"Miss, I find that Aunt Zhang a bit peculiar. Not only did she guess your identity the moment you spoke, but her demeanor and speech suggest she's more knowledgeable than Madam Bai. I can't quite figure out who she is, but she's certainly no ordinary commoner."
Yun Xu was observant. If she sensed something was amiss, it was bound to be significant.
Picking up the freshly brewed Jingming tea beside her, Feng Jin Yao took a shallow sip. Her mind raced, trying to recall if she had ever met this person in her previous life, but there was no impression.
Could their encounter today have been deliberately arranged by someone with an agenda?
"Tomorrow, send a couple of people to keep an eye on her for a few days. If she doesn't make any significant moves, there's no need to expend further effort."
"Yes."
Even if it was a deliberate arrangement, Feng Jin Yao had no time to dwell on it. The most important matter at hand was her mother's illness.
She picked up her brush and began to write down the prescription the imperial physician had just given, handing it to Yun Xu.
"Tomorrow, find a doctor to examine this prescription. See if there are any issues."
Yun Xu nodded, folded the prescription neatly, and tucked it into her embrace.
In Pear Blossom Lane, Aunt Zhang was currently discussing her daytime encounter with her husband, who had returned from gathering herbs.
"I've told you long ago to let the pharmacy apprentices handle things. You insisted on going yourself, and now look, you've fallen. My dear, it's a good thing it was just a sprain. If it were a bone injury, it would be troublesome."
While applying medicinal herbs to his wife's foot, he lectured her earnestly.
Aunt Zhang knew he was all bark and no bite, so she didn't take his words to heart.
She then steered the conversation back to Feng Jin Yao, her face flushed, her eyes filled with excitement.
"I must say, Miss Feng San is a good person. Just looking at her maid, one can tell she handles matters with reason and logic. I've seen her from afar before; I couldn't make out her features clearly, but her bearing is undeniable. The eldest daughter of the Bai family back then was the renowned number one beauty of the Eastern Capital. Her daughter should be no less."
"What does it matter to you if she's good or not? We don't have a son, why are you bothering yourself with this?"
The old man's expression soured. To him, a thousand, ten thousand noble ladies were not as important as the old woman before him.
Aunt Zhang, flustered, patted his back. "You're getting senile. We don't have a son, but we still have the young master! I think the two of them are quite well-matched..."
Before she could finish, she was interrupted by the old man.
"Forget it. I think he's content to grow old alone. Otherwise, why would he feign illness every day?"
"Pah, pah, pah! You jinx! What do you mean grow old alone! If you keep spouting nonsense, I won't talk to you anymore."
Despite her advanced age, Aunt Zhang's coquettish display made the old man's heart melt. He immediately rushed to comfort her.
"I won't say it, I won't say it. It's more important to take care of your foot!"
With a cold snort, having lived with him for so many years, Aunt Zhang naturally knew how to handle him.
She pondered her encounter that day repeatedly, believing it was truly fate, a predestined marriage from a past life. Thus, she became determined to play matchmaker for the two of them.
A smile of unwavering resolve flickered across her lips, causing the old man to feel a mix of helplessness and utter submission.
Once the old woman made up her mind, not even eight oxen could pull her back. He couldn't dissuade her. In his heart, he felt a pang of regret for the two who were being inexplicably paired up, but who could blame them for crossing paths with her?
At this moment, in the Prince Ding's mansion, Xiao Ting Yi was engrossed in his book.
Suddenly, he sneezed inexplicably, startling his attendant Yang Zhao, who thought his master might be cold.
"Your Highness, shall I close the window?"
"It's fine. The room is too warm, it's not good. Letting in some air feels more comfortable."
Although he said that, he felt a prickling sensation, as if someone was watching him, a chill running down his spine.
The night was hazy, and the snow continued to fall outside. The silent night was filled with an air of peace, save for the occasional rustle of turning pages.
The night passed without a dream.
Early the next morning, the gatekeeper of the Feng family received an anonymous letter, stating that it was to be opened by Miss Feng San personally.
The gatekeeper dared not make a decision on his own and immediately ran into the mansion.
When the letter was delivered to Ning An Courtyard, Feng Jin Yao had just finished washing up. She saw Xiu Qiu enter, holding the very letter.
"Miss, someone outside delivered a letter, and it specifically requested that you read it yourself."
"Did you get a clear look at the person who delivered it?" Yun Xu asked.
"The gatekeeper said it was a child, about ten years old, dressed neatly, looking like a scholar's attendant from some household."
In front of the bronze mirror, Feng Jin Yao's plain face, unadorned by makeup, appeared even more refined and elegant.
Incense curled in the air as the maids attended to her grooming.
"Bring the letter here. I'll take a look."
Xiu Qiu respectfully handed the letter over. Feng Jin Yao examined it from all sides but found nothing amiss.
Curiosity piqued, she opened it. Moments later, her face lit up with joy.
"It's him!"
Yun Xu and Xiu Qiu, seeing her expression, were both puzzled.
"Miss, who is it?"
"Do you know who that aunt we met on the road yesterday was?"
Xiu Qiu shook her head, she had no idea. However, Yun Xu, observing her mistress's excited demeanor, seemed to have guessed something.
"Could she be from Guiyuan Hall?"
A hint of admiration appeared in Feng Jin Yao's eyes. Yun Xu was much smarter, so she nodded.
"She is the wife of Divine Doctor Zhang. This letter was sent by that aunt, and she included a token." With that, she produced a small silver leaf.
"She said that because we helped her yesterday, she wanted to repay the favor. If there's ever a situation in the future, take this token to Guiyuan Hall, and Divine Doctor Zhang will naturally offer his assistance."
"Wonderful! It came without any effort. This Divine Doctor Zhang is so elusive. The people we sent to Guiyuan Hall have been watching for so long without finding any trace of him, and now he's delivered himself to our doorstep. Miss is truly blessed by heaven to have such luck!"
Yun Xu was equally delighted.
Xiu Qiu didn't understand the full implications, but she clearly heard the word "divine doctor." Thinking that only the madam in the mansion was ill, finding a divine doctor was naturally for her treatment.
She immediately said to Feng Jin Yao with great joy, "Then, Miss, should we invite this divine doctor to examine Madam?"
Feng Jin Yao shook her head. "Mother's illness, with the imperial physician's medicine, should improve in a few days." She had other plans for this divine doctor.
Recalling Yun He's frail condition in her previous life, Feng Jin Yao let out a long sigh. She had finally found a way. Her elder brother's legitimate son would surely overcome that hurdle!
As the mistress and servants were talking, a fiery red figure suddenly darted in from outside, leaping directly into Feng Jin Yao's arms.
Startled, the surrounding maids let out screams, even dropping the grooming items.
"Careful!"
A familiar voice reached Feng Jin Yao's ears. She looked closely and widened her eyes, asking suspiciously.
"Second Brother? Why are you back again?"
Feng Jin Lin casually untied his cloak, revealing the brocade long gown underneath. He looked every bit the handsome scholar, causing the maids in the room to blush furiously.
"You little brat, I found a treasure and rushed to bring it to you. Look at your tone, your attitude, are you not welcoming me?"
A treasure?