185 – Lend a Hand Again

Qin Mian didn’t ask anymore. Princess Yanqing was no longer a threat to him. Whether she would be sent to marry off had nothing to do with him in the end. He was just curious.

“By the way, A-Tie, there’s one thing I can’t make up my mind about.” Qin Mian thought of a very important thing.

Lei Tie looked at him inquisitively while the knife in his hand continued to scrape off the fish scales. There were some fresh fish in the kitchen but this fish was from the space. It’s not good to let others see the difference, so he could only do it himself.

“Ruiqi and Ruilin’s recent cultivation progress is quite fast – the time of advancement is not far. I’m thinking whether we should tell them about the space? It’s easier to advance in the space. But I’m also worried that they’ll make a slip of tongue.” Qin Mian really hesitated for a long time. Right now, their family lived in the Imperial City, under the influence of Emperor Xiaohui. If they were careless, the secret of the space might be revealed, which would bring a series of troubles. As for putting on a ban, he and Lei Tie were reluctant to impose a ban on their sons.

Lei Tie thought for a moment and got an idea, “Wait until I find time to refine a spiritual tool, compress the spiritual qi in the space into the spiritual tool, and let them wear it with them.”

Qin Mian slapped his forehead. “I even thought of feeding them with spiritual qi. Why didn’t I think of this method?”

It was rare for Lei Tie to tease his wife, “[You] can’t do without me.”

“Conceited!” Qin Mian gave him an angry look; his ears were burning. In fact, he found that during the time Lei Tie was away, his brain really couldn’t function. Usually, whether he had something on his mind or not, he didn’t have to think too much. He also didn’t have to raise an effort to handle matters.

Lei Tie understood it clearly, so he didn’t argue. After cleaning the fish, he stood up and pecked on Qin Mian’s cheek as he passed behind him. He put the fish on the plate, went to the hearth, and sat down in front of it. He picked up a piece of dry wood and put it into the hearth.

Although Lei Tie didn’t say anything, Qin Mian understood that Lei Tie saw through his own thought. He was somewhat embarrassed and somewhat complacent. This man, who he thought almost perfect, was his! He bent down, grabbed the man’s chin, met his eyes provocatively, and kissed hard on his thin lips with a “pop”. Then he straightened up and hummed a song as he whisked the eggs using the chopsticks.

Lei Tie’s heart was like soaking in a hot spring.

……

At this time, Chen Mufeng reappeared in the State Defender Duke Establishment. Qin Mian was about to make fun of him when he discovered that the other person’s face didn’t look right.

“What? Not settle yet?” As he asked, he signaled to all the servants to withdraw.

Chen Mufeng was too embarrassed to speak out.

To talk about the affairs in the Imperial Prince Ming Establishment would make one sighing. Chen Mufeng’s father, Imperial Prince Ming, had a principal consort, two side-consorts, and a concubine. The principal consort had given birth to a son, a daughter, and then another son. The first son was Chen Mufeng. The second son also was born intelligent. Unfortunately, he was killed by the concubine when he was five years old. The principal consort was inconsolably heartbroken that consequently harmed her health and made her unable to conceive again. The concubine was dead. It was also very coincidental with both side-consorts – they unexpectedly did not give birth to a son. The first side-consort gave birth to two daughters; the second side-consort gave birth to three daughters, two of which died of illness prematurely. Therefore, Chen Mufeng was the only son of Imperial Prince Ming. The reason why Imperial Prince Ming insisted Chen Mufeng have a son was also related to the fact that he had lost a son – whether it was for the continuation of lineage, consolation, or other reasons, there was nothing to be said against him wanting a grandson. Chen Mufeng understood this, so it made things harder.

Back at home that day, Chen Mufeng politely asked Imperial Prince Ming if he could have a younger brother. Unexpectedly, Imperial Prince Ming told him that when he learned about Chen Mufeng’s fatal attraction with Zhangsun He, he wanted to have another son as soon as possible. At that time, he was more diligent in the affairs of husband and wife, but his principal consort and the younger side-consorts didn’t get pregnant again. He realized that something was wrong. After seeing the imperial doctor, he also learned that his health had deteriorated and it was unlikely that he would beget another child.

Imperial Prince Ming could see that Zhangsun He was good to his son. It wasn’t that he didn’t care about his son’s happiness. He only insisted Chen Mufeng have a son because there was no other way.

When Chen Mufeng learned the whole story, he felt ashamed. However, if he was asked to go against his and Zhangsun He’s mutual determination to have a child with a woman, he really couldn’t do it. In desperation, he came to Qin Mian for help.

“It’s unlikely that your father will beget another child – in other words, it’s still possible?” Qin Mian grasped the key point.

“That’s exactly what my father meant.” Chen Mufeng looked at him eagerly, “Your medical expertise is also top quality, can you find a way to cure my father? Or is there any way I can beget a child without touching a woman?”

The corners of Qin Mian’s mouth twitched, but he replied, “Can cure or not, I need to feel your father’s pulse before I can make a diagnosis. As for whether there is any way for you to beget a child without touching a woman… I’m not a God.” The combination of sperm and ovum was a complex knowledge, which was not known to the ancients.

Chen Mufeng was speechless for a moment. To personally feeling the pulse meant that his father’s private affairs would be exposed in front of Qin Mian – his father would be very embarrassed. It would be unfilial for him if he wronged his father for his own sake. He couldn’t be so selfish.

Qin Mian fully understood his thoughts. Let alone an ancient man, even a modern man would be very embarrassed to be told that he might be infertile.

However, he truly wanted to help Chen Mufeng. For one thing, Chen Mufeng was his friend. After selling the anti-seasonal vegetable formula in Zhaoyang County, although it was mostly for business interests, if Chen Mufeng and Mu Chen didn’t protect them, his family would not have lived a peaceful life. For another thing, he and Lei Tie were happy, but Chen Mufeng and Zhangsun He were in misery – it truly made him sympathize.

But Zhangsun He couldn’t stay aloof from the affair. He had to fight for more advantages for his friend.

“I understand your concerns. You need to find a way to let me feel your father’s pulse without his knowledge.”

“Without my father’s knowledge? Do you want to knock him out?” Chen Mufeng ridiculed himself.

Qin Mian gave a lousy idea, “You can let Zhangsun He knock him out.”

Chen Mufeng looked at him, at a loss whether to cry or to laugh. All of a sudden, he realized that Qin Mian’s words seemed to have a deeper meaning. When he understood, his eyes revealed a sly and relaxed smile, “You’re right. Let him solve this problem.”

With that, he took his leave in a hurry.

Less than two hours later, Chen Mufeng and Zhangsun He appeared together in the State Defender Duke Establishment.

In terms of rank, Qin Mian’s position was higher than that of Zhangsun He. Zhangsun He bowed with hands folded to Qin Mian rather politely to greet him, “Greetings, Lady of the State Defender Duke.”

“Young Marquis doesn’t have to be courteous. Have a seat.” Qin Mian drank his tea slowly and did not take the initiative to ask their intention.

Chen Mufeng, as though he had turned into a closed gourd, crossed his legs and grabbed the fruit in the fruit plate to eat.

Zhangsun He said, “Many thanks, Lady of the State Defender Duke. Wonder if Lady of the State Defender Duke can help take a trip to Huifeng Winehouse to the end? When it’s done, I’ll be very grateful.”

Qin Mian gave a wee smile, “Grateful isn’t enough, Young Marquis owes me a favor.”

Zhangsun He took a deep look at him and said without the least hesitation, “Sure!”

After Qin Mian informed Steward Fu he went to the private room on the second floor of Huifeng Winehouse with Chen Mufeng and Zhangsun He. Imperial Prince Ming lay on the table, motionless as if he was asleep.

Qin Mian reminded them, “His Imperial Highness wasn’t knocked out with a knockout drug, right? The drug will affect the pulse.”

Chen Mufeng chuckled.

Zhangsun He looked at him with a faint look of helplessness and connivance. He was a little depressed as he said, “I hit him.”

Qin Mian sniggered and said nothing more. He came forward and grabbed Imperial Prince Ming’s wrist.

Both Chen Mufeng and Zhangsun He were nervous and held their breath.

As soon as Qin Mian released his hand, Zhangsun He’s face showed an anxious look, “How is it?”

Qin Mian cupped his hands toward the couple and said, “Congratulations. The problem isn’t serious.”

“Real–” Chen Mufeng exclaimed in surprise but shut up in time and looked cautiously at Imperial Prince Ming.

The poor Imperial Prince Ming was still unconscious.

Qin Mian said in a low voice, “Talk outside.”

Zhangsun He sent them to the door – he had to stay in the private room to bear the wrath of Imperial Prince Ming.

Out of the winehouse, they went to a corner. Chen Mufeng asked, “My father’s body can be cured?”

Qin Mian nodded, “Believe me. When I go back, I’ll prescribe the medicine myself. Take one pill a day. After taking it for a month, I guarantee that he can have as many children as he wants in ten years. Besides that, your father’s body is outwardly strong but inwardly weak. I’ll write a prescription and give it to you.”

Chen Mufeng breathed a sigh of relief as if to unload the heavy burden. With hands cupped, he solemnly said, “Words cannot express my appreciation for what you have done.”

“Don’t be so formal.” Qin Mian patted him on the shoulder.

They borrowed brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from a nearby shop. Qin Mian gave Chen Mufeng a prescription and told him to pick up medicine from the State Defender Duke Establishment the next day.

Chen Mufeng arrived as promised and brought two pots of shy grass with him. He said that the flower was very interesting – it would close as soon as someone touched it. He gave it to Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin to play with. Shy grass was actually Mimosa. It was presented by the Tulou’s envoy. It was really a rare plant in Great Xia. A pot was worth at least 100 taels of silver. He did not know that Qin Mian’s space was full of Mimosa. Alas, Qin Mian was a man after all – he was not so attentive and never thought to dig out plants for his sons to play with. Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin would like these two pots of the plant. Generally speaking, this gift was quite proper.

At the same time, Chen Mufeng also sent a 1000-tael silver banknote provided by Zhangsun He for the consultation fee. Chen Mufeng insisted that Qin Mian take it. So, Qin Mian took it. The medicinal materials in his space were of high quality. This 1000 taels of silver that Zhangsun He spent was worthwhile.

He gave the refined pills to Chen Mufeng, a bottle of 30 pills, which could be taken continuously for a full month term.

After they were done talking about the important matter, Chen Mufeng was in a good mood to talk about what happened later in the winehouse.

Imperial Prince Ming would have known that he was hit. Zhangsun He took the initiative to admit that he had hit the wrong person. Imperial Prince Ming, who originally disapproved of him, had an even less good opinion of him. He gave Zhangsun He a fierce beating. Zhangsun He endured it without a word. Imperial Prince Ming felt dull and left with a fling of his sleeve.

Qin Mian was amused, “He was hit, and you can still be happy?”

Chen Mufeng was all smiles, “He has thick skin anyway.” He had been entangled with Zhangsun He for so many years and went through a lot. He just wanted to let Zhangsun He know that he had a backing.