Chapter 333: Chapter 300: "Innate Vaginal Atresia
"Fei’Er Jie is the one with the highest martial arts talent among the four attendants of the Saint Heir. She progressed to bone forging at twelve, blood integration at sixteen, and meridian passage at twenty-two, widely regarded as a three-hundred-year genius in the Ji family, second only to the Saint Heir!"
"Such a genius, why would she be arranged to be one of the Saint Heir’s attendants?" Lin Miao was puzzled. A genius like her should be nurtured and retained within any family, regardless of gender.
Moreover, there’s no favoritism towards males in the Moon Worship Sect.
"Fei’Er Jie has a congenital condition; even if she marries, she can’t consummate the marriage, let alone have children," Yue Mei’Er said, leaving everyone stunned.
"What?"
Si Miaoxue was surprised. How could she not know this? After all, she was also one of the four attendants who had spent several years together. Although she left when she was young, Ji Fei’Er seemed perfectly normal, with a high martial arts talent and perseverance far beyond others. How could she be disabled?
"We all thought she was fine, but it wasn’t until she was sixteen that we found out she couldn’t have her monthly cycle like a normal girl. After a thorough examination by the sect’s matron, it was discovered she had congenital pyloric atresia."
"Congenital pyloric atresia, what is that?"
"Simply put, this Ji Fei’Er is a stone woman," Lin Miao understood. Ji Fei’Er had such a rare congenital condition.
A stone woman!
Si Miaoxue had indeed heard of it. Such women lack Tiankui and cannot consummate a marriage with a man, thus cannot have children.
Yet she is indeed a woman, but in some aspects, she is flawed and cannot be a true woman.
This is a congenital disease; if it’s just pyloric atresia without other issues, surgery can resolve the problem.
As long as the surgery is done before the first period, she can marry and have children normally thereafter.
However, if the condition is severe, lacking a womb, even if the atresia is surgically corrected, she still cannot be a normal woman, as current technology cannot solve such issues.
Generally, having no passageway results in no womb, which is a very rare situation. As long as Ji Fei’Er isn’t that unfortunate, she can undergo subsequent surgeries to live a normal life.
"Sir, can it be treated?" Yue Mei’Er asked impulsively.
"It depends on the situation. If it’s not severe, it can be treated, but the extent of recovery depends on the individual," Lin Miao cautiously considered, knowing it was a medical issue and he couldn’t lie.
"The surgery requires some special instruments which need custom crafting..." Lin Miao added.
"If Sir can cure Ji Fei’Er, perhaps we can win her over!" Yue Mei’Er exclaimed, "She has sought medical help many times over the years, but nothing has worked."
"Seeking medical help, so this secret is no longer a secret?"
"She must have hidden her identity while seeking help. If this secret were known to the world, it would be catastrophic," Yue Mei’Er said, "Moreover, the doctors she sought were not ordinary; they wouldn’t meet her standards if they weren’t famous or skilled in complicated diseases."
"Could she come directly to find Mr. Lin?"
"Mr. Lin’s reputation has spread, especially with the title of gynecological expert. She might indeed come under an alias to seek you out!"
"Such congenital conditions are quite unique. Generally, they are discovered only when girls reach fifteen or sixteen and menstruation doesn’t occur. If she comes to me, it would naturally be discovered," Lin Miao nodded.
"You all go back. I will keep an eye on Ji Fei’Er, and as for the Sorceress, she probably won’t be in any trouble. Since she entered Da Li so openly, she must be well-prepared. She’s good at divination and prophecy; surely she has anticipated this ordeal?" Lin Miao smiled.
"That’s true; perhaps she’s using this opportunity to disappear so no one can track her, allowing her to act in secret," Si Miaoxue analyzed.
"Sir, about the embroidery house’s search for a groom, you haven’t given me a definite answer yet?"
"Alright, if Baili Yuyao finds a suitable groom at the selection, your role as a decoy won’t be necessary. If not, you can claim it’s her fallback. This arrangement ensures the best results without the worst happening," Lin Miao understood Baili Bingyun’s plan.
"Very well, I’ll focus on preparing. I will easily pass the preliminary round, but it would be embarrassing to be eliminated in the reevaluation."
"Miaoxue, I’ll go back with you to help."
"No need, you should stay at the estate and properly play your role as Qin Yanran," Si Miaoxue refused directly.
"I’ve long wanted to drop the Qin Yanran identity. How about arranging a reason for her disappearance?"
"Not yet, or who would oversee the overall situation in Dongshan Prefecture?"
"Alright," Yue Mei’Er conceded.
...
At the Mang Mountain Royal Hunting Ground north of Ganlu Temple, the autumn hunt was in full swing. The Crown Prince’s and the Fifth Prince’s forces were competing publicly and secretly. There were no reports of casualties on the first day, but injuries and deaths began on the second day.
It’s not just an injury, it’s a death.
Everyone participating in the autumn hunt is a descendant of the nobility and officials of the Da Li Dynasty, each of them wielding power and influence outside.
If someone dies, their parents and elders would all be heartbroken.
However, the rules of this year’s autumn hunt are like this; not only must one guard against people, but also against wild beasts in the hunting ground and possibly appearing exotic creatures.
In theory, the royal hunting ground has long been cleared, and beasts beyond a certain strength are not allowed to exist.
But there’s no guarantee that there aren’t any lone beasts or ones that slipped in after the hunt started, or even ones deliberately let in by someone.
In the jungle, there are pythons, foxes, wolves, leopards, and some unknown little things that may seem insignificant but are deadly. If encountered carelessly, it’s easy to lose one’s life.
The injured are carried back and those unable to persevere until the end lose the chance to compete for the first place, so titles and rich rewards naturally have nothing to do with them.
But compared to one’s life, titles and rewards are far less important.
Beimang Mountain Camp.
Five thousand Yulin Guards encircle the central military tent, which is also the Emperor Zhao Rui’s command post. This time for the autumn hunt, numerous levels of nobility and officials from the court accompany, totaling tens of thousands.
The tents stretch grandly for more than ten miles.
The Empress and many concubines have also come. It’s a lively event not seen in many years, and a legitimate opportunity to leave the palace, so how could they miss it?
Of course, not all concubines qualify. Only those whom the Emperor allows to accompany have the qualification.
This journey is not like in the palace; should any scandalous incident occur, it would truly be disgraceful to the royal family. Never underestimate these concubines’ ability to break through taboos; in desperation, they will stop at nothing to seize this rare lifeline.
That’s human nature.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Mingqian from the Inspection Department requests an audience."
"Let him in." The Emperor Zhao Rui, with a robust voice, instructed inside the large tent. This nearly three months of treatment under Fu Qingzhu’s guidance—abstinention, regular lifestyle, and medication—brought unexpected improvement to his previously deteriorating health.
Lin Miao’s treatment plan and prescriptions in the "medical case" and notes played a key role. Though it wasn’t Lin Miao who diagnosed him personally, using Lin Miao’s materials resulted in noticeable benefits. Without them, his recovery wouldn’t have been as good.
While pondering a reason to grant Lin Miao some favor, Zhao Mingqian interrupted his thoughts.
"Your Majesty, news from the Spirit Sword Sect indicates that the Seven Sons of Lingxi went into seclusion after a battle with the Moon Worship Sect’s witch. Even Linglongzi, the Sect Leader, is unclear about the battle’s specifics," Zhao Mingqian reported with his head bowed.
"What about the witch?"
"She entered the crevice on Little Dang Mountain."
"That’s a forbidden land. Did she come to Da Li this time for that Nether River Flower?" Zhao Rui muttered to himself.
"It is rumored that the Nether River Flower grows in the Yellow Springs, but no one has seen this Yellow Springs. It is said that someone saw a stream of yellow water under the crevice of Little Dang Mountain, and a ghostly flower on the Yellow Springs River. If one consumes it, though unable to achieve immortality, they could retain their past life’s memories after death, choose to reincarnate into a descendant, and the offspring could be born with these memories, allowing them to surpass their previous life’s achievements," Zhao Mingqian explained. "The previous generation witch of the Wu Clan is nearing her end, and this witch entering the crevice of Little Tang Mountain might be in search for the Nether River Flower."
"Did you send people in to follow?"
"Yes, but so far, there’s no trace of the witch."
"The Nether River Flower, if I could obtain it..." Zhao Rui’s eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope. Who doesn’t desire immortality? But if it’s unattainable, preserving memories to be reincarnated is a fine alternative.
"I will personally lead a team there," Zhao Mingqian knelt on one knee.
"Good, then I leave it to your efforts. If you can find the Nether River Flower, a great reward awaits," Zhao Rui enthused.
"As your majesty commands."
"Summon Fu Qingzhu." The more Zhao Rui thought, the more excited he became, instructing the accompanying eunuch.
Moments later, Fu Qingzhu, dressed in a simple green robe, entered elegantly. He rarely wore official attire, even in the emperor’s presence, preferring the simplicity of a scholar’s robe, exuding a cultured and refined air.
"The crevice of Little Tang Mountain, the Nether River Flower, Your Majesty, these are merely fables deceiving the world. They say someone has seen the Yellow Springs River beneath the crevice, but who this person is or their name is unknown. I feel that this notion of preserving past life memories is untrustworthy. In all my years, I have yet to see anyone who remembers their past life," Mr. Fu advised Zhao Rui not to pursue such fantastical notions.
"Regardless of its credibility, any chance is worth pursuing. Fu, with my current health, how much longer do I have?"
"If Your Majesty maintains the current dietary and lifestyle habits and curbs desires, following a regular routine, there is no issue for three more years," Fu Qingzhu indicated, holding up three fingers.
"Three years, that’s quite good."
