Jinyi Spring

Chapter 221: Poor relationship

Shui Chuchen drew out the general steps of the surgery on paper, making annotations as she gave instructions:

"You will be my first assistant, and I will entrust these preparations to you. Go to the Imperial Hospital's Pharmacy and prepare all the necessary medicines according to the order... Also, prepare a sterilized room in the Imperial Hospital."

She paused for a moment, then added, "There are two more helpers, Banxia and Doctor Cai. I will explain things to them later. You can also ask them to do things for you."

Shangguan Ruyu listened attentively, nodding repeatedly, her eyes filled with excitement.

As dusk fell, Shangguan Ruyu and Feng Buji had their early morning dinner on the east side of the Princess's residence.

Just after dusk, Princess Yanghe sent someone to fetch Shangguan Ruyu from the palace.

Feng Buji was reluctant to part with his sister and lingered until it was completely dark and the palace gates were about to be locked before he was finally willing to leave. The little guy pouted again, his eyes red-rimmed.

Shui Chuchen smiled and pinched his cheek: "I can leave the palace on the fifth day. Go to the Feng residence and wait for me."

Feng Buji then stopped crying and smiled, and left happily.

Before leaving, Shui Chuchen secretly slipped a letter into his clothes, saying, "Keep it safe. Give it to your uncle as soon as you get back, and have him give it to Brother Ming."

Feng Buji nodded. This morning, his elder brother Ming stuffed the letter into his arms, saying, "This letter is as important as your life. You must deliver it to your sister personally and don't let anyone else see it."

Shui Chuchen had Tang Jian personally escort him out of the palace and watch him get into the Xiao family's carriage.

On the morning of the third day of the Lunar New Year, Emperor Jianzhang summoned Ming Changqing to his study for a private audience.

Ming Changqing, travel-worn and dressed in worn military uniform, knelt and bowed in salute.

Emperor Jianzhang looked at him, momentarily stunned. This cousin, with whom he had grown up since childhood, now had graying temples, deep wrinkles etched at the corners of his eyes, and his once fair and jade-like face had been worn dark red by the winds and sands of the border.

Emperor Jianzhang sighed inwardly. Ming Changqing was only one year older than him, but more than twenty years on the frontier had made this man look as old as he was nearly fifty.

Back then, Ming Erlang was the best-looking of the three Ming brothers.

They were about the same age and played best as children, and also fought the most. When they were seven years old, they were playing around and Ming Changqing accidentally scratched his face.

Princess Changning grabbed Ming Changqing, ready to strike, but Emperor Jianzhang immediately pulled Princess Chang'an's hand and said boldly, "Imperial Aunt, don't hit your cousin. We were just joking. If you can't even take this little injury, how will you fight the Tartars on the battlefield in the future?"

The late emperor even praised him for speaking well...

Recalling the past, Emperor Jianzhang felt a pang of sadness.

He raised his hand and said, "Get up."

Ming Changqing stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Jianzhang finally spoke, "Regarding Wan'er, I have wronged her, and... I have wronged you. I never expected it to end like this."

For the first time in twenty years, he spoke frankly with Ming Changqing about Xiao Wan.

Ming Changqing lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Your Majesty is too kind. Empress Xiaoxian is the mother of the nation, and I dare not have any improper thoughts."

Emperor Jianzhang waved his hand, seemingly annoyed, "There's no one else here, so you don't need to say such polite things. If it weren't for me back then..."

He paused, his gaze becoming vacant, and that mournful voice echoed in his ears again. Twenty years later, it was still jarringly clear.

"Your Majesty, I did not, I am innocent..." Emperor Jianzhang closed his eyes, and he could still see a beautiful woman kneeling on the cold floor tiles, her forehead red from kowtowing, and her tears falling to the ground.

After a long while, his gaze finally fell on Ming Changqing's face, his eyes filled with loneliness and sorrow. "Sometimes I think, if I hadn't forced her into the palace, perhaps she wouldn't have died so young, and she would have been much happier."

Ming Changqing lowered his eyelids, his Adam's apple bobbing; he couldn't answer that question.

Emperor Jianzhang then said, "You've resented me for twenty years, haven't you?"

Ming Changqing shook his head slightly and said against his will, "To be honest, Your Majesty, I resented it at first, but I stopped resenting it later."

He raised his head, his tone calm, "It is fate that I am not destined to be with Empress Xiaoxian. It is also fate that Your Majesty is destined to be with her. It's just that Your Majesty's connection with her was too 'thin.' And her death was too tragic."

As the words "thin" and "tragic" were uttered, Emperor Jianzhang felt as if something was blocking his chest.

The sound of a pin drop could be heard inside the main hall.

After a long while, Emperor Jianzhang composed himself and said seriously, "Let's not talk about that. How is Xiqing Prefecture doing lately?"

Ming Changqing clasped his hands in a fist salute, adopting a more businesslike tone, "Your Majesty, the 100,000 border troops of Xiqing Prefecture currently have ample provisions and stable morale. Before last winter, I urged all garrisons to stockpile enough provisions for a year and also reinforced the walls of three fortified passes. However,"

He hesitated for a moment, then said, “The Tatar tribes in the north were very active last autumn. I fear they may make a big move this spring and summer. I have already sent more scouts along the Black Mountain line. If there is any unusual activity, report it to the court by express courier.”

Emperor Jianzhang nodded, his gaze darkening. "My idea is to give them a good beating after spring. Only by inflicting serious damage can we secure three to five years of peace. I have already instructed the Ministry of War to allocate firearms, crossbows, and military pay, which will be shipped next month. Do you have any special needs?"

Ming Changqing thought for a moment, “If Your Majesty grants your permission, I would like to add another two thousand warhorses. Last winter, the snow was heavy and several hundred horses froze to death. Currently, there are less than ten thousand warhorses in the horse farm that can be used in battle. With fewer cavalry, the mobility will not be able to keep up.”

Emperor Jianzhang nodded. "Granted. I will have the Ministry of War transfer another two thousand horses to you from the Liaobei horse farms. Anything else?"

The emperor and his ministers then discussed several official matters, including the transfer of border generals, the replenishment of military equipment, and the deployment of scouts, for about half an hour.

After finishing his business, Emperor Jianzhang leaned back in his chair, looked at Ming Changqing's weathered face, remained silent for a moment, and then his gaze softened.

"What are your plans now that you've returned? I can send someone else to the border."

Ming Changqing shook his head slightly, "I have been at the border for so many years and I am used to it. If someone else were sent, they might not be able to control it. If Your Majesty trusts me, I am willing to stay for a few more years."

"Wait a few more years!" Emperor Jianzhang understood the implication—he wanted to be far away from the capital. That was fine; a thousand miles away would be better for both of them.

"Then I'll trouble you. Once you've defeated the Tatars, if you wish to return, I'll replace you with a new commander at any time."

Emperor Jianzhang's voice softened further, "If there's anything else you need, just say so."

Ming Changqing thought for a moment, then said in a calm and restrained tone, "I would like to request a leave of more than ten days, and leave at the beginning of February. I want to spend more time with my elderly parents at home, and also take a trip outside the city. I've heard that the snow scenery at Xiangbao Mountain is very beautiful, and I'd like to go see it. I'll also take a detour to Qingwei Marsh."

He didn't mention the Xiao family at all, and even avoided the word "commemoration".

But Emperor Jianzhang knew in his heart that at the foot of Xiangbao Mountain was Zixia Nunnery, where Lady Xiao had been imprisoned for sixteen years. The road from Zixia Nunnery to Qingwei Marsh was the one she had passed through when she "escaped" that night, and the grove by the bridge was where she was devoured by wolves.

As for the Green Reed Marsh, that was where Yong'an was rescued, and also where Xiao Wan's daughter, whom he risked his life to give birth to, teetered on the brink of death. (End of Chapter)