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The Empress instructed, "You may sit."

A small eunuch brought over a chair and placed it next to Shen Chuwei, then bowed and withdrew.

Shen Chuwei sat down as told.

The Empress instructed again, "Imperial Doctor Wang, take Lady Shen’s pulse."

Shen Chuwei lifted her eyes to see Imperial Doctor Wang stepping out from one side; it seemed preparations had been made in advance—the Empress truly was eager for a grandchild.

She proactively stretched out her wrist and pulled up her sleeve.

Imperial Doctor Wang placed a cloth over Shen Chuwei’s wrist before laying two fingers on her pulse to begin the examination.

The Empress held her teacup, sipping slowly, and glanced at Shen Chuwei. Well-behaved and very beautiful, along with a charming nature—key was she also made exquisite food, no wonder the Crown Prince liked her.

Even a woman would like this type.

It’s been a year and still no pregnancy; there’s not really a problem with her body, right?

It would be such a pity if she couldn’t bear children.

Otherwise, if she had a daughter, she’d definitely be very likable.

The Empress sighed and continued drinking her tea.

Imperial Doctor Wang withdrew his hand, and at the same time, took back the cloth.

Shen Chuwei retracted her hand and then put down her sleeve.

The Empress lifted her eyes to scan Imperial Doctor Wang. "Well?"

Imperial Doctor Wang bowed slightly, "Replying to Your Majesty, Lady Shen has a cold constitution and a deficiency of qi which makes it difficult for her to conceive."

The Empress paused her tea drinking, her beautiful eyes turning towards Shen Chuwei. "Imperial Doctor Wang, are you certain that it’s difficult for Lady Shen to conceive?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Lady Shen’s body is weak, and both her qi and blood are deficient; it is indeed very difficult for her to conceive," Imperial Doctor Wang said.

Upon hearing this, the Empress set down her teacup, her gaze shifting towards Shen Chuwei. No wonder there had been no pregnancy for a long time; it turned out to be due to her physical weakness, which made it difficult to conceive.

The Empress removed her gaze and instructed, "Then, prescribe some medicinal recipes for Lady Shen to regulate her condition, to see if it can be remedied."

"Your Majesty, Lady Shen’s body is too weak; it will take a long time to treat her. Whether she can conceive, this humble servant dares not make any guarantees," Imperial Doctor Wang said.

"First prescribe some medicinal recipes for her to take," the Empress then looked at Shen Chuwei again, feeling some regret over such good genes.

"This servant obeys," Imperial Doctor Wang acknowledged and proceeded to prescribe the remedies.

Shen Chuwei glanced at Imperial Doctor Wang with confusion. Her having a cold constitution and being weak was true, the legacy of problems accumulated over the years by her original self.

But with the medications she’d taken over the past half year to regulate her condition, she’d improved a lot and it shouldn’t affect her ability to conceive.

Why was Imperial Doctor Wang exaggerating?

Or was it that ancient medical science wasn’t developed, and they believed such physical weakness and cold could affect a woman’s pregnancy?

After all, the approach to illness in ancient times was completely different from that in modern times.

After Imperial Doctor Wang had prescribed the medication, he carried his medicine box and retreated.

The Empress consoled her, "You are still young, don’t worry about it. Just focus on regulation first."

Eunuch Ren came in to report, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived."

Shen Chuwei turned her head towards the hall entrance and saw Xiao Jinyan stride in wearing dark court attire. His tall figure was only accentuated by the clothing, which lent him a composed and dignified air.

She was startled briefly, then stood up and bowed, "Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Shen Chuwei and stepped forward to pay his respects, "This son has come to greet mother."

The Empress looked up at Xiao Jinyan standing in the center of the hall, and seeing him in court attire, assumed he must have come from the Imperial Study Room.

"Why has the Crown Prince come?"

Xiao Jinyan bowed slightly, "As this son was passing Fengyi Palace, I thought to greet mother."

The Empress nodded her head, "It warms my heart that you have such filial piety. Your arrival is timely; I have matters to discuss with you."

Xiao Jinyan said, "Please tell me, mother, I am all ears."

The Empress turned to Shen Chuwei, "Lady Shen, you may leave us."

Shen Chuwei glanced at Xiao Jinyan, bowed, "This concubine shall take her leave."

Having said that, she slowly made her exit.

After Shen Chuwei had left, the Empress began, "Lady Shen has not been pregnant for some time. I had the Imperial Doctor take her pulse and found out she is weak and it is difficult for her to conceive."

Xiao Jinyan’s expression faltered upon hearing that. He hadn’t expected to hear such words.

In the palace, what it means for a woman to be unable to conceive, he knew better than anyone.

He said, "Mother, Lady Shen is still young, and even if she is weak, with proper treatment, there’s no hurry at this precise moment."

Upon hearing this, the Empress realized Xiao Jinyan was defending Shen Chuwei, which also indicated that Xiao Jinyan really liked Shen Chuwei. She had always thought that for the sake of the position of the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t care about anyone or let anyone become an obstacle.

"Crown Prince, as a future heir, it is imperative that you beget offspring. Are you aware of what this signifies?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "Mother, I am only twenty years old and am not in a hurry for an heir."

The Empress’s eyes darkened, "Crown Prince, your father had four sons by your age; you should understand the importance of an heir to the future regent."

Xiao Jinyan pursed his lips. Of course, he knew the importance of offspring—it would affect the position of the Crown Prince and could even become a reason for impeachment by others.

"Mother, please grant me some time."

The Empress said coldly, "Crown Prince, it has been a year since you took a concubine, and you have neither son nor daughter. Are you not afraid that the ministers will doubt you?"

"Mother..."

Before Xiao Jinyan could finish speaking, he was cut off by the Empress, "Not only does the Court think you should be impartial in your favors, but your father also thinks the same. You’ve been favoring Lady Shen solely; you should think of your offspring first. Weigh what’s more important."

Xiao Jinyan bowed slightly, "This son understands."

The Empress waved her hand, "You are dismissed."

"This son takes his leave." Xiao Jinyan slowly backed away and left.

After Xiao Jinyan had gone, the Empress ordered, "Call Prince Jinyu over."

"As you command," Eunuch Ren turned and left.

Shen Chuwei stood in the corridor outside, admiring the peonies in the courtyard while waiting for Xiao Jinyan.

After a good while, she saw Xiao Jinyan coming out of the hall, and she excitedly went to meet him.

"Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan halted, watching Shen Chuwei running over to him. Did she know it was difficult for her to conceive?

If she knew, wouldn’t that be very upsetting?

When she drew near, he said, "Let’s go back."

Shen Chuwei nodded, "Alright."

*

Xiao Jinyu followed Eunuch Ren to Fengyi Palace and upon seeing the Empress, he enthusiastically stepped forward to greet her, "This son greets mother."

The Empress motioned with her hand to her son, "Come here, let me see if these past few days you’ve grown fatter or thinner."

Xiao Jinyu stepped forward towards the Empress, sat down beside her and rolled up his sleeve to show her his arm, boasting, "Mother, take a good look, I’ve been practicing and have developed muscles now."

"Really? Let me see." The Empress scrutinized her son’s arm and indeed saw muscles had formed. "You actually have some; exercising is good, it strengthens the body."

Xiao Jinyu was quite proud, "Simply strengthening the body is not enough; I wish to be like Crown Prince Brother, excelling in both literary and martial arts."

The Empress said, "Why tire yourself so much? You have guards to protect you when you go out; exercising to keep fit is enough."

"I’ll listen to mother," Xiao Jinyu outwardly agreed but inwardly, he was still determined to practice hard.

The Empress didn’t forget the matter at hand, "Yuyu, yesterday your father mentioned you should take a concubine. You’re already seventeen; it’s time for you to marry."