After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

As dusk fell, Granny Cui entered in single file with four maids, her entourage more than twice the size of the one that had delivered the contraceptive soup.

On the trays carried by the maids were medicine packets, tonics, a bowl of still-steaming soup, several bolts of brand-new fine cotton cloth, and thick cotton quilts.

Granny Cui stopped at the door, her gaze falling on the stack of washed menstrual belts on the bedside table. Her brows twitched almost imperceptibly before returning to normal.

She entered the room, nodded slightly to Afu, and spoke in a much gentler tone than in the past few days:

"Miss Afu is awake? Madam was very worried when she heard that Miss was unwell. This is a tonifying prescription written by Doctor Lu, three doses, to be decocted once a day. It contains old ginseng, red dates, and astragalus, all of the best quality."

"This is black chicken soup with angelica root and goji berries. Drink it while it's hot."

As she spoke, the maids placed things on the table. Afu watched silently, without immediately responding.

She knew perfectly well that the Lady Hou gave her the tonics not out of pity, but out of guilt. The fact that she'd been forced to drink several bowls of contraceptive soup almost ruined her reputation was hardly flattering.

Sending the supplements here not only silenced the gossips but also put my mind at ease.

As for the matter of "not being able to drink the contraceptive soup anymore," it was probably a bigger headache for Lady Hou than for Afu herself. She couldn't drink it, but she didn't want her daughter to get pregnant, and she couldn't bear to see her son suffer. So she had to find another way.

"Madam, you've been too kind." Afu tried to get up and bow, but Granny Cui raised her hand and pressed her down.

"Please lie down, young lady, there's no need for formalities." Granny Cui's gaze lingered on the girl's pale face for a moment, a rare hint of genuine concern in her eyes. "Take good care of yourself these next few days; there's no rush for anything else."

"Once you recover, you can go to Cining Hospital to express your gratitude. The madam is kind-hearted and will certainly not mistreat you."

Afu lowered her eyes: "Yes."

After giving a few more instructions, Granny Cui led her people out. The room returned to silence, and the bowl of black chicken soup on the table was still steaming, its rich aroma of herbs filling the room.

Bai Zhi brought the soup over, stirred it with a small spoon, and handed it to Afu: "Sister, drink it while it's hot."

Afu took it, lowered her head, and took a sip. The bitterness of the angelica root mixed with the umami of the chicken soup, and the warm liquid slid into her stomach, making her feel quite comfortable.

She swallowed slowly, thinking to herself that this soup was her compensation for her work injury. She needed to take advantage of these few days to recover and couldn't go out with a deficit.

The meaning behind Lady Hou's words just now was quite clear; she probably still wanted to give her a formal title.

But the best compensation was never some concubine or maidservant; it was freedom, the emancipation document that allowed her to walk out of the Marquis's mansion with her head held high.

She couldn't speak directly right now, as the Lady Hou was feeling guilty. If she brought it up, it would seem like she didn't know what was good for her.

She'll have to wait until she's fully recovered, then bypass Lady Hou and ask Xie Xun directly. He personally promised to let her leave the manor, and although things changed a few days ago, he still said it, so she can't go back on her word.

Afu took another sip of soup, lowered her eyes, and swallowed back her thoughts.

.

Bai Zhi was carrying an empty bowl out when she suddenly heard footsteps coming from under the eaves.

She looked up and saw Changsong, with Doctor Lu following behind him, his medicine box still on his shoulder.

Bai Zhi quickly stepped aside to make way, and Doctor Lu nodded slightly before following Chang Song into the main hall.

Xie Xun sat by the window, a freshly brewed cup of tea beside him. His complexion had returned to normal, and the thin layer of red between his brows had faded, revealing his usual pale complexion.

Doctor Lu put down his medicine box and stepped forward to take his pulse.

He placed his fingertips on the silk cloth on his wrist, closed his eyes for a moment, and when he released his hand, his expression was much more relaxed: "The remaining poison in the young master's body has been cleared. He only needs to drink two more doses of medicine to strengthen his body and replenish his energy. There is no need to worry about him anymore."

Xie Xun responded, withdrew his hand, his fingertips resting on his knee for a moment, before suddenly asking, "How is that girl's health?"

Dr. Lu paused for a moment as he was packing his medicine box.

"Is the young master asking about Miss Afu?"

Xie Xun did not respond, but picked up his teacup and took a sip, which was taken as acquiescence.

After a moment's consideration, Doctor Lu said, "Miss Afu's condition... is more serious than we thought."

Xie Xun's fingertip paused on the rim of the cup for a moment: "How serious is it?"

"Her body had begun to reject the contraceptive soup, and coupled with overwork, this led to her fainting."

Xie Xun fell silent.

Seeing that he did not interrupt, Doctor Lu continued, "Moreover, judging from the current situation, this young lady's uterus is cold and congested with blood stasis, and she may have difficulty conceiving within the next three to five years. In addition, she will suffer from unbearable abdominal pain every time she menstruates."

The room was quiet for a moment.

Xie Xun put down his teacup: "There are quite a few maids in the back courtyard who use contraceptive soup, but this has never happened before."

Doctor Lu said, "Your Highness may not know, but the contraceptive soup is inherently a cold substance. If a woman takes it, she may experience uterine coldness in mild cases, or even infertility in severe cases. Most of the maids in the inner quarters are not favored by the emperor, so drinking it occasionally and taking care of themselves for a few days will not cause any major problems."

"But Miss Afu drank it for four days in a row, and the effects of the medicine accumulated rapidly and intensely."

He glanced at Xie Xun, frowned, and said, "In addition, this girl's constitution is inherently cold, and her cold energy is extremely heavy, which is truly rare. The clash between the two coldnesses has led to such a serious condition."

Xie Xun turned his head to look out the window. The pomegranate flowers under the eaves were in full bloom, their bright red color stinging the eyes.

He then remembered that during those three days, she had cried out in pain in a hoarse voice, her voice thin and weak, like a young animal unable to break free, muffled in the mattress, her voice trembling at the end.

At the time, he simply attributed it to the discomfort of being new to such matters and didn't think much of it.

Xie Xun was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice slightly: "Can it be cured?"

When Doctor Lu saw that he had asked about it, he breathed a sigh of relief: "It's a bit difficult, but with proper care, the cold toxins in the uterus can gradually dissipate over time, but the chances are slim."

Xie Xun's brow twitched slightly. When Doctor Lu said these words, there was a clear hint of uncertainty in his tone.

"understood."

He responded calmly, "Try your best to recuperate. Use whatever medicine you like. There's no need to go through the public accounts; just take it from my private treasury, Changsong."

Changsong immediately bowed: "Master."

"You handle this personally," Xie Xun said to Changsong, "escort Doctor Lu out."

Changsong responded and stepped aside to lead the way: "Dr. Lu, this way please."

When Changsong returned after seeing Doctor Lu off, he was carrying a blue cloth bundle. He hesitated for a moment at the door of the main room before lifting the curtain and going in. He placed the bundle on the corner of the table and said in a low voice:

"Master, the matter of going to the government office a few days ago to remove Miss Afu from the slave register has been settled."

He took out the release papers and the new household register, holding them with both hands. "The madam just sent word again that she wants to make Miss Afu her concubine. Should I go and refuse now?"

Xie Xun didn't reply immediately; he turned his head to look out the window.

He had always despised maids and concubines, but Afu was different. She served him wholeheartedly and was honest and dutiful. This time, she was injured because of him.

With her personality, even if she were kept by his side as a concubine, she wouldn't cause trouble or compete for favor when the mistress of the house came into the household.

"No need to refuse," Xie Xun said, his voice flat and indifferent. "Put away the release papers for now."

Changsong paused for a moment, then said, "What you mean, sir..."

Xie Xun raised his hand and pressed his temples, the pressure from his fingertips a little heavier than usual. "She injured herself at the Marquis's residence, so let her stay."

Changsong bowed his head and replied "Yes," then placed the emancipation papers and the new household registration back into the hidden compartment behind his desk before leaving.