Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 123 Mingyue is Pregnant

The newly minted "Xingyuan Tongbao" coins began circulating cautiously and steadily in the market, subtly changing trading habits like spring rain nourishing the earth and boosting people's confidence in Xinghuobao's future. The lines of people exchanging coins at official money shops grew daily, and signs welcoming "Xingyuan" appeared more and more frequently in front of shops. A silent yet profound economic transformation was steadily unfolding under Chen Xing's strong impetus.

However, just as internal and external political affairs, military affairs, and financial matters were intertwined, and everyone in Xinghuo Fortress was busy consolidating their newly acquired foundation, a private matter that would affect the core leadership and even the future landscape quietly arrived.

Murong Mingyue had been feeling unwell lately. Previously, she was full of energy and could gallop across the battlefield for days without showing signs of fatigue, but recently she often felt inexplicably tired, and occasionally even felt nauseous upon waking. At first, she attributed it to the exhaustion from chasing Zhang Kuang and handling military affairs in the recent past and didn't pay much attention, simply reducing her riding and strenuous activity. But this discomfort not only didn't lessen, but as time went on, it seemed…somewhat familiar?

A vague, slightly unbelievable suspicion began to rise in her mind. Counting the days… she and Chen Xing had been married for almost a year, spending little time together afterward, but every time they were together, they were full of affection. Could it be…?

Her heart was in turmoil, filled with both a faint sense of anticipation and hesitation due to the current state of affairs and the unsettled northern frontier. She kept this thought to herself, not even to her personal maid, silently enduring the changes in her body and the fluctuations in her emotions.

On this day, Chen Xing was discussing the selection of a training camp site for newly recruited soldiers with Chen Wei and Zhao Tiezhu in the council hall when he suddenly saw Murong Mingyue's personal maid, Xiao Huan, peeking out from the corridor outside the hall. She looked anxious, as if she wanted to come in but dared not disturb him.

Chen Xing caught a glimpse of this, his heart stirred slightly, and he gestured for Chen Wei to wait a moment before getting up and walking to the door: "Xiao Huan, what is it?"

Xiao Huan quickly bowed and said in a low voice, "My lord, Madam... she suddenly felt dizzy in the courtyard just now and almost fell. Her face was also a little pale. I advised her to call the physician, but Madam just said it was nothing and she would be fine after resting. But I felt really uneasy seeing her like this."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing's heart tightened. Mingyue had practiced martial arts since childhood and was physically strong. She never paid attention to minor illnesses or pains, let alone felt so dizzy that she almost fell over. He immediately said to the people in the hall, "Chen Wei, Uncle Zhao, you two discuss the site selection first. I'll be right back."

After saying that, he followed Xiao Huan and walked quickly towards the back of the house.

Upon arriving at Murong Mingyue's secluded courtyard, Chen Xing found her leaning against a soft couch by the window, covered with a thin blanket. Her face was indeed pale, and her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were enduring discomfort. When Chen Xing entered, she tried to sit up, but Chen Xing stepped forward and gently pressed her down.

"Don't move." Chen Xing sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch her forehead. It felt slightly cool, not feverish, but her breathing was indeed somewhat weak. He took her hand, feeling the coolness at her fingertips. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt? Why didn't you call the physician?"

Murong Mingyue forced a smile: "It's nothing serious. I probably just didn't sleep well last night and am a little tired. There's no need to make a fuss."

"Your face looks like that, and you're still trying to be strong?" Chen Xing's tone was filled with unquestionable concern. He turned to Xiao Huan and said, "Go, immediately invite Physician Wang Jian over. Tell him that Madam is unwell and ask him to bring the best calming pillow." Wang Jian was the most skilled physician in Xinghuo Fortress, especially adept at gynecology and internal medicine.

Xiao Huan responded and ran out quickly.

Seeing Chen Xing's insistence, Murong Mingyue stopped objecting. She simply sighed softly, rested her head on his shoulder, and whispered, "It's really nothing... maybe... maybe you're pregnant."

The last few words were as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet they made Chen Xing's body stiffen slightly. He looked down at his wife's pale but undeniably beautiful face in his arms, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, which was then replaced by immense joy and a touch of nervousness.

"You've got it? You mean...?" Chen Xing's voice unconsciously softened, filled with disbelief and confirmation.

Murong Mingyue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded gently: "My period is more than half a month late, and I've been feeling tired and nauseous lately... I'm just guessing, I haven't confirmed it yet."

Chen Xing was overwhelmed with emotion and didn't know what to say for a moment. He simply held her hand even tighter. Having transmigrated here, experienced life and death, struggled to survive, and built a foundation, and now finally... he might have his own bloodline? A mix of excitement, a sense of responsibility, and boundless anticipation for the future welled up in his heart.

"My lord, Physician Wang has arrived," Xiao Huan's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Please come in quickly." Chen Xing composed himself, released Murong Mingyue's hand, and let her lean back properly. He then stood up and stood to the side, but his gaze never left her.

Wang Jian was a middle-aged man in his forties with a thin face and three long strands of beard. He hurried in carrying a medicine box. He first bowed respectfully to Chen Xing and Murong Mingyue, and then sat down on the low stool in front of the bed and took out the pulse pillow.

"Madam, please extend your right hand so that I may take your pulse," Wang Jian said calmly.

Murong Mingyue obediently extended her slender wrist and placed it on the pulse pillow. Wang Jian extended three fingers and gently placed them on her wrist pulse, holding his breath and concentrating intently to feel it. After examining her right hand, he asked her to switch to her left. Throughout the process, his brows furrowed slightly at times and relaxed at others, his expression quite focused.

Chen Xing watched quietly from the side, feeling a rare sense of tension. Although he trusted Wang Jian's medical skills, this matter concerned Mingyue's health and their potential offspring, so he couldn't help but worry.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Jian finally withdrew his hand, a knowing yet respectful smile appearing on his face. He stood up, first bowing to Murong Mingyue and saying, "Congratulations, Madam." Then he turned to Chen Xing and bowed deeply: "This humble official congratulates my lord! Madam's pulse is that of a pregnant woman. The pulse is smooth and flowing, like pearls rolling on a plate, and feels round and smooth to the touch—a typical slippery pulse. Judging from the pulse, it has been more than a month since conception began, and the fetus is beginning to condense. However, Madam may have been overworking recently, causing slight fluctuations in her blood and qi, which is why she feels slightly tired and dizzy. There is nothing to worry about; she only needs to rest and recuperate to ensure a healthy pregnancy."

Despite having some suspicions, hearing the physician confirm it himself filled Chen Xing with immense joy, seemingly erasing all the fatigue from handling political and military affairs over the past few days! He quickly stepped forward, took Murong Mingyue's hand again, his eyes filled with smiles and tenderness: "Mingyue, did you hear that? It's true! We're having a child!"

Murong Mingyue also breathed a sigh of relief, her face flushed, and her eyes sparkled with maternal radiance and joy. She softly hummed in agreement.

"Physician Wang," Chen Xing turned to Wang Jian, his expression turning solemn, "I entrust my wife and the unborn child to you. If you need any medicine or tonics, just ask. If they're not in the treasury, have someone go and buy them! Make sure mother and child are safe!"

"Rest assured, my lord, this is my duty," Wang Jian said hastily. "I will now prescribe a formula to nourish the fetus and replenish the blood, and also draft a list of dietary and lifestyle precautions. As long as the lady takes her medicine on time, rests quietly, and keeps a cheerful mood, she will surely be able to give birth smoothly in a few months."

After writing out the prescription and carefully explaining many precautions to the maid Xiao Huan, Wang Jian bowed and withdrew.

The good news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the core of Starfire Fortress from the inner quarters. Chen Wei, Zhao Tiezhu, Wu Xuejiu, and others were overjoyed upon hearing the news and came to offer their congratulations. For this emerging power, the existence of an heir for their lord signified a smooth succession and the initial establishment of the nation's foundation, undoubtedly a tremendous boon for stabilizing morale and strengthening unity.

Chen Xing immediately ordered: The entire fortress shall celebrate for three days! The army shall have extra meals, and all soldiers shall be rewarded with wine and meat; the people of the fortress shall be given celebratory cakes by household; those who are imprisoned for their merits shall have their sentences reduced as appropriate.

The order was issued, and Xinghuo Fortress erupted in jubilation. The soldiers cheered and jumped for joy, excited about the impending arrival of their "little lord"; the people were also genuinely happy, for their lord having an heir meant that the regime they depended on for survival was more stable and that the future held greater promise.

In the days that followed, Chen Xing took meticulous care of Murong Mingyue. He personally oversaw her daily life, strictly ordering her to put aside all military affairs and focus on her pregnancy. The defense of the northern frontier was temporarily handled jointly by Chen Wei and a promoted Hu (non-Han) general. Murong Mingyue retained only the nominal title of Deputy Commander of the Military Council, which allowed her to stay informed but not to handle specific tasks. Chen Xing even prepared a sunny, quiet room next to the council hall for her to rest and handle simple paperwork, so he could keep an eye on her at any time.

Although Murong Mingyue was not used to being "raised" like this, she felt Chen Xing's heartfelt care and attention, and her heart was filled with sweetness and warmth. She had no choice but to obediently listen and try to adapt to her new role as an expectant mother.

Throughout Starfire Fortress, a sense of hopeful anticipation for the future pervades the entire city. Military victories, territorial expansion, the promulgation of legal codes, the emergence of talented individuals, the unification of currency, and now, with the matriarch pregnant and a successor in place… all these indicate that this emerging power is entering an unprecedented period of stability and prosperity.

Chen Xing stood atop the reinforced and heightened city wall, gently embracing Murong Mingyue, who was wrapped up tightly with only her pretty face showing, as he gazed at the vast northern lands and the faintly visible mountains to the south. His heart was filled with tenderness for his wife and child in his arms, and even more so with the ambition to build this foundation even stronger and leave a better starting point for future generations.