Chapter 44: Forcing It (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote)

But Feng Chuchen could not say those words plainly.

Knowing that the "Life-Long Incense" could not burn, she still placed it in the censer and took out a fire starter to light it.

Regrettably, no matter how many times she tried, it would not ignite.

A few sighs drifted over, and Madam Jiang, who had just entered, burst into tears.

This was her first grandchild, and such a chubby eldest grandson at that.

Feng Chuchen shook her head, feeling powerless.

Madam Jiang said, "Is it because your skills are inferior to Midwife Feng's that you cannot light the Life-Long Incense? Try administering the Yin-Spirit Needle. If you save him, there will be a heavy reward of five hundred taels of silver. If you fail, we won't blame you."

Feng Chuchen replied, "If the Life-Long Incense does not burn, the needle cannot be administered. Moreover, the infant has already stopped breathing."

Madam Jiang said angrily, "What is the point of the Yin-Spirit Needle if he still has breath? The infants Midwife Feng treated were all breathless. No, you must administer the needle. My grandson is so chubby; he can certainly be saved."

To think there were people so domineering and unreasonable, blatantly lying through their teeth.

If it were Midwife Feng, she wouldn't dare to be so insistent.

Madam Jiang was simply bullying Feng Chuchen for being young and timid, trying to force her to attempt the procedure.

Feng Chuchen showed no fear and said coldly, "If the Life-Long Incense does not burn, the Yin-Spirit Needle cannot be administered. That is the rule."

Madam Jiang barked sharply, "Rules are made by men! Hurry up and administer the needle. Midwife Feng would risk her life to save people; do you not even dare to try?"

As long as her grandson could be saved, this girl's death would be well worth it.

Feng Chuchen handed the censer and the incense to Auntie Wang and said calmly, looking at her, "I am sorry, but I cannot break this rule for a dead child. If I break it, I will never be able to light the Life-Long Incense again, and I won't be able to save other patients."

She would not mention that performing the procedure would cause a backlash against the practitioner.

Madam Jiang was so angry she nearly fell backward. If she pressed further, she would be disregarding the lives of all other infants.

"So sharp-tongued for such a young age! Someone, slap her mouth..."

She intended to beat her until she had no choice but to perform the procedure.

As two old servants approached, Auntie Wang immediately stepped in front of Feng Chuchen and raised her voice, "Madam Jiang, you cannot force people to do things against their will. That infant is stone dead; even if my eldest sister were here, she couldn't save him."

Feng Chuchen watched Madam Jiang coldly, without a trace of fear.

Her right hand, hidden in her sleeve, already gripped a small pebble. If the servants dared to strike, she would flick the pebble at their ankles to make them fall and cause chaos in the room, allowing her to escape.

In truth, she would rather aim for Madam Jiang. But it was winter, and Madam Jiang only had her hands and neck exposed; hitting those areas would be too risky.

The servants' jackets ended above the heels, and they weren't wearing boots, making them easy targets.

To be safe, Feng Chuchen always kept several small pebbles, about the size of a fingertip, in her sleeve. She had tested them at home; they had significant impact within a distance of about half a zhang.

She was very reluctant to use this trick in such a setting; if she were discovered, it would be useless in the future.

From outside the window came Master Jiang's anxious voice, "Mother, Miss Feng has done her best." He then barked at the servants, "Don't just stand there, escort Miss Feng out of the manor!"

He was worried sick but could not enter the delivery room.

Midwife Feng had just been honored by the Emperor, and with so many imperial physicians and female doctors watching, if his mother's coercion were made public, it would surely lead to scandal.

Called to clarity by her son, Madam Jiang saw Feng Chuchen's cold, resolute, and fearless expression, which reminded her of Midwife Feng in her youth...

A flicker of trepidation rose in her heart, yet she was unwilling to be intimidated by a country girl, so she stared back coldly at Feng Chuchen.

Without the Madam's command, the servants did not dare to force Feng Chuchen out.

As the standoff continued, Physician Zhou's voice rang out at the opportune moment, "Madam Jiang, the eldest young mistress has woken up."

Madam Jiang walked toward the bedside.

Only then did the servants clear the way, saying to Feng Chuchen, "Miss Feng, please leave."

Feng Chuchen glanced back at Physician Zhou's retreating figure; she had helped her.

In the carriage, Auntie Wang comforted her, "If the Life-Long Incense doesn't burn, even your eldest sister wouldn't administer the needle. It's not your fault, Miss."

Feng Chuchen sighed and shook her head.

That slap had almost landed on her face.

Now that everyone knew the truth, some people were still willing to disregard the lives of others to get their way. If Master Jiang hadn't intervened and Physician Zhou hadn't called out, she really might have been beaten.

How much bitterness and grievance had her eldest sister endured on her journey through life? She wondered what kind of hardships she would encounter in the future...

Her sister's finger-flicking technique was so good; why had she never used it?

Perhaps she had used it at the most critical moments, and others simply didn't know.

Returning to the small courtyard, Feng Chuchen washed up and lay down to rest.

Fearing Feng Buqi would worry, she did not tell him about the incident at the Jiang manor.

Madam Wen had the servants invite Auntie Wang to the main courtyard.

Hearing how domineering and unreasonable Madam Jiang had been, Madam Wen curled her lip. She said casually, "Miss Feng is young. In the future, tell her to speak more softly to avoid suffering losses."

They did not dare offend the household of Minister Jiang, so they were unwilling to speak ill of Madam Jiang.

Two days later, young Wen Ying caught a cold.

Feng Chuchen was invited to treat her. She prescribed two doses of herbal medicine and performed three bloodletting punctures; seven days later, the girl was much improved.

Madam Wen sighed with admiration, "At such a young age, she is almost catching up to Physician Min of the Imperial Academy. Truly, the student surpasses the master."

Physician Min was an expert at treating colds.

The eldest Young Mistress of the Wen family said, "Having observed her for so long, I believe Miss Feng is a steady person. She is tight-lipped and doesn't say a word she shouldn't. We can let her treat my sister-in-law's illness."

Madam Wen, the eldest, nodded. "That marriage is something the Earl and Shu'er are very fond of; they fear it won't come to pass. If Shu'er bears many sons, she will enjoy boundless wealth. But if she struggles to conceive, she will suffer in the future..."

The eldest Young Mistress whispered again, "There are rumors outside that Miss Feng's medical skills are lacking and that she is merely a fraud riding on Midwife Feng's reputation. Needless to say, it must have been leaked by the Jiang manor."

Madam Wen said, "Some of Madam Jiang's actions are truly beneath contempt. Why bother making things difficult for a young girl? Everyone knows that if the Life-Long Incense doesn't burn, the Yin-Spirit Needle cannot be administered.

"She must have seen Midwife Feng lose her life while saving someone and wanted to force Miss Feng to risk it for her grandson... Those who don't know might think Miss Feng cannot perform the divine needle technique and that our manor is boasting. Fine, from now on, do not tell outsiders that Miss Feng's skills are extraordinary. There is no need to offend that family."

In the blink of an eye, it was early winter.

On the eighth, light snow began to fall, and the cold wind howled, making it even colder.

After dinner, Feng Chuchen took Feng Buqi for a stroll under the eaves.

The little fellow was dressed like a ball, wearing a Liuhe hat. His small face was flushed red from the cold, yet he was full of energy.

Previously, in such cold weather, he would spend most of his time lying on the heated kang, but now he would be active outside for two quarters of an hour every morning, noon, and night.

Feng Chuchen had already promised to start teaching him Tai Chi after the New Year. It would strengthen his body and be beneficial for learning needle techniques in the future. Once they returned, she would put small thimbles on his hands to let him practice his finger-flicking technique.

There were many large and small copper thimbles in the house, including ones that would fit him.

Suddenly, a maid ran over in a hurry.

"Miss Feng, Auntie Wang, my eldest young mistress's stomach has started to ache. She told me to come accompany little Master Feng, so please go attend to her."

Feng Chuchen and Auntie Wang quickly grabbed the supplies they had prepared and ran toward the Young Mistress's courtyard.