Liu Ju escorted Wei Zifu and the others back to the Hall of Pepper Fragrance. Liu Jin continued to wail incessantly. Heartbroken for her grandson and fearing that he had been clashed with by the spirits of Chen A’jiao or Wei Yuan, Wei Zifu hurriedly sent for the Imperial Physician.
Crown Princess Xue Qi watched as Wei Zifu pulled Liu Jin into her arms, calling him "my heart" and "my flesh" with every breath. Xue Qi instinctively touched her own belly. A maid assisted her as she slowly sat down.
Princess Liu Qing was irritated by the child’s noise, yet she dared not scold him in front of her brother. Catching sight of Xue Qi’s impassive expression, she couldn't help but smirk. "The Imperial Grandson is so distressed; why does the Crown Princess seem so unconcerned? You’ve sat yourself down already!"
The Crown Princess gave a gentle smile. "In my heart, I wish to draw near, but I must hold Hui’er while minding the one in my womb. I truly lack the strength for both. I hope Sister does not find it laughable."
Only then did Liu Ju turn to look at Xue Qi. He comforted her, saying, "Qi’er is with child; do not let the boy disturb her. Hui’er is still small; let the servants hold him so he doesn't accidentally bump your stomach." Xue Qi looked up at Liu Ju, her eyes brimming with tenderness, and Liu Ju returned her smile.
Lady of Excellence Shi stood by Wei Zifu’s side, coaxing Liu Jin in silence. Seeing no interest from the others, Liu Qing stopped speaking.
Observing the scene, Wei Zifu instructed, "From now on, when the Ladies of Excellence and Ladies of Complaisance in your palace go to pay their respects to the Crown Princess, she may see them if she wishes. If not, she may send them away. Everything shall be according to the Crown Princess’s will; no one is permitted to disturb her."
Xue Qi smiled shyly. "Mother need not worry so. My sisters will not trouble me."
Wei Zifu sighed. "You are too gentle. How can you guard against the ill intentions of others? Take Hui’er for example—if the Crown Prince hadn't happened upon Master Chu back then, he might not have been saved." She sighed again. "You, child, must not always be so soft-hearted, nor should you only care for Ju’er. You are the Crown Princess, the future Empress who will manage the Inner Palace and lead all women. You must learn to govern these concubines, do you understand?"
Xue Qi straightened her posture. "I accept your teaching."
Liu Ju was pleased to see the harmony between his mother and wife. Xue Qi was the young granddaughter of Xue Ze, the Marquis of Pingji. Years ago, when selecting a Crown Princess, His Majesty had initially favored Chen Yun, the daughter of Princess Longlü, and Wei Xian, the eldest daughter of the Great General. The Xue family’s prestige had been waning, and they had only sent Xue Qi in hopes of her being chosen as a Lady of Excellence. Unexpectedly, both Chen Yun and Wei Xian died young. In his fury, His Majesty had randomly selected Xue Qi from the gathered candidates to be the Crown Princess.
Xue Qi was of a mild temperament and ordinary beauty; Liu Ju did not particularly favor her. Wei Zifu also felt Xue Qi’s background was not noble enough—she had intended to leave the position of Crown Princess vacant until Wei Yuan grew up, selecting only a few concubines in the meantime. However, since His Majesty had personally appointed Xue Qi, she had no choice but to accept it.
"Your Highness, why has the Imperial Physician not arrived yet? Jin’er rarely cries like this. I am so worried!" Lady of Excellence Shi wiped her tears as she pulled at Liu Jin.
Wei Zifu quickly turned back to coax the boy. Since the Crown Prince currently had only one son, she naturally doted on him. Xue Qi rested her hand on Liu Ju’s, smiling softly. "Your Highness, go and check on Jin’er. I will sit here quietly; nothing will happen."
Liu Ju patted her hand before moving to Liu Jin’s side. Seeing this, Liu Qing rolled her eyes and turned her head away.
*Why is it that both my younger sisters have happy marriages, and even my brother has grown fond of this bland Crown Princess, yet I am all alone?* Liu Qing felt as though a needle were twisting deep within her heart.
Imperial Physician Chang arrived at the Hall of Pepper Fragrance in a hurry. After a careful examination of the Imperial Grandson, he found nothing wrong. He could only report, "The Imperial Grandson has likely suffered a fright, but there is no great harm. This old official will prescribe a calming decoction; one dose should suffice."
Liu Ju’s brows knit together. "Truly? Look closer. The Imperial Grandson was bumped today. Look again; he has never cried like this before."
Imperial Physician Chang wiped the sweat from his brow and performed another examination, but still insisted there was no ailment. The crowd had no choice but to let him go and prepare the calming medicine.
"Mother, what is the matter with that little girl? Why did Father keep her?"
"It’s all because of your uncle." Wei Zifu looked at her son dotingly. "Your cousin Kang and Yuan’er wanted to help Yuan’er’s in-laws. You know how destitute that family is. They wanted to gain some favor before His Majesty, claiming the child was born with divine intelligence. Your uncle naturally couldn't ignore your cousin’s request and added a few words of praise himself. That is why your Father took such a liking to her."
Liu Ju breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought as much. So it was merely for Uncle’s sake. How could Uncle let Cousin and the others act so recklessly?"
"You know your uncle favors that cousin of yours above all!" Wei Zifu sighed. "Besides, after Xian’er passed away, Yuan’er is your uncle’s only daughter." Her heart felt a bit stifled as she spoke. "Speaking of which, I don't know what your uncle was thinking, marrying Yuan’er into such a lowly family. They were originally nothing but merchants who bought a minor official post. Your uncle was stubborn back then, insisting on marrying your aunt—who was merely the daughter of a minor official herself. Now I hear from your grandmother that the family is useless, only faring slightly better because of your uncle’s charity." She sighed again. "What was he thinking, marrying Yuan’er to such people!"
Liu Qing looked up upon hearing this. "Then hasn't Sister Yuan married far beneath her station?" She shook her head. "Sister Yuan was pampered since childhood; how can she endure such a life?" Her words were full of pity for Wei Yuan.
Wei Zifu added, "Indeed. Your grandmother said that when Yuan’er married, that Chen family didn't even have a house. Your uncle had to provide one for them."
"How pitiful!" Liu Qing’s tone was tender. Suddenly, the frustration bottled up in her heart found an outlet, transforming into infinite pity for Wei Yuan. "In such a family, I imagine the son cannot be much of anything either." *He must be crude in manner and vulgar in speech,* she thought.
Liu Ju also sighed. "Mother, do not worry. I will look after my cousin more in the future." *When the opportunity arises, I will persuade Uncle to let Cousin divorce the Chen family. Once she enters the Eastern Palace, I will naturally cherish her.*
***
A short while later, Guo Dun led two women into the Hall of Coolness. "Greetings, My Lord, My Lady. This is Madam Qin, and this lady is here to deliver medicine to the Young Lady; those in the Imperial Medical Department call her Madam Song!" Guo Dun first pointed to the woman dressed in the attire of a female physician, then to the woman behind her in crimson robes, who kept her head bowed.
A’jiao was using a golden pick to eat a piece of peach. She only looked up when she heard Guo Dun speak. The moment she saw the woman in crimson, her heart felt as though it had been struck through a heavy quilt—a dull, stifling ache.
Wei Qing nodded. "I have asked the Madam here today to check on my daughter’s health..." Wei Qing felt a bit awkward saying this. He realized he had forgotten to bring Wei Yuan’s wet nurse, Nanny He, into the palace. If she were here, he wouldn't have to speak of such matters himself.
Madam Qin asked, "What discomfort does the Young Lady have?"
Wei Qing stammered, "Er... it is about the child..." He didn't know how to begin.
Seeing this, Yu Li stepped forward to support Madam Qin, whispering with a smile, "The Madam is skilled in internal medicine for women. We have invited her, naturally, to look into *that* matter." In front of Wei Qing, Yu Li dared not speak too plainly, as she was still an unmarried maiden herself.
Wei Qing nodded, looking as if a great weight had been lifted. "Madam, please examine her thoroughly." With that, he stepped out first.
Madam Qin stepped forward to take Wei Yuan’s pulse. "The Young Lady’s pulse is calm and strong, neither floating nor sinking. There is no abnormality." She then asked about Wei Yuan’s rest, diet, and other habits.
Throughout this, A’jiao simply stared blankly at Madam Song, her heart caught between tears and laughter. *Madam Song. Yes, didn't Cunmo marry into a family named Song?*
After confirming several times, Wei Qing was invited back in. "To answer My Lord, the Young Lady’s pulse is normal. As for her inability to conceive these past few years... if it is not the fault of your son-in-law, then it is simply that the fated time has not yet arrived!" Having finished, she lowered her head.
Hearing this, A’jiao glanced back at Wei Qing and saw his expression freeze.
Wei Yuan’s large eyes darted around. *Goodness, if I’m fine, it couldn't be my husband’s problem, could it? But in our daily life as a couple, I haven't felt he has any problems—on the contrary, he’s quite energetic!*
"Then it is simply that the fated time has not arrived," Wei Qing said with a forced smile. "Where is Jiaojiao’er’s medicine? Bring it here."
A’jiao rested her head on her hand and looked at Madam Song. "Madam, you are so beautiful!" Cunmo was startled and couldn't help but look up at the little girl. With just one glance, she froze. *This child... she looks so much like someone!*
"Jiaojiao’er!" Wei Yuan chided.
A thunderclap seemed to go off in Cunmo’s heart. It took her a long moment to force herself into composure. *It must be a coincidence. After all, in families that dote on their daughters, many call their children 'Jiaojiao'.*
Madam Qin gave Cunmo an inconspicuous pat, and she snapped back to reality, bowing as she presented the medicine.
Madam Qin smiled. "My Lord, this time, I have brought this person... also because of an unseemly request..."
"What request? Speak!" A’jiao spoke up before Wei Qing could. She had seen the worry on Cunmo’s face even when her head was bowed; there was indeed something wrong.
Cunmo opened her mouth, then said, "This old woman is being impudent, but I have no choice but to beg My Lord." As she spoke, she knelt and kowtowed.
Wei Qing raised his hand to signal her to rise. A’jiao tugged at his sleeve. "Great-Granduncle, help her, help her! Let her speak!"
Wei Yuan didn't understand the situation, but she felt they should help if they could. "Father, if they truly have a difficulty, please help them!"
Wei Qing had no choice but to nod. "Tell me then, what is the matter? If your case is truly deserving of pity, I will have someone assist you."
Tears welled in Cunmo’s eyes. She quickly knelt again and began, "This old woman’s family is in the medicinal herb business. We have shops in the capital and currently supply herbs to the palace. Late last month, a Young Marquis purchased medicine from our shop. Two days later, he came and smashed the shop, claiming he had taken the wrong medicine from us. Terrified, I checked everything carefully. It turns out the Young Marquis had obtained a folk remedy from somewhere and took it alongside our medicine despite our physician’s warnings, which caused his illness. My eldest son was seized by the Young Marquis’s servants and has not been released. I tried to use money to find a way out, but the Young Marquis blocked me at every turn."
Wei Qing pondered for a moment. "Which family’s Young Marquis?" A’jiao stared intently at Wei Qing.
Cunmo buried her head even lower. "The Marquis of Pingyang."
Cao Zong. The grandson of Princess Pingyang and the son of Princess Weichang. He had inherited the title in the second year of Yuanding and was only thirteen this year.
A’jiao looked at Wei Qing and saw him sit up straight, his expression turning stern.
"What medicine was it? How can you be sure it wasn't your shop’s fault?" Wei Yuan asked.
Cunmo took a prescription from her sleeve and presented it. "I truly had no other way, so I dared to use the excuse of delivering palace herbs to present my case to Your Lordship." Originally, she had intended to risk everything to seek an audience with the Empress. However, hearing today that Great General Wei was in the palace, and knowing his reputation for integrity, she had dared to come here.
Wei Qing took the prescription. Seeing many nourishing herbs, he asked, "What is this prescription for?"
"To answer My Lord, it is... something to enhance the mood and kindle passion between husband and wife," Cunmo said, her voice thick with embarrassment.
The golden pick in Wei Yuan’s hand carved a long scratch into the table. The bits of peach in her mouth nearly sprayed in front of her father. "No way! Sister Qing’s son isn't even married yet, is he?"
Wei Qing’s face was as dark as coal.
Cunmo prostrated herself. "If I had known the Young Marquis was so young, I naturally wouldn't have dared to give the medicine. But the Young Marquis sent his steward to have it prepared, so..." Cunmo looked up at Wei Qing, her heart trembling. Her family supplied herbs to the palace and was well-known among the nobility. Many medicines that were inconvenient to obtain from the Imperial Medical Department were taken from her shop, and every transaction was recorded.
Years ago, when she and her husband managed the business, they didn't deal in such "bedroom medicines." However, her eldest son was bold; after taking over the pharmacy, he began to conduct such business in secret.
A’jiao refused to remain silent like a little quail and asked intentionally, "Great-Granduncle, why did the Young Marquis get sick from the medicine and then forbid this grandmother from reporting it to the officials?"
Wei Yuan covered A’jiao’s mouth and pulled her back.
Wei Qing stood up. "I will have someone look into this. If your shop truly only filled the prescription as written, your son will be home in a few days."
Hearing this, Madam Qin quickly pulled Cunmo to offer her thanks. She flashed a smile at Cunmo: *Old friend, was I not right? Begging the Great General is much better than swallowing your pride and old grudges to beg Empress Wei. If you went to her, you might have been driven out and brought disaster upon even more people!*
A’jiao breathed a sigh of relief.
Madam Qin and Cunmo departed together.
Wei Qing also prepared to leave. Wei Yuan’s eyes twinkled, and with a thick skin, she managed to pry half of the prescription out of Wei Qing’s hand.
Wei Qing was mortified. If he were her mother instead of her father, or if Wei Yuan were a boy, he would have pinned her to the ground and given her a thrashing.
"This is not a good thing. Stop coming up with these blind ideas and spend your time looking after your health." Wei Qing firmly pried Wei Yuan’s hand away, tucked the prescription into his sleeve, and left.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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椒房殿 | Hall of Pepper Fragrance | The residence of the Empress.
良娣 | Lady of Excellence | A high-ranking concubine of the Crown Prince.
孺人 | Lady of Complaisance | A rank of concubine for the Crown Prince.
存墨 | Cunmo | A'jiao's former maid, now Madam Song.
曹宗 | Cao Zong | The young Marquis of Pingyang, grandson of Princess Pingyang.
平阳侯 | Marquis of Pingyang | A noble title.
清凉殿 | Hall of Coolness | A palace building used for escaping the heat.
怡情助兴 | Enhance the mood and kindle passion | A euphemism for aphrodisiacs.
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