The Arrival of Prince Ji

Wei Lan had been in this place for almost two months. Looking back to when she first arrived, she had nothing but her passion and a heart for saving others. Fortunately, the heavens rewarded her diligence. Through her tireless efforts, she now had her own small clinic, and her pharmacy and school were beginning to take shape.

At first, she only had a vague ideal, but as she moved step by step toward today, Wei Lan realized that her goals had become more specific and clearer. Her dreams were like spring bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, gradually taking root and growing stronger.

Recently, she had been busy seeing patients in the mornings and providing training to dozens of midwives in Changsha in the afternoons. She thought to herself, midwives were only a small part of the medical community. There were so many doctors out there, some highly skilled and others still in need of experience. If she could bring them together and provide training, it would be such a great thing!

Thus, she made up her mind that her next step would be to accumulate funds, expand the clinic, and hire more doctors dedicated to medicine. This way, she could treat more patients and help even more people.

She also planned to open a pharmacy to sell her own medical supplies. From selecting the materials to production, every step would be strictly controlled, ensuring both the quality and safety of the medical products.

Moreover, she wanted to establish a medical school for unified training. She knew well the problem of quack doctors in Chinese medicine. The root cause was that many learned medicine through family traditions or from individual mentors. The process was often opaque, the training unstructured, and the quality depended entirely on talent and insight. In the Ming dynasty, although there were state-run medical institutions like the Taiyi Bureau, they were limited in scale and failed to meet the needs of the public.

If she had the ability, she wanted to change this situation by offering collective teaching and unified training, standardizing traditional Chinese medicine education. She aimed to create a scientific, rigorous, and systematic teaching system, covering everything from basic theory to clinical practice, from medical ethics to humanitarian care, training Chinese medicine practitioners in a comprehensive and multi-layered way.

Only those who met the qualifications would receive certification, allowing them to practice medicine. This way, the quality of Chinese medicine would improve fundamentally, and this brilliant gem of Chinese medicine would no longer be tarnished, truly benefiting the people.

Wei Lan stood on a small bridge. The cold winter wind brushed her face, but it couldn’t dispel the passion in her heart. She gazed at the river below, where the water flowed gently. Thin ice floated on the surface, and small boats navigated through it, with people on board busy either transporting goods or chatting and laughing, creating a lively scene.

This scene reminded her of the bustling atmosphere in “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” though it was winter, it still had a unique charm.

While Wei Lan was lost in thought, a faint “plop” sound suddenly caught her attention. Instinctively, she turned her head to see a man and a servant walking past her, leaving behind an exquisite purse on the ground.

She bent down to pick it up and carefully examined it. The embroidery was exquisite, and the fabric felt smooth. There was also a unique symbol stitched on it.

She raised her head and followed the figures of the man and his servant, who had already walked a short distance away. The man leading the way was tall, with an extraordinary presence. He wore a dark brocade robe with delicate patterns, appearing both understated and luxurious. A matching silk sash was tied around his waist, adding to his elegance. He wore a black soft hat with the brim slightly lowered, obscuring half of his face, but still failing to hide his handsome features.

Wei Lan quickly caught up with them and called out crisply, “Young master, please stop!” She held the heavy purse in both hands. “Is this yours?”

Zhu Cihui turned his head, his gaze landing on the woman dressed in plain clothes. Her eyes shone brightly, filled with sincerity. He nodded slightly, signaling his servant, Langyue, to approach.

Langyue received the purse and gratefully said, “May I ask for your name, Miss?”

Wei Lan smiled faintly. “My surname is Wei.”

Langyue took out a few pieces of silver from his chest and handed them to Wei Lan, speaking earnestly, “Thank you, Miss Wei. This is a token of appreciation from my master.”

Wei Lan gently waved her hand to refuse. “No need, no need.” She turned and walked toward the end of the bridge, her thoughts on her clinic and future plans, a slight smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

Zhu Cihui watched Wei Lan’s receding figure, feeling an inexplicable stir in his heart. The simplicity and straightforwardness of this woman left a deep impression on him.

Seeing his master’s reaction, Langyue couldn’t help but comment, “Your Highness, this young lady is really unusual. She found the purse and returned it without hesitation, and she wouldn’t even accept the silver. It’s quite rare.”

Zhu Cihui nodded, “She truly is an intriguing woman.”

Back at the Prince’s residence, Zhu Cihui walked briskly, though his mind was far from calm. The clear look in Wei Lan’s eyes and her graceful figure replayed like a painting in his mind, making it even harder for him to forget. He paused, turning to Langyue, “Find out about the young lady named Wei, whether she is married, and also bring Qingfeng to me.”

Langyue, well aware of his master’s tendencies, immediately understood and tried to advise, “Your Highness, you recently took a new concubine. If you take another, the First Consort might not be happy…”

Zhu Cihui gave him an impatient look and waved his hand, “Stop talking, just go investigate.”

Langyue sighed, silently pondering: Miss Wei, you’ve picked up a purse today, but little did you know, you may have just picked up a husband. This might bring both fortune and misfortune.

After Langyue left, Qingfeng quickly appeared before Zhu Cihui, bowing as he asked, “Your Highness, what is your command?”

Zhu Cihui played with two walnuts in his hand and slowly spoke, “Buy a pair of ‘Phoenix Dance in Nine Heavens’ white jade bangles. The white jade is warm and smooth, and the carving is delicate, symbolizing good luck.”

Qingfeng nodded slightly, replying, “Understood, Your Highness.”

Zhu Cihui continued, “Also, call Liu Mama here.”

Qingfeng left, and not long after, he found the famous matchmaker in Changsha, Liu Mama. When Liu Mama heard the invitation, she was thrilled, knowing this would be another lucrative business. She eagerly followed Qingfeng to the Prince’s residence.

However, Zhu Cihui did not meet Liu Mama directly. He had her wait in the side hall while he sat in his study, occasionally glancing at the door, awaiting news from Langyue regarding Wei Lan.

Soon, Langyue hurried back, reporting, “Your Highness, I found out. The young lady Wei is not married.”

Zhu Cihui’s eyes flashed with satisfaction, and he immediately ordered, “Good, Qingfeng, go discuss things with Liu Mama.”

Qingfeng quickly went to the side hall and told Liu Mama directly, “Liu Mama, my master has a request. He wants you to arrange a marriage proposal.”

Liu Mama immediately grinned and eagerly agreed, “I will do my best, Master.”

Qingfeng nodded, explaining Wei Lan’s situation and adding, “My master wants her as a concubine. Go speak with her family. We must treat them with proper respect.”

Liu Mama, knowing Zhu Cihui’s usual generosity, promised, “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll make sure her family is satisfied.”

After handing Liu Mama fifty taels of silver as an advance, Qingfeng sent her on her way and returned to Zhu Cihui’s study. “Your Highness, Liu Mama has left to handle it.”

Zhu Cihui nodded and then gave more instructions, “In addition to the white jade bangles, prepare a set of fine clothes, make sure the fabric is the best and the embroidery delicate; a pair of gold hairpins, choose a new style; a box of high-quality rouge, make sure it’s a brand used in the palace; and a jar of aged wine, the twenty-year-old ‘Daughter’s Red’ from the estate.”

Qingfeng listened carefully and mentally noted everything down. These gifts weren’t overly extravagant, but they were quite respectable, showing how much Zhu Cihui valued Wei Lan.

Once Qingfeng left, Langyue returned, only speaking when no one was around, “Your Highness, there’s still more to report about Wei Lan.”

Zhu Cihui raised an eyebrow, his tone curious, “Oh? Tell me more.”

Langyue shared all the information he had gathered about Wei Lan’s background, including her sudden appearance in town and her unusual family situation.

After hearing this, Zhu Cihui’s eyes sparkled with admiration, “Hearing this only makes me want to take her into my house more. What do you think?”

Langyue hesitated slightly, choosing his words carefully, “There’s nothing wrong with her, but…”

Zhu Cihui impatiently interrupted, “Speak directly, don’t beat around the bush.”

Langyue cleared his throat and bluntly said, “Miss Wei’s appearance is too sudden. The neighbors don’t even know about her. And although she claims to be from the Liu family, she uses the surname Wei, which is quite puzzling.”

Zhu Cihui frowned, dismissing the concerns with a flick of his hand, “So what? No matter who she is, she doesn’t pose any threat to me. Could she be a demon or something?”

Langyue silently shook his head, thinking, This master of mine is so bold. But it’s fine; if Miss Wei has any problems, I’ll just be more careful.

Zhu Cihui waved his hand, signaling that Langyue should leave. “You may go now. Come back when there’s news from Qingfeng.”

Langyue left, and Zhu Cihui sat back at his desk, still playing with the walnuts in his hands. His mind was already made up—no matter what, he was going to make this talented, decisive Miss Wei his woman.