Chapter 42: An Unorthodox Remedy for Bearing a Son

Shen Mengli: "..."

She suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Was her mother-in-law actually pressuring her to have children? Heaven help her; she had only met the Heir a few times and they hadn't even consummated their marriage. Where was she supposed to conjure up a child for him?

"Mother, children are a blessing that comes in its own time. The Heir and I are still young; we will have children sooner or later."

Shen Mengli had no obsession with having children. People often said that a woman who had never been a mother was incomplete, but she did not share this view. Furthermore, children could be born to others; she did not care whether they were biologically hers. Even if a child came from another woman's womb, they would still have to address her as their legal mother in public. Her status would remain unshaken.

"That may be so, but it’s best to start preparing now. I can help raise them while I’m still spry. My friends of the same age are already enjoying the company of their grandchildren, and I’m so envious. Since both you and Yan’er are so good-looking, I can only imagine how beautiful your children will be."

The Princess of Duan leaned close to Shen Mengli’s ear and whispered, "I still have quite a few fertility remedies that were passed down from the palace. Do you need them, Li’er? I can write the prescriptions out for you."

Shen Mengli’s smile stiffened: "..."

Was this really the time to discuss fertility remedies? She hadn't even held the man’s hand; no amount of herbal medicine would help her conceive.

"Mother, there is truly no rush. Besides, taking too much medicine can be harmful to one's health. It is better to let nature take its course."

The Princess of Duan looked at Shen Mengli and suddenly realized something. "Li’er, tell me the truth. Have you and Yan’er not consummated the marriage yet? Are you still a virgin?"

What could Shen Mengli say? She could only nod in shy embarrassment.

"That brat! He is going to be the death of me. Does he think he brought a wife home just to leave her sitting on the shelf? If he didn't want to touch her, he shouldn't have married her in the first place. Since he did, he should treat her well. What kind of logic is this?"

The Princess of Duan had apparently forgotten that Qi Yunyan had never wanted to marry at all, and had only done so at her insistence.

"Li’er, you are just too naive. I tried to drug him back then to force the two of you together, but you were too restrained. Otherwise, I would have a grandchild by now. Should I find another opportunity to drug him again?"

Shen Mengli: ...

Listen to yourself. To suggest drugging your own son—how could you even think of such a thing?

Given your son’s stubborn, chaste nature, he would probably rather die than yield.

"No, starting tonight, I must make that brat stay in your courtyard until there is a child."

"Mother, these things cannot be forced. Besides, Concubine Lin is injured now, and the Heir is very worried; he will likely stay by her side to keep her company."

"How can it not be forced? I am his mother; if I say he goes, he goes. As for that Concubine Lin—it was only a few strokes of the cane, and she couldn't even handle that? Getting injured neither too early nor too late, but exactly when I’m trying to get a grandchild? It’s all my fault for being too hasty with the punishment and giving her a chance to take advantage of the situation."

Lin Qingyu: Was that "only a few strokes"? And to blame me after beating me—what kind of logic is that?

"Mother, given the Heir’s temperament, I’m afraid you cannot force him to do what he doesn't want to do. The Heir and Concubine Lin are currently deeply attached; he will not listen to anyone else. Once their passion fades, we can consider the matter of children. There is plenty of time, after all."

"But how long must I wait to hold a grandchild? No, I must think of a way."

The Princess of Duan pondered for a moment, then summoned her head maid, Baihe: "Baihe, go to the Qingfeng Pavilion and fetch the Heir for me."