Every time she used the calming incense for others, Su Xin was well-prepared for Lu Nianfu’s questions.
She slapped her head, feigning regret. "This servant forgot to tell you. The Earl has always had trouble sleeping, so calming incense is always lit in his room. It's only extinguished when guests arrive, but if too much is used, there's bound to be a residue. This servant and Su Yue are used to it and feel nothing, but of course, it's different for you. I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly today, and the incense hasn't even been extinguished yet. Naturally, you'd feel drowsier faster."
"I see," Lu Nianfu said, relieved. She had almost thought something was wrong with her health.
"You've already inhaled the scent, and you must be feeling very sleepy now. This servant will take you to rest first."
"No need, I came to visit him, not to sleep."
"The Earl cherishes you the most; he wouldn't bear to see you struggling to stay awake for him. Listen to this servant, there's no antidote for this incense. The only thing to do is rest well. You won't be able to hold on for long even if you try."
She wanted to return to her own courtyard, but before she could take a few steps, she collapsed again, caught by Su Xin.
Meanwhile, Su Yue had already prepared needles and a bowl.
Lu Nianfu woke up feeling dizzy and disoriented. She pressed her temples and saw Qing Ya guarding outside the tent, so she called out, "How long did I sleep?"
"An hour. Huh? Did you not sleep well, miss? Why is your complexion so pale?"
"Perhaps. How is my father?"
"He woke up once, drank some medicine, and fell asleep again. According to Aunt Su Xin, he should have made it through this time."
"That's good then," Lu Nianfu said. "Let's go see him, and then we'll head back. Ah Yan said he'd go find the Crown Prince today to resolve the matter with Jiao Jiao, so it should be about time for results."
"Then this servant will help you get ready."
Lu Nianfu's head was still a bit dizzy. She let Qing Ya help her dress and then stood before the bronze mirror to apply makeup. "Miss, your complexion isn't right. It's really too pale. Why don't we go back and summon an imperial physician to examine you? Speaking of which, you have been getting drowsier than usual recently."
"Perhaps I've been tired lately."
"Indeed. One thing after another without a moment's rest; even an iron person couldn't bear it. Why not hand over the business matters for now and focus on recuperating and bearing a little heir? That should be your top priority."
Making money used to be very important to her. But now that her husband had become a prince, it was truly unnecessary for her to focus all her energy on the family business.
A casual reward from the Emperor could easily exceed her entire fortune.
Lu Nianfu: "...Finally, there's no mother-in-law rushing me to have children, and yet here you are, helping her rush me."
Qing Ya smoothed her hair and expertly tied it into a falling-horse bun. "Miss, don't take it lightly. Yes, you only consummated with your husband after the mourning period, but how would outsiders know that? They'll just say you've been married for three years without any offspring. So many people are eyeing the position of Princess Rui. If you don't quickly give birth to a little heir, how can it work?"
Lu Nianfu touched her stomach. "I want to, too, but it's not something that happens just by wanting it, is it?"
"Right, you need to take action, like maintaining good health. By the way, does my husband need a tonic too? Should I ask Aunt Cui to make him a 'Ten-Ingredient Supreme Tonic Soup' or something?"
"You should say that to your husband's face."
Qing Ya decisively retracted her neck. "I was just joking, ha, ha, ha. With my husband's physique and martial arts, how could he possibly need a 'Ten-Ingredient Supreme Tonic Soup'? You're the one who needs it, miss. I'll go find Aunt Cui later and ask her to make you some yin-nourishing soup."
Lu Nianfu pinched her. "The more you talk, the less proper you become."
She couldn't help but worry. Qing Ya was already so immodest before marriage. If she got married later, wouldn't she spew out vulgarities at the drop of a hat?
Tsk, she wondered if Shou Cheng would even like that kind of talk.
After getting ready, Lu Nianfu went to the main courtyard. The Marquis of Pingning was indeed still asleep, but his complexion had improved significantly since her arrival. She worriedly asked, "Is there really no other way for Father's illness?"
It wasn't a good situation to be in constantly like this.
With occasional life-threatening moments, she felt her heart could hardly take it anymore.
To speak impiously, she was fortunate it was him; if it were Lu Chaosheng causing such trouble, her heart would have already developed a problem. Ultimately, their feelings weren't that deep.
Su Xin sighed. "All the imperial physicians have examined him. Being able to keep him stable like this is already a blessing."
Lu Nianfu had no other recourse but to instruct her to find her if any medicinal ingredients were needed.
In the vast Marquis of Pingning's manor, the master was gravely ill, the mistress was devoted to Buddhism, and the only daughter, Zeng Weiyang, was also frail and sickly.
Lu Nianfu suddenly thought of the phrase "a great building about to collapse."
It was a perfect description for the current Marquis of Pingning's manor. Just thinking about it brought a pang of sadness. If there had been just one more male heir in the household, would it have come to this?
Lu Nianfu's desire for a child became even more urgent.
As they left the Marquis of Pingning's manor, Qing Ya couldn't help but exclaim once they were in the carriage, "Miss, that person is really Uncle Yan."
Uncle Yan was indeed someone from the Marquis of Pingning's household. Lu Nianfu immediately put away her laments. "It's really him? Who was he meeting?"
Qing Ya enunciated clearly, spitting out five words: "The Marchioness of Pingning."