"Chenchen... is that you? I—I'm not dreaming, am I?" My voice dared not rise too high, for fear of startling Xu Chen. The situation was now clear: she certainly wasn't Madar's biological daughter; otherwise, that Emperor wouldn't be so secretive about asking me to come treat her. It turned out he had found one for me and even adopted her as his daughter.

Ah, another adopted daughter. Why does everyone here have a penchant for taking in foster daughters? Heh, but Madar adopting Xu Chen as a daughter, I suspect the motivation behind it differs vastly from that of Magistrate An adopting Cheng Susu. When I mentioned the potential currency crisis to him at the Feiyu County Yamen, he paid close attention; presumably, he hasn't solved that problem yet.

"Y-you called me what? We’ve only just met. Please show some respect." Although Xu Chen still possessed that delicate charm she always had, the silk and fine foods of the palace had evidently bolstered her confidence considerably. Perhaps because she was so worried about her illness, she had actually chatted with me for so long earlier, a rarity for her previously quiet nature. But my sudden lapse in composure immediately caused her aversion.

I instantly realized I couldn't be too rash at this moment, or she wouldn't take a liking to me before her memories fully returned. I needed to treat her as I had Zhou Ni: first devise ways to slowly draw closer to her, and only then explain the matters of Earth. Only by doing this could I possibly regain her acknowledgment. Of course, if the opportunity arose to restore her memory, that would be even better.

I performed a slight bow: "My apologies, Your Highness Princess. You look exactly like a friend of mine. In my haste, I mistook you for her. Please forgive my rudeness."

Hearing my explanation, Xu Chen showed some remorse: "Oh, I see. That's fine. But does your friend also have 'Chen' in her name? Father Emperor says my name is Xu Chen. What is your friend called?"

I replied, "What a coincidence. My friend’s name is also Xu Chen. She and Your Highness are truly destined to be connected."

Xu Chen said, "Similar looks, same name... You—you aren't suggesting that your friend is me, are you?"

Though Xu Chen had lost her previous memories, she remained as sharp as ever. I explained, "I initially thought the same thing, but my friend is not the Princess of the Shuangcheng Kingdom, so I dare not presume such a thing, little official that I am."

Xu Chen suddenly confided, "To be honest, I myself don't know if I am Father Emperor's real daughter. I remember wandering outside, and then one day a group of people found me, and I was brought here to become a princess. As for what I was like before, I have absolutely no recollection."

A jolt of delight ran through me; it was going too smoothly. If I pressed my advantage now, the results would be twice as good with half the effort. Thus, I took out my mobile phone from my inner robe: "Your Highness, do you recognize this object?"

Xu Chen glanced at it and shook her head. "I don't remember. My mind is so chaotic. Sometimes my head aches as if it’s splitting open, but the imperial physicians have examined me several times, and they can't find any symptoms."

It seemed Xu Chen's situation was far worse than Zhou Ni's. I said, "Your Highness, there's no need to rush. Since the Emperor sent me, your humble subject will do his utmost to diagnose and treat you. I have some photographs of that friend here. Please take a look, Your Highness. Perhaps seeing her shadow will help you recall something."

Xu Chen said, "Perhaps... perhaps it will. Let's try, then. In any case, you are much better than those physicians. They always make me drink this and that medicine; I truly can't stand it anymore."

Recalling the sight of the enchanting Xu Chen having to pinch her nose to swallow bitter medicine every day sent a pang through my heart. I vowed then and there that she would never suffer that again. This trip to Shuangcheng was not in vain; a major victory was secured with the successful finding of one, and I was confident the others would appear soon.

I brought up the original photos of Xu Chen, displaying them one by one, but I dared not stand too close to her. Inhaling the faint, sweet fragrance emanating from her, an inexpressible excitement surged through me, my heart pounding like a trapped deer, as intense as that first night with Xu Chen.

"Your friend is very beautiful," Xu Chen suddenly remarked to me.

I paused, then asked her, "Has Your Highness never seen what you look like? Even if there are no mirrors, surely you wash your face with water?"

Xu Chen shook her head. "No. The water they use for washing my face here has some kind of perfume added, making the reflection murky and unclear. Besides, even if I knew what I looked like, what difference would it make? I have no memory of my former self. Seeing my own reflection would only show me an unfamiliar face."

I told Xu Chen, "How do you know if you don't look? I'll call a palace maid right away to fetch a basin of clear water."

Xu Chen smiled. "Alright. Your methods as a physician are quite unique. I am willing to try."

I opened the door, and a palace maid immediately stepped forward to ask, "Physician Zhao, what are your orders?"

I said, "Please fetch a basin of clear water for the Princess. Do not add anything to it. Remember, it must be pure water."

The maid replied, "Yes, Physician Zhao. The Emperor commanded before he left that after you finish treating the Princess, you are to report to him, and someone here will escort you there."

I said, "Thank you, I understand. Please hurry with the water; the treatment process has only just begun."

The maid said politely, "Physician Zhao, you are too kind. We are mere servants attending the Princess; these are our duties. There is no trouble at all."

Soon, the clear water arrived. Xu Chen sniffed it. "This water tastes quite poor compared to the perfumed kind. Oh, you put the photograph in the water?... No... what is this..."

I said, "Your Highness, doesn't she look very much like my friend? Otherwise, I wouldn't have mistaken you for her just now."

Xu Chen exclaimed, "She does! I'm even starting to suspect you deliberately created these photographs to deceive me. How else can there be so many coincidences in this world? Unless... unless I am your friend!"

I quickly asserted, "Your Highness, your humble subject would never dare deceive you. Before coming here, I truly did not know what the Princess looked like. However, I also dare not falsely claim kinship, lest I commit the crime of disrespecting and deceiving the Sovereign. But since you remember not living in the palace before, and you look so strikingly like my friend—even your voices bear a similarity—what you say might not be impossible. Furthermore, you asked me to fabricate these fake photos. Where would I suddenly conjure up such a large quantity of rich and varied life photos? And without a computer here, the resolution on a mobile phone screen is very limited; how could I produce such detailed and convincing pictures?"

Xu Chen gazed into the reflection in the basin of clear water a few more times, then paced around the room twice before settling onto the Princess's cushioned sofa. She said slowly, "What you say has some logic. When we were speaking through the curtain earlier, you mentioned seeking your friend. And this device you carry also gives me a faint sense of familiarity. Allow me some time to think this over thoroughly. You may withdraw for now."

Xu Chen had unconsciously developed an air of nobility, the bearing of a Princess. I understood the wisdom of 'haste makes waste,' and seeing Xu Chen deep in thought with a pained expression, I couldn't bring myself to press her further. I bowed and withdrew: "Please, Your Highness, rest well. With many things, the harder you try to recall them, the more elusive they become. Perhaps relaxing a bit will be more conducive to recollection. Your humble subject takes his leave."

Xu Chen nodded slightly, then turned and retreated into the inner chamber, not emerging again. I quietly closed the door to the Princess's chamber. A young eunuch led me to Madar. As I exited the Princess's sleeping quarters, I almost collided head-on with a man.

"Watch where you're walking! How can you serve in the palace if you're so clumsy? I think you need to go back to the Ministry of Rites for retraining!" the young eunuch nearly bumped into the man, who angrily admonished him.

The eunuch dared not retort; the truth was the man had been moving too quickly, and we were just rounding a corner. The eunuch plastered a smile on his face. "I apologize, General Zhang. It was my fault for not watching where I was going. I was in a hurry because the Emperor summoned me. Please forgive me."

The man waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, go on. Don't dawdle here, or if I'm late for the Emperor's summons, it will be counted against me."

Without waiting for us to leave, the man entered the Princess's chambers first. Then, I heard a voice from inside call out, "General Zhang of the Zhongdu Guard requests an audience with the Princess."

Immediately after, I faintly heard Xu Chen's somewhat delighted voice: "Is that Big Brother Zhang? I was just feeling worried. Let him come in."

My heart instantly churned like a boiling pot, searing my chest with pain. How could Xu Chen be so warm to another man! She is my wife; she should only be intimate with me, only be good to me. Who is this Big Brother Zhang!

The young eunuch, seeing the rage blazing in my eyes, quickly tugged at my robe. "Hurry along, Physician Zhao. We cannot afford to offend this General Zhang Guan. His father is Zhang Shouren, the Commander of the Zhongdu Guard; he holds immense power."

Reluctantly, I eavesdropped for a couple more moments by the doorway. Besides Xu Chen's laughter, I couldn't make out a single word between them—mostly because the distance to the Princess's room was too far. I was so angry I wanted to rush in and shoot that Zhang Guan dead right then and there. But calming down, I realized acting rashly now would gain me nothing. There were plenty of palace maids in the Princess's room; I figured Zhang Guan wouldn't dare do anything too extreme. I'd let him off for now.

The eunuch continued as we walked: "Physician Zhao, you may not know, but this Zhang Guan relies on his father being the Commander of the Zhongdu Guard and being Grand Tutor Pang's most favored godson. He runs rampant in Shuangcheng, known by the common folk as a malignant tumor, and is despised by us servants in the palace. But he is one of the two Great Generals of the Zhongdu Guard, commanding over ten Qianhuzhang and a hundred Baihuazhang, with over ten thousand troops under his banner. Even court officials and nobles treat him with deference. How could we mere servants afford to offend him?"

Good heavens, Zhang Guan had such deep roots. Has the path to finding my wife been too smooth until now? Has Heaven decided to increase the difficulty this time? He commands over ten thousand troops, and I... I don't even have ten? Thankfully, I already have eighty horses.

"How is it, Physician Zhao? How is the Princess's condition?" Madar asked me with a grin.

I respectfully bowed again, seriously and sincerely: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Although Princess Xu Chen's condition is extremely severe, I am relieved just knowing her life is not in danger. I thank Your Majesty for keeping my concerns in mind. But what news is there of the others?"

Madar replied, "I have done my utmost, but I have only found Xu Chen so far. There is no news of the others yet. But do not worry; as long as they are within my Shuangcheng Kingdom, I will find them safely for you. Now, you should focus on working for me. Last time we spoke of commodity currency and tokens; you refused to discuss it in detail, saying it was an Emperor's affair. Surely you will talk about it now?"

My mind was consumed with thoughts of Xu Chen. I recalled that Zhang Guan wasn't that old and was quite handsome. Xu Chen remembers nothing now; naturally, she will be grateful to whoever treats her kindly. I must not let that fellow take advantage and saddle me with a humiliating cuckoldry. But how could I deal with that brat? This place isn't Earth. On Earth, killing someone is easy for me, but here, being falsely implicated in a murder caused an uproar; killing a General would be far worse. Besides, I have no superpowers now; whether I can kill Zhang Guan smoothly requires careful consideration. Still, is murdering someone just because he's a romantic rival too much?

"Physician Zhao, Physician Zhao! I am speaking to you; what are you thinking about?" Madar called out twice when he saw me spacing out.

I snapped back to attention. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was preoccupied thinking of my friend and didn't notice your question. Regarding the currency crisis I mentioned last time, there is a way to remedy it. I stumbled upon a solution while treating Madam Wu in Feiying Prefecture."

"Oh? Tell me quickly. My spies report that several mints in the Jin Kingdom have suddenly started full production. Although the spies cannot ascertain what the Jin Kingdom is rushing to create, they learned through external channels that the Jin Kingdom is likely forging iron coins!"

The situation appeared critical, otherwise Madar wouldn't be so anxious. I carefully reviewed the plan in my head, which was still underdeveloped, before addressing Madar: "Your Majesty, for this plan of your humble subject to be implemented, we actually require the assistance of those counterfeit Jin coins."

Madar looked puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"

I explained, "From what this subject knows, the value represented by a single iron coin in Shuangcheng Kingdom is currently too high. This is a major obstacle to implementing commodity currency. Many merchants frequently face situations where they cannot make change during transactions, which severely hinders commercial development. In my vision, iron coins will continue to exist, but the purchasing power represented by one iron coin must be drastically lowered, ideally reduced to its actual material value. The new form of wealth will be commodity currency with a higher intrinsic value that is harder for others to counterfeit or flood the market with. This new commodity currency can be assigned a conversion rate against the iron coin based on its volume and color. The original iron coin will remain as subsidiary currency for a long time, until Shuangcheng Kingdom can mint its own currency. At that time, they can mint their own diverse subsidiary denominations, completely severing the monetary threat posed by other nations."

Madar said, "I understand the reasoning behind what you say, but what is this commodity currency with higher intrinsic value that you speak of?"

I took out several 'Brilliant Diamonds' Zhou Ni had given me from my pocket for Madar to see. "Your Majesty, look at this. This is a very special substance."

Madar examined them closely and remarked, "Nothing special. Aren't they just stones with a nice luster?"

I replied, "Your Majesty, this substance is called a diamond. Its hardness is unparalleled, perhaps the greatest in the world. If cut and polished, it can be made into incredibly precious diamonds. Those with deep blue, deep black, deep golden yellow, and red or green hues are even rarer treasures, known as 'Brilliant Diamonds' or 'Exotic Gems.' Their value is even higher."

Madar was unconvinced. "But I truly don't see what's precious about them. What value can a stone possibly have?"

I explained, "Your Majesty, you may not know, but with industrial development, these diamonds will see wide application. Besides being used for cutting, the greatest value of this material lies in ornamentation and collection. Moreover, as far as I know, Shuangcheng Kingdom has relatively large reserves of this material, so its collection value here is much lower. But the large quantity is perfect for serving as commodity currency; otherwise, based on my observations during my journey through Shuangcheng, the quantity is too small to serve as commodity currency."

Madar worried, "What if other nations also possess these mineral deposits? Wouldn't that interfere with our monetary system just the same? We should seek something unique to our nation."

I reassured him, "That's not an issue. This material isn't scattered everywhere like ordinary pebbles, is it? Furthermore, the pieces intended for currency will require simple polishing. I suspect other nations won't learn the cutting and polishing techniques overnight, and finding the necessary equipment will also be difficult for them. Even if they painstakingly manage to produce a batch of diamonds and successfully cut and polish them, Shuangcheng Kingdom is vast and resource-rich enough to absorb that amount without causing any upheaval. We only need to guard our domestic mineral reserves well to rest easy."

Madar questioned, "Since you already have a complete plan, why allow the Jin Kingdom to attack our monetary system? Shouldn't we simply replace the currency?"

I asked, "Your Majesty, do you have confidence that the populace below will voluntarily accept this new currency?"

Madar considered this. "I'm not entirely confident, as I myself doubt the intrinsic value of these stones."

"Exactly," I said. "If Your Majesty doubts the value of diamonds, how much less so the wealthy gentry and merchants? Asking them to exchange their large fortunes for stones of unknown value—they certainly won't agree. Therefore, you must wait for the right opportunity, until those wealthy individuals and common folk accept this material on their own."

Madar pressed, "But where can we find large quantities of diamonds? And how can we achieve the cutting and polishing you mentioned?"

I replied, "I heard from others that there are three locations in Shuangcheng Kingdom that produce this diamond in abundance, and I discovered one of these sites not far outside Feiying Prefecture. It is perfectly suited for open-pit mining. If everything proceeds smoothly, the diamonds from that single location alone will suffice for the entire nation's currency renewal. Of course, in the future, the state must release large quantities of diamond currency into the market annually, commensurate with economic growth. As for the cutting and polishing, I can handle some of the work myself, but the majority will require Your Majesty to assign artisans. I can provide the techniques, and I can assist Your Majesty in manufacturing the simple cutting and polishing equipment."

Madar inquired, "Since these diamonds are so incredibly hard, what tools can be used to cut and polish them?"

I stated, "The current technological level of the Twin Stars cannot manufacture an object harder than a diamond. But we can employ diamond to cut diamond—a principle already verified by my master on Earth—so there will be no issue."

Madar concluded, "Listening to your words is better than studying for ten years! I will carefully consider this matter. It's nearly noon; please dine with me. Afterwards, I will have someone show you around the inner city. The two aerial tunnels are the pride of our Shuangcheng Kingdom; you absolutely must see them."