Jinyi Spring

Feng Chuchen could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her face. Yet, a smile played on her lips as she cried.

"I look a lot like you, don't I?"

Her voice trembled, "My brother, my uncle, Princess Changning, Princess Yanghe, they all said the same thing."

Xiao Wan was shocked as she held his hand and stared at the familiar face.

Feng Chuchen continued, "Mother, I am your own daughter. Sixteen years ago, I didn't die. It was Doctor Cai who saved me. She used acupuncture to make me hold my breath and pretend to be dead, thus escaping death. The loyal minister Wang Tu dug me out of the pit in Qingmiao Mountain and carried me to Qingwei Marsh, where my aunt rescued me and raised me to adulthood..."

Her tears slid down her cheeks, one drop at a time, landing on her clothes.

"I later met Lord Ming. The Ming family never believed that my mother could give birth to 'Red Hare'. After receiving a hint from Wen Qian, they began to investigate the case and found out that I was the princess that Wang Tu had rescued. After my elder brother left the palace, along with my uncle and the Imperial Son-in-Law Shangguan, they protected me and found a way to rescue my mother."

She looked up at Xiao Wan through her tear-filled eyes, her eyes filled with laughter and light, "Now, they are doing everything they can to clear my name and my name."

Xiao Wan stared blankly at Feng Chuchen, as if listening to a distant and unbelievable story, or as if repeatedly confirming the truth of the story.

After a long time, she finally understood.

No wonder this girl looked so familiar, no wonder she had a birthmark, it turns out she was my own daughter!

In those large eyes, an unbelievable, overwhelming joy surged up like a tidal wave. She suddenly pulled Feng Chuchen into a tight embrace, holding her so tightly that it was as if she wanted to knead the sixteen years of separation into her very bones.

She buried her head in Feng Chuchen's shoulder, muffled her sobs into her daughter's clothes, her whole body trembling violently.

“My daughter…my daughter…” She choked up, barely able to speak, each word feeling like it was being ripped from her heart, “It’s all my fault, I’m useless…I failed to protect you…”

Feng Chuchen said through tears, "It's not Mother's fault. There are so many wicked people around you, and they have bad intentions. What could you do?"

She sniffed and forced a smile. "Fortunately, there are still loyal ministers and good people in this world. They bravely faced death and endured countless hardships just to save us..."

Xiao Wan cupped Feng Chuchen's face in his hands, gazing at her with tenderness.

With a trembling voice, she asked, "Daughter, how have you lived all these years? You must have suffered a lot, haven't you?"

Feng Chuchen shook her head, "My aunt's family treated me extremely well. I never went hungry, never got cold, and never suffered. I even learned some skills to heal and save lives..."

The two of them cried, laughed, and talked, their tears flowing endlessly.

After an unknown amount of time, Mu Jin and Shaoyao gently pushed open the door and entered. One carried a copper basin, from which steam rose. The other carried a tray with several kinds of food on it.

Feng Chuchen wiped away her tears and helped Xiao Wan to her feet. "Mother, are you hungry? Wash your face and eat something first."

She supported Xiao Wan, calling out "Mother" so naturally, as if they had never been apart.

After the two washed their faces, Feng Chuchen personally helped her mother put on the crimson jacquard brocade jacket and the bright blue jacquard brocade skirt, which made Xiao Wan feel a little embarrassed.

She raised her hand again and touched the hat on her head, which was completely different from the one she wore every day.

It's not a monk's hat anymore.

She paused, tears welling in her eyes again, but she was smiling. Finally free from that cage, she was no longer a nun.

The two sat down at the table hand in hand.

On the table were two bowls of thick, sticky millet porridge, pickled cucumbers, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, steamed radish balls, a small steamed bun, and a plate of osmanthus cake.

They were all ordinary foods, steaming hot, exuding the warmth and comfort of everyday life.

Xiao Wan was starving, but she only ate half a bowl of porridge, two meatballs, a small steamed bun, and a few pieces of vegetables.

Having not eaten meat for sixteen years, my body couldn't handle greasy food and could only eat light and soft dishes.

Looking at Feng Chuchen's distressed gaze, Xiao Wan smiled and said, "My body is worn out; I don't know how much longer I can live. To be able to see my daughter before I die is already a blessing from heaven."

Feng Chuchen's nose tingled with emotion. "Mother, I am a miracle doctor. I will definitely be able to cure your health."

Xiao Wan smiled gently. Whether her daughter could be cured or not, she was content.

After the meal, Xiao Wan, supported by Feng Chuchen, went to the main hall and earnestly clasped her hands in thanks to the three wolves, the dog, and the bird. She then bowed towards the outside, thanking those who had carried her from the mountains. Finally, she bowed to the sky, thanking those who had died saving her daughter.

It was completely dark outside, with the cold stars twinkling. A cold wind howled, rattling the paper windows and making the room feel even warmer.

Feng Chuchen helped Xiao Wan, and the mother and daughter slowly paced around the room a few times. Once Xiao Wan's breathing had calmed down a bit, Feng Chuchen took out a small porcelain bottle from the cabinet and poured out two vermilion pills.

“My mother is blessed. Last year, the Cephalosporin family brought back an exceptionally large ginseng. The pharmacist said it was at least several thousand years old. I used it with more than a dozen other medicinal herbs to make Rongyang Dan.”

As she served Xiao Wan water, she explained softly, "This kind of elixir is the best for strengthening the body and replenishing vital energy, slowly restoring what's been depleted. Once Mother takes it, she will have a solid foundation, and any further supplements will be able to be absorbed."

Xiao Wan swallowed the pill and felt a warm sensation slowly spreading from his abdomen, as if his limbs and bones were being supported by something soft.

She looked at her daughter, her eyes full of smiles, "It's rare that those wolves were so intelligent, and it's rare that my daughter is so capable. Perhaps I really can live a few more years."

Feng Chuchen smiled and said, "I've made some more Rongyang Pills with century-old ginseng. After we finish these good ones, we'll take those. Although they're not as good as thousand-year-old ginseng, taking them regularly will gradually nourish our bodies."

As Xiao Wan listened, a sense of peace he had never felt before welled up inside him. This peace of mind did not come from the pills themselves, but from the long and meticulous plans in his daughter's words.

She had thought she was already a withered tree, living one day at a time. But now, looking at the face before her that resembled a shadow in her memory, yet was different, she suddenly felt that she could live a few more years.

I want to live to see my daughter get married, to live to hold my grandson and granddaughter, to live to... make up for the sixteen years I missed with my daughter, little by little.

After washing up, the two lay down side by side on the bed, covered with the same blanket, and continued talking.

As Xiao Wan listened to Feng Chuchen recount her life from childhood to adulthood, tears streamed down her face.

She kept saying, "Amitabha, thank you Dr. Cai, thank you General Wang, thank you Dr. Feng, thank you Lord Ming... Without them, my daughter would really be gone."

She gently stroked her daughter's face, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection. "Look at me, I've been talking for so long, and I still don't know my daughter's name." (End of Chapter)