Outside the Duke of Yue’s mansion, after the servant went in to announce them, Liang Chen hurried over and cupped his fists in greeting. “Young General, Young Madam, thank you both for coming in person.”
Although Liang Chen was the young lord, he held no real power. Faced with Ling Mohan, a young general with a distinguished military record who had risen to the position of Imperial Tutor, he still had to show respect and deference.
Ling Mohan, always a man of few words, merely nodded slightly.
“Thank you for personally coming out to greet us, Young Lord. How are the County Princess and the young mistress?”
“As a man, I can’t explain it clearly. Young Madam, please come inside, it’s best you see for yourself.”
Liang Chen stepped back, clearing the path, and respectfully invited them into the mansion.
As they reached the courtyard entrance, they heard the crisp laughter of a young woman. Feng Jin frowned slightly, instinctively feeling that the laughter was very familiar. “Young Lord, is there someone else in the County Princess’s room?”
“It’s Miss Feng Ruoyan from the Feng family and Miss Lin Yuwei from the Marquis of Pingyang’s household. They are both good friends with my wife.”
“Oh!” Feng Jin drew out her response, her gaze fixed on Ling Mohan.
She moved subtly closer to the man, lowering her voice. “Your two childhood sweethearts are both here. Do you want to say hello?”
Ling Mohan did not reply. His dark gaze fell upon Feng Jin, and he pulled her into his embrace.
“What are you doing?”
Feng Jin was startled by his sudden action and hissed the question in a low voice, trying her best to suppress it.
Liang Chen, walking ahead, heard the commotion and quickly turned back to look. Seeing the two embracing, he turned his head away with a hint of awkwardness, unsure of what to do.
Caught in the act, Feng Jin blushed and pushed Ling Mohan away, tidying the stray strands of hair from her forehead.
“I’m going in. You stay here and behave!” Feng Jin warned fiercely, leaning close to the man’s ear and whispering a low threat, “If you dare sneak off to see your childhood sweethearts, you’re dead!”
Ling Mohan watched Feng Jin’s retreating figure, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He didn’t have so many childhood sweethearts; Feng Jin had forcefully attributed them to him.
“It seems the Young General and his wife are truly affectionate. Standing here is rather dull. Perhaps the Young General would like to have a seat in the study for a while? I could also testify on your behalf.”
Liang Chen said meaningfully. Who would have thought that the cold and aloof Ling Mohan would also be controlled by his wife?
“Thank you, but I prefer to wait here for my wife. Please trouble the Young Lord to get me a chair.”
“You really are…” Still as stubborn as ever, deserving of his wife’s scolding. “You can just stand and get sunburnt!”
Liang Chen directly instructed a servant to prepare a table and chairs, and very kindly served him a pot of clear tea.
“County Princess, Young Madam Ling has arrived.”
“Quickly, invite Young Madam in,” Princess Qingping said urgently.
As Feng Jin entered the room, she felt a wave of warmth. Autumn had just begun, yet charcoal braziers were already lit. Wasn’t it too hot?
Feng Ruoyan’s eyes tightened when she saw Feng Jin looking perfectly fine. The medicinal ingredient to activate the蛊 (gu) worm had been administered. She looked completely unharmed…
This shouldn’t be happening!
“Sister has arrived. I heard you saved the County Princess. The County Princess and I are like sisters, so thank you, Sister, for this.” Feng Ruoyan’s expression shifted, returning to her usual understanding demeanor.
Feng Jin sneered and ignored Feng Ruoyan, nodding to Lin Yuwei before finally focusing her gaze on Princess Qingping, Chu Ning’er.
“County Princess, your body has not yet recovered. You shouldn’t sit for too long. Please lie down first.”
A maid beside her immediately helped Princess Qingping lie down.
Feng Jin placed her fingers on Princess Qingping’s pulse. The pulse was shallow, a typical sign of deficiency in both qi and blood, coupled with a pale complexion and colorless lips.
“I need to conduct further examination on the County Princess. May I ask the two of you to step out and wait?”
“Thank you for your trouble, Young Madam.” Lin Yuwei wisely rose and left.
But there was always someone who wanted to make their presence strongly felt. “Sister, you can take good care of the County Princess. County Princess, my sister’s medical skills are superb, you can rest assured.”
Feng Ruoyan babbled a lot of useless nonsense before reluctantly leaving.
Feng Jin keenly observed that after Feng Ruoyan left, Princess Qingping visibly relaxed, a hint of distaste flashing in her eyes.
“County Princess, do you dislike Feng Ruoyan?”
Princess Qingping’s expression froze for a moment, then she shook her head. “Not really. Visitors are visitors; there’s no reason to turn them away.”
The strict rules and etiquette she had followed for years prevented Princess Qingping from doing anything improper, and they also constrained her words and actions.
“County Princess, you are in your confinement period. You must ensure your mood is pleasant every day. Things you dislike, people you dislike, should not affect you.”
“I… I don’t have the choice. Whether I like it or not, I have to accept it.”
Princess Qingping’s tone carried a hint of resentment. As a princess, she had enjoyed the luxuries of life since childhood, envied by countless people, but she was often not in control of her own destiny.
Her daily life was meticulously arranged by others; what to say, what to eat, and what to do all had to follow the rules.
Even her marriage was merely a tool to win over court officials.
From the moment she was born into the royal family, her life was destined to be without freedom.
Feng Jin clasped Princess Qingping’s hand. “Life is short, just a few decades, fleeting in an instant. Why should you wrong yourself? Why not live for yourself?”
“Live for myself…” Princess Qingping murmured, her eyes dim and lifeless.
“I am a County Princess, and even more so, the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Yue’s mansion. I cannot act as I please.”
Feng Jin sighed. This was the sorrow of women in ancient times. Women born into royal families, despite their apparent nobility, actually endured a truly bitter life.
To enjoy wealth, they also had to contribute to that wealth. It was perhaps better to be a commoner’s daughter, living a life of carefree ease.
After a moment of reflection, Feng Jin began to examine Princess Qingping’s body.
“County Princess, the medicine has been changed. You will begin to get out of bed and walk tonight.”
She paused, then continued in a low voice, “Has the County Princess had a bowel movement after giving birth?”
Princess Qingping’s face flushed. Such a private question… how could she answer it?
“I…” Princess Qingping stammered shyly, unable to speak clearly. Partly out of embarrassment, and partly because she truly had not had a bowel movement…
This was something she had kept to herself, finding it too difficult to articulate.
“County Princess, do you feel the urge?”
Princess Qingping nodded, her small face turning bright red.
“County Princess, your delivery was very dangerous, and you lost a lot of blood. The deficiency in qi and blood has caused dryness and stagnation in your intestines, so difficulty with bowel movements is normal. Continue drinking the blood-nourishing formula, and eat more vegetables and roughage daily, which will help with bowel movements.”
“I’ve noted it,” Princess Qingping replied softly. “However, Young Madam Ling, what is roughage?”
She had never even heard the term “roughage” before.