Chapter 74 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 74:

Rescuing a beauty is a labor of love.

The midwife carried the swaddled infant out of the inner chamber and went straight to Old Madam Li. The child appeared thin and small, weighing no more than three or four pounds, lying listlessly in the midwife's arms. Like a frost-bitten eggplant, even his cries lacked vigor.

Old Madam Li felt disgust in her heart. She only glanced at the baby once before turning away indifferently. She gave faint instructions to the staff at the Furui Pavilion to take good care of him, then left with Zhang Mama. She showed no concern for Madam Lin's condition, not uttering a single word of inquiry.

Ouyang Zhi looked at the frail infant, disappointment evident in his eyes. He remarked casually, "He's quite delicate." With that, he started to leave. Wang Mama hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Master, about Madam's situation..."

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"What else is there?! Haven't I already decided on the child's name?" Ouyang Zhi's tone carried a hint of impatience.

Beside him, Li Yue'e glanced towards the inner chamber, a cold smile playing on her lips. She had added a certain herb to the snow ginseng, specifically for postpartum conditions like phlegm stagnation and abdominal pain in women. Once the cold properties of the herb took effect, Madam Lin could forget about conceiving again for the rest of her life.

Li Yue'e had no intention of letting Madam Lin die, but she couldn't allow her to live comfortably either. Li Yue'e's smile grew brighter as she exchanged congratulations with Wang Mama before leaving with Wang Jiaoxing, accompanying Ouyang Zhi back home.

Ouyang Nuan looked at the frail child with a hint of sympathy on her face. "It seems the little brother is quite weak. We should get a doctor to check on him as soon as possible."

Wang Mama hurriedly snatched the swaddled baby back, cradling him protectively as if he were a treasure, fearing any actions from Ouyang Nuan that might be detrimental to the child. However, Ouyang Nuan just smiled faintly. "Wang Mama, take good care of Madam. I'll come to visit her again tomorrow."

In the end, only Madam Lin, Wang Mama, and Ouyang Ke remained in the inner chamber. Ouyang Ke looked at her newborn brother, Ouyang Hao, with a somewhat strange expression on her face. "Mother, why does this child seem like he won't grow—so thin and small?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Wang Mama hurriedly interjected, then felt her tone was too harsh and quickly lowered her voice. "Miss, newborn babies are always like this. You're still young and haven't seen much. He'll grow with time." However, she couldn't help but think to herself that this premature and frail-looking child might have difficulty surviving. But such thoughts couldn't be voiced in front of Madam.

Madam Lin was extremely tired, unable to utter a word as she leaned against the head of the bed. Ever since she heard that Ouyang Zhi and Li Yue'e had left, she had no desire to speak. At this moment, she simply looked at the child in the swaddle, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Madam, let's have Doctor Qian come later to take a look and prescribe some tonic soups to help the young master grow stronger," Wang Mama said cautiously.

Hearing the faint cries of Ouyang Hao and the nanny soothing him, Madam Lin frowned slightly, nodding. "Go ahead immediately."

When Doctor Qian arrived at the Furuai Institute, the sky was already bright. Madam Lin lay on the bed, feeling drowsy. Doctor Qian first checked her pulse, and Wang Mama quickly asked, "Is Madam alright?"

Doctor Qian nodded and inquired of Lixiang, who had been caring for Madam all night. "How is Madam's spirits?"

"Her spirits are alright!" Lixiang replied, "She's just very tired, so she fell asleep."

Doctor Qian grunted in acknowledgment and then turned to Wang Mama. "To prevent further exhaustion of her vitality, we need to administer some warming tonics."

Relieved that there was no serious issue, Wang Mama nodded repeatedly. "Doctor Qian, please hurry and check on our young master."

Doctor Qian approached the cradle and carefully examined Ouyang Hao, who was crying incessantly. A strange expression crossed his face as he reached out to feel the baby's forehead. "How come he's running a fever?"

Wang Mama was taken aback, then immediately scolded the nearby nanny, Madam Gao. "How come you didn't notice that the young master has a fever?"

Madam Gao was startled and hastily knelt down. "I... I..." At twenty-five years old, with her own young son having just been weaned, and with an abundance of milk, she had taken on this job.

Originally, there were six wet nurses who applied for the position. After much consideration, Madam Lin and Wang Mama chose Madam Gao for her youthfulness, gentleness, and plain appearance, which they believed would not attract trouble. Madam Gao had secretly rejoiced at this opportunity. However, she never expected that on her very first day caring for the young master, something would go wrong, leaving her pale with fear.

"Let me take a look," Doctor Qian interjected, bending down to examine the baby closely. After a moment of careful examination, he murmured, "This isn't right... There's heat toxin in this child's body!"

"Is it... is it because... the madam used snow ginseng during childbirth?" Wang Mama was alarmed at this suggestion, her eyes filled with terror. Could it be that Miss had harmed the young master?

Doctor Qian shook his head repeatedly. "No, no... Snow ginseng is a rare commodity and wouldn't cause this kind of harm to a child. Based on the current situation, it seems more like something from before..." He didn't finish his sentence, just stared at Wang Mama. Understanding dawned on her instantly. Doctor Qian had previously mentioned that the madam's health could leave future offspring with health issues, carrying heat toxins in their bodies. It was the Old Madam's fault... She urgently grabbed Doctor Qian's arm, her voice trembling. "What should we do?"

Doctor Qian examined for a while and said to the wet nurse, "The young master's swaddling is too tight, which hinders the dispersion of the heat toxins in his body. Loosen the swaddling a bit."

The wet nurse was puzzled. "Wouldn't the young master catch a cold like this?"

But Wang Mama snapped at her, saying, "Follow Doctor Qian's instructions quickly!"

The wet nurse dared not argue further and quickly loosened the swaddling. However, as her hand touched the young master's chest, she exclaimed, "Young master, he..."

Doctor Qian took a look and saw a swollen, red lump on the young master's chest, resembling a terrifying bulge. He was stunned, his face immediately turning pale. He muttered, "The toxicity is so severe!"

Wang Mama, trembling with fear, almost collapsed in shock. However, she clenched her teeth and held on, thinking bitterly about the Old Madam's viciousness. Her schemes hadn't caused the Madam to miscarry at the time, but they had left behind this poison, endangering the young master!

"I'll prescribe two doses of medicine. Mix them with breast milk for the young master to take. As for the rest... we'll see tomorrow." Doctor Qian's face was grim, his voice tinged with lingering anxiety. "As for the madam's condition..."

Fang Mama glanced at Lin Wanru, who was already asleep not far away, and whispered anxiously, "Let's not tell Madam for now..."

The next day, when Doctor Qian felt the swelling on the child's body, he saw that it was filled with pus. So he uncovered the bandage and gently squeezed it. But when the child cried sharply, the pus shot out like arrows. Doctor Qian's hand trembled, and he exchanged a glance with Wang Mama. After forcefully draining the pus from the abscess, Doctor Qian personally applied medicine to treat Ouyang Hao.

Wang Mama had refrained from telling Madam Lin, so she could only ask softly, "Doctor Qian, the young master is still so young... Is this medicine..."

"Just some mild herbal medicines like Qiang Shen, Rou Dou, and Jia Da should be gentle enough and pose no harm," Doctor Qian said, though he himself wasn't entirely confident. He had encountered cases of infants born with internal heat toxins before, but none had survived.

He prescribed herbal medicines for internal consumption such as Codonopsis pilosula, Angelica sinensis, and Typha angustifolia. However, by nightfall, the child became even more restless and cried incessantly, vomiting up all the milk he had consumed. Doctor Qian dared not leave, and seeing the child flushed with heat and his pulse even more alarming, he realized that the excess Yang energy was overwhelming the Yin, leading to potential complications. He quickly changed his treatment to a cooling and nourishing prescription. However, this matter could no longer be concealed...

"What?" Madam Lin's face changed dramatically upon hearing that the child was born with heat toxins.

"Madam, the doctor said that the warm-tonifying treatment did not work and even had adverse effects. Now, the only option is to nourish the Yin and neutralize the toxins, and then observe the situation," Wang Mama dared not conceal anymore and cautiously revealed the truth.

Her tone made Madam Lin feel a sense of ominous foreboding. She released Wang Mama's hand and forced herself to sit up from the bed.

Ouyang Hao lay in the ebony cradle, with the nanny Madam Gao wiping his body with a cloth. Doctor Qian frowned as he whispered something to Lixiang. Madam Lin walked over, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on Ouyang Hao in the cradle.

The people around gradually noticed her presence, and the nanny's expression became fearful. She immediately retreated to the side, holding a cloth. Madam Lin walked over to the cradle.

Doctor Qian saw her and his expression turned grim. "Madam, I've done everything I could, but the young master doesn't seem to be doing well—"

Madam Lin turned her head and looked at Doctor Qian sharply. "How could it have come to this? What exactly happened?"

Doctor Qian took a step forward, his expression grave as he said to Madam Lin, "Madam, please look here."

Madam Lin widened her eyes as Doctor Qian lifted the blanket covering the child, a foul odor hitting them. "Madam, take a look..."

Despite some prior understanding from Wang Mama's words, Madam Lin couldn't help but feel stunned when she saw the situation under the blanket. Her heart seemed to sink into icy water, cold and numb. There was a festering sore on the child's chest, already rotten and discolored.

Madam Lin's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

Originally, Old Madam Li intended for Madam Lin to miscarry, but Madam Lin's robust health and the child's maturity prevented it. However, no one anticipated such a dire outcome.

Doctor Qian whispered, "Madam, the young master was born with internal heat toxins. Despite my efforts since yesterday, his condition worsened due to weakness in both yin and yang, phlegm blockages in the meridians, poor blood circulation, and the presence of heat toxins and blood phlegm, resulting in the festering sore and subsequent decay. I've exhausted all methods, but due to his young age, heavy medication is not advisable. The decay is beyond control now, and it's getting worse. I fear that..."

Madam Lin couldn't believe it and urgently pleaded, "Doctor Qian, you must have a way to save him, don't you? Think of something! I went through so much to keep this child. How can he be lost like this?" Her eyes reddened slightly, filled with hope.

Wang Mama choked up and said, "Doctor Qian, you must find a solution, or at least guide us to someone who can treat this disease. We'll find another way..."

Doctor Qian looked at the hopeful faces before him and shook his head heavily. "Madam, even if the renowned Hua Tuo[1] were here, it would be beyond his power."

Madam Lin stared at Doctor Qian intensely, almost frightening him. Without thinking, he said, "Madam, you should prepare yourself... I'll report this to Master Ouyang and the Old Madam..."

"Stop!" Madam Lin said icily, causing Doctor Qian to halt his steps just as he was about to leave. He felt as if Madam Lin's eyes were ablaze with fire and frost at the same time. Her voice pierced through him like a dagger stabbing at his heart, sharp and merciless.

Madam Lin glanced at him and then slowly surveyed her surroundings. Her mind felt like a massive stone, heavy and sluggish, rolling slowly and laboriously. Her indifferent gaze swept over Doctor Qian, the silent nurse Gao, and the trembling maid Lixiang.

Upon seeing Madam Lin's demeanor, Wang Mama panicked. Her face turned pale, her hands trembled uncontrollably, and large beads of sweat dripped down her neck. She knelt down, clutching Madam Lin's skirt desperately, "Madam, please, you must calm down..."

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck through Madam Lin's mind, causing her entire body to tremble violently!

How could she remain so calm? What was she planning to do? Everyone looked at her in panic, afraid to speak. Wang Mama dared not utter a word either, for the expression on Madam Lin's face was terrifyingly cold!

"I don't care what methods you use, but you must keep him alive with medicine, at least for a month!" There was a strange gleam in Madam Lin's eyes, as if she had been bestowed with a terrible power. "And as for all of you, there are only five people here. If today's events leak out, none of you will survive!"

Doctor Qian's face twitched uncontrollably as he lowered his head, unable to meet Madam Lin's terrifying gaze.

Wang Mama closed her eyes, tears streaming down her high cheekbones, rolling along her plump cheeks and falling silently.

Nurse Gao trembled from head to toe, her whole body shaking. She knelt on the ground, no one offering to help her up, and she had no strength left to even rise. She never expected to be caught up in such a situation, feeling as if her mind was empty and she had nothing left.

Lixiang glanced at the infant in the cradle, whose breath was feeble and barely discernible. She felt her heart pounding with panic, her breath turning icy cold.

"I cannot lose! I absolutely cannot lose!" Madam Lin said coldly, her demeanor carrying a terrifying force that silenced everyone, rendering them speechless.

Twenty hurried days passed by. Madam Lin insisted on keeping the child secluded, weakened and vulnerable to any draft, refusing visits from anyone, even denying Ouyang Ke the chance to see his own brother. Everyone found this behavior exceedingly strange but dared not voice their concerns.

Initially, Old Madam Li paid no attention to the child, but as time went on, she grew suspicious. She feared that her own fortunes might be affected by any ill omen, and though she never set foot in the Furui Courtyard, she sent Li Yiniang to inquire about what Madam Lin was up to under the pretext of visiting.

At the Furui Courtyard, Wang Mama had just lifted the curtain from the inner room when she noticed the servant girl Huar drawing water with a look of anxiety. Wang Mama furrowed her brow and scolded, "What are you peeping around for? Don't you know Madam is taking her afternoon nap? You're becoming more and more unruly!"

Huar felt extremely aggrieved but dared not retort. She trembled as she spoke, "Wang Mama, Li Yiniang is here and insists on seeing Madam. Please go check it out. Lixiang sister couldn't stop her!"

Wang Mama was taken aback, her anger turning into amusement. "I don't know what I'm feeding you for! You can't even stop a person from coming in. Tomorrow, when Madam returns, I'll make sure to drive you all out!" Without waiting for Huar to explain, she hurried out. As she reached the corridor, she saw Li Yiniang standing there with a cold expression, and Lixiang standing beside her looking troubled.

"Li Yiniang," Wang Mama suppressed her anger and forced a smile as she greeted Li Yiniang. Li Yiniang tried to reach out to her, but Wang Mama swiftly avoided her and approached Lixiang. With a heavy swing of her hand, she delivered a resounding slap to Lixiang's face.

Li Yiniang was stunned, her face suddenly turning ugly.

Wang Mama ignored Li Yiniang and instead pointed at Lixiang, scolding, "Do you even remember the rules of the mansion? Do you know where you are? What is Madam's status? She just gave birth and is the great contributor to the Ouyang family. Her body is still weak, yet you choose to cause a scene at this moment. You've been too indulged in the past, forgetting completely your own status, daring to throw a tantrum here! Do you really think you're the legitimate mistress carried in a grand sedan chair through the main entrance? Bah!"

Lixiang's face immediately turned swollen and red. She turned away silently, tears streaming down her face. After finishing her scolding, Wang Mama turned to the maidservants guarding the door and said, "What are you all looking at? Why haven't you dragged her out yet? Is she going to stand here and be a nuisance?"

The maidservants at the door exchanged glances, but Lixiang quickly understood the situation and swiftly turned and left.

Wang Mama didn't bother with her and turned to give Li Yiniang a cold smile. "Auntie Li, what business do you have with Madam?"

Her sharp words left Li Yiniang at a loss for words. She turned and left, stopping in the courtyard for a moment before forcing a smile back at Wang Mama. "I didn't intend to disturb. It's just that the Old Madam instructed me to come and visit Madam. Since Madam is resting, I won't disturb her. I'll take my leave."

With that, she quickly walked out of the courtyard, leaving Wang Mama to spit angrily on the ground.

Li Yiniang, feeling aggrieved, went straight to Shou'an Hall to complain. Coincidentally, Ouyang Nuan was having tea with Madame Li. Seeing this, Old Madam Li said to Ouyang Nuan, "Since that's the case, it's time for Nuan'er to make a trip. Also, ask whether they're still planning the full moon celebration."

Old Madam Li's intention wasn't really to hold a full moon celebration for Ouyang Hao but rather to probe into Madam Lin's situation. Ouyang Nuan lowered his long eyelashes slightly, lips pursed as he lightly responded, "Yes."

An hour later, Ouyang Nuan arrived at the Furui Court only to find Madam Lin already awake, dressed in a pink narrow-sleeved jacket with a jade-colored Luo skirt and wearing a high-necked embroidered cloud shoulder piece.

Her thick black hair was piled high, and she sat calmly in the courtyard, cradling a red brocade embroidered swaddling cloth with a hundred sons pattern. Occasionally, she affectionately pressed her face against the little hat peeking out of the swaddling cloth, looking gentle and loving.

However, Ouyang Nuan noticed that despite Madam Lin's heavy makeup, she couldn't conceal the deep shadows under her phoenix eyes, clearly indicating a very haggard appearance.

Upon seeing Ouyang Nuan approaching, Madam Lin smiled faintly. "Nuan'er, what brings you here today?" She then turned to Madam Gao beside her and said, "The little master is hungry. Go and feed him!"

"Yes," Madam Gao lowered her head respectfully, took the child, and settled on a blue-and-white porcelain stool nearby. She promptly unbuttoned her blouse and began nursing the baby. Madam Lin kept her eyes fixed on them.

"Is the little brother feeling better?" Ouyang Nuan had just taken a step closer when Madam Lin quickly stood up, positioning herself in front of her with a hint of vigilance in her eyes.

Could she possibly think that Nuan'er would harm Ouyang Hao in front of everyone? Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly, finding Madam Lin's behavior rather amusing. If she wanted the child's life, why would she have saved her with snow ginseng? Wouldn't it have been quicker to take both lives then and there?

Madam Lin still appeared wary and instructed Madam Gao beside her, "Although the weather is warm now, there's still a chill in the air. Hurry and take the little master back inside, be careful not to let him catch a cold."

Madam Gao bowed her head and replied, "Madam, rest assured, this servant understands." With that, she briskly carried the child back inside. Ouyang Nuan watched her trembling shoulders with a faint smile. "This nurse seems quite gentle."

"She's very dull, hardly says a word or moves a muscle! She doesn't even know how to attend to the child when he cries at night, truly useless," Madam Lin said coldly.

Ouyang Nuan chuckled, "In that case, why not replace her with someone more intelligent and reliable?"

Madam Lin paused, a hint of a smile appearing on her face. "Forget it, she does take good care of Hao'er after all. And finding a better candidate may not be easy. Let's wait and see. Nuan'er, what brings you here today?"

"Grandmother sent me to inquire about who should be invited to Hao'er's full moon celebration," Ouyang Nuan replied with a smile.

"A full moon celebration?" Madam Lin's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but she maintained a smiling demeanor. "His health is delicate. Having a full moon celebration would require him to be brought out for everyone to see. I'm afraid it might not be good for him to be exposed to the wind."

Ouyang Nuan carefully observed Madam Lin's expression, a hint of doubt crossing her mind, but she merely smiled and said, "It's our brother's full moon celebration, how can we not host a banquet? These past few days, Second Uncle has commissioned tailors to make many clothes for the baby! Later, Auntie Li will have them sent to you. Second Aunt even said she wants to see the baby properly during the celebration. If you refuse to host it, they might feel disappointed."

Lin Wenyuan was delighted that his sister had given birth to a son. He deliberately had many children's clothes made and sent over, including all kinds - silk, padded, cotton, leather, shoes, hats, robes, jackets - tailored from the size the child was born to around ten years old. They were truly magnificent and splendid. To make it even more grand, they were adorned with gold locks and tassels, selected on an auspicious day, accompanied by drums and music, and paraded through several streets all the way to the Ouyang residence.

With all this, it seemed inevitable to hold the full moon celebration! Madam Lin wiped her eyes, which were slightly narrowed against the dazzling sunlight, seeming like two clusters of sharp light. When she raised her eyes and saw Ouyang Nuan smiling at her, her heart skipped a beat, and she remained silent for a while without replying.

"Mother, what's the matter?" Given Madam Lin's character, she naturally wanted everyone in the world to know about the birth of her son. However, she was now staying indoors as if hoping no one would know about it, which was indeed quite strange. Ouyang Nuan looked at Madam Lin, her smile carrying a hint of curiosity.

Being stared at by her like this, Madam Lin unconsciously felt a bit uneasy. However, she maintained her noble and dignified smile, forcing herself to remain calm as she said, "In that case, I leave everything to you, Nuan'er."

"Yes, Nuan'er and Auntie Li will definitely make the baby's full moon banquet lively and festive. Please rest assured, Mother," Ouyang Nuan said with a smile.

Listening to Nuan'er's words, Madam Lin looked outside the window, where clusters of flowers were blooming abundantly, casting their reflections on the gauze curtains. The branches swayed in the wind, carrying a fragrant scent, rippling arrogantly in the room.

Hongyu served a cup of tea and whispered, "Miss, I always feel that Madam's behavior is a bit strange."

"Oh, do tell me," Ouyang Nuan said, delicately fiddling with a snow-white fan, her expression pensive.

Hongyu paused for a moment before replying, "Madam used to find ways to suppress you in the past, but ever since she gave birth to this child, she's become a different person. She treats you with smiles and concessions everywhere, as if—"

Ouyang Nuan interrupted with a soft chuckle, "As if she's returned to how she used to be, isn't it?" Hongyu asked, "Yes. I wonder if there's some other reason behind it..."

"When things are abnormal, there must be a demon lurking," Ouyang Nuan said, tapping the table gently with the snow-white fan. After a moment of contemplation, she whispered, "We must be careful."

"But, miss, what should we do now?" Hongyu hesitated for a moment before asking involuntarily.

Ouyang Nuan smiled, "Now? Now we should go to the most famous gold shop in the capital and buy a gift to celebrate my younger brother's full moon."

"Miss..." Hongyu's eyes widened in surprise.

The Ouyang family's carriage traveled smoothly through the bustling streets of the capital. At this hour, the streets were already crowded with vendors and people. Everywhere, there were vendors selling snacks, and the air was filled with the cries of fried snacks, tofu, soy milk, tofu pudding, and assorted soups.

On bustling stalls, kites hung with the words "fortune and prosperity" fluttered, along with various exquisite hairpins, sachets, and different types of household items... People of all walks of life could be seen on the streets, from farmers in waistbands and cloth clothes to scholars in long robes, as well as young and beautiful girls with veils, chatting and laughing softly as they passed by. It was truly lively.

The carriage was moving smoothly until it reached the East Street, where it was suddenly rammed by a drunken man. The man, astride a black horse, holding a jug in one hand and a cup in the other, staggered out and blocked the path of the procession!

The coachman was shocked and panicked, pulling hard on the reins, causing the entire carriage to jolt abruptly. Hongyu, startled, fearing for Ouyang Nuan's safety, instinctively rushed forward to hold her tightly! Meanwhile, the horses neighed loudly, and the coachman shouted, "Get out of the way!"

It turned out that the horses pulling the carriage were startled, rearing up and charging forward suddenly. The coachman, who had been holding the reins, lost his balance and fell off the horse. The horses bolted towards the government office, scattering the onlookers, who cried out in alarm.

In the midst of the chaos, a young man in tattered clothes leaped onto one of the horses' backs. He grabbed the reins with both hands and kicked the horse's belly vigorously, shouting loudly in an attempt to control the animal. The horse bucked and kicked, trying to throw him off, but the young man persisted, drawing the attention of the crowd, who watched nervously, awaiting the outcome.

Hongyu held onto Ouyang Nuan tightly, her heart pounding in her throat, as if it might leap out of her mouth at any moment. At first, she couldn't believe what she was seeing, but then her mind was flooded with countless questions. How could Horse, Feng, who had been so calm, suddenly become startled? Who was the man outside? What if they couldn't stop the horses? A series of questions raced through her mind as she stared wide-eyed at Ouyang Nuan, trembling with fear. Her voice was thick with tears as she spoke, "Miss! What do we do?"

Her crying voice felt like a heavy blow to Ouyang Nuan's heart. She felt a sinking sensation in her chest, as if something heavy was pulling her down. Gripping Hongyu's hand tightly, she sternly said, "Don't be afraid! Stay calm!" She didn't know what had just happened either, but in moments like these, panic and fear were of no use!

The young man in crimson riding on horseback tightened the reins with both hands and pressed his legs hard against the horse's sides. He struggled to control the horse's frenzy while also protecting the carriage from tipping over. However, the horse was too startled, and he found it difficult to restrain. Just as he was pulling hard on the reins, his vision suddenly blurred, and he felt a lightness in his hand. The reins he had been holding were snatched away. The newcomer, dressed in black silk, his clothes fluttering in the wind, held the reins tightly, his narrow eyes exuding a formidable aura.

"Cousin Zhonghua!" Xiao Qinghan was momentarily stunned, then his face lit up with surprise.

After a struggle, the newcomer finally managed to calm the horse. As he rode over with the carriage in tow, the crowd couldn't help but cheer. Dismounting from his horse, he handed the reins to the pale-faced, terrified coachman.

Ouyang Nuan stepped forward to open the carriage door, parting the curtains, and only then did she see the situation outside. Before she could react, Xiao Qinghan had already rushed to the front of the carriage, his voice filled with surprise, "It's you, Miss Ouyang!"

He could only see the hem of the woman's skirt from his perspective, a blue skirt unfolding like a cluster of flowers in a morning garden under the sunlight, tied at the waist with a golden ribbon, stunningly beautiful.

Outside, several people were already peeking into the carriage, eager to catch a glimpse of the beauty within. Hongyu panicked and quickly let go of the curtain she was holding.

Xiao Qinghan, however, shamelessly attempted to lift the curtain again, only to be stopped by Xiao Zhonghua grabbing the collar of his shirt. Annoyed, he shouted loudly, "Hey, Miss Ouyang, I'm the one who saved you! Shouldn't you at least get off the carriage and thank me? Don't you want to show your face?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Ouyang Nuan steadied her nerves and raised her voice, "Thank you, Prince Yun, for your help."

Xiao Qinghan chuckled and replied, "Don't mention it, Miss. I just happened to pass by." Yeah, right. If he hadn't seen the Ouyang family's carriage, he wouldn't have bothered with such a trivial matter! And he certainly wouldn't have personally intervened!

Hongyu couldn't help but chuckle; this young man was indeed quite amusing. Although it was the gentleman in the black brocade who had rescued them, Xiao Qinghan shamelessly claimed the credit just to please the young lady. Yet, his innocent and cute demeanor didn't make him seem detestable.

"Miss Ouyang, since I saved you, you should at least treat me to a cup of tea," Xiao Qinghan continued to push his luck.

Ouyang Nuan remained silent, contemplating her response. The Ouyang family's carriage entered a quieter alley. In the conservative atmosphere of the capital, women could venture out, but they should be discreet. While common women might draw less attention, young ladies should maintain a low profile. Ouyang Nuan veiled her face with a veil as they entered the building together. Observing this scene, Chen Jingrui couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Beside him, someone remarked with a sigh, "Another reckless young master."

Ignoring the comments, Chen Jingrui deliberately made his way to the back door of Rongxing Building, weaving through the hall as if still intoxicated. He then pretended to stumble into Ouyang Nuan.

As Ouyang Nuan stepped back, Hongyu hurried to shield her, but Chen Jingrui's force knocked off her veil, eliciting gasps from the onlookers.

Initially intending to glance away indifferently, Chen Jingrui's curiosity got the better of him, and his eyes involuntarily swept over her face. Meeting her calm and graceful gaze, he suddenly felt his blood drain from his body, his breath hitch, and his mind go blank for a moment, experiencing a strange mix of cold and heat coursing through his body.

"You're so rude!" Xiao Qinghan exclaimed as he witnessed the scene, his expression initially one of anger. However, upon recognizing Chen Jingrui's face, he fell silent, muttering, "Chen Jingrui?"

Chen Jingrui regained his composure, offering a faint smile. "Your Highness Yun, it's been a while," he greeted, his gaze lingering on Ouyang Nuan despite unexpectedly meeting a cold, piercing stare.

"Your Highness Ming?" Chen Jingrui was momentarily taken aback by the icy glare, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Xiao Zhonghua calmly replied, "Nice to meet you."

Xiao Qinghan stared at Chen Jingrui with suspicion. "Why are you here?"

Just then, a voice rang out from the second-floor elegant seat. "Big brother, I'm here!"

Everyone looked up to see a young man in splendid attire standing on the second floor, his crescent eyes curved into a smile. It was none other than Chen Jingmo, the second young master of the Wu Duke Mansion.

Inside and outside Rongxing Building, the guards were dressed casually among the crowd. The Prince Ming, Prince Yun, and the two young masters of the Wu Duke's Mansion were all nobles of the capital, so their presence didn't raise eyebrows. Although their attire wasn't particularly extravagant, their innate nobility and demeanor attracted attention as they entered the building.

The innkeeper, experienced in serving high-ranking officials and nobles, quickly came to refill their tea. Since Ouyang Nuan's veil had fallen off and she hadn't bothered to put it back on, she appeared serene and elegant in her blue attire, drawing the gaze of the three men present. Despite their scrutiny, she remained poised and composed, impressing everyone with her grace and tranquility.

"Why is Miss Ouyang here?" Xiao Qinghan asked excitedly.

"My younger brother is just about to have his full moon celebration. I'm looking for a gift for him," Ouyang Nuan replied calmly.

Xiao Qinghan made a mental note of this and wanted to ask more questions. However, the second-floor elegant seat was an open space, and they could only hear a scholarly figure at another table outside discussing national affairs enthusiastically.

"The barbarians in the Southern Frontier were once a great threat. However, the court has now eradicated them completely, stationing elite troops and capable generals to guard the region. The major problem facing the court now is the floods in the south! It remains to be seen how they will address this issue!" the scholar exclaimed, his gestures animated.

Others also echoed with expressions of deep concern.

Every spring and summer, floods occur in southern Cangzhou, especially in the downstream area of Beihai County. If these floods cannot be controlled, tens of thousands of acres of farmland will be destroyed every year, and the relief food and funds needed will burden the national treasury heavily. Everyone nodded in agreement, seeing this as a serious issue.

Originally, Xiao Qinghan wanted to get closer to Ouyang Nuan, but when he heard this topic, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. "Why is this topic everywhere I go? It's really annoying!"

Xiao Zhonghua smiled at him and said, "You haven't finished the emperor's thesis yet, have you?"

Xiao Qinghan was suddenly taken aback. Who knew that the emperor would suddenly have the idea to request each imperial grandson to write a thesis discussing the current major problems facing the court and proposing solutions? What's so fun about writing these theses? He had been pondering for days without any results, so he sneaked out to play. Fortunately, he happened to run into Ouyang Nuan, thinking he could avoid the annoying task, but ended up hearing people discussing national affairs again.

Waving his hand, he said, "Now everyone is submitting their theses to the emperor, saying that we should divert the Qingshui River to completely solve the flood problem!"

Chen Jingrui's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of cold sarcasm appearing on his handsome face as he said, "The arrogance of scholars! Although the situation in southern Jiang is now stable, the borders of Dali still lack stability. To the north, there are the Turks and Khitan, to the west, the Huige, and to the south, the Nanzhao, all watching closely and waiting for an opportunity to strike. As Prince Yun mentioned, blindly starting construction on the Qingshui River will require a large number of strong laborers and drain the national treasury, providing an excellent opportunity for foreign tribes to invade our borders."

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Qinghan suddenly looked up at Chen Jingrui. Chen Jingrui sneered but then turned to look at Ouyang Nuan. However, she was quietly sipping tea with her head lowered, as if she hadn't heard a word.

Not wanting to be outdone in the presence of a beauty, Xiao Qinghan banged his bowl cover against the tea cup, "What do you mean by that?"

"I support my brother's opinion. Think about it, the real threat comes from external enemies. What we urgently need to do now is to strengthen our military and increase our strength. Once the border is truly stabilized, there will be no more countries eyeing us. Only then can we consider modifying the river channels and solving the flood problem," Chen Jingmo said without hesitation, his eyes turning to the silent Prince Ming.

The question of whether to stabilize the borders or provide disaster relief was indeed a difficult one, and Xiao Qinghan knew it very well. However, with Ouyang Nuan watching nearby, although he usually disliked studying and preferred to play, he was unwilling to admit defeat easily.

He widened his clear black-and-white eyes and recited the content of his elder brother's thesis: "Master Chen, you are mistaken. Maintaining internal stability before dealing with external threats is the way to govern a country. Although our border areas still lack stability, if we continue to allow floods to ravage the land, the people will suffer heavy losses and become homeless. Then, when foreign tribes invade, where will you go to recruit soldiers? Where will you find labor for the war effort? How will you assert our country's authority?"

Ouyang Nuan sighed softly in her heart. Xiao Qinghan was not wrong. In her past life, she had traveled to the south to escape the summer heat and passed through Cangzhou. She had witnessed the disastrous scene of the disaster area, where bones littered the ground and the air was filled with a putrid stench. Many people were infected with diseases and died within half a day, leaving their bodies abandoned in the streets. Such a scene far exceeded the imagination of ordinary people.

Here, Xiao Qinghan and Chen Jingmo were at odds, each unwilling to yield. Chen Jingrui, who had originally started the argument, fell silent, while Ouyang Nuan and Xia Chonghua remained quietly seated, sipping their tea. The demeanor of the five individuals at the table was quite peculiar.

"I wonder if Miss Ouyang can give us her judgment?" Chen Jingrui's voice carried a hint of coldness.

Ouyang Nuan raised her eyes and saw Chen Jingrui staring coldly at her. She felt a pause in her heart, realizing that the other party was unfriendly. With a faint smile, she said, "Irrigation has always been the foundation of agriculture, benefiting the people without any harm. When Yu the Great managed the waters, he passed by the doors of three families without entering, resulting in fertile fields for thousands of miles in the Central Plains. Changing the course of the Qingshui River to irrigate fields is indeed a fortunate event for the country. Prince Yun's statement is well-reasoned and appropriate."

This statement was essentially taking Prince Yun's side. Chen Jingrui looked at her with a hint of disappointment. A woman who could toy with the daughter of the Chen family so easily turned out to be merely someone who knew how to flatter and conform. He sneered and said, "Is that all you have to say, Miss?"

What benefit would it bring for a young lady of noble birth to meddle in politics? Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly but did not reply.

"Right and wrong are subjective. Miss Ouyang's opinion is welcome," Xia Zonghua, who had been silent, spoke up with a dignified tone that made Ouyang Nuan tremble inwardly.

Ouyang Nuan nodded slightly and said softly, "As Prince Yun said, the southern floods are indeed troublesome, but they are not the greatest problem."

Others looked at her strangely, but Ouyang Nuan just smiled without saying a word, dipping her tea brush into the water and drawing a circle on the table. Xia Zonghua's expression changed when he saw it, his eyes fixed on Ouyang Nuan without blinking.

Xiao Qinghan and Chen Jingmo obviously didn't understand, only Chen Jingrui stared coldly at her and said, "Miss, are you playing dumb with us?"

Ouyang Nuan didn't reply. Instead, she stood up, with a slight smile on her face, and said, "Thank you all for your assistance today. It's getting late, and I should take my leave." With that, she instructed Hongyu to leave behind a silver coin and smiled at Xia Qinghan, saying, "This is for the prince to have some tea." After speaking, she turned and left.

Chen Jingrui wanted to say something, but when Ouyang Nuan glanced back at him, he felt as if her eyes, devoid of any warmth, were piercingly cold. His heart couldn't help but feel a chill. Watching Ouyang Nuan leave with her maidservants and guards, he leaned against the table, his eyes gleaming with a cold light, and muttered, "Does Prince Ming know the meaning behind the circle she drew?"

Zonghua smiled faintly, gracefully stood up, and said, "Sorry, I can't comment on that."

•••

[1] Hua Tuo 华佗 : renowned Chinese physician who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, around the 2nd century AD. He is celebrated for his significant contributions to medicine and surgery in ancient China. Hua Tuo is particularly famous for his pioneering work in anesthesia and surgical techniques.

One of his most notable achievements was the development of an anesthetic mixture known as mafeisan, which he used to induce unconsciousness during surgical procedures. This herbal concoction allowed him to perform surgery with reduced pain for the patient, marking a significant advancement in medical practice during his time.

Hua Tuo is also credited with inventing various surgical instruments and techniques, including innovative methods for treating internal injuries and ailments. He was known for his holistic approach to medicine, which included herbal remedies, acupuncture, and therapeutic exercises.

Despite his remarkable contributions to medicine, Hua Tuo's life is shrouded in legend and historical anecdotes. One famous story recounts how he attempted to perform brain surgery on the warlord Cao Cao to remove imaginary "worms" causing his headaches. However, Cao Cao, fearing treachery, refused anesthesia and ultimately died during the operation.

Hua Tuo's legacy as a pioneering physician and surgeon continues to be celebrated in traditional Chinese medicine, and he is revered as one of the greatest medical figures in Chinese history.

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