Spring arrives and the land smiles

It's really nice not having to attend the morning court session, especially when spring is in full bloom.

Although Fuquan Palace is not luxurious, it is exquisite, with waterside pavilions, flower-lined streets, and a natural charm.

As Qingyan strolled along the winding corridor, embraced by Luo Qing, she asked, "Luo Qing, is there a way to have twins in one pregnancy?"

“No,” Luo Qing stopped and looked at Qing Yan. “Giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell, and twins are even more risky. We must not.”

"Then, what's the way to get a son in one go?" Qingyan smiled. It was just a question, but Luo Qing was so anxious. It seems I shouldn't tease him anymore.

"That's possible, but I can't guarantee it, though the chances are very high," Luo Qing said.

Since its founding, the Great Qi Dynasty has had a sacred precept that the heir apparent should be chosen first from among the legitimate sons, and if the heir is the eldest legitimate son, he cannot be changed unless he colludes with the enemy, betrays the country, or plots to usurp the throne.

Currently, no imperial consort has been appointed in the harem. Therefore, the child with Luo Qing can be raised under the imperial consort's name as the eldest legitimate son. Even if an imperial consort is appointed in the future, the status of the eldest legitimate son will be confirmed.

However, to have these, the prerequisite is that the child is a male heir.

If she is a princess, unless she does not have any more children, even if she is the eldest son of the legitimate wife, it will be of no use. However, after three to five years, her health will improve, and she may become pregnant even if she does not leave a child. If she gives birth to a boy, all her previous efforts will be in vain.

Qingyan told Luoqing all this, and Luoqing helped Qingyan sit down in the waterside pavilion, where they pondered for a long time.

"Qingqing, if you want to have a son in one go, then from today onwards you must listen to my arrangements."

"Okay." Qingyan kissed Luo Qing's cheek. "Brother Luo Qing, you'd better use all your skills, otherwise we'll just keep having babies until we have a boy."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qing's eyes lit up, and she said jokingly, "In that case, Qingqing is mine alone."

Qingyan smiled and gently punched Luo Qing's shoulder: "Dream on."

Luo Qing grasped Qing Yan's hand: "Alright, it's chilly at night, let's go back to the palace."

"Ah."

The main palace of Fuquan Imperial Palace was not large, just a small courtyard with three sections, located on the east side of the main palace. The two returned to the palace in just a few steps.

Luo Qing took out a purple porcelain bottle from the medicine box and handed it to Zhui'er: "Sprinkle the medicine powder into the hot spring, and let His Majesty bathe in it after it has completely dissolved."

Then he turned to Qingyan and said, "Qingqing, come with me."

Luo Qing led Qingyan to the inner chamber, carried her to the bed, and reached out to untie the sash around her waist.

Qingyan quickly pressed his hand down: "Brother Luoqing, it's been like this for several days in a row. Can we take a break, or... or maybe we can talk about it after you take a bath?"

Luo Qing smiled slightly: "It's a deal. If you want to have a son in one go, Qingqing has to listen to me."

Qingyan sighed helplessly and had no choice but to let go.

Luo Qing unbuttoned Qing Yan's clothes and then inserted three silver needles into her chest.

"Oh dear, so it's acupuncture." Qingyan stuck out her tongue.

"Qingqing," Luo Qing kissed her forehead, "starting tomorrow, you will begin taking medicinal meals. Don't be stubborn."

"Okay." Qingyan pouted.

Luo Qing pinched her cheek and smiled, "I'll eat with you."

"Brother Luo Qing is the best; he shares both joys and sorrows." Qing Yan smiled, pressed Luo Qing's hand against her face, and rubbed it against it.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Luo Qing finally removed the silver needles. By then, Qing Yan had already fallen asleep.

Zhui'er reported: The medicine powder has been dissolved into the small hot spring in the palace.

The reason why Fuquan Palace is named after Fuquan is because there is a hot spring here. It is said that in the early days of the Great Qi Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu originally planned to build a winter palace here to escape the cold, but he abandoned the idea due to the terrain and only built a small palace instead.

Therefore, every residence in Fuquan Palace has access to hot springs, making it very convenient and pleasant to soak in the hot springs right in the bedroom.

The hot spring in the main bedroom was naturally decorated according to the Empress's preferences. Luo Qing carried Qing Yan, who was half asleep, into the hot spring.

As soon as Qingyan stepped into the hot spring pool and the water touched her body, she woke up. The water was slightly warm, and it took Luo Qing a while for Qingyan to adjust before Luo Qing put her down.

"Brother Luo Qing, is there any medicine in the hot spring?" Qing Yan scooped up a handful of water and smelled it; there was a distinct medicinal fragrance.

"Qingqing has internal dampness and heat, and insufficient kidney yang. She needs to be regulated as soon as possible, which requires some extraordinary methods. These medicines can help," Luo Qing said.

"Brother Keluoqing is in good health. Will taking a medicinal bath with me be harmful to his health?" Qingyan had become a doctor after being ill for a long time and also knew a little about medicine.

"It's alright. If you want to have a son, both husband and wife need to work together. I know what I'm doing." Luo Qing pinched Qing Yan's chin and kissed her cheek.

"Alright, I'll believe you for now." Qingyan playfully splashed water on Luo Qing.

While soaking in the water, Qingyan developed many small red rashes on her arms. They didn't hurt or itch, but they looked a bit scary.

Luo Qing held Qing Yan's arm to examine her, then pulled her into her arms and gently coaxed her, "Don't look, it'll be fine in a bit."

"Mmm." Qingyan found a comfortable position in Luo Qing's arms and was soon coaxed to sleep by Luo Qing.

When she woke up again, it was already the next day at dawn. Qingyan was still in Luo Qing's arms, but she had been moved from the bath to the bed.

"Sigh, it's really gone." Qingyan waved her arm in front of Luo Qing, the little red rash had completely disappeared.

Luo Qing grasped Qing Yan's wrist and examined it closely, as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart.

"The damp heat has dissipated, and your body has become cold. You should rest for a while longer and you will be able to conceive."

"That's wonderful." Qingyan kissed Luo Qing on the corner of her lips.

When Zhui'er heard the noise in the inner chamber, she called out and came in to serve. After washing up, she brought Qingyan a medicinal meal.

Qingyan stared at the food bowl for a while, then turned to look at Luo Qing.

"Sweetie, finish it." Luo Qing patted her head.

Zhui'er smiled from the side, and didn't forget to serve Luo Qing a medicinal meal.

"Together." Qingyan pouted and stuffed the spoon into Luo Qing's hand.

Luo Qing smiled, opened the food bowl, and began to eat.

Qingyan resignedly lowered her head, closed her eyes, and ate.

The taste was slightly better than expected, and Qingyan finished eating quickly.

After staying at Fuquan Palace for three days, Qingyan took medicinal baths and ate medicinal meals for three days.

When they set off on the fourth day, Qingyan felt a little lighter.

"My brother, the divine doctor, truly lives up to his reputation; he unleashes his ultimate move with just one strike."

Inside the imperial carriage, Qingyan held Luo Qing's arm and praised her, causing Luo Qing to blush for a moment.

The rest of the journey would mostly involve traveling outdoors and sleeping in the open, with the nearest palace still a three-day journey away.

But Luo Qing didn't rest during these three days either. She continued to prepare medicinal meals every day and gave Qing Yan acupuncture every night.

Three days later, they arrived at the last imperial palace, Suining Palace.

Two more days' journey would take them to the Xilan Hunting Grounds, so Qingyan ordered a day's rest.

The Suining Palace was converted from a private garden belonging to a wealthy merchant from the previous dynasty. Therefore, it was not up to royal standards at all. The main courtyard where Qingyan and Luoqing stayed was pitifully small, so everyone else had to stay together. One room per person was the limit, and there was no way they could have their own courtyard.

As night fell, after dinner, Minister Cheng Xueli came to see Qingyan, who received him in a side hall of the main courtyard. However, when she returned to her inner chamber, Luo Qing was no longer there.

"Zhui'er, where did Luo Qing go?"

"Your Majesty, Lord Luo went out shortly after you left," Zhui'er replied.

"Did they explain where they went?"

Zhui'er shook her head.

This is strange. Luo Qing usually lets us know her whereabouts. What's wrong with her today?

Qingyan thought for a moment, then led Zhuier outside.

Just as Qingyan stepped out of the main courtyard through the moon gate, she ran into Luo Qing.

"What happened?" Qingyan saw that Luo Qing was unsteady and clutching his chest, so she quickly went forward to support him.

"Are you injured?" Qingyan quickly checked again, and only felt relieved when she did not smell any blood.

"It's nothing." Luo Qing coughed lightly twice.

Qingyan helped Luo Qing into the inner chamber and laid him down. Seeing his pale face, she asked with heartache, "You were fine at dinner, how did you become like this after only a short while?"

"I caught a slight cold, but it's nothing serious."

"Luo Qing, I'm not stupid." Qing Yan frowned. "Tell the truth."

Luo Qing forced a smile: "I thought I could just tough it out, but I didn't expect the medicine to be so strong. I was careless."

Luo Qing paused for a moment before continuing, "If Qingqing wants to have a son in one fell swoop, she will naturally have to use some extraordinary methods. My constitution clashes with the effects of the medicine, so I will inevitably suffer a bit when taking it, but it will be fine once the effects of the medicine wear off."

“You—” Qingyan bit her lip, “You promised me you wouldn’t harm your body. If you have to do this to conceive a son, then don’t force it.”

“I promised Qingqing that I would not break my promise,” Luo Qing said, holding Qingyan’s hand. “This medicine is harmless to the body, but it is very potent and will cause some suffering. It’s the same principle as good medicine tastes bitter.”

"Really?"

"real."

"Then, may I have Dr. He examine you?"

"Qingqing, you don't believe me? Fine, let's see." Luo Qing smiled.

“Zhui’er…”

"Yes, this servant will go and invite Chief Physician He right away." Before Qingyan could finish giving her instructions, Zhuier had already secretly chuckled and left.

When He Shou arrived in a hurry, led by Zhui'er, Luo Qing was already asleep. He checked her pulse and, after confirming that she was alright, Qing Yan let her go.

However, the next day, the most erudite old minister of the Censorate, Master Cen, insisted on submitting a memorial to Qingyan, arguing that a ruler should cultivate his character and temperament.

Qingyan glared at Luo Qing in anger.

Luo Qing smiled and hugged Qingyan tightly in her arms.