Physician Shi was taken aback for a moment, pondered briefly, and finally had a sudden realization.
“The Chief Grand Secretary is eager to have an heir…”
This powerful minister was already past thirty, yet he had neither married nor fathered any children.
Normally, someone of his noble status and prominent position should have long been surrounded by children, enjoying the happiness of family life.
But for some reason, he remained alone, with only an adopted son to bring him joy.
“So, is there a solution?”
“There is indeed a way. However, this young lady will likely have to endure some hardship.”
Physician Shi looked troubled as he spoke slowly, “Nanny Chang from the palace has some skill in aiding conception and regulating the body. Perhaps she can assist His Excellency.”
Su Yao’s body trembled involuntarily.
She shook her head desperately, filled with terror.
In less than half an hour, Nanny Chang from the palace was invited to the Chief Grand Secretary’s Residence.
She was a perceptive woman and had already grasped the situation from Physician Shi’s few words.
Inside the room, candlelight flickered, and the atmosphere was heavy.
“Young lady, take off your clothes and lie down,” Nanny Chang’s voice commanded coldly.
Su Yao paused, her fingers trembling as she began to undo her collar.
Nanny Chang snorted, “Undressing so quickly, how shameless.”
Su Yao watched as Nanny Chang approached her step by step, holding silver needles in her hand.
She was like a fish on the chopping block, utterly helpless.
The moment the silver needle pierced her body, an excruciating pain surged through her entire being. Su Yao felt as though her soul were being torn apart.
Nanny Chang did not like the young woman before her, but she had to admit that she was exceptionally beautiful.
The entire process of treatment was long and agonizing. By the time it finally ended, Su Yao was drenched in sweat.
Sweat rolled down her forehead, and it was impossible to tell whether the moisture on her face was sweat or tears, evoking pity.
Nanny Chang put away the acupuncture needles.
Only then did Lu Huaijin enter the room, wrapping Su Yao in his cloak and holding her close.
Su Yao’s lips trembled, her eyes lowered, and she remained silent.
“Yao’er, you’ve suffered. Soon, we will have our own child,” he said softly, his large hand gently resting on Su Yao’s stomach.
Su Yao felt a wave of nausea. She hated this man. How could she possibly be willing to bear his child after he had treated her with such despicable methods?
She was exhausted, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
Outside the window, the rain grew heavier.
In the hands of Nanny Chang and Physician Shi lay heavy gold pieces.
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with astonishment, amazement welling up from within.
Physician Shi spoke first, “The Chief Grand Secretary is truly so generous?”
Nanny Chang clenched the gold tightly and nodded firmly, “Indeed, I never expected this.”
Physician Shi leaned in and asked softly, “Nanny Chang, did you take a close look at that young woman?”
Nanny Chang glanced around and lowered her voice.
“I did. Her appearance and bone structure are both of the highest quality, and her skin is as smooth and white as jade.
I took the opportunity during the examination to observe her carefully. She truly has the natural allure of a seductress, captivating hearts with every gesture.
No wonder she has managed to bewitch our usually aloof and self-restrained Chief Grand Secretary.”
Physician Shi frowned slightly, “But it seems to me that she has some hidden circumstances.”
Nanny Chang was taken aback, “Hidden circumstances? What could they be? There are plenty of women outside who would love to be with the Chief Grand Secretary. She’s the lucky one.”
“You must never speak of this to anyone.”
Physician Shi glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby before lowering his voice further. “Especially in front of the Empress Dowager—not a single word should be mentioned.”
Nanny Chang snorted. “Do you take me for some clueless, tactless old woman?”
“I have a bad feeling about this. That woman might stir up a hornet’s nest.”
Just as Nanny Chang was about to retort, footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Both instantly fell silent, nervously hiding the gold.
As the footsteps faded away, Nanny Chang muttered quietly, “Look at you, jumping at shadows.”
But Physician Shi gazed into the distance, murmuring, “I truly fear for the Empress Dowager… I hope I’m just overthinking it…”
Northern City, a small courtyard.
Su Yao opened her eyes to find herself in this small room.
The interior was arranged rather elegantly.
A maid approached with a bowl of dark, murky medicine. “Miss, you’re awake. This medicine has just been brewed; drink it while it’s hot.”
“Where is this?”
“This is Furong Lane. The master specially prepared this place for you.”
Su Yao couldn’t help but frown slightly, the bitter scent of the medicinal broth making her instinctively wrinkle her nose.
“What medicine is this?”
“It’s a Fertility Potion the master ordered this servant to brew. Miss, please drink it quickly.”
“I won’t drink it. Take it away.”
“Please don’t make things difficult for this servant. If you don’t drink it and the master blames me, I cannot bear the consequences.”
The whip marks exposed on the maid’s wrist were starkly visible.
Su Yao’s heart softened a little, reminded of Ding Xiang, who had once served her.
On the night she was captured and brought back, Lu Huaijin, to make her remember, had deliberately ordered Ding Xiang beaten to death with rods right before her eyes.
She closed her eyes briefly. “Bring it here.”
With that, she took the medicine bowl from the maid’s hands and downed it in one go without hesitation.
The maid offered a white silk handkerchief; Su Yao took it and dabbed the corners of her mouth where traces of the medicine remained.
The pure white handkerchief was discarded on the tray.
Su Yao spoke slowly, “What is your name?”
“This servant is named Chun Tao.”
“Chun Tao?”
Su Yao looked the maid up and down. She appeared to be fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features.
Without much thought, it was clear this was undoubtedly a spy Lu Huaijin had sent to watch her.
Chun Tao fetched a dish of preserved plums from a small side table.
“The master said Miss dislikes bitterness, so he specially prepared these candied fruits. They’ll take away the bitterness.
The master also said that he will come to keep you company whenever he has time.
Miss, you truly are a fortunate person. This servant can see that the master treasures you greatly.
If in the future you can bear the master’s child, you might even be taken back to the mansion and elevated to a concubine. That’s a good outcome many people long for but cannot obtain.”
“Enough!”
Su Yao found these words utterly laughable…
What she saw as Lu Huaijin’s meager charity was regarded by others as an immense favor, a great act of affection.
She rolled her eyes. Whoever wanted it could take it; she, Su Yao, had no interest in it.
Su Yao did not seek wealth or status; she only hoped to find her family.
She had once been the daughter of a noble family from the Ministry of Personnel, but after her family fell into misfortune, the men were conscripted into the army, and the women were sold into the Music Bureau.
Her mother and elder sister had died there.
It was Lu Huaijin, whom she had respected since childhood, who saved her.
She ought to be grateful to him, yet how could she accept that someone she regarded as an elder would do such things to her, taking her innocence?
From then on, their relationship became an inextricable tangle, messy and unclear.
It was only later that she realized she had merely escaped the wolf’s den only to leap into the tiger’s lair.
She refused to be a plaything in the Music Bureau, her lips tasted by countless men, nor did she wish to become his personal captive.
A sense of melancholy crept between her brows, and Su Yao did not want to dwell on it any longer.
“What time is it?”
“It’s just past the hour of You. Are you hungry, miss?”
“The hour of You? I actually slept that long?”
Su Yao gazed through the window lattice at the bright, clear moon hanging high in the night sky, her heart filled with sorrow.
She let out a long sigh. Night had fallen, but having just woken up, she found herself unable to sleep.
“Would you like some dinner, miss?”
The medicine had left her stomach churning, and Su Yao truly had no appetite.
“I don’t want to eat. I’ll lie down a bit longer.”
With that, she pulled the covers over her head.
Chun Tao helplessly carried the tray out of the room. Before closing the door, she cast a deep glance at the figure curled up in a ball on the bed.
After what felt like a long while, someone approached her step by step.