17: Chapter 17: Both Receive Equal Grace and Become Pregnant

After Retainer left in such a sorry state, the Gu Family residence enjoyed a rare period of peace.

On the side of the Wang Family, they unexpectedly quieted down and did not send anyone to harass them again. It was as if the conflict at the rice shop and the standoff last night had never happened.

But Gu Yan knew clearly in his heart that this absolutely did not mean the old fox, Family Head, had given up.

A venomous snake that has had its tail stepped on will often choose to retreat into its hole for the time being, patiently waiting for an opportunity before launching a fatal strike.

However, Gu Yan did not care.

What he needed most right now was time.

Since the Wang Family was willing to play the coward, he was happy to take the leisure, seizing every opportunity to improve his own strength and strengthen the Family.

Over the next month or so, Gu Yan's life became extremely regular.

Every morning, he would sit cross-legged in the courtyard, facing the first ray of purple Qi, operating the Long Spring Art to absorb the thin Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth.

His Qi Refining Stage 2 cultivation, through his diligent practice, was becoming increasingly stable. Although a Breakthrough to Qi Refining Stage 3 was still a distant prospect, he could feel that the True Qi within his body was becoming more solid and thicker.

Besides Cultivating, he spent all his remaining time enjoying this hard-won Family life.

He would personally guide Yaya in learning to read and write, accompany Shen Qingxue in managing the Family accounts, and take the still somewhat reserved Bai Linger for walks and chats in the backyard garden.

In his past life, he was alone and died suddenly at his workstation.

In this life, children and grandchildren surround his knees, and beautiful women are by his side.

This warm and fulfilling feeling was something he cherished immensely.

Of course, as the host of the "System," he had not forgotten his core KPI.

Whether it was the dignified and gentle Shen Qingxue or the pure and shy Bai Linger, he managed to "spread the love equally," working hard at tilling the fields without daring to slack off in the slightest.

As the head wife, Shen Qingxue displayed astonishing generosity and wisdom.

She did not harbor any jealousy or dissatisfaction because of Bai Linger's appearance. On the contrary, she treated Bai Linger like her own younger sister, teaching her hand-in-hand how to manage the household and how to adapt to the identity of a mistress of the Gu Family.

Bai Linger was simple-minded by nature and respected this "older sister" Shen Qingxue all the more, following her lead in everything.

For a time, the inner quarters of the Gu Family were in perfect harmony.

One afternoon, Gu Yan was in the study flipping through a miscellaneous book he had picked up from the market, which recorded the geography and customs around Luoyun Town.

Shen Qingxue and Bai Linger were at his side, one brewing tea and the other grinding ink, the atmosphere quiet and beautiful.

Suddenly, Bai Linger, who was grinding ink, frowned slightly, subconsciously covered her mouth with her small hand, and let out a soft sound of retching.

"Little sister, what is wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Seeing this, Shen Qingxue quickly put down the tea set and asked with concern.

Bai Linger's pretty face turned slightly pale, and she shook her head: "It... it is nothing, sister. I just smelled the ink, and my stomach churned a bit. Perhaps... perhaps I ate something unclean this morning."

Gu Yan also put down the book in his hand and looked at Bai Linger.

He noticed that the young girl had indeed had a poor appetite in the last few days and was often drowsy. He had assumed it was because she had just arrived at the Gu Family and was still unaccustomed to the local environment, so he had not paid too much attention to it.

But seeing her retching now, a thought suddenly emerged from the bottom of his heart.

"Qingxue," Gu Yan said, "Go, invite Doctor Zhang, the best in town, to come and take a good look at Linger."

"Yes, Master." Shen Qingxue did not dare to delay and immediately ordered the servants to go and invite him.

Less than half an hour later, Doctor Zhang, who was over sixty years old, arrived panting with his medicine box on his back.

After looking, listening, asking, and feeling the pulse, Doctor Zhang extended three withered fingers to rest on Bai Linger's fair wrist, closed his eyes, focused his mind, and carefully checked the pulse.

In the room, everyone held their breath.

Bai Linger was so nervous that her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her throat, her little face turning from red to white, and white to red.

After a long while.

Doctor Zhang slowly opened his eyes.

The expression on his face went from surprise to sudden realization, and finally, it was replaced by immense joy.

He stood up abruptly, not even caring about etiquette, and bowed deeply to Gu Yan, congratulating him in a loud voice:

"Congratulations, Old Ancestor! Congratulations, Old Ancestor!"

"The Second Mistress is not ill, but... she has a happy pulse!"

"Judging from the pulse, the fetus is stable, and she is already more than a month along!"

A happy pulse!

These two words were like a spring thunderclap, exploding throughout the entire Gu Family residence!

Bai Linger was completely stunned. She subconsciously reached out and gently stroked her still-flat lower abdomen, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief and immense ecstasy.

She... she was actually pregnant with the Master's flesh and blood?

She was going to be a mother?

Shen Qingxue, standing to the side, was also full of surprise and excitement. She walked quickly to Bai Linger's side, held her hand tightly, and was genuinely happy for her.

"That is wonderful! Little sister, you have made a great contribution to our Gu Family!"

Gu Yan's heart was stirred with tumultuous waves!

It had come!

It had finally come!

The true beginning of his Heaven-Defying change of fate was finally arriving with the birth of this child!

He forcibly suppressed the ecstasy in his heart, a steady smile appearing on his face as he said to Doctor Zhang: "Good, very good! Doctor Zhang, thank you for your hard work. Go to the accounting department and collect a generous reward!"

"I dare not, I dare not! Being able to bring good news to the Old Ancestor is this old man's good fortune!" Doctor Zhang smiled until the wrinkles on his face bloomed like flowers.

Just at this moment, Shen Qingxue, who was to the side, seemed to have suddenly remembered something. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she said somewhat embarrassedly: "Doctor... Doctor Zhang, could... could you also take a look at me?"

"Oh?" Everyone was taken aback.

Shen Qingxue lowered her head shyly, her voice faint: "I... these past few days, I have also often felt weak and had a poor appetite. I do not know what the reason is..."

Gu Yan's heart lifted once again.

A bold, even somewhat absurd thought to his own mind, floated into his heart.

No way...

Could it be...

Doctor Zhang did not dare to delay and quickly walked to Shen Qingxue, extending his hand again to rest on her wrist.

This time, the time he took to check the pulse was even longer than before.

The expression on his face was even more dramatic than before.

From doubt to shock, to disbelief, and finally, it transformed into... worship for Gu Yan that was as endless as the surging river!

He suddenly withdrew his hand, his body trembling slightly from excessive excitement.

He looked at Gu Yan, his eyes burning, his voice changing pitch, as if witnessing some kind of miracle.

"Old... Old Ancestor!"

"The First Mistress, she..."

"She... she also has a happy pulse!!!"