Outside the Duke of Yue's mansion, after the servant went in to announce their arrival, Liang Chen hurried over and clasped his hands in greeting towards the two of them: "Young General, Young Madam, thank you for coming yourselves."
Although Liang Chen was a young master, he held no real power. Faced with Young General Ling Mohan, who had earned numerous military merits and held the position of Imperial Tutor, he still had to show due respect and deference.
Ling Mohan, always a man of few words, merely nodded slightly.
"Thank you for personally coming to greet us, Young Master. How are the Princess and the little one?"
"As a man, I can't explain it clearly. Young Madam, please, you should go inside and see for yourself."
Liang Chen stepped back, clearing the path, and respectfully invited the two into the mansion.
As they reached the courtyard entrance, a crisp, girlish laugh could be heard. Feng Jin's brows furrowed slightly, a sense of familiarity striking her about the laughter. "Young Master, is there someone else in the Princess's chambers?"
"It is Miss Feng Ruoyan from the Feng family and Miss Lin Yuwei from the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion. They have always been close to my wife."
"Oh!" Feng Jin drew out the sound, her gaze, however, fixed on Ling Mohan.
She subtly moved closer to the man, lowering her voice: "Both your childhood sweethearts are here. Do you want to say hello?"
Ling Mohan did not respond. His somber gaze fell upon Feng Jin, and he pulled her into his embrace.
"What are you doing?"
Feng Jin, startled by his sudden action, tried her best to suppress her voice as she questioned him.
Liang Chen, who was walking ahead, heard the commotion and quickly turned back to check. Upon seeing the two embracing, an awkward expression crossed his face, and he turned his head away in confusion.
Caught in the act, Feng Jin's face flushed. She pushed Ling Mohan away and tidied her fringe.
"I'm going in. You stay here and behave yourself!" Feng Jin warned fiercely, leaning into his ear and whispering in a low voice, "If you dare to sneak off to see your childhood sweethearts, you're dead!"
Ling Mohan watched Feng Jin's retreating back, a wry smile playing on his lips. He didn't have so many childhood sweethearts; it was Feng Jin who had forcefully attributed them to him.
"It seems the Young General and his wife are truly affectionate. It's rather dull standing here. Why doesn't the Young General rest in the study for a while? I can be a witness for the Young General."
Liang Chen said meaningfully. Who would have thought that the stoic and reserved Ling Mohan would be so utterly controlled by his wife?
"Thank you. I prefer to wait for my wife here. Please trouble the Young Master to fetch me a chair."
"You really are..." Still as stubborn as ever. No wonder he gets scolded by his wife. "You can just stand out here and bask in the sun!"
Liang Chen directly instructed his servant, preparing a table and chairs, and kindly served him a pot of clear tea.
"Princess, Young Madam Ling has arrived."
"Quick, invite Young Madam in," Princess Qingping said urgently.
As Feng Jin entered the room, she felt a warmth. It was only early autumn, yet charcoal fires were already lit. Wasn't it too hot?
Feng Ruoyan's eyes tightened upon seeing Feng Jin looking perfectly fine. The medicinal components to control the Gu worm had already been administered. This young lady seemed completely unharmed...
This shouldn't be happening!
"Sister has arrived. I heard you were the one who saved the Princess. The Princess and I are like sisters. Thank you, sister, for this time," Feng Ruoyan's expression shifted, returning to her usual understanding demeanor.
Feng Jin sneered and ignored Feng Ruoyan. She nodded to Lin Yuwei and finally set her gaze on Princess Qingping, Chu Ning'er.
"Princess, your body has not yet recovered. You shouldn't sit for too long. Please lie down first."
The maids beside her immediately helped Princess Qingping to lie down.
Feng Jin placed her fingers on Princess Qingping's pulse. The pulse was shallow, indicative of a typical deficiency in both qi and blood. Coupled with her pale complexion and bloodless lips.
"I need to conduct a further examination of the Princess. May I ask the two of you to step outside and wait?"
"Thank you for your trouble, Young Madam." Lin Yuwei, being very sensible, got up to leave.
However, there was always someone who wanted to make their presence strongly felt. "Sister, you can take good care of the Princess. Princess, my sister is highly skilled in medicine. You can rest assured."
Feng Ruoyan babbled on with much useless chatter before reluctantly leaving.
Feng Jin keenly observed that after Feng Ruoyan's departure, Princess Qingping visibly relaxed, a flicker of disgust crossing her eyes.
"Princess, do you dislike Feng Ruoyan?"
Princess Qingping's expression faltered for a moment, then she shook her head. "It's fine. All visitors are guests. There's no reason to turn them away."
The strict rules and etiquette she had followed her entire life did not allow Princess Qingping to act in any unseemly manner. Similarly, they constrained her words and actions.
"Princess, you are currently in your confinement period. You must ensure you are in a joyful mood every day. You cannot let things or people you dislike affect you."
"I... I don't have a choice. I have to accept what I like and what I don't."
Princess Qingping's tone carried a hint of melancholy. As a Princess, she had enjoyed a life of luxury and splendor since childhood, envied by countless people. Yet, she was often not in control of her own destiny.
Her daily life was meticulously planned by others; everything she said, ate, or did had to follow specific rules.
Even her marriage was merely a tool to win over court officials.
From the moment she was born into the royal family, her life was destined to be one without freedom to act on her whims.
Feng Jin clasped Princess Qingping's hand firmly. "Life is short, merely a few decades, passing in the blink of an eye. Why should you mistreat yourself? Why not live for yourself?"
"Live for myself..." Princess Qingping murmured, her eyes dull and devoid of light.
"I am a Princess, and more importantly, the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Yue's mansion. I cannot act arbitrarily."
Feng Jin sighed. This was the sorrow of ancient women. Women born into royalty, despite their apparent nobility, lived truly difficult lives.
They enjoyed wealth and status, but also had to contribute to maintaining that wealth and status. It would have been better to be a commoner's daughter, living a life of carefree freedom.
After a moment of reflection, Feng Jin proceeded to examine Princess Qingping's health.
"Princess, the medicine has been changed. You will begin to walk around this evening."
After a pause, Feng Jin continued in a low voice, "Has the Princess passed stool since giving birth?"
Princess Qingping's face turned red. Such a private question... How could she answer?
"I..." Princess Qingping stammered hesitantly, unable to speak clearly. Partly out of embarrassment, and partly because she indeed had not passed stool...
This was something she had kept to herself, finding it too difficult to articulate.
"Princess, do you feel the urge to go?"
Princess Qingping nodded, her small face flushed crimson.
"Princess, your labor was very perilous, and you lost a lot of blood. The deficiency in qi and blood causing dryness of the intestines and difficulty in defecating is normal. Continue drinking the herbal decoction to regulate qi and blood. In your daily life, eat more vegetables and high-fiber foods, which are beneficial for bowel movements."
"I've noted it down," Princess Qingping replied softly. "However, Young Madam Ling, what are high-fiber foods?"
She had never even heard of the term "high-fiber."