Chapter 3: Offspring

"The Grand Secretary is in such a hurry for an heir..." After a moment of contemplation, Physician Shi finally dawned on the realization.

This powerful official had already passed his thirtieth year, yet he remained unmarried, let alone had any children. In the normal course of things, a man of such distinguished status and prominent position as the Grand Secretary should have long been surrounded by children, enjoying the warmth of a family. Yet, for some unknown reason, he remained solitary, with only an adopted son to attend to him.

"Then, is there a solution?"

"There are ways, of course, but I fear this young lady will have to endure some suffering." Physician Shi wore a troubled expression and said slowly, "Matron Chang from the palace possesses quite a talent when it comes to fertility treatments. Perhaps she could lend a hand."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao’s body trembled involuntarily. She shook her head desperately, filled with terror.

Less than half an hour later, Matron Chang was summoned to the Grand Secretary’s mansion. A perceptive woman, she grasped the situation from Physician Shi's mere fragments of speech. Inside the room, candles flickered, and the atmosphere was heavy.

"Young lady, remove your clothes and lie down," Matron Chang commanded coldly.

Su Yao paused, her fingers trembling as she reached for her collar. Matron Chang let out a cold snort. "Undressing so quickly—have you no sense of shame?"

Su Yao watched as Matron Chang approached, holding a silver needle. She was the fish on the chopping block, and they were the butchers. The moment the silver needle pierced her skin, a piercing pain swept through her entire body; Su Yao felt as though her very soul were being torn apart.

Matron Chang did not like the girl before her, but she had to admit that she was exceptionally beautiful. The entire process was long and agonizing. When it finally ended, Su Yao was drenched in sweat. As sweat rolled down her forehead, blurring with tears, she looked truly pitiable.

Matron Chang put away her needles. Only then did Lu Huaijin enter the room, wrapping a heavy cloak around Su Yao and pulling her into his arms. Su Yao’s lips trembled, her eyes lowered, and she remained silent.

"Yao'er, you have suffered. Soon, we will have a child of our own." His large palm rested gently on her stomach.

Su Yao felt a wave of nausea. She loathed this man. How could he expect her to bear his child after treating her with such despicable methods? She was exhausted, and her eyelids grew heavy.

When Matron Chang and Physician Shi received their heavy pouches of gold, expressions of surprise crossed their faces, secretly marveling at the Grand Secretary’s generosity.

"Did you take a close look at that girl?" Physician Shi, unable to suppress his curiosity, whispered to Matron Chang.

Matron Chang lowered her voice. "That girl has a face and a figure that are top-tier. Her skin is as white as jade, like polished fat. I took the opportunity while examining her to look closely; she is truly a born temptress. A mere gesture from her could steal a man’s soul. It is no wonder she has managed to bewitch our usually cold and self-restrained Grand Secretary."

"You must never speak of this," Physician Shi warned, glancing around to ensure they were alone, his expression tense. "Especially not in front of the Empress Dowager. Not a single word. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Do you take me for someone so tactless and dim-witted? I am well aware of the delicate relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Grand Secretary. To say nothing of this secret fertility treatment—if the Empress Dowager were to find out that the Grand Secretary is hiding such a woman in his back courtyard, it would turn the world upside down."

"Hush! Keep your voice down; walls have ears." Physician Shi reminded her again. The two exchanged a look, muttered a few more words, and hastily left the mansion.

***

In a small courtyard in the north of the city, Su Yao opened her eyes to find she had been moved to a small, elegantly furnished room. A maid brought over a bowl of black medicinal soup. "Miss, you are awake. The medicine is freshly brewed; drink it while it is hot."

"Where is this?"

"This is Furong Lane. The Master prepared this especially for you."

Su Yao furrowed her brows, the bitter scent of the brew making her nose wrinkle. "What is this medicine?"

"The Master ordered me to brew it. He said it is... a fertility tonic. Miss, please drink it."

"I won't drink it. Take it away."

"Please do not make things difficult for me, Miss. If you do not drink it, the Master will blame me, and I cannot bear the consequences." The whip marks visible on the maid’s wrists were striking.

Su Yao’s heart softened. She remembered Dingxiang, who used to serve her. On the night she was dragged back, to teach her a lesson, Lu Huaijin had ordered Dingxiang beaten to death right before her eyes. She closed her eyes. "Give it to me."

She took the bowl and drank it in one go without hesitation. The maid handed her a white silk handkerchief, and Su Yao wiped the residue from her lips. The pure white cloth was discarded onto the tray.

Su Yao spoke slowly, "What is your name?"

"My name is Chuntao."

"Chuntao?" Su Yao looked the maid up and down. She was around fifteen or sixteen, with a delicate face. It was clear she was a spy sent by Lu Huaijin to watch her.

Chuntao picked up a plate of dried plums from a small table. "The Master said you fear bitterness and prepared these candied fruits. They will help. The Master selected these especially for you—dried apricots, plums, and..."

Chuntao continued, "The Master also said he would come to accompany you whenever he has time. You are truly a blessed person, Miss. I can see that the Master treasures you deeply. If you can bear his child in the future, you might even be brought back to the mansion and raised to the position of a concubine—a fate many would kill for."

What others saw as a grand favor and immense pampering, Su Yao found to be mere crumbs of charity. She rolled her eyes; whoever wanted it could have it—she did not care for it. Su Yao did not seek wealth; she only longed to find her kin.

She had once been the daughter of a Minister, but after a family tragedy, the men were sent to the frontier, and the women were sold into the Ministry of Rites. Her mother and sister had died there. It was Lu Huaijin, whom she had respected since childhood, who had saved her.

She should have been grateful, but how could she accept that a man she regarded as an elder would do such things to her and strip her of her purity? From then on, their lives were inextricably tangled. She later realized she had merely escaped a wolf's den only to jump into a tiger's lair. She did not wish to be a plaything for thousands in the Ministry of Rites, nor did she wish to be his private captive.

Melancholy crept into her brow, and Su Yao did not want to think about it anymore.

"What time is it?"

"Just past the Hour of the Rooster. Are you hungry, Miss?"

"The Hour of the Rooster? Have I slept for so long?"

Su Yao looked through the lattice window at the bright moon hanging in the night sky, feeling a deep sense of gloom. She let out a long sigh; it was dark, but she had just woken up and could not fall back asleep.

"Would you like some dinner, Miss?"

The medicine had her stomach churning; she could not eat. "No, I want to lie down for a while longer." She pulled the quilt over her head.

Chuntao sighed and left the room with the tray. Before closing the door, she took one last look at the curled-up figure on the bed.

Su Yao could not fall asleep. She heard the door open again, followed by someone walking toward her. She recognized the familiar footsteps immediately. The bed beside her sank slightly, and a warm hand rested gently on her.

"Asleep?"

Su Yao did not want to acknowledge Lu Huaijin. She kept her eyes shut, pretending to be fast asleep. Lu Huaijin smiled helplessly. In the past, he had been ruthless and decisive; those who displeased him would simply disappear from the world. But now, when it came to Su Yao, he had become anxious and cautious. As long as she did not insist on leaving him, he would grant her anything.

"Are you trying to suffocate yourself?"