Chu Hanjin seemed not to have heard clearly. “Medicine to stabilize a pregnancy?”

The old doctor replied, “Your pulse is slippery, flowing smoothly, and it feels as if beads are rolling under my fingers—an indication of pregnancy. I’ve checked it several times; there’s no mistake.”

The old doctor had been the head of the Far Mountain Sect’s medical hall since Chu Hanjin’s father’s time. His skill was renowned, and even if he claimed a stone was pregnant, it would be the stone that was peculiar, not him talking nonsense.

Chu Hanjin felt as though he was still trapped in a nightmare. His delicate fingers nearly crushed under pressure, cold sweat sliding down his forehead, and his shoulders trembled slightly.

Pregnant…

Pregnant…

There was absolutely no mistake…

Yue Lin!!!

He bit down so hard that his teeth tasted of blood. You… are so shameless!

Despite having been taught kindness and mercy since childhood, even Chu Hanjin couldn’t suppress the surge of anger he felt now. I’ll kill you!

But the searing pain in his abdomen and the blackness clouding his vision warned him that if he continued to rage, he might pass out. Trying to maintain some reason, Chu Hanjin turned to the old doctor with a pale face and said, “Please don’t tell anyone.”

“Of course, of course, your health is most important.” The old doctor quickly ordered his assistants, “Help Lord Yue Zhao back to rest!”

A flurry of activity ensued as several apprentices escorted Chu Hanjin back to Moonlight Palace. The old doctor prepared a dose of medicine and brought it to Chu Hanjin’s bedside. “Musk is often used to activate circulation and reduce bruising, but it can also induce labor and cause miscarriages. Just being exposed to it for that short time caused your abdominal pain. If you had inhaled more, the child might have been lost. You must be extremely careful from now on!”

“…”

His words were full of caution, but Chu Hanjin wasn’t in the mindset to fully absorb them. A white cloth covered his forehead as he reclined weakly on the bed, his usually handsome and serene face drained of color.

Imagine—an upright, aloof cultivator with no desires suddenly being involved in a pregnancy. The shock to his spirit far outweighed any physical discomfort. Chu Hanjin sat in a daze for a long while before finally managing to ask, “Doctor, can men even become pregnant?”

The old doctor stroked his beard, pondering. “Logically, no. But in my many years of practice, I have encountered men who were pregnant. There was once a demonic technique developed by the demon clan that allowed men to conceive, but it was later banned because of its sinister nature…”

He didn’t continue, but Chu Hanjin pressed, “What was so sinister about it?”

The doctor hesitated, unsure whether it was appropriate to discuss this in front of Lord Yue Zhao, but given the circumstances, he finally explained, “To carry on the family line, some people are willing to go to any lengths to conceive. Seeking immortal methods is one thing, but others would use fertility charms, safe birth diagrams, drink fennel water, or even raise their hips after intercourse during the full moon to aid conception.”

Chu Hanjin’s ears and neck flushed slightly as he averted his gaze.

The old doctor continued, “As for that forbidden technique, I don’t know the specifics, but I do know that it involved intensive focus on bedroom techniques. The couple would have to engage in intercourse frequently…”

At this point, the old doctor glanced at Chu Hanjin and asked, “Lord Yue Zhao, do you have someone in mind?”

Chu Hanjin’s mind was still reeling from the phrase “frequent intercourse,” his face reddening even more. Hearing the doctor’s question, he realized the old man must be growing suspicious.

Frequent intercourse between a married couple.

Chu Hanjin had always remained at Far Mountain Sect. How could he have been with another man?

Clearly, there was only one answer.

The doctor must be thinking that the usually lofty and pure Lord Yue Zhao had secretly fallen for a man, indulged in repeated trysts, and engaged in indecent activities. Perhaps he had even dabbled in some unsavory bedroom practices, which had led to an unintended pregnancy.

Chu Hanjin’s refined eyes were half-open, his expression one of disbelief. The situation was far too absurd, leaving him without words to defend himself.

First, he had never been with anyone while fully conscious.

Second, but he had indeed been with Yue Lin.

So, while he didn’t want to acknowledge it, there was no way to refute it. Moreover, now he had a child in his womb.

A complex mix of emotions flashed across Chu Hanjin’s face. After a long pause, he spoke hoarsely, “Doctor, this situation isn’t what you think.”

The old doctor nodded solemnly. “I’ve known you since you were a child, Lord Yue Zhao, and I watched you grow up. I’ve never doubted your character.”

His tone softened, “If the bond between you and that man is strong, there’s no harm in keeping the child. However, this should be a decision made together. If this pregnancy was unintentional, I do have other remedies available.”

Other remedies—meaning medicine to induce a miscarriage.

Chu Hanjin’s fingers trembled under the blanket as he glanced at the old doctor.

The doctor packed up his medical kit and slung it over his shoulder. “I’ve prepared the medicine for you. Just brew and take it as directed. And don’t worry, I’ll keep this matter a secret. Lord Yue Zhao, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

He patted Chu Hanjin on the shoulder. “No need to see me off.” With that, he turned and exited the hall.

Once again, Chu Hanjin was left alone in the vast palace.

The doctor’s words echoed in his mind. The bedding felt warm and comforting, but Chu Hanjin couldn’t help himself from lifting a hand to gently rest it on his abdomen, feeling through the fabric for any signs of life.

Pregnant.

By all accounts, that meant there was a child growing inside him.

Yet, he couldn’t feel anything. His abdomen was still flat, and there was no sense of life.

But somehow, on this otherwise ordinary morning, someone had suddenly told him he was carrying another man’s child.

“…”

The shock was overwhelming. Exhausted, Chu Hanjin pressed his fingers to his brow, then slumped over and fell into a deep sleep.

Outside, Chu Tong was tending the stove, simmering the medicine in a small pot.

The fragrance of herbs filled the hallway.

When Yue Lin entered, he saw Chu Tong blowing on the fire, his forehead smudged with black soot.

Yue Lin mocked him mercilessly, “I can’t believe Lord Yue Zhao kept you around as his doorman. You’re hopelessly clumsy.”

Chu Tong pouted, “Mind your own business.”

Yue Lin continued, “I heard you failed the Far Mountain Sect’s entrance exam years ago. You cried and begged Lord Yue Zhao to take you in, making him so uncomfortable that he reluctantly agreed. That’s why you weren’t kicked out of the sect, right?”

“…” Chu Tong rolled his eyes. “What’s it to you?”

Yue Lin snickered, “Failed the entrance exam, huh? That’s pretty pathetic.”

Chu Tong: “…”

Yue Lin glanced at the pot. “Who’s sick?”

“Lord Yue Zhao isn’t feeling well. You’d better not disturb him.”

Yue Lin lifted the lid of the pot, examining the herbs inside. “What’s wrong with him?”

“I have no idea,” Chu Tong replied, his typical cluelessness showing.

Yue Lin’s fingers lightly touched the handle of the pot as he murmured, “Astragalus… to strengthen the immune system; Atractylodes… to stop sweating and aid digestion; Curled dock… to soothe the spleen and stabilize a pregnancy…”

His voice suddenly stopped.

Chu Tong, oblivious, clapped his hands. “Wow, amazing! You even recognize the herbs and remember their effects! That’s so impressive!”

Yue Lin casually remarked, “I was already famous when I was your age.” Then, with a distracted air, he waved Chu Tong away. “Go. I’ll handle the medicine.”

Once Chu Tong had left, Yue Lin stared at the dark liquid in the pot, narrowing his eyes in thought.

All the herbs were for stabilizing a pregnancy.

…So, Chu Hanjin knew?

In Yue Lin’s estimation, if Chu Hanjin had truly found out, he should have already stabbed Yue Lin with his sword by now, leaving him seriously wounded. But it seemed Chu Hanjin hadn’t had the chance yet.

There was no way he’d let Yue Lin off so easily.

Still… why was this medicine so strong? What had triggered the need for such intense pregnancy care?

Yue Lin used his spiritual energy to quickly finish brewing the medicine, then poured it into a bowl and carried it into the hall.

The curtains billowed softly as he entered. Lying on the bed was a figure draped in white robes. Chu Hanjin’s long hair hung loose, and under normal circumstances, it would be rare to see him lying in bed in broad daylight, looking so pale and fatigued.

Yue Lin approached and said, “Lord Yue Zhao?”

There was no response; it seemed he was deeply asleep.

Yue Lin called again, “Chu Hanjin?”

Still no reaction.

Setting the bowl aside, Yue Lin leaned over the bed to look closely at him. Chu Hanjin’s long eyelashes rested against his pale skin, his complexion fair like jade, though faintly tinged with illness. A slender white neck peeked out from under his robe, and one hand rested lightly on his abdomen.

Yue Lin thought, Little Buddha.

But he didn’t say it aloud. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to wake him. Gently, he brushed his fingertip across Chu Hanjin’s soft lips, which looked tempting, making Yue Lin want to lick them.

He gazed down at Chu Hanjin, leaning in to inhale the scent he had been craving for months. Just as his nose touched Chu Hanjin’s, the latter slowly opened his eyes.

Chu Hanjin, still dazed from sleep, blinked in confusion.

Then, as soon as he realized it was Yue Lin, his cold eyes narrowed sharply, and a wave of suppressed anger surged through him. With a sweep of his sleeve, he unleashed a blast of spiritual energy.

The energy was cold, slamming toward Yue Lin’s waist and abdomen.

Yue Lin thought, Of course, he’s going to bite.

He could have dodged, but after a brief moment of consideration, Yue Lin chose to take the hit.

With a loud “boom,” he was sent flying a few feet, barely managing to stay on his feet. He wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Chu Hanjin ordered, “Get out.”

Yue Lin responded, “The medicine is on the table. Drink it, and I’ll leave.”

Chu Hanjin flicked his hand, sending the bowl flying, shattering it into pieces. The brown liquid spilled everywhere.

“I’m not drinking it.”

Yue Lin sighed. “If you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave, but I won’t go far. I’ll be right outside. If you ever want to see me or have questions, just call, and I’ll come immediately.”

Chu Hanjin closed his eyes, refusing to look at him.

Yue Lin stepped outside, where Chu Tong was busy playing with crickets. He called out, “Bring another bowl of medicine in.”

Chu Tong looked puzzled. “Why? Didn’t you already bring some in?”

Yue Lin replied, “He threw it.”

Chu Tong’s eyes lit up. “Wow, Lord Yue Zhao throw a bowl in anger? I’ve been by his side for years and never made him mad. How did you manage it?”

“…”

Yue Lin grabbed Chu Tong by the collar. “Just go, and I’ll catch you a big cricket later.”

“Fine.” Chu Tong grumbled but carried another bowl of medicine into the hall.

Moments later, he came back out.

Yue Lin asked, “How did it go?”

Chu Tong replied, “As soon as he heard it was brewed by you, he threw my bowl too.”