Jinyi Spring

Chapter 229 The Beauty Trap

The eunuch went to inform the princess. Shui Chuchen heard that the three officials were waiting in the outer court, so she changed into plain clothes for receiving guests and went to a small side hall of the Taiji Hall with Tang Jian and Shaoyao.

"Greetings, Your Highness Princess Yong'an." The three ministers bowed in greeting.

"You may rise, gentlemen."

These are all old acquaintances.

Shui Chuchen took her seat at the head of the table, and without exchanging pleasantries, went straight to the point. She took out a drawing from her sleeve, spread it on the table, and traced the path of the alley with her finger.

"Besides the original clinic and the Feng residence, there are five other households in this alley. Please ask the Jingzhao Prefecture to relocate all five households and find them new homes. The relocation fee will be increased by fifty taels per household in addition to the estimated value of their original homes. This money will come from my private account."

If each family received an extra fifty taels of silver, they would definitely be willing to move.

Lord Hu nodded repeatedly and took out his pen to write it down carefully.

Shui Chuchen pointed to the blueprints again, gesturing to several locations. "After buying the alley, renovate it according to this plan. This row, open it up to make an outpatient clinic and pharmacy, with two canteens next to it for the patients' families and staff to eat."

"The entire area behind will be converted into the hospital's residential wards. Except for the two innermost buildings which will be used to treat internal medicine and surgical patients, the rest of the buildings will be converted into wards for maternity patients and gynecology and pediatric patients."

This situation has even forced the relocation of the Feng residence, which is sandwiched between these buildings.

Feng Buji doesn't need to buy a house right away. He lives in the Xiao residence now and in the Princess's residence later. He'll buy a bigger house when he gets married.

Shui Chuchen secretly gave Aunt Wang a thousand taels of silver so that she could buy a two-courtyard house near the clinic for her and her son to live in. This was also Shui Chuchen's way of expressing her gratitude for serving the original owner of the body and for the time she had spent with her.

The servants Shui Chuchen bought earlier are temporarily living in the clinic's dormitory. Once the princess's residence is established, they will live there.

The group then discussed and finalized the schedule for construction and the allocation of funds, using the blueprints as a guide.

Xiao Henian took the blueprints and readily agreed.

Shui Chuchen turned her gaze to Li Yuanpan, "I am short-staffed at the Imperial Hospital. I need one to three doctors specializing in gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, orthopedics, and ulcers. Qualifications and age are not important, as long as they are capable. Please have Lord Li go back and draft a list, and I will decide after reviewing it."

After some calculations, Li Yuanpan concluded that some were nearing retirement, some were being ostracized, and some were too stubborn to be suitable for the Imperial Hospital.

"There are probably eight or nine people. I have drafted a list and sent it to Your Highness."

"Furthermore, every Friday morning, one imperial physician specializing in gynecology, internal medicine, or ulcers will be sent to the clinic for consultations..."

Li Yuanzheng nodded in agreement.

Shui Chuchen picked up his teacup just as the morning began. Several ministers rose to take their leave.

After the person left, Shui Chuchen went out and boarded the palanquin.

The palanquin had not gone far when it stopped.

A young man's voice came from outside the curtain, clear and gentle, like jade striking each other.

"Your Highness, the lawn is being repaired ahead. Please move to the Yufang Garden."

Shui Chuchen lifted the carriage curtain. The newcomer stood a few steps away, dressed in silver helmet and armor, tall and slender, with a handsome face, dragon-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes, and a smile on his lips.

In the sunlight, his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, like a pool of spring water or scattered gold dust; just one glance was enough to make one's heart skip a beat.

In both her lifetimes, Shui Chuchen had seen quite a few handsome men.

In this life, Shangguan Ruyu possesses a refined and elegant beauty, with a hint of languid smile always lingering in her eyes, like a spring breeze ruffling a pool of clear water—not hurtful, but alluring.

Ming Shanyue's handsomeness was like the sharp edge of a blade. With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, thin lips slightly pursed, his entire face resembled a meticulously painted landscape, its lines strong and its colors pale, giving off a chilling aura after just a few glances. Yet beneath that chilling aura lay only tenderness for her.

But the person before her… his good looks were different. His features were exquisitely handsome, flawless, but the light in his eyes was too bright, too dazzling. This reminded Shui Chuchen of the actor Gai Hetian and some male celebrities from her previous life; the brightness in an actor's eyes was cultivated, full of drama and alluring charm.

But very few young masters from noble families have that kind of gaze.

This person is undoubtedly Sun Chengyu.

Indeed, he resembles "Little Zhao Yun"—Zhao Yun on the stage.

Shui Chuchen sneered inwardly, but a bright smile bloomed on her face. "Alright, thank you for the reminder, General."

After saying that, he lowered the carriage curtain.

The palanquin resumed its journey.

Outside the curtain, Sun Chengyu stood still, watching the carriage go further and further away, and was in a daze for a long time.

He touched his face, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up. It turned out that Princess Yong'an was not as cold and aloof as the rumors suggested. When she smiled, it was like peach blossoms in March reflected in spring water, incredibly sweet.

My grandmother and father both said that as long as I win over Princess Yong'an, the position of heir apparent will be mine.

In order to compete with his elder brother for that position, he tried every means to please his grandmother and father, even going so far as to sleep with that old woman, hoping she would say a few good words for him to his father. However, the position of heir apparent remained hanging in the air.

What's even more infuriating is that the old woman interfered in his marriage, preventing the marriage between the two families that he was satisfied with from taking place.

He was furious, but dared not retaliate.

Now, Princess Yong'an has fallen from the sky!

Not only was the father satisfied, but even the grandmother, who always doted on the eldest brother, relented. The old woman dared not utter a word; she couldn't stop such a wonderful thing.

He was planning in his heart that once he was engaged to Princess Yong'an and his position as heir apparent was secured, the first thing he would do was get rid of that leech.

Who does she think she is? Just a stepmother, does she really think she can control him forever?

With that thought in mind, Sun Chengyu straightened his clothes and walked briskly to the other side.

Shui Chuchen returned to the east side of the princess's residence. Tang Jian dismissed the servants, took a few steps closer, and lowered his voice to say, "Princess, that person just now was General Sun Chengyu."

Seeing that Shui Chuchen did not respond, he continued, "General Sun's eyes... seem rather unsteady."

He wanted to say "ill-intentioned" or "malicious," but he swallowed the words back and used a milder one instead.

Shui Chuchen glanced at him and nodded slightly, "I noticed it too."

She lowered her voice even further, “Go find two reliable people… and speak well of Sun Chengyu. Say that, according to Young Master Shangguan, someone is planning to marry him off to me as my consort. Make sure that the Second Princess’s most trusted people hear this, but don’t arouse their suspicion.”

Tang Jian was slightly taken aback, then his eyes lit up, and he bowed and smiled, "This servant understands."

This tactic of diverting blame without anyone noticing is truly ingenious.

He turned and went out to make arrangements, his steps light as if he were walking on clouds.

Shui Chuchen sat by the window, picked up her teacup, and gazed at the crabapple tree outside, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

The old hag wanted to use her good looks to her advantage, so she brought in the dirtiest man to disgust her.

Today, the male lead hurriedly took the stage.

To make this play more exciting, we need to change the female lead. (End of Chapter)