Jinyi Spring

Ming Shanyue shook her head. "To better protect you and him, it's best not to meet for the time being. In the future, you and I should also reduce our meetings."

He gazed at her intently, his eyes deep, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, his cheeks flushing even more.

After a moment's hesitation, he said softly, "I have something important to tell you. But it's too early to discuss it in detail now. Wait until things have settled down and the weather is clear and bright, then I will tell you at my leisure."

Feng Chuchen's heart skipped a beat.

She vaguely guessed what he was going to say. Had he also told him those words from Master Yu Hui?
If that were the case, it would indeed be inappropriate at this moment.

She nodded, her voice soft, "I also have something to tell you."

Guo Hei's voice came in again, "Grandpa, we still have to meet with those esteemed gentlemen. If we delay any longer, we'll be late."

The two exchanged a glance, and without daring to delay any longer, they got up and left one after the other.

The western side was ablaze with fiery clouds, a vibrant and intense red.

Laughter from Feng Buji and Wang Shuping, along with the barking of Da Tou, could be heard from next door.

Ah Xuan arrived, chattering noisily, "Amitabha, even the lotus cannot compare to a beauty's makeup... Little Feng Feng, Little Head... Ah... Ah... Inhale, exhale..."

Then came an even louder burst of laughter.

Ming Shanyue was overjoyed. The little creature had run away and hadn't returned home for four or five days, and he was anxiously looking for it.

He whistled softly twice.

Ah Xuan heard this, dodged the little claws that reached out to grab it, flew over the courtyard wall, and flew towards its owner.

But after circling above its owner's head, it flew back to Feng Chuchen, chirping happily, "Miss, even the lotus cannot compare to your beauty..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ming Shanyue grabbed him in her hand.

He said in a low voice, "Have someone take you home."

The little creature rolled its eyes back as it was pinched, and opened its tiny, pointed mouth to curse, "You little brat, plucking my fur..."

He had already been grabbed by Ming Shanyue and put into the carriage.

Feng Chuchen hurriedly left the courtyard. Peony was leaning against the door of the Feng family's house. Feng Buji and Wang Shuping had already come out.

Feng Buji said, "Sister, Ah Xuan went to Uncle Zheng's house. I'll go and catch it."

Feng Chuchen grabbed him and said, "Ah Xuan just flew away."

Wang Shuping said, "Why didn't I see Ah Xuan fly into the sky?"

Feng Chuchen said, "It was flying very fast and quickly just now, as if it had something urgent to do."

The two children completely trusted Feng Chuchen and obediently followed her home.

At night, Wang Tu's words and Ming Shanyue's words alternated in Feng Chuchen's mind.

The next steps are how to rescue my mother, how to report the matter to the Emperor, and how to fight against the Xue family.

In their eyes, these are the most important things.

In Feng Chuchen's heart, there were two equally important things: one was to cure her mother's illness, and the other was for her mother to marry Ming Changqing and then flee far away.

Unexpectedly, Mom had such a wonderful man, Ming Changqing, waiting for her...

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and finally fell asleep in the middle of the night.

As winter approached, the weather grew even colder.

These days, not only Ming Shanyue, but even Guo Hei and A Xuan haven't shown up. Only Duan Yan, who has a limp, comes every few days.

Feng Chuchen understood that the situation had reached a critical juncture, and everyone was busy.

Judging from Duan Yan's words, Shangguan Ruyu had been feigning illness and staying at a separate courtyard in the Shangguan Mansion, but in reality, she was treating a patient elsewhere.

There is also a rumor circulating that Shangguan Ruyu was haunted by vengeful ghosts because she frequently visited the mortuary and dissected the stomachs of the dead. She was so frightened that she hid in her room every day, afraid to see anyone.

Fearing that he might be possessed by something unclean, the Imperial Son-in-Law Shangguan sent him to a separate residence, where he not only invited an imperial physician to examine him but also a Taoist priest to exorcise the evil spirits.

The servants and guards who followed were each given twenty strokes of the cane. It was only because the Imperial Son-in-Law pleaded for them that they were beaten to death.

Princess Yanghe cried her heart out, but Prince Consort Shangguan forbade her from going to the other residence to see her son, fearing that she might also be tainted by something unclean.

Duan inkstone remained in the capital, only occasionally appearing in public to let people see that Shangguan Ruyu was recuperating in a villa in the capital.

Duan Yan didn't know the patient's identity, but Feng Chuchen was almost certain that Shangguan Ruyu not only knew who Wang Tu was, but also probably knew her true identity.

On the third day of the eleventh lunar month, heavy snow fell. By the end of the late afternoon, the sky was completely dark.

The main room of Fu Rong Tang was warm and cozy.

Inside the main room, several pots of orchids were in full bloom. You Er's wife carefully tended to them, putting the fully blooming ones into buckets and sending them to the side room, while replacing them with pots of budding ones.

These flowers are all rare and precious; there is no room for error.

In the east room, the old lady, Madam Ming, Madam Xia, and Granny Mo sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) playing mahjong. The kang was warm, and they were all wearing only thin padded jackets.

Pearl sat beside the old lady, helping her watch the cards while secretly giving the other three men meaningful glances. Her only goal was to please the old lady.

The old lady was indeed happy, and within half an hour, a small pile of silver ingots had accumulated beside her.

Xia complained, feigning frustration, "In just a short while, I've already lost over twenty taels. Mother's silver is piled up like a small mountain—no, I have to share in Mother's good fortune."

As he spoke, he reached out and touched the back of the old lady's hand.

The old lady smiled even more smugly.

Madam Ming chimed in, "The old lady is in high spirits these days, with good news to celebrate. Second Uncle will be back next month."

The old woman spat, "That bastard! I owed him something in my past life, and he's here to collect his debt in this one."

He was cursing, but his eyes were smiling.

Madam Ming added, "Putting aside other things, Second Uncle's filial piety towards his mother is truly admirable."

She paused, as if suddenly remembering something, "Oh, I forgot to tell Mother-in-law. I went to visit my eldest brother yesterday and heard Princess Yanghe mention that when my second uncle comes back this time, the Empress Dowager will probably arrange a marriage for him. Such a good man can't stay unmarried forever."

Xia paused slightly in the hand holding the cards.

In an instant, she suppressed the surging bitterness and replied with a smile, "That's wonderful. Mother can rest assured now, Second Brother is finally going to marry Sister-in-law."

The old lady nodded. "That would be perfect. I'll go to the palace another day and discuss it with the Empress Dowager to see which girl is suitable."

Her tone shifted, becoming more serious, "If the second son dares to disobey the imperial decree again this time, this old woman will not plead for him. He can forget about ever entering this house again."

Madam Xia didn't want to hear these words and abruptly changed the subject, "What do you and my sister-in-law think about that Miss Wan I mentioned last time? This morning, Madam Wan sent a servant to ask her."

The old lady laughed and said, "I think it's great. The young lady is pretty and has a good temper. I'll have Shanyue marry her as soon as possible and give me a few big, healthy great-grandsons."

Madam Ming's expression darkened. "I always felt that Miss Wan's family had some hidden ailment..." She glanced at Xia Achan and said with a half-smile, "Shanyue once said that the girls that Aunt Xia had arranged for her to marry always had some unsatisfactory flaws."

This is to blame her for having ulterior motives, specifically recommending disreputable girls to her nephew.

Xia was so angry that her eyes were red. "Heaven and earth bear witness, I watched Shanyue grow up. How could I possibly have any bad intentions to harm him..." The old lady quickly acted as a mediator. "Don't worry about it. My husband and I both know that you mean well."

He glanced disapprovingly at Madam Ming, "As the saying goes, a pot is matched with a lid... You're picky about others, but they'll still pick about you. Just because he was born at an inauspicious time, he's kept so many good girls away. Add to that his bad reputation, how many good girls would want to marry him? Just settle for someone decent, don't be too picky, or you'll end up a bachelor for life."

Seeing that the old lady had spoken a fair word, Xia's anger subsided somewhat.

Madam Ming said helplessly, "Shanyue has a stubborn temper, so we have to ask the old lady to talk to him about this."

No sooner had the words been spoken than the curtain was suddenly lifted.

The old Duke strode in, his face grave.

The old lady was startled. "What happened?"

The old Duke did not answer, but said to the few people present, "Rong'er and I have something to discuss. You may all leave."

Madam Ming and Madam Xia dared not delay and quickly got out of bed to put on their shoes. Maids stepped forward to help them put on their thick outer coats and then cloaks. The group filed out, their steps hurried.

Yu Er's wife was the last to leave. She carefully placed a potted plant into the bucket, closed the lid, and carried it out. Just as she lifted the cotton curtain, she faintly heard the old Duke's voice drifting over—

"They will detour through Xining Prefecture, allowing us to..."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't dare linger and quickly opened the door and went out.

Later, the old lady sent someone to tell Madam Ming and Madam Xia that she was feeling a little tired and would have dinner separately.

Xia returned to her courtyard and paced back and forth restlessly.

Then someone was sent to tell You Er's wife to bring her a pot of clivia from the flower room.

The You family brought over a pot of clivia and casually mentioned those few words.

Detour through Xining Prefecture!
Xia's heart skipped a beat.

Xining Prefecture is not far from Xiqing Prefecture, but Ming Changqing usually takes the route through Zhangye and Wuwei when returning to the capital—the official road is flat, the post stations are well-established, and the journey is smooth. The route through Xining Prefecture, however, is mountainous and treacherous, and he rarely takes it.

At that moment, she couldn't explain why, but she just felt that those words were related to Ming Changqing.

Later that evening, news came that after leaving the yamen, the Duke and the eldest son went directly to Furong Hall. They discussed matters in the room until late in the evening before dinner was served.

Xia sat alone under the lamp, staring blankly at the dark night outside the window.

Those people were having a private meeting behind closed doors, but they kept her out.

Ming Changqing is coming back, but he's going to marry another woman.

She has lived in the Ming family for so many years, serving the old lady with all her heart, but they have always treated her like an outsider, and even finding her a marriage partner is so difficult.

That's true. Her surname is Xia, not Ming. No matter how much she tried to please or humble herself, that family was always on guard against her.

Xia felt as if her heart was being pierced by needles.

She sighed deeply, rose, and reached into the bottom of her dressing case to retrieve paper and pen. Gazing at the flickering candlelight, she thought for a long time before finally writing two lines:
Ming Changqing's return to the capital this time may involve a detour through Xining Prefecture. There have been frequent secret discussions within the prefecture recently, so the full details are unknown. Furthermore, Ming Shanyue has been frequently absent from the prefecture for nearly a month, and his whereabouts are unclear.

Xia tossed and turned in bed.

The letter was right next to my pillow; it was a thin sheet of paper, yet it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

She knew that once this letter was sent out, it would be like handing over the Ming government's core secrets to her political enemies. If the matter was of great importance, the Ming government would not fare well, and Ming Changqing... might not even be able to save her life.

Should I send it?
She thought about her years in the Ming Mansion, Yan'er's future, the man who never gave her a second glance, and his impending marriage to another woman.

She finally made up her mind.

give away!
She could gain nothing from the Ming family, so rather than staying in this hypocritical home, she might as well fight for a future for Yan'er.

Unfortunately, today is the third day of the lunar month. The next time Uncle Xu will come to sell cakes will be on the twelfth day.

This news is urgent and cannot be delayed for a moment. I must leave the mansion tomorrow.

The next morning, Xia went to Furong Hall to pay her respects.

The old lady looked up at her and frowned. "Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?"

Xia lowered her eyes, which were already red-rimmed, and her voice was a little hoarse: "I don't know why, but I had a dream all night last night..."

She paused, then sniffed. "I dreamt of my father. He was covered in blood, unable to fall or stand. He just stared at me, unable to say a word."

The old lady's expression hardened.

General Xia—the man who died saving his father-in-law.

“General Xia was a fine man.” The old lady said in a deep voice, “He lost his life for our family, and the magistrate has never forgotten him.”

Xia raised her reddened eyes and said in a low voice, "Mother, I want to go to the White Sheep Palace to burn incense for him and recite a few scriptures."

The old lady nodded, a rare tenderness appearing in her eyes. "Go ahead. Burn a few more incense sticks for me and my husband." After thinking for a moment, she added, "I imagine General Xia must be missing his dear granddaughter. Let Yan'er go with him."

Just as Xia was about to bring this up, a hint of joy appeared on her face when she saw the old lady bring it up herself.

He then shamelessly asked, "Mother, about Shanyue and Miss Wan..."

The old lady sighed deeply, "I talked to Shanyue yesterday, but that boy is really infuriating. He won't listen to his old woman, and it makes my husband so angry he wants to beat him up..."

She took Xia's hand and instructed her, "Try to stall the Wan family for a while, and I'll try to persuade him again."

Xia returned to her courtyard to prepare, and then sent a maid to inform Kong Xiyan.

Finally able to go out for some fresh air, Kong Xiyan was as happy as a swallow.

She opened the wardrobe and picked out a set of crimson brocade cotton jacket and a light blue brocade woolen cape.

The maidservant re-combed her hair and put on her makeup before going to find Madam Xia.

The mother and daughter went to the side gate in a sedan chair, and then took a horse-drawn carriage to the White Sheep Palace.

The two sat in the same car, and Xia whispered a few words in Kong Xiyan's ear.

Kong Xiyan asked in bewilderment, "Why?"

Xia's expression was very serious. She whispered, "Do as your mother says, and don't ask so many questions."

Kong Xiyan nodded hastily, realizing that the marriage her mother had arranged for her had completely bypassed the Ming family.

After offering incense, it was already noon.

Kong Xiyan tugged at Xia Shi's sleeve and said coquettishly, "Mother, I want to eat the steamed buns from Xu's Steamed Bun Shop on Dongju Street. My maternal grandfather also likes their steamed buns. After we finish eating, we can buy some to give to my maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother."

Xu's Bamboo Ware Shop is also located on Dongju Street.

Xia frowned slightly, but smiled when she heard what he said next. "Your maternal grandparents didn't spoil you for nothing. Alright, go there."

The group got off the bus at the street corner and strolled around.

I browsed through cosmetics shops, pastry shops, embroidery shops, and bamboo ware shops, buying a variety of items. (End of Chapter)