Chapter 477 Nourishing the Body in the Space
Although Daiyu received careful recuperation, that serious illness ultimately damaged her health.
The imperial physician privately told Yuan Hongqu, "Lord Lin's condition is due to exhaustion of his heart and blood. It cannot be cured quickly with medicine and requires long-term rest."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Hongqu immediately made a decision.
She submitted her resignation to the Emperor and moved with Daiyu to a hot spring resort on the outskirts of the capital. Far from the hustle and bustle, with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, it was the perfect place to recuperate.
But the real secret lies in the space that the original Red Lotus has expanded several times over.
"Yu'er, close your eyes." That day, Yuan Hongqu held Daiyu's hand and said softly.
When Daiyu opened her eyes again, she was stunned by the sight before her.
This is no longer the small space it once was; it's clearly a paradise on earth—
In the distance, verdant mountains rise one after another, while nearby streams murmur and babble, and exotic flowers and herbs cover the hillsides, exuding a refreshing fragrance.
The exquisite bamboo houses are built along the water, with pavilions and towers scattered in a well-organized manner. There is even a medicinal herb field, which is full of rare medicinal herbs.
“Granny, this…” Daiyu looked at all of this in disbelief.
Yuan Hongqu smiled: "Over the years, I have been managing this space. I thought that one day, perhaps I could give you a place to stay."
She pointed to the medicinal herb field: "These herbs were prepared for you."
He then pointed to a hot spring, saying, "This is a medicinal spring. Soaking in it daily will greatly benefit your health."
Tears welled up in Daiyu's eyes: "Granny, you've gone to so much trouble for me..."
From that day on, Daiyu spent most of her time in the space.
Every morning, she wakes up to the sound of birdsong, first bathes in the medicinal spring, and then practices health-preserving exercises under the guidance of Yuan Hongqu.
In the morning, she was reading in the study by the stream.
The library here is even more extensive than that of the Women's Academy, encompassing everything from classics and historical texts to foreign tales.
When you're tired, look at the scenery outside the window, or tease the intelligent deer.
Lunch is always exceptionally elaborate.
Yuan Hongqu personally cooked the meal, using grains, fruits, and vegetables grown in the space, along with medicinal herbs, making it both delicious and nourishing.
“I remember when you were little, you were a picky eater and refused to take your medicine.” Yuan Hongqu said with a smile as she served food to Daiyu. “So I found ways to turn the medicinal herbs into snacks.”
Daiyu picked up a piece of Poria cocos cake, her eyes filled with longing:
"Back then, I always felt that my nanny was incredibly capable and could solve any problem."
The afternoons were Daiyu's most enjoyable time. Sometimes she would help out in the herb garden, learning about various herbs; sometimes she would learn music from Yuan Hongqu, the sound of the zither echoing through the mountains and rivers; what pleased her most was that there was a martial arts training ground in the space, where she could pick up the martial arts taught by Lan Su again, but no longer for fighting, but for strengthening her body.
“Take it slow,” Yuan Hongqu always instructed patiently. “Practicing martial arts is not about competing for victory, but about harmonizing yin and yang and opening up the meridians.”
In the evening, the two often played chess in the pavilion on the mountaintop.
From here, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire area: the setting sun gilds the mountains, the Ganoderma lucidum in the medicinal fields shimmers, and cranes dance gracefully by the lake.
“Sometimes I feel that this place is even more beautiful than those newly discovered fairylands overseas,” Daiyu said softly.
Yuan Hongqu placed a piece: "Because every blade of grass and every tree here was built for you."
After half a year of this, Daiyu's complexion improved significantly.
Her once pale cheeks regained color, and her cough gradually subsided.
What's even more gratifying is that the lingering worry between her brows has finally dissipated.
On this day, the Tenth Prince came to visit.
When he saw Daiyu practicing sword in the garden, he almost didn't recognize her—the woman in front of him was radiant and her swordsmanship was smooth and flowing; there was no trace of her illness.
"Yu'er..." he murmured, "Are you alright?"
Daiyu sheathed her sword, turned around, and smiled slightly: "Thanks to Granny's meticulous care."
The Tenth Prince sighed with emotion: "It seems that this secluded life is indeed suitable for you."
However, the court did not think so.
Hearing that Daiyu had recovered, various forces began to stir again.
Some people wanted her to return to public life, some wanted her to take charge of the overall situation, and even a prince wanted to come and propose marriage.
Yuan Hongqu refused them all: "Yu'er needs to rest quietly and cannot see outsiders."
She set up a barrier at the entrance to the space, so that no one but her and Daiyu could enter this pure land.
Daiyu, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed this tranquility.
She began to learn how to tend to flowers and plants, and opened up a small garden next to the medicinal herb field, which was filled with crabapple and hibiscus.
Sometimes, when the mood strikes, he will even compose poems and essays while admiring the spring scenery in the garden.
"This is the life you should be living," Yuan Hongqu said with satisfaction, watching her retreating figure as she watered the flowers.
Daiyu turned around and smiled, "Yes, there was no salt administration, no overseas affairs, no court intrigues. Sometimes when I think about it, those tumultuous years seem like they happened in a past life."
But they all knew that such tranquility was hard-won.
It is through twenty years of hard work that I have achieved this carefree life today.
Late that night, Daiyu suddenly developed a high fever.
Yuan Hongqu stayed by her bedside, trying every method, but her condition did not improve.
Just as she was extremely anxious, the space suddenly changed—the rare medicinal herbs moved without wind, emitting a soft glow that enveloped Daiyu.
As the light faded, Daiyu's fever miraculously subsided, and her complexion became even rosier than before.
"This is..." Yuan Hongqu suddenly realized, "It's the space protecting you!"
It turns out that this space, which she had carefully cultivated for twenty years, was already connected to Daiyu by blood and would automatically protect its owner when she was in danger.
From then on, Daiyu's health improved day by day.
Time flows like water, quietly passing through space.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Daiyu has fully recovered, even healthier than before she fell ill.
But she was not in a hurry to return to the court, instead enjoying this rare tranquility.
Sometimes she wonders, if she had known about this paradise twenty years ago, would she still have chosen that thorny path?
The answer is yes.
"Granny," she suddenly asked that day, "if we could do it all over again, would you still take me out of my secluded chambers?"
Yuan Hongqu looked into her bright eyes and nodded firmly: "Yes. Because that's not my choice, it's your destiny."
Yes, those magnificent experiences and the achievements that benefited countless people are the true treasures of her life. And this moment of tranquility is merely a brief respite on her journey.
They smiled at each other, everything understood without a word.
This space is a haven, but not a cage.
When they have rested enough, they will continue their journey to fulfill their respective missions.
Spring has passed and autumn has come; Daiyu has been recuperating quietly at her estate in the suburbs of Beijing for nearly five years.
That day, she was strolling through the crabapple grove in her space when she suddenly heard Yuan Hongqu calling her from outside: "Yu'er, the Tenth Prince has arrived."
Daiyu slowly walked out of the space, and saw the Tenth Prince standing under the crabapple tree in the courtyard, holding a brocade box in his hands.
After a long time apart, he had gained a touch of maturity and composure, but the way he looked at her was still as ardent as it had been twenty years ago.
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