Chapter 42: Business Opportunity

Yu Yuanzheng’s method of saving a life today was truly baffling. If she could not provide a reasonable explanation, her success today would be nothing more than a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse.

"Indeed, Grand Young Mistress, why did you know that such a method could save a drowning person?" The Old Marchioness was also very curious. She had heard legends of such methods from the elders, but had never witnessed one.

Yu Yuanzheng looked at the group, all of whom were staring at her with anticipation.

"In reply to the Old Marchioness, I heard it from an old nurse when I was young. At the time, I thought she was just talking nonsense, but later, after thinking it over carefully, I understood. In truth, when a person drowns, they die because they can no longer breathe. If one could restore their breathing, wouldn't they live? So, I had the Third Young Lady blow air into the Fourth Young Master's lungs, and then I pressed on his heart to make it beat again. Wouldn't that revive him? I didn't expect it to succeed on my first attempt."

Yu Yuanzheng’s explanation was simple and easy to understand.

"What a clever child," the Old Marchioness said, grasping the concept immediately.

"By that logic, if we blow air into the mouths of people who have already died, would they all come back to life?" Yu Zhaoyang, clearly disbelieving, retorted.

It was true; if this method were truly effective, couldn't countless people be saved?

"Elder Sister, a person does not die the moment they stop breathing; it takes some time before they are truly gone. Once a person is fully dead, they cannot be saved, so one must race against time. If you don't believe me, pinch your nose and try it. If you were to pass out, I could use the same method to revive you immediately," Yu Yuanzheng explained with a smile, her logic sound and composed.

Yu Zhaoyang had no further retort. Was she really supposed to let her try it? She certainly had no desire for that.

Just then, the Marchioness arrived.

"Daughter-in-law, how is Zhengxing doing now?" the Old Marchioness asked, eager for news. Had it not been for the presence of important guests, she would have gone to see her grandson herself.

"In reply to Mother, thanks to the timely rescue by the Grand Young Mistress and Yuying, there is no longer any serious danger." The Marchioness had experienced the depths of hell and the heights of heaven in a very short time. She bowed solemnly to Yu Yuanzheng, "Many thanks to the Grand Young Mistress for saving his life."

"You are too kind, Marchioness. It was merely a fortunate encounter."

"Has it been clarified why Zhengxing fell into the water? Why were his attendants not by his side?" the Old Marchioness began to probe for the cause.

"Alas, that boy Zhengxing is truly too mischievous. He didn't want to study, so he actually drugged his tutor. He put a sleeping potion in the tutor's tea; the teacher is still unconscious in the study. The boy then snuck out the back window to play in the garden, while the two attendants remained outside the study door, knowing nothing. He climbed the highest rockery by the pond, intending to climb a nearby tree to get over the courtyard wall, but he slipped and fell into the water."

The Marchioness was furious just speaking of it. Had they not encountered the Prince’s Grand Young Mistress, who knew such a strange method of rescue, her son might have perished. Having given birth to three daughters before finally having a son, she cherished him like the apple of her eye, which was why she had raised him to be so lawless. Neither of his two older half-brothers had ever been like him.

"Sigh, he cannot be spoiled like this any longer; it will lead to disaster sooner or later. From now on, leave his discipline to his father. Neither you nor I are permitted to interfere," the Old Marchioness realized the gravity of the situation.

"Yes, daughter-in-law understands her mistake."

Following this episode, the Marquis’s residence insisted on keeping the Princess and her daughter-in-law for lunch. At the table, Yue Yuying took such care of Yu Yuanzheng that the latter didn't even need to pick up her own food. Their bond was like that of sisters, a sight that left Yu Zhaoyang wondering what she had even eaten during the meal.

The discussion regarding the betrothal went smoothly, skipping the formal request for a date and setting the wedding day directly. Considering the summer heat would make wearing bridal robes a misery, they settled on the eighth day of the eighth month—a date universally recognized as auspicious, requiring no further divination.

By the time they returned to the Prince’s estate, it was already the end of the *wei* hour (3:00 PM). The Second Old Mistress and the Second Mistress had been waiting anxiously. Usually, these visits concluded earlier, and the Princess had been gone for a long time. Both had been worried that things hadn't gone well or that the Marquis’s estate found the betrothal gifts insufficient. When they finally returned, Yu Zhaoyang recounted the events, and the two women finally understood what had transpired. The gaze the Second Old Mistress cast upon Yu Yuanzheng afterwards became somewhat ambiguous.

Back in Qiya Courtyard, Yu Yuanzheng changed her clothes and sat by the bed, recounting the day’s events to Shangguan Ziqi. Unfortunately, he was fast asleep and heard nothing.

"Young Mistress, did you truly save the Fourth Young Master with that method today?" Ziyue finally had a chance to ask what had been on her mind.

"Of course it's true. This method is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is best used in critical moments, though it cannot save everyone; it depends on personal luck."

"Oh. In what situations can it be used?" Ziyue asked, curious.

"Well, it is very suitable for drowning victims, like today. It also works for suffocation, such as someone who has been hanged, provided they have only just stopped breathing. It is also well-suited for accidents where the heart has stopped due to impact, or for certain patients, such as those suffering from acute myocardial infarction. But there is one prerequisite: one must be fast. It must be done the moment the person stops breathing. Once too much time has passed and the person is truly dead, even the gods would find it difficult to save them."

"I see, thank you for clarifying, Young Mistress. But mouth-to-mouth resuscitation... it seems somewhat improper." Ziyue found this part hard to accept.

"How should I put it? It depends on one's perspective. Of course, it is best if a man saves a man and a woman saves a woman, wouldn't that solve it?"

"That is true. If one can save a life, no one would mock them."

Just then, Chunlei came to find Yu Yuanzheng. Yu Yuanzheng's guards were all highly skilled, and they generally avoided being seen by others when entering Qiya Courtyard. Yu Yuanzheng was quite satisfied with this.

"Grand Young Mistress, today Lin Houde received someone seeking medical help. They are willing to pay ten thousand taels of silver," Chunlei reported.

"Oh? Who is it?" Yu Yuanzheng asked, curious.

"The household of Princess Huining."

"What is the illness?"

"Your subordinate does not know. To my knowledge, there is no one in the Princess's household who is in critical condition."

"That is strange. However, for the sake of ten thousand taels, I shall make a house call." Yu Yuanzheng had become a bit of a miser lately. The ten thousand taels the Prince had given her didn't feel real, but money she earned herself felt much more secure.

"However, the other party made a request..." Chunlei hesitated; the request was difficult to handle.

"What request?" Yu Yuanzheng was even more intrigued.

"They request that the 'Miracle Doctor' visit at night," Chunlei said, leaving the decision to the Grand Young Mistress.

"Hmm? At night?" Yu Yuanzheng found this request troublesome. For a married woman to not return to her residence at night would be a major issue; rumors and gossip would soon surround her. Unless she were visiting her maiden home and accompanied by her husband, it was unacceptable. Furthermore, she could not stay out overnight while her husband lay in bed; it would provide a handle for people to ruin her reputation. This was not easy to resolve.

After a moment of thought, Yu Yuanzheng made up her mind.

"Chunlei, go back and tell them we will arrive at midnight." Her voice was soft, yet carried an unquestionable strength.

Chunlei’s eyes widened in shock. "But, Grand Young Mistress, this... how will you manage to slip out at night? The estate's guards are strict; it won't be easy..." His words were filled with worry and confusion, clearly finding her decision unbelievable.