Chapter 1762 – Confirmation of Residence
“What do you mean you can’t feel the pulse temporarily?”
Feng Zhen nearly burst with joy at the mention of “good news,” but the physician’s following words hit him like a bucket of cold water.
No one complains about having children, and after so many years apart, becoming a father filled him with both joy and anxiety, leaving him unsure of what to do. His scant medical knowledge told him that a woman having a slippery pulse indicated pregnancy, but the physician said he couldn’t feel the pulse yet still suggested it was possible. Feng Zhen felt utterly lost.
“A slippery pulse flows easily, should feel smooth and round, like a pearl rolling on a jade plate,” the physician explained patiently, his temper excellent. “Generally, if a woman’s pulse is slippery and she shows no signs of illness, she’s likely pregnant. However, a slippery pulse only appears around two months into the pregnancy, and if it’s too early, it can’t be felt. I just inquired thoroughly with the maidservants at your residence and learned that your esteemed wife’s monthly cycle has always been regular, never late or early. However, this month, it has been delayed by several days, and there are some brownish stains, not resembling normal menstruation. Hence, it is concluded that she might be pregnant, but given the early stage and mental fatigue, there are signs of potential miscarriage. To be safe, she should rest in bed these next few days, consume some nourishing tonics, and we’ll see if her monthly cycle returns in a few days for some certainty.”
The physician didn’t speak definitively, just stated it was a possibility.
A slippery pulse couldn’t be the sole indicator of pregnancy, for a man with ample qi and blood could also exhibit a slippery pulse.
Feng Zhen was bewildered, standing there in a daze, “If the monthly cycle comes in a few days…”
The physician replied, “Then it would not be a pregnancy. I’ll come again to check and prescribe some tonic for your wife. A woman’s monthly cycle should not be neglected. If it ends prematurely or is disordered, it could cause an imbalance in her yin and yang, leading to symptoms like bloating, early aging, or even shorten her lifespan.”
After hearing this, Feng Zhen’s mind became a complete muddle.
“So, is it a pregnancy or not?”
Feng Yi, standing nearby, couldn’t take it anymore.
“Regardless of whether Mother is pregnant or not, let’s have the physician prescribe some medicine first.”
After all, if care wasn’t taken, that long-awaited child wouldn’t be safe.
Feng Zhen was jolted awake by his son’s words and quickly turned to the physician, “Yes, yes—hurry and prescribe the best medicine!”
The physician, accustomed to chaotic situations, didn’t mind Feng Zhen’s frantic behavior.
While the physician was preparing the medicine, Feng Zhen avoided his son Feng Yi and quietly asked the physician.
“My wife had a miscarriage once, after being tricked into taking a toxic medicine that harmed her greatly and worsened her condition… If she is indeed pregnant this time, could it cause her further harm?” Feng Zhen’s brow furrowed, as if hesitating over something.
He hoped for a legitimate child, but he also didn’t want Wan Xiuer to face any issues.
If he truly had an obsession with offspring, he wouldn’t have only had Feng Yi all these years.
“Your esteemed wife is indeed a bit weaker than usual, but pregnancy should pose no problem. During the examination, I found that the cold energy within her has mostly dissipated, likely due to the careful nurturing she has received these years. However…” The physician paused here.
Feng Zhen pressed, “But what? Don’t leave me hanging!”
“However, if she is truly pregnant, it must be protected. A woman with a slippery pulse risks harm to her body and energy, especially since your esteemed wife has previously ingested a toxic substance causing miscarriage… If another miscarriage occurs, her health may not withstand it. If this pregnancy cannot be maintained, the chances of having a麟（lin） child in the future will be exceedingly slim. Conversely, if she successfully gives birth and is well cared for afterward, it could even help eliminate underlying health issues.”
Hearing this, Feng Zhen’s anxious heart steadied a bit.
“What is going on with me?”
Wan Xiuer wanted to sit up after regaining consciousness but was pressed back down by Feng Zhen before she could make an effort.
“The physician said your old ailments have flared up, and you need to rest in bed for a few days. You must recuperate well and cannot get up carelessly.”
Feng Zhen refrained from revealing the physician’s speculation to spare Wan Xiuer any unnecessary distress.
It would be better to wait until her body was well-rested and confirm the pregnancy once the fetal condition stabilized.
Wan Xiuer said, “Before I lost consciousness, I did feel terribly fatigued. Did the physician say if it was serious?”
Feng Zhen replied, “Rest well, and it won’t be serious. I will send people to watch over you closely these days. All important matters will be put aside!”
Wan Xiuer smiled, “But it’s the New Year! How can families not socialize?”
Feng Zhen raised an eyebrow, “That’s not right. Your husband is right here! You shouldn’t be the one managing these things!”
His ability was being questioned!
Wan Xiuer noticed the attitude of those around her was subtly different; Feng Zhen was particularly glued to her side, and even the slightest movement she made would cause him to pale in fright. Feng Yi knocked on her door every morning to check on her well-being, repeating the same questions about her health, appetite, and what she desired to eat… The maidservants and housemaids were no better!
Wan Xiuer: “…”
She seemed to catch a whiff of a “conspiracy.”
It was as if everyone around her knew a common secret, but they were keeping it from her.
Could it be that she had some terminal illness and wouldn’t live much longer, which was why Feng Zhen and his son were acting so strangely?
After lying down for several days, Wan Xiuer felt her body weaken, but after a few more days, she was allowed to sit up for a bit.
“Could it be that I really have an incurable disease?”
Wan Xiuer’s heart sank. She never imagined she could be pregnant. The psychological trauma from that incident years ago was too great; the child she had longed for barely lasted two months in her womb before her biological father forced her to ingest miscarriage medicine. The physician had informed her that it would be difficult for her to have children for the rest of her life. Wan Xiuer had also tried to improve her health, striving to give birth to a child for Feng Zhen, but nothing ever came of it.
After the New Year, Feng Yi no longer stayed at home and moved into the dormitory of Golden Scales Academy.
Feng Zhen wasn’t too pleased with this.
The dormitory conditions at the academy were indeed decent for an ordinary family, but they couldn’t compare to home.
Feng Yi smiled, “I need to focus wholeheartedly on preparing for the graduation exam. Not aiming for first place, but at least the top three, hoping for a double blessing!”
What double blessing?
Naturally, if he did well in the exam and Mother stabilized in her pregnancy, it would indeed be a double blessing.
“Father, I’ll leave Mother in your care.”
Feng Yi wasn’t very reassured; his father was meticulous with official matters but rather careless with family and daily life, often too carefree.
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhen said, “A man must keep his word! If you fail the exam, you’ll have to apologize to our ancestors!”
Previously, he had only one precious child, who could not be scolded, punished, or disciplined; now that they had a new potential heir, the eldest had to fend for himself.
Before the new month was over, the physician returned once again.
Feng Zhen’s muscles tensed, and his forehead beaded with anxious sweat.
“How is it?”
The physician clasped his hands in congratulations, “Congratulations, sir! Your esteemed wife is over two months pregnant, with a strong pulse and stable condition!”
Feng Zhen was somewhat prepared but still lost in joyous disbelief.
Wan Xiuer was even more bewildered, turning into a wooden statue.
What?
She was pregnant?
Over two months?
