The playboy county magistrate

"Absolutely true." The imperial physician nodded with a smile and continued to give detailed instructions.

"Madam's pregnancy is progressing smoothly and her constitution is balanced. She only needs to rest quietly, avoid strenuous activity, and maintain a cheerful mood to ensure a safe pregnancy. There is no need for excessive supplementation; a light diet and regular sleep schedule are the best ways to care for her."

Afterwards, the imperial physician carefully instructed on many taboos and dietary restrictions for pregnancy. He also left behind a mild prescription for a safe pregnancy before bowing once more to offer his congratulations and slowly taking his leave.

The room finally fell silent.

Li Xuanzhi walked slowly to Pei Qingyuan and knelt down gently. His gaze fell softly on her lower abdomen, his eyes filled with utmost reverence, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world.

"Qingyuan." He looked up at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and joy, and murmured softly, "We're having a child."

Pei Qingyuan's eyes welled up slightly, and she nodded gently. She reached out and gently stroked his eyebrows and eyes, her voice soft and sweet with a hint of emotion.

"Yes, our child has really arrived."

Li Xuanzhi stood up and gently embraced her, his movements tender, afraid that too much force would disturb the baby in her womb.

"That's wonderful." He lowered his head and touched her temple, his voice gentle and tender, full of expectation.

"Rest well first."

Li Xuanzhi helped Pei Qingyuan slowly sit down on the soft couch, carefully placed a cushion behind her back, and gently closed most of the slightly ajar window.

Pei Qingyuan leaned against the soft pillows, looking at his meticulous appearance, a faint smile in her eyes, gentle as water.

The Grand Chancellor, who held the reins of the Great Yong Dynasty and commanded the respect of all officials, was a man of great authority and imposing presence in the court. Yet, at this moment, he was willing to humble himself and handle trivial matters.

"There's no need to be so nervous," Pei Qingyuan said softly, her eyes crinkling. "The imperial physician said the pregnancy is very stable, and I'm in good health. I can walk around and rest without any problems."

Li Xuanzhi sat down beside her, turning to gaze at her. All the sharpness of court politics had faded, leaving only a heart full of doting affection.

"I know it's alright," he replied softly, his fingertips gently tracing and caressing her slightly cool hand. "But I always want to do something for you."

After he finished speaking, he turned to instruct the servants standing outside the door.

"From now on, heavy oil and smoke-filled meals are prohibited in the mansion. All dishes should be light and bland. Each meal should be carefully prepared, avoiding raw, cold, and spicy foods. When sweeping the courtyard, avoid stirring up dust. The flowers and trees in the courtyard do not need to be pruned too frequently, so as not to disturb the peace."

"From now on, Madam must have someone attend to her in all her daily activities. She must not climb high places, catch a cold, or exert herself in the slightest. If Madam feels even the slightest discomfort, whether it is a loss of appetite or a feeling of distress, report it to me immediately without delay."

The servant bowed respectfully and replied, "I will obey your orders, sir."

Looking at his earnest expression, Pei Qingyuan felt a surge of warmth in her heart and softly smiled:

"With you keeping me so strictly under your control, I'm afraid I'll have to be very restricted even when taking a walk in the yard."

Li Xuanzhi lowered his head slightly, his nose brushing lightly against her temple, his voice gentle and tender, filled with a unique doting affection.

"Discipline is not restraint, but protection. If you want to take a walk, I will accompany you every day. If you want to admire flowers, I will pick them for you. If you are lazy and want to sleep, I will stay by your side and accompany you every day."

"In short, I will take care of all the trivial and arduous tasks from now on. You just need to rest and recuperate, and do whatever you want."

Li Xuanzhi slowly reached out, his palm warm and gentle, and carefully placed it on her flat stomach, his movements so light they were almost reverent.

The area was still flat, showing no signs of abnormality. Yet, it concealed a brand new little life, and the hopes of the two of them, bound by blood.

"Baby." He murmured softly, his voice low and gentle, filled with the joy and solemnity of becoming a father for the first time.

"As your father, I have protected our land and ensured peace and tranquility for all. For the rest of my life, I will dedicate everything to protecting you and your mother, ensuring a worry-free and prosperous life for you every year."

Pei Qingyuan gazed quietly at his gentle and solemn profile, her eyes slightly warming, and gently placed her hand on the back of his hand.

The afternoon hours are long and slow.

Li Xuanzhi indeed stayed by her side the whole time, never leaving her for a moment.

Fearing she might get tired from sitting for too long, I helped her lie down on the bed for a short rest. Worried she might get sleepy or cold, I tucked her in myself. Afraid she might have no taste in her mouth, I peeled sweet, fresh fruit, removed the pits, cut it into pieces, and fed it to her little by little.

Pei Qingyuan leaned against him, eating sweet and fresh fruit, feeling his meticulous care. Her mind was calm and peaceful, and her eyes were filled with a gentle smile.

"My husband," she called softly.

"I'm here," he replied immediately, looking down at her tenderly.

……

When the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy were on duty and came to the palace to report, they casually mentioned the good news from the Regent's residence during their conversation.

In no time, the good news spread throughout the palace and reached the ears of the emperor and empress.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the emperor had been resting quietly for many days, and his complexion improved day by day. He had long since shed the weakness he had experienced when he was critically ill, and his brows and eyes once again displayed the calm and gentle demeanor of an emperor.

Upon hearing the eunuch's whispered report of the good news, the hand holding the pen that was reviewing the memorials suddenly paused, and a smile instantly spread across his eyes, all the melancholy he had felt from days of quiet recuperation dissipating.

"Really?" The emperor looked up, his tone filled with undisguised joy. "Xuanzhi and Qingyuan have finally had an heir?"

The eunuch bowed respectfully and replied, "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. The imperial physician personally went to the Li residence this morning to examine the lady, and she is indeed more than a month pregnant. The pregnancy is progressing steadily, and she is in good health."

Upon hearing this, the emperor laughed heartily.

He has witnessed it all over the years.

Li Xuanzhi, a young man, shouldered responsibilities, clearing away the century-old malpractices of the Dayong Dynasty, quelling the turmoil in the court and the country, and protecting the vast land.

He toiled day and night, dedicating all his efforts to the country and its people. He only failed himself and his beloved Pei Qingyuan.

The world praises him as a wise minister for all time, but only the emperor knows how difficult his journey has been.

"Good, good." The emperor said twice, "He has guarded my country for many years and protected the people of Dayong. Now that his family affairs are finally settled, it is a blessing he deserves."

The Empress, who had just received the news, happened to come to pay her respects. Upon entering, she heard the Emperor talking about this matter. Her gentle eyes lit up with a smile, and she quickly stepped forward and asked softly.

"Does Your Majesty mean that there is good news from the Li family?"

"Indeed." The emperor turned to look at her, his smile gentle.

"Qingyuan is pregnant and the pregnancy is going smoothly; this is a great joy."

The Empress's eyes instantly filled with joy, and she sincerely exclaimed:

"I have been thinking of the two of them every day, and now my wish has finally come true."

After a moment's thought, the Empress made a soft suggestion.

"Your Majesty, I intend to prepare a generous gift immediately and send a eunuch to deliver it to the Li residence. This is to show my gratitude for Your Majesty's favor and to congratulate them on the upcoming birth of their son."

"That is the way it should be." The emperor nodded in agreement and immediately dictated the decree, instructing the eunuch in charge of writing to draft it at once.

"By imperial decree, Li Xuanzhi is granted a thousand acres of fertile land, ten chests of treasures, and one hundred bolts of brocade. Furthermore, he is bestowed with imperial medicine for pregnancy and a full range of nourishing tonics."

"Another imperial edict is issued, granting Li Xuanzhi permission to stay home and rest with his wife, awaiting the birth of their child. All matters of the court shall be handled jointly by the Crown Prince and the cabinet ministers, and shall not be disturbed except in major matters."