Chapter 12: Mei Xi (XII) The Two Daughters of Minshan

The selection of the first batch of "nursing trainees" is like sowing the seeds of hope in the silent soil.

Lin Jiaojiao looked at the backs of the three women as they left excitedly, and the haze of worry in her heart was dispelled a lot. She knew that this was only the first step in a long journey, but at least she saw the direction.

The communication with Doctor Zhao went exceptionally smoothly. When Lin Jiaojiao sent someone to convey her idea of ​​Zhao taking the lead in training several palace maids in basic nursing, Zhao agreed without any hesitation. One could even feel an irrepressible eagerness in his brief reply.

Obviously, the "earth-based methods" that Lin Jiaojiao had taught him before not only opened his mind, but also made him see the dawn of solving the problem of lack of manpower.

External Individual (Zhao) Behavior Pattern: Highly Cooperative. Intention Analysis: Driven by Curiosity and Practical Needs. Threat Level: None. The system's analysis is concise and clear.

The training soon began in the side hall of Doctor Zhao, which was filled with the rich aroma of herbs. Lin Jiaojiao did not participate in the teaching in person. She knew that her "modern knowledge" needed Zhao to digest, verify and transform it into technology that could be understood and operated in this era. But she would "pass by" from time to time, stop outside the hall for a moment, and observe the situation inside through the half-open door.

When she "passed by" for the first time, she saw Zhao Zheng explaining something with a serious expression.

He had several bundles of herbs spread out in front of him and was holding a piece of clean linen in his hand, demonstrating how to fold them and how to dip them into the medicinal juice. The three women sat around him, listening attentively, their eyes filled with a desire for knowledge and awe for Doctor Zhao.

Zhao's voice was low and clear, with a doctor's unique rigor. He explained the importance of using boiling water to clean wounds. Although he could not explain "bacteria", he emphasized that "if filth enters the body, it will cause heat and poison." He demonstrated how to gently wipe the pus and blood with boiled linen, and how to use the "wild chrysanthemum root juice" suggested by Lin Jiaojiao to soak a cloth strip and apply it to the affected area. He spoke in great detail, striving for precision in every movement.

Lin Jiaojiao noticed that when Zhao was explaining, he would occasionally pause and look out the door thoughtfully, as if to confirm whether she was listening. She didn't notice that when she nodded slightly, his speech seemed to speed up a little and his eyes became brighter.

External Individual (Zhao) Behavior Observation: "Confirming Host Attention" behavior is observed during instruction. Logical Analysis: Seeking Approval? Emotional Simulation Unit: ...Redundant Data (Zhao-Host Interaction) ...Analyzing...] The system appears to have developed an additional interest in Zhao's behavioral patterns.

A few days later, Lin Jiaojiao "passed by" again.

This time, the atmosphere in the hall was noticeably more lively. Zhao stood aside, arms folded, supervising with sharp eyes. Asang was carefully cleaning the wound of a palace maid who acted as a "model". Although her movements were a bit clumsy, her steps were clear. Xiaozhu was carefully crushing wild chrysanthemums and sweet roots to prepare the decoction, while A'ba was responsible for arranging the cooked linen strips that exuded a bitter aroma.

"Be gentle! The water should flow slowly. That's right." Zhao's voice rang out, with a hint of subtle approval. "Xiaozhu, control the heat well. Simmer slowly so the medicinal properties can be released... Ah Ba, wring the cloth out thoroughly; it shouldn't be too wet..."

Under his guidance, the three women became more and more skilled, and their cooperation gradually became tacit. Their faces were no longer filled with the initial fear, but were filled with concentration and a kind of...confidence that came from mastering new skills.

Lin Jiaojiao stood outside the door, watching this scene, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. It was great that they learned so quickly. She seemed to see a spark quietly igniting in this cold royal court.

Goal (Training Basic Medical Nursing Staff) Progress: Good. Expected Achievement: Increased to 75%. Emotional Simulation Unit: ...receiving emotional fluctuations of "hope," "focus," and "confidence"...redundant data increasing...positive feedback...] The system's notification tone carried an almost pleasant, steady tone.

Just when Lin Jiaojiao was pleased with the progress of the medical team, an unexpected news came - the beauties Wan and Yan presented by the Minshan tribe were sent back to the royal court by Xia Jie.

Chun heard the news from the kitchen. When the little girl ran back, her face was pale and her voice was filled with tears: "My Lady! It's bad! Concubine Wan and Concubine Yan... they're back! I heard... I heard that the King lost the battle on the front line and was in a bad mood. He didn't like their noise, so he sent them back. They... they brought a lot of things with them, and a large group of female slaves. They are very aggressive and are now heading towards the palace where they used to live. Will they... will they come to cause trouble for us?"

Lin Jiaojiao's heart sank suddenly. She had already known the news of the defeat at the front line, but it was obviously not a good sign that Xia Jie sent his new favorite back at this critical juncture.

This means that the situation on the front line may be worse than imagined, and the tyrant's temper is extremely bad. Wan and Yan, these two beauties who were pampered in the Minshan tribe and had a glorious time with King Jie of Xia, are now "returned" like goods. The resentment and anger in their hearts can be imagined. They dare not resent King Jie of Xia, so she, the "disfavored" Princess Yuan, will undoubtedly become the best target for them to vent their anger.

It was really like when it rains it pours. Lin Jiaojiao rubbed her brows and felt a headache. She had just seen some hope in medical reform, and then trouble came knocking on her door.

[External Threat Level: Increasing (Potential Hostility from Beauties Wan and Yan). Logic Module: Recommended to activate defense/appeasement strategies. Emotion Simulation Unit: ...Redundant data (Host Anxiety)...Detected...Logical Conflict...Zizizi...Suggestion: ...Host Beauty...Priority Increased...] The system's alarm sounded with a hint of interference, seemingly wavering between "emotion" and "logic." Finally, it prioritized "beauty"?

Lin Jiaojiao: “…”

"System, are you implying that I rely on my looks to make a living?!" She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but then she thought, this seems... really the most labor-saving and most likely effective method at the moment? After all, Ku Ding, the palace maids, and even the Zhao medical officer had all been "influenced" by this face to some extent.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. If the enemy comes, we will fight him; if the water comes, we will block it with earth!

She looked at Haru and said, "Don't panic. They just got back, so they need to settle down. Go, get the jar of honey that Kuss just sent, and pick some fresh wild berries for later use."

"Ah?" Chun was stunned. "My Lady Concubine... are you going to...?"

"It's for guests." Lin Jiaojiao forced a meaningful smile. "What if... they want to 'reminisce'?"

As expected by Lin Jiaojiao, trouble came knocking on the door on the afternoon of the second day after Wan and Yan settled down.

Lin Jiaojiao was in a side hall, listening to Chun report on the latest progress of Asang and the others' studies with the Zhao doctor. They had already begun treating some simple festering wounds when a commotion erupted outside the hall. The voices, with their deliberately exaggerated tribal accents and the clatter of maids' footsteps, came closer and closer, menacingly approaching the side hall.

"Here it comes!" Chun's face turned pale and he nervously clutched the corner of his clothes.

Lin Jiaojiao put down the ceramic bowl in her hand, which contained the calming tea with mint leaves that Doctor Zhao had just prepared. She stood up and adjusted her clothes and hair, making sure she looked neat and... calm. She walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and looked calmly toward the door.

The palace door was pushed open unceremoniously with such force that the heavy wooden door made a dull thud as it hit the stone wall.

A rich, complex aroma mixed with expensive spices instantly flooded into the hall.

Two young women dressed in gorgeous brocade gowns, with complicated buns and hairpins adorned with gold and jade hairpins, rushed in aggressively, surrounded by a group of maids and eunuchs.

It was none other than Lady Wan and Lady Yan.

The two were of similar age, about seventeen or eighteen years old, and were indeed beautiful, with the wild beauty unique to tribal women.

Lady Wan's eyebrows and eyes are slightly sharp, while Lady Yan's are more charming. But at this moment, both of their faces are covered with fatigue and dust after a long journey, and they can't hide the anger that is about to burst out and... a trace of barely perceptible panic and grievance?

"Mei Xi!" Concubine Wan was the first to speak, her voice sharp and filled with undisguised resentment and anger. "You are such a disaster! Such a jinx! It's all because of you! The king suffered a crushing defeat at Yousuo Ruins! It's all your bad luck!"

Concubine Yan followed suit, her voice tearful but equally harsh: "That's right! The king was doing well in Minshan, it's all your fault! You hurt the king's heart, which distracted him and led to his ambush by that damn Cheng Tang! It's all your fault!" As she spoke, her eyes turned red, and she seemed really aggrieved.

The air in the hall was instantly filled with the smell of gunpowder. Chun was so scared that his face turned pale and he subconsciously stood in front of Lin Jiaojiao.

Lin Jiaojiao stood in the center of the hall, facing the light coming in from the door. She did not refute immediately, nor did she get angry. She just raised her eyelids slightly and looked at them calmly.

The sunlight slanted in from the gap in the high window behind her, just outlining her slender and graceful figure.

She was wearing a simple and elegant linen gown, with her long hair loosely tied up. She wore no makeup, and her face was slightly pale from days of hard work, but it made her skin look more delicate like porcelain, and her lips as pale pink as cherries.

Those clear eyes, like springs of ice melting from a snowy mountain, now held a hint of fatigue, a hint of helplessness, and even a hint of... the grievance of being unjustly accused? That beauty, blessed by fatigue and forbearance, not only did not diminish, but instead took on a breathtaking, fragile purity.

Like a snow lotus swaying in a storm, it is so fragile that it makes people's hearts tremble, but its purity carries a strange and inviolable power.

The anger and resentment on Lady Wan and Lady Yan's faces froze instantly. They widened their eyes and stared at Lin Jiaojiao, as if they were really seeing her appearance clearly for the first time.

They were proud of their beauty and were the top beauties in the Minshan tribe. After being presented to the palace, they were held in the palm of King Jie of Xia's hand. They thought that the so-called "source of disaster" Mei Xi was just relying on her seductive tricks. Now that they saw it with their own eyes, they understood the weight of the word "source of disaster".

It was a kind of beauty that was beyond their cognition and almost divine, especially against the backdrop of fatigue and grievance. That beauty had a fatal attraction, which made the jealousy and anger burning in their hearts, as if they were poured with a basin of ice water, and instantly extinguished most of it, leaving only an indescribable feeling... of inferiority and... inexplicable throbbing?

The air fell into an eerie silence.

Lin Jiaojiao looked at their dazed expressions and understood. It seems that this face can be used as a fire extinguisher at critical moments?

She coughed softly, her voice a little hoarse and tired, yet remarkably clear. "Sister Wan, Sister Yan, you've had a long journey. How could I, deep in the harem, know what's happening on the front lines? The king is mighty and powerful. Even if he encounters a minor setback, he will surely overcome this crisis. The most important thing for you sisters to do right now is to take care of yourselves and wait for the king's triumphant return, rather than...discussing military intelligence here and there and causing confusion."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried a strange soothing power, and even more so, it carried the majesty that should be expected from a Princess Yuan. She did not refute their accusations, but simply stated the facts calmly and pointed out the inappropriateness of their behavior - making irresponsible remarks about military affairs and disturbing people's hearts. This hat was a heavy one.

Concubine Wan and Concubine Yan were speechless. They looked at Lin Jiaojiao's calm face, which was so beautiful that it made them feel flustered. Then they looked at the faintly visible bandage marks on her shoulders, and remembered their panic when they escaped back in a panic and the humiliation of being "returned"... A huge feeling of grievance and powerlessness surged in their hearts.

"Woo..." Concubine Yan was the first to lose her temper, tears rolling down her face like beads from a broken string. She covered her face with her hands, her voice choked, "We...we don't want to...but...but the Shang army is so scary...they...they are coming like a tide...The king...the king..." She couldn't go on, only crying in fear.

Lady Wan's eyes also turned red, and the momentum she had been holding on to completely collapsed. She looked at Lin Jiaojiao with a complicated look, with some remnant of unwillingness, but more of a kind of confusion after being overwhelmed by fear and grievance, and... a sense of dependence on this "Sister Yuanfei" in front of her that she herself did not even realize?

"Alright," Lin Jiaojiao's voice softened, a hint of barely perceptible fatigue lingering. "It's come to this, there's no point crying. You've all been traveling all this time, so you must be tired. Chun, take the two sisters to freshen up and rest, and bring some hot soup and food." She gestured for Chun to serve the honey syrup and wild berries that had been prepared long ago. "This is the honey syrup and wild berries that Kuss just sent. Let the two sisters try some to calm their nerves."

Chun woke up as if from a dream, and quickly responded, walking forward cautiously: "Madam Wan, Madam Yan, please follow me." She held a honey pot and a fruit plate, with just the right amount of respect on her face.

Beauty Wan and Beauty Yan looked at the crystal clear honey and plump wild berries, then looked at Lin Jiaojiao's calm and gentle face. The last bit of arrogance in their hearts completely dissipated. They looked at each other and silently followed Chun out. Their backs showed the fatigue of surviving a disaster and a hint of... taming?

The palace door closed again.

Lin Jiaojiao's tense nerves finally relaxed, and she leaned on the couch as if exhausted, gasping for breath. "I was scared to death," she said. "Luckily, my face can still fool people." She touched her still hot cheeks, still feeling scared.

[External individual (Wan Meiren) emotional fluctuations: Anger (peak) → Shock → Self-deprecation → Fear/grievance → Dependence (budding). External individual (Yan Meiren) emotional fluctuations: Anger/fear → Shock → Self-deprecation → Collapse/Dependence (dominant). Threat level: High → Medium → Low (temporary).] The system analyzed accurately.

The crisis was temporarily resolved. Lin Jiaojiao leaned back on the couch, watching the sun gradually set outside the window. Fatigue washed over her like a tide, but she knew this was only the beginning. Wan and Yan's troubles were temporarily suppressed, but the news they brought—the Shang army was pouring in like a tide—pressed heavily on her heart like a huge rock.