Sheng Xiyan said thoughtfully: "The Madam seems to have Alzheimer's disease."

"Alzheimer's disease?" Chu Yuanchen raised his eyebrows.

Sheng Xiyan considered the words carefully: "This disease, in mild cases, causes forgetfulness and seldom speaking. In severe cases, the patient will remain silent all day, unable to distinguish between day and night, unable to know the way home, unable to know hunger or thirst, and unable to take care of himself."[1]

The lady's appearance did seem to be that of a dementia patient.

As she spoke, she looked puzzled: "The pulse of this disease should show liver qi stagnation. When liver qi stagnates in the chest, it will affect the spirit, reduce the marrow and brain, and cause illness." [2]

Her eyebrows wrinkled, she was a little confused: "But the pulse I felt from Madam Tai was not like this. However, I only took a few breaths, so I might have made a mistake."

Sheng Xiyan only took the old lady's wrist and probed for about three breaths. Besides, he was not very serious at that time, so he might have misread her pulse.

Sheng Xiyan looked up at him, and subconsciously stroked his brow with her slender and soft fingers: "I will examine it carefully next time." So, don't worry.

Chu Yuanchen's peach blossom eyes were still a little dim, and a smile appeared on his face unconsciously.

He then said, "The Madam has been ill for a while. The Marquis of Anping said that they have looked for good doctors but to no avail. It is not convenient for my brother to go in person."

It was only in the past two years that Xiao Shuo gradually gained control of the imperial court and the inner court. His life in the past was equally difficult. If he was careless, there would be no recovery. At that time, it was impossible for him to keep an eye on the Anping Marquis Mansion.

The capital is so far away from Lingnan.

This is the opportunity to bring Marquis Anping to the capital.

Chu Yuanchen added, "My eldest brother doesn't even recognize this adopted son, and the late emperor personally appointed him. Although the Madam seems to be taking good care of him, he has been ill for such a long time, which is a little unusual. I am still worried."

Sheng Xiyan understood that they were wondering if someone had tampered with the Madam's illness.

Xiao Shuo couldn't go in person, so Chu Yuanchen wanted Sheng Xiyan to go and take a look.

He believed in Sheng Xiyan's medical skills.

"Come with me and take a look."

"Okay." Sheng Xiyan agreed immediately, "Whenever you want to go, just come pick me up. I'm very powerful!"

The gloom between Chu Yuanchen's eyebrows disappeared at once, and his peach blossom eyes sparkled like stars.

"elder sister!"

The martial arts arena was not far ahead. Jiaoyang saw her from a distance and ran over to her.

She was wearing a neat short brown shirt, which was a bit thin, but her face was rosy and she obviously didn't feel cold.

Sheng Xiyan was a little slow to notice that Chu Yuanchen was also wearing thin clothes, while she herself was not only wearing a cloak but also holding a hand warmer. She was about to take her hands away from the hand warmer when a gust of cold wind blew past her face. She shivered with cold and hugged the hand warmer even tighter. She thought that she should not compete with them, the brother and sister.

"Sister!" Jiaoyang happily pulled her sleeve, "You haven't come for a few days."

Sheng Xiyan said seriously: "It's too cold."

Jiaoyang nodded: "Yes. It's snowing heavily."

This was the happiest winter for her. She didn't have to work, and she was able to wear warm clothes and eat well. She also had her mother, older brother and older sister.

Jiuyang's eyes narrowed and he pulled her with satisfaction.

Jingle was sitting in the corridor next to the martial arts arena. When she saw them coming, she waved to them.

After the greeting, Jingle said, "I came to see how their training is going."

The two ""she was referring to" were Jiuyang and Sheng Yan. They now had the same master, but their progress was different: Jiuyang was still practicing horse stance, while Sheng Yan was already learning sword dancing.

Yes. Sheng Yan chose a knife from the weapons.

At this moment he is in the martial arts field, practicing swinging and chopping. I heard him say that he swings 3,000 times every day, and his arms have become thicker.

These two children never missed a class even in freezing cold weather, and their diligence was equally great.

Even though Jingle was reluctant, she did not stop Jiuyang from practicing martial arts. She just came to check on him from time to time, at most when it snowed, and asked someone to prepare ginger soup on the stove so that Jiuyang could drink it after practicing.

Jiuyang's natural talent far surpasses Jiang Yuanyi's. After only a few days of training, his every move is already quite good.

"Sister Yan." After sitting down, Jingle pointed to the food box in front of her and said with a smile, "This is what the chef in the palace has just made. Try it."

Sheng Xiyan picked up a piece of cake and took a light bite. It was neither sweet nor greasy, and had a fresh fragrance in its mouth.

"It's plum blossoms." Sheng Xiyan guessed it right away, "There are plum blossoms inside!"

Very delicious!

Sheng Xiyan took a piece through the handkerchief and gave it to Jiaoyang.

"It will taste better with plum blossom tea." Sheng Xiyan said longingly, "Pick those that are about to bloom, seal the buds with wax, and put them in a honey jar. You can drink it in summer."

She said with some regret: "What a pity..."

"Then we'll drink it next year." Jingle clapped his hands and said, "Just in time, the plum blossoms in the palace are in bloom. Do you want to pick some?"

Sheng Xiyan's eyes lit up, Yes!

"Princess, I can also make plum wine!" Sheng Xiyan's almond eyes were bright, and she said proudly, "I'll pick more and make wine for you."

Jingle agreed happily, and said nonchalantly: "Achen, take Yan Jie'er to Meihua, and help her by the way, you can't just wait and drink." As she spoke, she winked at Chu Yuanchen, meaning: Mom is good to you! ?

A dear mother is a dear mother! Chu Yuanchen immediately stood up and said, "Ayan, I'll take you there. My grandmother loved this plum forest the most and took good care of it for many years."

Sheng Xiyan nodded enthusiastically.

Jiuyang pulled her sleeve hesitantly.

Jingle said at the right time: "Jiaoyang, you still have to go to class later."

That's right! Jiaoyang put down her hand awkwardly. She wanted to play with her sister, but she still had to go to class. She had promised her sister that she would study hard.

Chu Yuanchen secretly gestured to his mother's family and asked someone to bring a bamboo basket.

Sheng Xiyan added: "I also need a pair of bamboo scissors."

When the bamboo basket and bamboo scissors were brought, Chu Yuanchen took the initiative to carry the basket and left with Sheng Xiyan. Xi Gui saw that the basket had been taken away, and was confused for a long time, but tactfully did not follow.

The red plum forest is just to the southeast of the palace. After a few snowfalls, clusters of bright red plums are piled on the branches. Half of them have bloomed in the cold wind, and most of them are still buds. These flowers are small, like red jade carvings, with a unique and clear plum fragrance.

From a distance, it looks like a fiery sea of ​​clouds. The clouds float among the swaying branches and leaves, so beautiful that it is hard to look away.

"It's really beautiful!" Sheng Xiyan exclaimed, "Compared to that, the Merlin from the Girls' School is much more bland."

Her joy came from the heart, her smile was brilliant and pure, and her eyes were full of excitement. Seeing that Chu Yuanchen was walking a little slowly, she simply grabbed his hand and urged him to hurry up.

The bright golden sunlight fell on her body, making her skin look as white as cream. Her dark almond-shaped eyes seemed to contain bright stars. Even the delicate red plum blossoms were eclipsed in front of her.

Chu Yuanchen took the initiative and held her back.

Sheng Xiyan didn't think there was anything wrong and followed his steps happily.

As the cold wind blows, the plum blossoms on the branches tremble slightly in the wind, and the fragrance of the plum blossoms wafts into the air.

Sheng Xiyan took a deep breath of the cold air and shivered.

Well, she is just afraid of the cold!

"Let's pick plum blossoms."

Sheng Xiyan's hoodie fluttered in the wind, making her little face even more beautiful and brilliant.

Chu Yuanchen grew up in a military camp. Although he is a prince, he has never had the habit of pretentiousness. In his opinion, plum blossoms are no different from other flowers. However... as long as she is happy!

He jumped up and asked, "Which one should I pick?"

Sheng Xiyan pointed to a branch and said, "This one, the plum blossoms are in full bloom. Help me..."

She wanted to ask him to pull the branch down a little because she couldn't reach it. However, before she could finish her words, there was a "snap" and the branch broke.

Sheng Xiyan: “…”

Chu Yuanchen took the broken branch and handed it to her, looking like he was presenting a treasure.

Sheng Xiyan: “…”

She looked at the fresh cut and the seven or eight red plum buds on it, and blinked silently.

This, this, this...isn't this really a waste of resources?

Seeing that she didn't come to pick it up, Chu Yuanchen casually put it in the bamboo basket and asked, "Isn't it this branch?"

He raised his hand to reach for the one next to him, but Sheng Xiyan was so scared that she quickly grabbed his sleeve and said, "Don't move!"

Chu Yuanchen was very obedient and did not move. Sheng Xiyan picked up the red plum blossom from the bamboo basket and put it in his hand: "Take it, don't damage the flower, and bring it back to put in a vase for the princess later."

Using red plum blossoms to decorate a vase is the most elegant, especially when the red plum blossoms on top are still just buds. If you take good care of them, they can last for quite a while and will look both fragrant and beautiful when placed in the house.

Chu Yuanchen held a bamboo basket in one hand and a plum branch in the other, without moving, and just looked at him with a smile.

Why does this look a bit... silly? Sheng Xiyan burst out laughing, her smile was charming and touching.

She took the plum branch from his hand and carefully placed it upright in the bamboo basket to avoid crushing the plum blossoms on it. Then, she gently pulled down a plum branch, motioning him to help her, and carefully cut the budding plum blossoms from it with bamboo scissors.

She held the plum blossom in her hands and raised her eyebrows at him, meaning: Did you see it?

It needs to be cut, not folded directly!

Chu Yuanchen's eyes never left her.

It took so much effort to just pick a flower. If someone else did it, he would just think it was a waste of time. But now, her every smile, every move could easily move his heart, and his eyes were unconsciously filled with a gentle and affectionate smile.

He asked impatiently, "Which one should we pick next?"

Sheng Xiyan's critical eyes swept across the branches one by one.

The plum blossoms used to make plum blossom tea must be carefully selected from the buds, so that the plum blossom tea made next year will have a refreshing fragrance.

“This one.”

“And this one.”

Sheng Xiyan took command as a matter of course.

She picked the most suitable flower buds, cut them with bamboo scissors, and placed them in a bamboo basket, being careful to avoid them damaging the petals.

They walked and stopped, not feeling any trouble at all.

"This one is good."

Her eyes lit up and she tiptoed to cut the flowers. Before she could put the flower bud down, her foot went numb and she fell backwards involuntarily.

Chu Yuanchen was right beside her. He quickly raised his arms and held her in his arms.

His breath was very close, and the hot air he exhaled brushed against her cheek, like a feather gently caressing her.

Her earlobes suddenly became red, and she quickly stood up straight, pretending nothing had happened, with a slightly evasive look in her eyes.

Chu Yuanchen covered his lips with his fist and chuckled. Seeing her earlobes turning redder and about to get angry, he suddenly said, "You went to the girls' school a few days ago and won first place?"

"Our Ah Yan is awesome."

Sure enough, her attention was immediately diverted.

Her almond eyes sparkled. Even though she had not gone there for the championship in the first place, Sheng Xiyan was still very happy to win the championship by playing the piano.

"I haven't played the piano in years."

If you count carefully, she hasn't touched the piano for a long time in her two lifetimes.

She looked at her expectantly, and even without saying anything, her big black and white eyes seemed to say: Come and praise me.

The two of them were very close, and the delicate fragrance from her body was carried over by the wind, just like the warm jade in his arms just now.

Chu Yuanchen just looked at her like this, with a smile on his face. He praised her generously, "Ayan is the best."

Sheng Xiyan's eyes became brighter and her smile was as beautiful as a flower.

Chu Yuanchen said at the right time: "But I haven't heard of it..." He sighed with some regret, "If I had known earlier, I would have gone to the girls' school that day."

"I'll play it for you!" Sheng Xiyan was very happy to be praised, "I'll play it for you alone."

Sheng Xiyan looked up at him, and in her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, there was only his figure.

Chu Yuanchen liked that she was looking at him so wholeheartedly, and his smile deepened, and he said, "Okay!"

"That's about it." Sheng Xiyan looked down at the bamboo basket in his hand, "Let's go back."

Sheng Xiyan picked half a basket of red plums and visited almost the entire plum forest. These plums were still not enough for making wine, but they were just right for making plum tea!

She said happily, "When I finish it, I will bring it to you next summer."

"No need." Chu Yuanchen's thin fingers gently stroked her cold cheeks, "You will be in the palace next year."

Oh yeah! I almost forgot.

So, these plum blossom teas have to be considered as dowry?

After a moment of hesitation, Chu Yuanchen picked a blooming red plum blossom and put it in her hair.

The red plum blossoms shine brightly against her fair and delicate skin.

"It's so beautiful." Chu Yuanchen murmured.

Sheng Xiyan showed a rare shyness. She avoided her burning gaze and walked forward on her own.

Chu Yuanchen laughed happily, carrying a bamboo basket, and followed quickly.

He had long legs and walked fast, so he caught up with her in just a few steps. He naturally held her and warmed her hands.

After trimming plum blossoms for so long, her fingertips were frozen and a little red. She was reluctant to let go of his warm hand for a moment, so she simply let him hold it.

When they returned to the martial arts arena, Jingle was still sitting in the same place, staring at Jiuyang who was practicing horse stance in the arena, with a gentle smile on her face.

Seeing Sheng Xiyan coming back, Jiaoyang's eyes lit up obviously, but she still remembered that her master did not tell her to rest and she could not move, so she continued to do the horse stance obediently.

Jingle glanced at the plum blossom pinned in Sheng Xiyan's hair and felt that her son was not so stupid. At least, besides having a face that was good enough to coax people, he also knew how to pin flowers on Sister Yan's hair!

She asked casually, "Have you picked it?"

Sheng Xiyan took the bamboo basket and showed it to her.

There was a small basket of plum buds in it, with a thick layer at the bottom, and a plum branch with buds.

"Princess, don't underestimate these. The plum blossom tea made from them is very fragrant." Sheng Xiyan said happily, "Plum blossom tea requires plum blossoms in bud, and the plum blossom wine needs to be more beautiful. I will come back to pick them in a few days, and take some plum mint and honey. The brewed wine will be sweet and fragrant." She had never tasted it, but this is what was written in the book.

Jingle followed her instructions and nodded frequently, thinking with interest: This little girl can drink very little, but she still has a lot of skills when it comes to brewing.

The two of them sat down next to Jingle, and a nanny brought over a hand warmer. Jingle praised his son at the right time, saying, "Achen specially ordered someone to warm it."

Sheng Xiyan took the hand warmer, and the warmth in her hands made her squint her eyes in satisfaction.

"elder sister!"

It was finally time for Jiaoyang and Shengyan to rest, so they ran over from the martial arts arena.

Jingle prepared tea and snacks for them, and a maid handed them handkerchiefs for them to wipe the sweat off their foreheads.

Jiuyang sat next to Sheng Xiyan intimately. Sheng Yan saw that there were no seats on either side of his sister, so he had to sit next to Chu Yuanchen.

He is my brother-in-law, just let them have their way! Thinking of this, Sheng Yan became happy again.

Jingle handed the freshly made plum blossom cakes to the two children.

Sheng Yan finished the meal in a few bites, then said, "Sister, Ah Cheng said that before the seal is sealed, the emperor will review the imperial guards and will select some of the people who signed up for the military examination to form a ceremonial guard. Should I take the exam?"

Sheng Yan only found out about this yesterday and specifically asked Chu Yuanchen about it. Chu Yuanchen said that as long as his sister agreed, it would be fine.

Sheng Xiyan just asked: "Do you want to go?"

"I do!" Sheng Yan said.

Even the escort team could see the performance of the Imperial Guards up close. Sheng Yan had never seen such a scene before.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "Then go ahead."

With his sister's support, Sheng Yan was so happy that he almost jumped up with joy.

He said, "Sister, Ah Cheng said that this was proposed by Zheng Zhongming, saying that the imperial guards had not been off the battlefield for a long time and were afraid that they would become useless, and..." He glanced at Chu Yuanchen and saw that Chu Yuanchen was smiling, so he continued openly, "Also, it can let the Zhenbei Palace see the majesty of the imperial guards."

So, he didn't know whether he should go.

"Go ahead." Sheng Xiyan said with a smile, "The Zhenbei Palace should also want to see the imperial guards."

Sheng Yan didn’t quite understand, but seeing that his sister and Chu Yuanchen were smiling, he knew there must be no problem!

Jiaoyang waited obediently until they finished talking about the business, then said, "Sister, can we have plum blossom soup cakes for lunch?"

After picking so many plum blossoms, Sheng Xiyan certainly satisfied her: "I'll make it. It's delicious."

Jiuyang rubbed his body against her arm dependently.

Sheng Xiyan borrowed the small kitchen from Jingle and happily took her to make plum blossom soup cakes.

After lunch, Sheng Yan's afternoon homework was the Four Books and Five Classics, the Art of War and the Theory of Moxibustion, of course, the latter being the most important.

In the afternoon, the teacher taught Jiuyang to read and understand things.

Sheng Xiyan stayed until noon before saying goodbye. Chu Yuanchen sent her back and, on the pretext of freezing cold weather, got into her carriage, letting Wuti follow by himself.

Sheng Xiyan told her about the two maids given by the Queen Mother, and asked, "Doesn't the princess know the identity of the eldest brother?"

"I don't know." Chu Yuanchen shook his head, and after a few breaths of silence, he said, "I dare not say."

Just these three words "dare not say" are so heavy.

Sheng Xiyan didn't ask any more questions.

Chu Yuanchen accompanied her all the way to the gate of the mansion, and agreed to pick her up on the day she was scheduled to go to Anping Marquis' Mansion.

Only after watching the carriage enter the mansion did Chu Yuanchen mount his horse and leave.

As soon as I returned to the courtyard, E Rui came over and said, "Miss, the lady asked you to come over and eat Laba porridge."

It's already 8 years old.

Sheng Xiyan was stunned. Time passed so quickly.

It was still midsummer when she was reborn, but in just a short while, it was already winter.

After the New Year, she will get married.

Thinking about getting married, Sheng Xiyan's heart beat faster for some reason. She felt sweet in her heart and was full of anticipation.

Sheng Xiyan went to the main courtyard in a very good mood.

The others had also arrived. After they exchanged greetings, a maid served her a bowl of Laba porridge.

Every year on Laba Festival, the emperor would reward Laba porridge to all the officials in the court. This year was no exception, but only one bowl was given from the palace, so they had to eat the porridge cooked by themselves in the palace.

It was snowing outside again. Sheng Xiyan still remembered that the snow lasted for several days after Laba, and it became even colder after the snow stopped.

This year is an unusually cold winter.

After eating Laba porridge, Sheng Xiyan went into the small study.

After flipping through many medical books and wasting a lot of silk paper, Sheng Xiyan finally wrote a prescription before the snow stopped.

She took the prescription and read it carefully several times, then smiled with satisfaction and instructed, "Xigui, go to Baicaotang later and get the medicine according to this prescription. Ask Baicaotang to boil it for you and apply it in the capital for ten days first."

Sheng Xiyan considered her private savings and thought it should be enough.

Sheng Xiyan added: "This is for treating colds."

In her previous life, during this cold winter, many people caught colds and died because they could not get medical treatment in time.

Xigui took it with both hands solemnly.

This thin prescription seemed as heavy as a thousand pounds in her hand.

Xigui was also born in a poor family, so he certainly understood that it was expensive for the poor to see a doctor and even more expensive to buy medicine. Once one accidentally got sick, most of the time one could only endure it. If one could survive it, it was God's mercy, but if not, one would just close one's eyes and wrap oneself up in a thin mat. In the cold winter, it was especially difficult for the elderly and children to endure.

It's freezing cold, and if someone could apply medicine, many lives could be saved.

Xigui was excited and said immediately, "I will go now."

Sheng Xiyan warned, "Don't use my name."

Xigui agreed and went to do it in a hurry.

The prescription Sheng Xiyan gave was specifically for treating colds. Although Chinese medicine emphasizes tailoring the prescription to the individual, it was impossible for her to prescribe a separate prescription for every patient with a cold, so she wrote this special prescription.

She put a lot of effort into reading through her grandfather's medical notes and medical books, and spent nearly half a month writing and revising, and finally got this one.

The effect is definitely not as good as one person's own prescription, but it can also be very effective in treating colds, and the herbs used in this prescription are cheap. Her private money is enough to last for ten days.

She was lucky enough to live again. If she could save more people, it would mean that this opportunity given to her by God was not wasted.

She yawned and planned to rest for a while. Chu Yuanchen had someone deliver a letter to her early in the morning, saying that he would go to Anping Marquis Mansion the day after tomorrow.

I hope God will not be too harsh on Xiao Shuo in this life.