Jinyi Spring

Ming Shanyue turned to the imperial physician who was waiting to the side.

The imperial physician understood and bowed, saying, "This official agrees with Doctor Feng's opinion. It is already remarkable that Madam Shui has survived."

Ming Shanyue nodded, then looked at Aunt Wang, "Doctor Wang, did you ever say that Doctor Fan could perform episiotomies?"

Aunt Wang knelt down with a thud, her voice trembling but each word clear.

"This old servant never said such a thing! The three female doctors certified by the Imperial Medical Academy to perform episiotomies have all been consulted with you and this old servant, and we have given our approval to those three. But Dr. Fan, this old servant clearly told her that her skills are not good enough and she needs to practice more!"

Dr. Fan suddenly looked up, "Last time I went to Tongji Medical Clinic, you clearly said I could do it!"

She only dared to oppress the lowest-ranking doctor, Wang.

Aunt Wang got anxious. "I'm saying you need to practice more before you can do it! You're not mentally challenged, you can't possibly misunderstand what I'm saying. There were witnesses there, you can't be allowed to talk nonsense!"

Doctor Fan trembled her lips, not daring to speak again.

Xue Jicheng said with a stern face, "You're really a country bumpkin, daring to argue in this situation."

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on Ming Shanyue's face, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I've heard that this Doctor Feng has been treating Madam Ming for a long time, and that you, Lord Ming, are quite familiar with her?"

These words made Feng Chuchen's heart sink.

Ming Shanyue curled her lips into a smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Lord Xue is joking. My parents are the ones I'm familiar with. This Doctor Feng not only treated my mother, but also used the Yin Shen Acupuncture on the Fifth Prince, and treated Princess Yanghe, Princess Zhao, and Princess Qin. Those noble ladies should be quite familiar with Doctor Feng."

He paused, his tone casual as if he were chatting, "Speaking of which, if I remember correctly, the third young lady of the Xue family and Doctor Feng are old acquaintances, and they even have a case against each other."

Feng Chuchen wanted to applaud those words, but her eyes remained expressionless, and she stood there like a fool.

The Prince of Shu waved his hand impatiently, his face ashen. "If you two gentlemen wish to reminisce, you can do so later. For now, let's discuss what crime that vile woman committed against my sixth daughter-in-law."

The female physician, Ms. Fan, knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly until blood quickly seeped from her forehead. "I'm innocent! I consulted with the Princess Consort beforehand, and she gave her approval before I dared to make the incision..."

The Princess Consort of Shu County retorted angrily, "You audacious lowly servant, how dare you try to implicate me! If you hadn't said you could do it, how could I have let you do it!"

Xue Jicheng cupped his hands to the Prince and Princess of Shu and said slowly, "Your Highness, please calm down. Your Highness, please calm down. This case is of great importance. I will handle it according to the law and will not protect anyone."

He glanced at everyone in the room and said calmly, "Alright, you may all leave."

Apart from Dr. Fan, Feng Chuchen and the others filed out.

Xue Jicheng's gaze seemed glued to that slender figure.

Her appearance...

A sudden flash of inspiration struck Xue Jicheng.

That girl looks somewhat like Qingxin, the nun from Zixia Nunnery!

His expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly. "I have urgent business to attend to immediately. I will leave the rest to Lord Ming."

Ming Shanyue's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface, simply cupping his hands in a casual gesture, "Please go ahead, Lord Xue."

He then instructed those around him, "Take Fan Ru back to the imperial prison and continue the interrogation."

Fan Ru burst into tears in fright. Ming Shan Yue hated the Xue family. If Lord Xue weren't here, wouldn't Ming Shan Yue take revenge and do everything in her power to torment her?

She cried out, "Lord Xue, I'm innocent! I didn't murder anyone, it was just an accident..."

Xue Jicheng no longer cared about her and strode out the door.

As he passed through the corridor, the figure in front of him had just turned past the screen wall and disappeared into the twilight. He stared at it intently for a moment, then strode to the front yard, mounted his horse, and rode away.

"drive--"

A dozen or so fast horses burst out of the alley and galloped towards the North Victory Gate. As dusk settled, pedestrians on the street screamed and scattered in all directions, cursing as they went.

Ming Shanyue led his men to escort Fan Ru out of the Shu Prince's mansion.

He sat on his horse, his gaze dark as he looked toward the north of the city. He turned back to Song Xian and said, "I have important business to attend to. Take Fan Ru back to the imperial prison and interrogate her thoroughly. Make sure you find the mastermind behind this."

Song Xian understood immediately, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate obeys."

When Xue and Cheng left Beisheng Gate, the sky was already filled with stars. The mountains and fields were silent, with only the soft sound of horses' hooves crushing the night frost.

The group continued on their way without stopping, heading straight for Zixia Temple.

Outside the nunnery, there were guards from the Flying Eagle Guards, and inside, several old women looked after the nunnery, all under the personal supervision of Commander Xie. However, Xue Jicheng was the deputy commander, and as long as Qingxin wasn't harmed, those people would still listen to him. Besides, some of them were originally his men.

The melodious evening drum is still ringing out, one beat after another, piercing through the deep night.

Xue Jicheng dismounted and pounded on the temple gate. With a creak, the hinges turned, startling a roosting bird under the eaves.

He whispered a few words to an old woman who came to greet him, and the woman nodded and hurried towards the back hall. Xue Jicheng, however, was in no hurry. He walked around the front hall with his hands behind his back, taking measured steps, before slowly heading to the back.

The sound of chanting emanated from the main hall, the ethereal chanting harmonizing with the drumbeats, as if it were a sound drifting from another world.

Upon arriving at the monastery, the gates were wide open. Lanterns hung under the eaves, casting a dim yellow glow, in which an old woman was talking to a thin nun.

The nun's face was facing outwards, and she was clearly illuminated by the lamplight under the eaves and the starlight in the sky.

Xue Jicheng paused in his steps.

Those eyes were as big as apricots, yet empty and devoid of any spirit. Her chin was as sharp as an awl, her cheeks were deeply sunken, and her skin clung to her bones, like a piece of dry firewood squeezed dry by the years.

Xue Jicheng tried hard to recall what she looked like when she was young, as beautiful as flower petals in the rain and mist, as delicate as apricot blossoms just beginning to bloom on a branch.

The person in front of me is just a skeletal frame supporting a pale skin; there is no trace of his former self.

Another face appeared before his eyes: thick eyebrows, large and clear eyes, thin cheeks, thin and tightly pursed lips, and a slightly square chin.

She stood there, stiff and cold, exuding an aloofness that seemed unapproachable. She was not quite a woman, yet lacked femininity. She was not quite a man, yet possessed an inexplicable, otherworldly air.

In terms of temperament and appearance, Feng Chuchen and this nun bear no resemblance whatsoever.

Qingxin seemed to sense something and turned her head to look outside the courtyard. A strange man was standing there staring intently into the courtyard.

Her expression suddenly changed drastically. She turned and went into the meditation room. The curtain fell, obscuring her gaunt figure.

Xue Jicheng stood outside the courtyard and let out a long breath.

His nerves, which had been on edge for so long, finally relaxed. He gave a self-deprecating smile; he had been too tense and paranoid these past few days.

If Feng Chuchen really was that brat, Ming Shanyue couldn't have failed to notice. No matter how bold he was, he wouldn't dare leave her in the capital, letting her go to see doctors everywhere and even appear before him.

Xue Jicheng glanced at the closed door again, then turned and left.

Behind them, the chanting of Buddhist scriptures continued, but the evening drum had fallen silent. (End of Chapter)