Vera hadn’t expected Duke Lu Xia to refuse him so bluntly, leaving no room for negotiation. What he expected even less was that the Duke actually had her own research lab.

’Doesn’t her lab just research beauty cream and hair growth liquid? Is she planning to conduct research related to fertility genes too?’

’Isn’t that a bit too ambitious? Besides, she’s just a female who knows nothing but pleasure.’

’How could that be?’

Vera didn’t fully believe Duke Lu Xia. He was convinced it was just an excuse to turn him down.

Since he couldn’t persuade Duke Lu Xia himself, his only option was to go back and ask his director to intervene.

He believed the director would surely be tempted by such a rare specimen.

Seeing the resentful Dr. Vera after his rejection, Eugene couldn’t help but say in a low voice, "Didn’t I tell you? Duke Lu Xia would never agree to let you draw blood."

"I know, I just wanted to give it a shot. You never know!" Vera said, looking at the chubby child in Eugene’s arms. The kid wasn’t afraid of strangers at all. He was quiet and content, not crying or fussing. He was actually quite cute.

Eugene sighed. "This will displease the Duke. It won’t be so easy for you to visit in the future."

Vera was a little surprised by Eugene’s tone, which sounded as if he was genuinely concerned for him.

"I thought you didn’t want me coming around all the time."

Eugene glanced at him. "You still doubt my intentions? Didn’t I say it would be a good thing if we could actually make a breakthrough? As for this matter, even if I wanted to handle it all myself, I’d need to have the ability to do so!"

"Yes, I was overthinking it." Vera smiled at him, though it was clear he didn’t trust him completely.

’But Eugene didn’t mind. The act had been played out this far; it didn’t matter whether Vera believed him or not. The next time Vera wanted to see Duke Lu Xia, he could use this as a perfect excuse to refuse him.’

’It was his own fault for not listening and ’offending’ Duke Lu Xia!’

’A ready-made excuse, no need to even look for another one. Perfect.’

After completing Little Pu Tao’s basic check-up, Doctor Eugene placed the chubby baby back in his crib and said to Lu Xia with a smile, "His examination was completely normal. You’re raising him very well."

"I think so too," Lu Xia replied with a smile, clearly doting on the little one.

A male so adored by his mother would never have a difficult life. Moreover, to be born to a female like Duke Lu Xia was a true honor.

’At that moment, Doctor Eugene thought that the lottery of birth was indeed a matter of pure luck.’

With the examination finished, there was no reason to stay any longer. Doctor Eugene led Vera out of the Duke Mansion.

Vera’s expression was grim. It was fair to say he had come all this way today just to look at the test subject. Having accomplished nothing else, the trip was a complete waste.

"You saw it for yourself, didn’t you? Duke Lu Xia places great importance on that child. You should give up any ideas of getting anything from him. No one would hand over their doted-on, pampered child to the Fertility Research Institute for experiments. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Gene Research Institute once wanted Major General Grace to cooperate with their research. Duke Lu Xia and Duke Leslie joined forces to refuse them. Afterward, their director vanished without a trace and still hasn’t been found, so the matter was shelved. My point is, if Duke Lu Xia will protect Major General Grace, she will protect this male. She isn’t going to change her stance."

Vera hadn’t realized the Gene Research Institute had approached Duke Lu Xia before, though it was easy enough to guess why. Major General Grace’s transformation from a ’defective’ male into a Gene Fusion Expert was certainly of great research value. Although his institute and the Gene Research Institute focused on different fields, their objectives were ultimately the same, so he naturally understood their interest. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Their director’s disappearance... is it related to this?"

"Whoa, that’s a dangerous thought to have. Why would you think that? In all its years, the Gene Research Institute has surely offended plenty of people. Why would you assume it’s related to Duke Lu Xia?"

"You seem to have a rather good impression of her household."

"You get to know people by interacting with them. After a while, you naturally learn a few things. Besides, have you ever seen another Female Master in the Empire treat her husband and son this well? Doesn’t that speak volumes about Duke Lu Xia’s character?"

Having witnessed it firsthand, Vera couldn’t refute that point. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, not wanting to argue with Eugene about it any longer. "In any case, thank you for your help today. If I need anything in the future, I’ll have to trouble you again. I hope you don’t mind."

"I understand. But you saw it for yourself this time—Duke Lu Xia is very opposed to this sort of thing. I can’t guarantee she’ll agree next time. After all, my influence is limited."

"I understand. Just do your best."

Watching Dr. Vera leave, Eugene sneered. ’This guy really knows how to put on an act. Does he seriously think he still has a chance?’

*

A month passed quickly. On the day of the full moon, Lu Xia held a banquet for the little one, inviting many people to celebrate. Among the guests, of course, was Prince Li Mang.

The Prince’s hair had now completely grown back. Pinned up behind her head, her full mane of jet-black hair made her look incredibly elegant and beautiful.

The moment she appeared, Lu Xia could tell that Prince Li Mang wasn’t wearing her wig today.

Prince Li Mang approached with a smile. Her eyes swept over the chubby baby in Lu Xia’s arms, and she exclaimed in surprise, "My, you’ve raised this little one so well! He’s so fair and pretty. Is he really a male?"

To her, he looked even prettier than a female baby.

Lu Xia laughed. "He’s our little baby boy. Little Pu Tao, say hello to the Prince. Say, ’Good day, Your Highness.’"

The chubby baby seemed to understand, babbling at Prince Li Mang for a good while.

Prince Li Mang was thoroughly amused. But she hadn’t forgotten to show Lu Xia her newly grown hair. "You have no idea. These past few days when I’ve gone out, so many people have complimented how dark and shiny my hair is. They all ask me what I’ve been using."

"I noticed your beautiful hair the moment you walked in, Your Highness. It looks wonderful. From now on, you can use the hair growth liquid as a conditioning treatment."

"I know. It’s all thanks to you. Otherwise, I would have had to spend the rest of my life in wigs. So don’t be formal with me today. This is a small gift for the child, and also a thank you for your help. This box is full of Medira pink diamonds from my private mine. Take them and have some jewelry made for yourself and the little one."

Prince Li Mang then had her attendants bring forward a large chest—the kind that required two people to carry.

Lu Xia was taken aback. "Isn’t this a bit too much?"

"Not at all. I actually wanted to give you a mining star directly, but I was afraid that would truly frighten you. We can take things one step at a time. In the future, you’ll learn that I don’t like to play games. I treat people well who treat me well. I can’t be bothered with all that phony, superficial nonsense. It’s too much of a hassle."

Lu Xia was finally getting a true sense of Prince Li Mang’s wealth.

’She really is fabulously wealthy. Even her gifts are this extravagant!’