Chapter 68: This Is Very Good. The Way We Are Now Is Very Good.

After not seeing him for several months, Divine Doctor Xu was as distinguished as ever.

The moment he saw Su Zhenyue, he smiled and cupped his hands in a salute. “Madam Shen, ah, no, it’s Princess of the Commandery. I have yet to congratulate you, Your Highness.”

“Divine Doctor, you’re teasing me again,” Su Zhenyue said with a smile, then stated her purpose. “I’ve come to see you today to ask for a favor.”

“I know why you’re here. Have a seat.”

Su Zhenyue sat down as told, only to see Divine Doctor Xu take a few steps closer to check her pulse.

“Ah?” Su Zhenyue was slightly surprised and quickly said, “It’s not for me.”

This time, it was Divine Doctor Xu’s turn to be surprised. He looked a little embarrassed. “I thought you were worried about having children and came to me for that reason.”

Su Zhenyue was a bit baffled. She blinked, and then her cheeks flushed crimson. “No, no.”

It was true that she had been married for over a year without children. But it seemed she hadn’t even considered the matter. Now that Divine Doctor Xu had brought it up, she couldn’t help but feel a little strange.

“Then I’ve misunderstood,” Divine Doctor Xu said with a sheepish smile. “I meant to speak with you both last time at the Yan Prince Manor, but unfortunately, something came up.”

—That was at the Royal Grand Concubine’s birthday banquet. Because Yuan Ye from the Shu Region had suddenly arrived under the pretext of expressing his gratitude, he had sensed something was amiss. He was in a hurry to discuss the matter in detail with Prince Yan and had forgotten what he originally intended to tell Shen Ji and his wife.

“What did you want to tell us then, Divine Doctor?” Su Zhenyue asked curiously.

“About the matter of you having children.”

Su Zhenyue’s heart suddenly sank, and her face turned slightly pale.

He wasn’t going to tell her that she couldn’t have children, was he?

Su Zhenyue hadn’t thought much about not having children since her marriage; she hadn’t even remembered it. But to be abruptly told that she could never have a child of her own blood would be a different state of mind entirely.

But then she heard Divine Doctor Xu continue, “Last year, when He Ming was recuperating at the Yan Prince Manor, I took the opportunity to prescribe two doses of medicine for you. Your problem with menstrual pain after falling into the water has been alleviated, but it’s still not easy for you to conceive. If you want a child, I’ll need to prescribe another two doses to continue conditioning your body.”

Su Zhenyue was stunned for a moment, her eyelashes trembling. “So, if I get conditioned, I can have one?”

Divine Doctor Xu gave her a surprised look. “Of course. You’re both young and have no major health issues. It all depends on whether you want one now or not.”

In fact, with his usual habit of treating patients, he believed in curing an illness completely. It was just that Shen Ji and she had been staying temporarily at the Yan Prince Manor to recover, so time had been tight.

Later, he had thought about giving her a thorough treatment, but he was first ordered to the Shu Region to treat Yuan Ye, then he was training military doctors in the army camps, and then the court fell into turmoil and the world underwent great change. There were too many things, and one way or another, he had forgotten.

Su Zhenyue’s cheeks grew slightly hot as she said in a small voice, “Well, it’s not that urgent.”

“What?” Her voice was too soft for Divine Doctor Xu to hear clearly.

“I mean, I came to see you today to ask you to treat a relative of mine.”

Divine Doctor Xu frowned slightly. “Your relative? What illness?”

“He has a weakness he was born with. Every time the seasons change, he falls gravely ill, sometimes so severely he can’t even get out of bed. He can’t stand the heat, nor can he stand the cold… If you are willing, Divine Doctor, I will have him come to you for a consultation.”

Divine Doctor Xu waved his hand. “A patient with such an illness is best not jostled about. It’s better if I go to his home to see him.”

Su Zhenyue was overjoyed and quickly performed a solemn bow. “Thank you, Divine Doctor.”

“What’s there to thank me for? To me, it’s just a small matter.” Divine Doctor Xu didn’t seem to mind; he had studied medicine to heal the sick and save lives. After a pause, he added, “It’s just that I haven’t seen him in person and don’t know the specifics of his condition, so I can’t guarantee a cure.”

Su Zhenyue quickly said, “I believe in your medical skills, Divine Doctor. Besides, your willingness to treat him is already a tremendous kindness.”

She was only hoping for an extra sliver of hope, an extra possibility.

She spoke with such sincerity that Divine Doctor Xu felt gratified hearing it.

Remembering something, Divine Doctor Xu asked again, “By the way, Madam Shen, what happened to that Yuan Ye from the Shu Region?”

He vaguely recalled hearing that after that Young Master Yuan left You Province, he had sent people to assassinate Shen Ji. For that reason, the Prince had even dispatched extra personal guards to Anle County.

Divine Doctor Xu had a deep impression of that strange patient, especially his bizarre set of theories.

“Yuan Ye? He died in the chaos in the capital,” Su Zhenyue replied.

She had heard about it from Shen Ji. Yuan Ye had later gone to the capital to seek refuge with the false Crown Prince. After the false Crown Prince ascended the throne, he had enjoyed a few days of glory. But not long after, the Third Prince led foreign soldiers into the capital. Many in the false Crown Prince’s faction died in the ensuing military turmoil, including Yuan Ye.

Divine Doctor Xu nodded, indicating he understood.

It was just a casual question, and he didn’t take it to heart.

Shen Ji was busy with official duties, so after discussing it with him, Su Zhenyue also informed the Gu family. The next day, she and Divine Doctor Xu went to the Jing An Marquis Estate together.

Second Master Gu had been informed in advance and was truly grateful, waiting at the entrance early on.

When he saw two carriages approaching from a distance, he rubbed his hands in excitement and hurried to greet them.

—It had rained a few days ago, and the weather had turned cool. For others, it was merely a matter of adding a layer of clothing, but for Gu Yuanjing, it was another ordeal.

He was ill again. His body was weak, and every time he got sick, it was particularly severe. He was now bedridden and recuperating.

In fact, for nearly twenty years, the Gu family had invited countless doctors, even imperial physicians from the palace. But this doctor today was different. He was said to have been specially summoned from You Province by the current Emperor and was known as the “Divine Doctor.”

Therefore, despite many previous disappointments, Second Master Gu couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of hope.

“Second Master, this is Divine Doctor Xu, from You Province,” Su Zhenyue said, making a simple introduction for the two after she alighted from the carriage.

Second Master Gu was very enthusiastic and quickly led Divine Doctor Xu into the estate.

Having practiced medicine for many years and seen all sorts of difficult and complicated cases, Divine Doctor Xu carefully examined Fourth Young Master Gu Yuanjing. After a long period of contemplation, he finally wrote a prescription.

Afterward, he called Second Master Gu aside to speak with him alone.

“Divine Doctor, how is my son’s health, really?” Second Master Gu’s voice trembled slightly. He wanted even more to ask how much longer his son had to live.

Every time this son of his fell ill, he worried that he wouldn’t survive.

Divine Doctor Xu pondered for a moment. “Your son was born weak and has been suffering from a chronic illness for a long time. With my medical skills, I cannot promise that the medicine will cure him instantly…”

Hearing this, Second Master Gu’s heart sank rapidly.

But then he heard Divine Doctor Xu slowly continue, “However, with careful conditioning, I can guarantee his life will be out of danger for at least the next ten years.”

Upon hearing this, Second Master Gu was overjoyed and knelt on the ground with a thud. “Thank you, Divine Doctor! Thank you, Divine Doctor!”

Several doctors before had said that this son of his would not live past twenty, and some had even predicted he wouldn’t live past eighteen. His son was now nearly twenty. Never mind a guarantee of ten years; even five years would be a gift from the heavens.

“Don’t thank me. I am doing this on account of Lord Shen and Madam Shen.” Divine Doctor Xu sighed and bent down to help him up. “It’s a pity my medical skills are not refined enough to provide a complete cure; I can only extend his life by a few years. Of course, perhaps in a few more years, I might find a new method to extend it for a few more. It’s hard to say.”

Second Master Gu became even more grateful.

When Su Zhenyue learned that Fourth Young Master Gu’s life was not in danger for the next ten years, she also breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the dream where he died in his early twenties, every extra year was a gain.

Divine Doctor Xu stayed at the Gu residence for a long time, explaining in detail how to decoct and take the medicine, and giving many instructions. Finally, he even taught them a set of exercises that he said could strengthen the body. He had someone write them down so that Gu Yuanjing could practice them daily without slacking off once he recovered.

The second branch of the Gu family was immensely grateful and offered a large sum of gold as a reward.

However, Divine Doctor Xu only accepted two taels of silver as his consultation fee.

His medical skills were truly superb. After just one dose of medicine, Gu Yuanjing was able to get out of bed.

After taking it for several consecutive days, Gu Yuanjing’s spirits improved day by day.

The entire Gu household was both surprised and delighted. The members of the second branch were also extremely grateful to Su Zhenyue for recommending Divine Doctor Xu.

When Madam Zhou of the first branch heard about this, she let out a faint sigh. “What a pity…”

She wasn’t lamenting her nephew’s recovery; she was lamenting that her own son had missed out on a good match.

Previously, like Old Madam Wen, Madam Zhou had looked down on Su Zhenyue, feeling her status was low and her family background was poor, and that her son deserved better. Who would have thought that her son would be bestowed such a marriage?

It seemed glorious on the surface, but the husband and wife were like strangers to each other.

When The Eldest Princess was powerful, they could only grit their teeth and accept it. But now…

Madam Zhou pressed her temples and asked the maid beside her, “Is the tonic soup simmering?”

“It is.”

“Let it simmer for a full two hours. When it’s ready, have the Princess of the Commandery take it to the Heir Apparent and say a few gentle words.”

“Yes.” The maid quickly complied.

Madam Zhou sighed again. She was truly at her wit’s end. It was difficult for her, a mother-in-law, to have to find ways to improve the relationship between her son and daughter-in-law.

If it were any other mother-in-law, she thought, she might have already stuffed her son’s room with other women.

That evening, Wen Shan felt a pang of bitterness as she faced the tonic soup her mother-in-law had someone bring over.

She knew very well that this was Madam Zhou urging her to have a child again.

Wen Shan stared intently at the soup tureen for a long time, until her vision began to blur.

“Your Highness, forgive this old servant for overstepping, but you really should have a child…” Sun Momo advised from the side. “It’s not a solution to remain at a standoff with the Heir Apparent like this.”

Wen Shan nodded absently.

A look of joy appeared on Sun Momo’s face. “The soup has cooled a bit. I’ll take it to be reheated.”

“Alright.”

A short while later, Sun Momo brought the soup back.

Wen Shan took a deep breath, picked up the tonic soup, and went to the study.

In the nearly two years of their marriage, Gu Yuanchen’s attitude toward Wen Shan had always been cold. In the beginning, Wen Shan had also liked to send over soups she had made herself or small dishes she had cooked. But Gu Yuanchen had made it clear that he disliked this gesture.

Therefore, it had been a long time since she had actively brought food to Gu Yuanchen.

Seeing her sudden entrance, Gu Yuanchen frowned. “What is it?”

“Mother-in-law asked me to bring this over,” Wen Shan said softly as she approached. “She said it’s a warming, nourishing soup.”

Gu Yuanchen was about to tell her to take it away, but when he looked up, he saw her pale face and trembling eyelashes. For some reason, he was momentarily dazed.

Thinking of how her mother had recently lost power and how some people in the estate were treating her differently than before, Gu Yuanchen’s heart softened. He changed his mind and said, “Just leave it there. I’ll drink it later.”

Wen Shan put down the soup tureen but did not leave immediately.

Gu Yuanchen looked up, questioning her with his eyes.

Wen Shan bit her lip. “Mother-in-law told me to watch you drink it.”

Gu Yuanchen was somewhat displeased. He picked up the tureen and drank it all in one go. “There, I’ve drunk it.”

The soup was only lukewarm, but as it went down, he suddenly felt a warmth spreading through his limbs, especially in his lower abdomen, where there was an indescribable heat.

Although they had been intimate only a few times since their marriage, they had performed the rites of Duke Zhou. Gu Yuanchen immediately understood what was happening.

His brows furrowed tightly, his expression ugly. “You drugged me?”

“No, I didn’t,” Wen Shan denied instinctively. But then she remembered that her mother-in-law had sent the soup and that Sun Momo had specifically taken it to be reheated, and she fell silent.

In the study, the candlelight flickered.

The small couch could hardly bear the weight of two people, and it creaked incessantly with their rising and falling movements.

Wen Shan lay with her eyes open, gazing at the handsome man on top of her, a man who was so familiar yet somehow a stranger. Tears fell silently from her eyes.

She suddenly felt very tired, an unspeakable weariness of the heart.

After this incident, not only did Gu Yuanchen not grow closer to her, he became even more distant.

Wen Shan was miserable, but she couldn’t speak of it to anyone. Besides, she had no time to worry about herself right now, because her mother, Princess Chengping, had been impeached once again.

This time, the impeachment was for keeping sworn assassins and plotting mischief.

Soon, Su Zhenyue also learned of this matter.

“Keeping sworn assassins? Who impeached her?” she asked curiously.

Shen Ji told her, “Ji Shichang.”

He hadn’t acted directly, merely revealed it to those who should know, and others knew what to do.

Su Zhenyue asked hesitantly, “Surnamed Ji? Is he a family member of that Miss Ji from twenty years ago?”

“That’s right. Ji Shichang is that Miss Ji’s second older brother,” Shen Ji nodded.

The Ji family had long harbored a grudge against The Eldest Princess, but they lacked the power to retaliate. Back then, after Miss Ji took her own life, the Ji family had also accused The Eldest Princess of bullying the weak and driving someone to their death.

But Emperor Jiande was on the throne at the time, and of course, he protected his own sister over an outsider. He merely said that Miss Ji had committed suicide and it had nothing to do with The Eldest Princess. Instead, the Ji family was demoted from the capital for falsely accusing a royal relative and exiled from their homeland for twenty years.

It was only last month that the Ji family was summoned back by the new Emperor.

Ji Shichang had passed the imperial examinations and was quite talented, but unfortunately, he had wasted many years away from the capital. Now, seeing The Eldest Princess lose her power and learning that she kept sworn assassins, he was naturally unwilling to let the matter go.

In truth, most top-tier nobles secretly cultivated sworn assassins who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their masters at any time, such as the former false Crown Prince and the Third Prince.

These sworn assassins would be sent to handle matters that couldn’t see the light of day.

But for it to be exposed by someone was another matter entirely.

To put it mildly, it was just cultivating trusted aides. To put it seriously, it was secretly amassing an armed force, a suspicion of great disrespect.

Su Zhenyue’s expression was dazed. She couldn’t help but recall what Shen Ji had said before: “This is just the beginning.”

Indeed, this is what happens when one does too many bad things; one makes too many enemies. The moment a sign of decline appears, those who have been lying in wait for a long time will come for revenge.

She wondered if The Eldest Princess, when she was throwing her weight around, had ever imagined this day would come.

“What is the Emperor’s attitude on this matter?” Su Zhenyue thought for a moment and asked again. She understood that the key to this matter was the Emperor.

“It’s not yet clear.”

Sitting in the Emperor’s position, there were many more things to consider.

Su Zhenyue hummed in acknowledgment and temporarily set the matter aside. After hesitating for a long time, she brought up another matter with Shen Ji. “Cousin, do you want to have a child?”

Shen Ji’s expression changed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “Did someone say some nonsense to you?”

—Since coming to the capital, some people had tried to send him women under the pretext of considering his line of succession, but he had refused them. Could it be that they hadn’t given up and had gone to trouble Mianmian instead?

Shen Ji didn’t place much importance on having children. It would be wonderful to have them, but there was no need to force it if they didn’t.

She had been willing to follow him for a thousand miles and entrust her life to him, which was already a rare blessing. The rest didn’t seem so important.

Besides, his third uncle, Shen Yunsong, had lived a good life without any children.

“What nonsense?” Su Zhenyue blinked, a little confused. “It was Divine Doctor Xu. He said something to me a few days ago.”

Shen Ji was slightly surprised, his expression softening a little. “Divine Doctor Xu? What did he say?”

Su Zhenyue composed herself and briefly recounted what Divine Doctor Xu had said that day, then asked in a small voice, “So, do you want a child now?”

“What about you?” Shen Ji asked in return, feeling a sense of relief.

So it was about this. That was a relief.

Su Zhenyue didn’t speak, only looking at him quietly.

Their eyes met, and Shen Ji understood instantly. He let out a soft laugh, a smile blooming in his eyes. He took two steps forward and lowered his head to kiss her.

Su Zhenyue instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “Cousin, things are so good right now, I’m reluctant to change them. Can we wait a few more years before…”

Before she could finish, Shen Ji replied, “Alright, we can.”

Su Zhenyue let out a soft “eh,” somewhat surprised. “You’re not in a hurry?”

“What’s the hurry?” Shen Ji scooped her up in his arms and walked toward the bed. “I also think that the way things are now is very good.”

As he spoke, he had already lowered the bed curtains. He kissed her on the lips and added, “Especially good.”