Chapter Eighty-Seven: Pregnancy

  "Cough, cough." Zhao's father put his fist to his mouth and reminded them in a low voice, interrupting the two people who were speaking passionately. "That's enough, you've been talking for quite some time. Later on, when you become master and disciple, there will be plenty of time for teaching and learning. Why don't you take a break now?"

  Zhang Shu also stopped talking, feeling a little embarrassed, but the excitement of encountering a rough jade had not dissipated, and he felt a thrill of wanting to carve it himself.

  After calming down, Zhang Shu nodded and said: "Song Jie's foundation is not bad, follow me to learn medicine from now on." Facing the old friend's teasing gaze, his old face turned red, where was it not good, it was extremely good!

  Song Jie also knew that she had learned quite well, and every family had its own unique skills, it was great to be able to learn from them, and her medical skills would definitely become more advanced in the future, and she could also take it to a higher level.

  "Nini, go and pour your master a cup of tea. From now on, you'll be master and apprentice." Zhao's father hastened to strike while the iron was hot.

  Song Jie poured a cup of tea from the teapot and placed it aside, then respectfully knocked three times with Zhang Shu, and raised the tea to say loudly: "Master, please have some tea."

  "Alright, you're a good kid, get up quickly." Zhang Shu stroked his beard with his hand, grinning from ear to ear. Truly, the ancestors were blessing him; he had grown old and yet still managed to find such a great apprentice. It was truly worth living for.

  "Alright, since you've joined me, you should know our rules." Zhang Shu's expression turned serious.

  Song Jie also put away the excited expression on her face and became serious.

  "Firstly, one must not deceive or betray their ancestors and elders. Secondly, regardless of wealth or poverty, treat everyone with equal respect. Thirdly, when dealing with patients, have a heart of kindness. Have you remembered these three points?"

  "Everyone remembers." Song Jie heard it clearly.

  "Alright. Your foundation is solid, there's not much to learn, just come every weekend when you're free. But don't even think about skipping out, or Master will punish you." Zhang Shu also made a request.

  This request was simple, Song Jie nodded in agreement.

  At noon, because there was no master's wife, Song Jie personally went to the kitchen to cook a meal. The master ate with relish, his mouth watering. Zhang Shu had not allowed his disciples to come and help since his wife passed away, he lived alone in his small courtyard. Occasionally going out for consultations, his skills naturally didn't improve.

  In Zhao's father's words, it's better to die with dignity than to live in suffering. Letting an apprentice serve him for a bit wouldn't hurt. In fact, he knew deep down. It was because Zhang Shu Tong didn't want anyone to ruin the memories of his late wife that he made an exception, but unexpectedly, Song Jie broke the rule.

  They had a pleasant meal together, and when it was time to leave, Zhang Shu also said that next week he would introduce Song Jie to his senior brothers, and asked her to come over early.

  Song Jie felt an old man's lonely heart and thought that she would often come to visit her teacher in the future.

  This time's visit to the master was very low-key, Zhang Shu Tong's medical skills were well-known throughout the city, and countless people wanted to find him to cure their illnesses, but because of his eccentricity, he rarely allowed people to come to his home, and he didn't go out much either. As a result, there weren't many people at home, all of which Song Jie only knew later.

  Zhang's ancestors had a famous doctor named "Zhang Yizhen" since the Qing Dynasty, whose medical skills were renowned far and wide. Zhao's father spared no effort for Song Jie.

  Only Zhao's mother knew that Song Jie had gone out to pay respects, even Zhao Juan didn't know.

  Song Jie also secretly resented it, once married, she couldn't often return to her mother's home, fortunately she stayed behind, otherwise the old folks would be so lonely.

  It's already the end of October. Three months have passed since Zhao Juan got married, and Song Jie has been running back and forth frequently. Hu Jianmin's mother really likes kids, every time Song Jie goes there, she is given a big handful of snacks, which are extremely rare.

  It's weekend again, went to Master's place to learn medicine during the day, and when I came back in the evening, she had already gone to Zhao Juan's current home, where she received a warm welcome.

  Another big table of dishes, several people eating until they were sweating profusely.

  "Nini, eat quickly and have some more. It's good for a girl to be plump." Mrs. Hu kept piling food onto Song Jie's plate, which was already full to the brim. Song Jie had no choice but to lower her head and eat hastily, but the rice just kept getting higher and higher.

  Zhao Juan was eating when she suddenly started dry heaving.

  "What's wrong?" several people asked in unison.

  Hu Jianmin quickly came over and patted her back, "It's okay, you just ate too fast." Zhao Juan felt that there was no problem.

  "Are you sure it's nothing? If Zhao Juan is uncomfortable, we'll go to the hospital, don't endure it." Hu Jianmin said worriedly.

  "It's really nothing, just for a moment."

  Song Jie also became anxious and remembered that she still knew some medical skills, so she suggested: "Mom, I've been learning medicine from Grandpa recently, let me take your pulse."

  "No need, what does a kid like you know?" Zhao Juan disagreed, what can kids understand? They haven't even learned to walk yet and they want to run.

  "Mom, just think of it as practice for me. Grandpa even praised me that I'm good at everything except practical skills. Let me try and gain some experience, okay?"

  "Yes, Juan'er, let the child take a look. It's just stretching out one's hand, how much effort can it be?" Madam Hu advised.

  The old lady's face couldn't be lost, Zhao Juan reluctantly said: "Okay" and put her hand on the side of the dinner table.

  Song Jie adjusted her position and stretched out her fingers to take Zhao Juan's pulse, using the same gesture she used when taking her own or her grandparents' pulses.

  It's done. Song Jie was shocked and her eyes widened, "What's wrong?" Hu Mu and Hu Jianmin asked anxiously, Zhao Juan was also startled.

  "It's a slippery pulse..." Song Jie looked at the adults and said her diagnosis.

  "What is a slippery pulse?" Hu Jianmin, a big man, doesn't understand this, and even Zhao Juan doesn't know.

  "You stupid kid, how can you be so silly? A missed period means pregnancy... Pregnancy?!?" Hu Mu's voice rose in shock.

  "It's just as Grandma said, a slippery pulse means pregnancy." Song Jie nodded in agreement.

  "I'm going to be a dad......" Hu Jianmin was stunned, his mind was completely blank.

  "Nini, are you going to misdiagnose again?" Zhao Juan was somewhat skeptical of Song Jie's medical skills.

  "How is that possible? It must be a false pregnancy, it's already been over a month, if you don't believe me, let my uncle Hu take you to check tomorrow." Song Jie also knew she was too young to convince others, so she could only say this.

  "It's like this, Juan'er, go take a look tomorrow and you'll know, I think it's true." Hu Jianmin said with certainty.

  Hu's mother was also somewhat excited, having waited for so many years for her grandson. Could it be that he would finally arrive soon? If the test results came out tomorrow, she must go to offer incense to the ancestors and pay her respects.

  Zhao Juan was somewhat at a loss, and advised: "Everyone should not rush to conclusions, it's possible that Song Jie's diagnosis is not accurate? I'm not feeling confident about this, if it's not, everyone will be very disappointed. Let's prepare for the worst."

  "Go on, don't worry, even if it's not us, we won't be disappointed. What do you want to eat? Fish is out of the question, Mom will cook some millet porridge for you."

  After listening to her mother-in-law's words, Zhao Juan was at a loss for words. Her mother-in-law still insisted that she was pregnant. Forget it, there's no use explaining now. Tomorrow will reveal the truth, and whether or not everything becomes clear is all because of this bear child causing trouble for herself, Zhao Juan gave Song Jie a sideways glance.

  Song Jie saw that Chong made a face at Zhao Juan, hummed, tomorrow will know the result, look at you still believe or not my medical skills.

  The next morning, Song Jie got up from her bed and followed everyone to the hospital. For some reason, Hu Mu felt at ease only when Song Jie was in front of him, so he had to take her with him.

  Arrived at the hospital, they had just opened their doors, waited for a while, and then several people registered and went to the gynecology department.

  "After a series of examinations, the doctor said to everyone: 'Congratulations, the test results are positive, that is, you are confirmed to be pregnant, and it has been more than a month.'"

  I was shocked by this surprise and felt that it was not real at this moment. This time everyone has no doubts at all.

  The doctor shared some knowledge and precautions about pregnancy, then let them go. All the way, Hu Jianmin walked lightly, feeling as if his legs were not touching the ground, like walking on cotton.

  As soon as she returned home, Zhao Juan was treated like a Bodhisattva, with everyone fussing over her and asking if she was cold or hungry, making Zhao Juan feel like royalty.

  Zhao Juan still had to go to school, so everyone discussed it and felt that they should finish this semester's courses anyway. Since she wasn't showing yet, next semester would just be some exams and papers, which could also be done without going to school.

  With the good news, Song Jie returned to the Zhao family and announced it to everyone. Coincidentally, Zhao Tong had just returned home to rest, and a large group of people rushed to the Hu family.

  Seeing Song Jie walking in the front, all the way with a proud and arrogant attitude, with a large team following behind carrying big bags and small bags, it's hilarious no matter how you look at it.

  Hu Mu and Hu Jianmin had already come out to greet them. Several elderly people chatted with each other, asking about their families and relatives, and they were all smiling from ear to ear.

  Song Jie was also very happy, growing up so big she didn't have a brother or sister yet, this time it finally came true, don't know if it's a little sister or little brother? Little bun is the most adorable.

  "Since you're already here, why are you still buying things? Jianmin, hurry up and pour tea!" said Hu's mother happily.

  "It's only right that you should nourish your body well and next year give birth to a big fat baby boy." Madam Zhao couldn't close her mouth.

  "Borrowing good words from relatives, even drinking tea is just drinking tea." Several people chatted enthusiastically, Song Jie didn't even go to learn piano today, and she had no idea what her pregnant mother was doing, following her around like a housekeeper.

  "Thanks to Nini, it was her who diagnosed it last night, very accurate, said it's a month old, not even a bit off, really good teaching from the elders."

  "Is that Nini? I didn't expect her to make such great progress. Don't praise her, or she'll become arrogant." Zhao's father's tone was full of pride, and he even raised his chin, which made Zhao's mother secretly tug at his sleeve, reminding him not to be too proud in front of others.