Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven

Huo Lingtian looked at her with a stern and righteous expression. "Do you think I’m joking? My treasure, you are carrying our little baby." He clasped her hands tightly, a source of unwavering strength supporting her.

Rong Qing felt somewhat dazed. She withdrew one hand to touch her stomach. Though she could feel nothing, a small life was gradually taking shape within her—a life bound by her blood, a part of her very being. This inexplicable agitation, anxiety, surprise, and bewilderment finally converged into overwhelming joy. Her features softened. Indeed, she was pregnant; this child, bearing the blood of both her and Lingtian, was a divine blessing. She gently stroked her abdomen. Although the little life had yet to fully form, she could already sense a mischievous little one growing vigorously within her.

"Lingtian... Lingtian, he is my only flesh and blood, my dearest person." Her voice trembled with irrepressible happiness. Since her parents passed away, she had been left helpless, surviving through loneliness with a hardened heart. Her home had shattered that year, and she had learned to mask her fragility, believing that only by becoming strong could she avoid being undone by the warmth of family. When she was alone on the path of survival, it was Huo Lingtian who gave her a crutch, gave her his entire heart, and provided her with a warm home. There was the grandfather, other relatives, conflicts, and laughter. As her life began to flourish, this baby—so closely tied to her bloodline—made that once-distant dream complete.

Huo Lingtian looked slightly displeased. *Hmph, this little thing hasn't even popped out yet and is already trying to steal your father's spot.* "My treasure, I am the person closest to you." He sealed her lips with a deep kiss, thanking his beloved for giving him the greatest gift of all.

"Yes, yes," Rong Qing rolled her eyes helplessly. She had never seen a father jealous of his own child. *What a stingy man,* she thought.

When news of Rong Qing’s condition emerged, the entire Huo clan descended upon them. Whether they came out of genuine concern or to pry for the truth, the Old Master turned them all away at the door. Rong Qing’s residence was placed under strict guard. If you wanted to visit, fine—leave your gifts and leave at once.

However, after the Old Master hurried inside, he emerged with a beaming smile. No matter how much the others speculated, it was clear that Rong Qing was not only fine but likely carrying wonderful news. Those who had hoped to see a scandal lost interest; given Rong Qing’s status, no one dared to slight the mistress of the house.

Ever since leaving their private residence, the smile on Old Master Huo’s face never faded. As he walked, he muttered about how to best care for his precious granddaughter-in-law. "Guo, bring back Lingtian’s old wet nurse tomorrow. She has experience; even if she doesn't have milk, she’s far better than these clumsy servants. And replace all the furniture in the house with custom-made solid wood; if she bumps into anything, you won't be able to bear the responsibility. Change the household menu to follow the nutritionist's plan. Also, make sure you memorize everything a pregnant woman should be careful about. Oh, and I see there’s an empty plot behind the West Mountain—let's build a children's kingdom there. I cannot neglect my precious great-grandson."

Steward Guo stood by, listening to the orders. He was calm; having served through the births of many young masters and misses in the Huo household, he knew that even when Young Master Lingtian was born, the Old Master hadn't been this worked up. It seemed true what they said: the further the generation, the deeper the affection.

"Also, keep an eye on those scheming people in the house. I used to ignore them and let them be, but now that Rong Qing is pregnant, don't let them find any gaps to cause her trouble," Huo Zhen said with absolute authority. It seemed the restless souls in the Huo residence were in for a stern reckoning.

Following Wen Na’s fashion show, the event was a tremendous success. The high praise from industry insiders and the public allowed Wen Na to take her first firm step into the world of fashion. After the show, the orders sold out that very night, and the gown Rong Qing wore on the runway was auctioned off at an exorbitant price. Photos of the show appeared in global fashion magazines, marking the first minor triumph for national fashion branding. France was known as the capital of fashion, but their haute couture was not only expensive but rarely sold abroad, draining the pockets of many in the country. Wen Na’s debut show, bolstered by Rong Qing’s influence, stunned the international stage.

Yet, alongside the triumphant conclusion of the show, a rumor spread like wildfire. A reporter from a tabloid claimed that during the curtain call that night, Rong Qing had fainted backstage due to overwork, pale and clearly unwell.

Although there was no photographic evidence, news concerning Rong Qing could not be contained, fueling the concern of countless fans and moviegoers. As the person involved, she remained silent, deepening the public’s suspicions, while outside opinions varied wildly.

Because of her pregnancy, all of Rong Qing’s work was ordered to be canceled. Even the fledgling Wen Na brand was temporarily handed over to professionals. Rong Qing vanished from the public eye once again; even her Weibo, which she frequented, went silent. The official explanation was simply that Rong Qing was unwell and needed to rest for a period of time. As for how long that period would be, no one knew.

Rong Qing, her figure slightly rounded, lay lazily in the courtyard. The weather was beautiful, and the soft sunlight washing over her face made her look radiant and wealthy, her delicate features now fuller. She squinted, the warmth making her drowsy. After a yawn, she put on a cardigan and headed back to the bedroom. Ever since the announcement of her pregnancy, she suspected that Huo Lingtian and the Old Master were doing it on purpose; they were feeding her like a piglet, and whenever she felt unwell or threw a tantrum, that man and the old man would indulge her without any principles. This had resulted in her becoming the most important person in the entire family.

Only three months in, the pregnancy was not yet obvious, but her rounded cheeks and plump arms made her sigh incessantly. As she walked through the door, the man working at his computer in the living room gave her a tender smile.

To accompany her, Huo Lingtian had moved all his work home and canceled all social engagements. Seeing her, he put his work aside, took her hand, and sat her on the sofa, tucking a cushion behind her waist.

Rong Qing pouted. Since becoming pregnant, she had become fragile and clingy, her entire body folding into his embrace. Before long, the "little thing" inside began to stir. Rong Qing’s face turned pale; the nausea and urge to vomit returned.

She had grown used to it. Over the past month, she had been tormented by the little one—from vomiting after every meal to vomiting even when she hadn't eaten at all—yet she had become increasingly stoic about it.

"Open up." A preserved plum was fed to her, the sharp sourness suppressing the nausea. After eating a few, she regained a bit of energy.

"Lingtian, why is he so troublesome?" Rong Qing asked, pointing to her stomach. The wretched little thing—and to think he treated her like a treasure.

Seeing his wife suffer so much, Huo Lingtian hated the little one as well. "Don't worry, once he’s out, I’ll show him," he said, rubbing her back to soothe her.

"You aren't allowed to bully him; I’ll be heartbroken," she bargained.

Huo Lingtian couldn't help but laugh and sigh. He was exhausted by the little troublemaker in her belly, yet his wife was already worried about it. He placated her, "I wouldn't dream of it. I’ll be too busy loving him."

"Mm." Lately, Rong Qing was prone to eating and sleeping. Held in those warm arms, she couldn't keep her eyes open and collapsed against him. Huo Lingtian held her quietly until she fell fast asleep, then carried her back to the bedroom.

It was the beginning of the month, and the core members of the Huo family gathered once again at the Old Master’s residence. Unlike in the past, since Rong Qing had arrived, she occupied the majority of the Old Master’s attention, leaving the older and younger generations secretly jealous. Rong Qing’s absence from the family banquet caused further speculation.

"Hmph, she’s only been here a few days and she’s already giving the Old Master the cold shoulder, skipping the family banquet. The day he gets tired of her, she’ll see what’s coming," several of the young wives whispered together. They were, after all, young ladies from prestigious families; to be outdone by a mere girl from a humble background was galling. They giggled and gossiped, unaware that their words were being overheard by those who mattered.

Huo Zhen had played with his grandsons for a while before having them taken away. They weren't his direct bloodline; he had loved them out of affection for their parents, but lately, his heart was entirely set on his unborn golden grandchild.

"Don't go visiting Rong Qing for a while; she’s recuperating and doesn't have time to entertain you," the Old Master declared bluntly.

The people at the table exchanged glances, catching the hint but remaining uncertain. The second daughter-in-law carefully probed, "Rong Qing, is she... pregnant?" The question caused the noisy room to fall silent.

"Hmph, do you think I can count on your spendthrift children?" In the Old Master’s eyes, other than Huo Lingtian, the rest were unremarkable. "Yes, my golden grandchild is three months along," he said, beaming with uncontrollable joy.

Everyone gasped inwardly. Nothing could stop the prosperity of Huo Lingtian’s line now. Not even a year after entering the family, she was already pregnant—this was a blessing for the entire clan. No wonder the eldest daughter-in-law was absent; she certainly had the right to be.

The high-born wives and masters who had once looked down on the common-born Rong Qing now had to weigh their own status. If all went well and the baby was a boy, he might just be the next head of the Huo family.

Suddenly, those who had been gloating tucked their tails between their legs. No matter how jealous or dissatisfied they were, Rong Qing was now the undisputed mistress of the Huo clan, and the person they would have to serve.