Chapter 55: Testing (Two chapters in one)

The young gentleman wore a pale cyan long robe trimmed with gold, and his hair was held in place by a jade crown. His features were exquisite, his face as delicate as an autumn flower, and he stood tall and elegant, possessing an aura of splendor.

Shaoyao said, "Miss, that gentleman is Shangguan Ruyu."

Shangguan Ruyu also looked toward Feng Chuchen.

Seeing Feng Chuchen looking at him, he smiled and gave a slight bow.

A smile from such a beauty could topple cities; in the bright spring light, even the flowers seemed more vibrant. It felt as if the entire restaurant had suddenly brightened.

The radiance was so dazzling that those looking at him blinked their eyes.

Feng Chuchen gave him a slight nod in return before averting her gaze.

*My goodness, he is truly beautiful. He’s the kind of versatile handsome man who looks like he stepped right out of a painting.*

*Even the legendary Pan An wouldn't be much more than this.*

It was nearly fifteen minutes after the group had left the restaurant before Feng Chuchen and the others walked out.

They didn't look back, but they knew exactly how many eyes were following Feng Chuchen.

As they walked down the street, they saw several people pointing at Feng Chuchen and whispering, causing even more people to turn and look at them.

Feng Buji, Auntie Wang, Banxia, and Shaoyao were flushed with anger, but Feng Chuchen remained expressionless, acting as if nothing had happened.

Several loud voices of gossip drifted over

"That girl is quite pretty, but she's certainly thick-skinned. She stared at Young Master Shangguan so hard her eyes almost wouldn't come out."

"Young Master Shangguan looked at her too; she must be delighted in her heart."

"How did Feng the Midwife, such a person who values her reputation so much, raise such a descendant?"

...

Old Duke Ming stood in front of a teahouse diagonally opposite, watching this scene with great interest.

An attendant whispered, "Miss Feng is indeed thick-skinned; she acts as if nothing happened."

Old Duke Ming said unhappily, "What do you know? That young girl has an open and honest heart; she doesn't even consider it an issue. Hehe, just like Rong'er."

Hearing their master compare Miss Feng to the Old Duchess, the attendants dared not speak ill of Feng Chuchen again.

Auntie Wang quickly hurried to the street corner to hail a donkey cart.

On the cart, Feng Chuchen opened her purse to find two hundred taels in silver notes.

She smiled; her hard work hadn't been in vain.

She had taken another step forward since leaving the clinic.

Feng Buji was still immersed in his own thoughts. He didn't look at the silver notes, instead silently wiping tears with his sleeve, looking like someone who had fallen into a bottomless pit of hopelessness.

Feng Chuchen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It didn't look like her marriage prospects were being blocked, but rather like the little fellow was destined to be a bachelor for life.

She spoke soothingly, "Don't be angry, little brother. It's not as serious as you think. I'm not that old. In a couple of years, when people forget this incident, I'll still have hope of finding a good young man..."

Feng Buji said angrily, "Not serious? The whole street is talking about you!"

"Let them talk; we'll live our own lives..."

Feng Buji sobbed, "There's something even more serious. If you hadn't saved Young Master Shangguan and he had died, you would be in huge trouble. Even if you didn't die, you'd go to prison. Since I didn't look after you properly, how can I face Great Aunt and our parents in the future..."

Feng Chuchen said, "I'm not stupid. If I couldn't save him, how would I dare to step forward? Alright, alright..."

No matter how she tried to persuade him, Feng Buji kept his neck stiff and refused to look at her.

Left with no choice, Feng Chuchen changed the subject. "What did that old gentleman want you to do, little brother?"

Feng Buji: "..."

Shaoyao said, "I heard the shopkeeper call him Old Duke Ming. The elderly gentleman liked the young master very much. He said the young master has grown taller and fatter, and he even asked for his name and what characters he knows..."

*He truly is an old Duke who loves his wife like his life; one of the celebrity figures of the Great Yan Dynasty.*

Feng Chuchen thought back to the last time at the bun shop, when so many people were gossiping about their three generations with such foul words. The old man hadn't gotten angry at first, but once they mentioned the Old Duchess, he had become enraged and started scolding them.

He hadn't hit anyone, nor had he let his two servants hit anyone.

The old man was not only a playful old soul but also broad-minded and did not bully the common people.

Feng Chuchen gave him her second "good person" card.

Auntie Wang said, "Miss, I saw Second Master Wen there just now."

Thinking of the two people from Dechun Hall, Feng Chuchen's heart sank.

The news that the woman who saved Shangguan Ruyu was Feng Chuchen would spread instantly.

Since she had saved Shangguan Ruyu's life, logically, the Wen family should be grateful. However, ancient people emphasized the separation of men and women. Given how she had saved him, and knowing how narrow-minded Madam Wen was, she certainly wouldn't be happy.

Especially since Feng Chuchen knew what illness the Fourth Miss Wen had; the Wen family would be even more afraid of her having any connection to Shangguan Ruyu...

She had clearly done a good deed, yet it felt like she had dug many pits for herself.

On second thought, she was acting openly and with an honest heart. As long as she maintained her stance, the Wen family wouldn't be able to do anything to her.

Upon returning home, after dealing with the overly enthusiastic Datou, Feng Buji stubbornly retreated to the main room.

Feng Chuchen gave Auntie Wang a look. The little fellow was angry with her; she wanted Auntie Wang to go and comfort him.

Feng Chuchen went to her room and picked up a medical book, but she couldn't focus, so she wandered to the window.

The faint sound of Feng Buji and Auntie Wang talking drifted in.

Feng Chuchen's lips curled into a bitter smile.

The sunlight streamed through the window, feeling warm and cozy.

The courtyard was not large, planted with many green plants interspersed with a few blossoms. Birds flew to and fro on the branches, Datou napped leisurely under the eaves, and a few clothes hung on the laundry line...

Life had just begun to improve, and then this mess happened.

The people here loved gossip; they would even speak loudly about the affairs of the Duke's manor, let alone a country girl with no power or influence like her. She didn't know what they would turn her into.

Then she thought, for her, even death was nothing, so why worry about these things? At worst, she wouldn't marry. She would resolutely avoid internal strife and refuse to be angry...

Once she thought it through, she could finally focus on her book.

At the beginning of the hour of Shen, there was a knock at the courtyard gate.

Banxia, who was busy in the kitchen, ran to open it. "Who is it?"

Seeing the visitor, she quickly opened the door wide and shouted loudly, "Miss, Nanny Liu from the House of Earl Wuyi has arrived!"

It was Nanny Liu, who served by Madam Wen's side.

Feng Chuchen went out to meet her. "Nanny Liu."

Nanny Liu looked displeased. "Miss, my mistress's migraine has flared up again. She is lying in bed and cannot get up. Please, Miss Feng, go and take a look. Oh, thank goodness we knew Miss Feng lived here, otherwise we would have had to go to White Horse Village to invite you."

Feng Chuchen sneered inwardly. *So, they've come.*

She said, "I will go immediately."

She went back to her room to grab her medical kit and asked Banxia to accompany her.

Feng Buji came out, grabbed Feng Chuchen's hand, and said, "Sister, I'll go with you."

He was afraid the Wen family would be unkind to her.

Feng Chuchen shook her head. "Be good and wait for me at home."

Seeing his sister so unusually serious, Feng Buji let go.

Upon arriving at the House of Earl Wuyi, Feng Chuchen was taken directly to the main courtyard.

The side room was quiet. Madam Wen was reclining on the kang with a dark expression, while the First and Second Young Mistresses sat to the side.

Madam Wen said, "My head aches terribly."

Feng Chuchen checked her pulse. "It is nothing serious. I will prescribe a few more doses of medicine for Madam."

The First Young Mistress gave a look, and the servants withdrew.

The First Young Mistress forced a smile and said, "I heard Miss Feng saved Young Master Shangguan at the Yixiangju Restaurant this afternoon?"

Feng Chuchen's expression remained calm as she said indifferently, "Yes. I didn't know at the time that he was Young Master Shangguan; I only saw that he was choking and couldn't breathe. If not rescued promptly, he would have suffocated within half a quarter of an hour. I didn't think much of it at the moment and rushed upstairs to save him."

She then gestured to demonstrate how the rescue primarily involved striking the upper abdomen with a fist. "If you encounter such a situation in the future, perform the rescue like this; it will certainly work."

Feng Chuchen spoke very seriously, with no intention of trying to latch onto Shangguan Ruyu.

Madam Wen's expression brightened slightly, and she smiled. "Thank you. Alas, in order to save Ruyu, perhaps your marriage prospects will be delayed."

After saying this, she stared at Feng Chuchen without blinking.

Feng Chuchen remained silent, waiting for them to continue.

The Second Young Mistress chimed in, "Young Master Shangguan is my young aunt's fiancé. If Miss Feng is willing, once my young aunt marries into his family, she can speak on your behalf and ask Young Master Shangguan to take you as a concubine. Young Master Shangguan is very handsome, and many young ladies admire him."

She then added hesitantly, "However, Miss Feng frequently enters and exits delivery rooms. What if the Princess Royal and Young Master Shangguan are unwilling?"

She didn't want to say it, but her mother-in-law had asked her to test the waters, so she had to brace herself and speak.

After hearing about Feng Chuchen's actions from Second Master today, her mother-in-law was furious. She believed Feng Chuchen must have realized the choking man was Shangguan Ruyu and used such a shameless method to latch onto him.

It was impossible for Shangguan Ruyu not to take concubines, but he absolutely could not take Feng Chuchen. They were not only afraid that Feng Chuchen would leak the condition of Wen Shu's body, but also feared that if Feng Chuchen harbored such shameless intentions, she would not put her full effort into treating Wen Shu's illness.

Thus, they had to invite Feng Chuchen. If she truly had such intentions, they had to find a way to crush her delusions.

Feng Chuchen's face darkened. This was not just a test; it was a blatant way of telling her that even as a concubine to Shangguan Ruyu, she was not worthy.

She said coldly, "Second Young Mistress Wen, even if I never marry in this lifetime, I will never be a concubine to a man. Now, I have finished examining Madam Wen's illness. I shall take my leave."

She stood up to leave.

Madam Wen grabbed her hand. "Miss Feng, please do not be angry. My second daughter-in-law meant well."

She then scolded the Second Young Mistress, "Look at what you're saying. Miss Feng has the same pride and integrity as Feng the Midwife; how could she ever be a concubine to a man?"

The First Young Mistress also tried to smooth things over. "I heard from my young aunt that the man Miss Feng admires must not be fickle, otherwise she would rather remain single than marry."

The Second Young Mistress smiled apologetically. "It was my fault. Miss Feng, please do not be angry."

Feng Chuchen sat back down and said to Madam Wen, "Young Master Shangguan has already sent someone to give me two hundred taels in medical fees. I treat the illness, and he pays for it, just as I treat Madam and the Young Mistresses."

Madam Wen said with eyes full of pity, "You are only fifteen; how can you not marry? I will keep a close eye for you in the future and find you a good young man."

Feeling irritated, Feng Chuchen said coldly, "Thank you, Madam Wen, but there is no need. For someone like me who frequently enters and exits delivery rooms, any family with decent conditions would look down on me.

"I am easygoing. If I encounter someone in the future who does not look down on me and is a good person, I will marry. If I do not, I won't. Being like my Great Aunt is quite fine."

She appeared calm and composed, truly having moved past it.

Madam Wen's heart was completely at ease, and her smile became much more sincere.

"Miss Feng, we believe in you. We only ask that you keep your promise. Regarding certain matters..."

She hesitated, finding it difficult to speak plainly.

Feng Chuchen said, "Madam Wen, keeping a patient's condition strictly confidential is the most basic professional ethics of a physician. If there is something a patient needs kept secret, I wouldn't even tell my own brother, let alone others."

Madam Wen nodded with satisfaction.

The First Young Mistress truly admired Feng Chuchen and said, "Miss Feng is so free-spirited; it is something we women of the inner chambers cannot compare to."

Having said what needed to be said, Feng Chuchen rose and said, "It is getting late; I should return."

Madam Wen smiled. "Thank you for saving Ruyu; otherwise, my Shu'er would have been in a pitiable state."

She gave a look, and the Second Young Mistress presented a brocade box.

Feng Chuchen shook her head and said, "Young Master Shangguan has already paid the medical fee; there is no need for Madam Wen to pay separately."

These words left the Second Young Mistress feeling stifled, and she had no choice but to withdraw her hand.

Madam Wen did not hold her rudeness against her and nodded to the First Young Mistress.

The First Young Mistress rose to see Feng Chuchen out.

Watching that straight back, Madam Wen thought of Feng the Midwife from many years ago.

She felt even more reassured.

Indeed, such a woman would disdain being a concubine to a man.

As soon as Feng Chuchen stepped out the door, the bedroom door opened, and Wen Shu came running out.

Her small face was flushed, and her eyes were full of joy, like a happy little bird rushing to Madam Wen's side.

"Mother, I told you! Miss Feng is not that kind of person. She is truly wonderful and has great integrity. She could never be a concubine, and she certainly wouldn't try to latch onto Young Master Shangguan on purpose."

Madam Wen gently poked her forehead with an index finger. "You, even at your age, are still so naive. One must always be wary of others; 'badness' isn't written on a villain's forehead."

Wen Shu pouted. "I don't know if others are bad, but Miss Feng is definitely not."

Seeing that the mother and daughter were about to share a private conversation, the First and Second Young Mistresses took their leave.

Madam Wen pulled Wen Shu into her arms and said softly, "You must have heard something about what kind of person Young Master Shangguan is. He is not a bad man; he is soft-hearted, kind, and intelligent, but... sigh, men are all like that. Even your father has several women.

"As long as you can bear a son and do not seek to possess a man's entire heart, you will enjoy endless wealth and prosperity for a lifetime. Once you endure until your son grows up, that manor will belong to you and your descendants.

"In these great households, besides the Old Duchess, who can truly win a man's heart? Not even a Princess can."

Wen Shu's eyes reddened slightly. "Mother, I understand. I will not harbor unrealistic expectations."

As long as she could marry Young Master Shangguan, everything would be worth it.

Just then, Earl Wuyi returned. He was in plain clothes, his face dark and very serious.

Wen Shu did not dare to act spoiled with her father as she had before; she merely curtsied and left.

Madam Wen took off Earl Wuyi's outer coat, poured him a cup of tea, and asked, "What is the matter, my lord?"

Earl Wuyi took a sip of water, set the tea bowl down, and said in a low voice, "Grand Preceptor Xue invited me to his villa today."

Madam Wen's eyes lit up, and she smiled. "How many years has it been since Grand Preceptor Xue personally saw you, my lord?"

Earl Wuyi snorted coldly. "That is why it is nothing good."

He turned his head slightly, and Madam Wen quickly leaned in to listen.

He spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Grand Preceptor Xue has prepared several charges against Xiao Henian from ten or so years ago, when he was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, regarding the substitution of inferior goods and the diversion of moldy grain and fodder to the border troops. His intention is that I am the one who collected these pieces of evidence and submitted them to him."

Madam Wen's eyes widened in shock. "Why would Grand Preceptor Xue ask you to do this? Ten or so years ago, you were merely a Commander; how could you have the ability to obtain such things?"