TRBDM -Chapter 8 Deficiency of Kidney Essence

Dou Shuyao nervously twisted her sleeve, her expression flustered.

“Madam, please,” Imperial Physician Xiao said.

Dou Shuyao cast a pleading glance at Wei Zhaorong, but Wei Zhaorong kept her eyes closed, rolling her prayer beads as if deep in meditation.

Whether she stretched her neck out or shrank it back, the blade would still fall. At this point, Dou Shuyao could only resign herself to fate.

After Dou Shuyao left, Xie Chuan sprawled carelessly into a wooden chair and leisurely sipped his tea.

“Mother, you truly dote on your son. Now I finally understand why you invited Imperial Physician Xiao into the residence. Once it’s confirmed that that jealous shrew Dou Shuyao cannot bear children, I can rightfully marry Yi’er into the family. You have no idea how torturous it is for your son to face that dead-fish expression every day. If she weren’t the prime minister’s legitimate daughter, I would have divorced her long ago.”

Beaming with self-satisfaction, Xie Chuan laid bare his petty schemes without the slightest restraint.

Wei Zhaorong lifted her eyelids and cast him a cold glance. “Imperial Physician Xiao has yet to give his diagnosis. How can you be so certain?”

“Naturally because…”

Xie Chuan deliberately trailed off and shut his mouth. “Mother, no need to rush. Once my jealous wife comes out, I’ll tell you a piece of tremendous good news.”

Wei Zhaorong sighed inwardly.

This was the eldest son she had favored all her life in her previous life—how could he be so foolish?

That so-called good news was likely nothing more than an enormous green hat.

Imperial Physician Xiao spent even longer examining Dou Shuyao than he had with Xie Chuan. Growing impatient from sitting, Xie Chuan wandered to the corridor to tease a bird.

He drank three pots of tea, went to relieve himself twice, yawned from sheer boredom—and finally, the two emerged.

Dou Shuyao’s face was even paler than before, her body swaying as she needed a maid to support her.

Seeing her like this, Xie Chuan felt completely confident.

Putting on a show, he invited Imperial Physician Xiao to sit, though the smile tugging at his lips was impossible to suppress.

Wei Zhaorong opened her eyes and wrapped the prayer beads around her wrist. “Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician Xiao.”

“Ahem,” Xie Chuan cut in. “Imperial Physician Xiao, how is my wife’s diagnosis?”

The moment he opened his mouth, he asked about Dou Shuyao—making it clear he had already decided she was the one at fault.

Imperial Physician Xiao took a sip of tea and glanced around with a troubled expression.

Wei Zhaorong immediately understood. “Everyone except Nanny Qi may withdraw. Close the doors.”

All the serving maids retreated, and the doors and windows of the front hall were shut tight.

“Imperial Physician Xiao, have no reservations. Speak plainly.”

“Yes, yes, please tell us quickly,” Xie Chuan urged impatiently, eager for the result.

Imperial Physician Xiao gave a soft sigh. “Then I will speak frankly. First, the Madam. Her pulse is somewhat superficial and deficient—there is a mild loss of qi and blood. However, this is not a major issue. I will prescribe some warming and nourishing medicine. With gradual recuperation, she will recover within two months.”

“Imperial Physician Xiao, do you mean… there is nothing wrong with me?” Dou Shuyao asked, her voice trembling with both joy and disbelief.

“That is correct. Madam’s body has no problems whatsoever.”

Dou Shuyao nearly burst into tears on the spot, but with so many people present, she forcibly held them back.

“As for the Eldest Young Master…”

Wei Zhaorong said, “Imperial Physician, speak directly.”

“The Eldest Young Master’s pulse is deep, thin, and rough. This indicates a congenital deficiency of vital essence and damage to the kidney origin.”

“What?” Xie Chuan leapt to his feet. “Imperial Physician Xiao, what do you mean by that?”

“Imperial Physician Xiao, are you saying that my Chuan’er suffers from kidney essence deficiency, resulting in cold semen and difficulty in fathering children?” Wei Zhaorong stated bluntly.

“That is indeed the meaning.”

“Impossible!” The healthy flush on Xie Chuan’s face vanished in an instant, his expression turning dark and stormy. “Physician Xiao, I have always respected you as a divine healer. Why would you fabricate such claims about me today?”

Dou Shuyao suddenly lifted her head, staring in disbelief at the furious Xie Chuan.

So it wasn’t her problem—but his?

“Chuan’er, do not be rude. Physician Xiao once served as His Majesty’s imperial physician. How dare you question his expertise?”

“Mother, there is absolutely nothing wrong with me, because—because Yi’er, she…”

“Chuan’er!” Wei Zhaorong sharply cut him off. “Let us first hear whether Physician Xiao has a treatment.”

Physician Xiao said calmly, “Young Lord, there is no need for excessive worry. Your condition is not beyond remedy. I shall prescribe Eucommia bark, deer antler, and cistanche, to be taken with deer-blood wine, supplemented with tortoise-shell gelatin to strengthen the foundation and nourish the essence. At the same time, I will apply the Taiyi Divine Needles to warm and unblock the Ren meridian. However, you must abstain from alcohol and sexual activity for one hundred days. Only when your essence chamber is replenished will you be able to continue the family line.”

“One hundred days?” Xie Chuan’s eyes widened. Wasn’t that asking for his life?

Lust was in a man’s nature—how could he possibly restrain himself?

“Then we shall trouble you, Physician Xiao. Chuan’er, do not fret. This is not some incurable disease. Physician Xiao will certainly heal you.”

“Mother!” Xie Chuan felt as though countless ants were crawling over him. His earlier swagger had long been replaced by shame, and he could not even bring himself to look at Dou Shuyao.

Physician Xiao had no wish to entangle himself in the Hou residence’s domestic affairs. Rising, he cupped his hands in farewell. “Old Madam, I shall take my leave. Once I finish writing the prescription, I will have someone deliver it to the residence.”

“I shall not detain you further. Someone, see Physician Xiao out.”

After he left, Wei Zhaorong turned to her son. “Chuan’er, earlier you mentioned Liu Yi’er. What about her?”

“She…” Xie Chuan stammered. “She…”

“What about her?” Wei Zhaorong pressed.

“She is already two months pregnant.”

At these words, Dou Shuyao clenched her teeth in fury, nearly twisting her handkerchief to shreds.

“Oh? Already with child? You heard what Physician Xiao just said—your essence is cold and weak, making conception difficult. You have been married to Shuyao for three years, yet her womb has shown no sign. How is it that Liu Yi’er conceived so quickly?”

“Obviously because Physician Xiao misdiagnosed me! Mother, Yi’er’s pregnancy proves that I have no problem at all. The one with the problem is her!”

Xie Chuan pointed at Dou Shuyao.

“Xie Chuan, you are talking nonsense! Mother and Nanny Qi were both present today. Physician Xiao clearly said my only issue is a deficiency of blood, which can be remedied with some warming tonics. The one with the problem is clearly you, yet you pin it on me—what kind of man does that make you?”

Bolstered with confidence, Dou Shuyao raised her voice even louder than his.

“Silence, both of you! Why are you shouting? Do you want the entire capital to know that Chuan’er has a hidden ailment?”

Wei Zhaorong slammed her hand against the table, startling them both into immediate silence.

Family scandals must not be aired in public. They could quarrel behind closed doors, but once word spread, the entire Hou residence would be disgraced.

“Tomorrow, have Liu Yi’er come to the residence to see me.”

“Mother!” Dou Shuyao was stunned. She had thought that after Physician Xiao’s diagnosis, that vixen Liu Yi’er would never be allowed into the residence. Yet Mother now wanted to see her.

Unlike Dou Shuyao’s shock, Xie Chuan beamed with delight. “Mother, thank you, Mother.”

He thought to himself that his mother truly favored him.

Even if Physician Xiao had discovered his hidden ailment, what elder would not love her own child? She had longed for a grandson for years—now that one seemed ready-made, how could she not be pleased?

Thinking of Liu Yi’er’s understanding nature, her gentleness and kindness, the way she revolved around him in all things, Xie Chuan could hardly wait to return to her tender embrace.

Wei Zhaorong watched her son’s lust-filled expression and felt her eyes burn at the sight.

Tomorrow, she would let her dear son witness a fine performance indeed.