"I..."
Chu Chenyi was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to refute.
It was precisely because Ling Mohan had spoken the truth, but if it weren't for Lin Yuwei's insistence on not going, he wouldn't have bothered to join the fray.
The room was packed with women, and he was the only man, making him feel like an anomaly. He couldn't speak, nor could he not speak, and just sat there foolishly until someone left, and then he found an excuse to leave with them.
"Don't mock me about this. If Lin Yuwei hadn't been unwilling to go, I would never have gone even if you beat me to death."
It was originally Lin Yuwei's task, but who knew she would suddenly act spoiled and refuse to go, forcing him into a difficult situation.
If no one from Prince Jing's manor was present, and the Empress found fault, it would be another troublesome matter. Currently, the affairs in Xiliang had already left him overwhelmed; he had no time to deal with the Empress.
"You seem quite happy, not showing any signs of being forced."
After carefully observing Chu Chenyi, she truly couldn't see any trace of unwillingness on him; instead, he looked quite happy.
"What nonsense are you talking about? This prince is extremely unwilling."
Chu Chenyi expertly concealed his embarrassment. He would never admit how happy he had been watching at the time. He had grown up in the palace and had witnessed many struggles among women, but it was rare to see someone like Feng Ruoyan causing such a commotion.
However, what intrigued him most was not Feng Ruoyan, but Liu Menghan, who had remained silent throughout. The fact that she could tolerate a concubine causing such a scene and yet smile and accept everything revealed the depth of her scheming.
...
"Sister Feng Jin, please have some tea first. This tea is the newly presented Yuqian Longjing from this year. Please taste it and see how it is."
Feng Jin lowered her eyelids and glanced at the teacup, then at Lin Yuwei. Resting her chin on her hand, she looked at Lin Yuwei with interest: "Just say what you want directly. There's no need to beat around the bush or try to appease me with gifts."
Her intentions exposed, Lin Yuwei smiled shyly, gently took Feng Jin's hand, and asked, "Actually... actually... I wanted to ask... ask about praying for children..."
"Cough... cough..."
The tea in her mouth suddenly choked in her throat, and Feng Jin coughed violently, taking a while to slowly recover.
"I'm not the Goddess of Childbearing. I truly have no way to help with praying for children. Otherwise, I'll accompany you to worship the Goddess of Childbearing?"
She really couldn't decide anything about having children, but she did know which temple was most effective for praying for them, so she could take Lin Yuwei to try. It would be of some use anyway.
Lin Yuwei hurriedly shook her head and explained again, "Sister Feng Jin, that's not what I meant. I want you to check my body to see if... if it's..."
She found it difficult to utter the remaining words. She was too embarrassed to say such things.
It was only when she returned to the Marquis's manor last time that her mother suddenly asked about her offspring, which made her worry. Could it really be a problem with her body?
Regarding a woman's privacy, a long period of childlessness was grounds for divorce under the Seven Grounds for Divorce. Moreover, she was married into royalty, where offspring were even more important. She couldn't find a imperial physician to inquire about this matter, so she could only ask Feng Jin.
"You think it's your body that's the problem, and that's why you haven't had any children?"
Lin Yuwei nodded shyly and quickly said, "Sister Feng Jin, please check if it's my body's problem that's why I haven't had any children?"
"The matter of offspring is decided by both husband and wife, and it is not solely a woman's problem. I think you should go see Prince Jing together and see whose problem it is."
"You mean to call Prince Jing over, and both of us should be examined!"
Lin Yuwei asked again in surprise. It was truly the first time she had heard Feng Jin say such things. Since ancient times, wasn't having children always the woman's responsibility? How could it now be the man's responsibility too?
If such words, which went against established norms, were to spread, she would surely be accused of rebellion. Lin Yuwei was so frightened that she dared not think further and said worriedly, "Sister Feng Jin, you can just say such things to me. Please don't say them in front of outsiders, or you'll be pointed at and cause big trouble."
"This is the truth. Having children is the responsibility of both men and women. Have you ever seen a woman who can give birth to a child all by herself? And the birth of boys and girls is entirely determined by men, and has nothing to do with women!"
She truly couldn't accept the ancient notion of male superiority and the ignorant belief that childbirth was solely the woman's responsibility.
"But... but since ancient times, hasn't this always been a woman's affair?"
Lin Yuwei had also never heard such words before, and for a moment, she couldn't accept it. She somewhat believed what Feng Jin said, but her years of upbringing kept telling her it was wrong, leaving her in a dilemma.
"I'm not expecting you to believe me, but all I want to tell you is that you can never have children by yourself."
Lin Yuwei lowered her head and remained silent for a long time. After a pause, she looked up at Feng Jin again and said, "Then, Sister Feng Jin, please examine me first to see if it's my body's problem."
Unable to resist Lin Yuwei's persistence, Feng Jin reluctantly agreed, "Extend your hand, let me take a look first."
Feng Jin placed her hand on Lin Yuwei's wrist, her eyes darting slightly. After a moment, she said, "There are no problems at all. You are very healthy."
"If I don't have a problem, then... then is it Chu Chenyi who has the problem..."
This thought suddenly arose in her mind, and Lin Yuwei blurted it out subconsciously. After saying it, she realized what foolish words she had just uttered and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Looking around, she confirmed that no one else was present and then slowly breathed a sigh of relief, patting her frightened heart, "Fortunately... fortunately, no one heard."
"Who didn't hear what?"
Chu Chenyi's questioning voice sounded from behind Lin Yuwei. Her relaxed nerves suddenly tensed up again. Lin Yuwei felt a chill run down her spine and her mind raced, trying to figure out how to deceive him.
"What were you two talking about?"
Seeing that neither of them answered, Chu Chenyi patiently asked again.