Chapter 25: Aphrodisiac Powder

"I... am I going into heat again?" Jiang Luan's lips trembled.

Young Dr. Xu once again corrected him helplessly, "It is the estrus cycle."

Estrus cycle, heat cycle—what did it matter? It was just like a woman’s period, coming around every so often, wasn't it? Jiang Luan couldn't even remember what happened last time, but he figured it couldn't have been anything proper. Besides, he had heard that was only the precursor! More importantly, in this pathetic body of his, he was capable of conceiving and bearing children...

"Dr. Xu, will the medicine you prescribed last time work?" Jiang Luan asked.

"It can suppress it temporarily," Dr. Xu replied, "but prevention is better than cure. It would be better to engage in routine marital relations."

Jiang Luan’s mouth twitched. Routine marital relations? With whom? Qi Shaolin? Are you sure this isn't child molestation?

Qi Shaolin asked helpfully, "What are routine marital relations?"

Young Dr. Xu was stunned, then said knowingly, "Young Mistress, if your marital life is not harmonious, I have medicine for that as well..."

"It’s harmonious, it’s very harmonious!"

To prevent the blunt young Dr. Xu from saying anything even more shocking or teaching Qi Shaolin things he shouldn't "understand," Jiang Luan grabbed the boy and hurried away. Dr. Xu looked on, puzzled, as the couple scurried off, only to turn and see Miss Qi looking at him with a blushing face.

"Dr. Xu, I have been feeling a bit unwell lately; could you please take a look at me too..."

...

Once back in the East Wing, Jiang Luan began frantically searching for medicine to brew. Qi Shaolin watched him with concern from the side. "Wife, what illness do you have? Can I help?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Luan gave a start and gave a dry laugh. "No, no need!"

He managed to drink two pots of medicine before he felt slightly more at ease. However, he knew that every medicine had its side effects; he couldn't rely on this forever. He had to find a permanent solution.

Just as Jiang Luan was deep in thought, Qi Shaolin came clinging to him again. "Wife, shall we go out of the manor to play?"

"It’s almost dusk; you still want to go out?"

"It’s more fun after dark," Qi Shaolin said. "There are night markets, river lanterns, and countless stars on the mountains. Many small animals also come out at night; let’s go catch a couple!"

"Let’s just hope we don't get snatched by wolves," Jiang Luan said unromantically.

Qi Shaolin tilted his head to look at him. "I’ll protect you!"

Jiang Luan patted Qi Shaolin's head, actually feeling a bit moved. They had been here for a long time but had only gone to the market once, and they hadn't even gone far. Now that they were preparing to make a fortune, his hands were itching to spend a little in advance. Moreover, looking at Qi Shaolin’s broad shoulders and narrow waist, Jiang Luan always felt the urge to make more clothes for him, much like a mother raising a son.

"Then let’s go!" Jiang Luan said.

Qi Shaolin was instantly delighted, rummaging through the room to find a cloak for Jiang Luan. Just as they were ready to leave, they were blocked by an unfamiliar maid.

The little maid said crisply, "Young Mistress, the Prince has requested your presence for tea."

"Tea right after finishing the banquet?" Jiang Luan didn't even think before saying, "I’m not going!"

Besides, even a pig would understand. Jiang Luan had embarrassed Prince Suping in front of so many people earlier; what good could come from being summoned now? The little maid didn't expect such a blunt refusal and immediately looked troubled.

Behind her, another person stepped forward: "This is a tea salon that the Prince hosts every year after the banquet. You should go, Young Mistress."

The person who arrived was Zuo Lang. The maid let out a small sigh of relief. Since Zuo Lang had said so... Jiang Luan thought for a moment. "Alright. Brother Lin, let’s go together."

The little maid hurriedly stopped him again. "Young Mistress, only the family members are drinking tea. It is not appropriate for the Young Master to appear in such a setting."

"Hmm, I see." Although Jiang Luan agreed, Qi Shaolin was not happy.

"What tea? Lin’er wants to go too!" Qi Shaolin shouted.

Jiang Luan placed the teapot into Qi Shaolin’s arms. "If you want tea, brew it yourself. Be a good boy."

He truly wanted to see what kind of tricks the defeated Prince Suping had up his sleeve. Following behind the maid, Jiang Luan whispered to Zuo Lang, "You knew this beforehand, didn't you? Care to spill?"

"I know nothing," Zuo Lang replied bluntly.

"..." Jiang Luan was speechless. "Then why did you let me come?"

"Dou Kou used my mother to threaten me," Zuo Lang said expressionlessly. "She told me I had to bring you, so I had no choice but to betray you, Young Master Jiang. Besides, I believe that with your intelligence, you will surely be able to handle it."

"..."

Jiang Luan had nothing to say. But since it was a tea salon and everyone was concerned about their reputation, the Prince shouldn't dare to pull his hair or start a physical fight in public.

When the maid led Jiang Luan to the destination, a group of people was already gathered in Prince Suping’s small garden. Most of them were women, and the few men among them had vermilion marks on their foreheads, clearly *ge’er*. Neither Madam Zhou nor Qi Shaoyan were among them.

Zuo Lang was blocked outside, so Jiang Luan had to enter alone. As soon as he walked in, everyone looked up with various expressions on their faces. Clearly, most of them had witnessed the events at the banquet and knew that the "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law" of the Qi family were at odds, and they were all there to watch the show.

Jiang Luan bowed slightly to Prince Suping at the head of the table and found an empty seat.

"Luan’er, you are late," Prince Suping said with a beaming smile. "We have already had two rounds of tea; we were just waiting for you. Shouldn't you punish yourself with three cups?"

Jiang Luan thought to himself, *Do I look like I’m here to drink with you?*

He maintained a composed smile. "The Prince knows that my health is frail, and I was quite frightened during the banquet earlier... I hope the Prince will not take offense."

Wasn't this a direct jab at what happened earlier? Strangely, Prince Suping, who usually wore his emotions on his sleeve, remained calm. He smiled faintly, said nothing, and ordered the servants to serve the third round of tea.

Jiang Luan glanced at the Prince, then at the tea in his hand, and placed the lid back on, setting it aside. He sat there without taking a single sip or saying a word. Yet, Prince Suping acted as if he didn't notice, ignoring him and chatting with the others about domestic matters.

These *ge’er* and women had gathered together for what was called a "tea salon," but the topics revolved around nothing more than their husbands, children, and city gossip. As a straightforward man, Jiang Luan felt completely out of place and yawned continuously; it would have been much more interesting to go home and count ants with Qi Shaolin.

"...Ever since Luan’er entered the house, Shaolin has clearly improved," Prince Suping’s topic somehow drifted back to Jiang Luan, and he began to dab at tears that didn't exist in the corner of his eyes. "I have been a truly failed stepfather. I don't know what kind of rumors are circulating outside."

"Don't blame yourself, Prince; you have already done more than enough," the woman closest to him comforted.

"That’s right. People say a stepfather is hard to be, especially when you are also managing the entire Qi family business..."

"Now that you have the clever Young Master Jiang to assist you, I am sure you can take it a little easier," some sycophant chimed in.

Prince Suping’s expression changed upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure and walked down, personally carrying a cup of tea. Jiang Luan had been watching with boredom, but seeing the Prince approach him with the tea, he knew—it was coming.

"Luan’er, ever since you entered the Qi manor, there have been many misunderstandings between us," Prince Suping sighed. "Everything before was my fault. Drink this cup of tea, and consider it my apology to you."

"The Prince is too kind," Jiang Luan said sincerely. "I have never taken past matters to heart... so I think I will pass on the tea."

Jiang Luan had given the Prince no face in front of everyone, making the onlookers cringe on the Prince's behalf. Prince Suping remained as calm as ever and smiled. "Luan’er, you haven't touched your tea since you arrived. Are you worried that I have put something in it?"

"I never said such a thing." Jiang Luan said this, but thought to himself: *You know damn well whether you put something in it or not.*

"Very well, then I shall drink it myself to show you." Prince Suping drank half of the tea in his hand, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and showed it to Jiang Luan. "Luan’er, will you give me a little bit of face?"

Jiang Luan locked eyes with Prince Suping, his expression thoughtful.

"Fine."

After a moment, Jiang Luan smiled slightly, took the remaining half cup from the Prince, and downed it in one gulp. The two shared a smile, each harboring their own ulterior motives.

Someone was actually moved to tears and stood up to applaud. "How wonderful! The Prince and the Young Mistress have cast aside their past grievances; the Qi family’s future will surely be prosperous!"

Jiang Luan really wanted to say, *Sister, you’re overthinking this.*

He set down the teacup, already feeling a strange heat rising in his chest. The tea indeed had a problem. Prince Suping looked at him expressionlessly, a flash of coldness in his eyes.

"I am feeling unwell, so I shall take my leave," Jiang Luan said decisively. He didn't wait for a reaction and walked out, practically fleeing the scene.

Prince Suping seemed to have expected this and instructed the maid beside him, "Escort the Young Mistress back to his room. He is frail, so keep a close watch."

"Yes." The maid immediately chased after him.

Prince Suping turned around, his figure swaying slightly. To trick Jiang Luan into drinking, he had also consumed half the cup. Although he had spat out a good portion while wiping his mouth with the handkerchief, the drug was extremely potent; even just that small amount had already started to heat his body.

Prince Suping had to force himself to stand tall and smile at the crowd. "If there is nothing else, let us end today’s tea salon here."

On the other side, Jiang Luan was walking quickly, but halfway there, he began to stagger.

"Young Mistress, are you alright?" The maid ran up and reached out to support Jiang Luan, asking in a low voice.

"Where is... where is Zuo Lang, who came with me?" Jiang Luan shook his head vigorously, appearing disoriented.

The maid observed his complexion and whispered, "He is not here. Let me escort you back."

"Fine, you take me back... to the... East... Wing..."

Jiang Luan was mumbling, and before he could finish his sentence, his head tilted to the side, and he fainted. The maid nearly failed to catch him, carefully helping him sit down.

"Young Mistress? Young Mistress?" The maid called out a few times, but Jiang Luan appeared completely unconscious and did not respond.

Confirming that Jiang Luan had indeed been drugged, the maid put her fingers to her mouth and let out a whistle. A short, sturdy man crawled out of the bushes. Seeing their situation, he asked in surprise, "I clearly used an aphrodisiac; why did he faint instead?"