Chapter 217: Pregnancy

Chapter 217: Pregnancy

Lu Mingchao frowned, "Gu Huai's influence is so extensive, wouldn't that person be wary?"

Offering beauties and auspicious signs.

"As long as it remains under that person's control, not only will there be no wariness, but Gu Huai will also be seen as very pleasing."

Lu Mingchao thought about it and found it reasonable.

The king of beasts, the tiger, wouldn't care about the yapping of dogs.

All the seemingly meticulous and clever tactics would only serve as entertainment in the eyes of that person.

Lu Mingchao didn't want her mood to be affected by irritability, so she changed the subject, "Why is A Yan wearing white today?"

Since she met Xie Yan, she rarely saw him in white; nine times out of ten, he wore black robes.

In her memory, the brightest was the wedding attire on their wedding day.

Lu Yao, on the other hand, favored green and white, walking side by side, like the black and white pair.

"Is there something inappropriate?" Suddenly, Xie Yan seemed a bit nervous.

Lu Mingchao sweetly said, "A Yan in white is like an immortal descended to the mortal world."

Xie Yan's ears turned slightly red, "Of all the people I've seen and known, only Lu Yao is most deserving of the title of an immortal."

He was also very curious how Lu Yao, from a farming family, cultivated such a demeanor of solitary pine branches and light snow.

Not just a golden exterior with a rotten core.

The books of sages he read and the ways of sages he practiced all contributed to Lu Yao's natural elegance.

Lu Mingchao mischievously pinched Xie Yan's earlobe, only letting go when it seemed about to bleed, "People come in a thousand forms, and the immortals above should naturally have a thousand forms."

"Yesterday, I heard Uncle Chen say that second brother has taken leave from the head of Qingyun Academy again."

"With only a few months left before the autumn exams, instead of burning the midnight oil, second brother has become more carefree and frequently goes out, making it hard to track him down."

Having seen the composed and calm Mingchao so often, Xie Yan found this playful side of her quite charming.

Xie Yan unconsciously softened his voice and smiled, "Shu Yuan has been longing for the completion of the private school, always dragging Lu Yao to finalize some details."

"Moreover, with Lu Yao's knowledge, there's no need to burn the midnight oil."

Lu Mingchao said, "Sharpening the spear at the last moment still makes it shine."

Xie Yan: Isn't this a bit too early?

"Mother, mother."

Xie Jingyi seemed to have grown a bit taller, but she was still as soft and chubby as a little dough ball.

Following the voice, Xie Jingyi was seen holding onto Yunniang's hem, with Yunniang holding a wooden tray with a white porcelain stew pot on it.

Lu Mingchao hurried over, smiling warmly, "Mother, you could have called me over to drink the soup; no need to bring it over yourself."

Yunniang placed the tray on the wooden table beside the bamboo grove, "It's just a few steps, good for these old bones to move around a bit."

"Your father moved to the city and no longer needs to tend to the fields. He finally has a chance to enjoy some leisure, but he, having been busy for most of his life, can't stay idle. He often goes to the river after the ice has melted to fish and pass the time."

"This morning, he went out fishing before dawn."

"Luckily, he actually caught two fish."

"These past few days, I noticed you seemed a bit worn out, so I took advantage of the recent rain to make some soup."

"Mingchao, the world's work is endless, and so are the worries. You should walk when you need to, stop when you need to, and rest when you need to."

Yunniang looked at Lu Mingchao's somewhat haggard face, feeling deeply concerned, and couldn't help but say a few more words.

"After the New Year, Mingchao has been busy, hardly having a moment to rest."

"During her busiest times, she worked from dawn till dusk."

As her mother, seeing this, she felt anxious.

Unable to help, she could only do what she could to make soup and take care of Mingchao's health.

"Mother, I know my limits."

"After this period, I can rest soon." Lu Mingchao took Yunniang's arm and said softly.

Xie Jingyi said confidently, "Grandma, Sanbao will watch over mother."

Yunniang smiled lovingly and patted Xie Jingyi's head.

Although not Mingchao's biological child, she was considerate, well-behaved, and very dear.

Over time, they became as close as mother and daughter.

Huaiqian and Ru'an each had their own good qualities.

The moment the lid of the white porcelain soup pot was opened, the fish soup appeared milky white, and a rich, fresh aroma filled the air.

Suddenly, Lu Mingchao noticed a fishy smell.

Her stomach churned uncontrollably, and she couldn't help but gag.

Her eyes turned red, filled with tears.

Lu Mingchao stepped back a couple of steps. The fishy smell lingering around her nose gradually dissipated, and her complexion returned to normal.

"Mingchao."

Yunniang gently patted Lu Mingchao's back, her brow furrowed.

As someone who had been through it before, her first thought was that Mingchao might be pregnant.

But she remembered Mingchao had once mentioned falling into a lotus pond at the marquis's residence, which left her with a cold constitution. She swallowed the words that were about to come out, fearing it might be a false hope.

"Mingchao, let's find a doctor to examine you."

Xie Yan said with concern, "I'll go find Doctor Zhang from Nanshan Hall to check your pulse."

Lu Mingchao's nausea hadn't subsided, and with tears in her eyes, she nodded.

Not long after, Doctor Zhang from Nanshan Hall arrived quickly.

Dr. Zhang furrowed his brows slightly, one hand stroking his beard while the other rested on Lu Mingchao's wrist. His eyes widened a bit, and a hint of joy appeared between his brows. "Congratulations, Mr. Lu."

"The Shaoyin pulse is strong, smooth, and slippery, like a bead rolling on a plate. It is unmistakably a pregnancy pulse."

"She has been pregnant for over a month."

Dr. Zhang from Nanshan Hall, one of the physicians overseeing grain inspections at Chaofu Grain Shop, was well-acquainted with Lu Mingchao.

Lu Mingchao: !!! (shocked).

Pregnant?!

But she had fallen into an icy lake. How could she possibly be pregnant?

Wasn't it said that falling into icy water would cause a cold condition, making pregnancy unlikely?

Honestly, her intimate moments with Xie Yan were few and far between.

Xie Yan was stunned at first, but as the news sank in, joy spread across his face.

Their child.

"Mingchao, I..." (hesitating).

Xie Yan's joy was abruptly cut short. Mingchao's face showed confusion, helplessness, and a hint of rejection, but none of the joy of impending motherhood.

Xie Yan suddenly recalled their first meeting, when Mingchao had insisted she never wanted children.

Now, Xie Yan understood that pregnancy was never part of Mingchao's plans.

Yunniang glanced between Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan, sensing the tension.

"Thank you, Dr. Zhang," (politely).

"Could you also advise us on what to watch out for?"

"Dr. Zhang, this way, please," (gesturing).

Xie Jingyi tilted her head, blinking her round eyes, and asked softly, "What's a pregnancy pulse?"

Yunniang scooped Xie Jingyi into her arms and led Dr. Zhang to a nearby courtyard.

Only Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan were left in the bamboo grove.

The fishy aroma of the soup wafted on the spring breeze, filling Lu Mingchao's nostrils.

Lu Mingchao frowned and patted her chest lightly.

Xie Yan quickly covered the soup, grabbed the tray, and moved it away.

"Keep the child," (firmly).