Chapter 58: Solo 39 Her eyes were misty and wet...
The next day, the carriage sent by Xuan Che stopped outside the Chen Mansion on time.
Chen Ying was holding the organized medicine box and pulse case book, and just as she walked to the door, she saw Chen Jinshi standing in the corridor, still in his official uniform.
She was a little surprised: "It seems like you shouldn't be here at this hour."
"Amu, are you going to the palace?"
There was no emotion in his voice, and his eyes fell on her medicine box.
He stretched out his hand to her. At the age of nineteen, Chen Jinshi was tall and strong, with a calm temperament, and looked very reliable.
Chen Ying still didn't hand the thing to him. She held it in her hand and nodded lightly: "Yes, go ahead. You are on duty."
She took two steps closer and raised her hand to straighten the slightly messy tassel of his jade pendant.
A eunuch at the door bowed and stepped forward: "Doctor Shen, please come in."
Chen Jinshi stood there with his back straight.
There was no one else in the carriage. Chen Ying sat in the carriage and lifted the curtain to look at him.
"Chen Jinshi, be good."
He lowered his eyes, his eyelashes long, and looked very obedient: "Yeah."
The carriage drove into the East Palace, where bamboo shadows swayed and orchids were planted everywhere.
Xuan Che was already waiting in the main hall. When he saw her coming, he stood up to greet her personally.
The sachet on her waist swayed with her movements, making her particularly eye-catching.
"Doctor Shen is here. I will take you to Kunning Palace."
Chen Ying had a medicine box slung over her shoulder and was holding a lot of things in her hands.
His tone was gentle, and his gaze lingered on her for a moment.
"yes."
Xuan Che led Chen Ying to Kunning Palace. There were clusters of orchids under the corridor, and the tiny petals were covered with morning dew, and the clear fragrance filled the air.
He walked slowly, just walking side by side with Shen Ying. His eyes would occasionally fall on the pulse record book in her arms. His tone was casual, like a small talk, and he seemed to be laughing a little: "Is Doctor Shen ready?"
Chen Ying answered truthfully, "Last night, I reviewed your pulse history and discovered that the imperial physician often used heavy tranquilizers. While these can temporarily calm the mind, they can easily stagnate Qi and blood circulation. I have some ideas for a prescription today, but I still need to see if your pulse today matches."
Xuan Che nodded, suddenly stopped, and stretched out his hand to her: "Doctor Shen, the medicine box on your shoulder looks very heavy, let me carry it."
Chen Ying followed his gaze to her shoulder and was a little surprised.
The prince is of such a noble status, yet he is willing to... She didn't know what he meant for a moment.
He seemed to like to be alone, and when he walked this way, the familiar young eunuch was not with him.
But he was very aware of his dignity, otherwise he would not have offered to carry her suitcase when they were halfway there.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, I am still strong enough and dare not trouble Your Highness."
She lowered her eyes, not looking at the prince's expression, only hearing a light laugh from above her head.
Xuan Che withdrew his hand: "I forgot, Doctor Shen is not one of those delicate guests in the capital."
Chen Ying raised her head as he spoke, her brows slightly furrowed. "I've heard that the fifth daughter of Prime Minister Yang is also a heroine, and her knowledge and experience are no less than that of men."
"You are talking about her..." As the two were talking, they had already arrived at the gate of Kunning Palace.
When the palace maid guarding the gate saw the prince leading people in, she hurried to inform them.
Before opening the door curtain, the prince turned around, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "I'll tell you a secret. The Yang family has really chosen your Master Chen as their son-in-law from among the newly minted Jinshi scholars. I'm afraid they'll be asking the Emperor to grant the marriage soon."
Among the new scholars, although Chen Jinshi's ranking was not very high, he was taken into consideration by the Yang family based on his appearance, age, family background, and Yang Zhiwei's feelings.
When Chen Ying looked up in a daze, the prince had already walked in. He had a smile on his lips, and seemed to be really happy for her and told her this happy event.
The silver charcoal in the fireplace in the hall has been lit, and the warmth spreads with the faint fragrance of fruits and vegetables.
The queen was reclining on a soft couch covered with snow fox fur, twisting a string of red sandalwood Buddhist beads in her hand. When she heard the noise, she simply raised her eyelids and said in a flat tone, "Here he comes."
Xuan Che took two steps forward and bowed, his tone softening as he said, "Mother, please ask Dr. Shen, whom I mentioned to you the other day, to take her pulse and see if she's suitable for your needs."
The queen looked over and Chen Ying knelt down to greet her.
"Get up, no need to be polite."
There was no joy or anger in her tone, only the alienation that came from living in the deep palace for a long time.
Xuan Che stepped forward, signaled the palace maid to bring an embroidered stool, and personally set the pulse pillow.
Chen Ying thanked him and took her seat, secretly saying it was rude. She took a deep breath, then placed her fingertips on the Queen's wrist. After concentrating for a moment, she withdrew her hand and looked up and said, "Your Majesty's pulse shows signs of depression. I guess you were still restless last night."
The queen did not respond immediately and turned her gaze to Xuan Che.
Xuan Che nodded slightly: "Yes."
"Your Majesty's Qi and blood are already weak. I have prepared some dried cassia flowers and tangerine peels that I can add to your tea. Your Majesty, please try it first."
The Queen then spoke slowly, her voice lazily: "Just as you say."
Just as Chen Ying was about to stand up to write the prescription, Xuan Che took the paper and pen from the desk and handed them to her.
For a moment, the prince came very close, and the touch was very light, but it made Shen Ying's heart tighten.
She wrote the prescription with sharp strokes, but her words could not hide her chaotic thoughts at the moment.
When the Yang family took a fancy to Chen Jin, it was not a distress to her.
She was just wondering, would the other party ask him about the fact that they "selected" him?
Chen Jinshi wouldn't agree.
Chen Ying wanted him to agree, but also didn't want him to be forced.
This is an extremely complex emotion.
That is the smooth path that many people desire but cannot obtain, but because he was unable to pursue a military career, he was forced to pursue a literary career. He has come to where he is today step by step. What is the point if he cannot do what he wants?
She followed the prince out of Kunning Palace.
"If this recipe works for you, Queen Mother, I'll have to ask you to come again in a few days."
Chen Ying lowered her head: "Nothing, Your Highness, please give your orders."
The orchids under the corridor were covered with morning dew. When blown by the wind, the tiny petals fell on the bluestone slabs, and the fragrance filled the whole path.
Xuan Che walked beside Shen Ying, his steps slow and his tone casual, as if chatting, but his eyes would occasionally fall on her face, with a hint of inquiry: "Doctor Shen, I see that you are in a bad mood?"
Ever since I learned about that "good news".
Chen Ying unconsciously clenched the medicine box strap with her fingertips, and said calmly, "Your Highness, you are worrying too much. I was just thinking about your Majesty's pulse and how to adjust the prescription later."
Xuan Che suddenly stopped and turned to look at her seriously: "Doctor Shen is so caring, I haven't thanked you properly yet."
Chen Ying's heart trembled. The prince was a very considerate and considerate person.
No wonder everyone in the folk praises him.
"I've heard that there's a restaurant in the west of the city called Ningxiang Pavilion that makes excellent medicinal dishes, especially the Jade Dew and Nectar Soup, which uses fresh mushrooms and snow frogs. It's extremely nourishing and soothing. How about I treat you today and invite Doctor Shen to come and try it?"
Chen Ying frowned slightly. She was not a slow-witted woman.
Although she came from Loufan, the prince did not follow many of the etiquette regarding "strict separation between men and women" when treating her.
Chen Ying lowered her eyes and looked at the ground, many thoughts emerging in her mind.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, I am a humble woman and I am afraid I cannot afford it."
Xuan Che looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and then he returned to his gentle smile: "In that case, I won't force you. I will send a carriage to take you back."
"Thank you very much."
"It's just a small favor."
Chen Ying returned to the Chen Mansion, and the eunuchs from Kunning Palace arrived soon after. The Queen gave her some rewards.
Chen Ying was a little flattered. She thought the Queen only met her for the Crown Prince's sake.
"Please excuse me, eunuch, for making this trip. Please thank the queen on my behalf."
Chen Ying respectfully sent the person away.
Chen Jinxing just came back and sat down in the yard, chatting with Shen Ying for a while.
"Jinxing, how are you doing in the Imperial Hospital lately?"
Chen Jinxing sat on a stone bench, his fingertips rubbing the edge of the teacup, his tone somewhat helpless: "I tried my best to do something practical, but I can't get off the boat I got on before."
He smiled bitterly, his brows full of depression.
Chen Ying thought of what the prince said and suddenly felt that she should agree to the prince's request today.
She couldn't help but remind Chen Jinxing: "It seems that the Crown Prince has already made plans to reorganize the Imperial Hospital. Jinxing, you need to be more careful in your actions."
Chen Jinxing raised his eyes and looked at her deeply: "Amu, you really don't need to worry about these things for me anymore. I have chosen the path myself, so I must bear the consequences myself."
Chen Ying smiled gently: "We are a family."
Chen Jinxing took a deep breath and suddenly said, "Mom, Chen Jinshi is yours."
Chen Ying was stunned, not understanding what Chen Jinxing meant by this. Coming out of Chen Jinxing's mouth, it was as if he had finally admitted something.
"You should be selfish and really take him for yourself."
Even if she really wanted him to be her slave, he would be willing to do so.
Chen Ying stood up: "I'll go see Ruo Ling."
She turned and walked towards the wing room, her steps feeling a little unsteady.
She had had such thoughts before, but Chen Jinshi was still her child, and she wanted to see him have a bright future and a long journey.
She would always suppress that thought, even when she reached the extreme with Chen Jinshi and was in a state of confusion, she would pull his hand that was pressed on her waist and endure his desperate collision, and she would have a flash of thought: Chen Jinshi, you are mine, it will be like this for the rest of my life, I want all of you to belong to me.
In the side room, Zhang Ruoling was sitting by the bed embroidering a tiger-head hat. When she saw Chen Ying come in, she quickly put down her needle and thread and stood up.
Chen Ying quickly held her down: "You are heavy, don't move."
Zhang Ruoling smiled and sat down, her hand gently covering her already noticeably large belly, her eyes full of tenderness: "Don't worry, Mom, Jinxing said my pregnancy is very stable."
Chen Ying sat down beside her, her eyes falling on the half-embroidered tiger-head hat. The stitches were fine, and the corners were decorated with small pompoms, revealing her heart full of joy.
"Your hat is so beautifully embroidered. What other small items are you looking for? I'll embroider one for the child too."
"I've already got the little clothes and hat. Mom, I heard you've been very busy lately, so you don't have to worry about this for me."
Chen Ying smiled and shook her head, her fingertips gently stroking the pompom on the tiger-head hat: "I have nothing to do tonight, so I have to give the child a little thought."
…
His collar was soaked, and there were still water stains on his lips and chin, and his fingers were wet and sticky.
He raised his upper body and began to kiss her: "Amu, you have that smell again today."
The bronze mirror was fogged up by her body temperature and breath, and then her palm print was imprinted on it with a "pop" sound.
She gasped, "What's that smell?"
He pinched her neck and held her waist: "The smell of the prince, did he touch you? Where did he touch you?" He wiped the mist off the mirror and asked her to look up, "Amu, look, you are so beautiful."
She raised her head, her lips slightly parted, her eyes indifferent. She was admiring herself. Her naked body was very beautiful. She was bent by him and was also examining him.
His eyes were heavy as he stared at the overlapping figures in the mirror. His usually calm eyes were now filled with a strong possessiveness. His hair was messily stuck to his shoulders, stained with a thin layer of sweat.
"Where did you get hit?" he asked again, his voice very hoarse.
Suddenly he leaned over and kissed her lightly and quickly, from her shoulders and neck all the way down.
His palms were large and hot, tightly clasping her waist.
His clothes were not completely taken off, but the collar was torn to shreds, leaving light red marks on his chest and abdomen.
A light gasp escaped from his throat.
She found it very enjoyable to see how completely bewitched he was by her.
"Probably, his hand? He handed something to me and it seemed to have rubbed against me."
He grabbed her hand and pulled it back, forcing her to lean her shoulders back. He lowered his head, bit her shoulder, and rubbed it gently.
"Amu, the prince already has two concubines in his mansion. He is not clean, so don't let him touch you."
He pulled her back, her back and hips curved into an arc, and she almost kissed him, rubbing her ears against his.
A small moan escaped from her throat, and she couldn't help but bite his earlobe, deliberately whispering it in his ear so that he could hear it.
He freed one hand to stroke her sweaty hair, his eyes filled with lingering passion.
"We always have to deal with the prince... well..."
She looked in the mirror with misty and moist eyes, unable to bear the way she looked.
She bit her lower lip lightly, trying her best to endure it.
"Amu, you've known for a long time that you're beautiful. But he's different from Xie Qingyue. If you provoke him, it'll be hard to disobey him, you know?"
She was not the delicate beauty admired by people in the Central Plains. She had a strong body, but plump muscles, a thin waist, and bright eyes.
She raised her hips slightly, her graceful figure moving like the turbulent mountains and rivers, and he almost surrendered.
A beautiful woman never restrains herself from seducing others. That is the other person's problem, not hers.
Chen Ying is no exception. She can always get satisfaction from men's "worship".
It is even more so if the other party is an outstanding man.
Chen Jinshi seemed to know this. He lowered his head and bit her hard, his movements showing a bit of recklessness.
Her breathing became disordered by his action.
The difference between Dulan and the women in the Central Plains is that she seems to have no concept of loyalty.
Although Chen Jinshi was deeply obsessed with her, he never dared to ask her for anything.
Even if Xie Qingyue appeared, he only dared to ask himself to force the enemy back, rather than asking her.
The other party was the prince, and he could only say a few sour words. The prince was not clean, nor loyal, and was not worthy of her attention.
If she just fantasized about it, he could barely bear it. He stroked the hair behind her and said, "Think about it, Am, I know you like to imagine."
As long as that person is not his father, he can tolerate it.
He freed one hand and gently stroked her sweaty temples. His fingertips followed her jawline upwards, tracing the shape of her full lips. His tone was filled with obsession: "You are so beautiful. Even the slightest movement of yours is enough to make people mesmerized."
She looked up into the mirror and saw the passion surging in his eyes. She raised her hips slightly, rubbed him deliberately, and opened her mouth to bite his finger.
Her voice was vague and sticky, but it reached his ears clearly: "Chen Jinshi, you are mine."
After living for so many years, Chen Ying felt like letting go for the first time. The man's straightforwardness and madness made her legs weak, and his undisguised love made her heart swell. Her heart, which had been suppressed for so long, was clamoring for it. She wanted him.
He tightened his grip on her waist: "Yes, I am yours."
She bit his finger, gently rubbing it with the tip of her tongue, and the corners of her eyes were red with passion, reflected in the bronze mirror like a burning fire. He was so agitated that his whole body tensed up, and his hands clasped around her waist almost dug into her skin, and a suppressed moan escaped his throat.
"Amu..." His voice was hoarse. He lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips. He gently pulled the finger out of her mouth and pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and look at him. "Chen Jinshi is yours forever."
There was only her figure in his eyes, and his strong possessiveness hid a cautious attempt to please her.
She raised her hand and gently pressed the back of his neck, letting him lean close to her, feeling his hot breath and heartbeat. Her tone was filled with a bit of lazy indulgence: "Then you'll remember this."
He immediately agreed, leaned over and kissed her deeper, moving from her lips all the way down to her neck, gently nibbling it, leaving a light red mark.
In the bronze mirror, the two people's overlapping figures are entangled.
He stared at her blankly, his eyes suddenly feeling hot, and suddenly he hugged her tightly, so tightly that she could hardly breathe.
The candlelight in the room was still flickering, illuminating the two people hugging each other, quiet and warm.
Until now, he still couldn't believe that they were so connected.
She will be moved by him.
She lost some of her composure and began to make demands on him.
Chen Jinshi naturally responded to her request.
The decree from Kunning Palace came down, and the empress was to go to Xiangguo Temple to burn incense on the third day of the first lunar month. She selected the ministers to accompany her, and Xuan Che specially nominated Chen Jinshi.
Chen Jinshi received the imperial edict and was thinking about it when the prince gave Chen Ying another order, asking her to serve the queen that day.
That morning, just as the sky was getting light, Chen Ying changed into the green palace dress that the prince had sent her early in the morning, with a fine orchid pattern embroidered on the collar.
She could notice the details he had done intentionally, but her eyes remained calm.
Chen Ying was looking in front of the bronze mirror and finally combing her hair. The carriage sent by the Eastern Palace to pick her up had stopped at the door.
When the eunuch saw her come out, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Doctor Shen, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has ordered me to take you to the Empress."
Chen Ying nodded and got on the carriage. When the carriage met the Queen's carriage, she found that the team was more massive than she had expected.
Chen Ying was sitting in the accompanying green-covered carriage. She lifted a corner of the curtain. The team was about to set off again when suddenly someone got into her carriage.
"Doctor Shen, my carriage suddenly broke down, and I don't want to disturb my mother. Can I ride in the same carriage with you?"
She looked up and saw that the man had already sat in. He was wearing a moon-white brocade robe. The scent of orchid mixed with ambergris instantly filled the small carriage.
She moved aside calmly and nodded, "Your Highness is very polite."
Somehow, she always wanted to laugh when she thought of what Chen Jinshi said about him being unclean.
But the prince's actions today were too obvious and deliberate, and she was a little overwhelmed. She just frowned slightly, thinking about how to get rid of him.
But she still wanted to save Chen Jinxing's life, so she had to continue dealing with the prince.
Xuan Che glanced at the medicine box beside her and smiled: “Doctor Shen is really careful.”
Chen Ying said calmly, "The Queen has ordered me to serve as her attendant, and I dare not disregard my care."
Xuan Che spoke casually, as if chatting: "The material you are wearing is newly imported from Jiangnan. Do you like the embroidery pattern?"
Chen Ying's fingertips fell across the sleeves, the touch was delicate. She was wearing the clothes he gave her, clothes that obviously he had poured some details and thought into.
"Your Highness, thank you for your trouble. I like it very much."
She had a smile on her lips and looked in a good mood.
Xuan Che's expression also brightened: "Doctor Shen is in a very good mood today?"
Chen Ying glanced at him. Although her posture was respectful, her eyes were light and airy, as if she was looking down on everyone.
She pursed her lips and suddenly asked, "I heard that His Highness already has two concubines."
Xuan Che didn't expect her to ask this out of the blue. He was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "When I came of age, my father, the Emperor, and my mother, the Empress, took over the management."
"Yeah." She nodded slightly, just asking casually.
Xuan Che seemed gentle, but he was very shrewd and could hear the hidden meaning in her words.
Neither of them spoke for a while until the carriage stopped outside the gate of Xiangguo Temple.
Chen Ying was invited to serve the Queen. She was not a formal lady-in-waiting, but the Queen liked her very much. Although she did not talk to her, she asked her to stay by her side all the time.
She glanced past the crowd toward the mountain gate. Chen Jinshi stood among the courtiers, his crimson robes swaying slightly in the morning breeze, his figure erect as a pine tree. Perhaps sensing her gaze, he suddenly tilted his head, his gaze meeting hers through the crowd. A flicker of excitement flashed across his eyes, accustomed to a quiet composure, before they returned to their usual reserved demeanor with a mere nod.
Chen Ying felt a slight warmth in her heart, but she looked away calmly. The Queen had just been helped out of the carriage by a palace maid. She raised her hand to adjust the pearl flowers on her temples and said calmly, "The mountain roads are slippery. Tell the guards to be more careful."
Chen Ying stepped forward to support him, and stood on each side with Xuan Che.
The mountain road is winding, with ancient pine branches and leaves intertwined on both sides. The morning dew drips along the pine needles, splashing tiny water droplets on the bluestone slabs.
The Queen glanced back and suddenly said, "Prince, please go and invite Miss Yang Wu over."
Xuan Che agreed and said, "Mother, why don't you invite Master Chen as well?"
"Lord Chen?" The Queen didn't seem to know him very well.
"Mother, Chen Jinshi is a Jinshi this year. He has a calm personality and I think he is a useful talent."
The Queen said "Oh" and seemed to remember something, then nodded slightly: "Call them together to serve."
Chen Ying lowered her eyes and curled her palms slightly. Xuan Che stood beside her again and walked side by side with her. Chen Ying took a half step back.
Soon, the palace maid led Yang Zhiwei and Chen Jinshi over, and the two of them bowed to greet them.
"Your humble servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen."
"Your servant, Chen Jinshi, pays homage to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Queen seemed to have heard something. She looked at the two of them, smiled gently and nodded, saying, "I think you two are a perfect match."
Chen Jinshi lowered his eyes with a respectful attitude, and glanced at Chen Ying out of the corner of his eye.
She was holding the queen with one hand, and the prince was standing on the other.
Chen Ying seemed to sense something and turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze.
Xuan Che coughed lightly. The Queen turned her head to look at him. He whispered a reminder: "Mother, the Yang family hasn't decided on the matter yet."
The Queen pursed her lips and smiled, "Whatever the case, I can make the decision. How dare Yang Chang say anything?"
Chen Ying raised her hand to straighten the Queen's cloak that was messed up by the wind, and said softly, "Your Majesty, the mountain road is windy. Why don't you walk forward first? The pavilion in front can provide shelter from the wind."
The Queen nodded and walked forward. Although she was used to being cold to others, she loved Doctor Shen very much in her heart. She had a kind of reassuring power.
The queen's words were unintentional, but the two people behind her heard them clearly.
Yang Zhiwei was stunned when she heard this, glanced at Chen Jinshi, and said nothing.
Chen Jinshi covered his eyelashes to hide the gloomy look in his eyes.
Chen Ying held the Queen's arm and walked steadily, but she found an opportunity to turn around and gave her a serious look: Chen Jinshi, don't go crazy.
He raised the corner of his lips and snorted coldly.
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