Lin Qingxue Was Pregnant!

Lin Qingxue's cultivation recovered at an astonishing pace. With the Zhang Family pouring in resources without regard for cost, and her own exceptional talent, she had firmly reached the Foundation Establishment Early Stage in just one month. She even showed signs of advancing toward the middle stage.

In front of outsiders, she was the lofty, frosty Young Madam, as cold as ice.

But before Zhang Chen, she was as gentle as a kitten with its claws tucked away. Even when Zhang Chen made somewhat unreasonable demands, she would only blush, bite her lip, and quietly go along with them.

"It feels wonderful."

Zhang Chen took her delicate hand and kissed it. "But you've worked hard, dear."

Lin Qingxue's cheeks flushed. She gently pulled her hand back and shot him an annoyed look. "Can't you ever be serious? Your parents are probably going to tease us again for getting up late."

"Who dares tease us? We're taking care of important business."

Zhang Chen chuckled and swung his legs out of bed. "Come on, let's go to the main courtyard and have breakfast with them. I heard the kitchen specially stewed Silver Thread Spirit Fish caught in the deep sea today. It's supposed to be delicious."

After a quick wash and a change into their everyday clothes, the two walked hand in hand toward the main courtyard.

The main courtyard was especially lively today. Zhang Yunshan had been in high spirits lately. Though the family's business was still somewhat hindered by the Demonic Path, the benefits of upgrading the Spiritual Vein were already becoming apparent. Several vassal families had sent over their annual tributes, and the offerings were more than thirty percent greater than in previous years.

The mood around the table was warm and cheerful.

"Here, Qingxue, this is freshly stewed fish soup. It's very nourishing." Liu Yueru smiled as she personally ladled a bowl of milky-white soup and set it before her daughter-in-law. "You've only just recovered, so you need to build up your strength."

The soup was indeed top quality. Its creamy-white surface shimmered with rich Spiritual Energy, and a few red goji berries floated on top. It looked absolutely mouthwatering.

Lin Qingxue smiled her thanks, picked up her spoon, and took a mouthful.

But the instant the delicious fish soup slid down her throat—

An indescribable nausea surged up from her stomach without warning, churning like a river and sea and shooting straight toward the crown of her head.

"Ugh—"

Lin Qingxue's face turned deathly pale. Her spoon clattered into the bowl, splashing a few drops of soup. She clapped a hand over her mouth, turned aside, and retched violently.

The sudden turn of events startled everyone at the table.

"What's wrong? What happened?!"

Zhang Chen reacted first. He grabbed Lin Qingxue by the shoulder and quickly placed his other hand on her back, sending in a gentle stream of Spiritual Power to soothe her. His face was full of worry. "Was the fish not fresh? Or did something go wrong with your cultivation?"

Liu Yueru panicked too. She hurriedly set down her chopsticks and leaned closer. "Qingxue, don't scare me! Where does it hurt?"

Zhang Yunshan's expression darkened. He slapped the table and shouted toward the door, "Someone! Fetch Zhang Xuanhu! Quickly! This is an emergency!"

Zhang Xuanhu was the Zhang Family's most senior Second-Order Alchemist, and he also served as the family physician. Normally, even an injured elder might not be able to summon him, but now that the Family Head had given the order, the servants dashed off faster than rabbits.

Lin Qingxue retched for quite a while. Only after tears had streamed down her face did the nausea finally ease a little.

She leaned weakly against Zhang Chen and shook her head. "I...I don't know what happened. I just suddenly smelled the fish, and my stomach started churning..."

"The smell of fish?"

Liu Yueru froze. The Silver Thread Spirit Fish had been prepared so carefully—how could there be any fishy smell?

As someone who had been through it herself, a thought suddenly flashed through Liu Yueru's mind. Her gaze fell on her daughter-in-law's flat lower abdomen, and an overwhelming, incredulous joy blazed in her eyes.

"Could it be..."

Before she could finish, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Zhang Xuanhu, his hair and beard as white as snow, rushed in with a medicine chest on his back, panting. "Family Head, what happened? Who's injured?"

"Enough talk. Examine the Young Madam!" Zhang Yunshan pointed at Lin Qingxue, frantic as an ant on a hot pan.

Zhang Xuanhu didn't dare delay. He steadied his breathing, then went over to Lin Qingxue. He extended three withered fingers and gently placed them on her pale wrist, closing his eyes to sense her pulse carefully.

The room fell silent in an instant. You could have heard a pin drop.

Zhang Chen held his breath, staring intently at the old physician's face, his palms slick with sweat. Although he had a system, he wasn't omniscient. When it came to matters of health, he was completely in the dark.

Time passed, second by second.

The old physician's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. Then his expression turned to strange surprise, before finally breaking into a beaming smile.

But he didn't speak right away. Instead, he switched hands and checked once more.

"Elder Zhang, what is it? Say something already!" Zhang Yunshan was an impatient man and couldn't hold back any longer.

Zhang Xuanhu withdrew his hand and stood. He bowed deeply to Zhang Yunshan and Zhang Chen, his wrinkled old face beaming like a chrysanthemum in full bloom.