Chapter 59: Difficulty in Having Offspring
Young Master Guo interrupted eagerly, his tone firm: "Yes! I remember it very clearly! Aunt once mentioned that when Second Brother Zheng was three or four years old, he had a high fever for more than ten days in a row!"
Guo nodded silently, confirming the truth of the matter, and at the same time, a trace of uneasiness rose in her heart: "Doctor, is there any problem with this?"
The doctor stroked his beard, slowly stood up, and said with a complicated expression: "The second young master has just caught a cold, nothing serious...but..."
He hesitated to speak, a hint of sympathy flashed in his eyes, and finally he turned his gaze to Zheng Chengyan.
Guo's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and an ominous premonition loomed in her heart.
Young Master Guo was impatient. He took a few steps forward, tightly grasped the doctor's arm, and asked urgently, "Doctor, please don't keep me in suspense. What happened to my second brother?"
The doctor took a deep breath and finally said bluntly: "The second young master may have a weak constitution since childhood. It may be difficult for him to have children in the future."
This sentence was like a bolt from the blue, and the atmosphere in the room froze instantly. Everyone's face was filled with shock and confusion, and their eyes moved between each other.
When the eldest son of the Guo family heard this, he was stunned at first, and then tried to break the oppressive atmosphere: "Impossible! Second brother Zheng has many wives and concubines at home, and one of them was pregnant before, how can you say it's not possible?!"
The doctor patiently explained: "I don't mean that the second young master has problems in that aspect, but that it is difficult for him to have offspring... The foundation is damaged, and it is difficult for the seeds to take root..."
Young Master Guo's eyes turned, and he suddenly realized something. He looked at Zheng Chengyan fiercely: "Could it be that there is another secret about the child in the concubine's belly?"
The doctor nodded and added, "Although it is difficult to have children, it does not mean that it is completely impossible. Perhaps God will have mercy on the concubine and let her conceive the second young master's child."
These words made Zheng Chengyan and Guo's faces even gloomier. If this was true, then the child in Jiang Yingying's belly would be even more regrettable.
The more they thought about it, the more heartbroken they felt. But then they changed their minds and thought, since Jiang Yingying was able to have an affair with an outsider in the mansion, this child might not be a member of the Zheng family.
Thinking of this, Zheng Chengyan's guilt towards the unborn child was alleviated a lot.
"Doctor." Guo came back to her senses from the shock, took out a silver ingot from her bosom with a serious look, and handed it to the doctor: "Is there any hope of curing this disease?"
The doctor did not take the silver, his face was solemn: "There might have been a way in the early years, but the second young master has caught a cold this time, plus his original physical condition... I'm afraid... it will be even more difficult..."
Guo's face turned pale in an instant, her steps staggered, and she almost fell to the ground.
If the only son has no offspring, how can he inherit the title of this marquis in the future?
In a large family like the Zheng family, having no offspring is a great sin. For Guo, this was undoubtedly a fatal blow.
Zheng Chengyan struggled to sit up, his voice filled with anger and unwillingness: "Impossible, I am in my prime, how could such a thing happen! You quack doctor!"
A trace of embarrassment flashed across the doctor's face. As a well-known physician in this area, he would not have come so easily if it were not for the face of the Yu and Su families.
Seeing this, Mr. Zhou hurried forward to smooth things over, pulled the doctor aside, and comforted him, "Aunt, don't worry, let's cure the cold first, maybe there will be a turn for the better by then."
At this moment, the Zheng Mansion is in turmoil, and everyone has their own secrets and calculations in their hearts.
Guo gently placed her arm around Zheng Chengyan's, and with a gentle yet firm tone, she consoled him, "Yan'er, your cousin is right. Your health is the most important thing right now. Get well first, and then you'll have the energy to think about other things."
Zheng Chengyan's coughing suddenly intensified, and each cough seemed to drain away a bit of his strength. His face turned distressingly pale, and he looked much weaker.
This sudden high fever has lasted for five or six days. Every day he is in a state of half asleep and half awake, with blurred consciousness. At night he often mumbles incoherently, which makes people feel both distressed and worried.
Lord Zheng only visited his second son two or three times symbolically to check on his illness. Each time he came and left in a hurry. The eyes that were once full of hope were now filled with deep disappointment.
He placed all his hopes on the unborn child in Xiao Guo's belly, hoping that this new life could become a qualified heir to the Changping Marquis Mansion and make up for all the dissatisfaction that Zheng Chengyan had brought to him.
Looking back, when Guo gave birth to her eldest son and Zheng Chengyan, Marquis Zheng was always absent due to busy official duties, and the growth of the two children was almost entirely up to her alone.
The eldest son died of illness at the age of 20, and Zheng Chengyan proposed to take a concubine and wrote those disgusting poems. In the eyes of Lord Zheng, all this was the result of Guo's excessive doting and improper education.
Therefore, he decided to raise the child in Xiao Guo's belly himself and never let history repeat itself.
The increasing alienation of Marquis Zheng made Guo feel more isolated and helpless than ever before.
At the same time, Su Wanyu seized the opportunity and quietly set out for the royal exclusive hunting ground in the western suburbs that the Regent mentioned.
It covers a vast area, spanning four mountains. Normally, no outsiders can set foot there except the regent and members of the royal family.
The regent had promised to give her a gift of atonement, and that mysterious place was the clue.
With the token bestowed by the Regent himself, Su Wanyu was able to enter this forbidden area unimpeded.
As the sound of crisp horse hooves rang out, a man in dark blue riding clothes gracefully jumped off a sturdy chestnut horse. It was the Regent himself.
Today, he was dressed simply, with his high ponytail fluttering in the wind. He looked less dignified and unapproachable than usual, and instead looked more handsome and free and easy.
"Madam, your presence brings honor to our humble home!"
When the Regent saw Su Wanyu, a bright smile immediately broke out on his face.
Su Wanyu bowed respectfully, her words full of apology and sincerity: "I am sorry for disturbing your pleasure a few days ago. Today I brought you Longyuan Shengxue tea as an apology. Although it is a little late, please don't blame me."
As she finished her words, the accompanying maid Yun Yi brought out an exquisite brocade box, which was carved with delicate mountain snow patterns, making it look particularly elegant.
The guard beside the Regent stepped forward quickly, respectfully took the brocade box, and stepped aside.
"Madam really brought the tea." The Regent gently opened the lid of the box, glanced at the fine tea inside, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Not only that, I have another gift to present."
Su Wanyu lowered her head slightly, took out a letter from her sleeve, and handed it forward respectfully with both hands: "This is a plan to control the flood in Jiangzhou."
The regent put away his smile, his expression became serious, and he took the letter carefully: "Madam, do you have your own opinions on government affairs?"