Chapter 145: Sorry, Yun Chu
"Lord Xie's infertility condition is due to medication effects..." The old imperial physician said with a grave expression. "May I ask what medicine Lord Xie has been taking recently?"
Concubine Jiang quickly brought over the medicine from the past few days.
The old imperial physician smelled it, tasted it, and shook his head: "This is indeed the medicine for treating Lord Xie's illness. Is there anything else?"
Xie Jingyu suddenly remembered that before falling ill, he had been taking body-regulating medicine, said to be a miraculous remedy that would help him and his wife successfully conceive a legitimate heir.
He looked at Yun Chu with disbelief.
For some reason, an inner voice told him that this matter was inextricably linked to Yun Chu.
"Husband, why are you looking at me like that?" Yun Chu's gaze remained clear. "It seems my husband suspects his lawful wife. There should still be some of that body-regulating medicine left. Someone, go fetch it for the imperial physician to examine."
The servant outside immediately brought the unused medicine packets.
The old imperial physician carefully smelled it, rubbed it between his fingers, and continued shaking his head: "This is medicine for regulating a man's body. The prescription is excellent - taking it for three months will surely result in conceiving a son."
Xie Jingyu pursed his lips: "Madam, I misunderstood earlier..."
"No need to explain." Yun Chu's voice was calm. "Please, esteemed physician, examine more carefully to determine where the problem truly lies?"
The old imperial physician nodded and carefully took Xie Jingyu's pulse. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the flowerpot placed on the windowsill, and he hurried over.
At the beginning of the Shen hour (3-5 PM), Xie Shi'an returned from school.
As soon as he stepped through the main gate, he was summoned by a servant from Xie Jingyu's courtyard.
Thinking his father wanted to ask about his studies, he entered only to find all the servants with lowered heads, the atmosphere unusually heavy.
His heart sank - it seemed his father's illness had worsened again.
Xie Shi'an reached the doorway and saw Yun Chu also in the inner chamber. He bowed: "Father, Mother."
"Kneel!"
Xie Jingyu's cold shout seemed to drain all his strength.
Seeing Xie Shi'an standing motionless, he grabbed the cup by his bedside and threw it: "I told you to kneel! Didn't you hear?!"
Xie Shi'an didn't understand what was happening.
But with his father so enraged, he didn't dare ask questions. Straightening his back, he knelt down.
Xie Jingyu's eyes seemed to spit fire. He couldn't believe even in his dreams that the eldest son he had painstakingly raised would actually poison him.
The great hopes he had placed in this son were matched only by his current heartbreak, sorrow, pain, and fury!
Unable to restrain himself, he climbed out of bed, picked up the flowerpot from the windowsill, and smashed it in front of Xie Shi'an.
Soil mixed with shards exploded before Xie Shi'an, his face abruptly changing color.
"Speak! Why would you do this?"
Xie Jingyu leaned on the table, breathing heavily.
The old imperial physician had said that because of this potted plant, he would never be able to have children again in this lifetime.
Moreover, due to the medicinal effects of this flower, his illness was growing increasingly severe...
If they hadn't discovered this flowerpot in time, within a month he would have died suddenly...
"Father, is there something wrong with this flower?" Xie Shi'an pretended to be calm. "A peasant woman sold me this flower, saying it could calm the mind and soothe the spirit. That's why I bought it and placed it in father's bedroom."
Yun Chu spoke softly: "An Ge'er, do you truly not know what kind of flower this is?"Xie Shi'an didn't dare meet her gaze. He lowered his head and said, "I truly don't know, Father, Mother. Please speak plainly."
"An Ge'er, you've disappointed me deeply." Yun Chu shook her head. "You've always been intelligent, well-read, and deliberate in everything you do. Do you think your father and I would believe you placed that flower here for no reason?"
Her voice turned cold. "The physician says I suffer from infertility. Should I suspect this has something to do with you?"
Xie Shi'an jerked his head up. "No, Mother! I would never do such a thing!"
"I can understand why you might do this." Yun Chu revealed a bitter smile. "You feared that if your father and I had a legitimate son, we would neglect and distance ourselves from you. That's why you acted this way... But understanding is one thing, acceptance and forgiveness are another. An Ge'er, I can never have a child of my own now... Are you satisfied?"
After speaking, she pressed her lips together and left the room.
Xie Shi'an was filled with words to explain himself.
Before he could stand up, a kick landed squarely in his chest - Xie Jingyu had put all his strength into striking his son's heart.
"How could I have fathered such an unfilial son!" Xie Jingyu collapsed onto the bed. "Get out! Get out of my sight!"
He had always taken pride in Xie Shi'an, believing this son would become the pillar of the Xie family's future, certain he would transform the family's fortunes.
But his son's methods sent chills down his spine.
Then again, someone who could ruthlessly drive his own birth mother to her death - how could such a person tolerate the appearance of a true legitimate son to take everything away?
His son was cold-natured, indifferent and selfish. Such a person would surely rise to high position...
The Xie family would ultimately have to rely on An Ge'er.
Xie Jingyu closed his eyes.
The only one he had wronged was Yun Chu...
He already had many children, but Yun Chu would never become a mother.
Xie Shi'an walked out of the room clutching his chest.
He looked at the servant waiting by the door and asked in a low voice, "Who has visited Father's courtyard recently?"
The servant bowed his head. "About two hours ago, the madam brought an old imperial physician to examine the master."
Xie Shi'an lowered his gaze.
He had consulted medical texts - the flower needed to be placed in a room for at least a month before it would take effect.
Yet he had delivered it less than ten days ago. How could the imperial physician already detect its effects on his father's health?
Something felt strange about the situation, though he couldn't pinpoint what exactly.
He walked toward Sheng Residence.
Ting Xue stood guard at the entrance. "The madam is resting, Young Master. Please return another time."
Xie Shi'an said, "Then I'll come tomorrow morning to apologize to Mother."
Inside the room, Yun Chu paid no attention to the Xie family affairs.
She was drawing designs, having created three pendants - one for Yu Ge'er, one for Changsheng, and one for herself.
But the uncut jade Prince Pingxi had given her was truly massive - even after making three pendants, at least two-thirds remained.
After some thought, she sketched some jewelry pieces in styles suitable for young girls. A complete set of hair ornaments that any young girl would surely love.
The remaining scraps could be made into small beads, paired with tassels she would weave herself, which could be hung from Yu Ge'er's fan or sword.
Yun Chu spent two days finalizing the designs, then took the drawings to find a craftsman.As soon as she reached the main street, she overheard many people discussing the matter of Marquis Liu.
"Have you heard? Marquis Liu has been beheaded!"
"That fellow from the Liu family was personally chosen by the Grand Princess to be her consort and was deeply favored by her. How could he have been beheaded?"
"My relative's nephew serves in the palace. He said Marquis Liu committed a breach of etiquette before the Emperor and showed great disrespect. In a fit of rage, the Emperor personally chopped off Marquis Liu's head!"
"Didn't you see all the constables passing by earlier? I heard the entire Liu family has been arrested!"
"Even if Marquis Liu breached etiquette before the Emperor, what does that have to do with the rest of the Liu family?"
"These court matters... how could we common folk possibly understand so much?"
"..."
OpenNovel