After resting, Wei Luo and Yin Hui retired to their separate beds. This was their usual practice, even more so in the sweltering summer.
Wei Luo lay on his back, staring at the dark ceiling, lost in thought. He wasn’t in a hurry to have more children, but his father seemed quite concerned about it. Compared to his elder and second brothers, he only had Xiao Heng, which made him stand out.
Yin Hui was lying near him, likely still awake.
Wei Luo casually asked, “You became pregnant with Xiao Heng shortly after we got married. Why haven’t you made any progress this time?”
Yin Hui suddenly felt relieved, understanding that Wei Luo was concerned about it, especially since in her previous life, Wei Luo had also asked the same question. Back then, she was anxious to have another child, so she consulted a doctor. The doctor had diagnosed her with weak qi and blood, prescribing a bitter herbal concoction. Yin Hui dutifully drank it for over half a year, but it had no effect.
“I don’t know,” Yin Hui replied softly, looking at Wei Luo’s profile in the darkness.
Wei Luo suggested, “Should you see a doctor in a few days?”
Yin Hui fell silent. She knew that the doctor would prescribe more of the bitter medicine. Knowing it was useless, she didn’t want to endure it.
“I don’t want to,” Yin Hui said, retreating further under the quilt. Her reluctance was evident in her tone and actions, and Wei Luo sensed that she had concerns.
He tilted his head to look at her. “Why not?”
Yin Hui confessed, “I’m scared. When Xiao Heng was born, I thought I was going to die.”
In reality, she had been inexperienced at the time, not keeping track of her diet and suddenly finding herself pregnant. While she wasn’t afraid, she had to find an excuse to dissuade Wei Luo from the idea of consulting a doctor.
This time, it was Wei Luo’s turn to fall silent.
He also remembered that when he was waiting in the yard, the maids brought out pots of blood from inside, and her crying became more subdued.
“Forget it, it’s God’s will to conceive, we still have Xiao Heng.” Wei Luo stretched out a hand and patted her on the shoulder.
Feeling his gentle comfort, Yin Hui was stunned.
It turned out that he compromised so easily on the matter, but didn’t insist on her taking medicine.
Then should she reciprocate?
Yin Hui took his hand and tried to persuade him, “Master, even if you really want to have a few more children, I’m not in good health. Didn’t we prepare two maids in our courtyard?”
Wei Luo paused, immediately took his hand back, and said coldly, “I said, I don’t need it.”
He couldn’t have intimate contact with a woman he didn’t know before, and he wouldn’t take the time to get to know a stranger for that purpose.
Yin Hui was the wife he had married, and on their wedding night, he had to complete the consummation ceremony with her. However, no matter how beautiful other women were, Wei Luo didn’t want to force himself into intimate contact or let outsiders casually touch him or see his private side.
His eldest and second brothers didn’t understand why he didn’t get involved with other women, and Wei Luo also couldn’t comprehend why they were so drawn to beautiful women.
Yin Hui sensed that he was upset but didn’t understand the reason. He wanted more children but didn’t pressure her to give birth quickly. This…
If it weren’t for those ten years, Yin Hui would have believed that Wei Luo had deep affection for her once again.
“Are you afraid that I might get hurt?” Yin Hui deliberately misinterpreted, and before Wei Luo could respond, she joined him in his bed, hugged him, and laughed, “You’re so kind to me. No wonder Grandpa always praises me for being blessed.”
Wei Luo didn’t force her to take medicine, which was a positive sign. They didn’t need to argue about taking a concubine. It was better to make light of the situation and expose the past, so things would be fine by tomorrow.
Wei Luo was momentarily taken aback, wanting to explain, but feeling her sweetness, he thought there was no need to explain. After a while, he said, “Go to sleep.” If he held her again, he might need to fetch water to bathe again.
Wei Luo had stayed in the guardhouse for a few days before returning to the palace.
On the day Wei Luo came to the backyard, for the first time, instead of trying to see Xia Heng, he signaled Yin Hui with his eyes to follow him to the inner room.
When Yin Hui put on her shoes and followed him, she saw Wei Luo standing inside the screen, taking off his clothes.
Yin Hui was quite frightened. Even if he was interested, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry, right? The wet nurse and Xiao Heng were both outside. If he had given more hints, she would have arranged for the child to play in the garden.
At that moment, she heard Wei Luo take a breath, as if he was enduring some pain.
Yin Hui immediately put away her inappropriate thoughts and quickly walked around the screen.
At that moment, Wei Luo had already taken off his outer robe and middle coat, revealing a fair chest that had not been exposed to the hot sun. However, there was a bruise on the side of the left rib near the back, like a bruise from a fist.
“Did you fight with someone?” Yin Hui gasped.
Wei Luo gave her a stern look and clarified, “We were sparring in the army.”
“Apply the medicine for me.” Wei Luo sat by the bed and handed her a celadon bottle.
Yin Hui pretended to be very concerned and complained while applying the medicine, “Since it was a sparring match, who is the person who was this cruel?”
Wei Luo paused and said, “Feng Teng.”
Yin Hui raised her head in surprise. He had fought with Feng Teng?
Wei Luo frowned and said, “From my observation, Feng Teng is only skilled in martial arts and has no other intentions. Rumors should be kept in check, so don’t spread them indiscriminately in the future.”
However, it was true that Feng Teng liked to challenge others. He had promised to compete with Wei Luo regarding the number of enemies they would kill on the battlefield in the future. After a while, they fought again. Wei Luo was annoyed by this, so he finally competed with him that day and accidentally received a powerful punch from Feng Teng.
“Is Mr. Feng injured?” Yin Hui asked nervously.
Wei Luo replied, “I also landed a few punches on him, so there shouldn’t be any serious injuries.”
Yin Hui heaved a sigh of relief. The time of that competition had changed, so the injuries weren’t as severe.
“Be careful next time,” Yin Hui continued to apply the medicine. “Feng Teng is a pure martial artist, and you have a broader range of skills.”
Wei Luo looked at her intently, and suddenly asked, “Why am I different?”
Yin Hui thought for a moment and smiled, “In addition to practicing martial arts, you also enjoy reading books. You have both civil and military skills.”