A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

Jiang Muxin never thought of herself as cold-blooded at this moment; it was the calmness and rationality honed through years of experience in a powerful family.

Jiang Lingyang, the father, was the top scholar in the imperial examination. Born into a poor family, he rose to prominence through the imperial examination, a story that was widely praised and renowned. He was a respected and admired role model for scholars across the country.

But behind the glamour lies a shallow foundation.

His father had no family influence to support him. He was in a high position now entirely because of the late emperor's appreciation and promotion. But the late emperor had passed away, and the new dynasty was in flux. It was no longer possible to gain a foothold based solely on talent.

My mother, Wei Susu, was indeed exceptionally talented. She meticulously taught me from a young age, and I owe much of my current reputation for talent to her teachings.

But even though my mother has a thousand good qualities, there is one thing that can never be made up for.

She came from a humble background, the daughter of a seventh-rank official in the capital. In the capital, a city teeming with talent and powerful figures, a seventh-rank official was practically a joke, and her maternal family could offer her absolutely no assistance.

There was another woman from the Wei family in the capital, who was known as one of the "Two Beauties of the Capital" alongside her.

But what makes that Wei family girl so special? In terms of looks, talent, and character, she is inferior to her in every way. She only gets to be on equal footing with her because of her powerful maternal clan and her aunt's marriage into the palace as a concubine.

Jiang Muxin, on the other hand, could only rely on herself from beginning to end.

Her maternal clan couldn't help her in any way with these matters. If she didn't plan for herself, who else could she rely on?

As Jiang Muxin's thoughts were churning, her maid Huan'er suddenly announced from outside the door: "Miss, several young gentlemen have arrived outside the manor. They say they have long admired your talent and have come to request an audience."

Huan'er was already used to it. Her young mistress was a rare beauty in the capital, with a cool and aloof demeanor and a reputation for talent. Even the teachers at the Imperial Academy praised her repeatedly. A woman with such talent and beauty would always have admirers around her wherever she went, expressing their admiration.

"Huan'er, please give them a proper reply for me. You know how to phrase it."

Huan'er was already familiar with this kind of thing, and immediately bowed to accept the order. Just as she turned to leave, Jiang Muxin suddenly called out to her:

"Hold on."

She pondered for a moment, then picked up her brush and wrote a poem on a plain sheet of paper, the ink strokes elegant and refined:

"My mother is seriously ill, which weighs heavily on my heart; the frost and wind chill her to the bone, and I cannot hold back my tears."

Please understand my concern and kindness; I temporarily withdraw from the hustle and bustle of the world and avoid the arrival of guests.

"Take this poem to them and say that my mother is critically ill and I have no mood to see guests. I hope you gentlemen will understand."

Jiang Muxin tapped the paper lightly with her fingertips, her tone calm.

This way, she could express her filial piety to her mother through poetry, while also maintaining the elegance and talent of a woman from a distinguished family.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the afternoon, Wei Susu slowly woke up.

Jiang Lingyang stayed by her side the whole time. When he saw her open her eyes, he immediately took her hand and asked, "Is there anything that's uncomfortable? Do you want some water or food?"

Wei Susu smiled faintly at him: "Why do you have to stay by my side all the time? Why don't you get some sleep?"

Jiang Lingyang gazed at her pale face and said softly, "It's been a long time since I've seen you, so I wanted to see you more. With you by my side, I don't feel tired. Would you like something to eat?" Wei Susu nodded gently.

The two had a simple meal, and then it started snowing outside the window.

This year's snow was unusually heavy; the snowflakes fell like goose feathers, instantly turning the courtyard white.

Wei Susu looked out the window, her expression somewhat dazed, and suddenly said, "Lingyang, I want to go for a walk."

Jiang Lingyang glanced at the swirling snow outside, frowned, and shook his head: "Susu, it's freezing cold outside, let's do it another day."

Wei Susu insisted, and Jiang Lingyang couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he had to agree.

Qiu Niang quickly wrapped Wei Susu in a thick fox fur cloak, a warm woolen scarf, and an embroidered woolen hat, repeatedly reminding her, "Madam, don't linger too long playing in the snow. What if you catch a cold?"

The two walked out of the room side by side. In the courtyard, red plum blossoms reflected in the snow, creating a serene and elegant scene.

Wei Susu gazed at the beautiful scene of red and white, momentarily lost in thought, and whispered:

"I wonder if I'll ever see such a view again."

Jiang Lingyang's heart felt like it had been clenched tightly by something, and he quickly advised:

"Susu, don't talk such discouraging things. You've forgotten, Zheng'an said that Doctor Qian is a miracle doctor and will definitely have a way to cure you."

Wei Susu smiled faintly at him, a hint of understanding in her eyes: "I didn't want to hurt our son just now, but what, are you even deceiving yourself?"

Jiang Lingyang wanted to say that he hadn't lied to her, but the words stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them.

He knew in his heart that how powerful could a so-called "miracle doctor" in a county town really be?

Although Qin Jichuan had an eccentric personality, his medical skills were widely recognized, and he always spoke the truth.

If he said that there was still a way to cure the disease, but his medical skills were limited, then there might still be a glimmer of hope; but if he said that "no one can cure it," then there is probably really no one in the world who can save him.

Wei Susu stretched out her hand, letting the snowflakes fall into her palm, the ice crystals remaining frozen for a long time.

Looking at the glistening snowflakes in her palm, she suddenly asked, "Lingyang, what do you think our daughter looks like now?"

"He must be just like you, pure and refined, and full of talent."

Wei Susu shook her head, her eyes gentle and earnest: "I'm not talking about talent. Ling Yang, I don't value those things. I just hope she lives a carefree and unrestrained life."

These words came from Wei Susu's heart.

Jiang Muxin was a noble lady in the capital, renowned throughout the city, and admired by countless young talents. However, she did not actually want her own daughter to look like this.

She hopes her daughter can be happy and carefree, not bound by worldly fame and fortune, and have something she truly loves.

If she enjoys reading, it must be out of genuine passion.

It doesn't matter if she's not good at reading or even illiterate.

She sincerely hopes that her daughter can be safe, happy, and carefree.

"Lingyang, promise me," Wei Susu turned to look at him, her eyes full of expectation.

"If you ever find her again, no matter what she looks like, don't restrain her, don't bind her, and don't constrain her with the so-called rules for women from noble families. Let her be as free as the wind. If she doesn't want to stay in the manor, don't force her, okay? Promise me."

Jiang Lingyang nodded emphatically, his eyes already moist, hot tears welling up in them.

Wei Susu looked up, watching the snowflakes slowly fall from the sky. A layer of gray mist gradually enveloped her vision, blurring the scene of red plum blossoms and white snow...

This is her last winter...