Fourth Master Xiao stood tensely outside the door, his mind unexpectedly recalling the scene from last time when Xiqiu got injured.

His hand hanging by his side clenched into a tight fist, Fourth Master Xiao was so nervous he was somewhat at a loss, to the point where even though he wore a thin coat, standing in the cold wind, he still broke out in cold sweat.

Feeling as if a long time had passed, Bihuai lifted the curtain, revealing her face to Fourth Master Xiao and said, "Fourth Master, Madam invites you inside."

As Bihuai finished speaking, Fourth Master Xiao promptly strode into the room.

Ruan Jingliu was sitting by the bedside, Xiqiu leaning against the headboard. Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze swept past Ruan Jingliu and landed directly on Xiqiu’s face. Her complexion was still pale and weak, but thankfully she didn’t exhibit any signs of sorrow or grief, causing Fourth Master Xiao to silently breathe a sigh of relief as he asked, "Was it figured out, why the abdominal pain?"

Ruan Jingliu lowered her head to organize the medicine chest, recalling Fourth Master Xiao’s previous rude attitude, she glanced at him without addressing him.

Although his question was directed at Ruan Jingliu, without receiving her answer, Fourth Master Xiao ignored her demeanor, focusing only on Xiqiu.

Xiqiu looked at the two and suddenly chuckled: "Bihuai!" She beckoned Bihuai over, "Take Nurse Zhang to rest, let everyone go rest as well." Bihuai complied, and Xiqiu spoke to Ruan Jingliu, "It’s late, don’t return. I’m not at ease with you traveling back and forth."

After Ruan Jingliu tidied up the medicine chest, she nodded, looked faintly at Fourth Master Xiao with a smile on her lips, and exited the room.

"Girl." Once the people in the room left, Fourth Master Xiao anxiously grasped Xiqiu’s hand; Xiqiu responded by squeezing his hand back, a hint of a smile suddenly appearing on her bloodless face, slowly spreading from her eyes. Fourth Master Xiao watched her smiling foolishly, the lines on his face involuntarily loosening...

"Fourth Master." Xiqiu suddenly sat up straight, gently embraced Fourth Master Xiao, placing her face against his chest, her voice jubilant with excitement as she said, "I am pregnant."

Fourth Master Xiao’s back stiffened, he slowly pushed Xiqiu away to look at her face, confirming, "Pregnant?"

Xiqiu nodded: "Yes!" She had hoped for this for five years, dreamed for five years, today her wish finally came true, how could she not be happy.

Fourth Master Xiao let out a long breath, although he didn’t hold the same eagerness and joy for this matter as Xiqiu did, every time he felt her regret, he would be affected by her emotions. Compared to the child, Xiqiu was undeniably more important to him!

"Then why the stomach pain?" He looked at Xiqiu, suddenly his expression tightened again showing a trace of tension, as Xiqiu smiled saying: "Sister Jingliu said it’s nothing serious, perhaps due to sitting in a jostling carriage all day, the fetal position is unstable but not alarming."

Fourth Master Xiao’s mood fluctuated, finally settling smoothly at this moment, as he assisted Xiqiu in lying down: "Then rest well!"

"I’m alright now." Despite feeling well, Xiqiu complied and lay down; while Fourth Master Xiao was worried about her, she was concerned about the child that came so hard-earned.

Waking in the mid of night till now the sky showed a fish-belly white, Fourth Master Xiao sat at the bedside, observing Xiqiu sleeping soundly and sweetly, an involuntary smile stretched his lips; fulfilling one of her wishes, he too felt joyful.

"Fourth Master." Chunliu quietly entered: "You should rest for a while, I’ll keep watch."

Fourth Master Xiao waved without raising his head, Bihuai grinned, retreating quietly, carefully closed the door; outside, Nanny Cen was kneeling before the altar, holding incense, murmuring prayers, finishing she bowed thrice, full of piety. Upon completion, she inserted the incense into the burner, turned to find Bihuai smiling behind her, Nanny Cen playfully scolded her: "Silly girl, didn’t utter a sound."

"Mama’s heart was entirely with the Buddha, even if I spoke, you wouldn’t hear." She laughed covering her face, Nanny Cen spat playfully, after chanting a few more words towards the Bodhisattva, she whispered to Bihuai: "I just instructed the servant to announce the good news at several residences, with Fourth Master keeping Madam company, and Madam asleep, you help me in the kitchen, Madam loves the dishes I make, today I’ll cook personally."

"Alright." Bihuai nodded with a smile: "Madam loves my pineapple cakes, I will prepare some selections too, it’ll give her options when she wakes." Madam had a severe reaction when carrying Young Master Zhi, may the Bodhisattva bless her with no reaction this time.

Laughing, the two exited, Chunliu and Lyuzhi entered carrying the washbasin to freshen up, Bihuai stopped her, Chunliu handed the items over: "I’ll go check on Young Master Zhi in the backyard."

When Xiqiu awoke, it was nearly noon, her stomach rumbling; turning her head, she saw a pair of bright eyes fixed on her, she hesitated, asking: "Fourth Master sat here all along?"

Fourth Master Xiao laughed, without directly replying, carefully assisted her sitting up, placed a pillow behind her, stroked the loose hair on her cheek gently asking: "Slept well? Hungry?"

Seeing his reddened eyes, she knew he hadn’t slept, she responded: "I’m alright now, it was just a false alarm, go rest, Fourth Master."

"No need." Fourth Master Xiao stood, poured a cup of clear water from the teapot on the table, Xiqiu accepted, took a sip; he invited Chunliu and Bihuai in, Chunliu carrying a small table, Bihuai, Nanny Cen, and Lyuzhi brought dishes and rice, neatly laying them out on the bed, Chunliu draped a small jacket over Xiqiu, a stove was added to the room, warm and cozy.

Xiqiu looked at the crowd around her bed, amused and helpless: "I haven’t caught a severe illness, no need for such a bustle." She finished and glanced at a dish of crystal dumplings, a bowl of porridge, a bowl of plain rice, and four to five dishes of her favored foods, blending meat and vegetables, even several pots of soup brewed, displayed for her choice.

"I can’t possibly eat so much." Xiqiu sighed: "Take some away and eat yourselves." Then added: "Prepare a set of cutlery for Fourth Master."

Nanny Cen laughed: "Fourth Master’s is outside, Madam should only care for her own health." Saying so, she rolled up her sleeves preparing to feed Xiqiu, Xiqiu waved: "I’ll manage by myself."

Xiqiu, resigned, ate under "watchful eyes"!

At this moment, Zhi entered from outside, seeing so many people gathered by Xiqiu’s bedside, his heart skipped: "Mom, are you ill?"

"Zhi."

Zhi dashed over, worry coloring his gaze upon Xiqiu: "Mom, are you ill?"

Before Xiqiu could speak, Nanny Cen replied with a smile: "Little one, Madam isn’t sick." Stunned by the response, Zhi blinked at Nanny Cen, Nanny Cen smiled at him: "Madam will be giving you a little brother."

Zhi was momentarily stunned, turning back to look at Xiqiu, puzzled by Nanny Cen’s words: "Mom, what do you mean a little brother?"