at she might disobey and run off, her grandfather held onto her little hand, repeating over and over: "Ayao must be good, Ayao wait a little longer. Our Ayao is a good child, wouldn't disobey, right"S...After giving Meng Jin Yao a prescription for a medicinal bath, the imperial physician left.

From the Weiruixuan to the front gate of the Hou Mansion, there was quite a long distance. While sending Dr. Wen off, Gu Jingxi also planned to ask this quack doctor if his medicine actually worked.

However, before he could speak, as soon as he stepped out of the Weiruixuan pavilion, Doctor Wen said meaningfully, "Master Hou, have you tried that 'good medicine'"

Gu Jingxi's footsteps faltered, she gave him a look and said nothing.

Even Wen Taiyi couldn't be sure if he had tried it or not, but seeing how serious the Marquis was, he probably hadn't. He pondered for a moment and asked: "Has the Marquis never tried it"

Gu Jingxi narrowed his eyes and slowly uttered two words: "Tried."

When Wen Taiyi heard this, his eyes lit up, and he was both surprised and delighted. He smiled and asked, "Was that 'good medicine' effective"

Gu Jingxi frowned and said, "What do you think"

The warm physician glanced at him, seeing the look on his face as if someone owed him ten thousand taels of silver. He knew he wasn't very affected and quickly comforted him: “Lord Hou, it’s normal for one time to have no effect. After all, this is not a fairy elixir. Lord Hou might as well try harder and try a few more times”

Gu Jingxi felt more and more that he was like a quack doctor.

Wen Taiyi was afraid he would be discouraged, so he gave him some encouragement: "My lord, I have improved the prescription. I have a 90% certainty that I can cure your illness. As long as you follow my instructions and don't give up halfway this time, it will be cured.

Gu Jingxi then simply hummed in response.

Wen Taoyi: "..."

Is this a matter of believing in his medical skills or not

After sending Wen Taoyi to the door, Gu Jingxi returned to Wei Rui Xuan. Seeing his little wife listless, holding a hot water bottle and sighing heavily, he felt both heartache and amusement. He comforted her: "A medicinal bath is good too, at least you don't have to drink medicine."

Meng Jinyu gave him a withering look: "Didn't you hear Dr. Wen say that you still have to finish the previous medicine After drinking it for so long, everyone around can smell a medicinal scent. If you add medicinal baths, then you'll be thoroughly steeped in it, and people far away will be able to smell it. How could I possibly go out to attend banquets"

"How exaggerated is that" Gu Jingxi patted her head, "No one says anything to you at home. If you go out and find it unbearable, just take a shower and wash yourself. Then there won't be an odor."

Meng Jin Yao: "..."

What else could she say At only sixteen, she was like a sixty-year-old woman, taking medicine every day.

This deepened her resentment towards her natal family. Such a physique wouldn't have been possible without their contributions.

After a moment, she waved her hand to dismiss the maidservant and then asked, "By the way, what has our son done these days about marrying a proper wife His biological father and mother have been urging him."

Gu Jingxi replied: "There are actions, but there haven't been any substantial developments yet."

Meng Jinyao asked again, "What does it mean to have no substantial progress"

Gu Jingxi said faintly, "The women who are suitable for him according to his standards stay away from him out of respect. The women who aren't considered suitable and want to climb the social ladder, on the other hand, try to get close to him."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao only paused for a moment and was not particularly surprised.

On the wedding day, a man who can run away and pamper his concubines will likely favor his concubine over his wife in the future. Most daughters raised in wealthy families are clear-headed; given their family background, why would they rush to marry a husband like Gu Xiuming

Only those with low social standing who aspire to a better life through marriage would be indifferent to Gu Xiuming's behavior. They are not interested in Gu Xiuming himself, but rather his title and status. After all, eligible women from respectable families wouldn't consider marrying him because of his ruined reputation. They want the position of a prince's wife, not to have Gu Xiuming as their husband.

Those who marry for family status, once they have a legitimate son, Gu Xiuming will no longer be of use. It doesn't matter which concubine he dotes on.

-

It was night, at the Qingyu Pavilion.

Gu Xiuming lay in bed, unable to sleep. He was troubled by the matter of marrying a wife. In order to find a suitable wife for himself, he had recently attended several poetry gatherings. At the gatherings, there were some girls who were invited because they had talent, and some who came with their brothers to experience it.

Besides poetry gatherings, he also attended some flower-viewing banquets. At these banquets, there would be talented scholars and beautiful maidens who would compose poems on a particular flower as a theme, and then critique each other's work.

Alas, these banquets were useless. Before, he had a fiancée, and those girls kept their distance out of propriety. But now that he is no longer engaged, they still avoid him, afraid even to speak a few words to him lest rumors spread.

Could it be because of Wan'er

Gu Xiuming glanced at the girl lying beside him. She was beautiful and graceful, with a gentle and kind personality. She was the apple of his eye, but now looking at her, he felt a bit irritable, and a tinge of regret arose in his heart. If he hadn't run away from his marriage back then, he probably wouldn't be worrying like this now.

But as the soft voice of the young lady around him, "Xiuming gege," echoed in his ears, that feeling of regret vanished instantly. He wouldn't be unhappy to have a woman like Meng Jin Yao as his wife.

Li Wan'er called out again, "Brother Xiuming"

Gu Xiuming asked, "What's wrong"

Li Wan'er puzzled: "Xiuming gege, what are you thinking You're still staring at me blankly."

Gu Xiuming replied, "Nothing much, just thinking about some things, a bit restless."

Li Wantouer, being understanding, said: "If you have something on your mind, feel free to tell me. Perhaps I can give you some advice."

Gu Xiuming looked at Li Wan'er for a long time, thinking that as a young lady, she should know how to get close to other ladies. He said, "I have a classmate, he…" Halfway through his sentence, he was afraid that the young lady's meticulous mind would think of something, so he changed the subject, "Forget it, it's not my business, I won't say anything more, lest he blames me for talking too much."

Hearing him say that, Li Wan'er stopped asking and said, "Xiu Ming, we shouldn't concern ourselves with other people's affairs. It's best not to worry about them. It's getting late now, let's go to sleep."

Gu Xiuming: "Hmm, go to sleep."

Li Wan'er shyly leaned into his arms, her hands winding around him, the meaning was obvious, she was asking for intimacy.

Gu Xiuming's body stiffened. Since he said he wanted to have a child as soon as possible to consolidate his position, Wan'er had become much more proactive, and she never missed her daily dose of fertility medicine. But now he didn't want to have a child with Wan'er so soon. At the very least, he would wait until his legitimate wife moved in and they had a legitimate son before considering it.

In this matter, father and mother are right. If there is an illegitimate eldest son before the legitimate wife enters the door, a well-matched girl will be even less willing to marry him. How can he then secure his position as crown prince How can he appease grandmother's heart and get her to help him stop Gu Jingxi from passing the fourth brother over to compete for the crown prince's position

He looked at Wan'er, who was smiling sweetly in his arms. When her soft body leaned against him, he felt a stirring in his heart, but reason prevailed. He still ruthlessly pulled away Wan'er's hands. This sort of thing, done too often, could easily lead to pregnancy.

Seeing Wan'er's confusion, he softly said, "Wan'er, don't be silly, go to sleep."

Although Li Wan'er was disappointed, she couldn't insist on getting what she wanted. Recently, Xiu Ming had rejected her several times. She didn't know if it was because he was too tired from studying, but he seemed unwilling in this aspect. Now she has the desire but not the ability.

But even at such a vigorous age, it's not working. If we drag it on any longer, won't it be even worse She needs someone to cook some invigorating and restorative soups for her, otherwise who knows how long it will take before they have a child.y. He asked nervously, "Big sister, are you sick"Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyang's footsteps faltered for a moment before she lightly replied, "No, where would I have the energy if I were sick Haven't...