Chapter 389: It Will Get Better Naturally

"Everyone’s gone, what are you still doing here?"

A strange man’s voice suddenly rang out.

Only then did Qin Wan realize that Lin Ziqi and Lady Yu were nowhere to be found.

Not far away, a man with dark skin and dressed in black short attire looked over at her hiding place, with a teasing expression.

"I..."

Qin Wan felt a sudden wave of embarrassment and slowly stood up.

Perhaps because she had been squatting for too long, she stumbled a bit and nearly fell.

"Careful," the man warned, swiftly approaching and reaching out to steady her.

"You..."

After Qin Wan steadied herself, she quickly stepped to the side.

The man withdrew his hand, saying, "I am from the Xu family, named Xu Tang, following King Jin here, just looking around. You must be the daughter of Qin Jijiu? I’ve seen scholar Lin before."

Qin Wan turned slightly and bowed, saying, "So you are a relative of Sixth Lady Gu, thank you for your help just now."

Xu Tang laughed heartily, "No worries. I saw you hiding here for a while, so I called out to you. Now that the weather is turning cooler, the area around the pond is cold and damp. Squatting for too long might make you ill. Young ladies should be careful to avoid having to take bitter medicines later."

Qin Wan blushed, hastily bowed, and then left.

Xu Tang watched her back with great interest.

King Jin heard that the Emperor had decreed permission for Marquis Gu to deploy officials from various ministries for the Capital Inspection and hurriedly changed clothes to pay condolences.

He originally intended to visit his sister at the King Jin Mansion but was unfortunately caught and brought along.

Unexpectedly, he witnessed quite a scene here.

Qin Yuan stayed for a moment, seeing no one else coming, then went out to call Hong Ye to ask, "Did you hear anything?"

The busy Hong Ye was startled, "What?"

Qin Yuan frowned and said, "You weren’t there just now, Chang Qingling and Treasure Bead had a spat. Chang Qingling said that the Marquis is ill, and the news has spread everywhere."

Hong Ye was shocked, nearly stuffing her fist into her mouth.

"He’s ill? Not the kind I’m thinking of, right?"

Hong Ye hoped Qin Yuan would deny it, but Qin Yuan nodded.

Hong Ye’s voice went sharp and hushed, "Could it be that the Marquis really isn’t able?"

Qin Yuan looked at her and blushed, saying, "How would I not know if he is or isn’t?"

"But... but..." Hong Ye blushed as well, struggling to speak, "Miss might not understand these things. I’ve heard those nannies gossiping about all sorts of things. The Marquis is such a robust man, yet he hasn’t consummated the marriage with Miss. Maybe he really isn’t able."

Hong Ye wished she could tell Miss everything she knew.

Though it was a bit shameful.

But...

Qin Yuan stopped her, blushing, "There’s nothing wrong with the Marquis. Go find out how the news got out and who started the rumor. If you can’t find out, go to Gu Shiliu."

Hong Ye hurriedly said, "I’ll go right away. Who in the mansion would dare spread such rumors? Do they have a death wish? I might as well go directly to Gu Shiliu."

...

In the outer court study room.

Doctor Li solemnly placed three fingers on Sixth Master Gu’s wrist, suspiciously saying, "Forgive my incompetence, but I really can’t detect any embarrassing ailment in Sixth Master."

Gu Jinghui sat on the side with a dark face, his sharp eyes fixed on the two.

Sixth Master Gu dared not look at Marquis Gu, forced to speak, "Doctor Li, with your high medical skills, can you really not find anything? I... I haven’t been able to consummate in a long time."

For the sake of his third brother, he was putting everything on the line.

Doctor Li frowned and took the pulse again, sensing carefully with closed eyes, even forgetting to stroke his beard.

After a long time, he said, "Sixth Master, are you teasing me? You’re perfectly fine, just physically weak, needing more movement and rest. Besides, aren’t you in mourning for your wife for three years? There’s no consummation during this period."

Sixth Master Gu forced a few laughs, "How would I dare tease you? You must tell me honestly, can a shameful ailment be detected through pulse reading?"

Doctor Li rolled his eyes, restraining himself, "Of course."

Sixth Master Gu then said, "Then could you also take my third brother’s pulse?"

Doctor Li said, "What’s there to check?"

Marquis Gu stood up, face dark, ready to leave.

Sixth Master Gu quickly lunged at him, hugging tightly, "Third brother, don’t conceal because of pride..."

Marquis Gu’s face turned even darker, gritting his teeth, "I have..."

Before he could finish, Doctor Li interrupted, "You have dragon-horse vitality, why need a pulse check? I can tell just by looking at your face."

Hearing this, Marquis Gu changed his mind about leaving and sat back down, stretching out his arm, "Please, Doctor Li, read my pulse."

Doctor Li shook his head, frowning, "Didn’t I already read it in the hall? I would have spoken if there was anything."

Sixth Master Gu urged, "No harm in checking again."

Doctor Li had no choice but to extend his three fingers once more, lightly placing them on Marquis Gu’s wrist, closing his eyes.

At this moment, Marquis Gu was tense all over, his heart beating like a drum. His throat was so tight he couldn’t swallow anything, staring straight at the carvings on the screen.

After a long pause, Doctor Li finally said, "Marquis is fine, but..."

"But what?"

Sixth Master and Marquis Gu simultaneously asked.

Doctor Li’s expression was complex, his tone light, "It’s just that Marquis can’t consummate for now; it’s not a major issue."

Gu Jinghui relaxed, slumping into his chair.

As long as it’s not that embarrassing ailment.

He could still be a man.

Tears nearly brimmed in his eyes.

Sixth Master Gu let out a sigh of relief, then tensed again, asking, "Why can’t he consummate? Isn’t that a major issue? I’m waiting for my third brother and sister-in-law to have a princely heir soon."

In the entire Gu Family, only his third brother was capable of wielding arms. If his third brother had no children, the Gu family’s military tactics and martial arts couldn’t be passed down.

Doctor Li said, "You brothers are quite close. Many families fight to death over titles, without caring about sibling ties."

Sixth Master Gu said, "I know my limits. If my third brother has no heir, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion can’t stand tall again, a vacant title can’t protect the Gu clan. When my third brother fights at the Northern Border, even if I am looked down upon, he’ll stand up for me upon return. But if he’s gone, I wouldn’t dare say a word."

Doctor Li nodded.

It’s valuable to know oneself, the ancients were right.

"Sixth Master is fortunate."

Sixth Master Gu pressed on, "When can he consummate then?"

Doctor Li fiddled with his beard, considering, "Previously, I didn’t check thoroughly enough in the hall. Just now, I re-checked. Marquis has been at the Northern Border for years, his body has caught coldness, and the meridians are blocked."

Gu Jinghui, having calmed down, hurriedly asked, "Does it require medicine or acupuncture? Please, master, prescribe a treatment."

His tone softened, and he regained his spirit.

Doctor Li looked at him, chuckling lightly, "Though a minor ailment, it’s somewhat tricky to treat. Let me think it over and then prescribe. As long as Marquis and the lady trust and love each other, naturally he’ll recover."