Feng Jin's fingers rested on the infant's pulse, her furrowed brow gradually smoothing out.
She had been worried that the baby, trapped for too long and having inhaled amniotic fluid, might have suffered from oxygen deprivation and potential intellectual impairment. However, the pulse was strong and healthy.
"The baby was trapped for too long. The pulse shows no issues now. Take good care of them, and if anything seems amiss, come find me at the Ling Manor immediately."
There weren't many discernible problems at this stage. Only as the child grew and developed would more become apparent.
"Thank you, Madam. My wife is very weak. Please take good care of her."
Liang Chen had already heard from the maid how Feng Jin had delivered the baby. The account had left him stunned, and it took him a while to recover.
The imperial physicians were unable to cure Princess Qingping's illness. As the saying goes, "The one who tied the bell must untie it." He could only implore Feng Jin to continue caring for both mother and child.
"Of course. I will visit the manor daily to check on their condition."
She had initially intended to visit only once every three days, but given that this was ancient times, with less advanced medical technology, her greatest concern was postoperative infection.
A successful surgery could still be jeopardized by infection, a responsibility she could not shirk.
"Thank you, Madam!" Liang Chen bowed gratefully.
"This is but a small token of my appreciation, Madam. Please accept it!"
A servant brought forward a chest, bowing as he placed it before Feng Jin.
Feng Jin opened the chest to find it filled with gold ingots, totaling a thousand taels.
"Saving lives and healing the injured is the duty of a physician. I absolutely cannot accept this wealth!"
Feng Jin's stance was firm. How could mere gold and silver compare to the kindness of the Duke of Yue's mansion?
As Feng Jin prepared to leave, she gave some final instructions.
On the way back to the manor, Ling Mo Han's gaze kept shifting between Feng Jin, then paused before he spoke, "Your injuries..."
"It's nothing. Just some superficial scratches, hardly worth mentioning. I'll put some medicine on it when I get back."
Feng Jin turned her head slightly and said faintly.
Inside the carriage, they both looked out the window. They didn't exchange a single word until they returned to the manor.
"Young Madam, you're back." Cai Qing stood by the door and rushed forward as soon as she saw Feng Jin. Upon noticing the tear in Feng Jin's clothing on her back, she gasped, "Young Madam, why is your back torn and bleeding!"
Ling Mo Han, who was walking ahead, heard the commotion and quickly turned around, asking, "What is it!"
He turned Feng Jin around. The fabric on her back was torn, and a reddish bloodstain had seeped through.
Ling Mo Han's brow furrowed. He scooped Feng Jin into his arms and rushed into the house, "Lu Shi, fetch a physician!"
Inside the room, Feng Jin clutched the bedding, a searing pain spreading across her back, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.
"Be gentler!" Ling Mo Han snapped. Was it necessary to apply so much force to clean a wound?
The physician wiped the sweat from his brow and replied tremblingly, "There are wood splinters in Young Madam's wound. If they are not removed promptly, infection and inflammation could cause serious trouble."
"Ling Mo Han, shut up!" If he hadn't been chattering on incessantly, the wound would have been treated long ago. All he was doing was wasting time.
"Say one more word, and you can get out of here and stop being a nuisance!"
It's true what they say: you're not afraid of a god-like enemy, but you fear a pig-like teammate.
Chastised a few times, Ling Mo Han dared not say another word. He closed his mouth and sat quietly, watching, occasionally reminding the physician to be gentle.
What should have taken half an hour to treat the wound took over an hour due to Ling Mo Han's supervision.
After finishing the treatment, the physician let out a sigh of relief. He had been practicing medicine for many years, but today had been the most challenging day.
"Young General, this is the medicinal ointment. Change the dressing with this medicine for Young Madam daily. It's best to avoid any strenuous movements for the next two days."
The physician left the ointment and quickly slipped away.
Ling Mo Han sat by the bed, his face grim, his deep gaze fixed on Feng Jin. After a moment, he commanded, "You will lie in bed for the next two days. You are not to leave without my permission!"
"No, I still have to examine Princess Qingping!"
Feng Jin refused without hesitation. She had gone through immense effort to ensure the safety of Princess Qingping and her child, and not a single oversight could be afforded.
"Lu Shi, issue a decree. Young Madam is confined from today onwards. No one is to allow her to leave without my command!"
Ling Mo Han commanded with a grim expression and left without looking back.
"You scoundrel, I truly regret saving you. I should have left you bedridden!"
That damned man, repaying kindness with enmity. She shouldn't have saved him in the first place.
"Young Madam, the physician instructed you not to move around unnecessarily. If the wound splits open, it will be disastrous!"
The wound on her back was a good ten centimeters long, with several bruised areas.
How had she returned with such injuries after attending a banquet?
Feng Jin lay on the bed like an octopus, with Cai Qing standing vigilantly by her side.
"Cai Qing, I'm hungry. Go get me some pastries."
"Young Madam, the pastries are already prepared. I will fetch them for you!"
Cai Qing rose and brought the pastries from the table to Feng Jin, "Young Madam, the sweet steamed custard, osmanthus honey steamed chestnut cake, and rose crisps that you like are all here. Which one do you want?"
"I'm not hungry anymore..."
The little maid was becoming increasingly clever, having everything ready. It would be difficult to get rid of her.
"Move aside, how dare you block me!"
"Miss, the Young General has instructed that no one is to disturb Young Madam's rest."
"Have you lost your mind? Is there anywhere in the Ling family I cannot go? Get out of my way!"
The commotion and noisy argument outside the door instantly dispelled the drowsiness Feng Jin had just managed to cultivate.
"Cai Qing, go see who is outside."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Cai Qing had just opened the door a crack when a strong force from outside pushed the door open.
Struck by the door, Cai Qing stumbled and fell to the ground.
Ling Yan, accompanied by maids and servants, stood outside the door imposingly, "Blind servants! You dare to block me."
In the Ling family, no one dared to offend her, nor was there anywhere she couldn't go.
"I heard that my sister-in-law is injured, so I came specifically to visit. I have already dealt with the blind servants outside on your behalf!" Ling Yan sat down by the bed with ill intent.
Seeing Feng Jin injured and unable to move, Ling Yan was in a much better mood.
"I have a new bottle of medicinal ointment that is extremely effective. I will apply it to my sister-in-law now!"
With that, she ordered a maid to lift Feng Jin's clothes.
"What are you doing! Stop! The Young General will not spare you if he finds out!"
Cai Qing's hands and feet were held down by the maids and servants, preventing her from moving. She shouted hoarsely.
"Stuff her mouth!"