The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi picked up his teacup, looked up at the bright moon in the sky, and then turned to look at the gentle and serene person beside him.

"I never dared to relax before," he said softly and frankly.

"With the powerful clans still in power and old problems still unresolved, there are hidden dangers everywhere in the court and among the people. Therefore, we can only remain vigilant day and night, moving forward step by step, without daring to slacken in the slightest."

But things are different now.

He paused slightly, a smile spreading across his eyes.

"The crown prince is mature and capable of shouldering great responsibilities, and the new policies are well-established among the people. Everything is developing in the best possible direction."

At least for now, things are developing in the direction Li Xuanzhi had envisioned.

"Today in the Imperial Garden, Her Majesty the Empress instructed me to go home and rest more, and to spend more time with you."

Pei Qingyuan smiled faintly, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her eyes were filled with starlight and moonlight as she nodded obediently.

"Qingyuan," he called softly.

"I am here."

"Our household is too quiet; it's time to add some people to the family."

Li Xuanzhi leaned down slightly, his movements extremely gentle, and steadily lifted her up in his arms.

Pei Qingyuan paused for a moment, then subconsciously raised her hand to wrap around his neck. A faint blush swept across her cheeks, and her eyes lowered.

The candlelight flickered gently, filling the room with warmth and creating a tender, romantic atmosphere.

He lowered his eyes and gently kissed her forehead, a gesture of utmost care.

Pei Qingyuan's eyelashes trembled slightly, her eyes shimmering with tenderness. She raised her hand and gently wrapped it around his shoulders and neck, taking the initiative to snuggle into his warm embrace.

His kisses were gentle and delicate, moving from the center of his brow to his eyes, before lightly covering his soft lips.

The room was quiet, the candlelight flickering, casting the two figures embracing in a warm and tender light, almost lingering.

Pei Qingyuan felt a slight warmth at her ears, her breath coming in soft, disordered gasps. She nestled gently in his arms, letting him hold her waist, protecting her firmly between the beds.

Li Xuanzhi's deep breath fell on her ear, his voice hoarse yet gentle, tinged with tenderness. "Qingyuan."

The windows were tightly shut, and the evening breeze gently tapped against the door, as if unwilling to disturb the tranquility of the room.

He gently pulled her down to lie down, the soft, warm blankets tenderly enveloping their intertwined figures.

Li Xuanzhi never knew he would become so addicted; the couple would moan for water three or four times a night.

As dawn broke, the sunlight pierced through layers of curtains, gently bathing the bedroom in its glow.

The flickering candlelight of last night has long since burned out, leaving behind a soft, warm glow in the room, mingled with a faint fragrance of grass and trees, lingering and comforting.

Pei Qingyuan was fast asleep, her long hair scattered on the pillow, making her face look as delicate as white jade.

Li Xuanzhi was stunned. The morning light gradually spread across the edge of the bed and fell on Pei Qingyuan's fair and gentle face, giving it a soft glow that made her features even more gentle and beautiful.

After gazing silently for an unknown period of time, the person beside me finally awoke slowly, their eyelashes fluttering.

When Pei Qingyuan first woke up, her eyes were still slightly sleepy.

Her gaze was gentle as water; she looked up in surprise and met his deep, tender eyes.

"Awake?" Li Xuanzhi's voice, slightly hoarse from the morning, was magnetic, gentle, and comforting.

Pei Qingyuan nodded slightly, a faint smile unconsciously appearing on her lips, and leaned gently into his warm embrace. She said softly, "You woke up so early."

This leaning back was a mistake; Pei Qingyuan suddenly dodged backward, but was firmly held by Li Xuanzhi.

"Madam, isn't it a bit too late to cancel now?"

"Husband, be gentle..."

This whole ordeal meant skipping breakfast altogether.

When the couple finished getting ready and came out, it was already lunchtime.

Pei Qingyuan reached out and quietly rubbed her sore lower back, carefully moving away from Li Xuanzhi.

How come I never realized before that Li Xuanzhi was so good at tormenting people?

I was so busy with her last night that I probably didn't get a full night's sleep.

I would drift off to sleep while I was awake, and then I would be woken up by my own antics.

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's already the eve of the Lunar New Year.

During this period, Li Xuanzhi spent most of his time at home.

In his spare time, he reads books, brews tea, and tends to the plants in the courtyard. He accompanies Pei Qingyuan to admire the flowers and chat, and the couple often sings late into the night. Occasionally, he enters the palace to give the Crown Prince advice on governing the country.

However, in the past few days, Pei Qingyuan's body has shown some signs of abnormality.

She was always healthy and peaceful, and always felt refreshed when she woke up in the morning.

But these past few days, she's felt a bit tired at dawn, and occasionally a little nauseous. She can't stand the smell of greasy food, and prefers the light fragrance of flowers and slightly cool tea in the courtyard.

At first, she thought it was just because the charcoal in the house had been burning brightly lately, and Li Xuanzhi had been keeping her up every night, so she didn't take it to heart. She continued to tend to the flowers and brew tea every day, living a quiet life.

But even the subtle changes that occur day and night cannot be hidden from those closest to you.

That morning, Li Xuanzhi brought in a light breakfast that he had prepared himself.

As soon as the door was opened, Pei Qingyuan was seen leaning against the windowsill, her brows furrowed slightly. She was breathing shallowly, as if she was feeling somewhat unwell.

He paused slightly, then stepped forward, gently placed the breakfast aside, and reached out to support her arm.

His voice was warm and deep, filled with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Pei Qingyuan raised her eyes, a hint of weariness in them, gently shook her head, and softly replied:

"It's nothing, I just feel a bit stuffy when I get up, I can't stand the smell of hot food, and I'm a bit too lazy."

Li Xuanzhi's gaze lingered on her brows, eyes, and complexion, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

Her complexion was warm and fair, showing no signs of illness, but rather a more gentle and radiant appearance than usual.

It didn't seem like I was exhausted from staying up all night, but I felt slightly tired, which was completely different from the usual fatigue caused by a cold.

The subtle changes that had occurred during this period suddenly came together in my mind.

Excessive sleepiness, preference for light and refreshing foods, a radiant complexion but weak constitution and easy fatigue...

A faint yet burning expectation suddenly rose in his heart. His fingertips paused slightly, and his tone became even softer and more cautious.

"I'll go and invite the imperial physician to come and take a look, just to put my mind at ease."

Pei Qingyuan was slightly taken aback, then smiled faintly.

"There's no need to make such a fuss. It's just a little fatigue. You'll feel better in a few days."

"Don't be careless." Li Xuanzhi's tone was gentle yet firm as he gently stroked the top of her head.

After saying that, he immediately instructed Tang Zheng to take his identity token and go to the Imperial Hospital to invite the resident imperial physician to come and examine him.

In less than half an hour, the imperial physician hurriedly entered the mansion with his medicine box.

He bowed and sat down, then gently placed his fingertips on Pei Qingyuan's wrist, calmly and attentively taking her pulse.

Li Xuanzhi stood to one side, his usually calm and composed demeanor now showing a hint of tension.

Looking at the imperial physician's focused expression, she felt a faint hope in her heart, but dared not think too much, for fear that it would all be in vain.

After a moment, the imperial physician slowly raised his eyes. His brows relaxed, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he cupped his hands in congratulations:

"Congratulations, Lord Li! Congratulations, Madam! Your pulse is smooth and gentle, with a steady, barely perceptible pulse at the cun position—a clear sign of pregnancy. You are already over a month pregnant, and the fetus is developing steadily and healthily, without the slightest sign of distress!"

Pei Qingyuan suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with astonishment, which quickly transformed into a gentle, delighted surprise, and her lips involuntarily curved into a smile. Her gaze shone brightly as it fell upon her flat stomach, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Li Xuanzhi spoke softly, his voice trembling slightly.

"really?"