Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 525 Winter Melon

Behind the screen, Donggua was holding his breath when he suddenly heard Physician Jian mention his name. His ears suddenly burned, his heart began to pound uncontrollably, and his cheeks felt faintly hot.

Before she could even catch her breath, Meng Shu's calm voice came through clearly:

"Imperial Physician Jian has been an official for four years now. I imagine there must be quite a few suitors coming to propose marriage. I wonder... has any young lady caught your eye?"

Jian Zhi was clearly not expected that Consort Jin would ask such a question, and was stunned for a moment before finding his voice and replying somewhat hastily: "Your Majesty... Indeed, Physician He has mentioned it to me twice, but... I politely declined both times."

"Oh?" Meng Shu said, "When I was with Wan'er at the Marquis's residence, I attended quite a few banquets. May I ask which family's daughter you are?"

"It is...it is Physician He's niece, Your Majesty..."

Behind the screen, Donggua instinctively clenched her fists, almost pressing herself against it. However, Jian Zhi's voice grew increasingly soft as she listened intently, momentarily losing her balance and nearly knocking over the heavy screen!

Meng Shu's direct question was clearly the result of thorough preparation beforehand.

She had already inquired with Aunt Mei in detail. Jian Zhi was an orphan taken in by the Marquis of Lin'an in his early years. He had been learning medicine from the Zhen family physician who served in the mansion since childhood. Although he was now in the Imperial Hospital, he still had many connections with the Marquis's mansion. In the end, his marriage still needed the approval of the Zhen family physician.

A few days ago, Aunt Mei heard from Meng Shu that there was an intention to matchmake, and she immediately slapped her thigh and said, "Our Donggua is a proper fifth-rank female official in charge of the imperial kitchen! If Her Majesty is willing to spread the word, even the wives of officials of the fifth rank and above would probably be vying to fight for this marriage for their sons! If we give it to Imperial Physician Jian now, in terms of status, he would be considered to be marrying above his station!"

Meng Shu said casually, "The He family has produced physicians for two dynasties. They have a distinguished family tradition and can be considered a family of doctors. Although I have never met that young lady, I think it is a good match between two families."

Upon hearing this, Jian Zhi hurriedly waved his hand, "Your Majesty, please understand, I...I had no such intention!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly knelt down with a thud. "Your Majesty, I humbly beg you... I beg Your Majesty's attendants..."

Just then, a series of childish, babbling sounds came from outside the flower hall.

Yu Nu'er had somehow climbed over the threshold and, on tiptoe, wobbled his way inside. He sniffed the air, as if recognizing a scent, then, with a determined stride, he ran straight towards the back of the screen, calling out joyfully, though his words were indistinct:

"Dongdong..."

Auntie...

Green Willow was startled and quickly glared at Su, the wet nurse, who was rushing over from behind. She then reached out to pick up Yu Nu'er. However, the little one was unsteady on her feet and almost fell. Dong Gua didn't care about anything else and scooped Yu Nu'er up in his arms.

In an instant, you could hear a pin drop in the flower hall.

Jian Zhi looked at the suddenly appearing winter melon: "..."

Meng Shu stared at this sudden turn of events: "..."

Green Willow looked at the chaotic scene: "..."

Holding the soft, cuddly Yu Nu'er, Dong Gua's cheeks flushed red as she stammered, "...Um, this...I...this servant...this servant will take the eldest prince downstairs." With that, she practically skipped a beat, carrying the child as she dashed out of the flower hall.

Although the wet nurse was unaware of what had happened, she knew she had made a mistake. Her face turned ashen, and she hurriedly curtsied to Meng Shu, saying, "This servant deserves to die..."

Green Willow immediately raised her hand to stop her and whispered, "Go down and take good care of the First Prince."

After this disturbance, Jian Zhi had a clear understanding of the situation.

He couldn't help but smile with a hint of joy, but he quickly took a deep breath and suppressed it. He then turned to Meng Shu with an extremely solemn expression, "Your Majesty, I have long admired Miss Donggua. I humbly request your permission."

Meng Shu and Lv Liu exchanged a glance. Seeing that Jian Zhi's eyes were clear and his expression was sincere, without the slightest hint of pretense, they both felt relieved.

Meng Shu slightly raised her eyes, and Green Willow immediately understood, asking with a smile, "Imperial Physician Jian has come to our Cuiyu Hall to take your pulse many times. When did you start paying attention to Winter Melon?"

Jian Zhi's ears turned slightly red, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face, but he did not avoid the question and replied frankly: "Miss Donggua is straightforward, cheerful and open-minded. Whenever I see her, I feel very comfortable and happy."

A hint of a smile flashed across Meng Shu's eyes: "My relationship with Donggua is extraordinary. I intend to keep her in the palace for a few more years until she turns twenty-five before letting her out to marry. If that's the case, can you wait?"

Jian Zhi bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, if Miss Donggua is willing to favor me, I will wait for ten years, let alone three or five! I swear here today that if Your Majesty grants my wish, I will never take another woman in my life, and I only wish to grow old with Miss Donggua!"

Green Willow was delighted for Winter Melon upon hearing this, and teased, "What Winter Miss? Imperial Physician Jian must be so happy he's gone mad! Our Winter Melon was originally surnamed Zhang, but now she has taken the surname 'Fang' from Aunt Mei's husband's family. When you propose marriage, don't get the girl's surname wrong!"

Meng Shu said gently, "I understand your intentions. However, this matter ultimately requires Donggua's consent. I will discuss it with you in detail after I have inquired about her opinion."

Jian Zhi's face immediately lit up with joy. He respectfully kowtowed before taking his medicine box and leaving.

This time, when Jian Zhi left Lingcui Palace, Donggua did not appear to see him off, but Jian Zhi felt no disappointment. Instead, he was filled with a rich and warm emotion. He walked briskly, thinking for the first time that he could finish his shift early so that he could talk to his master about his marriage.

Back at the Imperial Medical Academy headquarters, Jian Zhi saw Physician He frowning as he dealt with Eunuch Chen from the Renming Hall. He deliberately slowed his pace and overheard a few words.

"Her Majesty the Empress has decreed that, starting today... it is no longer necessary to serve medicinal soups?"

Jian Zhi pondered to himself, vaguely feeling that this matter was somewhat sudden.

As soon as Eunuch Chen turned to leave, Li Rui spoke up: "Your Excellency, Her Majesty the Empress has suddenly proposed to stop the medication..."

Doctor He looked grave, raised his hand to stop him from speaking, then left in a hurry without saying a word, not even taking his medicine box with him.

Jian Zhi strolled to the outer corridor of the palace and saw in the distance that the direction He Yizheng had gone was the Funing Palace, where the emperor usually conducted state affairs.

He returned to his duty room, first sitting quietly at his desk to carefully organize and transcribe today's medical records. Then he picked up his brush and devised a prescription for Consort Yun to regulate her body, and then wrote out the liver-soothing and stomach-soothing medicine for Consort Jin. Just as the ink dried, Green Willow appeared outside the door. Jian Zhi rose, led her to the pharmacy, and carefully packaged the necessary medicinal herbs. Taking advantage of the absence of others, he quickly whispered a few words in Green Willow's ear.

Green Willow's expression hardened. She carefully put away the medicine packet, then took out the special seal of Lingcui Palace from her sleeve and left her mark on the medicine requisition book. Without further ado, she hurriedly returned to Lingcui Palace to report to Meng Shu.

Jian Zhi, carrying the organized medical records, took them to Physician He's office for filing, as per usual procedure. He pushed open the slightly ajar door; the room was empty, save for the slanting sunlight streaming in from the window. His gaze inadvertently swept across the desk, catching sight of a prescription laid out on it.

The ink was still fresh, indicating that it had been written recently.

The formula is mild and gentle, and is a prescription for regulating menstruation and replenishing the body.

He quietly left the duty room and returned to the outer room. Seeing several colleagues chatting, he casually asked Physician Lu, who was standing to the side, "Your Excellency Physician, you seem to be in a hurry. Which noble person's palace did you visit today?"

Physician Lu was sorting medicinal herbs and replied casually without looking up, "Besides the Empress Dowager and the Empress, only Consort Shun is currently being personally cared for by the Chief Physician."

Upon hearing this, Physician Chen shook his head, stroking a few strands of his beard as he interjected, "Not so, not so. Ever since Consort Mu suddenly fainted last time, the Chief Physician, following the Empress's decree, has frequently visited Hanxiang Pavilion to inquire about her health and well-being."