Originally, these words were not something Cui Shi should have discussed with Bai Qingyan, an unmarried young lady. However, perhaps because Bai Qingyan was older than her and was also her elder cousin, Cui Shi spoke freely.

“Grandmother and mother-in-law haven’t urged me, but I heard that Sister Jinxiu became pregnant shortly after marrying into the Qin family. Yet I…” Cui Shi clutched her handkerchief, too embarrassed to speak more explicitly to Bai Qingyan.

Bai Jinxiu had been carried back to the Bai family severely injured on the day she returned home after her wedding, and even in such circumstances, she became pregnant. Meanwhile, Cui Shi and Dong Changlan were childhood sweethearts with a loving marriage. Dong Changlan had no concubines, not even a personal maid, and stayed in her quarters every night, yet she still hadn’t conceived. How could she not be anxious?

“Chun Tao, please invite Miss Ji to come and examine Fourth Miss’s pulse,” Bai Qingyan instructed Chun Tao, who stood by the door.

Cui Shi understood that Bai Qingyan was using the Fourth Miss as a cover for her, and felt grateful: “Thank you, elder cousin…”

While waiting for Ji Langhua to arrive, Cui Shi chatted with Bai Qingyan about what she occasionally heard Dong Changlan mention regarding the grain and military provisions for Dengzhou: “In all my years, this is the first time I’ve heard that grain and provisions could be owed. They say the national treasury has been severely depleted by the wars on the southern and northern frontiers, and the Emperor wants to renovate the imperial palace at Baiwuo City. Elder cousin, tell me… what’s more important—renovating the imperial palace or providing provisions for the soldiers? Father-in-law has been so angry about this matter that he’s smashed several sets of tea sets at home.”

Bai Qingyan hadn’t heard about the Emperor wanting to renovate the imperial palace at Baiwuo City, but she wasn’t surprised about the Emperor owing grain provisions to the Dengzhou army.

“The Emperor and the court probably think that since the southern and northern frontiers have been pacified, and the Dengzhou army exists to deter the Rong Di, and the Rong Di are currently embroiled in internal strife, the Dengzhou army is no longer that important!” Bai Qingyan’s voice carried a barely perceptible sigh.

“Exactly! That Lord Ning, who manages the distribution of grain and provisions, said precisely that—he said the Rong Di’s internal strife has turned the Nanrong and Northern Rong into a complete mess, so they definitely can’t spare attention to harass Jin’s borders. Therefore, the court intends to prioritize the Emperor’s palace renovation.” Cui Shi frowned deeply.

“The Rong Di are nomadic people by nature. Precisely because this year the Rong Di are in great turmoil, with the Nanrong and Northern Rong in complete chaos, their winter grain reserves will certainly face major problems.” Bai Qingyan’s brow furrowed as she stared at the glazed rhombus eight-treasure lamp. “When autumn arrives this year, they’ll likely risk everything to raid extensively, and the border people will suffer!”

Cui Shi hadn’t expected Bai Qingyan’s assessment to be almost identical to what her father-in-law, Dong Qingyue, had said. She nodded hurriedly: “Exactly! Father-in-law said the same thing, which is why he submitted three memorials requesting the court to send additional personnel, but those memorials seem to have sunk like stones into the sea with no response!”

Bai Qingyan’s gaze shifted to Cui Shi: “Has uncle supplemented the insufficient military provisions?”

Cui Shi nodded: “But it’s merely a drop in the bucket!”

Indeed, as expected…

It wasn’t that the court lacked officials with foresight, but the current court atmosphere was peculiar. Flattering sycophants who curried favor with superiors rose rapidly, while upright officials who offered honest but harsh advice were gradually marginalized in court. This was especially true after Grandfather Bai Weiting’s death—there were even fewer ministers in court who dared speak frankly. After all, even the illustrious Bai family of the capital, prestigious for a hundred years, nearly faced complete extermination. Which court official wouldn’t feel threatened?

The current court… from the Crown Prince down to all officials, everyone acted according to the Emperor’s wishes.

When the source is pure, the flow is clear; when the form is upright, the shadow is straight.

With the Emperor as such a crooked beam at the top, naturally the lower beams couldn’t be much better.

In her previous life, following Prince Liang, Bai Qingyan only understood at the very end why the Emperor had turned against the Bai family and grown to detest them to the bone.

The Emperor had been accustomed to humility since childhood. After gaining power, he enjoyed being flattered and revered. Officials like grandfather Bai Weiting—towering and unbending, proud in character, wielding military power, and capable of offering pointed criticism to the Emperor—such upright and solitary ministers were tolerated by the Emperor when he was weak, forcing himself to appear humble and receptive to teachings.

But once the Emperor had been in high position for a long time, surrounded by flattering sycophants who curried favor and could read his mind, grandfather Bai Weiting became like a thorn in the Emperor’s eye and flesh.

Before long, Ji Langhua, wearing a face veil, arrived at Boyun Courtyard with Chun Tao.

After Ji Langhua examined Bai Jinzhi’s pulse, she turned and smiled: “It’s nothing serious. Fourth Miss is simply exhausted and fell asleep. There’s no problem. It’s rather the eldest miss who has business… Do you need me to wake Fourth Miss?”

“Little Four has been working hard these past few days. Thank you, Miss Ji, for making this trip just for our peace of mind!” Bai Qingyan’s gaze fell on Cui Shi, who stood to the side, somewhat awkwardly clutching her handkerchief, then said to Ji Langhua, “This is my cousin-in-law. Please trouble Miss Ji to also examine her pulse and see if she has difficulty conceiving due to body coldness.”

Ji Langhua was also a perceptive person. Hearing Bai Qingyan say this, and seeing that no maids were serving in the main room, with even Chun Tao sent away, she immediately understood that examining Bai Jinzhi’s pulse was merely a pretense—the eldest miss had specifically invited her to examine her cousin-in-law’s pulse.

“Langhua can certainly try.” Ji Langhua bowed toward Cui Shi.

Cui Shi’s ears turned slightly red as she sat at the round table outside the screen, quietly watching Ji Langhua examine her pulse, her palms sweating from nervousness.

Seeing Ji Langhua frown, Cui Shi’s heart jumped to her throat: “Miss Ji, is there something wrong?”

“Has Young Madam Dong used incense containing musk for an extended period in the past?” Ji Langhua asked gently.

Cui Shi’s face went pale, and she nodded.

Seeing Cui Shi’s reaction, Ji Langhua could tell she wasn’t unaware that prolonged exposure to musk made conception difficult. She understood this was likely some inner palace intrigue and didn’t ask further.

“Miss Ji… am I unable to conceive for the rest of my life?” Cui Shi’s voice choked with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.

“Young Madam Dong speaks too seriously—it’s not that severe!” Ji Langhua removed the pulse pillow and began prescribing Cui Shi. “Not conceiving yet is good for Young Madam Dong, because if your body isn’t properly adjusted, it would be bad for the fetus! I’ll prescribe several doses of warming and detoxifying medicine for Young Madam Dong, along with some medicinal food recipes. If Young Madam Dong takes good care of herself for a few months, you’ll certainly get your wish.”

Hearing this, Cui Shi finally showed joy, though she looked as if she might cry: “Really?! I knew it must have had an effect… but those doctors all said my body was healthy!”

The incident from her childhood was a knot in Cui Shi’s heart. Being childless for over a year of marriage, with doctors unable to diagnose anything, this was what troubled Cui Shi most!

Just now, without her saying anything, Ji Langhua had diagnosed that she had used incense containing musk for an extended period in her childhood. This alone was enough to make Cui Shi completely trust Ji Langhua’s medical skills.

“Thank you, Miss Ji!” Cui Shi turned to look at Bai Qingyan, her beautiful eyes moist. “Thank you, elder cousin!”

Cui Shi took the prescription and dietary recipes and rose to take her leave. Bai Qingyan said to Ji Langhua, “I’ll see my cousin-in-law off. Please trouble Miss Ji to stay here and look after Little Four.”