Qi Tianming soothed Ru Yan while signaling the physician to examine her.
"Replying to Marquis, this maid has a special constitution and cannot consume white fungus. She likely did not know," the physician said after a careful examination. "It's nothing serious, a few doses of medicine will suffice. Just remember not to let her eat it again in the future."
So, it was true that she couldn't eat white fungus. The maid hadn't lied.
"Are you certain the white fungus was fine?" Ru Yan asked.
The physician frowned. While his medical skills were not miraculous, he had dedicated years to diligent study and considered himself proficient. He had examined the dish carefully just moments ago, and the concubine did not seem to trust him.
"If the concubine does not believe me, she is welcome to find a more skilled physician," the physician said calmly.
"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that I've never heard of anyone who couldn't eat good things," Ru Yan said with a laugh, followed by a retch.
A wave of nausea washed over her, and Ru Yan, covering her mouth, rushed to the washroom. She vomited until she could barely stand, only then feeling slightly better. The young maid who followed quickly offered her mouthwash, helped her rinse, and tidied her hair and attire before supporting her as she walked out.
She had been fine just moments ago, but now her complexion was pale, and she swayed as she walked. Qi Tianming quickly instructed the physician to feel Ru Yan's pulse.
"It's nothing serious, Marquis. Perhaps I was a little greedy and ate too many lychees earlier, which made me feel unwell. This lowly maid is not destined to enjoy such precious fruit," Ru Yan said weakly.
The physician took the pulse from both of Ru Yan's wrists, and after confirming it, he spoke, "Congratulations, Marquis. The concubine is with child, about a month along."
"With child?" Qi Tianming repeated, his face etched with disbelief. "Did I hear correctly? You say Ru Yan is pregnant?"
"The Marquis heard correctly, the concubine is pregnant," the physician repeated.
The youngest child in the estate was Qi Yi, who was already eight years old. This meant it had been eight years since such joyous news had graced the Marquis's estate. The sudden, overwhelming joy almost overwhelmed Qi Tianming.
Ru Yan also covered her mouth, her face a mask of disbelief. The old woman by her side, who had some knowledge of medicine, had not been entirely certain of her pregnancy. Now that the physician had confirmed it, she was also overjoyed. A concubine's status rose with her child, and even if that wasn't the case, she would have support in the future. For a concubine, this was momentous news.
"Rewards! The entire household shall receive rewards," Qi Tianming declared happily. "Ah, Chang Shun, quickly go and inform the Old Madam so she can be happy too. No, you come back. I'll go myself later. Physician Wang, how is Ru Yan's health? Are there any precautions? What should she pay attention to in her diet? Tell me everything, so we can ensure everything is perfect. You diagnosed her pregnancy, so why don't you be in charge of Ru Yan's recuperation from now on? You don't need to attend to anyone else in the estate, only her."
The physician bowed and accepted the command. He then carefully felt Ru Yan's pulse again. After a moment, he said, "The concubine's body appears to be in good condition, but she has actually taken a lot of medicine, and her foundation is somewhat depleted."
"Taken medicine?" Qi Tianming was taken aback. "What medicine?"
"Contraceptive medicine," Physician Wang replied after a slight hesitation, choosing to speak the truth.
The joy on Qi Tianming's face vanished instantly, replaced by anger. He was somewhat aware of Madam Qin's underhanded tactics. He had warned her several times, and she had curbed her behavior, making him believe she had realized her mistake and he had stopped paying attention. Who would have thought... it was truly despicable!
"Will it affect the child?" Qi Tianming asked, suppressing his anger.
"With proper care, the child should be fine, but the concubine will indeed suffer," Physician Wang said, choosing his words carefully. "It is likely that childbirth will also be difficult."
"Are there any methods to improve her condition?" Qi Tianming asked. He had a certain fondness for Ru Yan, and with her carrying his child, it was a great contribution. He did not want only the child to be safe while the mother suffered.
"This old man cannot say for sure. We can only provide good care and see. Regarding her diet, I will write a list, and it must be strictly followed. I will also list the taboos and find a suitable person to look after her," the physician said.
Qi Tianming nodded. "Very well."
"Marquis, the people around me are all clumsy. They are fine for everyday use, but at this moment..."
"Do not worry. I will inform my mother later and ask her to assign two reliable people to assist you," Qi Tianming said, patting Ru Yan's hand reassuringly. "You don't need to think about anything else. Just listen to Physician Wang, take good care of yourself and the child. Once the child is born, I will discuss with my mother about promoting you to a noble concubine."
Ru Yan's eyes lit up. "Marquis, you're not coaxing me, are you?"
"All these people are witnesses. How can my words be untrue? All of you listen carefully, take good care of the concubine. When the little master is safely born, you will all be rewarded," Qi Tianming said with a stern face. "If I find out anyone has wicked intentions, wanting to do something to the concubine, to the heir of my Marquisate, do not blame me for being impolite when it is discovered."
The maids serving in the room trembled as they responded, each pledging their loyalty before Qi Tianming.
Eager to report the good news to the Old Madam, Qi Tianming did not linger. After a few more instructions, he hurried to Chaohui Hall.
Upon hearing the news, the Old Madam was extremely pleased. She immediately instructed Madam Fang to pack a pile of tonics and select two reliable individuals to send to Ru Yan.
"Grandmother, can the gifts for me and the concubine also come from you?" Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile.
The Old Madam, being a shrewd woman, knew exactly what Qi Zhenzhen meant.
When a concubine in the estate was pregnant, the masters of the estate were expected to send gifts to congratulate her. By not sending her own gifts and asking the Old Madam to cover them, Qi Zhenzhen was avoiding trouble.
"You rascal! Later, ask your concubine to make two headbands for me, and you make me some novel pastries," the Old Madam chided.
"Your granddaughter thanks you, Grandmother. I will make sure to create two pastries that satisfy you," Qi Zhenzhen replied with a playful smile.
The Old Madam personally selected a few more items and had Madam Fang deliver them in the name of Concubine Yun and Qi Zhenzhen.
"As for Jinghua Courtyard, you shouldn't neglect it either. Last time, with Qing'er's incident, she also suffered," the Old Madam said. "After all, she is the main wife of the estate. We must maintain appearances."
"Mother, I understand," Qi Tianming said with a slight nod, but the aversion in his eyes was not concealed.
The Old Madam sighed. "After all, she gave birth to Mingzhu, and she comes from a Prince's estate."
After leaving Chaohui Hall, Qi Tianming hesitated for a moment before heading to Jinghua Courtyard.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Qi Tianming smelled a faint medicinal scent. Madam Qin's facial injuries had not yet healed and required daily medication, so the scent of medicine was ever-present.
Madam Qin lay reclined on the couch, with Madam Qin standing beside her. A physician carrying a medicine box was also present. Qi Tianming recognized him as one of the physicians commonly used in the estate.
"Is Madam feeling unwell?" Since he was here, he should at least show some concern.
"Replying to Marquis, Madam has not been eating well these past few days and lacks energy. This old servant was worried, so I took the liberty of inviting a physician to examine her, to see if it was due to the heat causing heatstroke," Madam Qin said with some concern.