The next day, Chu'he dragged Ninth along to thank everyone, only to learn that there was joyous news.
"You're going to have a baby!"
Chu'he grabbed White Dove's hands and jumped up in excitement.
White Dove was still a little embarrassed. "I didn’t expect it either—it’s so sudden."
Early that morning, she had still been feeling unwell, so Black Goose quickly called for Sang Duo to examine her. Before long, Sang Duo confirmed with absolute certainty that White Dove was pregnant. Both Black Goose and White Dove were stunned.
The two of them were always restless and impulsive, never paying much attention to details. With all the recent traveling, White Dove had even forgotten that her monthly cycle hadn’t come.
Now that they thought about it, the couple felt a wave of fear.
Luckily, White Dove was a martial artist with a strong constitution. All her swordplay and training hadn’t harmed the unborn child.
Murong Meifei, who usually only cared about swords, suddenly showed rare interest upon hearing that someone close to her was pregnant. She curiously glanced at White Dove’s belly.
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
Sang Duo, sitting at the table grinding herbs, looked up and said, "How could we possibly know so soon? Whether it’s a boy or a girl, we’d have to wait at least five months. I could use a gu worm to find out, though."
White Dove quickly interjected, "No need! I don’t want that. I’ll love the child no matter what!"
Sang Duo remarked, "You Central Plains people are really different from those who used to come to Miaojiang seeking medicine."
It was well-known that Miaojiang had countless mysterious methods. Somehow, rumors spread that there was even a miraculous drug that could change an unborn child from a girl to a boy. Many people spent fortunes trying to buy such a "son-bearing" medicine.
But Miaojiang didn’t specialize in childbirth—how could such a drug exist?
So, others settled for the next best thing, begging Miaojiang people to determine the gender of their unborn child.
Sang Duo thought these people were ridiculous. The boys in her village climbed trees to steal bird eggs, splashed around in rivers catching fish, and always came home sweaty and annoyingly energetic. How could they compare to neat and tidy little girls?
Shangguan Huanxi smiled. "Both of you have exceptional martial talent. Your child will surely be a prodigy."
White Dove’s eyes lit up. "Hearing you say that makes me look forward to it even more!"
Chu'he was brimming with curiosity. "What does it feel like to be pregnant?"
Sang Duo and Murong Meifei, having no such experience themselves, also looked at White Dove with interest.
White Dove laughed. "Honestly, it doesn’t feel too different. I just sleep more than usual, and my appetite has changed. I used to hate fishy herbs, but now I crave them so much I can’t go a meal without them."
Chu'he, Sang Duo, and Murong Meifei: "Wow!"
Shangguan Huanxi sipped her tea, quietly chuckling to herself.
The women chattered away happily inside the room, but outside, the atmosphere was tense.
Black Goose sat on a stone stool, staring at the hostile figures before him. Swallowing nervously, he asked in a small voice, "Everyone... can’t I just go in and see my wife?"
Murong Meixin was the first to snap. "What do you mean by 'wife'?"
To his left stood Heart Knife, and to his right, Ninth. All three had their arms crossed, glaring at Black Goose with overwhelming pressure.
Murong Meixin: "Oh, so you have a wife? Does that make you better than those of us who don’t? Is having a wife something to brag about?"
Heart Knife echoed, "Is having a wife something to brag about?"
Ninth shot them a glance.
Murong Meixin stiffened his neck, putting on a fierce front, but his words were weak. "Fine, I admit it. Having a wife is pretty impressive."
Heart Knife cleared his throat. "I suppose you have some skills."
Ninth withdrew his gaze, fingers lightly brushing the red jade earring dangling from his ear. The gem caught the light, scattering dazzling reflections that danced before their eyes.
Black Goose was the most affected, nearly blinded. He couldn’t help but protest, "Ninth, you—"
"How did you know my wife gave me new earrings?"
Black Goose: "..."
The young man blinked innocently, fingertips still toying with the swaying jade. His eyes sparkled like stars. "Do you think they’re pretty too? My wife said this red jade is top quality and quite expensive, but she thought it suited me, so the price didn’t matter. You’ve probably heard—she’s given me so many gems, they don’t even fit in one box anymore."
Just when everyone thought he was done, Ninth’s crimson eyes curved into a smile. "Oh, and she said if I like them, she might even take me to buy a mine someday. Then I could pick out any beautiful gem I want."
Heart Knife began grinding his teeth.
Murong Meixin cursed inwardly.
Black Goose forced a dry laugh. "You and Miss Chu'he really have a wonderful relationship. A couple so deeply in love must live in perfect harmony. It won’t be long before we hear the happy news of your family expanding. A child will surely come naturally."
The moment he finished speaking, Ninth’s smile froze. The light in his eyes dimmed, and even the glittering diamonds on his ears seemed to lose their sparkle.
Heart Knife and Murong Meixin immediately took three steps back.
Black Goose belatedly realized his mistake. As he scrambled for a way to fix it, Ninth spoke first, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Always wishing for others to have children—what, you think having a kid makes you special? It’s not like you’re the one giving birth. What’s so great about it?"
"I’ve looked it up. The pain of childbirth is unbearable. Your wife will suffer while you stand there useless. And afterward, you’ll shamelessly flaunt the child she bore as if it’s your own achievement."
"Men from the Central Plains—utterly worthless."
His words bordered on stereotyping.
Heart Knife and Murong Meixin wanted to argue, to salvage some dignity for Central Plains men, but seeing Ninth’s unapproachable demeanor, they could only pin their hopes on Black Goose.
Instead, Black Goose’s eyes reddened, on the verge of tears. "Ninth, you’re right... When my wife gives birth, she’ll be in so much pain!"
Heart Knife and Murong Meixin exchanged complicated looks.
Ninth was right—this Central Plains man really was useless!
Just then, Fang Songhe approached, deep in thought. Heart Knife quickly pulled him into the conversation. "Fang Songhe! Ninth’s saying Central Plains men are worthless. Show him what we’re made of!"
Fang Songhe looked at Heart Knife. "You’re not from the Central Plains, are you?"
Heart Knife paused. "Right, I’m from the frontier. Why am I even arguing with him?"
