Jinyi Spring

Chapter 134 Aunt Wang's Scheme
Aunt Wang felt even more uneasy, so she hugged the small package in her arms even tighter and followed Song Xian through the hanging flower gate and then into the main room.

Inside the room, only Ming Shanyue sat at the Eight Immortals table.

He was dressed in civilian clothes, his expression was more serious than usual, and his thin lips were tightly pursed.

Seeing Aunt Wang come in, Ming Shanyue pointed to the chair next to her and said, "Aunt Wang, please sit down."

His voice was cold and emotionless.

Aunt Wang dared not sit, yet dared not refuse. She curtsied and then reluctantly sat down with half her buttocks on her backside.

Song Xian poured tea himself, went out, and turned around to close the door tightly.

The light in the room immediately dimmed, and Aunt Wang became even more panicked.

She looked at Ming Shanyue, "Lord Ming, you summoned this old servant here, may I ask... what are your instructions?"

Ming Shanyue remained silent, staring at her coldly.

Aunt Wang lowered her eyes and tightened her grip on the package.

About a quarter of an hour later, Ming Shanyue suddenly spoke up, "Is Miss Feng's birthday really the sixth day of the eighth month in the fifth year of Jian'an?"

Aunt Wang's mind went blank.

After a moment of silence, she forced herself to remain calm and replied, "Yes. That morning, my older sister and I went to a neighboring village to deliver a baby and returned home. We found a child at the entrance of the village. Judging from the umbilical cord, the child was born no more than two hours ago. Many of the elderly people in Baima Village know about this."

He answered very smoothly, without pausing at all.

Ming Shanyue leaned forward and lowered her voice, saying, "The Flying Eagle Guard is investigating an old case concerning the rebellious Prince Shui Jin. Many years ago, Shui Jin's wife gave birth to a baby girl. After receiving the baby, the female physician lied and said that the child was dead, and took her out of the Prince's mansion to bury her."

Then, he stared intently at Aunt Wang.

Aunt Wang also remembered the name "Shui Jin," who was the emperor's older brother and apparently rebelled and was executed many years ago.

She looked at Ming Shanyue in confusion. Even if that person was dead, he was still a high-ranking figure. What did he have to do with her, a commoner?
Seeing that she didn't react, Ming Shanyue sighed softly, shook her head, and continued, "That person gave birth to a daughter on the sixth day of the eighth month of the fifth year of Jian'an, at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM). Recently, someone reported that the baby girl feigned death and was secretly taken out of the capital..."

“That’s a descendant of the rebel king; the court will never allow her to live. The Flying Eagle Guard has already begun a secret investigation of the capital’s household registration, orphanages, and other places. All children born or found at that time are being investigated. Miss Feng was found on the sixth day of the eighth month of the fifth year of Jian’an. I’m worried that she might be…”

“Absolutely impossible!” Aunt Wang interrupted hastily.

As soon as she spoke, she realized her mistake. The package in her hand rolled to the ground, and sweat soaked her back and forehead. She stared at Ming Shanyue with wide eyes in horror.

Ming Shanyue looked surprised. "Aunt Wang, why are you so sure? If Miss Feng is really the daughter of Shui Jin, I, Ming Shanyue, have been indebted to her several times. That's why I'm revealing this to you today. You should pack your things quickly; it's not safe to stay in the capital for long."

His tone became more urgent, "Tomorrow I will arrange for someone to take you to my second uncle's place, and he will then find a way to send you away from Da Yan. It is not advisable for too many people to leave; Miss Feng, Bu Ji, and you and your child will suffice. Do not take too many valuables; travel light."

He shook his head, his brow furrowed, as if he could not bear it. "As for the others, they will be subjected to severe torture in order to force you to reveal your whereabouts. Those girls... alas, I'm afraid they will suffer greatly. All I can do is to make them suffer less and die as soon as possible."

Suddenly, images of various torture instruments in the imperial prison, bloodied and mangled prisoners, and heart-wrenching screams flashed before Aunt Wang's eyes... Her legs went weak.

The thought that the girl might be taken away, and that Banxia and the others might be beaten until their skin was torn and bleeding... made her whole body tremble violently like withered leaves in the autumn wind, and her psychological defenses completely collapsed.

She fell to her knees with a thud, her lips trembling uncontrollably.

He cried out, "To tell you the truth, Lord Ming, my daughter, my daughter... she wasn't found on the sixth day of the eighth month, nor was she found at the village entrance. Please, save my daughter, she is definitely not the daughter of Shui Jin!"

Ming Shanyue's eyes narrowed, and she leaned closer. "Oh, so when exactly did she find it?"

Aunt Wang looked up at him in horror, her mind a complete blank, desperately guarding her last line of defense—her older sister had said that no matter when or who found the girl, the true time of the encounter must not be revealed.

Her lips trembled, tears streaming down her face. After a long pause, she managed to squeeze out a few words, "Yes...yes, July 30th..."

Ming Shanyue pressed further, "Why did you say the sixth day of the eighth month?"

The voice was soft, yet it sent shivers down one's spine.

Aunt Wang's eyes were fixed straight ahead, as if they wouldn't move. "Because, because... my older sister told me to say that. Yes, my older sister told me to say that. I don't know the specifics."

Ming Shanyue stood up and looked at her quietly. After a moment of silence, he squatted down again, brought his mouth close to her ear, and spoke in a very low voice, but each word was clear.

"Aunt Wang, now I'm afraid I'm the only one who can save Miss Feng. My grandparents and parents all told me to do everything I can to save her. You must tell me the truth, did you really find her on July 30th?"

"This matter requires witnesses, and the reasons for lying must be convincing. If it is found out in the future that it wasn't on that day, your whole family will be doomed."

Then, I quietly watched her.

Aunt Wang covered her mouth with her hand and sobbed silently.

After she had cried for a while, Ming Shanyue sighed and said, "Alright, I believe you. Miss Feng was born on the 30th of July. If anyone goes to verify, remember to provide witness testimony and think carefully about why you said it was the 6th of August."

"The excuse that 'Dr. Feng forbade it' is something that even I believe, but others won't. Please don't push Miss Feng and your family into an abyss of no return."

After saying that, he stood up.

Aunt Wang suddenly gripped the hem of his robe, looked up at him, as if she couldn't even cry anymore.

After an unknown amount of time, she finally burst into tears again and said, "Lord Ming... I'll tell you the truth, I'll tell you the truth. My daughter was found by my elder sister and me in the reed marshes on the fifteenth of July... at the hour of Yin."

“That night, the Hao family in the courtyard next to mine had a stillborn child. At the beginning of the Yin hour, we took the child to the reed marshes to bury him and found my daughter there… The Hao family can testify that we went to the reed marshes that day and at that time… Sir, you must save my daughter, she is not the daughter of Shui Jin.”

After revealing the secret, she felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and she covered her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

She dared not hide it any longer. But because so much time had passed, apart from the night of the fifteenth of July, she couldn't remember any other day in July or August of that year when she had delivered a stillborn child in the middle of the night, so she couldn't find any witnesses.

If no witness can confirm that their daughter wasn't found on the sixth day of the eighth lunar month, the girl is doomed, and no one else will survive either.

That's such a misunderstanding.

Ming Shanyue quickly closed her eyes, concealing the almost overflowing joy within them. Only a slight, barely suppressed smile revealed the surging emotions within her. Aunt Wang, however, was completely absorbed in her extreme panic and remained oblivious.

Ming Shanyue sat back in her chair, her fingertips lightly tapping her knees.

It's true... it's true!
At this point, he was completely certain that Feng Chuchen was indeed the little princess born to Empress Xiao. The victim of this colossal case had been right beside him all along…

After his initial joy, he noticed that Aunt Wang was still slumped on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling. This was the princess's savior, and the two were as close as mother and daughter. If she knew he had threatened and coerced her like this, she would certainly not be happy…

Ming Shanyue personally helped Aunt Wang up and gently comforted her, "Aunt Wang, don't be afraid, I will find a way to..."

He wanted to say, "Let the case bypass Miss Feng," but then he thought of how intelligent Feng Chuchen was. If she already had doubts about her background, and after hearing Aunt Wang's account of today's conversation, she would definitely be able to guess that he was setting a trap and lying...

He quickly changed his words, saying, "I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of Miss Feng and you all."

Aunt Wang raised her red and swollen eyes and asked in a trembling voice, "Can Lord Ming really protect my daughter?"

Ming Shanyue's tone was firm, carrying a reassuring strength, "I guarantee it with my life and my integrity. Aunt Wang, please rest assured, I have my own arrangements."

Aunt Wang paused for a moment, then asked worriedly, "What if someone comes to check the girl's birth date?"

Ming Shanyue solemnly said, "Except for me, even if a knife is held to your throat, you must say that Miss Feng's birthday is the sixth day of the eighth month."

Aunt Wang's eyes widened. "What if they suspect the girl is from Shui Jin?"

Ming Shanyue said gently, "Don't worry, I'll handle everything else and won't let Miss Feng get involved in any trouble."

Aunt Wang was about to kneel down again to express her gratitude, "This old servant thanks Lord Ming for saving my life."

Ming Shanyue helped her up again, "Aunt Wang and Dr. Feng are both benevolent doctors whom I admire. There's no need to be so polite. Have some tea to calm your mind."

Aunt Wang sat down and wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, then drank a few sips of hot tea. She then realized something was wrong, but her mind was a jumbled mess and she couldn't quite place it.

Seeing that she looked relieved, Ming Shanyue asked again, "How was Miss Feng rescued after being taken in?"

With things having come to this point, Aunt Wang had no choice but to tell the whole story without reservation, hoping that Ming Shanyue could find a way to save the girl.

She steadied her trembling voice and truthfully said, "After taking the girl back and washing her clean, the eldest sister discovered an extremely fine needle mark on the Baihui acupoint on the top of the girl's head. The eldest sister said that it was this needle that kept the girl alive."

"It was this injection that made the eldest sister realize the girl was in danger, which is why she postponed finding her for twenty days. Fortunately, the girl was premature and already small; even after twenty days, she only weighed a little over five pounds..."

Only then did Ming Shanyue realize that Doctor Cai had used such methods to deceive everyone and buy the little princess a chance at life. Acupuncture at the lumbar region could be fatal, but she had used the Baihui acupoint, feigning death to save her.

He nodded slowly, his gaze towards Aunt Wang becoming more solemn. "Heaven cherishes life. Dr. Feng and Aunt Wang are full of love, and you will be blessed. Although Dr. Feng has passed away, she will repay his kindness in the next life."

Aunt Wang sniffed and murmured, "What blessings are there? As long as the girl can live a peaceful life, that's enough."

Ming Shanyue smiled and raised her voice, "Someone come."

Song Xian pushed open the door and entered, "Grandpa."

"Let's take Aunt Wang home."

Aunt Wang, like a walking corpse, got up and walked towards the door.

Ming Shanyue got up, picked up the package that had fallen to the ground, and handed it to her.

As he watched the two leave, Ming Shanyue's tense expression suddenly relaxed, revealing a big smile.

Amidst her joy, another thought suddenly occurred to her: how should she test Feng Chuchen? If she had already guessed, that would be fine; but if she didn't know yet, should she tell her...?

The carriage rumbled monotonously over the cobblestone road. The last rays of the setting sun slowly sank into the western sky, leaving behind a vast expanse of red sunset clouds that seemed to be burning.

Aunt Wang lifted the carriage curtain, letting the evening breeze gently caress her face; the cool air gradually cleared her mind.

By the way, the year Shui Jin died, she was still married and living at that deadbeat man's house.

At that time, she had just given birth to a stillborn child and was constantly beaten and scolded by her husband and mother-in-law. She was so hungry that she lay on the bed on the verge of death.

One afternoon, she clearly heard the village headman banging a gong and shouting along the road a notice issued by the county, something like, "Wang Shuijin, the rebel, has been executed for treason..."

That year was six or seven years different from the time she and her older sister found the girl in the reed marshes!
Aunt Wang was so frightened that she straightened her back instantly. Her blood seemed to freeze instantly, then surged wildly in the next moment, making her ears ring.

Ming Shanyue is lying to her!

Ming Shanyue fabricated a bunch of lies and managed to pry her mouth shut!

Her older sister had warned her more than once that no matter when or who she was with, she must never reveal the true time she found the girl...

Aunt Wang covered her mouth tightly with her hand, forcibly suppressing the screams and curses that welled up in her throat; only low sobs could be heard outside the carriage.

Why did Ming Shanyue lie to her? Girl...could she be getting herself killed?
Aunt Wang wished she could slap herself a few times.

Hearing Aunt Wang sobbing, Song Xian shook his head, unsure how to comfort her.

He knew why his master wanted to see Aunt Wang, but he didn't know what Aunt Wang had just said, or whether Miss Feng's true identity was as his master suspected...

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley; it was already completely dark.

Aunt Wang practically tumbled off the carriage, ignoring Song Xian's words, and stumbled home.

Before even entering the courtyard, bursts of laughter and chatter could be heard from inside, with Feng Buji and Wang Shuping's voices being particularly loud. They had just finished eating and were playing in the courtyard to digest their meal.

Mu Jin opened the door and saw that Aunt Wang's eyes were red and swollen, her expression was dazed, and her hair and clothes were almost soaked with sweat. She quickly asked, "Aunt Wang, what's wrong?"

Aunt Wang ignored her and her son who rushed towards her, and hurried to Feng Chuchen, who was standing under the eaves. She lowered her voice and said, "Miss, I have something important to tell you."

Feng Chuchen noticed that Aunt Wang was in a bad mood and said to the people in the yard, "You should all go back inside."

"Mother... what's wrong with you?" Wang Shuping was almost crying from fright.

Feng Buji was also worried, but still stepped forward, took his hand, and said, "Aunt Wang has something to say to my eldest sister. Come on, I'll teach you to read."

As soon as they entered the east wing, Aunt Wang bolted the door, closed the small window, grabbed Feng Chuchen's arms, and whispered, "Miss, I've caused trouble. I'm going to kill you. What should I do?"

After saying that, she opened her mouth and cried silently, extremely heartbroken.

"Tell me slowly, what happened?" Feng Chuchen's heart sank, and he quickly helped her to sit down at the table.

After listening to Aunt Wang's intermittent sobs, Feng Chuchen understood that Ming Shanyue was indeed beginning to suspect her background.