Jinyi Spring

Chapter 216 Chess Pieces

Emperor Jianzhang smiled and nodded, saying, "Whenever I don't get enough rest or am in a bad mood, a nerve in my head starts to throb with pain."

Shui Chuchen took off her cloak, walked behind Emperor Jianzhang, and gently pressed her fingers on his acupoints. Emperor Jianzhang shivered from the coolness.

Are you sick? Why are your fingers so cold?

Shui Chuchen said, "Since I learned to use the Divine Needle, my body temperature has been lower than that of ordinary people."

Her hands moved swiftly, applying just the right amount of pressure as they roamed over the acupoints. Emperor Jianzhang instantly felt the blood rushing to his head with the movement of her fingers, a tingling, numb sensation that made him let out a soft "hmm" of pleasure.

At this moment, he had to admire this girl; she was truly capable, far superior to those imperial physicians.

After pressing the buttons for more than fifteen minutes, Emperor Jianzhang laughed and said, "If you keep pressing them, I'm really going to fall asleep. Come, sit down, let's have a good meal together, father and daughter."

Shui Chuchen then stopped, sat back on the Luohan bed, and took the opportunity to check Emperor Jianzhang's pulse.

"Father has been overly distressed these days and has been sleeping little. Tomorrow, please ask Physician Fang to prepare some tonics for Father. I am quite skilled in acupuncture, surgery, and massage, but I am not as good as a senior imperial physician like Physician Fang when it comes to herbal medicine."

She paused for a moment, then said, “If Father Emperor has trouble sleeping in the future, please call me over anytime. I can give you a massage or acupuncture, which will make you feel better. Father Emperor, please take good care of your health. The people of Great Yan and we all need you.”

Shui Chuchen not only gave a resounding compliment, but also openly mentioned the word "surgery." She looked calm, as if this was just a routine skill she had acquired through years of medical practice, nothing to be surprised about.

Emperor Jianzhang nodded slightly upon hearing this, but a complex feeling welled up in his heart.

Other princesses learned music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and etiquette, but Yong'an described the bloody "operation" so lightly.

He thought of Xiao Henian—who had almost been tortured to death by Xue Jicheng, and it was Yong'an's surgery that pulled him back from the brink of death. And Wen Qian, it was also her "miracle needle" that extended his life, allowing him to hold on for a little longer until he finally met the person he was meant to be with.

At such a young age, she is skilled in gynecology, pediatrics, and surgery. His princess is so capable and courageous; she is truly a genius. All the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital combined probably couldn't compare to her with a single needle and her two hands, and perhaps even a scalpel.

Emperor Jianzhang nodded slightly, a glimmer of light appearing in his eyes.

At such a young age, she is already on par with the former Empress Shengde and the current Princess Changning, showing no less talent than any man.

The master said she "gathers the spiritual energy of the world and saves people from suffering," and that's true!

Emperor Jianzhang looked at Shui Chuchen with a touch of emotion in his voice, "My Princess Yong'an is capable, and she makes my life easier than those princes."

Shui Chuchen snorted inwardly, "He's not exactly easy to deal with; he's never been a concern since I was a child."

Emperor Jianzhang personally placed two slices of black truffle into her bowl, his tone carrying a rare tenderness, as if he wanted to make up for all the meals he had missed over the years, one bite at a time.

"Eat more, young lady, you're too thin."

The father and daughter sat facing each other as they dined, and the hall fell silent for a moment, with only the soft sound of chopsticks lightly touching the porcelain plates.

After eating for a while, Emperor Jianzhang suddenly asked, "Your body has been so cold all this time, is that harmful to your health?"

Shui Chuchen raised his head, his expression calm. "Master Yuhui once said that I am extremely cold and yin, and I do have a talent for the art of acupuncture. However, when yin reaches its extreme, it becomes isolated. The longer it goes on, the more obvious the drawbacks become. If this continues, not only will my qi and blood be difficult to circulate and my internal organs be easily damaged, but my innate spirituality and sharpness will also be slowly eroded by the coldness."

Emperor Jianzhang frowned slightly. "Then what should we do?" He was also curious. "Has Yong'an also met Master Yuhui?" Shui Chuchen shook his head. "Your subject has not met him. He sent the young novice monk Xuancong to convey his message."

She briefly recounted how Xuan Cong had asked her to go to the Jokhang Temple to treat Wang Tu's illness, and added, "The master also said that I need to be paired with a person of extreme yang, so that yin and yang can be balanced and cold and warmth can be harmonized, in order to ensure that the two of us can live a long life together."

She spoke frankly and openly, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

Emperor Jianzhang seemed to be deep in thought. He recalled what the Duke of Ming had said a few days ago and slowly said, "Ming Shanyue is an extremely yang person. The person the master was talking about must be him, right?"

He spoke gently, but his mind was already racing.

When He Quan returned from Master Yu Hui's place—regardless of what the master said, he planned to arrange a marriage between Ming Shan Yue and Yong An first.

If Ming Shanyue can truly suppress Yong'an's cold ailment, then he can only be the imperial son-in-law. If he instead causes Yong'an to suffer a serious illness, that would be even better; then, people can be sent all over the world to search for other people with extremely yang constitutions.

With his princess at his disposal, he has no worries about marriage. As long as the future crown prince is not Shui Yun, no matter who this daughter marries, he can treat her as a good piece of chess, placing her steadily on the chessboard.

If the Ming family lied about another matter, they couldn't be punished immediately, much less be allowed to spread the word. This would not only implicate the Empress Dowager and the Water Governor, but also make the emperor appear biased, gullible, and incompetent.

Given the prestige of Princess Changning and the old Duke in court, it was not advisable to openly turn against them; the only option was to use a dull knife, slowly chipping away at their health...

Shui Chuchen shook her head and said, "The master did not explain clearly."

Emperor Jianzhang's expression softened further, his tone carrying a hint of certainty, "Ming Shanyue's fate is extraordinary; she has caused the deaths and illnesses of several young ladies, a fact known throughout the court. In all my years, I have only ever met one person of such extreme yang."

He then said, "Once the master emerges from seclusion, I will send someone to inquire. If it is him, then I will arrange a marriage between the two of you."

Shui Chuchen showed no embarrassment and calmly ate her meal.

After finishing his meal, Emperor Jianzhang said, "Yong'an, go back. I'll stay here with Wan'er tonight."

Shui Chuchen glanced at the empty and desolate hall and said softly, "May I give you another massage so you can get a good night's sleep?"

Emperor Jianzhang nodded.

Shui Chuchen walked behind him and pressed her fingertips lightly for a full quarter of an hour until the emperor's eyelids drooped and he became sleepy. Only then did she stop and quietly take her leave.

Emperor Jianzhang raised his hand, took off the jade thumb ring from his finger, and handed it to her, saying, "It's one of my personal belongings. Take it and play with it."

Li Ying and Tang Jian's eyes narrowed, and they bent even lower.

Shui Chuchen accepted the gift with both hands, expressed her gratitude, and left the hall.

A night breeze caressed her face as she clutched the warm, smooth ring. She had finally shown some of her true abilities, earning the respect of her scumbag father.

That's true. What parent doesn't hope their children will be successful? Even if that "hope" is half calculated and half genuine, Shui Chuchen is happy to see it happen. Not only will her path be easier, but it will also help her brother, the Crown Prince.

Back at the princess's residence, they heard the Second Princess's loud wailing coming from the central route, carried by the wind like the cries of ghosts. Perhaps she knew that Shui Chuchen had been summoned by the Emperor, and was even more furious. (End of Chapter)