Xiao Lingzhou glanced at the sky, brow furrowing. “It’s almost noon. Why are you heading into the city?”
Jiang Yu had anticipated the question and recited her prepared excuse.
“We’re going to the capital eventually. I figured I might sell the rouge formula I created to earn a bit of money.”
“The last time we went into the city, I forgot the formula at home. I promised the rouge shop owner I’d deliver it today—I can’t go back on my word.”
Xiao Lingzhou gently wiped her mouth, tone calm: “Such a small matter doesn’t require you to go personally. Tell Ling Qi the address; he can take care of it.”
“That won’t do.” Jiang Yu’s heart tightened. A flash of thought provided a new reason: “Besides delivering the rouge formula, I actually… have something else to do.”
She lowered her eyes shyly as she spoke.
Xiao Lingzhou’s curiosity was piqued. “Something else?”
She shyly met his gaze, stammering for a long moment: “We’ve been married so long without children… I’m wondering if… maybe there’s something wrong with me. I want to see a doctor.”
Hearing this, Xiao Lingzhou’s chest stirred slightly, eyes flickering.
He had taken fertility-suppressing medicine after being poisoned—something she didn’t know.
After hesitating, he resolved to delay revealing the truth: “No need to see a doctor. Your body is fine.”
Her body was fine—meaning he…
Jiang Yu’s gaze involuntarily dropped between his legs.
Noticing her look, Xiao Lingzhou chuckled and deliberately guided her hand, whispering in her ear: “Qingqing, after all the times you’ve tried, don’t you know if I have a problem?”
Her porcelain-white face immediately flamed red.
Like a startled bird, she withdrew her hand, scanning around. Seeing Ling Qi absent, she bit her lip and scolded: “Xiao Lingzhou! Have some shame! It’s broad daylight!”
“Weren’t you the one suspecting me? I’m just proving it.” He feigned innocence.
“Move away.” She pushed him, embarrassed and indignant.
His refined, elegant face seemed to get cheekier by the moment.
“I’m not joking. If we were both fine, why hasn’t your belly moved in half a year?”
“I passed by a clinic in the city that treats this type of problem. How about we go together today?”
Xiao Lingzhou stiffened but softened his tone to soothe her: “Qingqing, we’re still young. There’s no rush for children. Let nature take its course.”
Jiang Yu didn’t bother judging the truth of his words.
She had to go to the city today.
Better to find a doctor and settle her own doubts than stew in anxiety.
And if she really was pregnant, she needed to decide whether to terminate it early.
In modern times, raising a child alone is hard enough—let alone in a period with primitive birthing technology.
She was first herself, then a mother.
She couldn’t sacrifice her freedom for an unborn embryo.
“I don’t want to hear it. If you’re not going, Ling Qi will accompany me.”
She used the excuse of infertility, confident he wouldn’t go because she might discover his poisoning secret.
As she expected, Xiao Lingzhou first looked helpless, then finally sighed and smoothed her hair. “If you must go, then go. The sooner you return, the better.”
Hearing this, she immediately beamed: perfect!
…
With a legitimate reason, Jiang Yu didn’t have to avoid Ling Qi.
After selling the formula to the rouge shop, the two arrived at Jichun Hall.
“You wait outside. I’ll be out shortly.”
Ling Qi surveyed the sparsely populated clinic and nodded: “I’ll stay at the door. Madam, just call if you need me.”
“Understood.” Jiang Yu’s lavender skirt swayed elegantly as she entered the clinic.
Casting a glance at Ling Qi standing at attention, she approached a young medicine boy.
Half an hour later, wearing a veiled hat, Jiang Yu was at another clinic, anxiously awaiting the doctor’s diagnosis.
“Doctor, is there something wrong with me?” She deliberately altered her voice.
The doctor stroked his graying beard with one hand, held a pen in the other, and replied lightly: “Miss, there’s nothing seriously wrong. You’ve been anxious lately, causing poor appetite. Take this formula twice daily, relax, and rest a few days.”
“Really?” Jiang Yu’s voice involuntarily rose a little.
“I’ve practiced medicine for over twenty years. I don’t misdiagnose,” the doctor said confidently.
“That’s good, that’s good.” Jiang Yu exhaled heavily. “My period is late this month… what’s the reason?”
The doctor glanced at her before returning to his notes: “Women are naturally cold. Miss, you’ve been indulging in cool things, which causes blood and qi stagnation. That’s why your period is delayed.”
Hearing “indulging in cool things,” Jiang Yu blushed.
Even in winter, she bathed twice daily during her period due to discomfort. She also ate plenty of cold foods and fruits.
Without Xiao Lingzhou supervising her, she would have been even more indulgent.
“If you want less suffering during your period, avoid raw and cold foods, don’t sit for too long, and stay calm.”
“I’ll remember. Thank you, doctor.”
Relieved to know she wasn’t pregnant, Jiang Yu paid the fee and took the prescription.
Back at Jichun Hall, she had the doctor check her pulse again, leaving proof of the visit.
Seeing her emerge, Ling Qi stepped forward: “Madam.”
Jiang Yu glanced at him and handed over the prescription: “I’m tired. Please get the medicine for me.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The medicine boy carefully prepared the prescription, reminding Ling Qi: “This medicine adjusts qi and blood and mainly aids conception. Follow the doctor’s orders strictly. Do not misuse it.”
Ling Qi nodded solemnly, noting it down to report everything to Xiao Lingzhou when they returned to Zhangjia Village.
“Madam really did prescribe fertility medicine?” Xiao Lingzhou asked, his eyes darkening.
In the study, shadows flickered as his tall figure stood by the window, elongating his already elegant silhouette.
Ling Qi lowered his head: “I heard it from the medicine boy himself. Nothing false.”
Xiao Lingzhou hadn’t expected Jiang Yu to care about pregnancy. He said with measured voice: “Since Madam is going to the city tomorrow, I shouldn’t appear. Ling Qi, you must accompany Madam and protect her. Need I remind you how?”
“Your Highness, rest assured. I will stay close and protect Madam.”
Xiao Lingzhou waved, then left the room.
In the thick night, wind rustled bamboo leaves outside.
He stared at the bracelet on his wrist, eyes full of unresolved tenderness.