Chapter Nine: Confirmation.

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Grace’s test results came back very quickly. When the old butler brought the report to Lu Xia, he discovered that Grace’s genetic assessment was no different from what she had previously known.

He was indeed, in theory, a defective product of the Empire’s genetic fusion process.

So Grace had not been lying or trying to deceive anyone.

Standing to one side, the old butler watched Lu Xia frown deeply and could not help wanting to persuade her to go to the hospital for an examination. After all, if this was true, then the child in Duchess Lu Xia’s womb would be the first naturally born offspring in the Empire in several hundred years.

It would not be the product of artificial fusion.

It would be recorded in the history books.

Before he could say anything, however, Lu Xia set down the examination report and said, “Contact a hospital and find me a doctor I can trust in this field. I want to be examined, but I don’t want too many people to know.”

No matter what, she needed a definite answer.

Seeing that Lu Xia had not completely rejected the idea of going to the hospital, the old butler breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly replied, “I’ll take care of it at once.”

After watching him leave, Lu Xia pressed her lips together. If she really was pregnant, she was not particularly opposed to the child’s arrival.

After all, she had no family in this world.

But she could not shake the feeling that everything was simply too unbelievable.

The old butler’s efficiency was extraordinary. Before long, he had contacted a doctor who had once served as the late Duke’s personal physician several years earlier and who had a certain relationship with the ducal household.

The doctor guaranteed that he would never disclose any patient’s personal information.

Early the next morning, Lu Xia went directly to the hospital on an empty stomach, without eating breakfast.

First came the blood draw, followed by examinations using various instruments.

After all the tests were completed, it was already afternoon when she received the data report. Every set of results showed that the terminal’s indicator had not made a mistake.

She was indeed pregnant.

When the doctor who had examined her saw the results, he leaped straight out of his chair. He stared at the report in his hands for a long while, unable to form a complete sentence.

“This, this, this…”

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Compared with the doctor’s shock, Lu Xia had instead become calm at that moment.

“What is my condition? Is there anything I need to adjust?”

She was not the sort of person who would obsess over things endlessly. Since it had already happened and could not be changed, all she could do was accept it.

The doctor’s eyes reddened, and he looked intensely emotional. “According to the data, your physical condition is completely normal. You only need to maintain your current state. However, we should ideally monitor you throughout the pregnancy. We cannot be certain what may happen, and the Empire has very little experience in this area. You could say it is practically a blank slate.”

After swallowing, the doctor continued, “So, would you be willing to wear a monitoring chip?”

“Where would this monitoring chip transmit its data? I don’t want to become someone’s research subject.”

She had no spirit of self-sacrifice, nor did she want to invite trouble. At that moment, she was somewhat grateful that she possessed the status of a duchess.

“Generally speaking, in a situation like yours, it would be best for the Reproductive Research Institute to take over. I believe they have already received the information sent by your terminal, but as far as I know, their monitoring system has not been upgraded. So, at present, they probably have not obtained your physical data or identity information. If you are unwilling, your physical data can remain in my custody. What do you think?”

He did not say too much. If he wanted Duchess Lu Xia to trust him, all he could do was explain the matter clearly.

The final decision still rested with her.

Lu Xia did not dwell on it for long. “All right. If the Reproductive Research Institute comes looking for me, I’ll have to trouble you, Doctor Eugene, to deal with them.”

“Please rest assured. It is only right that I do so.” Doctor Eugene quickly took out a small monitoring chip, attached it to Lu Xia’s terminal, and patiently explained, “This chip is responsible only for monitoring your physical condition. If it detects anything abnormal, it will vibrate to alert you. I will receive the feedback as well and promptly take measures to address any abnormality.”

“All right. I understand.”

Lu Xia said no more. After confirming that she was pregnant, she became unexpectedly calm.

Although this was her first pregnancy, it was not as though she had never seen one before. She knew something of the reactions that could occur during pregnancy.

After leaving the hospital, Lu Xia did not return home. Instead, she went directly to the Number One Institute. According to her arrangements, all eight researchers had begun work that day.

When they saw Lu Xia arrive, everyone greeted her. She examined the research they had just begun and offered one or two suggestions. Then she did not remain in the laboratory for long before heading to the office.

After she left, however, the researchers in the laboratory could not help discussing her.

“I really didn’t expect Duchess Lu Xia to be so capable. The suggestions she gave were even more precise than the ones my mentor gives.”

“Exactly. You can’t tell what someone is like until you actually work with them. After meeting her, I don’t think Duchess Lu Xia is anything like the rumors say.”

“You think so too? I was just about to say the same thing. Aside from being a little serious, she’s actually quite pleasant to be around.”

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“Do you think she’s really pregnant?”

“You’re still hung up on that? I think Duchess Lu Xia was telling the truth when she said her terminal had malfunctioned. Didn’t you see that she had a new terminal today? Natural conception is incredibly rare. What are the odds that we would happen to encounter it?”

“Exactly. If that were really the case, wouldn’t we be absurdly lucky?”

…

After arriving at the office, Lu Xia organized the information on the various parties that had done business with the ducal household over the years, selecting the details she might need in the future.

Her research would certainly produce results. She could not wait until those results emerged before beginning to consider these matters.

While Lu Xia was busy working, the old butler entered to remind her, “Your Grace, Countess Linsey has just sent an invitation. She is holding a hundred-day celebration for her third child and hopes you will attend.”

Lu Xia was somewhat surprised. She had not expected hundred-day celebrations to be popular in this world either.

“I won’t be going. Prepare a gift and send it over.”

With that, Lu Xia rose and picked up her coat. Seeing this, the old butler hurriedly turned around to prepare the vehicle, knowing that Duchess Lu Xia was about to leave.

Before departing, Lu Xia went to greet the researchers and only left after confirming that none of them had any questions.

Once she boarded the hovercar, however, she suddenly asked, “How far is the First Military District, where Grace is stationed, from here?”

The old butler was startled by the unexpected question. He could not understand why Duchess Lu Xia had suddenly asked about it, but he answered nonetheless.

“It isn’t very far. Do you want to go see Grace?”

“If it’s on the way, then let’s go take a look.”

She would tell him about her pregnancy while she was there. As the child’s father, she believed he had the right to know.

After all, the pregnancy was not her responsibility alone. While she bore the risks of pregnancy, he ought to contribute something as well.

She wondered whether the news would frighten him. The thought made her curl her lips slightly.

A trace of malicious amusement rose in her heart.

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