Сhарtеr 19: Shangguan Lin Hеаds Straight to Вihua Pаlасе
Fеng Аici оffеrеd а faint, reаssuring smile. “Your Highness, rеst аssured. Тhе рrinсеss is not sеriоuslу ill. It’s just that residuаl tоxins rеmain in her bodу, cоupled with an аttaсk of intеrnаl heat, whiсh has tempоrаrilу rеndered hеr unаblе tо speаk.”
Upоn hearing this, Сonsort Сhen let оut a long sigh of rеliеf.
“In thаt cаsе, I can set mу mind at еаse.”
Feng Аici noddеd. “As lоng аs I аdminister аcupunсture onсе аnd prescribe a few doses оf mеdicine, the prinсеss will recovеr quiсkly.”
“However, I did not bring my medical kit with me this time…”
She hadn’t expected that Consort Chen’s summons to the palace would be for her to treat an illness.
Consort Chen suddenly realized and immediately instructed, “Qing Ping, go to the Imperial Hospital and fetch a set of silver needles.”
“Does Miss Feng require anything else?”
Feng Aici’s voice remained gentle and calm. “Just some paper and a brush for me.”
A nearby maid quickly understood and brought over a complete set of writing materials.
Feng Aici slightly rolled up her sleeves, her expression serene, and began writing on the paper with fluid, effortless strokes.
Soon, she handed the sheet of paper, inscribed with delicate, flower-like calligraphy, to Consort Chen.
“This is the prescription I have written. Take it twice a day for three days, and she will be well.”
Shangguan Sui blinked.
[Wow, Sister Feng’s handwriting is amazing! And she’s so capable!]
Consort Chen also wholeheartedly agreed with Shangguan Sui’s inner thoughts.
She couldn’t help but praise, “Miss Feng truly has exceptional penmanship.”
Feng Aici curved her lips into a slight smile. “Your Highness flatters me.”
Just then, Qing Ping returned from the Imperial Hospital.
She handed the silver needles to Feng Aici.
Feng Aici accepted them and said softly, “I need to administer acupuncture on the back of the princess’s neck.”
Consort Chen turned Shangguan Sui around in her arms and gently pulled down the little clothing on her back.
Shangguan Sui immediately clung tightly to Consort Chen’s clothes.
Her eyes squeezed shut, and her body trembled slightly.
Yet she knew that to be able to speak again soon, she couldn’t avoid the acupuncture today.
Still, she couldn’t help being afraid and could only vent her panic inwardly.
[Ahhh! The needles are coming!!]
[I hate needles the most!!]
[I wish all needles would disappear from the world! I am sworn enemies with needles!]
[Wah wah wah, I’m so pitiful!!]
Consort Chen found the stream of childish, clear thoughts in her ears rather headache-inducing.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she patted Shangguan Sui.
“Suisui, the acupuncture is already done.”
Shangguan Sui: Huh?!
Shangguan Sui slowly opened her eyes and found herself already dressed again.
Feng Aici had also put away the silver needles.
She opened her mouth. “How was it so fast?”
This clear, childish voice rang out in the hall, startling everyone.
Even Shangguan Sui herself was stunned.
She… could speak?!
Ahhh! Yay yay!
Consort Chen’s face was also filled with delight. “Suisui! You can speak!”
Shangguan Sui nodded vigorously. “Mhm mhm! Mother, I can finally talk, I can make sounds now!”
Feng Aici also gazed tenderly at Shangguan Sui.
Shangguan Sui blinked at Feng Aici, a smile curving her lips, faint dimples appearing on her cheeks.
“Thank you, Sister Feng! You are truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and highly skilled in medicine!”
Consort Chen was also overjoyed. “We truly thank you this time, Miss Feng!”
Feng Aici quickly waved her hand, a blush tingeing her cool features, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“Being able to help the princess is already the greatest blessing for me. Your Highness need not be so courteous.”
Consort Chen shook her head, looking at her with a smile.”You have no idea how long I’ve been worried about the princess’s throat. You’ve done me a great favor.”
After saying this, Consort Chen took off the gemstone bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Feng Aici’s hand.
She looked at her with gentle eyes. “Consider this my token of gratitude.”
Feng Aici hurriedly declined. “No, Your Highness, this is far too precious!”
Shangguan Sui chuckled softly. “Sister Feng, you should take it, or my mother will get angry.”
Hearing this, Consort Chen immediately cooperated by frowning and pretending to be upset.
In the end, Feng Aici had no choice but to accept the bracelet, curving her lips into a faint smile.
“Then I truly thank Your Highness.”
“It is we who should thank you,” Shangguan Sui quickly added.
Shangguan Sui walked over to Feng Aici’s side, blinking her big, sparkling eyes as she looked at her.
“Sister Feng, why don’t you stay and have lunch with us today?”
Feng Aici initially wanted to refuse.
But when she saw Shangguan Sui’s clear, watery eyes, the words she had intended to say simply wouldn’t come out.
In the end, she nodded. “Then this humble girl will impose.”
Perhaps because she had been holding back for too long, Shangguan Sui chattered nonstop throughout the meal.
Both Consort Chen and Feng Aici watched her with gentle expressions.
“Sister Feng, your medical skills are so impressive. Have you ever thought about opening a clinic to treat patients and save lives?” Shangguan Sui asked, blinking.
Hearing this, both Feng Aici and Consort Chen couldn’t help but laugh.
“Suisui, you really know how to joke. There’s no such thing as a woman opening a clinic to practice medicine.”
But as she laughed, Feng Aici’s smile gradually revealed a hint of bitterness and helplessness.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—she simply couldn’t…
After the meal, Consort Chen bestowed a few more gifts, and Feng Aici took her leave.
Watching Feng Aici’s gradually receding figure, Shangguan Sui couldn’t help but sigh.
“What a pity…”
Consort Chen was puzzled. “What’s a pity?”
“It’s a pity that Sister Feng possesses such exceptional medical skills yet is confined to the inner chambers…”
Shangguan Sui continued to ask, “Mother, does the Great Moon Dynasty have any rules prohibiting women from engaging in business?”
Consort Chen shook her head. “The Great Moon Dynasty does not explicitly forbid women from doing business, but most women still do not choose to appear in public.”
“Moreover, in the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are ranked at the very bottom and are considered lowly. The Feng family are respectable scholars—they would absolutely never allow their daughter to practice medicine outside. It goes against propriety and would be far too shameful.”
Shangguan Sui pouted but said nothing more, though inwardly she was ranting furiously.
[What’s so shameful about it! How is helping others shameful?! How is practicing medicine and healing people shameful?!]
[It’s all because of these damn rules of propriety! These rules, when it comes down to it, only end up confining women!]
[So annoying! I can’t even say these things out loud, and even if I did, no one would understand! I can only complain to myself!]
Consort Chen: …Actually, she had heard everything.
But Suisui did have a point.
Shangguan Sui rolled her eyes, then leaned close to Consort Chen’s ear and whispered softly.
Consort Chen’s brows twitched slightly. “Is that possible?”
Shangguan Sui blinked, pleading coquettishly. “Let’s give it a try, Mother! Please agree! You’re the best, Mother!”
“Alright, I agree. We’ll try it tomorrow.”
Consort Chen looked at the prescription Feng Aici had left on the table, her lips pressed together thinly.In ancient times, men could pursue education, join the military, or engage in commerce, but women ultimately seemed to have only one path—marriage. After marriage, they were expected to follow their husbands and remain confined within the inner chambers.
As a woman herself, if possible, she was willing to lend Feng Aici a helping hand.
Soon, Shangguan Lin also received the good news that Shangguan Sui could speak.
He immediately set aside all official duties and rushed straight to Bihua Palace.
Shangguan Lin strode into the hall.
“I heard Suisui can speak now. Quickly, call me ‘Father’.”