Chapter 125
In Yunqi Hall, Princess Zhaoyun looked at this child, who seemed to collect all the world’s affection in one being, and her heart swirled with mixed emotions.
She didn’t want to dampen the excitement of the Grand Princess, but she also couldn’t force a smile.
Grand Princess Mingxi saw her melancholy, sighed, and said, “Yun’er, I know you don’t like the Crown Prince. But being born into the royal family—how many can marry freely? Marrying the Crown Prince is already far better than marrying elsewhere.”
Zhaoyun knew her mother meant well, and also didn’t want her to follow the same difficult path she had.
But how could she explain the dangers of the Crown Prince’s Residence to her mother?
Even if she tried, she had no proof.
Moreover, the first thing her mother had said upon coming to the residence was to reconcile with the Crown Prince’s Side Concubine Su, so that the Crown Prince would no longer neglect her out of jealousy.
So the words died on her lips.
Fine. Now that she was in the tiger’s den, she would just have to rely on her own fortune.
Unfortunately, at this time, Young Master Lu had been kept in the palace by the Empress Dowager to study Buddhist texts, leaving her somewhat flustered.
At least Lu Haozhi could come to Yunqi Hall daily to talk with her.
Lu Haozhi’s belly was already three months along. At this rate, it would be hard to hide.
She was thinking of ways to let him sneak out.
But if Lu Haozhi left, then who would she confide in about her own frustrations?
Zhaoyun’s heart was tangled with worry, also fearing that Su Wan’ning might take advantage of the situation.
Luckily, Prince Chu came to visit despite his own pregnancy. Upon seeing him, Zhaoyun’s tears fell.
She grabbed his hand and cried, “Brother Ah Jue, I really can’t stay here any longer. When I close my eyes, I see Liu’er’s cold corpse. The Crown Prince doesn’t believe me. Mother says I’m imagining things. My head aches so badly—I feel like I’d rather leap from the garden pavilion holding Liu’er.”
Yuwen Jue also felt deep sympathy for this little sister. Zhaoyun had grown up spoiled and doted upon, never enduring such grievances.
He sat down, holding Zhaoyun and patting her gently. “Don’t ever do something like that. I know you just gave birth, and your heart feels heavy. In Han’er’s words, what you have is called postpartum depression.”
“Post… what?”
Princess Zhaoyun looked bewildered. “Why have I never heard of that before?”
Yuwen Min smiled. “Han’er often says things that ordinary people don’t understand. You probably noticed that too. But he’s one of the best doctors in the capital—you should trust what he says. Before he left, he told me to bring you something, so you wouldn’t worry too much.”
With that, Yuwen Jue handed Princess Zhaoyun a package.
Zhaoyun took the package, still confused. When she opened it, she found an array of embroidery patterns she had never seen before.
Unfolded, the cloth was several meters square.
Threads of every color, pattern charts, embroidery needles—everything was exquisitely made.
Princess Zhaoyun was stunned. She stared at the breathtaking work and said, “This… what kind of embroidery is this? Such a grand piece… it can’t be an ordinary design, can it?”
Yuwen Jue smiled. “Han’er said this is the simplest embroidery in the world, called cross-stitch.”
“Cross-stitch?” Princess Zhaoyun peered at the cloth.
Sure enough, she saw grid patterns, each like a little cross.
There was also a reference chart, with threads and stitch positions labeled in strange codes.
Yuwen Jue explained for a while. “Han’er said this is called the ‘Qingming Shanghe Map.’ It’s the most complex pattern among the simplest forms of embroidery. If you can complete it, your postpartum depression will definitely improve. Han’er also said you don’t need to worry about your confinement. Each day, embroider for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, then rest for the time of one stick of incense. The total embroidery time should not exceed half an hour.”
Normally, new mothers were advised to stay in bed for a full month during confinement.
But if a woman suffers from postpartum depression, forcing her to lie in bed for a whole month only worsens her condition.
When Lu Hanzhi left, he had been in a hurry, but he hadn’t forgotten Zhaoyun.
He had spent five full exchange points to get this Qingming Shanghe Map cross-stitch, and even asked Yuwen Jue to see if it could be developed further into a full embroidery shop.
YuwenJue also had Lu Hanzhi leave him a sample, and he was testing in Han Ji Fragrance House whether it could be turned into a product.
When Princess Zhaoyun saw the embroidery, she couldn’t put it down. A smile finally appeared in her eyes. “Alright, alright. I’ll follow Young Master Lu’s advice and obediently finish it.”
Yuwen Jue shook his head. Zhaoyun was still the same childish temperament as before.
He warned her, “Don’t overdo it. I’ll have Wet Nurse Liu keep an eye on you.”
Zhaoyun laughed. “Brother Ah Jue, you always know how to use elders to pressure me.”
Seeing Zhaoyun’s bright smile return, Yuwen Jue finally relaxed.
Back at Prince An’s residence, he saw Lin Chongyun working on carpentry with Ah Chan and Ah Shu, and he joined them.
Lin Chongyun’s temperament had changed a lot. He used to be stern and rarely smiled, but now he played with the two little ones as if he were a child himself.
Yuwen Jue asked, “Ah Shu’s condition hasn’t improved at all?”
Lin Chongyun shook his head.
Yuwen Jue looked at Ah Shu’s face. “Her scars have healed quite a bit, though.”
Lin Chongyun said, “The medicines I usually use for her are all to remove decay and regenerate tissue. Many herbs come directly from the imperial medicinal supply—they’re the best in the world. But I can heal her face; I cannot heal her mind. And even if her face heals, it will never be the same as before.”
As Lu Hanzhi’s system said, only by using the Breaking-Calamity Formation* could all things be restored to their original state.
Note: name changed.
Otherwise, it would always lead to a new path.
Yuwen Jue looked at Ah Shu’s half-healed face. “I have to say, Young Lady Ah Shu is really beautiful.”
Lin Chongyun agreed. “I’ve treated many ladies in the palace. Even that supposedly unparalleled beauty, Concubine Liang, has some roughness in her figure. Young Lady Ah Shu is different—her face is beautiful, and her body is delicate and graceful. To a doctor, this is the best representation of feminine elegance.”
Lin Chongyun, usually so taciturn, had suddenly praised Ah Shu so much, all about her appearance.
Yuwen Jue couldn’t help but look at him. “…So, when you were treating Ah Shu, you were secretly observing her body?”
Lin Chongyun: …
Yuwen Jue’s expression turned incredulous. “You even compared her to Concubine Liang?”
Lin Chongyun: …
Yuwen Jue continued, “Lin Chongyun, have you… gone soft in the head?”
Lin Chongyun: !!!
He glared at Yuwen Jue, exasperated. “A doctor sees no gender! Yuwen Jue, shut your mouth!”
Yuwen Jue laughed. “Why are you so embarrassed and angry? Hey… Senior Brother Lin, don’t you like our Ah Shu?”
Lin Chongyun said sternly, “I only see Ah Shu as a sister. Don’t say nonsense! I think you’ve been with Hanzhi too long; it’s making you improper! You’d never have said things like this before.”
Yuwen Jue said, “I don’t see anything wrong with it. Hanzhi is passionate, positive, upright, and happy. I suggest you learn from him—life becomes meaningful that way.”
Hearing two new terms, Lin Chongyun was confused. “Upright… and meaningful?”
Yuwen Jue calmly explained, “Upright! Worldview, values, life philosophy!”
Lin Chongyun: “World…view?”
Yuwen Jue clarified, “A worldview is your fundamental view and understanding of the world.”
Lin Chongyun looked puzzled. After reading so many medical books, all he knew was that a doctor’s heart is like a parent’s.
So… is that his worldview?
He was growing increasingly impressed with Lu Hanzhi. Despite his young age, his influence over those around him was stronger than that of many teachers.
Lin Chongyun felt that he himself might be far too rigid.
But perhaps only someone with Hanzhi’s character could notice things that didn’t exist in the world, and by doing so, make the world richer and more vibrant.
And this very person, who made the world richer and more colorful, was currently at a critical point in the battle in the Western Frontier.
Lu Hanzhi turned to the great general and asked, “Do you know what to say when you go back to them?”
The broad-shouldered, sturdy general, Zack, nodded. “I know. Just tell them you agreed to a truce and will discuss a time for negotiations.”
Lu Hanzhi nodded. “They can decide the location. We will arrive on time.”
Zack responded, “Are you sure you want to go? I can tell you clearly—they set a trap specifically to kill you during the negotiation. No, their target is only this Wang Ye. If they can kill him, the person meeting with us will agree to our conditions.”
Lu Hanzhi said, “Good. That’s exactly what I wanted.”
Zack frowned. “Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
Lu Hanzhi replied, “That’s not your concern. You just deliver the message. Tell them we are sincere in seeking a truce and have already started preparing to withdraw our camps. The rest is none of your business.”
Zack asked again, “Then… what about the conditions Wang Fei proposed earlier?”
Lu Hanzhi patted his chest. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Zack, still unsure if the task would be that simple, confirmed one more thing: “And… the antidote you mentioned?”
Lu Hanzhi said, “Once everything is done, you’ll have it.”
At last, Zack relaxed. Accompanied by two soldiers, he was sent back west beyond the border.
Yuwen Min and Lu Xuzhi watched Zack’s retreating figure. A great battle was truly brewing.
On the outskirts of the capital, at a manor, in the kiln warehouse.
Zhong Yao looked at the cooled porcelain. The pure white ceramics shone with a delicate luster, like the smooth skin of a young girl.
His gaze was a little distant. After a moment, he slowly closed his eyes and turned toward the kiln room’s doorway.
A kiln worker approached and nodded to him. “Master of the kiln, a gentleman is looking for you outside.”
Zhong Yao responded with a nod and turned to leave the kiln.
The man waiting outside wore plain clothes, his hair half-bound, the ends curling slightly over his chest.
He looked around thirty-five to forty. Though no longer young, his face was stunning, striking enough that ordinary people could not compare.
Perhaps because he had experienced so much in life, his eyes were like a deep, unshakeable abyss, as if nothing could disturb him.
Zhong Yao stepped forward and bowed. “Master.”
The man smiled faintly and nodded slightly. “Zhong’er, did you find your son?”
Zhong Yao nodded. “Heaven has not forsaken me. I found him.”
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