Chapter 36

Chapter 36: From Her Hands

“This Concubine’s health is poor,” Concubine Lian murmured, lowering her gaze.

At these words, Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes flickered.

She knew well that Concubine Lian’s childlessness had nothing to do with poor health. When she and Concubine Ping had first entered the duke’s residence, Madam Cui had secretly fed them a Sterility Pill.

This was why, after so many years, Madam Cui remained the only one in the household who had borne children.

But who was she?

In barely two winters, Sheng Zhi Wan had surpassed all three masters who taught her medical and poison arts. If she desired, the poison from the Sterility Pill was nothing she couldn’t cure.

“The Sterility Pill is not incurable,” Sheng Zhi Wan said slowly.

Concubine Lian gasped sharply, raising her head to stare at Sheng Zhi Wan in shock. “Heir Consort, you have a way? Wait—how do you know about this?”

Madam Cui had hidden this matter meticulously; even Concubine Lian’s closest maidservants knew nothing. Yet now, Sheng Zhi Wan had spoken openly of it.

Concubine Lian’s breath quickened.

Sheng Zhi Wan remained silent; naturally, she could discern such things.

Indeed, the Sterility Pill circulating now had originally come from her own ten-year-old hands. At that time, she had intended it merely for the stray cats and dogs around their estate—to spare them from birthing doomed little pups.

But later, her third Master, greedy for silver, secretly sold the pills at exorbitant prices. A single pill fetched several hundred taels of silver.

When Sheng Zhi Wan learned of this, she never made the pill again, fearing someone would misuse it to harm others.

Yet, she never expected to see traces of her own Sterility Pill’s poison in Concubine Lian and Concubine Ping after marrying into Duke Qi’s household.

“Just answer me—do you wish to have a child of your own?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked calmly.

Concubine Lian took a deep breath and replied earnestly, “If this concubine can have a child, I would willingly be your ox and horse!”

“Even if Madam Cui finds out and targets you? You might not only fail to bear a child but lose your life—would you still risk it?”

“I fear nothing!” Concubine Lian’s voice trembled yet remained firm. “I only desire a child. I don’t seek favor or affection—I simply want to raise my own flesh and blood. Rest assured, Heir Consort, after so many years in this household, I’ve learned ways to protect myself. If you grant me this wish, I would rather die than betray you!”

Sheng Zhi Wan: [Such drama isn’t necessary.]

“Well, since you’ve decided…” Sheng Zhi Wan produced a delicate porcelain bottle. “Take this medicine continuously for half a month. Afterward, the Sterility Pill’s effects will be nullified, and your body will be at its most fertile.”

“Thank you!” Concubine Lian accepted the medicine as if it were priceless treasure.

Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly felt uneasy. “Aren’t you afraid I might deceive you? What if it’s poison?”

“You have no reason to deceive me,” Concubine Lian said bitterly. “Even if there’s only the slimmest hope, I’ll gamble everything on it!”

That night, Sheng Zhi Wan left Joyful Orchid Courtyard carrying a pot of blooming orchids.

Early the next morning, Sheng Zhi Wan instructed An Zhi to find her a set of men’s clothing.

An Zhi arranged her hair, while Ting Lan recounted news from outside. “Did you hear? Yesterday, after the Heir left Pinglan Residence, he hired three skilled doctors to prepare decoctions for Madam Cui. He’s paying each doctor ten silver taels per month! But guess what happened?”

Ting Lan’s eyes danced mischievously. Ever since Sheng Zhi Wan stopped caring about Qi Shu Xian, the entire Pinglan Residence had become livelier.

“What happened?” Sheng Zhi Wan indulged her.

Ting Lan giggled. “They spent hours brewing medicine, but when Madam Cui took one sniff, she said it smelled wrong and threw it aside. She demanded they start again!”

“They’ve been working all night, and they’re still at it! I heard the doctors say they’re planning to quit—‘No matter how good the pay, it’s useless if we don’t survive. We were hired to make medicine, not to lose our lives!’” Ting Lan imitated the doctors, drawing laughter from An Zhi.

“Let her cause trouble,” Sheng Zhi Wan sneered softly. “She’s putting on a show for me. But with medicinal herbs costing dozens of silver taels per decoction, I wonder how long Duke Qi’s household can afford her antics.”

This time, Sheng Zhi Wan took An Zhi along when leaving the residence.

The three women climbed into Shopkeeper Lin’s carriage, heading straight for Merciful Creek Hall.

After waiting less than half a cup of tea’s time, Madam Tao arrived.

Through the translucent screen, Sheng Zhi Wan saw a graceful young woman enter, assisted by a nanny. A veil partially concealed her lovely face, and despite the late autumn chill, she wore a delicate, flowing gown, frail as a willow in the wind.

“Please sit, Madam,” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly.

Hearing Sheng Zhi Wan’s youthful voice, Madam Tao paused, clearly surprised the legendary doctor was so young. Quickly regaining her composure, she murmured politely, “Thank you for your trouble, Divine Physician.”

“No trouble.”

Madam Tao extended her wrist, revealing a delicate jade bracelet of brilliant emerald. Sheng Zhi Wan recognized immediately that it matched the bracelet Madam Cui wore.

[Tsk. Her dear father-in-law truly knew how to save trouble—giving both wife and concubine the exact same jewelry. If Madam Cui found out, how enraged would she become?]

After checking Madam Tao’s pulse, Sheng Zhi Wan remarked, “Your vital energies are weak and blood deficient. There’s accumulated heat due to stagnant flow. Did you suffer from a severe chill as a child?”

Startled, Madam Tao nodded. “Indeed—I fell into cold water as a girl.”

“That explains it. Though pregnancy is difficult, careful nurturing can improve your chances greatly.” Sheng Zhi Wan paused thoughtfully, then swiftly penned a prescription for Madam Tao.