The doctor they invited was one of the best in treating gynecological issues. Surnamed Sun, the elderly Dr. Sun was so old he could barely walk and needed assistance. Fortunately, his eyesight was still good, and his hearing wasn’t bad either. He first checked Mudan’s left and right pulses, then examined her tongue. Afterward, he sat motionless in front of the paper and brush, as if in deep meditation.
The young apprentice was accustomed to this expression and stood by smiling, grinding ink. However, Jiang Changyang and Mudan were anxious. What was wrong with her? Was she sick? Did she need medicine? Would he write a prescription? Why was the old man just staring at the paper and brush without moving?
It wasn’t easy to get this old doctor to come, so Jiang Changyang and Mudan didn’t dare rush him. They sat patiently nearby, smiling. Kuan’er, Shu’er, and Xiao Li exchanged glances, with Xiao Li boldly guessing that the old doctor had fallen asleep.
Shu’er teased her, “His eyes are open. How can you say he’s asleep?”
Xiao Li replied seriously, “It’s called ‘watchdog eyes.’ My brother used to sleep with his eyes open. My mother said it’s called ‘watchdog eyes.'”
Hearing their mouse-like whispers, Mudan turned and gave them a cool look. The girls, realizing their impropriety, retreated sheepishly behind the curtain. Just as Jiang Changyang was about to stand and apologize to Dr. Sun, the old doctor calmly picked up the brush and began prescribing with swift, flowing strokes. It turned out he had been contemplating the prescription all along.
After finishing the prescription, the old doctor handed it over with a smile, saying, “Your wife has no major issues. Take two doses of medicine to regulate her health, and we’ll check again in half a month.”
Mudan was quite disappointed. She looked at the prescription, but was immediately bewildered – she couldn’t recognize a single character. It was the wildest of wild cursive scripts. She had to pass the prescription to Jiang Changyang, who also frowned, barely recognizing the frequently occurring character for “money.” Looking back at Dr. Sun, they saw he was already signaling his apprentice to pack up, ready to leave without any explanation.
The apprentice, used to such scenes, smiled and said, “Just send this prescription to Han’s Pharmacy. Their manager can read these characters.”
Mudan and Jiang Changyang exchanged glances. What was this? A secret prescription? If it wasn’t an illness, it must be a tonic, but why keep a tonic secret? Couldn’t someone who knew herbs rewrite the prescription? However, their guess was wrong. When the medicine was prepared, it included several packets of unknown powdered medicine to be taken with water. The rest were mostly warming and nourishing herbs, not blood-activating ones. They were unremarkable – the kind that wouldn’t make much difference whether taken or not.
Jiang Changyang thought that since a prescription was given, they might as well take it. It wouldn’t do any harm. Mudan, however, believed in being cautious with medicine and decided not to take it. Hadn’t she heard that early pregnancy was difficult to diagnose accurately? So what harm would there be in waiting another half month? Besides, apart from occasional heaviness in her lower abdomen, she felt fine.
Just as the rain stopped, Mama Lin returned by carriage with Shuai Shuai, cheerfully reporting to Mudan, “Everything in the garden is fine, and Master Li’s condition has improved. There’s one matter though – Mr. Lü Shi was called home by his family two days ago. They said Old Master Lü was ill and needed him to attend to him. I wanted to ask if you’d like to send some gifts and pay a visit?”
Mudan replied, “Of course we should go. Send a capable manager, and the gifts should be neither too light nor too heavy. I think Tang Liu would be good – he’s good-natured and steady.”
Even though she and Lü Chun were at odds, Lü Fang had helped her considerably. It didn’t matter if he was ungrateful; this was for Lü Fang, not for Lü Chun.
Mama Lin agreed and went to make arrangements. When she returned, her lips were full of smiles: “Congratulations to you. I’m sure the family will be very happy when they find out.”
Hearing this cryptic remark, Mudan realized she knew about her missed period. She sternly said, “Who told you about this? We don’t know anything for certain yet. Spreading such news would make me a laughingstock.” It was one thing for her to be cautious, but it was another matter entirely if Kuan’er and Shu’er had been gossiping. That would require a good talking-to.
Seeing Mudan’s anger, Mama Lin quickly explained, “They didn’t say anything out of turn, just that you weren’t feeling well. The rest was my guess.” She reasoned that since it had only been a short time, the old doctor naturally couldn’t be certain. But such an experienced doctor, having said it wasn’t an illness and asking Mudan to return in a few days, must have had some suspicions. He was just being cautious due to uncertainty.
The more Mama Lin analyzed, the more confident she became in her judgment: “It must be so. I’ve heard of that old doctor’s reputation before. He’s always been cautious, not one to seek fame frivolously. The medicine isn’t for blood activation, so it’s almost certain!”
Mudan lazily rested her chin on her hand, leaning on the table. Seeing Mama Lin’s growing excitement, she couldn’t help but deflate her: “But didn’t you say the old doctor was uncertain and cautious? What if in half a month, he prescribes blood-activating medicine for me? Then…”
“Oh, don’t say that! What if you scare it away?” Mama Lin quickly cut off the second half of Mudan’s sentence, as if such words could frighten away the child. “Even if that happens, it’s simple. We’ll just ask the old doctor to prescribe some tonic for you, and you’ll surely conceive next month.”
“How can it be scared away if it’s there? And if it’s not, it’s not,” Mudan laughed. In truth, she also felt it was almost certain. It wasn’t just hope; she truly felt something was different, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. It wasn’t just her feeling this way; Jiang Changyang also seemed full of anticipation, often gently touching her abdomen and enthusiastically discussing how clever and lovable Pan Jing was.
When a man keeps talking about other people’s children, it means his paternal instincts are awakening, and he wants his child. That was Mudan’s belief. How she wished there were early pregnancy tests available.
In the evening, Tang Qi, the manager sent to visit Lü Chun, returned and reported to Mudan in detail: “There were no difficulties. They let me in as soon as they heard why I was there. Mr. Lü Shi received me first, then a young servant came saying Old Master Lü wanted to speak with me. He invited me to the back, and we exchanged a few words. His tone and attitude were good, saying thank you for your concern. Mr. Lü Shi was very pleased and rewarded me with two coins.”
Was this a sign of softening? An attempt to ease relations? Or was it just politeness, putting on a front? Would they revert to hostility afterward? Mudan wasn’t sure. After pondering for a while, she decided not to dwell on it and turned her attention to the gifts prepared for Lady Bai’s baby daughter. The gifts were a pair of gold-framed, jewel-inlaid golden sparrow hairpins with intertwined millet designs, beautifully packaged in a brocade box, along with two specially aged fragrances made by Mudan herself – a truly elegant and luxurious gift.
Before they knew it, the day of Lady Bai’s daughter’s full-month celebration arrived. As dawn barely broke, Jiang Changyang habitually got up. Just as he was about to get out of bed, he saw Mudan roll over, push him aside, and hurriedly get up to put on her shoes.
“Is there a fire?” Jiang Changyang, seeing her eyes barely open, wanted to laugh and teased maliciously, “I told you to eat and drink less, but you wouldn’t listen…”
Mudan, anxious and flustered, retorted, “Go, go do your exercises.” Oh no, her period must have started.
“Oh, you’re dismissing me?” Jiang Changyang refused to let her go, grabbing her waist. “Kiss me, or I won’t let you leave.”
Mudan’s face turned red with embarrassment: “Let go! My relative has arrived!”
Jiang Changyang was puzzled: “How do you know your relative has arrived?” They had been sleeping together, and he hadn’t heard anyone come to report. How did she know? Strange!
“Ah!” Mudan forgot they didn’t use the term “relative” for menstruation. She had to point at her belly with a red face, “Quick, let go. If you stain my clothes, you’ll be in trouble.”
“How can you say it like that?” Jiang Changyang finally understood what she meant by “relative.” He felt both amused and annoyed, with a hint of disappointment. He quickly released her. Mudan hurried behind the screen, and after a while, there was a soft sigh, but she didn’t come out for a long time.
Jiang Changyang asked anxiously, “How is it? Do you need me to find clothes for you? Should I call Kuan’er and the others to help?”
Mudan laughed from behind the screen: “It’s nothing. No need to call them. Just find me a clean undergarment.” It wasn’t her period; today was the eighth day.
Hearing something in her tone, Jiang Changyang happily found her clothes and passed them in. He didn’t go to exercise, instead waiting outside for her to change. After Mudan finished washing and changing, she came out to find him still sitting there. She couldn’t help but smile: “Why haven’t you left yet?”
Jiang Changyang reached out to her: “Come here, let me hold you.”
Mudan sat in his lap without hesitation, shaking vigorously: “Want to make a bet?”
“Don’t shake.” Jiang Changyang held her still, smiling: “Bet on what?”
Mudan’s eyes twinkled: “Bet on what will happen in two days?” Surely he would be disappointed if her period came then?
Seeing through her thoughts, Jiang Changyang sighed: “Whatever happens, happens. These things can’t be rushed. But no matter what, you’re not allowed to ride horses anymore. Today, there will be many guests at the Chu State Marquis’s mansion. You’re not to wander around. Stay obediently in the room, understand? It’s fine if you don’t want to take the medicine, but if I find out you’re not behaving, you’ll see what happens.”
“I’m not a child. I know what to do,” Mudan said joyfully, kissing him once. The couple finished getting ready amidst laughter, had breakfast, and set off early for the Chu State Marquis’s mansion.
Upon arrival, they discovered they weren’t the earliest. Liu Chang and Princess Qinghua had already arrived.