shanyue was overjoyed. Yesterday, Master Yuhui hadn't revealed Wang Tu's whereabouts, but had secretly saved him.

Ming Shanyue went out and whispered a few instructions. Song Xian quickly ran down the mountain, and three personal guards and hidden guards quickly dispersed and disappeared into the night.

Feng Chuchen and Ming Shanyue almost ran towards the grove.

The mountain wind howled past my ears, whipping my clothes into a fluttering sound. The moonlight was extremely bright, casting a cool, clear glow on the mountain path, illuminating the way ahead.

Both of them were incredibly excited, as if they could already see the other side of victory.

Passing through the grove, the gate to the small courtyard was tightly closed.

As soon as Ming Shanyue raised her hand to knock on the door, the door opened from the inside.

Master Xuan Kong peeked out and, seeing it was Feng Chuchen, quickly opened the door for him.

Feng Chuchen said in a low voice, "He and that uncle are old acquaintances."

Xuan Kong nodded. "Please, benefactor."

Several guards stood watch outside the courtyard as Feng Chuchen and Ming Shanyue entered the house.

Wang Tu was fast asleep.

Feng Chuchen called softly, "Uncle, Uncle..."

When Wang Tu woke up, he was initially delighted to see Feng Chuchen, but upon seeing Ming Shanyue, his gaze immediately became wary.

He hissed in a low voice, "Who are you?"

His hand had already reached for the dagger beside the pillow.

Ming Shanyue was overjoyed. Even though this person was disfigured and old, and did not quite match the appearance in the portrait, he was almost certain that this person was Wang Tu.

Because his eyebrows and eyes bore a striking resemblance to those of his grandfather, General Wang.

Feng Chuchen quickly replied, "Uncle, don't worry, he's one of us."

Ming Shanyue lowered her voice and spoke very quickly.

"My name is Ming Shanyue, the eldest son of Duke Ming Changxiao of Fengguo, and I currently serve as the Garrison Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Flying Eagle Guard. Before Wen Qian died, he told me that the child born to Lady Xiao was not Red Hare, but a little princess. The little princess had been thrown into the Baicang River, and we were to go to western Hunan to find a man named Jiang Huaizhao. Unfortunately, he died before he could finish speaking."

"I have gathered a lot of evidence and found the little princess. My family and I have been secretly searching for you, determined to overturn the case against the Xiao family and the little princess, and to seek justice for Dr. Cai and for you. The Xue family is also looking for you..."

He took out the waist token of the Duke of Fengguo's mansion and waved it in front of Wang Tu.

Wang Tu's lips trembled violently, and his eyes gradually reddened.

Last year, two groups of people suddenly found the contact point he had left for Wen Qian.

That courtyard wasn't his home; it was just a decoy. He instinctively felt that the Xue family had come looking for him, and in fear, he quickly fled with his wife and children. Later, through a distant relative of his wife, he learned that someone had been searching for him with a portrait.

He knew his identity had been exposed and he could no longer wait passively.

He sent his wife and children to Yuezhou with the fake household registrations he had prepared beforehand, while he himself disguised himself as a beggar and traveled through several states before secretly making his way to the capital.

His hair was disheveled, the tangled strands almost completely obscuring his left cheek; the disfigurement was not noticeable unless one looked closely. He deliberately made himself smell unpleasant, causing everyone to avoid him.

He dared not take the main roads, choosing only mountain paths, and only arrived at the foot of Xishan at the end of September this year. Hiding in the mountains, he occasionally went to the Jokhang Temple to beg for scraps of food and listen to the idle chatter of pilgrims.

I gradually heard about the political situation at court. The Xue family and the Duke of Fengguo's family were now irreconcilable enemies, locked in a fierce struggle. The old Duke's eldest grandson, Ming Shanyue, was appointed as the Northern Garrison Commander, a man born with a cursed fate, having killed or ill-fated seven of his fiancées…

Although Wang Tu was not familiar with the Duke of Fengguo's mansion when he was young, he knew that the old Duke of Ming and Princess Changning were loyal and devoted to expanding the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty, and were rare loyal ministers and generals.

He wanted to find an opportunity to contact the Ming family, but he couldn't find a way.

A few nights ago, he was attacked by a pack of wolves and seriously injured, but was fortunately rescued by monks from the Jokhang Temple...

At this moment, he looked at the young man in front of him, at the waist tag, and at Feng Chuchen's eager eyes—the fear, loneliness, and anticipation that had been suppressed in his heart for sixteen years finally broke through the crumbling dam.

Two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I am Jiang Huaizhao, I am Wang Tu!" His voice was hoarse, each word seemingly ripped from the depths of his throat. "Sixteen years... sixteen years... Fortunately, the princess is still alive, fortunately, I met you..."

By the end, he was choked up and unable to speak.

Feng Chuchen was also in tears.

Ming Shanyue straightened her clothes and bowed deeply and solemnly to the man on the bed, whose face was unrecognizable and whose life had been full of hardships.

“General Wang.” His voice was deep and solemn. “Back then, you and Physician Cai risked your lives to protect your master, surviving countless near-death experiences. For sixteen years, you lived in anonymity, disfigured yourself to avoid disaster, and endured immense suffering, yet you always kept your mouth shut and never revealed a word. Your unwavering loyalty is a testament to heaven and earth.”

Feng Chuchen stepped forward and bowed deeply. Her voice trembled slightly, and she choked with emotion.

"At dawn, I thank Uncle Wang and Aunt Cai for saving my life. On behalf of my mother and elder brother, I also thank Uncle Wang and Aunt Cai. If it weren't for you, I would have died long ago. This great injustice would have been buried forever."

After speaking, he curtsied again.

Wang Tu struggled to get up, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it..."

Ming Shanyue stepped forward and gently pressed him down.

Wang Tu was too weak and too excited, causing his wound to bleed and his consciousness to begin to wander.

Feng Chuchen quickly stepped forward and treated his wounds again.

Ming Shanyue leaned down and whispered, "We can talk about those things later. Taking care of your health is the most important thing. Also, this is not a place to stay for long. The Xue family has many spies and could come looking for us at any time. I will arrange for someone to take General Wang to a safe place immediately."

Wang Tu closed his eyes and said softly, "I will follow Lord Ming's arrangements."

After Feng Chuchen finished treating the wound, Ming Shanyue called out. Several guards responded and entered, carefully wrapping Wang Tu in a blanket and carrying him out of the woods.

Uncle Wu was already waiting by the roadside with his mule cart.

Kongji, whether or not he had received instructions, did not show himself.

The mule cart moved forward.

Feng Chuchen wanted to follow, but Ming Shanyue stopped her.

Feng Shichen said anxiously, "Uncle Wang's condition is still unstable. Without a good doctor to treat him, he will remain in danger. Even if he survives, he will suffer serious aftereffects."

Ming Shanyue heard the term "sequelae" for the first time, and she understood its literal meaning.

"Don't worry, I will find the best surgeon to take care of him day and night."

His gaze fell on Feng Chuchen's face, and his previous solemnity vanished instantly, replaced by a burning passion in his eyes and a smile on his lips.

"I'll contact you again after I've settled him in." He paused, his voice lowering, "I have something else to tell you."

Feng Chuchen nodded. "Okay, be careful."

Under the moonlight, the mule cart and the figures gradually blended into the distant vastness.

Feng Chuchen and Shaoyao turned around and went back to their dormitory.

With the matter settled and a glimmer of hope ahead, she slept exceptionally well that night.

The next morning, she and Shaoyao went to the temple to burn incense, worship the Bodhisattva, and have a vegetarian meal. It was just past 7 a.m.

The rising sun in the east was like fire, splashing out a dazzling display of light, yet it seemed to have no warmth, only spreading a chill across the ground.

As Feng Chuchen and his companion exited the temple gate, they encountered the young monk Xuancong again.

The young monk stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and smiled faintly. "Amitabha, this humble monk has been waiting here for Benefactor Feng for some time."

Feng Chuchen was somewhat surprised, "Little Master, is there something you need from me?" The little monk raised his hand to indicate, and the group went to a secluded spot under the tree.

He then said, "Master Yuhui asked me to pass on two messages to Benefactor Feng."

A high-ranking monk conveyed a message to him?
Feng Chuchen listened attentively with a serious expression.

The young monk's voice was clear and melodious, neither hurried nor slow, like a morning bell tolling in a valley: "Benefactor Feng is extremely cold and yin, and is indeed exceptionally gifted in the art of acupuncture. However, yin leads to isolation, and the longer it goes on, the more obvious the drawbacks will become."

He paused, then looked up at Feng Chuchen.

"Yin alone cannot produce, and Yang alone cannot grow. When a woman's Yin energy is excessive, it is like the water of a deep pool, calm on the surface but gradually stagnant deep within. Over time, not only will the flow of Qi and blood be difficult and the internal organs easily damaged, but there is also the fear that..."

He paused at this point.

Feng Chuchen's heart sank suddenly. "Master, are you saying that I will soon die?"

The little monk hurriedly shook his head, his bald head bobbing like a rattle drum. "This humble monk did not say that!"

He raised his hand and scratched his bald head, recalling where he had left off, and after a moment he said, "Master Yuhe said that he was even more afraid that the innate spirituality and sharpness would be slowly eroded by this cold air, until the brilliance was dimmed and could no longer be clear."

He cleared his throat and, mimicking the old monk's tone, said slowly and deliberately, "Therefore, you must be paired with someone of extreme yang. Only when yin and yang are in harmony, and cold and warmth are in balance, can both of you live long. Otherwise, ice and fire will clash, and one of you will eventually be harmed."

Feng Chuchen stood there, stunned.

The morning breeze brushed my cheeks, carrying the unique crispness of the mountains, but it couldn't dispel the sudden surge of emotions in my heart.

The balance of Yin and Yang, the harmony of cold and warmth, requires a person with extremely Yang energy...

She got it.

Simply put, it means harmonizing Yin and Yang to preserve life together.

Mingshan Yue is the extreme of Yang.

Does Master Yu Hui mean that Ming Shan Yue is her destined one?
That tall, slender figure suddenly reappeared in my mind—his appearance standing in the moonlight, his deep gaze upon me, the unspoken, yet undeniable, longing he held back when he softly said, "I still have something to say to you"...

Feelings?

Feng Chuchen's heart skipped a beat, as if something had gently bumped into her chest, leaving her somewhat dazed.

Had he already developed feelings for her, or had he also heard what the master had said?

She looked at the young monk, her voice slightly tense, "May I see the master?"

The young monk shook his head and put his hands together. "The master said that he will meet with Benefactor Feng someday, but not today."

Having said that, he turned and left. His small monk's robe fluttered gently in the morning breeze, gradually disappearing into the thin mist of the mountains.

Feng Chuchen remained standing there, gazing blankly at the blazing yet chilly sunrise in the east.

The morning light bathed the distant mountains, but it couldn't warm the nearby breeze.

Peony waited quietly to the side, her eyes darting around rapidly.

She couldn't understand most of what the young monk was saying, but she did understand one sentence: "The benefactor needs to be matched with a person of extreme yang."

Isn't Lord Ming a person of extreme Yang?
My God! This young lady is the destined one that Lord Ming has been waiting for, and Lord Ming is also the young lady's destined one!
She laughed out loud with joy, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes curved into crescent moons, sparkling brightly.

After a long while, Feng Chuchen withdrew her gaze and said softly, "Let's go."

She took the lead and walked down the steps.

Peony quickly followed, her steps light and cheerful as if she were about to fly.

As the morning mist in the mountains gradually dissipates, birds chirp sweetly on the branches, their calls clear and melodious.

Feng Chuchen felt uneasy, but her unease was mixed with a trace of joy and hope.

This state of mind surprised Feng Chuchen. Could it be that she had developed some feelings for him as well?

The man she used to fear and dislike the most actually...

Peony hailed a donkey cart, and the two of them boarded and returned to the capital.

In the carriage, Peony, after holding back for a while, couldn't help but lean over and whisper, "Miss, I think Lord Ming is very kind and cares about you a lot."

Feng Chuchen gave her a reproachful look, "Don't be so talkative when you get back."

Peony chuckled and puffed out her chest. "Haven't you noticed how I've changed, Miss? I'm no longer impulsive, no longer talkative, and I think things through more carefully. I'm very composed now."

Feng Chuchen chuckled. "Yes, he has changed a lot. Guo Hei is a good man."

Peony blushed, lowered her head, chuckled foolishly, and stopped talking.

Feng Chuchen closed his eyes, leaned against the wall of the cart, and let the donkey cart sway gently.

The little monk's words echoed in my ears again.

Before, she had never thought she had to get married. Now, however, she is forced to marry, and the man she is marrying is Ming Shanyue.

Actually, he's quite good. Aside from his bad temper and ruthless methods, Ming Shanyue is otherwise excellent. He's handsome, capable, reliable, doesn't have any messy women, and is genuinely protective of her.

More importantly, she comes from a good family, without the drawbacks of those wealthy and powerful households. Her family is small, and the elders are kind. Once she cures the Third Master Ming Changli's illness, they shouldn't be difficult to get along with. She just doesn't know what the Second Master Ming Changqing is like. The old Duke almost always speaks ill of him, but he's far away on the border, so it doesn't really matter whether he's easy to get along with or not.

Once the truth comes out, and the Xia mother and daughter are driven out, that family will finally be truly clean and clear...

No, the case has really been overturned. She is now a princess, and princesses have their own princess residences.

Feng Chuchen laughed. She never thought that she could live a single life even after getting married.

As for the palace intrigues and such before the wedding, I'm not happy about them and don't want to think about them for now.

Lost in thought, time flew by. When he came to his senses, the donkey cart arrived at the clinic.

It's already past noon.

Aunt Wu opened the door and said with a smile, "The young lady is finally back. The young master has been worried about her."

Feng Chuchen said to her, "Uncle Wu ran into an acquaintance and will be back later."

Aunt Wu was puzzled. Was an acquaintance more important than taking the girl home? But she didn't press the matter.

Uncle Wu didn't get home until after dinner.

He looked serious and went to the east wing with the girl.

Feng Chuchen closed the door. "How was it?"

Uncle Wu whispered, "Master Song asked this old servant to tell the young lady that everything is fine."

He added, "Last night, as soon as we left the mountain, Master Song took over driving. This old servant sat in the carriage and was not allowed to look outside. This morning on our way home, this old servant sat in the carriage again and was not allowed to look outside. This old servant doesn't know where that is, hehe, and doesn't want to know."

Feng Chuchen said, "Uncle Wu keeps that matter to himself; he can't tell anyone."

Uncle Wu said, "This old servant knows."

The next afternoon, Guo Hei arrived.

He whispered to Feng Chuchen, "The master asked me to tell you that the other man's injuries are very serious. He has asked his cousin to feign illness for several days and stay at the other residence to take care of him."

Feng Chuchen felt a little relieved.

Shangguan Ruyu is now an absolutely top-notch surgeon. (End of Chapter)