The Ugly Little Snake: My Dragon Son | Chapter 87 | A False Life Within | Novela.app

Chapter 87 - A False Life Within Leng Jing retreated to his private quarters, carrying the specialized pregnancy kit he had recently acquired. At this stage of their journey, both Crown Prince Jing and Prime Minister Bai were lodged in a prestigious inn, a sprawling establishment of dark wood and fine silks reserved for high-ranking officials. As the supposed "expectant mother" in this elaborate ruse, Leng Jing enjoyed significantly better treatment than before, including a spacious, secluded room that overlooked a quiet courtyard. After slipping through the window with the agility of a shadow and ensuring the heavy wooden door was securely bolted from the inside, he began his experimentation with the full suite of pregnancy gear. The chest he had brought back was a marvel of deceptive engineering, filled with various layers and magical trinkets designed to fool even the most discerning eyes. He opened the specially crafted box and sifted through the various options until he selected a prosthetic belly pad designed to simulate a four-month pregnancy. As he applied the adhesive surface to his midsection, he was impressed by the craftsmanship; the material fused seamlessly with his own translucent skin, leaving no visible seams or discrepancies in tone. Even the navel had been forged with uncanny realism—a humorous touch, considering that as a dragon, Leng Jing possessed no such feature. In fact, Prime Minister Bai, being a snake demon in origin, lacked one as well. The irony of wearing a fake navel to prove a fake pregnancy was not lost on him. Next, he fastened the Fetal Aura Armlet around his bicep. This ingenious device emitted a subtle, rhythmic vibration and a spiritual resonance that mimicked the presence of a developing life force. He patted the slight, firm protrusion of his stomach, feeling the artificial weight, and found the entire situation profoundly amusing. With a smirk playing on his lips and the "child" securely in place, he finally settled into bed for a restful night's sleep, eager for the morning's performance. The following morning, as the first pale rays of dawn filtered through the lattice windows and the inn began to stir with the sounds of servants, a visibly distressed Prime Minister Bai arrived. His brow was knit with worry, his eyes reflecting a night of restless thought. He had brought along the senior physician traveling with their retinue to examine Leng Jing. This elderly doctor was no mere village healer; he was the former head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, a man renowned throughout the realm as a "Divine Physician." With a solemn expression, he stroked his long, silver beard and pressed his withered fingers against Leng Jing’s wrist, which was as smooth and cool as white jade. The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the distant chirping of birds, as the physician closed his eyes, focusing entirely on the thrum of the pulse beneath his fingertips. After a long moment, the old man’s brow furrowed deeply. His eyes snapped open, filled with a mixture of bewilderment and sheer disbelief. He adjusted his grip, pressing deeper into the meridian points to confirm what his senses were telling him. The Fetal Aura Armlet was doing its job perfectly, projecting a vibrant, secondary heartbeat through Leng Jing's own circulation. Finally, the physician's expression turned grave. He looked up at Leng Jing and asked in a hushed, respectful tone, "Young Master, how have you been feeling of late? Have there been any... unusual symptoms?" Leng Jing adopted a weary, slightly delicate posture, leaning back against the headboard to play his role to perfection. "I have been plagued by frequent bouts of nausea," he replied, his voice tinged with feigned exhaustion. "And I find myself constantly craving sour foods. Nothing else seems to sit well on my stomach." The old physician nodded slowly, then proceeded to examine the coating on Leng Jing’s tongue and the clarity of his eyes. His confusion only deepened, yet the physical evidence provided by the "Joyous Pulse" was undeniable. He pulled Prime Minister Bai aside, leaning in to whisper with an air of profound mystery. "Prime Minister, this is truly unprecedented," the doctor murmured, his voice trembling slightly. "The young master possesses a clear 'Joyous Pulse.' By all medical accounts and the laws of the Three Realms as I know them, he is indeed with child." The news hit Prime Minister Bai like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky. He stood frozen for a moment, his face turning a ghostly shade of pale, before he began to sway unsteadily. It was as if his very soul had been jolted from his body by the sheer absurdity of the diagnosis. Without a word, he turned and stumbled out of the room, looking utterly despondent and lost in a fog of shock, his mind likely racing through the impossible logistics of the situation. As soon as the door clicked shut and the footsteps faded down the hallway, Leng Jing collapsed against his pillows, muffled laughter shaking his frame. He pounded the bedding in silent glee, his eyes bright with mischief. This was turning out to be far more entertaining than he had ever imagined.