Ming Tan didn’t dwell on her thoughts and continued with the study. As she crossed the courtyard threshold, Shu Jingran happened to step out.
Seeing Ming Tan, he bowed respectfully. “Princess Consort.”
“Is Second Young Master Shu leaving already? I was just bringing some snacks to fill your stomachs,” Ming Tan said, surprised. She took the food box from Suxin’s hands and approached slowly.
Shu Jingran smiled with a hint of regret. “Thank you for your kindness, Princess Consort. However, it’s getting late, and my father awaits me at home. I’m afraid I’ll miss out on the late-night meal you’ve prepared.”
Ming Tan nodded in understanding, not insisting he stay.
After instructing someone to escort Shu Jingran out, Ming Tan entered the study alone. Jiang Xu still stood before the sand table, engrossed in some task. She placed the food box on the desk, glancing at the three yet-to-be-cleared wine cups.
“My lord, I’ve had a late-night meal prepared. You barely touched your dinner, please eat something,” she urged.
Jiang Xu grunted in acknowledgment and returned to the desk.
He noticed the three wine cups but didn’t mention them as he sat down to eat. Although Ming Tan was curious about the figure she’d glimpsed outside earlier, seeing Jiang Xu’s reluctance to bring it up, she refrained from asking.
The next day, Jiang Xu had to enter the palace again. With some free time, Ming Tan, eager to inquire about methods to conceive sooner, sent for Imperial Physician Feng early in the morning.
Unfortunately, Physician Feng had returned to his hometown for the New Year and was still en route back to the capital.
After some thought, she summoned Doctor Yu from Renxin Hall, who had been tending to Shen Hua’s pregnancy.
Doctor Yu, surprised by the Princess Consort’s summons, nervously packed his medical kit while attempting to bribe the maid who came to fetch him. “Miss, do you know why the Princess Consort is calling for me? I thought she usually consulted the palace physicians.”
The maid smiled, pushing back the silver. “Don’t worry, Doctor Yu. The Second Young Madam of the Li family is our Princess Consort’s cousin. You’ve been treating her pregnancy, and she speaks highly of your skills in women’s health. That’s why our Princess Consort wants to see you.”
Relieved to hear it was the Second Young Madam’s recommendation, Doctor Yu relaxed, surmising the reason for his summons.
Ming Tan, aware that renowned doctors in the capital were no fools, exchanged pleasantries in the reception hall before getting straight to the point.
Doctor Yu answered promptly and thoroughly, drawing from years of experience with patients seeking fertility advice.
Ming Tan listened attentively, nodding occasionally. Though not versed in medicine, she sensed Doctor Yu’s genuine expertise.
After his instructions, Ming Tan requested, “Doctor Yu, please check my pulse. With the New Year, the Imperial Physician has returned home, and it’s been a while since my last health check.”
Doctor Yu eagerly complied, retrieving his pulse pillow and cloth from his kit. “Princess Consort, if you please.”
Ming Tan extended her arm.
Shortly after, Doctor Yu withdrew his hand and spoke gently, “Princess Consort, your constitution is somewhat weak. I recommend more physical activity and a careful diet, avoiding spicy and raw foods.”
“The Imperial Physician said the same,” Ming Tan noted.
Doctor Yu reassured her, “The Imperial Physician’s skills are exceptional. Under his care, your slight weakness is no major concern. Rest assured, pregnancy will come in due time.”
Ming Tan nodded, signaling Suxin to present the consultation fee.
Though confident Doctor Yu wouldn’t gossip, she intended to emphasize the confidentiality of her fertility inquiries. However, before she could speak, a young maid entered with a tonic soup.
“Set it aside to cool before drinking,” she instructed.
Doctor Yu glanced at the soup, initially unconcerned. Yet as the steam wafted towards him, he detected a faint, rare medicinal scent he’d encountered only once before. Hesitantly, he sniffed again and asked, “Princess Consort, what is this you’re drinking?”
“A tonic soup specially prescribed by the Imperial Physician to improve my health,” Ming Tan replied, noticing his expression. “Is… something amiss?”
Doctor Yu’s heart skipped a beat.
Prescribed by the Imperial Physician? That essentially meant Prince Jiang Xu’s approval.
Quick-witted, Doctor Yu hastily responded, “No, no, nothing’s wrong. I was just curious.”
Inwardly, he berated himself for coming to the Prince’s residence. Had he known, he would have declined. Now he wondered if he’d live to see tomorrow once Prince Jiang Xu learned of his visit!
Sweating profusely, he swallowed hard and hurriedly rose to leave.
However, someone blocked his exit at the door.
Ming Tan, still seated, calmly stirred the soup. “Doctor Yu, what exactly is wrong with this soup? Please, tell me.”
“I… I wouldn’t dare,” he stammered.
“If you speak, the Prince might cause you trouble. But if you don’t, I’ll cause you trouble right now.”
Cornered, Doctor Yu trembled as he approached. He tasted the soup to confirm his suspicions and carefully explained its properties to Ming Tan.
Ming Tan listened silently, her expression unreadable.
Doctor Yu cautiously added, “This contraceptive soup won’t harm your health, Princess Consort. The ingredients do have some nourishing effects. Perhaps… perhaps the Imperial Physician made a mistake in the prescription.”
Ming Tan remained silent, waving for the maids to escort him out.
The reception hall suddenly felt vast and silent. Ming Tan sat quietly for a while before instructing, “There’s no need to inform the Prince about today’s events. Make sure to caution the young maids as well.”
“My lady—” Suxin began, but Ming Tan cut her off with a dismissive wave.
“You may go too. I need some time alone to think.”
When Jiang Xu returned to the residence, his secret guards routinely reported the day’s events, including Doctor Yu’s visit under the pretext of treating Suxin. He didn’t think much of it.
Two uneventful days passed. Suxin observed her mistress behaving normally, treating the Prince as usual. This worried her, even frightened her a bit.
Her mistress wasn’t one to hold things in. Typically, if something bothered her, she’d address it immediately. But this time… such unusual behavior surely meant trouble was brewing.
On the third day, word came from the Imperial Medical Office that Physician Feng had returned and would visit the Prince’s residence afternoon to check on the Princess Consort.
Ming Tan patiently awaited Feng’s arrival. When he came, she directly asked him about fertility methods, just as she had in previous days.
Physician Feng hesitated briefly before answering in detail, much of his advice aligning with Doctor Yu’s.
Ming Tan discreetly observed his expression. Finally, she drank a bowl of tonic soup in his presence. Apart from his slight hesitation when asked about fertility, his face betrayed no unusual reaction.
That night, Jiang Xu returned late due to business and went straight to his study.
At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), Ming Tan brought him a late-night meal. He had just finished his work and ate in the study. Afterward, they strolled back to Qi’an Hall under the cool moonlight, chatting casually as usual.
Back in their chambers, they bathed together, leading to passionate lovemaking. Jiang Xu noticed his little Princess Consort was particularly enthusiastic tonight. They made love twice in the bathroom and twice more on the bed – on other nights, she would have long since complained of pain and exhaustion.
As their passion subsided, Ming Tan, breathless and weak-armed, softly requested, “My lord, please put a pillow under my waist.”
“What for?”
“Physician Feng said it helps with conception,” Ming Tan explained earnestly, though quietly, as she adjusted her position.
Jiang Xu fell silent for a moment. “Didn’t we agree last time that you’re young, and it’s fine to wait a couple more years? There’s no rush.”
“But Cousin Hua and my half-sister are both with child. During New Year visits, so many women were expecting. I’m the only one who isn’t. If Physician Feng hadn’t assured me I’m healthy, I’d worry something was wrong with me.”
Jiang Xu remained silent.
Seemingly oblivious, Ming Tan began listing Physician Feng’s fertility advice, apparently intent on trying them all.
Jiang Xu listened for a while before interrupting, “There’s no need to try. You won’t conceive for now.”
He stroked her head and revealed the truth about the contraceptive soup.
Ming Tan listened quietly, inwardly relieved. She was right – her husband hadn’t intentionally prevented her from conceiving. These past few days, her emotions had been complex, her mind filled with countless speculations. But in the end, she wanted to trust her husband, to believe he truly wanted children with her. That’s why she had feigned ignorance today, putting on a complete act to hear him confess about the contraceptive soup.
Since it was an act, she couldn’t appear unsurprised. So she widened her eyes and asked, “The tonic was contraceptive? Why didn’t you tell me earlier, my lord?”
“I didn’t think it necessary to mention before, but I didn’t realize how much it burdened you,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. “In a year or two, you can have as many children as you want. Let’s wait until your health improves.” And until I reclaim Rongzhou, he added silently.
In truth, Ming Tan had been recovering for nearly a year and was now fit for childbearing. The battle for Rongzhou would come within a year or two. There were no guarantees in war; if he couldn’t return victorious, there was no point in leaving an heir.
He didn’t want his child to grow up fatherless as he had, nor did he want his wife to live on alone with the added burden of a child, as his mother had.
Ming Tan nodded, nestling obediently in his arms. She was understanding; as long as he was willing to tell her directly, she was willing to comprehend.
Moonlight poured through the window lattice as they lay there, each lost in their thoughts.
Jiang Xu had suspected something when Physician Feng reported back earlier that day. Upon investigating Doctor Yu’s visit and learning he specialized in women’s health rather than general illnesses, Jiang Xu easily deduced that she had discovered the truth about the contraceptive soup. Tonight’s elaborate act was simply her way of seeking his honest confession. Since that’s what she wanted, he decided to grant her wish.