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Xiao Jinyu, upon hearing the mention of taking a concubine, immediately frowned and looked distressed. He grasped the Empress’ arm and said, "Mother, why do you bring up the matter of taking a concubine again?"

The Empress saw her son’s coquettish behavior and chuckled, "You, my child, men should marry at a mature age, as should women. First pick a concubine you like, and take your time choosing a principal wife."

"...But your son doesn’t want to take any concubines yet." Xiao Jinyu was somewhat troubled. It was so carefree being single, with no one to bother... No, that wasn’t right. Now there was someone at home who kept him in check~

The Empress looked at him with curiosity, "Don’t you have a girl you like?"

Xiao Jinyu paused for a moment at her words and then shook his head: "Your son has yet to fancy any girl."

The Empress understood her son somewhat. If he really liked a girl, he would definitely seek her approval for marriage.

"Then take a concubine first and two maids."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyu immediately objected, "Mother, the Crown Prince only got a woman when he was nineteen. I am still young; can we wait another two years?"

The Empress stared at her son for a while, feeling helpless and said, "Then let’s wait a bit. I will discuss it again with your father."

Xiao Jinyu’s eyes curved happily, "Thank you, Mother. I knew you are the best to me."

Relieved internally, he felt glad that he had managed to handle the situation.

Returning to Qiancheng Hall, Xiao Jinyu saw Miss Han watering the flowers in the courtyard with a kettle.

Miss Han had been in the palace for nearly half a year, and she was somewhat aloof, a different kind of aloofness from that of the Crown Prince.

She was also very gentle and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

She was adept at serving others, too.

Thinking about the events of the past two days made Xiao Jinyu a little embarrassed; his handsome face flushed red.

Han Yan straightened her body and turned her head to look at Xiao Jinyu in the corridor and walked over. "Jinyu, why are you standing there?"

Xia Jinyu’s face filled with embarrassment, recalling the events of the previous night made his gaze flicker. "This prince has just returned from Fengyi Palace and saw you watering the flowers."

Han Yan looked at his blushing face and asked again, "Why is Jinyu’s face red?"

"It’s too hot outside, just too hot." Xiao Jinyu turned his head away and saw the garden full of flowers, which made his face grow even redder.

"Is that so?"

"Of course."

Han Yan chuckled softly, "I have made some flower tea for Jinyu, would you like some?"

"Sure." Xiao Jinyu said and strode in.

Han Yan put down the kettle and followed.

Hehuan Hall

Shen Chuwei looked at Xiao Jinyan seated on the couch; ever since returning from Fengyi Palace, he just sat there drinking tea.

She took a sip of tea and then placed the cup back on the low table.

"Your Highness, what’s the matter?"

Xiao Jinyan paused from drinking his tea and looked up at Shen Chuwei, "I’m fine."

"Oh." Shen Chuwei said, "Just now in Fengyi Palace, the Imperial Doctor gave your Concubine a check-up."

Xiao Jinyan’s heart tightened; he wasn’t sure if his mother had spoken to Shen Chuwei, but considering the situation earlier, the chances were she already knew.

"You know?"

Shen Chuwei was not slow to deduce, quickly guessing what Xiao Jinyan was implying.

"Your Highness means that the Imperial Doctor said it’s difficult for your Concubine to conceive?"

Xiao Jinyan nodded, "Yes, but you don’t need to worry about these things, just take your time to recuperate."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei’s eyes softened: "Your Concubine has taken her own pulse and indeed, I have a cold and weak body, which is why I get stomach pains every time I menstruate."

Xiao Jinyan had also witnessed her stomach pains during menstruation; her face would go somewhat pale. He was regretful for coming to know about it so late; otherwise, she could have been treated sooner and getting pregnant might not have been so difficult.

"I’ll have the Warm Imperial Doctor check your pulse and prescribe treatment to nourish your health," Xiao Jinyan said and then gave the order, "Liu Xi, please summon the Warm Imperial Doctor."

Liu Xi, who waited at the door, responded and went to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Shen Chuwei did not stop it; she too wished to hear the Warm Imperial Doctor’s opinion.

The Warm Imperial Doctor arrived quickly and after entering, bowed, "Your Highness, Lady Shen."

Xiao Jinyan instructed, "Check Lady Shen’s pulse; the Imperial Doctor said she has a cold and weak body and it’s difficult for her to conceive, so prescribe something to regulate her health."

Confused flashed in the Warm Imperial Doctor’s eyes; he felt Shen Chuwei’s medical skills surpassed his own. Why would they need him to check her pulse?

But with the order from His Highness, he complied.

Shen Chuwei willingly extended her wrist.

The Warm Imperial Doctor placed a cloth over Shen Chuwei’s wrist and began concentrating on the pulse diagnosis.

Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei for a good while. Since leaving Fengyi Palace, he hadn’t made up his mind on how to deal with the issue of producing an heir.

If Shen Chuwei had difficulty conceiving, would he truly have to share a bed with another woman just for the sake of producing an heir?

This was something he found unacceptable in his heart.

Having an heir was not the most critical matter for the Crown Prince, but it was important nonetheless.

He looked at Shen Chuwei’s youthful face, still remembering her thoughts deeply, never forgetting.

After completing the pulse diagnosis, the Warm Imperial Doctor withdrew his hand along with the cloth.

Xiao Jinyan asked, "Is it manageable?"

Shen Chuwei raised her eyes to the Warm Imperial Doctor, waiting for his answer.

The Warm Imperial Doctor looked down and nodded, "Your Highness, Lady Shen indeed has a cold and weak body, but it’s not as difficult for her to conceive as the Imperial Doctor said; it’s just..."

Xiao Jinyan pressed, "Just what?"

"Although it’s not as severe as the Imperial Doctor said, I dare not promise certainty," replied the Warm Imperial Doctor, who had seen many women unable to conceive without any significant ailments; thus, nothing could be said with absolute certainty.

Xiao Jinyan frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

The Warm Imperial Doctor gave an example, "Not too long ago, I took Lady Chen Jiayu’s pulse; her body had no significant issues, but she couldn’t conceive."

Xiao Jinyan turned to look at Shen Chuwei and saw her with ears pricked up, listening closely. If indeed she couldn’t conceive, the road ahead might become even more challenging.

After hearing what the doctor said, Shen Chuwei also nodded in agreement, "What the Warm Imperial Doctor says makes some sense."

Feeling secretly relieved, the Warm Imperial Doctor thought that it was good that Shen Chuwei herself felt the same, hopefully, His Highness wouldn’t be upset.

Xiao Jinyan caught the crux of the issue, his eyes darkening, "Then why did the Imperial Doctor exaggerate so much?"

The Warm Imperial Doctor responded, "It could be a misdiagnosis, or perhaps intentional exaggeration."

Xiao Jinyan felt there might be an issue with the Imperial Doctor. Was it possible that his mother had intentionally instructed the Imperial Doctor to speak such, simply to encourage him to spread his affections more evenly?

Apart from this possibility, he could think of no other.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan’s eager attitude, Shen Chuwei softly reassured, "Your Highness, there’s indeed nothing wrong with your Concubine’s body."

She felt the Imperial Doctor was overstating the issue as well.

Xiao Jinyan consoled, "I know; don’t worry."

But now that his mother thought it difficult for Shen Chuwei to conceive and was so eager for him to have an heir soon,

unless Shen Chuwei became pregnant right away, who knows what might happen with the pressure from the Emperor and the Empress.

He had worked five years to go from having nothing to securing the Crown Prince’s position, and he would not relinquish it easily.

After the Warm Imperial Doctor left, the room was so quiet you could almost hear each other’s heartbeats.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan’s furrowed brows, Shen Chuwei reached out and tugged at his sleeve, "Your Highness, did the Empress say something?"