I was stunned. My impulsive act of releasing the Eastern Palace’s new consort, the Nanrui princess, had such a severe impact on Qi, ultimately leading to the Seventh Princess being married to Xiliang. Although I didn’t have good feelings toward the Seventh Princess, as a Qi citizen, I couldn’t help but feel guilty and remorseful for inadvertently causing national damage.
The fact that I hadn’t been severely punished for such a significant mistake was surely because An Jin had shouldered all the blame for me. Yet he had never detailed the implications to me, nor had he reproached me.
I was overcome with shame.
Among my father-in-law’s friends was a doctor, surnamed Liu, over sixty years old and extremely skilled in medicine. He glanced at me and, noticing my poor complexion, quickly asked, “Arao, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?”
I quickly shook my head. Father-in-law laughed and said: “Ah Yao probably doesn’t like hearing these things.”
Doctor Liu laughed and stroked his beard, saying: “That makes sense. Speaking of which, Ah Yao and his wife have been married for over two years, so why haven’t they had any good news? Ah Yao, why don’t I take your pulse and have a look?”
My heart stirred. Previously, when we were sleeping in separate rooms, it was natural not to get pregnant. But since reconciling with An Jin, we’ve been intimate almost every night, and calculating the time, it’s been more than half a year with no sign of pregnancy.
Doctor Liu felt my pulse and pondered for a moment: “Ah Yao’s health is very good.”
Father-in-law immediately asked: “Does that mean the problem is with Jin’er?”
Several old masters burst into laughter, and father-in-law’s face turned red. “You guys, instead of helping, you’re making fun of us?”
I lowered my head and suppressed my laughter, thinking about how An Jin would react if he knew his father was doubting his ability to continue the family line.
Doctor Liu thought for a moment, found some paper and brush, wrote a few prescriptions, and quietly handed them to me: “These are some dietary recipes to nourish qi and essence. Give them to An Jin daily, it will definitely help.”
I blushed and accepted them. “Thank you, Uncle Liu.”
Chapter Twenty-One: Powerless
