Leng Jing brought the entire set of pregnancy gear back with him. At this moment, Prince Jing and Prime Minister Bai were staying at a specialized inn. Leng Jing was given better treatment now, enjoying a room of his own.
After entering the room through the window, he checked the door and bolted it from the inside before beginning to test the pregnancy kit.
From the specially made crate, he selected a four-month-sized abdominal pad and applied it to his belly. As expected, it blended perfectly with his skin tone, leaving no visible seams. Even the navel was forged with lifelike detail—though Leng Jing didn't actually have a navel, and neither did Prime Minister Bai.
Next, he put on the "Fetal Qi" armlet and patted his slightly protruding belly, finding the whole thing rather amusing.
Then, he went to sleep.
The next morning, while the sky was still dim, the preoccupied Prime Minister Bai brought along a traveling physician to check Leng Jing’s pulse.
The old doctor was a retired head of the Imperial Physicians from the Palace Academy, renowned as a miracle worker. He stroked his beard, pressed his fingers against Leng Jing’s jade-white wrist, and closed his eyes to feel the pulse.
After a long while, the old physician’s expression turned incredulous. He opened his eyes wide and continued to probe the pulse.
Finally, his face grew solemn. He asked Leng Jing, "How has the Young Master been feeling lately?"
"I often feel nauseous and have an urge to vomit. I find myself craving sour foods," Leng Jing replied.
The old physician checked his tongue coating, then pulled Prime Minister Bai aside, whispering mysteriously, "This young man actually possesses a 'joyous pulse.' It is the sign of pregnancy."
Prime Minister Bai felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He staggered out of the room, looking utterly soul-shorn.
Once they were gone, Leng Jing gleefully pounded his pillow. This was simply too much fun.
Thus, after everyone had left, Leng Jing opened the crate and swapped the pad for one a size larger. Now, the protrusion of his abdomen was even more obvious. It seemed the "Ugly Little Snake" was becoming addicted to the game.
While the Ugly Little Snake’s "pregnant husband" plan was proceeding swimmingly, Prime Minister Bai spent every day in a state of restless anxiety. He didn't know how to face his fiancée at home, and he certainly didn't know how to tell Young Master Leng that he was actually carrying his child.
However, delaying day after day and concealing the truth was clearly not a long-term solution. He had already noticed that Young Master Leng’s belly was visibly growing larger by the day.
Consequently, as they were about to reach the capital, Prime Minister Bai took the initiative to find Leng Jing and confess.
It was a bright and beautiful afternoon. Prince Jing had already headed back to the capital in advance. Leng Jing was basking in the sun alone in the inn’s courtyard; the entire establishment had long since been booked by the Prince’s men.
Prime Minister Bai approached Leng Jing stealthily, only to find that his belly was already high and rounded.
Steeling his resolve, he finally stepped forward and called out, "Young Master Leng."
"Lord Bai, what is it?" Leng Jing turned his head, looking up from a book of poetry with a face of harmless innocence.
That innocent expression stung Prime Minister Bai deeply. He shuffled forward, stammering for a long time before finally whispering in a low voice:
"Young Master Leng, do you feel that your body has been a bit strange lately? Your belly is getting bigger every day..."
Leng Jing gave a faint smile and nodded. "It’s nothing. Perhaps it’s just a flare-up of my chronic illness."
Prime Minister Bai shook his head vigorously. "No, it’s not! Actually... actually... the truth is, you are pregnant with my child!"
The scroll in Leng Jing’s hand dropped to the ground. Immediately, he adopted an expression of mixed sorrow and joy.
"Actually, I knew all along. I just didn't want to trouble you. I wanted to leave quietly like this, but I didn't expect you to..."
"I will take responsibility! Please believe me!" Prime Minister Bai grasped his hand. "I will marry you into my house! I will treat you and our child well. I will be good to you for the rest of my life and take responsibility forever!"
"Then, have you remembered who I am?" Leng Jing asked.
"You are Young Master Leng. About that night... I... I am very sorry..." It seemed Prime Minister Bai still hadn't realized the fact that he was a white snake.
Leng Jing: = = It seemed he hadn't truly made the man fall in love with him yet. In Leng Qingqing’s heart right now, there was only a sense of duty.
With a long sigh, Leng Jing could only say, "Shaoqing, I am willing to live and fly with you from now on. However, your heart must only have room for me alone."
Prime Minister Bai nodded, but it was clear he hadn't truly been moved by passion yet.
That night, Leng Jing’s meals and living standards skyrocketed tenfold. He ate nourishing medicinal feasts of delicacies from land and sea, drank soups meant for stabilizing a pregnancy, and even had specialized maids experienced in postpartum care come to massage him. Naturally, all of this was paid for with the Prince’s money.
Leng Jing then added the "fetal movement" function to his abdominal pad, settling in to "nurture the pregnancy" with peace of mind.
***
On the other side, at the Sea of the Horizon in the Celestial Realm, the experiences of the real Young Master Yue Tian could only be described as bizarre for a mortal. Initially, he had come to pursue Young Master Zhao Qing, only to be mysteriously abducted to the Heavens. He was kept under house arrest at the Sea of the Horizon, surrounded by spirit beasts like Rabbit Immortals. It took a long time before he was willing to believe the fact that he had arrived in the Celestial Realm.
Thinking he was already dead and had ascended, he settled in comfortably.
From time to time, when there were major ceremonies in the Heavens, people would come to the Sea of the Horizon to find Leng Jing’s subordinates to participate—now that Leng Jing had made it big, even his servants had ascended like "dogs and chickens following their master to heaven."
Because Young Master Yue Tian was actually a very gentle person who was popular with women, children, and small animals, he often chatted with the Rabbit Immortals and became quite well-liked by them. Thus, when the Rabbit Immortals went to banquets, they often brought Young Master Yue Tian along.
Furthermore, since coming to the Heavens, Young Master Yue Tian felt strength returning to his legs and his waist no longer ached; miraculously, his paralysis was gradually healing! This brought him even more joy. Gradually, he stopped thinking about that Young Master Zhao Qing and instead actively threw himself into celestial life.
After living in the Heavens for so long and becoming familiar with the other immortals, Young Master Yue Tian even found a position as an accounting manager at the Sea of the Horizon. In his spare time, he played chess and tasted tea with other deities, living a life that wasn't bad at all. Even when he later learned the truth, he was unwilling to leave.
And so, Young Master Yue Tian strangely attained immortality and the Dao.
***
Now, let us speak of the poor White Mink.
The determined White Mink traveled across famous mountains and great rivers, through snow-capped peaks, over lush green plains, and through magnificent primeval forests, finally arriving at the capital.
By the time it reached the capital, after its long trek, the White Mink’s white fur had turned soot-black. It was travel-worn and exhausted, yet there was still no sign of Leng Jing or Leng Qingqing.
It was on the verge of despair.
When it collapsed at the gates of the capital, it was picked up by a kind-hearted person.
"What a pitiful little thing." A seven or eight-year-old boy was playing at the city gate with his younger sister when he saw the collapsed White Mink.
"Brother, let's take it home and raise it," the little girl said, tugging at her brother’s sleeve.
"Okay." The brother agreed, tucked the soot-black White Mink into his tunic, and ran toward a wealthy household in the city.
***
Prime Minister Bai finally returned home. Although he had lived in poverty while away, his family was actually quite well-off. Because the Prime Minister had several times refused the Old Madam’s demands to consummate his marriage, she had cut off his living expenses in a fit of rage and kicked him out of the house for a period to reflect. The Emperor, who had long since despaired of this Prime Minister, also granted him permission to skip court, but his salary was suspended accordingly. This was the truth behind the Prime Minister’s destitution.
Prime Minister Bai arrived at his front gate, bringing with him the heavily pregnant Leng Jing. He carried Leng Jing down from the carriage. Despite wearing loose clothing, Leng Jing was now "big-bellied," looking somewhat peculiar. He leaned against the Prime Minister’s shoulder, his hair tied with a ribbon and cascading down his back; half of his unpinned hair spilled over the Prime Minister’s shoulder, looking quite enchanting.
The Prime Minister’s heart raced, filled with both tension and fear—fear that a single slip might drop him to the ground, resulting in "one corpse, two lives."
Finally, he carried Leng Jing through the main gate and settled him safely into a wheelchair brought by a servant.
"Shaoqing, should I go with you to see the Old Madam?" Leng Jing asked, holding his hand.
"No need. Let me see Mother first to report everything before I bring you to her." Prime Minister Bai squeezed his hand. "You must rest well."
"Mhm." Leng Jing lowered his head and patted his belly. "The little thing inside is growing so fast. I’m really afraid he’ll burst my stomach."
"How could that happen?" Prime Minister Bai knelt down and pressed his ear to Leng Jing’s belly. Soon, he began to sing happily, for he felt the little fellow inside kicking.
That was actually the fetal movement device.
"Shaoqing, he’s kicking me!" Leng Jing said mischievously. "What do you think we should name our child?"
"Let's call him Xiao Jing," Prime Minister Bai said.
"..." Leng Jing: = =
In short, after a bit of intimate whispering at the gate, Leng Jing was pushed into a clean room to wait, while Prime Minister Bai went to report to his mother.
One could imagine it would be a tedious family squabble. Leng Jing took the opportunity to change his gear again, adding the "miscarriage device" as well. He now felt his belly was quite heavy, simply because he had stuffed too many things inside.
He waited in the room for half the day. It wasn't until nearly dinner time that Prime Minister Bai rushed in excitedly, telling him that the Old Madam had agreed to see him and had consented to let Leng Jing give birth to the child in the house.
Thus, Prime Minister Bai pushed Leng Jing into the front hall to meet the various members of the great clan.
The Bai family was indeed a prominent household, and the living room was decorated quite magnificently. A dignified-looking Old Madam sat on a couch behind a beaded curtain. Seated beside her was Prime Minister Bai’s wife—Miss Shangguan. Miss Shangguan was a beauty, but she looked shrewd and capable. From the moment Leng Jing entered the door, her eyes swiveled over him like knives, finally landing on his protruding belly.
"Oh, so this is the male concubine my Young Master took a fancy to?" Miss Shangguan’s very first words were biting. "Why is he still sitting in a chair? Doesn't he know he must pay respects upon seeing the Old Matriarch? Truly no manners at all!" She said this specifically to mock Leng Jing.
Leng Jing clutched Prime Minister Bai’s sleeve piteously. "Shaoqing, I cannot stand, as you know..."
"What? So the one the Young Master took a fancy to is a cripple who can't even stand? Hmph, what will people say if word gets out? Not only did he bring a man home, but a lame paralytic at that. Who knows what kind of freakish thing is actually growing in that belly!" Miss Shangguan became even more sarcastic.
The Old Madam gave a dry cough, putting a stop to Miss Shangguan’s jealous bickering. She said in an aged voice, "Young Master Leng, I heard from Shaoqing that you are willing to marry down into our Bai family. It is a grievance for you, but the Bai family will not mistreat you. As long as you focus on nurturing your body and give the Bai family a fat, healthy boy, the Bai family will not despise you and will ensure you a life without worries. To be honest, for the Bai family to marry a male daughter-in-law who can bear children... it won't sound good if it spreads. We are taking on a great burden by letting you enter this house."
Leng Jing lowered his head and whispered, "Thank you, Old Madam."
Miss Shangguan scoffed. "Who knows if this pregnancy is real or fake."
Prime Minister Bai defended him, "Mother, Jing-er is truly carrying my flesh and blood. The little fellow is quite energetic; I could even feel him kicking me today!"
Leng Jing sniffled, feigning a sob. "Shaoqing, you said that once I came to the Bai family, you would give me a proper status..."
Only then did Prime Minister Bai realize his oversight. He said to the Old Madam, "Mother, I promised to give Jing-er a status. Can we hold a wedding celebration for us?"
Leng Jing tugged his sleeve and whispered again, "Shaoqing, you said you’d let me be the primary wife."
"Don't push your luck! You've gone too far!" Miss Shangguan slammed her cup onto the floor, looking as if she wanted to rush over and strangle him.
"Fine, fine, fine," the Old Madam said, fingering her prayer beads. "Young Master Leng, I will make a pact with you. If you truly can bear a son for the Bai family, I will have Shaoqing take you as his primary wife."
Upon hearing this, Miss Shangguan’s mouth nearly twisted with rage. A sinister plot began to take shape in her heart. She suppressed her anger, merely glaring at Leng Jing with venomous eyes.
*This is just too much fun~~* the Ugly Little Snake thought, laughing "wa-ka-ka" in his heart. He used his sleeve to cover his mouth as he snickered, but when he glanced sideways, he actually spotted the White Mink shivering in a corner among the many servants.
*Why is it here?!!!*
Leng Jing: = =
The White Mink: = = It truly couldn't have imagined that the Young Boss would develop even more wicked hobbies.
As it turned out, the child who had picked up the White Mink was the younger brother of one of the maids here. The maid thought it was amusing and brought it for the Old Madam to play with. And thus, the Leng family’s "Country Bumpkin Trio" was bizarrely reunited.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 喜脉 | Joyous pulse | A traditional Chinese medical term for a pregnancy pulse. |
| 胎气臂环 | Fetal Qi Armlet | A magical or specialized tool used by Leng Jing to simulate pregnancy. |
| 天涯海 | Sea of the Horizon | A location in the Celestial Realm where Yue Tian is staying. |
| 上官小姐 | Miss Shangguan | Prime Minister Bai's (Leng Qingqing's) wife in his mortal identity. |
| 老太君 | Old Matriarch | A respectful title for the elderly female head of a prominent household. |
| 胎动装置 | Fetal movement device | A tool Leng Jing uses to simulate a baby kicking. |
| 流产装置 | Miscarriage device | Another part of Leng Jing's gear to simulate a medical emergency. |
| 小景 | Xiao Jing | The name Bai gives to the "unborn child," likely a nod to his adopted son's name. |
| 坐月子 | Zuo Yue Zi / Postpartum confinement | The traditional Chinese practice of recovery after childbirth. |
