After the test results came out, everyone couldn’t help but feel tense. Doctor Youjin looked at the report in his hand, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. “How did I not think of this?”
Hearing this, Grace immediately asked, “Do you know the cause now?”
Eugene’s gaze remained fixed on the report as he nodded. “It really does have something to do with you. Since Duke Lu Xia became pregnant, you two haven’t had any physical contact, have you?”
Doctor Youjin phrased this rather euphemistically, but Grace understood.
For a moment, Grace’s expression froze, as if surprised by the doctor’s question, but she quickly regained her composure. “No, we haven’t.”
It wasn’t just the fear of risks during this period—their first time had also been for the sake of the submission contract.
If Duke Lu Xia had truly been the kind of person rumored, perhaps they would have continued afterward. But Lu Xia was nothing like the rumors suggested, so they hadn’t been together since. What Grace didn’t say was that she felt Lu Xia didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about such matters.
Upon hearing her precise answer, Eugene couldn’t help but sigh. “I should have reminded you earlier. Artificially cultivated embryos require various nutritional supplements, let alone a Natural Conception. This isn’t something a Female can handle alone—it requires the male’s participation. Duke Lu Xia’s current condition is due to the fetus lacking the male father’s vital energy, which can be seen as a form of malnutrition.”
With Doctor Youjin’s explanation, Grace instantly understood the underlying meaning. She couldn’t help but ask, “At this stage, won’t it pose any danger to the fetus?”
“Of course, caution is necessary. In principle, it doesn’t need to be too frequent, but it’s been nearly two months without any replenishment—that simply won’t do. According to the current report, after you return home, you’ll need to replenish at least three to five times within this week to alleviate the symptoms. For a full recovery, it depends on how diligent you are.”
At this point, Eugene patted Grace’s shoulder, as if to reassure her. “Don’t be too surprised. This is actually a kind of atavistic phenomenon. Back in the era when males dominated, younglings had to absorb their father’s vital energy in the womb to survive and gain paternal recognition. The more favored the youngling was by the father, the healthier they grew. This is recorded in our national history, but it’s been so long that I only just remembered. It seems that for Females with Natural Conception, this aspect has never changed.”
Grace understood Doctor Youjin’s words and nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
“When Duke Lu Xia wakes up, I’ll explain it to her as well. She just took some medication, which should provide some relief. However, the medicine only soothes the symptoms—it doesn’t address the root cause. Their safety still depends on you.” After saying this, Eugene glanced at Grace, who had remained calm and steady throughout, thinking to himself that Duke Lu Xia was a unique individual, and this so-called “defective product” male was no ordinary person either.
When Lu Xia woke up, her body had already returned to normal. Noticing her unfamiliar surroundings, she felt a bit puzzled, but soon, Eugene and Grace walked in together. Seeing she was awake, Eugene smiled and asked, “How are you feeling now?”
“I don’t feel anything anymore. What’s wrong with me?” Lu Xia didn’t appear particularly flustered, only glancing briefly at Grace as she asked this.
Soon, Doctor Eugene repeated to Lu Xia what he had just explained to Grace.
After listening to Doctor Eugene’s words, Lu Xia remained silent for a moment before asking a question: “Will this need to continue throughout the entire pregnancy?”
“I’ll create a plan for you both. Since you’re already experiencing symptoms, it will need to be more frequent initially. Once you’ve recovered to normal levels, we can reduce the frequency to maintain a balanced state.”
Lu Xia nodded: “I understand. When can I be discharged?”
“If you’re not experiencing any other symptoms now, you can go home immediately. I’ve already explained the specifics clearly to Mr. Grace. If there’s anything you don’t understand, we can communicate anytime.”
Doctor Eugene spoke very naturally, as if this matter were as simple as eating or drinking.
Hearing his words, the two couldn’t help but look up and meet each other’s eyes simultaneously, their expressions complex.
Neither was as composed as Doctor Eugene.
When they left the hospital, the old butler was already waiting outside. Seeing Grace carefully supporting Lu Xia as they emerged, he immediately opened the car door and asked softly: “Are you alright?”
Lu Xia replied: “I’m fine now. Sorry to worry you.”
The old butler sighed in relief: “It’s good that you’re alright, truly good. Shall we go home now?”
“Home.” This response came from Grace.
Lu Xia appeared perfectly calm on the surface, but her mind was in turmoil. She never imagined that Natural Conception here was completely different from pregnancy as she understood it.
After all, in her understanding, she’d never heard that pregnancy required increased sexual activity!
People usually worried whether such activities might harm the mother or child.
But this world had turned everything upside down—not doing it was actually bad for the fetus. Her worldview had been shattered and hadn’t yet been rebuilt.
Moreover, this meant she felt her relationship with Grace needed redefining.
Previously, she thought that after that one time with Grace, her task would be complete. Who could have imagined this would actually become an ongoing task?
Lu Xia was reluctant to admit she felt somewhat awkward. Before, she thought that since she was pregnant, Grace, as the child’s father, had both the right to know and the responsibility to care for her—after all, pregnancy shouldn’t be something she endured alone. Well, now she couldn’t say he wasn’t contributing.
Thinking this, Lu Xia couldn’t help but glance at Grace, only to find the man staring intently at her.
Before she could speak, Grace suddenly asked: “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing… why are you looking at me?”
“Didn’t you look at me first?”
Hearing this retort, Lu Xia turned her head, her eyes showing surprise as if she hadn’t expected Grace to play the accuser.
Under her gaze, Grace seemed to concede defeat, a faint smile appearing in his eyes: “Alright, it was me who looked at you first.”
Lu Xia: “…”
“Just joking. I just feel like you seem a bit tense right now.”
Lu Xia pressed her lips together: “You dare to joke now.”
He wasn’t like before, constantly acting subservient.
Upon hearing this, Grace did not deny it; instead, the smile in his eyes deepened a notch. He softly responded, “Yes, because I believe even so, you wouldn’t truly be angry with me.”
“…Hah, you’ve certainly grown much more confident than before.”
At this moment, Lu Xia wasn’t very willing to admit that he had been seen through.