Yue Jian had to admire.
Perhaps it was due to the heavy rainfall, but the Eastern Capital, which usually became unbearably hot in July, was much cooler this year.
As a result, the business for many ice cream shops was not as good as before.
Thus, the weather truly influenced the livelihoods of many common people.
Just as everyone was discussing this unusual weather, good news emerged from the Prince Kang's mansion and the Bai family.
Xiao Muqian and Bai Siruo, who had been engaged for a long time, were finally getting married.
The wedding date was set for the eighteenth of September, a rare auspicious day.
September also brought clear autumn skies, and family members who were traveling abroad could return to witness their happy moment, so both of them were very pleased.
Currently, Xiao Muqian held a nominal position in the capital, so he had plenty of time.
Every day, he found excuses to visit the Bai family, either to send gifts to the elders or to ask Bai Siruo out.
If someone had told him in the past that he would be so infatuated with someone, wanting to be with her every moment, he would have thought that person was talking nonsense.
Therefore, matters of the heart could easily cloud one's judgment.
Although there were whispers behind their backs that it was inappropriate for them to meet so freely after their engagement,
fortunately, the future in-laws, the Prince Kang's mansion, were willing, and the bride's family, the Bai mansion, were also happy, so such gossip naturally went unheard.
When the news reached the Liang family, Wei Lanxuan felt indifferent, but Liang Luo, who was still drinking bitter medicine in bed, felt an indescribable envy.
In the past, she always competed with Bai Siruo.
Firstly, it was out of jealousy; why was Bai Siruo born into a high position while she had to curry favor with Wei Lanxuan.
Secondly, Bai Siruo was even more "unlearned" than her, yet others saw her as charming and cute, while she was labeled as overbearing.
Thus, these mixed feelings led to her strong animosity towards Bai Siruo.
Now, Bai Siruo's future husband had a promising future, but what about her? Not only did she have to share a husband with another woman, but she also had to compete for his affection.
Thinking of this, her illness would always relapse.
Wei Lanxuan came to see her, her eyes filled with surprise and a hint of concern.
"How could you have become so thin in just a few days?"
The Blood Cold disease was most consuming of one's vital energy and blood. Coupled with Liang Luo's intentional neglect, her condition worsened, leading to increasing depletion.
"Sister-in-law, these bitter medicines are making me feel miserable, and they don't seem to be working."
"No, you can't continue like this. We should invite an imperial physician from the palace to examine you. Aunt mentioned that there is a physician who is particularly skilled in treating women's and children's ailments. I will send a letter of invitation."
Liang Luo knew Wei Lanxuan meant well for her, but some things she couldn't bring herself to say.
She could only weep continuously, and Wei Lanxuan mistook her tears for worry about her condition and her inability to marry into the Prince Li's mansion.
So she comforted her, "Don't be afraid. Aunt is a woman of her word. Since she has promised you to Prince Li, she will not go back on her promise. Just focus on recuperating."
Upon hearing this, Liang Luo's tears flowed even more profusely.
Compared to Liang Luo, Wei Lanxuan looked significantly better.
Liang Luo, who should have been in her prime, now looked like an old woman, pale and emaciated.
After leaving the courtyard, Wei Lanxuan sent someone to deliver a letter to summon the imperial physician.
Then, she had someone administer a calming soup to Liang Luo. While Liang Luo was falling into a deep sleep, she had her pulse taken.
The result was a piece of news that left Wei Lanxuan somewhat stunned.
"Miss Liang's body appears to have been poisoned with a sterilizing agent. This medicine not only prevents childbirth but can also cause severe bleeding in unfortunate cases. Miss Liang's current deficiency in both qi and blood is likely due to this medicine."
"Sterilization!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Lanxuan was so shocked her mouth hung open.
She had not yet married into the Prince Li's mansion, so why would someone target her and ruin her future so early?
Without children, even if she were to enter the Prince Li's mansion now, it would be useless.
Not only would her aunt-in-law dislike her, but the Ninth Prince would too. What value did a woman who couldn't bear children hold in their eyes?
Her mind was in turmoil, but she knew it would be difficult to ask the imperial physician to conceal this matter, leaving her at a loss for what to do.
However, the imperial physician's next words rekindled some hope.
"Fortunately, Miss Liang has not taken much of the medicine, and the recent bleeding has reduced its efficacy somewhat. If she begins proper treatment from now on, there may still be a chance in the future."
Hearing this, Wei Lanxuan immediately sent someone with a thousand taels of silver notes.
Although imperial physicians were stationed in the palace and had seen all sorts of valuable items, a thousand taels of silver notes was not a small sum, so the imperial physician was still taken aback when he saw it.
"The imperial physician also knows that she is destined to marry into the Prince Li's mansion. The importance of children needs no further explanation from me, so I implore you to treat her well. If she can successfully give birth to a child in the future, let alone a thousand taels, ten thousand taels of reward would not be out of the question."
"Thank you for your trust, Madam Liang. I will do my utmost."
As the silver notes were presented, Wei Lanxuan wanted to give more instructions, but the imperial physician, having navigated the intricacies of the palace, was astute. Before Wei Lanxuan could finish speaking, she heard him calmly reply.
"Miss Liang merely has some deficiency in qi and blood. She just needs to rest well. What to say and what not to say, I am aware of."
"Thank you, imperial physician."
With that, she had someone escort him to the side hall to write a prescription and then respectfully saw him off.
Wei Lanxuan was now five months pregnant, her belly slightly protruding, but she wore loose clothing, so it was not very noticeable.
She walked to Liang Luo's bedside and saw her frowning even in her sleep, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Regardless, this younger sister-in-law treated her quite well. Moreover, if she could establish herself firmly in the Prince Li's mansion, the Liang family would also benefit. Therefore, from any perspective, she would find a way to help Liang Luo solve this problem.
Perhaps it was truly the imperial physician's medicine that cured her, or perhaps the medicine had a calming effect.
In any case, after switching to the imperial physician's medicine, Liang Luo spent most of her time sleeping or eating, and her condition visibly improved day by day. Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince and Princess Huaran were married first.
When a prince married, the ceremony was naturally grand.
With ten miles of red silk and decorations, the Prince Li's mansion was adorned with red and festive colors.
Although Princess Huaran was not the first choice of daughter-in-law for Consort Wei, she did not show it at this moment.
In the Hall of Harmony, the Ninth Prince and Princess Huaran had already paid their respects to Emperor Qi and the Empress. Now, they were here to pay their respects to Consort Wei.
Seeing her son finally married, Consort Wei's joy was evident, yet tinged with a hint of sadness.
From now on, the Ninth Prince would no longer be her beloved son by her side. He was to be a husband, a father, and in the future, he would have to bear more responsibilities.