Grace’s test results came back quickly. When the old butler brought the report for Lu Xia to review, he discovered that Grace’s genetic assessment was no different from what she had previously known.
He was indeed the Empire’s theoretical defective product of gene fusion.
So Grace hadn’t lied.
The old butler stood to the side, watching Lu Xia’s furrowed brow, and couldn’t help wanting to persuade her to go to the hospital for a checkup. After all, if this were true, then the fetus in Duke Lu Xia’s womb would be the Empire’s first naturally born youngling in hundreds of years.
Not an artificially fused product.
It would be recorded in history.
However, before he could speak, Lu Xia put down the test report in her hand and said, “Contact a hospital and find a trustworthy doctor in this field. I want to get checked, but I don’t want too many people to know.”
No matter what, she needed an accurate answer.
Seeing that Lu Xia hadn’t completely rejected the idea of going to the hospital, the old butler breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, “I’ll take care of it right away.”
Watching the old butler leave, Lu Xia pursed her lips. If she were really pregnant, she wasn’t particularly opposed to the child’s arrival.
After all, in this world, she had no family.
But she always felt that everything had come too incredibly.
The old butler’s efficiency was exceptionally high, and he soon found a doctor for her. The doctor had been the old duke’s private physician a few years ago and had some connections with the Duke’s Residence.
The doctor guaranteed not to disclose the patient’s personal information.
Early the next morning, Lu Xia skipped breakfast and went directly to the hospital on an empty stomach.
First, blood was drawn, then various instrument tests.
After all the hassle, it was already afternoon when she received the data report. All the data reports indicated that the Terminal’s alert light had not made an error in judgment.
She was indeed pregnant.
The doctor conducting her tests, upon seeing the results, jumped up from his chair and stared at the report in his hand for a long time, unable to form a complete sentence: “This, this, this…”
Compared to the doctor’s shock, Lu Xia remained calm at this moment: “How is my condition? Are there any adjustments needed?”
She wasn’t one to dwell on things. Since it had already happened and couldn’t be changed, she could only accept it.
The doctor’s eyes reddened, looking extremely agitated: “According to the data, your physical condition is completely normal. Just continue as you are. However, we should monitor the pregnancy process. We’re not sure what might happen to you. The Empire has little experience in this area—almost none.”
At this point, the doctor swallowed and continued, “So, would you be willing to wear a monitoring chip?”
“This monitoring chip—where does it transmit to? I don’t want to become anyone’s research subject.” She didn’t have that spirit of sacrifice, nor did she want to invite trouble. She felt somewhat grateful now for having the status of a duke.
“Generally speaking, in your situation, it would be best for the Reproduction Research Institute to take over. I believe they should have already received your information feedback. But as far as I know, their monitoring system hasn’t been upgraded, so they probably haven’t obtained your physical data and identity information yet. If you’re unwilling, your physical data will be kept by me. What do you think?”
He didn’t say too much, as gaining Duke Lu Xia’s trust would require more than words.
He simply laid out the facts clearly.
The final decision would ultimately depend on Duke Lu Xia’s judgment.
Lu Xia didn’t dwell on it too much. “Alright, if the Reproduction Research Institute comes looking, I’ll trouble Doctor Youjin to handle them.”
“Rest assured, Your Grace, it’s my duty to do so.” After saying this, Doctor Youjin quickly retrieved a small monitoring chip and attached it to Lu Xia’s Terminal, patiently explaining, “This chip only monitors your physical condition. If any abnormalities are detected, it will vibrate as a reminder, and I will receive feedback in real time, allowing me to take timely measures to address any issues with your health.”
“Alright, understood.” Lu Xia said no more. After confirming her pregnancy, she had actually calmed down.
Although this was her first pregnancy, she had seen it before and knew more or less what reactions to expect during pregnancy.
After leaving the hospital, Lu Xia didn’t return home but went directly to the Yihao Yuan research institute. According to her arrangements, eight researchers had already started work today.
Seeing Lu Xia arrive, everyone greeted her. Lu Xia reviewed the research they had just begun, offered a couple of suggestions, and then, without lingering in the laboratory, headed to her office.
After she left, the researchers in the lab couldn’t help but discuss—
“I never imagined Duke Lu Xia would be so impressive. The suggestions she gave felt even more precise than my mentor’s.”
“Right? You don’t realize until you interact with her, but after working together, I feel Duke Lu Xia isn’t at all like the rumors say!”
“You think so too? I was just about to say that—aside from being a bit serious, she’s actually quite pleasant to work with!”
“Do you think she’s really pregnant?”
“You’re still hung up on that? I think Duke Lu Xia was telling the truth about her Terminal malfunctioning. Didn’t you notice she changed to a new Terminal today? Natural Conception isn’t something that happens so easily, let alone us witnessing it by chance?”
“Exactly, if that were the case, wouldn’t our luck be a bit too good?”
…
After arriving at her office, Lu Xia compiled information on the Duke’s Residence’s business partners over the years, selecting details that might be useful in the near future.
Her research would definitely yield results, and she couldn’t wait until then to start considering these matters.
While Lu Xia was busy working, the old butler came in to remind her, “Your Grace, Count Linsey just sent an invitation, saying she’s hosting a hundred-day celebration for her third youngling and hopes you can attend.”
Lu Xia was somewhat surprised, not expecting this world to also have hundred-day celebrations. “I won’t be going. Prepare a gift to send over.”
After saying this, Lu Xia stood up and put on her coat. Seeing this, the old butler quickly turned to prepare the vehicle, knowing Duke Lu Xia was about to leave.
Before departing, Lu Xia went to say goodbye to the researchers, confirming they had no questions for the time being before leaving.
However, once inside the hovercar, she suddenly asked, “How far is the First Military District where Grace is stationed from here?”
Hearing this question suddenly, the old butler was taken aback, unsure why Duke Lu Xia would ask such a thing out of the blue. Nevertheless, he replied, “It’s not too far from here. Would you like to go see Grace?”
“If it’s on the way, let’s go take a look.” At the same time, she planned to tell him about her pregnancy—as the child’s father, she felt he had the right to know.
After all, pregnancy wasn’t something she should bear alone. While she carried the risks, he ought to share some responsibility as well.
She just didn’t know whether the news would shock him. She was rather curious to find out, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.
A hint of mischief stirred within her.