Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 790 - 788

Chapter 790: 788

After the Longevity Festival, Shangguan Wanru was to return to Nangong Country, so Xiao’er went to see her off.

Xiao’er, after some thought, gave Shangguan Wanru a medicinal pill: "Princess, this pill is for you. Take good care of your health".

Now that she had given the pill, Xiao’er had fulfilled her promise to her. Whether Shangguan Wanru would use the pill to save the emperor of Nangong Country was her concern now.

However, the emperor of Nangong Country was already at the age of natural death. Even if the pill cured his disease this time, when his body finally became exhausted, even a minor cold could be fatal. A cure may not last long.

As for how the emperor of Nangong Country was faring, it was none of Xiao’er’s business as long as Nangong Country did not initiate an attack on Minze Country.

Shangguan Wanru, holding the bottle and sitting in the carriage, looked at her family standing there. She felt a heavy sadness in her heart. She was a bit regretful. Had she known, she would not have married so far away.

The maid by Shangguan Wanru’s side glanced at the bottle in her hand, her eyes flickering: it seems that Princess Rui of Minze Country had still given the life-saving pill to the Crown Princess!

As the carriage went further and further until her relatives were no longer visible, Shangguan Wanru finally put down the curtain and placed the bottle of pills in her chest, and began to rest with her eyes closed.

The maid waited for a while, noticing Shangguan Wanru still had her eyes closed and seemed to be asleep. She added a bit of spice to the incense burner in the carriage.

After 30 minutes, the maid gently shook Shangguan Wanru: "Crown Princess, Crown Princess..."

Shangguan Wanru was fast asleep, showing no sign of waking up.

Seeing this, the maid secretly took out a bottle from her chest, poured out the pill inside, replaced it with another pill, and put the bottle back into Shangguan Wanru’s chest.

After finishing this, the maid replaced the spice in the incense burner and lit it again.

The maid who obtained the pill suppressed the excitement in her heart. After returning this time, she could become a concubine!

The pill she obtained before, after thorough examination by Doctor Xu, revealed most of the ingredients except one unknown. That must be the antidote pill. After all, when the Crown Princess of Prince An’s mansion ate it and then drank the medicine prescribed by the imperial doctor, she recovered from her disease.

Now, would this pill cure all diseases?

The master is determined to obtain the pill that saved the Crown Prince’s life, she must figure it out.

So, she promised her that if she can acquire more than two pills during her visit to Minze Country, she would promote her to the status of a concubine!

At first, she thought it was hopeless, but she didn’t expect the Heavens to be on her side!

...

After the Longevity Festival, the New Year was ushered in. On New Year’s Eve, the New Year’s Eve dinner was in the palace.

During the meal, Gu Qiqi vomited suddenly. The imperial doctor took her pulse and confirmed that she was pregnant. The Empress Dowager and the Empress were so happy that they rewarded her with a lot of things.

Shangguan Xuanjun was also grinning foolishly the whole time.

The atmosphere at the feast climaxed because of this.

The Empress Dowager was old and afraid of loneliness. She was reluctant to let go of this bustle and joy. After dinner, she continued to keep her children and grandchildren in the Cining Palace for the vigil.

Everyone gathered around joyfully eating fruits, chatting and laughing.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Xiao’er’s belly. The time difference between Shangguan Xuanjun and Shangguan Xuanyi’s marriages was not significant. Besides, the Emperor once sent Shangguan Xuanjun to eradicate the bandits, which kept him away from the Imperial Capital for more than three months. Not long after his return, Gu Qiqi became pregnant.

Shangguan Xuanyi and Shen Xiao’er have been married for half a year and were always together. They always held hands and showed affection in front of others. So, why was there still no movement in her belly?

Could it be that Shen Xiao’er had a health issue?

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager said: "Princess Rui, it has been half a year since you married Prince Rui. Why is there is still no movement in your belly? Is there a problem with your body?"

Your body has a problem! Xiao’er silently retorted in her heart. Then she responded: "Replying to the Empress Dowager, my body is in good health, thank you for your concern. The arrival of a child is determined by fate. When the time comes, the baby will naturally come."

"Let the imperial doctor examine you!" Despite the claim of good health, if you haven’t conceived in six months, the Empress Dowager was a bit skeptical.

"Sure!" Xiao’er agreed readily.

After all, there was nothing wrong with her body. Even if all the imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital were to check, it would be fine.

The reason she wasn’t pregnant was that Shangguan Xuanyi had taken a type of male contraceptive pill produced in her space. After taking this pill, men would not be able to get women pregnant for a year.

They had agreed in advance not to have children for the time being. Originally, Xiao’er wanted to take the contraceptive pill herself, but Shangguan Xuanyi refused. Every drug has a toxic effect, so he said he would take it. Therefore, Xiao’er produced a male contraceptive drug in her space that had no side effects.

The Empress Dowager, seeing her compliance, thought that Xiao’er intended to publicly comply but privately oppose. She would not invite an imperial doctor after returning to her mansion.

So, the Empress Dowager ordered a palace maid to invite the imperial doctor.

Inviting an imperial doctor to check up on New Year’s Eve, Xiao’er was shocked. The Empress Dowager’s mind worked in mysterious ways!

"Empress Dowager, the princess is in good health. Doctor Luo just mentioned that the princess is one of the healthiest women he has seen." Shangguan Xuanyi started talking.

It’s a happy new year, and her body is not ill or hurting. Why invite the imperial doctor? Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t like seeing Xiao’er encountering such bitter luck during the New Year.

"Perhaps Doctor Luo’s medical skills aren’t good enough. Go call for the director of the Imperial Hospital!" The Empress Dowager was determined to have Xiao’er see an imperial doctor in her presence!

Shangguan Xuanyi was about to say something, but Xiao’er quietly pulled his sleeve.

There was no need to cause unpleasantness over this minor matter during the New Year’s celebration.

The Emperor and the Empress were probably impatient. Now, proving that there is no problem with her body in front of everyone, no one could mention this issue in the future.

After all, Xiao’er had made up her mind not to have children for the next two or three years! It was annoying to be mentioned so often!

Shangguan Xuanyi looked at Xiao’er and suppressed his feelings.

The director of the Imperial Hospital arrived quickly. After paying his respects, the Empress Dowager said: "Imperial doctor, examine Princess Rui and see why there is still no movement in her belly after half a year of marriage."

Everyone frowned upon hearing this. The Empress Dowager could have used plenty of tactful phrases to request the imperial doctor to check Xiao’er’s pulse. However, she chose the most harsh and unpleasant one. The joyous atmosphere was instantly killed.

The director of the Imperial Hospital was stunned when he heard this. He was summoned on New Year’s Eve for this reason! He originally thought that the Empress Dowager was unwell.

This wasn’t an urgent matter. Being the New Year, why not wait for another two days? The imperial doctor grumbled internally but still respectfully agreed.

Xiao’er extended her hand for the director of the Imperial Hospital to take her pulse.

It was the first time the director was checking Xiao’er’s pulse. After checking for a while, he could not help but exclaim "Oh!"

The Empress Dowager was suddenly both anxious and hopeful. Hmm, if Shen Xiao’er truly couldn’t conceive, her position as Princess Rui would be in question!

Everyone was startled by the doctor’s reaction.