MYUFPC CHAPTER 37

It's Yanqing's good fortune to marry you

Zhao Youze's expression was not as surprised as the two had expected. It was almost frighteningly calm. Jiashan stared at him for a moment.

Madam Pei couldn't help but ask, "Someone has come to treat Yuan Kang's eyes. Is Yuan Kang unhappy about it?"

Zhao Youze's face was very pale. He said quietly, "No."

He raised a finger and scratched his head. "It's just that I remember, when I was little, my father and mother often invited doctors to treat me. But it was all useless. I'm afraid that the divine doctor my aunt invited won't be able to cure me, and it will only upset my aunt."

Madam Pei fell silent. As a woman of a noble family, she always had a soft heart. Thinking of Zhao Youze, at such a young age, having to constantly waver between "hope and disappointment," her eyes soon turned red again.

Jiashan also clenched her fingers. She turned her head slightly and gently wiped away the corner of her eye.

Madam Pei tried to hold back her tears and took a step forward, hugging Zhao Youze tightly in her arms.

She patted his back carefully, as seriously and attentively as she had when she was lulling Pei Yuantang to sleep when he was young. Madam Pei's voice was a little hoarse, and she said, "Yuan Kang is obedient and sensible. Heaven will not be so cruel as to let our child be blind for the rest of his life."

Zhao Youze nodded. He reached out and touched Madam Pei's face, feeling the wetness on his fingertips. He quickly smiled and said, "Aunt is crying. How come Aunt cries more easily than Yuan Kang? If Yuan Kang's eyes can be cured, isn't that a happy thing? Aunt, don't cry."

Madam Pei suppressed the sourness in her eyes. She quickly wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief. She said, "Yes, yes, it's a happy thing."

Zhao Youze also imitated Madam Pei and gently patted her back.

Jiashan ordered in a low voice, "Summon that Kong Lihui. Don't keep him waiting."

Dancui replied, "Yes," and a little palace maid summoned Kong Lihui into the main hall.

Kong Lihui's name was Kong Lihui.

He was nearly forty years old, dressed in a simple coarse linen robe, with a thin and clear face and a few strands of gray hair at his temples, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

Kong Lihui had a very distinct scent of herbs about him, and Jiashan could smell it before he even got close to her, let alone Zhao Youze.

Zhao Youze sniffed and frowned slightly.

Kong Lihui first greeted Jiashan and the others. Seeing Zhao Youze standing aside, although his facial features were extremely outstanding, his eyes were lifeless. When he came in, his eyeballs did not move at all. Kong Lihui had a hunch in his heart.

"Is it this young prince who needs treatment?" he asked.

Madam Pei said, "Yes. He was born with an eye disease. Please take a look."

"Born with it?" Kong Lihui's expression tightened. He walked a few steps towards Zhao Youze, pried open his eyelids, and examined them carefully. Then he carefully took his pulse.

Jiashan watched from the side, feeling very anxious. Although she had taken the initiative to invite Kong Lihui, at this moment, she seemed uncertain again, afraid that Zhao Youze would really continue to be blind like this.

Seeing that Kong Lihui's brow remained furrowed, Jiashan couldn't help but ask, "Is there a problem?"

Kong Lihui looked at her and said slowly, "It's not going to be easy."

Jiashan and Madam Pei looked at each other. Jiashan's long nails dug straight into her palm, and Madam Pei clutched her handkerchief tightly. At this moment, even their breathing became slower.

On the other hand, Zhao Youze took the initiative to ask, "Can't it be cured?"

Kong Lihui raised his eyebrows in surprise. In his half-lifetime, he had seen too many patients who were afraid to face their illnesses, and very few dared to ask about the worst outcome so bluntly.

Kong Lihui said, "Not necessarily."

"This young prince, is he ten years old?" Kong Lihui looked at Zhao Youze's height and asked softly.

Jiashan said, "Eleven years old."

Kong Lihui nodded. "To be honest with you noble ladies, there is hope for treating the young prince's eyes. However, since it has been delayed for so many years, I dare not guarantee that he will definitely recover in the end. I can only say that I will do my best with all my knowledge and experience."

Jiashan let out a long breath. As long as there was hope, it was fine. After all, in her previous life, Kong Lihui had almost succeeded. What she feared most was hearing the words "powerless" from Kong Lihui's mouth.

Zhao Youze, however, turned to Kong Lihui with a hint of doubt and asked, "Really?"

Kong Lihui looked at him with sharp eyes. "Does the young prince not believe me?"

Without waiting for Zhao Youze to reply, Kong Lihui said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I am a wandering doctor, not a quack. The young prince can rest assured of that."

Regardless, Kong Lihui was currently the only hope.

Fearing that Kong Lihui might harbor resentment, Jiashan picked up a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from Zhao Youze's forehead, and said at the same time, "For the sake of his eyes, my younger brother has seen many doctors since he was young, and even many imperial physicians in the palace have felt helpless. He is inevitably a little disheartened. If he has said anything offensive, please forgive him."

Kong Lihui stared at Zhao Youze for a moment before turning to Jiashan. He bowed slightly, humbly saying, "You're too kind."

Jiashan smiled and got up to help Kong Lihui to his feet.

Kong Lihui quickly wrote out a prescription. Jiashan took the prescription and looked at it for a few moments, then ordered Su Yu, "Go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and ask Imperial Physician Gong to prepare the medicine."

Then, she turned to Kong Lihui and said, "I'm afraid you'll have to stay a while longer. I can only rest assured after you've confirmed that the medicine prepared is correct."

It was only natural for people in the palace to be cautious. Kong Lihui smiled and said, "Of course."

After writing the prescription, Kong Lihui took out a few silver needles and was about to use acupuncture on Zhao Youze. Jiashan asked Dancui to lead the two of them to the side hall and take good care of them.

When they left, Madam Pei took a sip of hot tea and said, "You can rest assured about Kong Lihui. His roots and vital connections are all in Jiangnan, and your uncle is watching over things there, so there won't be any mistakes."

Jiashan nodded slightly, but still said, "I've troubled my aunt and uncle for me and Yuan Kang these days."

"Silly child," Madam Pei put down her teacup and scolded her lightly, "Why are you so polite among family? Yuan Kang is so pitiful. If he can truly recover, your aunt would be willing to do anything."

Madam Pei had always been very affectionate towards Jiashan. During the time when her mother passed away, Madam Pei often came to the palace and stayed up all night with Jiashan.

After she got married in her previous life, it was also her aunt who was afraid that she would be lonely and often went to see her.

Jiashan's eyes were slightly sore, and her heart softened. She rarely acted coquettishly and said, "Aunt is the best."

A warm light appeared in Madam Pei's eyes. She had no daughters, and besides Pei Yuantang, she also had a mischievous son, so she truly treated Jiashan as half a daughter.

Madam Pei said, "Don't thank me too soon."

She slowly raised her eyes, scanned the surroundings, and asked softly, "There are no outsiders here, so let me ask you. Are you going to inform His Majesty about treating Yuan Kang's eyes, or keep it a secret?"

Hearing Madam Pei bring up the matter, Jiashan furrowed her brow slightly. She said calmly, "I was just about to discuss this with you, Aunt."

"The year Yuan Kang was born, there was a landslide in Lantain Mountain and a severe drought in Yu Prefecture. The famine lasted for nearly two months," Jiashan said indifferently, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. She sneered, "Because of this, many people with ulterior motives said that my mother's pregnancy was inauspicious."

"Coincidentally, Yuan Kang was born blind. At that time, many people said that the prince being blind was a fulfillment of that inauspicious rumor," Jiashan seemed lost in thought as she recalled the past. She gave a faint, bitter smile and said softly, "Moreover, with my mother's early death, so she was undoubtedly worried about Yuan Kang's eyes."

Jiashan's tongue felt slightly bitter. She gave a faint smile and said lightly, "For these reasons, Father has not been very fond of Yuan Kang over the years. If we are certain that we can cure Yuan Kang's eyes, it would be fine. But I'm afraid that if we are uncertain, it would backfire and make Father even more displeased with Yuan Kang."

When Zhao Youze was born, Madam Pei had already married into the Pei family. At that time, she would often enter the palace and accompany Jiashan and the other young princes with Pei Yuantang. Therefore, she was also aware of these old matters.

Now, hearing Jiashan recount them in detail, she felt a lot of emotion and sighed, "Although that's the case, it's still not good to hide it from the Emperor."

"I'm afraid he will think that you have ulterior motives," Madam Pei hinted, pausing for a moment, "and it will alienate the relationship between you and your father."

Jiashan sighed slightly. "I know what you mean, Aunt."

"Then according to my aunt, should we still inform the Emperor?" Jiashan asked, looking up.

Madam Pei took a few sips of tea and said softly, "Let's wait until Kong Lihui has examined Yuan Kang and seen some progress."

Jiashan's brow remained furrowed, and she nodded, "Alright."

Perhaps the topic was a bit heavy. After a while, Madam Pei looked at Jiashan with a smile and changed the subject, saying, "When I entered the palace, I also met Commander Zhan of the jinwu Guards, and he greeted me."

Zhan Yue held a rank of third-grade official, so he didn't need to greet Madam Pei. Since Madam Pei used a teasing tone, Zhan Yue must have greeted her as a junior out of respect for Jiashan.

Jiashan blushed slightly and said solemnly, "He's the most meddlesome."

"He told me that if you need anything, you can just ask him," Madam Pei asked, "Did you tell him about Yuan Kang's matter?"

Thinking of what Zhan Yue had said to her that night, Jiashan said, "He probably guessed. It doesn't matter if he knows. After all, he's not an outsider. And having my aunt in the palace gives me some reassurance."

Hearing Jiashan say that Zhan Yue was not an outsider, Madam Pei smiled. She held Jiashan's hand and said, "I think he is very heroic and well-suited for you."

"Although Commander Zhan has no title, I heard from your maternal uncle that His Majesty values him greatly," Madam Pei chuckled. "Don't bully him just because you're a princess."

Bully him? I wonder who's bullying whom!

Jiashan lightly snorted and lifted her chin slightly, "Aunt, you underestimate him."

Madam Pei smiled and tapped Jiashan's forehead lightly, then pulled her closer and gave her some advice on women's matters.

The aunt and niece chatted together for the entire afternoon. As the sun was about to set, Madam Pei left with Kong Lihui.

Jiashan was always worried about Zhao Youze. As soon as Kong Lihui left, she called Zhao Youze and asked him how he felt.

Zhao Youze scratched his head and thought for a moment and said, "It just hurt a little when he was using the needles. Nothing else feels different."

"Oh, and," Zhao Youze added, "the medicine Kong Lihui prescribed is so bitter. Can I have two more candied fruits today?"

He raised his innocent face and asked Jiashan with sparkling eyes.

Jiashan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Hasn't Mr. Xu taught you, Yuan Kang, that good medicine tastes bitter?"

After giving him a lecture, Jiashan firmly said, "No."

Zhao Youze said dejectedly, "Okay."

It was normal for him not to feel anything on the first day. Jiashan kept him for dinner and reminded him not to forget Mr. Xu's lessons.

Zhao Youze nodded and after finishing dinner, he let Su Yu take him to the study to review his lessons.

Jiashan was very relieved to see her younger brother like this. But as soon as she thought about leaving the palace soon, she couldn't help but feel a little sad. Rubbing her temples, Dancui came in and said, "Your Highness, Princess Ruyang is here."

Jiashan's eyes lit up. "Invite her in quickly."

Ruyang had come to say goodbye to Jiashan. She had stayed in the palace for a month, which was a long time for her.

Hearing that Ruyang was going back to the temple, Jiashan hurriedly tried to persuade her, "It's only November now, why don't Aunt stay a few more days? New Year's Eve is coming soon, and I want you to stay in the palace and celebrate with us."

Ruyang's expression was calm. She shook her head and said, "I've been living in the temple for so many years. I'm not used to such a lively atmosphere."

"Moreover, your marriage to Yanqing will be on the agenda after the New Year. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay in the palace," Ruyang's expression was calm, but there was a hint of joy in her voice when she mentioned Zhan Yue and Jiashan's marriage, showing that she was genuinely happy.

Since Princess Ruyang is a widow and has already become a nun, it's indeed inappropriate for her to attend a wedding banquet according to the current rules, Jiashan had no choice but to said, "So, we'll visit the temple another day and prepare a separate feast for Aunt. Since Aunt doesn't drink alcohol, we can just use tea instead of wine."

Ruyang smiled gently, "It's Yanqing's good fortune to marry you."

Jiashan blushed slightly and retorted, "I only hope he thinks the same."

"Rest assured, he naturally thinks the same," Ruyang's eyes were filled with a friendly smile. She said softly, "If he hadn't personally begged me, how could I have asked His Majesty for this?"

"Perhaps marrying you has been a long-cherished wish of his heart," Ruyang said with a smile, thinking of Zhan Yue's appearance at that time.

Jiashan raised her eyes slightly, with a hint of unspoken meaning in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows.

As an experienced woman, Ruyang could guess that Jiashan must also have feelings for Zhan Yue. Ruyang felt a little more relieved.

She turned her gaze and saw that Jiashan's face was radiant. Ruyang couldn't help but lower her eyelashes slightly. Her tone was soft and slow, "Besides coming to say goodbye today, I also wanted to tell you some old things."

Ruyang's expression was more serious than usual, and Jiashan couldn't help but raise her eyes and ask softly, "What?"

"About the Fu family," even though Ruyang was trying to suppress her pain, her tone was inevitably filled with sadness and sorrow.

Thinking of the Yongding Marquis Mansion, whose decades of achievements had been completely wiped out, Jiashan's heart tightened.

After a moment of silence, she said slowly, "Please tell me."

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