The next day, the moment Gong Xiaohua got up from bed, Qin Chuyuan also opened his eyes, preparing to get up.
Fortunately, there was a screen between the bed and the couch in between, avoiding embarrassment between the two.
Gong Xiaohua washed up quickly, then went out the door, leaving Qin Chuyuan alone in the room.
She found a secluded place in the Green Tide Courtyard to do morning exercises.
Because the army had just returned, they needed to recuperate, so the court had given her three days off. After three days, she would officially take over the Xiyuan Army in the east city of the Capital City.
Today she was going to the Ministry of Justice to hand over work, and also find her cheap apprentice to ask about the surgical tools.
She also needed to make some hemostatic powders and golden sore medicines to stop bleeding. The medicines she took to the Western Mountain Border last time were used up, so she needed to make more this time since she had time.
She also wanted to produce some antibiotics for later when she would do orthopedic surgery on Xiaonan. It would be best to use antibiotics to reduce inflammation and prevent infection after bone surgery.
She had to produce all of these in the three days, with every day's time fully scheduled.
As for Qin Chuyuan who stayed in the room, after tidying himself up, he tidied up the quilts and sheets on the couch and put them in the cabinet so his mother wouldn't find them.
After going out, he asked the little attendant next to him, "Where did the young mistress go?"
"Replying to Fifth Young Master, the young mistress is practicing martial arts in the back garden."
"Oh, I see. You can go now."
Qin Chuyuan went to the study. He had the habit of getting up early every day, then reading books in the study for a while, having breakfast afterwards, and finally going to the morning court session.
After he finished reading, Gong Xiaohua had already returned from morning practice.
"Mother just sent someone to inform us that we're having breakfast at her place today."
"Alright, I'll go change."
The hostess of Fusheng Courtyard was also already up by now, and Qin Chuqin had been living in her original attic and hadn't returned to the Zhou family.
Zhao Rou with her nephew Qin Ziyu, Qin Chuqin, Qin Chuyuan and Gong Xiaohua came to pay respects at Fusheng Courtyard one after another.
Third Madam Qin looked at Gong Xiaohua who entered with Qin Chuyuan. Although she wasn't the ideal daughter-in-law in her mind, she was still decent. Her son was also married now, which lifted a huge weight off her heart.
"Xiaohua, I heard you were conferred as the fourth-rank General Guangwei, in charge of the Xiyuan Army in the east city?"
"That's right."
"I heard the general in charge of the Xiyuan Army gets high official salary but it's an idle position. Usually you just have to clock in in the morning then you can come back. It's especially relaxing."
"That's good too. Now that you're married to Ahyuan, you girls should pay more attention to your husband after getting married. You two should prepare to have a child while you're still young."
Cough cough cough. Gong Xiaohua was caught off guard by Third Madam Qin's words and choked on her throat.
"My body is only 16 years old this year and not suitable for giving birth."
"What?" Third Madam Qin seemed to understand yet also didn't understand.
"Mother, what Xiaohua means is to wait until her body recovers before considering children, right, Xiaohua?" Qin Chuyuan quickly explained.
Gong Xiaohua looked at Qin Chuyuan silently, "What nonsense are you talking about."
"What does she still need to nourish with that lively body of hers?"
"Mother, you don't know Xiaohua was injured in battle before and needs to recuperate for a period of time."
"It's not too serious, is it? It won't affect future childbearing, right?"
"Rest assured, Mother. Xiaohua only has a deficiency of qi and blood. After six months to a year of nourishing she'll be fine."
"It takes that long? She looks ruddy and doesn't seem to have a deficiency of qi and blood. Are you two trying to fool me?"
"Alright alright, it's early in the morning and we're talking about this already. The children just got married recently. Having children will happen naturally later on, no need to worry about it now," said Third Master Qin.
At this time, the steward's voice came from outside, "Mistress, breakfast is ready, shall we start serving meals now?"
"Go ahead."
"Yes."
Little Qin Ziyu took the chance while his grandmother wasn't paying attention and ran into Gong Xiaohua's arms. Looking up at Gong Xiaohua, he said, "Auntie, are you going to get pregnant with a little baby soon? Then will Yuyu have a little brother or sister?"
A child's innocent words gave Gong Xiaohua another headache, especially since the child looked at her so innocently. Everyone else also looked towards her, so Gong Xiaohua could only pretend to say calmly, "Yes."
"Yay yay, Yuyu won't be alone anymore. I'll have a sibling to play with."
Third Madam Qin smiled with relief and finally let Gong Xiaohua off the hook.
The family happily started breakfast, but Gong Xiaohua didn't taste anything. She hadn't expected to face pressures of childbearing after getting married.
After the meal, Third Madam Qin ordered the kitchen to prepare Gong Xiaohua a bowl of ginseng soup with every meal.
Gong Xiaohua???
"Xiaohua, I heard your medical skills are good. Can you take a look at Qinqin? As you know, your sister-in-law has been married for years but never conceived. Can you see if there's a reason?"
"Mother, it's been so many years and seeing so many doctors were useless, why bother?"
"What are you talking about? As long as there's a ray of hope, don't give up."
"Xiaohua, take a look at Qinqin," Third Madam Qin looked at Gong Xiaohua expectantly.
"Mother, I can try, but I can't guarantee results."
"It's fine as long as you try your best."
"Sister, can I talk to you privately for a bit?"
Qin Chuqin nodded and followed Gong Xiaohua into the next room.
After a while, Qin Chuqin came out with a flushed face behind Gong Xiaohua.
"How is it? Any results? Can you see what the issue is?" Third Madam anxiously asked.
Gong Xiaohua's expression was a bit solemn. Just now in the room, she did a simple gynecological exam on Qin Chuqin and didn't find any issues.
Logically speaking, Qin Chuqin hadn't had any gynecological problems for years, so she probably didn't have fallopian tube blockage or water retention issues either. Plus she also looked at Qin Chuqin's ovaries and didn't see any cysts and the like. Her chances of getting pregnant should be quite big.
"I didn't see any issues with Sister's body."
"Even you couldn't find out what's wrong?" The last ray of hope was gone and Third Madam Qin said sorrowfully.
"It's too early to rule out possibilities. Sister, how many concubines does the Zhou family member have? Which concubines have given birth to children?"
Everyone looked at each other, confused. Qin Chuqin asked, "Xiaohua, what do you mean?"
"Just answer my questions."
"He has eleven concubines and only three have given birth to children for him."
Gong Xiaohua fell into thought, "Out of eleven concubines, only three gave birth. If there's no issue with the man, then more than three concubines should have given birth."
"If I'm not guessing wrong, the problem should be with the man."
Everyone was shocked when she said this.
"That's impossible. Zhou Zixuan has children."
"Then maybe they're not his biological children."
"Xiaohua, don't say things carelessly like this," said Qin Chuyuan.
"Whether I'm speaking carelessly or not, investigate the three concubines who gave birth to his children. Maybe you'll discover something."
"If this is true, then the grievance and cold eyes from outsiders that my Qinqin suffered in their Zhou family was for nothing."
Tears welled up in Qin Chuqin's eyes as over a decade's worth of repressed indignation dissolved.
"Let's not mention this to others for now and discuss long-term plans," said Qin Chuyuan.
"That makes sense."
After leaving Fusheng Courtyard, Qin Chuyuan and Gong Xiaohua headed towards the Qin family gate.
"Thanks for my sister's matter."
"Just lending a helping hand."
"Before breakfast earlier, Mother talked about that matter of having children. I can't solve that. If you want children urgently, do you want me to take a concubine for you?"
