Chapter 15: Contraceptive Pills? How muddled!

Ji Qingrong was both ashamed and anxious.

In an attempt to win Lu Juan's heart, she had cast aside her dignity and reserve as the primary wife, employing every trick in the book in the bedroom.

Even so, despite sharing a bed almost every night, there was still no sign of pregnancy; instead, she had ended up with symptoms of yin deficiency and excessive internal heat.

She bit her lower lip hard, then released it, her tone filled with helplessness.

"Fifth Sister, as your elder sister, I won't hide this from you. When my eldest brother was on an envoy mission to Southern Chu, I specifically entrusted him to find a local divine physician specializing in infertility. I have consulted every famous doctor in Lin'an City."

By a stroke of luck, she had found her own fifth sister and brought her back.

"Eldest Sister, do you believe me?" Ji Qingwu asked.

Looking into Ji Qingwu's bright eyes, Ji Qingrong felt a flicker of doubt in her heart, but she nodded nonetheless.

Observing her complexion, Ji Qingwu analyzed steadily, "Eldest Sister, your constitution indeed requires careful regulation. However, besides that, there is an even greater issue within your pulse."

Ji Qingrong's heart tightened, and she asked urgently, "What is it?"

"Eldest Sister, is it true that every time your period approaches, your hands and feet become ice-cold yet you feel abnormally hot and crave cold food? And when your period comes, does it linger for several days before clearing?"

Seeing Ji Qingwu describe her symptoms so clearly, Ji Qingrong nodded earnestly.

"That is exactly it."

Ji Qingwu said, "I suspect you may have mistakenly ingested some medicine that damaged your foundation."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lady Qiao's expression changed instantly.

Who would dare be so bold as to drug the Consort of the Heir?

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingrong's expression grew even more unsightly; her beautiful face instantly dimmed, losing all color.

Seeing this reaction, Ji Qingwu realized that the medicine was likely not something Ji Qingrong had taken unknowingly; she was aware of it.

Sensing this, Lady Qiao pressed immediately, "Qingrong, have you been taking any medicine?"

With pale lips, Ji Qingrong said, "Mother, I once took contraceptive pills for a year."

Contraceptive pills?!

Lady Qiao was struck with horror. "Qingrong! How could you be so foolish!"

"When I first married, I was still young. I heard from my second sister-in-law that she encountered a hemorrhage during a difficult labor and almost didn't survive. I was truly terrified, so I sought out an old physician from Qingchun Hall to prescribe them."

Qingchun Hall was the most famous medical clinic in Lin'an City, possessing countless rare and precious medicines.

Ji Qingrong also knew that such medicine should not be taken recklessly, so she explained, "That old physician guaranteed me that these pills were infused with nourishing ingredients and would not damage a woman's body. Furthermore, I inquired and found that many noble ladies have used them as well."

Lady Qiao tapped her on the head in frustration, saying resentfully, "Now look at this—you've ruined your health. You didn't want to conceive when you could, and now that you want to, you cannot. What can I even say to you! This is nothing less than destroying your own defenses!"

"The medicine shouldn't be a problem; I investigated very thoroughly before," Ji Qingrong said stubbornly.

As the eldest daughter, Qingrong had always made her own decisions from a young age with few errors, and she was adept at applying logic to new situations. Whether reviewing account books or drafting orders, she managed the household affairs exceptionally well, and Lady Qiao had always trusted her.

However, this had also fostered a temperament of "doing big things in silence," as she was not in the habit of discussing matters with others.

A furrow appeared between Lady Qiao's brows in distress as she said sternly, "Qingrong, why didn't you come home to discuss this with me? You just followed your own whims and took those pills, and even took them for a whole year."

Facing Lady Qiao's reproach, Ji Qingrong began to waver.

But she knew that if she had told Lady Qiao, her mother would never have agreed; she would have only urged her to bear an eldest son as soon as possible to secure her footing in the Marquis of Zhongyong's manor.

It was just that her struggle to conceive was difficult, and she never imagined it was because of the contraceptive pills.

But it was too late for regrets; she could only pin all her hopes on her fifth sister.

Meeting Ji Qingrong's earnest gaze, Ji Qingwu said gently, "Eldest Sister, do not blame yourself. Since ancient times, childbirth for a woman has been like walking through the gates of hell. It was right to find a way to prevent pregnancy when you were not ready."

"Fifth Sister..." Ji Qingrong's eyes reddened again.

In truth, she blamed herself immensely. If she hadn't been so fastidious and overly cautious, she wouldn't have played such a good hand so poorly.

As the Consort of the Heir, if she could not produce a legitimate eldest son, she could only watch as her mother-in-law, under the pretext of having no heir, sent women into the Heir's chambers one by one. Although she had used her methods to win over Lu Juan for now, what about the future?

Lady Qiao let out a long sigh. "Xiao Wu, is there still hope for your sister's condition?"

Ji Qingwu asked, "Eldest Sister, do you have any remaining contraceptive pills? I want to identify the ingredients inside."

"I do," Ji Qingrong thought for a moment and said, "I didn't use them all, but the remaining pills are in a box inside the dowry cabinet in my room. I don't have them on me."

"No rush. I will go to the Marquis of Zhongyong's manor personally tomorrow."

***

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Ji Qingwu brought Jiu Jiu to Anju Courtyard, asking Lady Qiao and Nanny Li to look after her.

She sat in the carriage Lady Qiao had prepared for her and headed toward the Marquis of Zhongyong's manor. She leaned against the carriage wall with her eyes closed, dozing off, when she suddenly heard the neighing of a horse and the carriage came to an abrupt halt.

Her head hit the carriage wall with a loud *thud*.

Ji Qingwu opened her eyes and asked while clutching her head, "What happened?"

The driver replied, "Fifth Young Lady, someone is blocking the carriage."

Before she could react, the carriage curtain was unceremoniously yanked open.

The newcomer's eyes lit up upon seeing her, and he said with pleasant surprise, "You must be Fifth Sister."

Ji Qingwu frowned as she sized up the lecherous man before her, who was dressed in a deep blue brocade robe with a white jade flute hanging from his waist.

To intercept her carriage in the middle of the street and directly pull back her curtain showed a complete lack of etiquette.

Seeing her staring at him, Ji Changyan gave a sheepish laugh. "It's me, I'm your third brother."

Ji Qingwu might not have known, but now that she did, she was even more incensed.

Ji Changyan's absurd behavior of intercepting a lady's carriage on the street and entering without an invitation would, if spread, only lead people to say the Ji family lacked manners. In this world, the women of the Ji family would be dragged into the gossip as well.

"Fifth Cousin, long time no see." A voice laced with amusement came from behind Ji Changyan.

Ji Changyan lifted the curtain further and turned around. "Your Highness, you truly are prophetic. You recognized the Ji family carriage instantly and even guessed who was inside."

Prince Yong stood by the carriage, his wicked gaze fixed on Ji Qingwu's face before slowly sliding down to her waist.

Today, she wore a moon-white outer skirt made of woven cloud jacquard silk. Because it was so flowing, a silk sash embroidered with pale blue lotuses was tied around her waist, its pointed ends hanging at her sides.

Ji Qingwu snatched the curtain from Ji Changyan's hand, blocking that cloying gaze.

She said coldly, "Prince Yong, Third Brother, I have matters to attend to and am short on time. I shall not keep you both for conversation."