Chapter 22: The Star of Solitude

Feng Chuchen consulted with Old Physician Fang to readjust Feng Buji's medication and acupuncture regimen. Feng Chuchen also asked several questions, all of which the old physician answered patiently.

Young Physician Qin would also chime in. His voice was gentle, and he was not only good-tempered but also very insightful.

Feng Buji was delighted, casting even more glances at him than he did at Old Physician Fang.

Young Physician Qin didn't think much of it, assuming the little fellow was just curious because he wasn't familiar with him.

After discussing Feng Buji's illness, Feng Chuchen brought out Sister-in-law Guo's prescription and explained the general symptoms.

"I think these three herbs should be replaced..."

Although Old Physician Fang was not an expert in gynecology, he was capable of treating such ailments. He said, "Mmm, replacing them this way is indeed better. If circumstances permit, it would be best to consume some wild ginseng daily."

Since even the esteemed Old Physician Fang said so, it must be the right way.

Guo Lei grinned widely with joy. He hadn't paid a single cent in consultation fees, and yet he had received a diagnosis from Old Physician Fang of Dechun Hall. Of course, Miss Feng was even more capable—to be able to treat illnesses at such a young age.

As for eating wild ginseng every day, the family didn't have that kind of spare money; they would just have to treat him slowly.

By the time the consultation ended, it was late noon. The group bought ten packs of medicine each from the pharmacy. Feng Chuchen also bought extra lingzhi powder and over a dozen herbs used for making her medicinal salves.

Feng Buji couldn't stop the lingzhi immediately; having developed a dependency, it had to be tapered off gradually.

Over thirty packs of medicine were packed into the basket on Guo Lei's back.

They went to a noodle stall at the street corner to eat. Every time they came to Dechun Hall, they ate there.

Guo Lei took out two corn cakes from his basket and smiled, "I brought dry rations, you guys go ahead."

Feng Chuchen smiled and said, "Let's go together. Brother Guo, it's my treat."

Guo Lei shook his head again and squatted under a tree to gnaw on his corn cake.

Feng Chuchen didn't press him further and led her brother to the noodle stall.

The stall was run by a young couple. The man kneaded, sliced, and boiled the noodles, while the wife served the bowls, collected money, and washed the dishes.

"Sister-in-law, three bowls of plain noodles. One cooked softer, and one to be taken over there."

Feng Chuchen pointed to Guo Lei in the distance and gave the young wife twenty-seven copper coins.

Feng Buji leaned close to his sister's ear and whispered, "Sister, that little Physician Qin is quite wonderful. He's handsome, good-tempered, and a great doctor."

Feng Chuchen chided him, "Maybe he already has a son. No matter how wonderful he is, it has nothing to do with us."

Feng Buji sat back on his long stool and said stubbornly, "What if he doesn't have a wife? He looked at you quite a few times, too."

Feng Chuchen ignored the little brat, her attention drawn to the conversation of several men at another table.

One man said, "Have you heard? Miss Xue, the third daughter, the niece of the Empress Dowager's natal family, fell seriously ill yesterday. The Xue family is in a panic."

A second man stopped eating and asked with wide eyes, "Is she the newly betrothed fiancée of the eldest Young Master Ming of the Duke of Ding's residence?"

"Yes, her. Miss Xue was overjoyed to be matched with the eldest Young Master Ming. Even Lord Xue the Second didn't believe in such ill omens and went through with the marriage, even requesting an imperial decree from the Empress Dowager. Less than five days after the decree was issued, Miss Xue fell critically ill. No one knows if she will pull through."

A third man said, "It's not that Miss Xue was overjoyed to be matched with the eldest Young Master Ming. It's because she had small pockmarks on her nose from joypox when she was a child. It's hard to find a young man from a good family with talent, so she settled for the eldest Young Master Ming."

A fourth man was interested in a different question. "Is this the sixth fiancée the eldest Young Master Ming has been matched with? He supposedly 'cursed' two to death, and the latter three had to rush to break off their engagements while they were ill to save their lives. I wonder if the Xue residence will break the engagement..."

The second man asked, "Is it truly that mystical—that any girl betrothed to the eldest Young Master Ming cannot survive?"

The fourth man replied, "It's absolutely true. Never mind officially betrothed girls; I heard that even the maidservants assigned to him by his family die on the second day after being assigned on the first.

"Don't be fooled by the fact that the eldest Young Master Ming is twenty and still a virgin; he's far inferior to us in that regard. So what if he was born into wealth? He's nothing but a silver-plated wax spear. Hahaha..."

The men burst into a fit of triumphant laughter.

The first man added, "It's a pity. The eldest Young Master Ming is skilled in both civil and martial arts, and his bravery surpasses the entire army. Two years ago, he even led a hundred warriors a thousand miles into enemy territory to kill rebels.

"Such a formidable figure cannot subdue a helpless woman. Could it be that he won't be able to touch a woman for the rest of his life?"

The third man chimed in, "They say a high monk cast his horoscope. He has the fate of a 'Solitary Star of Great Yang,' destined to curse his wives. Because of this, Lord Ming doesn't even dare to request the title of Heir for him, fearing he will have no wife or descendants."

A man from another table joined the discussion, "There's another theory. The eldest Young Master Ming doesn't like women, and all those women who died or fell ill were his doing..."

A chorus of gasps immediately followed.

"No way."

"Really?"

"If that's the case, the eldest Young Master Ming is quite ruthless. To take a delicate young lady and either kill her or make her sick."

"The eldest Young Master Ming has a fierce countenance; how could he possibly know how to cherish a lady?"

The man lowered his voice and said, "Do you know who his lover is?"

"Who?"

"Who?"

All the people eating noodles looked up at him, and even the young couple at the stall stopped working to listen.

Feng Chuchen didn't dare look up, only glancing sideways.

The man smiled triumphantly and uttered a few words, "Young Master Shangguan."

There were several sharp intakes of breath.

"Is it Young Master Shangguan from the Princess Yanghe's residence?"

"Yes, him. Every time the eldest Young Master Ming returns to the capital, Young Master Shangguan rushes to the Duke of Ding's residence. The two are inseparable; they don't even return to the Princess's residence at night."

"Oh my, Young Master Shangguan is the number one beauty of the Great Yan Dynasty, more beautiful than a woman. If it's him, no matter how ruthless the eldest Young Master Ming is, he wouldn't dare kill him."

"Surely not. They are cousins; it's normal for them to be close."

"Who says cousins can't do *those* things? I heard Young Master Shangguan doesn't like women either; he only likes patronizing opera singers or visiting prisons to mess with death row inmates. It was only after the Shangguan Consort broke a few of his bones that he was forced to agree to the engagement. He said as long as there is an heir, he won't care how the other plays in the future."

"Yes, yes, I also heard Young Master Shangguan doesn't like women; he treats himself like a woman..."

Another burst of unrestrained laughter followed.

The stall owner's father walked over, looking horrified upon hearing the gossip.

He quickly clasped his hands and pleaded in a low voice, "Gentlemen, please, have mercy. You cannot discuss such matters here. Yesterday at noon, someone was discussing the eldest Young Master Ming at the dumpling shop on Yinquè Street, and they were overheard by people from the Duke of Ding's residence.

"Not only did they beat the people talking, but they also trashed the shop. My business is small; we can't afford such destruction."

The men shut their mouths with awkward smiles; they couldn't afford to offend either the Princess's residence or the Duke of Ding's residence. Especially that living Yama, Ming Shanyue—one spear from him could string them all together like candied haws...

Feng Chuchen was listening with great interest when they suddenly stopped.

What she was most curious about was not the eldest Young Master Ming, but Young Master Shangguan.

Because the Young Master Shangguan they were talking about was the baby that her eldest aunt had saved using the Yin Spirit Needle.

(End of Chapter)