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Chu Cheng stated: Sexual intercourse between men and women must occur at appropriate ages. Although a man's essence may become clear at sixteen, he should not marry until thirty. Although a woman's Tian Gui (menstruation) may arrive at fourteen, she should not marry until twenty. Both parties must wait until their desires and Yin-Yang Qi are complete and substantial before engaging in intercourse to conceive. Only then can conception lead to gestation, gestation to childbirth, and the child will be robust, strong, and long-lived. Nowadays, girls who have not yet undergone the Ji Li ceremony (coming-of-age ritual) have just begun menstruation; if they approach men prematurely, their Yin Qi leaks too early. Their bodies are injured before fully developed, and their movements are initiated before their vitality is solidified. Consequently, intercourse fails to result in conception; if conception occurs, it fails to sustain pregnancy; if the child is born, it is fragile and short-lived.

The *Shengji Jing* states: Heaven and Earth are the largest forms. Yin and Yang are the greatest Qi. Form and Qi rely on each other for existence and never neglect one another. When men and women join their essences, all things are transformed into life; the form and Qi of Heaven and Yin and Yang are embedded within this process. Regarding the numbers seven and eight: seven belongs to Shao Yang (Lesser Yang); eight belongs to Shao Yin (Lesser Yin). They interact and flow through mutual resonance. Therefore, when a girl reaches fourteen (two sevens), her Tian Gui arrives, and when a boy reaches sixteen (two eights), his essence becomes clear, it is because the beginning of life is signaled by the intersection of Yin and Yang.

Hu Xiao stated: In sexual intercourse, the part that condenses to form the fetus, although inseparable from essence and blood, still consists of post-natal dross-like substances. However, a spark of pre-natal Qi, awakened by emotional and desire-induced sensations, miraculously merges within. This corresponds to Zhu Xi's concept of "receiving endowment at the beginning of conception" and the *Wuzhen Pian*'s reference to "the initial reception of life and Qi." Expert physicians, addressing infertility, focus on essence for men and blood for women. In writing treatises and prescribing formulas, treatment for men prioritizes tonifying the Kidney, while treatment for women prioritizes regulating menstruation. Additionally, referencing theories of tonifying and moving Qi, observing meridians, investigating deficiencies or excesses, and treating with prudence allows for successful conception in one attempt.

Chen Chuliang stated: The Qi and Blood in the human body vary in deficiency, excess, cold, and heat, which can only be known through pulse diagnosis. Abandoning pulse diagnosis to speak solely of medication is absurd. The pulse should not be too rapid (Shu Mai); rapidity indicates Heat. It should not be too slow (Chi Mai); slowness indicates Cold. It should not be too forceful and firm (Shi Mai); what appears as Excess is often underlying Righteous Qi deficiency, with Fire Pathogens exploiting this to create an Excess pattern. The treatment method should be to disperse stagnation to eliminate pathogens; only after pathogens are removed can Righteous Qi be tonified. It should not be too weak and deficient (Xu Mai); deficiency indicates Qi and Blood insufficiency. The treatment method should be to tonify Qi and Blood. Furthermore, for women with abundant Qi and scant Blood, irregular cold and heat, and delayed menstruation, pulse diagnosis is essential, and flexible treatments should be applied. It is crucial that both husband and wife have peaceful and forceful pulses, engage in intercourse at appropriate times, and avoid reckless medication, thereby enabling them to bear children.

Shenzhai commented: The above four passages outline the principles of procreation. One must ensure Yin and Yang are complete and substantial, and Form and Qi support each other. Life begins with pre-natal endowment, and subsequent pulse diagnosis must confirm peace and harmony before one can successfully have children.