Chapter 67: Condition: Ying... So it was this Ying. ...
After returning to Congyo's house, Shiso has been in a depressed mood.
While at the Princess Xuande's side, she was treated with unwavering kindness. Not only were she constantly rewarded, provided with fresh food and fine clothing year-round, but she also had the opportunity to study with the Imperial Academy's officials. The Princess treated the ladies-in-waiting like family members and juniors, and she also felt a deep affection for the Princess, as well as an unspoken sense of guilt.
But today, when the eldest princess asked her about the existence of "Aying", Zi Su did not dare to look her in the eye and stammered that she didn't know.
She was afraid that the eldest princess would become depressed and follow the example of those unethical families and arrange a posthumous marriage for the dying Prince of Jin.
Having deceived the eldest princess, who was already deeply tormented by the grief of her son, Zi Su felt even more guilty. Cong Ying came to add a few pots of peonies to her window. Seeing the clothes she had brought back from the Prince of Jin's mansion, he looked at her gloomy expression and asked, "You just came back from the Prince of Jin's mansion. Is His Highness in good health these days?"
Zi Su was silent for a long time before she said, "The palace is preparing the coffin. His Highness...I'm afraid his time is coming soon."
With a "clang", Cong Ying accidentally knocked over a porcelain cup.
She looked at Zi Su, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something, but before she could say anything, her eyes gradually turned red.
After a while, she said softly, "Can I... go see him?"
Zi Su shook her head: "Don't go. Don't let the Princess notice you. Besides, how are you going to explain to the Third Young Master?"
Cong Ying was worried and could not sleep the whole night. The next morning she got up early to wash and dress, and heard the maid outside announcing something. Then she remembered that today was the wedding day for Na Cai.
She quickly put on a lotus pink floral jacket, quickly sipped her lipstick, and went out to meet him.
Behind Mrs. Xie was a huge procession of eighty-eight people carrying bundles of red boxes. The gift list alone was a foot thick, illuminating the entire courtyard with a red glow of joy. She was quietly scolding Xie Xuanlan, saying that he was so rude for sneaking along, when Xie Xuanlan looked up and saw Cong Ying, his brows deep in a smile.
He said proudly, "If I don't watch it with my own eyes, what if you marry me an ugly woman? I think this woman is quite beautiful. You have to marry her to me."
Even though Mrs. Xie had a good temper, she couldn't help but laugh and scold him, "You lecher, get out of here!"
Xie Xuanlan pocketed the gift list with one hand, pulled Cong Ying up with the other, and said to Madam Xie without turning his head, "I'm leaving now. I'll have to trouble you, mother, to take care of these boxes and treasures!"
Cong Ying only had time to greet Madam Xie before he could exchange a few words with her before being taken away by Xie Xuanlan. Actually, he had no serious business, but simply wanted to stay close to her. This time, he lived so close that he even stopped by to stroll around on his way to or from work. He knew this courtyard better than his own.
It was still the familiar opening line: "Time flies by so slowly. When will we finally get married?"
Then he said, "The fish in this pond are well-fed. When you get married, I'll take these fish and raise them there too."
Congying spoke very little today. Looking at Xie Xuanlan's high-spirited appearance, she thought of King Jin for some reason. Thinking of the news that he was bedridden and would not live long, she felt a suffocating pain in her heart.
Seeing her haggard face and dazed expression, Xie Xuanlan put away the smile on his face and said seriously: "What's wrong? It's such a happy day. Who offended you?"
Nacai is indeed a day of great joy. Cong Ying didn't know how to start, and shaking her head only made her look more depressed. Suddenly, Xie Xuanlan held her face in his hands, his eyes sweeping over her face inch by inch, and said in a firm tone: "Did you not sleep last night, or did you cry?"
Cong Ying said carefully, "I'm afraid a friend of mine is about to die of illness."
Xie Xuanlan's eyelids twitched slightly, he knew who she was talking about.
During this period of time, they deliberately avoided the presence of this person. He knew that Cong Ying would not bring it up for no reason, as she was the most soft-hearted person.
But what can she do, what can she do?
Cong Ying was about to speak, but Xie Xuanlan said first: "I have to go out of the city on official business tomorrow and will be back in about ten days." Cong Ying was stunned, and looked into his deep and calm eyes, and understood what he meant.
He didn't want the two to meet again, but he couldn't bear to let her regret it for the rest of her life, so he chose to turn a blind eye and pretend not to know what was going on.
Cong Ying slowly lowered his eyes: "Thank you."
Xie Xuanlan sighed deeply: "During this period of time... take care of yourself."
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Although Zi Su had left the Prince Jin's Mansion, her orders were still very effective. With her help, Cong Ying disguised herself as a young physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau and entered the Guanxi Garden of the Prince Jin's Mansion along with several other imperial physicians.
The smell of medicine in Guanxi Garden became stronger, and it felt choking as soon as I entered.
The imperial physicians, led by Doctor Zhang, were debating whether to prescribe a strong dose of medicine. Cong Ying took the freshly brewed medicine and walked lightly into Prince Jin's bedroom.
This was the first time she entered the bedroom of Prince Jin. When she looked up, she saw a calligraphy hanging by the window on the south wall: Fallen osmanthus flowers turn into fireflies, illuminating the whole room.
Cong Ying couldn't help but be stunned.
The bright moon in the cold autumn is stingy with its light, the fallen osmanthus flowers turn into fireflies to illuminate the whole hall... This was written when she was young at the invitation of Sanlang and in response to the above line from Prime Minister Xie. How could the King of Jin know this?
The King of Jin's understanding of the Xie family seemed to reach a strange level.
Cong Ying didn't think about herself at all. After all, she had never even heard of the King of Jin when she was young. As she was observing the King of Jin's handwriting and trying to figure out his thoughts, she heard a sudden and rapid cough coming from the purple gold tent behind the screen.
His Royal Highness Prince Jin has woken up!
Congying hurriedly carried the Jun porcelain medicine bowl around to the side of the couch and hung up the purple gold soft curtain. The morning light shone in and fell on Prince Jin's face. A light golden warm light appeared in his deep, inky eyes as he looked at Congying quietly.
He was in a trance for a long time, unable to tell whether this was a dream or reality, past life or present life.
Until Cong Ying called him softly: "How do you feel, Your Highness? Can you get up and take the medicine?"
Prince Jin supported her arm and slowly rose, leaning against the porcelain pillow. Having been bedridden for a long time, he wore only a plain white Songjiang cotton shirt, soaked with the cold, sullen aroma of medicine. His handsome face was a sickly pale, half-hidden by his loose, raven-feather-colored hair. Only a pair of eyes, heavy with emotion, stared at her motionlessly.
Cong Ying put down the medicine bowl he had been carrying for half a day and sighed, "Your Highness, are you angry with me?"
Prince Jin spoke in a hoarse voice, "I was just afraid that you would ignore me, how could I dare to be angry with you... Thank you for coming to visit me."
Cong Ying said, "In any case, I hope Your Highness is in good health."
"So, you're really angry?"
Cong Ying shook her head gently: "How dare I."
The King of Jin said, "You may be angry, but I am powerless to fight back. You may beat me and scold me to vent your anger. After you have beaten me and scolded me, we can put this matter behind us. How do you think?"
Cong Ying thought it was just a teasing and picked up the medicine bowl again: "I dare not hit or scold you. Your Highness, please drink this medicine first."
The Prince of Jin took the medicine from her hand and drank it all in one gulp. The thick, choking liquid slid down his throat, immediately exuding a wave of bitterness. He remained silent for a long time, until his tongue recovered from the bitterness. Then he covered his lips with his hands, coughed several times, and complained, "Why is it so bitter..."
Cong Ying said, "This is the new prescription that Doctor Zhang made."
King Jin covered his face with one hand, secretly relaxing his stress, and stretched out his other hand in front of Cong Ying.
Cong Ying was puzzled, and King Jin said weakly, "Osmanthus candy."
This time Cong Ying was really shocked. She hesitantly took out two osmanthus candies from her purse and handed them to King Jin's palm.
She had made this sweet osmanthus candy yesterday and had only given Sanlang a few. How had the King of Jin known she had it with her? She looked at the King of Jin questioningly, but he didn't try to explain her confusion. He simply savored the same sweet taste that she hadn't had in a long time.
Suddenly he asked her, "Does Xie San know that you came to Prince Jin's mansion?"
Cong Ying nodded and lowered her eyes: "He has not been in the city these days."
Prince Jin raised his eyebrows slightly: "What you mean is that you can come to see me in the next few days?"
Cong Ying said softly, "Your Highness, Madam Xie came to ask for the bride price yesterday."
King Jin was silent for a long time, then said "Congratulations" to her.
A cool breeze blew through the curtains, jingling golden bells. As Ying rose from the round stool beside the couch, she felt her wrist suddenly gripped by icy knuckles. The Prince of Jin said, "I may not be able to make it to your wedding. It's still early today. Could you please sit with me for a while?"
Cong Ying paused slightly and said, "I just want to close the window."
Prince Jin let her go, but his eyes kept following her. His eyes always reminded Cong Ying of Xie Xuanlan. Although the two of them had different looks and temperaments, there was an increasingly similar glow in their eyes when they looked at her. Compared with Xie Xuanlan's high-spirited look, Prince Jin's gaze seemed to make her feel more sad.
She walked to the bedside and saw two vases of flower branches on the slender flower table, one of which was osmanthus and the other was black plum. They had been handled with great care by him and covered in glass vessels.
Cong Ying returned to King Jin as if nothing had happened and asked about the "fiancée" he had mentioned before.
"Senior Sister Yiyun said that no one has ever been buried in the mountains behind Xuandu Temple. Your Highness has repeatedly visited Xuandu Temple to pay tribute to his deceased lover. Could it be that you are lying to me?"
The King of Jin said, "I didn't lie to you. It's just that so much time has passed that most people in Xuandu Temple don't know about it. But the Crimson Cloud Crown Master knows more about this matter. You can ask her for confirmation."
Cong Ying felt confused again because her guess did not come true.
Seeing her frown, Prince Jin smiled and said, "Why did you suddenly mention her? Do you think I'm not sincere to you?"
Cong Ying said, "I feel unworthy of your kindness towards me, but your affection towards an old friend is not false."
"I'm sorry for her."
As he said this, he looked deeply at Cong Ying, a look of regret and reminiscence in his eyes. "I owe her too much, and this lifetime alone is not enough to repay her. If I had the chance to repay her and make her life happier, I would pay any price... Ah Ying, what about you? Do you feel fulfilled in your current situation?"
Cong Ying was stunned, not understanding why King Jin asked about her.
A vague guess formed in her mind, vague and unclear, as if she understood it. She nodded hesitantly.
Prince Jin sighed softly and said, "You're still worried, aren't you... Ah Ying, tell me, what do you want?"
Cong Ying said, "I hope your highness will recover quickly, be healthy, and live a long life."
Prince Jin: "Aying, you must learn to beg for yourself."
Pray for yourself, make a wish to him? Cong Ying had no such intention.
She said, "I understand your highness's regret for the deceased, but I am not her. I am not worthy of your empathy and your devotion to me."
As soon as he finished speaking, the other doctors outside seemed to have reached a conclusion. Doctor Zhang was standing behind the screen asking if he could come in to see the patient. Cong Ying quickly stood up and said to the Prince of Jin, "Overthinking is harmful to your health. Your Highness, rest well. I will come to visit you tomorrow."
Then he bowed his head and left the King of Jin's bedroom.
Led by the Prince of Jin's attendants, she left the palace through the side door. However, when she walked out of Guanxi Garden, she met Princess Xuande who came to Guanxi Garden to visit the Prince of Jin.
She didn't see the eldest princess, but the eldest princess saw her.
The princess asked the female official beside her, "Why did the Imperial Medical Bureau send a young female medical officer?"
The female official carefully examined Congying's slender figure and the calm and dignified manner in which she walked. She suddenly realized, "Your Highness has excellent eyesight. It seems she is indeed a girl. However, there doesn't seem to be any female medical officers in the list submitted by the Imperial Medical Bureau. Would you mind sending someone to check on her?"
Princess Xuande nodded and said, "Be careful not to alert the enemy."
Cong Ying came to the Prince of Jin's mansion to visit him for three or five days in a row, bringing him a bunch of silk flowers that were in full bloom.
She carefully cut off the green thorns on the branches with scissors, inserted them into an enamel porcelain vase, and handed it to King Jin to smell the fresh floral fragrance.
"Don't let Your Highness be suffocated by the chemicals for too long and lose his spirit." Cong Ying said, "Now is the season for boiling cocoons and reeling silk. This year, a new style of light and dark double embroidery is popular in the southern prefectures and counties. The style is perfect for Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will get better soon so that you can wear this season's new fabrics."
Prince Jin listened to her carefully, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face, and he looked quite energetic.
He said, "Use this new material to make me a belt, and I will wear it when I recover."
Cong Ying was reluctant to agree to this task and made the excuse that the embroidery was not good and she was afraid that people would laugh at her if she did it.
The King of Jin said, "Even if you embroider the python as a crawling insect, I would accept it. Besides, I know you are an excellent embroiderer. Didn't you make Madam Xie's cloak of ten thousand stitches and pine needles very well?"
Congying sighed inwardly, why did he know everything?
The Prince of Jin, relying on his own serious illness, made these innocuous requests to Congying, his words implying that there was no tomorrow. This time, he simply ordered new fabric to be brought and told Congying to embroider right there in the house. To help her, he even summoned the palace's embroiderer to teach her.
The belt is not difficult to make, especially since the Prince of Jin was thin due to illness and was several inches shorter than a strong man.
Cong Ying was embroidering a belt nearby, while Prince Jin was sitting by the window staring at her and talking to her in a disjointed manner.
After taking his pulse, Doctor Zhang bowed and quietly left without asking any further questions. Just as he left Guanxi Garden, he was invited to Princess Xuande's courtyard.
Doctor Zhang answered truthfully, "Your Highness the Prince of Jin has been in excellent spirits these past two days, unlike his earlier gloomy state. His condition has greatly improved. If he continues to recuperate and take good care of himself, he may live to a normal age."
Upon hearing this, Princess Xuande's eyes welled up and she said several good words in a row and rewarded the imperial physicians who had consulted with her generously.
Doctor Zhang thanked for the reward and left.
Princess Xuande looked towards Guanxiyuan and murmured, "A Ying...it turned out to be this Ying. Why did it have to be her?"
However, he figured it out after a while: as long as my son's life can be saved, not to mention the granddaughter of Old Censor Jiang, even Old Censor Jiang himself would have to serve in Prince Jin's Mansion.
She will ask her brother the emperor for permission tomorrow.
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