Niao Ni
Chapter 613: What is the Heart of a Physician?
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After the Jing Prince's rebellion in Kyoto, he became increasingly silent. Except for crying at the empress dowager's funeral when the whole country mourned, he never entered the palace again, and his part-time flower gardening also disappeared from the sight of the ministers. The Prince's mansion became the quietest place in Kyoto. The doors were open only to a very few people, naturally including Fan Xian.
Fan Xian tilted his head and placed his fingers on the Jing Prince's wrist, his brow furrowing slightly. After a moment, he released his fingers, thought for a while, and said, "The cold you caught two years ago has long gone, but the pulse is always a bit off, but I can't quite say what's wrong."
The Jing Prince glared and said, "Bullshit! What can you learn from that old fellow Fei Jie? Get out of here! Why are you blocking the way when there's a first-rate Qingshan doctor available?"
The first-rate Qingshan doctor naturally referred to Fan Ruo Ruo. After entering the mansion today, Ruo Ruo seemed particularly quiet, because she really didn't know how to face the Jing Prince. Hearing this, and seeing Wan'er look at her with a smile, she knew there was no escaping it. She stepped forward and gave a blessing, then seriously began to take his pulse.
Fan Xian held back his laughter and went aside. Under his and the Imperial Hospital's care, the Jing Prince's body certainly had no problems. He was just putting on a show with the Prince to make Ruo Ruo relax.
However, the Jing Prince's expression of fatherly comfort as he looked at Fan Ruo Ruo was as if he were watching Li Hongcheng marrying the woman in front of him, and he smiled so strangely that Ruo Ruo couldn't relax at all. Fortunately, once Fan Ruo Ruo treated the Prince as a patient, her expression became natural. After a while, she frowned and said, "What's wrong? Your Highness's body is in excellent condition."
"I look old, but my body is actually quite good. Hongcheng takes after me in that regard."
The Jing Prince squinted at the girl in front of him and said, "Ruo Ruo, you're not getting any younger. If it were any other family, you'd probably be married off long ago. It's just that your brother messed around and sent you away back then."
At this point, the Jing Prince glared at Fan Xian, then turned to Ruo Ruo and said warmly, "It's time to think about it."
Fan Ruo Ruo's face suddenly turned pale. She turned to look at her brother, but the shameless Fan Xian had run off somewhere, leaving her alone here.
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In another part of the Prince's mansion, Lin Wan'er sat beside Fan Xian and said softly, "Be careful when you get back to the residence, your sister will skin you alive."
Fan Xian shrugged indifferently, "My sister never dares to shout at me, unlike you."
Lin Wan'er had now given birth to a son, fulfilling her greatest wish. Coupled with being busy every day handling the affairs of the Fan family and the Hangzhou Guild, she was incredibly busy, gradually developing a dignified and wealthy appearance, and her figure became even more voluptuous.
However, this Princess Consort would never be able to maintain her dignity when she was around Fan Xian. Hearing these words, she gritted her teeth and pinched him, saying, "You only know how to prick me with words."
"It's good to be lively. You're still a young girl, why pretend to be a mistress of the house." Fan Xian laughed heartily, "That appearance of holding a knife to someone's throat was quite good."
This was an old story from when they had a secret tryst and she entered his room uninvited. Lin Wan'er couldn't help but feel embarrassed when he mentioned it, and she forgot what she was going to say earlier. Fan Xian thought for a moment and then whispered in her ear, "I went to Dingzhou to see Hongcheng. I've also had people watching him these past two years. Although he used to frolic among the flowers, he's not like that anymore. Do you think there's any possibility between him and Ruo Ruo?"
Lin Wan'er looked at him, thinking that only someone like her husband would have so many strange ideas. Her sister was already so old, and he was just starting to get worried. What was he doing all those years ago?
"Didn't you say that if your sister wasn't willing, you'd rather she not marry?" She asked curiously, her eyes wide, "Why have you changed your mind again? No wonder you left her at the Prince's place."
Fan Xian said with a headache, "Of course, I won't force her to marry if she doesn't like it, but the problem is, where in this world can I find a better man than Hongcheng?"
Hearing these words, Lin Wan'er also felt a little anxious for her sister-in-law and began to frown and think hard, trying to think of any good families in Kyoto. However, after thinking it over and over, considering her sister-in-law's standards, she couldn't find a single one.
This couple, who were of noble status and incredibly intelligent in handling affairs, were both a little foolish in certain aspects. No wonder they had caught each other's eye like a turtle and a mung bean when they first met at the Qing Temple. After thinking for a long time without coming up with a solution, Lin Wan'er gave up first, saying, "If she doesn't want to marry, then she doesn't have to. Is the residence afraid of not being able to support a woman?"
Hearing these words, Fan Xian was overjoyed, thinking that Wan'er was gradually changing under his influence and was about to break away from the evil feudal ideology.
While the two of them were chatting and smiling in a corner of the hall, on the other side, Si Si and several old matrons were holding the children and chatting with Princess Roujia. Roujia curiously took the baby and held it carefully, unable to help but smile at the infant's adorable appearance. Her clear, silver bell-like laughter echoed throughout the hall, creating a very pleasant, natural, and intimate scene.
Disturbed by the laughter, Fan Xian looked up from Wan'er's ear and glanced at Roujia, who was wearing a crimson pomegranate skirt. His eyes narrowed. It was clearly a somewhat gaudy outfit, but when worn by the little princess, it complemented her well-behaved nature and added a bit of brightness.
The little princess was no longer little. The twelve-year-old Roujia who used to call him "Brother Xian" shyly had grown into a young woman. Her nature was as well-behaved and lovely as ever. Her status was noble, but she served the Prince, respected her aunt, and treated her servants kindly. She had an excellent reputation in Kyoto. There were countless noble families eagerly watching the Prince's mansion, waiting for them to make an offer.
Roujia was seventeen this year, and according to reason, she should have been betrothed long ago, but the Emperor in the palace pitied the Jing Prince for being alone in the mansion, so he had delayed the matter for two years, but he couldn't delay it forever—the Jing Prince had one son and one daughter. Hongcheng was nearly thirty, but he still refused to marry and hid in Dingzhou. This daughter had to be married off.
According to the rumors Fan Xian had heard, the palace would arrange a marriage for Roujia after the new year. According to Lao Dai, many dukes' mansions and ministers were secretly competing in the palace, all focusing their attention on this marriage.
Although there would be many inconveniences in marrying a princess, and it would affect one's future prospects, Roujia had such a good reputation in Kyoto that no one cared about that. As for the future, Lord Fan himself had also married a princess, and wasn't he now unmatched in power?
Everyone thought so, desperately trying to get in with the ladies in the palace. There were also some sharp-eyed and cunning people who thought of Fan Xian's relationship with the Jing Prince's mansion, as well as the weight of his words in front of the ladies, and they shamelessly went to ask Fan Xian for help.
Thinking of this, Fan Xian couldn't help but smile wryly. Looking at Roujia holding the child, he was a bit dazed. In the blink of an eye, Roujia was about to get married. It had been five years since he entered Kyoto, and the changes always made people feel a little at a loss. He wondered which family's son would get this kind and beautiful little princess.
Roujia carefully held the young master and chatted with Si Si, trying to distinguish the differences between the small faces of Fan Xiaohua and Fan Liang, the siblings.
Perhaps because holding a baby reminded her of her own marriage, there was a hint of unease and confusion in her eyes. Although Si Si had been a mother for two years and routinely helped Wan'er manage the affairs of the mansion, the lack of respect for elders that Fan Xian had instilled in her hadn't changed at all. She brazenly leaned over and whispered something in Roujia's ear.
Si Si spoke in a very low voice, but Princess Roujia's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and she nodded repeatedly.
"That girl, I don't know what kind of mischief she's up to." Lin Wan'er, with her sharp eyes, saw this scene and reminded Fan Xian.
Fan Xian also felt a little apprehensive, and then watched helplessly as Princess Roujia handed the child to the old matron, straightened her skirt, and slowly walked over.
Roujia gave him a deep bow, half-squatting on the ground, and said softly, "Brother Xian."
It had been five years, and whenever the little princess, with her rosy cheeks, shyness, and unparalleled tenderness, said the words "Brother Xian," Fan Xian would feel a wave of numbness spreading through his body, and he would want to run away. He quickly helped her up with a serious expression and said, "Roujia, how can you do this?"
The little princess refused to get up, stubbornly saying, "Brother Xian must grant me one request, or I won't get up."
"You have to tell me first, and then I'll see if I can do it." Fan Xian looked at Si Si, who was pretending not to have done anything, and his heart skipped a beat. He felt that this matter would definitely be troublesome.
Roujia was slightly shy, her face flushed, and she said in a mosquito-like voice, "The palace will arrange a marriage after the new year. I hope Brother will take charge."
Fan Xian was shocked, thinking, "How can I take charge of such a matter?" As if guessing what he was thinking, Princess Roujia said, "Brother is the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, how can you not take charge?"
Fan Xian's mouth tasted bitter, thinking that the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was really not something a human could hold. Whether it was the First Prince taking a concubine or the princess getting married, he had to rack his brains!
At the thought of this, he felt extremely angry at Ren Shaoan. Ren Shaoan was originally his close friend and the most powerful supporter in the three courts of the imperial court, but the Grandmaster battle on Mount Dongshan two years ago had scared this Lord Ren out of his wits. In less than half a year, he found another position and ran away, and as a result, the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was naturally handed over to Fan Xian.
Fan Xian pondered for a moment and said with difficulty, "You are a princess, your marriage will naturally be decided by the palace, how can I interfere?"
Roujia raised her face, her eyes turning red, and said, "You have a way to deal with Sister Ruo Ruo's marriage, why can't I? Does Brother really have the heart to watch his sister marry badly?"
There was another "Brother Xian," and again that endless sorrow in her eyes. Fan Xian knew what this little princess was thinking in her heart and secretly lamented.
The two of them were cousins. Roujia gradually abandoned this thought after she grew up, but the object of a young girl's first love was not something that could be easily erased. Even if Roujia didn't have any intentions towards Fan Xian, she still regarded him as the most reliable brother, even closer than Hongcheng.
Fan Xian was helpless. Looking at the teardrops that seemed about to fall from Roujia's eyes, the adorable expression of that little girl under the grape trellis seemed to reappear before him. His heart softened, and he really couldn't bear to let the palace arrange a marriage for her randomly. A burst of heroism arose, "Alright, alright, leave this matter to me. I'll pick out all the eligible young men in Kyoto, and you can choose one yourself from behind a curtain!"
"The palace can choose concubines, and I can also choose a good驸马 (Fu Ma - Imperial Son-in-Law) for you."
Hearing this, the whole room was shocked, thinking that this was too improper. Roujia, however, turned her sorrow into joy and smiled happily. She blessed Fan Xian again and again, and then carefully stood next to him, holding on to his sleeve, as if afraid that he would go back on his word and run away at any moment. She said happily, "Thank you, Brother Xian."
Lin Wan'er covered her mouth and smiled, thinking that Si Si's idea was indeed good, and her husband couldn't bear it. Perhaps only a rascal like him would come up with such a shocking idea as choosing a 驸马 from behind a curtain.
Just then, Lin Daibao, who had been following the servants to wreak havoc in the Jing Prince's vegetable garden, walked in from outside the hall, covered in mud and with black hands. When Lin Wan'er saw him, she quickly went up to him and told someone to bring water to wash his hands, feeling sorry for him.
Who knew that Daibao would just stare blankly at Fan Xian and Roujia holding his sleeve, thinking that this little sister was trying to take his place, and he felt a little unhappy. He took Wan'er's hand and walked to Fan Xian's side, grabbed Fan Xian's other sleeve, glared at Roujia, and mumbled, "Xiao Xian Xian, I'm hungry, I want to eat buns."
Everyone laughed, but Fan Xian's expression was extremely helpless.
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Princess Roujia and Fan Ruo Ruo had grown up together since they were young, and their friendship was naturally excellent. After Ruo Ruo returned to Kyoto, the two young ladies had so much to talk about that they hadn't finished talking even in the evening. The Jing Prince waved his hand and let the princess go with the Fan family's carriage. It wouldn't be too late to return to the Prince's mansion after staying in the Fan mansion for five or six days.
Two days later, Fan Xian took his sister out of the city again. This time, they were going to Chen Garden in the suburbs. The road was long and difficult to travel, and the newly renovated Chen Garden had even more beautiful concubines with exposed breasts, so Wan'er and Si Si got headaches every time they went, so they were determined not to go this time. Princess Roujia, however, was also determined not to go because she was afraid of Dean Chen himself.
Fan Xian and his sister had no choice but to go themselves. Chen Pingping was an elder, and because of his camaraderie with Fan Jian in the past, it wouldn't be right for Ruo Ruo not to pay a visit after returning to Kyoto.
Upon entering Chen Garden, the scenery was still the same, perhaps even better than before. The fire that broke out during the Qin family's rebellion, besides giving Chen Pingping more reasons to ask the Internal Treasury for money, had not caused any impact. The green artificial hill was still the same, the ambush mechanisms in the surrounding mountain forest were still strict, the beautiful concubines in the garden were still just as beautiful, and even the singer was still Sang Wen's sister.
After entering the garden and saying a few words, Fan Xian originally wanted to tell Chen Pingping in detail about His Majesty's arrangements in Western Liang and the handling of matters within the courtyard, but the old cripple in the wheelchair waved his hand, directly preventing him from speaking.
It had been two years since Chen Pingping had completely given up the power of the Supervisory Council and even didn't want to hear about it after Fan Jian retired to Danzhou. Fan Xian might understand some of the hidden meanings, but he was still not used to it.
Because the first people he saw when he opened his eyes in this life were Uncle Wu Zhu and the old man in the wheelchair. From Danzhou until after entering Kyoto, his life had grown up under the old man's careful care and cruel tempering. Chen Pingping's will permeated his life, like the trees in the backyard of Danzhou, sheltering him from the wind and rain.
He was used to Chen Pingping standing behind him, solving his biggest worries. Once Chen Pingping fell silent, he would fall into a slight unease.
Now Chen Pingping was getting old day by day, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were getting deeper and deeper. Fortunately, he didn't have to deal with the affairs of the courtyard in the past two years. He just relaxed in Chen Garden, and his spirit was still good. He didn't care about Fan Xian's somewhat dim unease at this time, smiled and chatted with Fan Ruo Ruo, mentioned the Qingshan Mountain in Northern Qi, and sighed about the death of Ku He.
The old cripple was becoming more and more like an ordinary old man at the entrance of a village, rather than the dark lord who once controlled the world. Even Fan Ruo Ruo was a little unaccustomed to this change.
After coming out of Chen Garden, Fan Xian was silent for a long time in the carriage, and then asked softly, "How long can he still live?"
Today, he brought Ruo Ruo here, firstly to pay a visit, and secondly to use his sister's extremely superb medical skills, which were passed down from Qingshan, to confirm the deadline of Chen Pingping's life. Of course, Fan Xian hoped that the old cripple could have a longer and happier old age.
"Dean suffered several extremely serious injuries more than ten years ago, his legs were broken long ago, his meridians were blocked, and he was poisoned once two years ago. Theoretically, his body is weak and his energy is exhausted, and there may be danger at any time." Fan Ruo Ruo frowned slightly, a little puzzled, "But the Imperial Hospital has been taking care of him very well in the past two years, and he should be able to support himself for a few more years."
Fan Xian didn't say anything, took out a few pieces of paper from his arms and handed them over, and said, "The Imperial Hospital doesn't seem to have such good means. With this prescription, the old dean's body has been taken care of so well, even better than Fei Xian Sheng."
Fan Ruo Ruo took the prescription and examined it carefully, and was shocked. She couldn't help but look at her brother and said, "Was this prescription prescribed in Chen Garden?"
"Does it look a little familiar?"
"The level of diagnosis and treatment with medicine is above me. It is very accurate, without a trace of redundancy...and the technique is very familiar."
Fan Ruo Ruo bit her lip lightly, knowing what her brother meant by letting her look at this prescription. Practicing medicine and using medicine is actually like martial arts practice, with different schools. How long each medicine is used, for what symptoms, and what techniques are used, as long as you are a person who has been immersed in medicine for a long time, you can always smell some taste, not to mention that the person who wrote these prescriptions has a close relationship with Fan Ruo Ruo.
Fan Xian closed his eyes and said, "Has that Mu Peng who taught you medical skills on Qingshan Mountain not returned to Northern Qi for two years?"
Fan Ruo Ruo looked at her brother and nodded, hesitating to speak. Fan Xian knew what his sister was worried about. That disciple of Ku He, Mu Peng, was in a sense her teacher in medical skills, and of course she didn't want her brother to attack him.
"I don't have enough time to thank him, why would I deal with him, I just don't understand, why would he, as a disciple of Tianyi Tao, come to Southern Qing to do these things." Fan Xian closed his eyes and said coldly.
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To investigate something, the easiest way is to confront them face to face, especially when it comes to problems involving unspeakable secrets.
On a cloudy afternoon, in this location of Dragon and Snakes mixed place named Hechi Fang in Xicheng District of Kyoto, a black-clothed man wearing a bamboo hat directly walked up to a two-story small building, entered silently, and with a flip of his palm, a black dagger silently explored over, and gently placed it on a person's neck.
The arrangement inside the room was very simple. This person was packing his bags by the bed, seemingly preparing to travel far away. He was dressed as a doctor. At this time, he felt the coldness on his neck, which made the hairs on his neck stand up.
His name was Mu Peng, and he was the second disciple of Ku He. He was the most skilled doctor in the entire Northern Qi. Two years ago, he was ordered by Master to go deep into Southern Qing and tried every means to get close to Chen Pingping. He gained Chen Pingping's trust with his superb medical skills and found an excuse to hide his identity.
Although he was a doctor, how could a disciple of Ku He be an ordinary person? To be able to have someone silently sneak into the door amidst the noise of Hechi Fang and put a sword on his neck, he knew that the assassin behind him must be the most top-notch person in the world.
Mu Peng didn't turn his head, and he didn't see how he moved. He saw a cloud of powder hit the black-clothed man's face with a puff. This move was extremely sinister and showed great skill. The entry-level disciple of Tianyi Tao was indeed not simple!
The powder fell down the bamboo hat. Fan Xian closed his eyes, didn't groan, and didn't even breathe, because he knew that this puff of powder contained extremely terrible poison - in a miscalculation, he didn't swipe the black dagger horizontally, but gently picked with his fingertips, and stabbed a poisonous needle into the back of Mu Peng's neck.
Mu Peng's body went numb. Before his body stiffened, he slapped the small porcelain bottle in the package, and poisonous smoke sprayed out. With a sway of the blue cloth, Fan Xian's hand probed out from behind him like lightning, and he used a piece of cloth to gather the poisonous smoke in it, without leaking a single trace.