Chapter 413: Coincidence or Fate?

Chapter 413: Coincidence or Fate?

Madam Lu's face lit up with joy when she heard the news. "Really?"

"It's not certain yet; it's only been three days late. But I've asked those who serve her, and her cycles have always been regular. There's a high chance that she is indeed pregnant."

"Oh, my dear son, you really are something. Both times, it happened on the first try. Which blind doctor ever said you couldn't do it?"

Lu Shen wore a smug expression, his male pride greatly satisfied.

Though they both knew deep down that it was actually Fang Jinxiu who had the ability.

Madam Lu stroked her chin and said, "This Fang Jinxiu does seem to have some real skills. No one else can bear children, but she can. If Ning'er didn't look exactly like you did as a child, I might even suspect she's cheating."

Lu Shen laughed. "That's impossible. Fang Jinxiu was raised by the Zheng family and received the education of a proper lady. She has her own pride and wouldn't do such things."

"Indeed. Though she and Fang Erya share the same parents and look alike, I feel that Fang Jinxiu has the aura of nobility, while Fang Erya is clearly meant to be a servant. You see the difference now, don't you? A girl raised in wealth is different from one raised in the countryside. Fang Jinxiu has absorbed the prosperity of the Zheng and Cui families."

Lu Shen agreed with this assessment.

"You'll need to go and discipline the servants. That wench has a temper and gets easily agitated. Regardless of whether she's truly pregnant, everyone needs to be more careful."

"Yes, you're right. We'll just endure her for another ten months until she gives birth to the child, then we'll kick her out. No more of her bad temper."

Madam Lu then added, "Oh, if she is truly pregnant, we'll have to wean Ning'er off her milk."

"What? Wean her now? Ning'er is only nine months old."

"There's no other way. If a wet nurse continues to breastfeed during pregnancy, it increases the risk of miscarriage and the quality of the milk deteriorates."

"I see... Then let's wait until it's confirmed."

"Agreed."

...

Half a month later, Fang Jinxiu still hadn't gotten her period, confirming that she was indeed pregnant again.

The Lu family was overjoyed and rewarded the doctor who had treated Lu Shen.

The doctor smiled awkwardly, holding the reward money, wanting to say something but not daring to, unsure himself.

Fang Jinxiu once again became the center of attention in the Lu household. The best medicines, clothes, and silver were sent to her room, making it difficult for Fang Erya to accept.

Especially since Lu Shen began fawning over Fang Jinxiu again, smiling despite her scolding, and even neglecting Fang Erya for fear of upsetting Fang Jinxiu.

Fang Erya came to Zheng Jinyu to cry about it. "Why is her fate so good? I've been trying for so long without success, and she gets pregnant every time. Could it be true what the fortune-teller said, that she's destined to bear many children and has a noble fate?"

Zheng Jinyu sipped her tea with a faint smile. "Once could be coincidence, but how can it happen every time?"

Fang Erya was taken aback. "Sister, what do you mean?"

"Just what I said." Zheng Jinyu spoke ambiguously.

Fang Erya bit her lip, pondering for a moment before exclaiming, "Are you saying that this child she's carrying isn't Lu Shen's?"

"I never said that." Zheng Jinyu looked at her with an enigmatic smile.

Fang Erya understood; such matters couldn't be spoken outright.

Yes, once could be coincidence, but how could it happen every time?

Is it really fate? Not necessarily.

"By the way, Fang Jinxiu said she would only safely carry the child to term if Lu Shen agrees to one condition."

"What condition?"

"She hasn't revealed it yet, but it's certainly not a good one. I'll tell you when I find out."

"Alright, you may go back."

"Yes, Sister, I'll leave now."

Every visit to Zheng Jinyu brought her insights, even if Zheng Jinyu didn't explicitly state them. From her words, Fang Erya could deduce much.

If Fang Jinxiu's child wasn't Lu Shen's, she would be doomed.

But... if not Lu Shen's, whose could it be?

She didn't know who it could be, and she had no evidence.

Fang Erya returned home, troubled, and hinted to Lu Shen.

"How fortunate is she? Pregnant again so quickly. If this time is coincidence, could it happen every time? Master, do you believe in fate?"

Lu Shen sensed her jealousy and kissed her cheek. "Jealous?"

"I... no, I was just saying."

"Enough, I know what you're thinking. I believe in fate, and I think it's just coincidence."

Fang Erya was speechless.

"With all the women I have, none have gotten pregnant except her. Doesn't that say something?"

"But..."

"Alright, stop saying 'but.' Ning'er looks so much like me that anyone would say she's my child. I know you're jealous and unwilling to accept this, but this is something determined by heaven, not mere mortals. There's nothing we can do about it. Look at Zheng Jinyu; isn't she furious too?"

Fang Erya: "..." How is she furious?

"It was such a coincidence that when Lady Zheng arrived at your house, she went into labor, and your sister was born the day before, and Lady Zheng gave birth to another daughter. And then, on the same day, Zheng Ji received an official document summoning him back to the capital. So many coincidences allowed your sister to have the chance to change her fate."

Lu Shen smiled as he stroked his chin and said, "That fortune-teller was damn accurate. Fang Jinxiu, that wretch, is truly favored by heaven, born with a life of wealth and honor. Your jealousy won't help."

Fang Erya looked at his expression, feeling a heavy sense of crisis.

Would he look at her differently now because Fang Jinxiu could bear children?

Men are so fickle and unreliable.

Back then, Lu Shen adored Fang Jinxiu, yet now he calls her a wretch.

This is only because Fang Jinxiu has Lady Zheng's support and his son. Her days in the Lu family are still tolerable.

But what if she lost his favor, how could she keep Lu Shen?

She only had his affection.

Fang Erya took the initiative to wrap her arms around Lu Shen's neck, "My lord, I also want to bear a son for you."

Lu Shen laughed lecherously, "Alright, then make your belly work for it."

...

The Lu family rewarded Fang Jinxiu generously for her pregnancy, giving her quite a bit of money.

With the money, she bought some gifts for Lady Zheng. Though they weren't expensive, Lady Zheng liked them, appreciating the thought behind them.

It was a joyous occasion, so she instructed the kitchen to prepare extra dishes, spreading the happiness to her brothers, sons, and nephews.

Zheng Hongqi and Zheng Hongxu, unaware of the truth, politely offered their congratulations.

The expressions of the three from the Cui family were peculiar, their smiles stiff.

Lady Zheng acted as if she didn't notice and urged them to eat more, even asking about sending letters to her eldest brother.

"Sixth Brother, the letter you wrote to Eldest Brother, should he have received it already?"