Chapter 716

(Above omitted) one

The night passed without a word.

The next morning, when the morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the entire living room and master bedroom, a new dawn arrived.

The room was somewhat messy, especially the forensic beauty's French maid outfit bought back from the US, scattered everywhere, the pearlescent suspenders with black lace trim casually draped over the sofa armrest, the rug, even a delicate corset thrown onto the Sony wall-mounted LCD TV, the air still not fully cleared of last night's sweet wine scent and other odors, plus a faint, lingering languor after intimacy. Ishihara Mikoto had already woken, but did not immediately get up.

The forensic beauty lay on her side on the messy big bed, the velvet sheet slipped to her waist, revealing smooth satin-like shoulders and back and an elegant neck line, a head of chestnut-brown hair spread on the pillow, a few strands sticking to her sweaty forehead and neck, her body fully stretched out.

She closed her eyes, her long, thick lashes casting a small shadow beneath, the corners of her mouth unconsciously slightly upturned, forming a satisfied, lazy arc, a relaxation and allure emanating from her bones, brighter than any makeup on her face.

Those meticulously planned "offensives" and dominant leadership from last night had now turned into limp weakness.

She gently stretched her body under the covers, like a cat basking in the sun, letting out an extremely soft, contented sigh in the blankets. Comfortable~

Uesugi Muneyuki didn't know where he'd seen some content, came up and shouted, "Check! I need to confirm whether Mikoto-nee, you got scammed by a delivery service on your trip to the US!" which made the forensic beauty both annoyed and amused, but Uesugi Muneyuki's "check" was exactly to her liking; now she's in her thirties, precisely the age that needs it, and after traveling abroad for half a month, she naturally needs some nourishment.

Speaking of which, there are four women in the household, but actually only two have combat power; Minami is an ultimate weakling with five trash, she and Asuka together only count as half, Mikoto herself counts as half, only that girl Eirina with decent martial arts counts as a match for Uesugi Muneyuki, a full combat power; especially after an hour and a half, basically Minami, Asuka, and herself couldn't even be bothered to move a finger, only having the strength to breathe. Who knows why it turned out like this…… Mikoto thought helplessly.

After squinting for a while, she opened her eyes, her pupils quickly regaining their usual clarity and a new, sharp determination.

Today is Wednesday, she remembers Uesugi Muneyuki mentioning that in the morning he needs to go to Tokyo University Medical School's Forensic Medicine Teaching Room to handle some PhD research-related data, and as the sole designated assistant, she definitely needs to go too, because the Metropolitan Police Department side is busy, while Tokyo University side matters are almost all handled by Mikoto for him. Uesugi Muneyuki is actually very busy; he not only works two jobs, but also bears huge KPI pressure, and fortunately Tokyo University has no fixed SCI journal requirements or continuous impact factor evaluations, and forensic medicine is an ultra-niche specialty, otherwise Uesugi Muneyuki doing this would get scolded; this PhD and specialized physician identity is also not secure.

"Forensic Mikoto, activate!" the forensic beauty yelled, deciding to get up.

After shouting, Ishihara Mikoto got up swiftly, ignoring her body's slight soreness, walked into the bathroom, the warm water washing away last night's traces, also making her mind increasingly clear; the woman in the mirror still had spring color not fully faded from her brows and eyes, but her gaze was now that of a calm, rational professional who holds reverence for life and death.

As for this forensic line, I'm serious!

However, occupying her mind even before professional thoughts was another crucial matter; after drying off, she wrapped herself in a robe and walked to Uesugi Muneyuki's computer desk, where her locked drawer was; she entered the password, opened it, and inside were not documents, but some carefully packaged medicines and brand-new women's health monitoring tools.

She skillfully took out a palm-sized electronic medicine box, inside divided compartments holding several medicines: most noticeable was active folic acid (methyltetrahydrofolate), beside it coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) capsules, plus vitamin D3 drops, and a small bottle labeled "inositol" supplement. She carefully checked the dosage, then took out her phone, opened a dedicated app for recording basal body temperature and ovulation cycle, and entered this morning's temperature data. On the graph, a clear temperature rise had persisted for several days, indicating the start of the luteal phase. She then took out an unopened box of high-precision ovulation test strips from the drawer, pondering.

These are all preparations for pregnancy, and she has been preparing for over half a year.

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects, Q10 improves egg quality, vitamin D regulates immunity and hormones, inositol improves PCOS tendency…… Although I undergo gynecological exams every month and my body shows no obvious problems, optimization never hurts.

Ishihara Mikoto calculated.

Day 18 of the cycle, high temperature stable. After the next menstrual cycle ends, we can start trying. Nutritional supplements need to be taken three months in advance…… timing is just right.

As she was concentrating on her calculations, faint movement came from outside the half-open door from the kitchen; the forensic beauty took the medicine box and water cup and walked out, intending to take her dosage along the way.

Sure enough, Asuka had already risen; she habitually began preparing breakfast in the open-plan kitchen, glanced at Mikoto with the corner of her eye, her little nose humming to indicate she saw you but ignored her at the time; however, another woman was already sitting at the dining table, similarly surrounded by various medicines in front of the table. It was Watanabe Minami.

Minami Ojou-sama had also just finished washing up; her pure, sweet face was clean, wearing cute loungewear, but her eyes were highly focused; she held a medicine packet, which Mikoto instantly recognized as another common over-the-counter comprehensive vitamin for women preparing for pregnancy, also containing folic acid. Their eyes met in the air, and then Minami also saw Mikoto's medicine.

Minami Ojou-sama seemed to freeze for a moment, then her face broke into a spotless, radiant smile like the morning sun, she shook the medicine packet in her hand, tone natural with a hint of playfulness: "Good morning, Mikoto. You're also starting to pay attention to vitamin supplements? I feel I've been staying up late too much lately, my skin condition needs some maintenance."

Her explanation was seamless, her eyes utterly innocent and pure.

Ishihara Mikoto's heart, however, sank sharply at that moment, then immediately ignited with a sharper sense of crisis.

She too is preparing for pregnancy?

That's right! She is Uesugi Muneyuki's legitimate wife, the Omitaidokoro of the Ooku, she is of suitable age, orthodox identity, if she doesn't prepare for pregnancy, who will? Moreover, as a national civil servant and mid-level cadre in the Metropolitan Police Department, Minami naturally enjoys protection under the Civil Service Law; if she gets pregnant, her salary continues, benefits continue, her position is kept for her, and she cannot be transferred for any excuse or reason, at least not before and after childbirth for a period of time—this is the welfare provided by the Japanese system to female civil servants.

Mikoto's face remained unchanged, even returning a more alluring, gentle smile: "Yeah, getting older, need to pay more attention to internal regulation." Her tone light, she walked to the water dispenser, got water, swallowed her capsules, movements elegant and natural.

But the forensic beauty's inner alarm bells were already ringing loudly.

A feeling of being watched, chased, possibly even outpaced—like vines entwining Mikoto's heart—originally the satisfaction from last night and this morning's plans going smoothly was instantly overshadowed by a shadow.

What if Minami gives birth faster and stronger than me, the old man has other options, then wouldn't he not fulfill his promise to me?

I don't have a Superintendent General as a father!

When returning to the bedroom to change clothes, Ishihara Mikoto abandoned her original plan to wear a sharp pantsuit or simple dress.

She opened the winter section of the closet, carefully selected a superbly tailored, heavy-feeling charcoal gray double-breasted long coat made of wool blend, inner layer a white turtleneck wool sweater; for the lower body, she chose the thick, opaque black velvet silk stockings that Uesugi Muneyuki had multiple times expressed appreciation for; the heavy texture instead sculpted her leg shape to be even straighter and longer, in winter attire revealing a restrained yet luxurious sensuality. Finally, she slipped on a pair of lake-green satin pointed-toe slim high heels, the heels slender and upright, the color like a pool of frozen spring water, adding a striking pop of color to the otherwise steady, elegant ensemble.

She arranged her hair before the mirror, slightly curling the ends into an arc, lightly applied powder, focused on drawing those fox-like alluring eyes and full red lips; the woman in the mirror had both the efficiency and intellect of a workplace elite, the coat's hem occasionally flashing the fine, delicate texture of the thick black silk stockings, the dainty arch of the foot and that hint of lake-green on the toe, everywhere revealing carefully calculated allure, completely the epitome of Uesugi Muneyuki's aesthetic ideal. Uesugi Muneyuki doesn't like driving, but considering last night was indeed a bit too intense, plus this is Mikoto-nee, he still decided to drive himself, letting the leg-weary forensic beauty rest more.

And along the way, sitting in the front passenger seat of the Lexus RX driven by Uesugi Muneyuki, Ishihara Mikoto appeared to gaze idly at the passing street scenery outside the window, but in reality her heart surged; finally, during a long red light, she seemed to casually speak up, voice softer than usual by a few degrees: "Muneyuki, about the future…… moving forward, how exactly are you planning? Yesterday Minami mentioned the matter of moving to a bigger house……"

Uesugi Muneyuki focused on the road ahead, hearing this he smiled, carrying the common youthful clarity about reality: "How else could I plan? Just keep your feet on the ground. Right now the most urgent is the PhD thesis writing and subsequent promotion process at Tokyo University; although associate professor positions are fiercely competitive, but forensic medicine…… even dogs don't study it! So I basically will have already secured a position as associate professor of forensic medicine upon graduation; as for kids……" Uesugi Muneyuki's annual income is 12 million yen; although hanging under Mai Xuejie's name exempts him from a bunch of taxes like resident tax, his take-home is still about 9.4 million yen per year; plus Minami's 8 million yen take-home annual income, the two of them currently cannot afford a penthouse in central Tokyo, let alone Japan's property taxes, management fees, and other fixed expenses.

Damn, how can housing prices in this little country be so high? In Tokyo Metropolis, you need to work 12-15 years on average to afford a house!

Uesugi Muneyuki paused, his tone gaining more complex emotion, after all his brother's side has unspeakable difficulties: "Grandpa's side, the urging is getting more and more urgent. Although his body is still healthy, but after all he's at that age, wanting to see the fourth generation with his own eyes, I can understand."

He turned his head to glance at Mikoto, eyes gentle with a hint of helplessness: "Besides, you also know something about Minami's family situation, right? The Watanabe side essentially recruited me as a son-in-law adoptee. So, even if Minami in the future…… uh, the child will definitely prioritize inheriting her family name. This was agreed upon long ago; later there will be Yonezawa Uesugi and Watanabe Uesugi."

Ishihara Mikoto's heartbeat, upon hearing "son-in-law adoptee" and "inherit her family name," involuntarily skipped a beat, then immediately began pounding violently.

So that's it! Minami's side has a family hard requirement: the child is not "Yonezawa Uesugi" but "Watanabe Uesugi"!

This means, in the contest for the position of mother of the legitimate heir of the "Yonezawa Uesugi clan," Minami had already withdrawn from the core competition from the start? A huge hope like dawn light instantly dispelled most of the gloom in her heart.

She took a deep breath, turned her head, seriously gazing at Uesugi Muneyuki's profile as he drove. Light and shadow flitted over his handsome outline outside the window. She no longer hesitated, nor used any roundabout probing tactics, and asked with an unprecedentedly clear and firm tone:

"Muneyuki, I…… want to bear you a child. A child belonging to us two, surnamed 'Uesugi.' Can I?" "Squeak!"

The tires rubbing against the ground emitted a faint sharp screech. Uesugi Muneyuki almost instinctively tapped the brake lightly the moment he heard those words; fortunately the speed wasn't high, and the car behind was also far away.

He abruptly turned his head, looked at Ishihara Mikoto, his face filled with incredulous shock, which then transformed into ecstasy, like a tsunami engulfing him.

"Mikoto-nee? You…… you're serious?" Uesugi Muneyuki's voice trembled with excitement, his eyes blazing: "You…… weren't you always saying your career was at a critical point, and…… and…… you weren't always saying you didn't plan to have children?" The forensic beauty's attitude was a genuine delight to Uesugi Muneyuki!

All along, Ishihara Mikoto had shown concern for her figure, freedom, career, and that unquestionable independent woman's stance, leading Uesugi Muneyuki to think there was no chance, while this sudden turnaround, to him, was simply a dream come true he had never dared to truly expect—a huge surprise.

Mikoto-nee really wants to bear a child for me?

Seeing him flustered by the shock of joy, Ishihara Mikoto's last hint of apprehension vanished, replaced by a sense of certain victory, even a bit of smug amusement; she certainly wouldn't tell him that this "determination" behind it was backed by meticulous economic calculation and risk avoidance. Yes, after all, your grandfather personally guaranteed it—from prenatal checkups to childbirth to maternity center to future education funds, he covers it all! Top-tier resources!

Moreover, the old man also promised that once the child is born, he will take responsibility for finding the most professional childcare team and home tutors; I completely don't need to become a yellow-faced woman wrapped around diapers; if I want to work, I work; if I want freedom, I have freedom; my career won't be affected in the slightest!

Even…… the child's future inheritance order and family resources, he will arrange them in advance!

This isn't having a child—this is clearly a guaranteed-profit, tenfold-return investment!

Using a controllable time period, exchanging it for a bond tying tightly to the Uesugi family's core interests for decades or even longer, plus grandfather's weighty promise and resource allocation. And what she needs to contribute is merely following natural law, bearing a lovable child carrying her and Muneyuki's blood.

Thinking of this, Ishihara Mikoto almost couldn't hold back her laughter.

Profit!

Simply put, I've struck it rich!

Moreover, Sōsetsu still has to thank me! Just because he likes me so much, I said this, and he will absolutely……be moved! She suppressed the overly shrewd smile at the corner of her mouth, replacing it with a gaze as gentle as water, and reached out, lightly placing her hand over Uesugi Muneyuki's hand gripping the steering wheel, her fingertips tracing circles on the back of his hand, her voice soft and alluring: "Of course it's true. I've thought about it for a long time……Sōsetsu, I want to have a complete family with you."

Uesugi Muneyuki turned his hand to grip her cool hand tightly, the force almost painful, but the excitement and cherishment within it made her heart feel at ease.

He steadied his breathing, looked ahead at the road again, his gaze firmer and brighter than ever before.

"Good." Uesugi Muneyuki said only one word, yet it seemed as if he had said everything.

Mikoto-nee's fox-like charming eyes flashed with light, amidst her myriad charms lay unspeakable affection and calculation.

Plan success!

Minami, do you not know a principle, tooth sound?

Since Shogun Iemitsu of the Tokugawa Shogunate, no shogun of the shogunate has been born of the Omitaidokoro lady!

Our rule here is: whoever becomes pregnant first becomes the principal wife!