Wenren Hui seemed to recognize what was happening and decided to drop the topic, shifting to other subjects.

Then, Lu Deyuan arrived.

Upon seeing her husband, Wenren Hui was naturally overjoyed. She hadn’t expected him to follow so quickly. As their eyes met, she couldn’t help blushing.

Lu Deyuan greeted the old matron, “The Old Madam’s spirit seems much better since the last time we met.”

The Old Madam nonchalantly tidied her sleeve. “Yes, it’s all thanks to our fourth girl. She was fortunate enough to be picked up by a traveling miracle doctor who taught her his skills. Her medical proficiency is impressive. I haven’t felt this relieved in a long while.” She paused briefly, as though a thought had occurred to her. “You’ve been married for years without children, and eldest girl has taken many remedies to no avail. Perhaps our fourth girl should take a look at her.” Her words and actions were entirely natural.

Wenren Xi was truly raised in luxury, whereas Xiao Cao lived outside. As a result, it was actually Wenren Hui whom the Han family had personally brought up and taught, so she immediately understood her grandmother’s intentions. She lowered her head, sorrowful, “If that could really help, then we’ll have to trouble Fourth Sister.”

Lu Deyuan, knowing the pressure his wife had been under all these years, felt pained for her and naturally didn’t object.

Wenren Xu, feeling it inappropriate to participate in the ensuing conversation, took his leave.

While someone was dispatched to fetch Xiao Cao, the Old Madam spoke again, “Deyuan, I see bloodshot eyes and your voice is a little hoarse. Are you perhaps feeling unwell? After Xiao Cao checks on Elder Sister, have her take your pulse as well.”

“Thank you, Old Madam. It would be impolite for me to refuse. I’ll trouble Fourth Sister-in-law along with Hui Niang.” Lu Deyuan, appreciative of his elders’ concern, didn’t decline.

Wenren Hui sighed inwardly; her grandmother was truly formidable.

Xiao Cao soon entered and greeted Lu Deyuan. Lu Deyuan, ever the gentleman, took one brief polite glance at her and then lowered his eyes. He couldn’t help but admire how much Fourth Sister-in-law resembled his mother-in-law. Perhaps that was also the reason they were able to track her down. Otherwise, even if they passed her on the street, she might have gone unnoticed.

The Old Madam briefly explained to Xiao Cao the reason for her summoning.

Xiao Cao understood and thought to herself: indeed, everything works out when the time comes. Here’s the moment now, isn’t it?

Wenren Hui spoke earnestly, “I must trouble you, Fourth Sister, and apologize for the inconvenience.”

Xiao Cao smiled. “Elder Sister, there’s no need to be so polite—we’re family. Grandmother is concerned for you, and so is Mother. Even if it weren’t right now, mother would likely have asked me to check on you later.”

“It is I, as your granddaughter and daughter, who have failed.”

Xiao Cao had a general understanding of Wenren Hui’s condition. Still, she played her part and, after taking the pulse, and without asking in too much detail or probing into anything too private, said: “There’s nothing wrong. It’s likely that the time simply hasn’t come yet. Don’t take too many medicines. Stay relaxed—physically and mentally—and don’t pressure yourself too much. You’ll have children eventually.”

In essence, Xiao Cao wasn’t adept at acting, but when it came to simply advising a patient, everything came across naturally.

Wenren Hui remained bitter and dejected, while Lu Deyuan softly comforted her, though with others around, he kept his gestures restrained.

When Xiao Cao prepared to take Lu Deyuan’s pulse, she noticed his wrist was already covered by a handkerchief. The corner of Xiao Cao’s mouth barely twitched. However, diagnosing through a layer of cloth was no challenge for her. Truth be told, Xiao Cao could even administer acupuncture through clothing if necessary.

As her fingers rested on Lu Deyuan’s pulse, her expression gradually became unusually serious. Those present sensed the tension in the room, especially as she asked Lu Deyuan to switch hands.

“Fourth Sister, is there something wrong with your brother-in-law?” Wenren Hui asked, worried that something serious might indeed be wrong.

Xiao Cao turned toward the Old Madam, “Grandmother, I’d like to speak privately with Brother-in-law.”

In normal circumstances, it would be quite improper for a brother-in-law to be alone with his younger sister-in-law, but the request here indicated the gravity of the matter.

The Old Madam furrowed her brow slightly, examining Lu Deyuan, whose expression reflected his own apprehension. “Go to the side room.”

The side room was only separated by a curtain. Though people could still be seen, lowering their voices would ensure that those outside wouldn’t hear.

Xiao Cao proceeded toward the side room first. Lu Deyuan hesitated briefly but eventually followed, while Wenren Hui instinctively trailed behind.

Xiao Cao turned around just in time to see her. “Elder Sister, please wait.”

Wenren Hui paused. “I can’t even listen?”

“Later, let Brother-in-law decide whether to tell you or not.” Protecting patient confidentiality is a fundamental responsibility for a physician. In this era, most husbands were traditionalists who believed their wives should not be privy to all matters. If wives learned too much, it could fuel a husband’s angry pride and damage the relationship.

Lu Deyuan clenched his fists, veins bulging on his neck as he sharply turned, “Get out!”

Startled by her husband’s outburst, Wenren Hui, who had never seen such anger in him before, silently stepped back.

Xiao Cao’s expression turned cold. “This has nothing to do with Elder Sister. Yelling at her is quite a display of your might.”

Suppressing his rage, Lu Deyuan looked directly at Xiao Cao, disregarding propriety. “Fine. I’ll listen to what you have to say. But if you can’t give me a satisfactory explanation…”

Xiao Cao remained unfazed. “Based on my assessment, Brother-in-law, you are incapable of fathering children. It’s not an inherent issue, though—it’s because you ingested a type of sterilization medicine approximately five years ago, just before Elder Sister married you.”

“Ridiculous, nonsense…”

“You might think I diagnosed Elder Sister’s infertility, throwing the blame onto you, but has any doctor ever told her she’s barren? I’m certain not. I’ve only recently returned to this household. Today is the first time I’ve met either you or Elder Sister. If you think I have some hidden agenda to favor her by blaming you, how plausible is that?

“I initially believed that difficulties having children stemmed from timing or, perhaps, some minor issue on your part—nothing too serious. While taking your pulse, I deliberately checked with this in mind, and the result was shocking.

“You must have seen doctors over the years for other reasons, and this matter likely went unnoticed because no one thought to investigate it. Similarly, the doctors you saw might have lacked experience in this specific area.”