220: Chapter 220 Liu Hanyan's Troubles: Her Belly Is Too Big

Eastern Courtyard, Dan Fragrance Pavilion.

This was the residence specially built by the Xu Family for Liu Hanyan. It was always filled with the lingering scent of medicine, and the passing maids all held their breath, fearing they might disturb the Dan Tower Master who was currently resting and nurturing her pregnancy.

As soon as Xu Chen stepped through the courtyard gate, he caught a faint scent of calming herbs.

Without alerting the maids, he lightened his footsteps, bypassed the screen, and walked into the inner chamber.

The lighting in the room had been intentionally dimmed, making it appear exceptionally soft.

At this moment, Liu Hanyan, the once formidable Dan Tower Master who had dominated the Dan Domain of the Central Plains with her elegant and noble temperament, was struggling to half-recline on a soft couch.

She was wearing a loose, plain-colored cloud brocade dress. Her originally voluptuous and charming figure now appeared somewhat cumbersome.

In particular, her high, protruding belly was shockingly large, as if she were carrying two giant basketballs, pushing the brocade quilt covering her into an exaggerated arc.

"Sigh..."

Liu Hanyan let out a soft sigh, her brows slightly furrowed.

She seemed to want to reach for the teacup on the small bedside table, but that massive belly had become an insurmountable obstacle.

She tried hard to prop herself up to sit straight, but failed after several attempts, only succeeding in breaking out into a fine layer of sweat on her forehead.

The feeling of helplessness caused by her loss of control over her body made her eyes turn slightly red.

"Don't move."

Just as she was about to grit her teeth and try one more time, a gentle voice suddenly sounded by her ear.

Immediately after, a slender, powerful hand steadily supported her back, while the other hand picked up the teacup and brought it to her lips.

"Hus... Husband?"

Liu Hanyan was startled. Seeing it was Xu Chen, a flash of panic crossed her face.

She subconsciously pulled the quilt over herself, trying to hide her currently bloated and clumsy appearance, and said in a somewhat dejected voice:

"You... why did you come? You didn't even have anyone announce your arrival."

"If I had sent someone to announce me, would I still be able to see this adorable side of our Dan Tower Master?"

Xu Chen sat down beside her, adjusting the pillow behind her back with extremely natural movements so she could lean back more comfortably.

"What's adorable about it..."

Liu Hanyan pursed her lips, her eyes dimming. She looked down at her belly, which seemed ready to burst through her clothes at any moment, and smiled bitterly:

"Am I... very ugly now?"

"My legs are swollen like radishes, my waist is gone, and my face has rounded out... I even need someone to serve me just to drink a sip of water; I'm practically like a useless person."

Hormonal changes during pregnancy had made this usually gentle and rational woman exceptionally sensitive and melancholy.

Especially after seeing Su Qingge and the others looking radiant at the Saint banquet yesterday, while she could only sit there with her big belly, this sense of disparity made her feel very uncomfortable.

"What nonsense are you talking about."

Xu Chen put down the teacup, reached out, and gently flicked her nose, his tone serious yet doting:

"Who said you're ugly? In my eyes, you are more beautiful now than at any other time."

"This is the radiance of nurturing life; it is the most sacred appearance in the world."

Xu Chen's large hand gently covered her protruding belly, feeling the powerful life fluctuations coming from within, and said softly:

"Besides, these are our two treasures making a fuss inside. You've worked hard, Hanyan."

Feeling the warmth of Xu Chen's palm, the trace of grievance and anxiety in Liu Hanyan's heart miraculously calmed down.

She placed her hand over the back of Xu Chen's hand, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth:

"You really know how to coax people."

"These two little ones are indeed too energetic. The imperial physician said that Dragon and Phoenix Twins are already taxing, and coupled with the fact that they seem to have inherited your Grandmist Body and my Wood Spirit Body, their nutrient absorption rate is too fast, causing this belly... to be a whole circle larger than that of ordinary pregnant women."

Liu Hanyan sighed helplessly, "I can't even turn over at night now, and my legs are so sore and swollen that I can't sleep."

"Legs swollen?"

Xu Chen's gaze moved down to her legs hidden under the hem of her dress. He reached out and gently lifted the hem.

He saw that her originally slender, long, and artistic jade legs were indeed somewhat swollen now. Pressing down on her ankle left a small pit that didn't bounce back for a long time.

Seeing this scene, Xu Chen felt a pang of pain in his heart. This was not just physical pain; for a woman who loved beauty, it was even more of a psychological torment.

"It was my negligence."

Xu Chen's eyes were filled with guilt. He had been busy with Undergoing Tribulation and the Saint banquet these past two days, and had indeed somewhat neglected this wife who was about to give birth.

"Come, straighten your legs."

Xu Chen didn't mind at all and directly moved her legs onto his lap.

"Husband, don't... it's ugly..."

Liu Hanyan was blushing furiously and wanted to pull her feet back, but was held down by Xu Chen.

"We've been a couple for so long, what are you shy about."

Xu Chen glared at her, then gently gripped her swollen calves with both hands, a gentle and mellow Saint Power surging from his palms.

This power was different from the violent energy during battle; it was the "Qi of Life" that Xu Chen had deliberately transformed.

"Bear with it, it might be a bit sore at first."

As Xu Chen spoke, he skillfully began to massage.

His fingers moved flexibly over several key Acupoints on her legs, controlling the pressure just right. It could push away the stagnant Qi and blood without hurting her.

"Mmm..."

Liu Hanyan couldn't help but let out a soft groan.

That warm current seeped into her skin along Xu Chen's fingertips, like a pair of gentle hands, crumbling and taking away the soreness and heaviness she had accumulated for months, little by little.

Immediately afterward, there was an indescribable feeling of relief.

"Is it better?" Xu Chen asked while massaging, looking up to observe her expression.

"Mmm... much more comfortable."

Liu Hanyan squinted her eyes in comfort, her previously tightly furrowed brows relaxing.

She looked at the man in front of her, who was bowing his head and focusing intently on massaging her swollen legs, her heart filled with emotion.

He was not only a lofty Saint, the Young Master of the Imperial Clan who made all races submit.

At this moment, he was willing to do this kind of menial work to serve her, without even a trace of disdain.

"Husband."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Liu Hanyan said softly, her voice carrying a hint of choked emotion.

"Silly, why are you thanking me."

Xu Chen smiled, his hands not stopping, "If you really want to thank me, eat more and take good care of your body. When I came in just now, I saw that bowl of pregnancy-stabilizing medicine was still sitting on the table untouched. Are you No it bitter again?"

Having her thoughts exposed, Liu Hanyan stuck out her tongue in embarrassment:

"That medicine... the taste is too strange. I was thinking, since I am also an alchemist, whether I could improve the formula..."

"No."

Xu Chen refused decisively, "That was prepared by the Old Ancestor himself; although it tastes bad, it has the best effect. It is true that you are an alchemist, but right now you are a patient, and you must follow the doctor's orders."

After speaking, Xu Chen beckoned, and the bowl of still-warm medicinal soup flew into his hand.

"Come, open your mouth."

Xu Chen scooped up a spoonful, blew on it carefully, and brought it to her lips, "Ah—"

Liu Hanyan looked at his way of coaxing a child, feeling both amused and helpless. But her heart was sweet, and even that black medicinal soup didn't seem so bitter anymore. She obediently opened her mouth and drank it spoonful by spoonful.

After finishing the medicine, Xu Chen fed her a few candied fruits to suppress the bitterness, and then continued to massage her.

The room was quiet, with only the occasional sound of fabric rubbing.

"Husband."

Liu Hanyan leaned on the soft pillow, enjoying this rare moment of tenderness, and suddenly asked:

"Tell me... when these two children are born, who will they look like more?"

"Definitely like you."

Xu Chen said without hesitation, "As smart as you, as beautiful as you, and it would be best if they know Alchemy like you. In the future, our Family's Medicinal Pill freedom will depend on them."

"Smooth talker."

Liu Hanyan gave him a coquettish glare, "It would also be good if they were like you... gifted with extraordinary talent like you, able to protect the Family."

"That won't do."

Xu Chen shook his head and said solemnly, "Being like me is too tiring. Having to save the world every day, and dealing with so many... cough cough, in short, it's better to be like you, quiet and peaceful."

Liu Hanyan understood the meaning behind his words and couldn't help but giggle.

"That's true. If they were as unfaithful as you, I would have a splitting headache."

"I've been wronged! I call this being broad-minded!"

The two chatted idly, from the children's names to future cultivation, from trivial Family matters to insights on the Dao of Alchemy.

Gradually, Liu Hanyan's voice became quieter and quieter.

In Xu Chen's gentle massage and warm embrace, the insomnia that had troubled her for so long finally left her. She's eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and finally, her breathing became long and steady; she had actually fallen asleep in Xu Chen's arms.

Xu Chen stopped his movements, looking at her sleeping face, which still carried a hint of fatigue even in her dreams, his heart filled with even more pity.

He carefully placed her legs back into the quilt and tucked the corners in, his movements as gentle as if he were treating a fragile treasure.

"You've worked hard, wifey."

Xu Chen planted a light kiss on her forehead.

After doing all this, he did not rush to leave, but sat down by the bed, quietly guarding her, watching her protruding belly rise and fall slightly with her breathing.

This tranquility did not last long.

Just as Xu Chen was preparing to close his eyes and rest for a while, a very light sound of footsteps suddenly came from the doorway.

Although the other party had deliberately restrained their aura, they were still unable to hide from Saint-level perception.

Xu Chen raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to look at the half-open door.

At the crack of the door, a pair of fiery, large eyes were revealed, staring fixedly at Liu Hanyan on the bed, the gaze filled with... envy and jealousy.