The playboy county magistrate

A royal decree, brimming with compassion and trust.

The Empress immediately returned to the inner palace and personally inventoried the palace's treasured nourishing tonics, fine silk satins, and gold and jade ornaments.

Each item is a precious treasure, perfectly suited for a pregnant woman's rest and to protect the baby's safety. Meticulous and thoughtful, reflecting heartfelt care.

Before long, the palace ceremonial guards were ready.

With carriages and horses in full array, and eunuchs carrying a dazzling array of gifts, the procession, neatly lined up, drove out of the imperial city in a grand procession, heading straight for the Li residence.

At this moment, in the Li residence, Pei Qingyuan was nestled in Li Xuanzhi's arms, quietly basking in the sun, fast asleep.

Li Xuanzhi gently embraced her, his fingertips occasionally touching her lower abdomen.

Suddenly, the soft neighing of carriages and horses could be heard outside the mansion, unlike the solemn and hurried sounds of carriages and horses in the imperial court on ordinary days.

The servants in the mansion quickly stepped inside to report—

"My lord, my lady! The palace eunuchs, carrying the gifts from His Majesty and the Empress, have arrived outside the mansion. They say they have come specifically to congratulate you on this joyous occasion!"

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance, both slightly moved.

Li Xuanzhi helped Pei Qingyuan slowly to her feet, gently giving her instructions.

"Take your time, there's no rush."

The two walked side by side to the front hall, where palace eunuchs were already lined up and waiting.

Upon seeing the two arrive, he immediately bowed with a smile and loudly proclaimed the imperial decree.

The imperial edict was gentle in every word, and filled with blessings. It fully demonstrated the emperor's high regard for his trusted ministers.

After the imperial decree was read, the eunuch smiled and bowed to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Lord Li! Congratulations, Madam! His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress were overjoyed upon hearing the good news. Her Majesty specifically instructed that their blessings be delivered. May Madam be well and the pregnancy progress steadily. May the little prince or princess enjoy good health and longevity."

Then, box after box of gifts were carried into the front hall.

The gold and jade are warm and lustrous, the brocade is shimmering, and the medicinal fragrance is faint.

The selection is dazzling and each item is thoughtful, all of them top-quality treasures.

Li Xuanzhi helped Pei Qingyuan bow to express her gratitude, her tone respectful and sincere.

"Your Majesty and I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness and Your Majesty the Empress for your compassion."

The eunuch smiled and gently helped the two men up, saying in a warm voice:

"His Majesty has specially granted you permission to stay at home and not attend court. You may stay here with your wife and await the birth of your son. You need not worry about any matters of the court."

Such an honor is unique to this person among all the civil and military officials in the court.

After the palace procession departed, the front hall returned to silence. The room was filled with glittering jewels, which enhanced the festive atmosphere of the mansion.

Pei Qingyuan gazed at the hall full of gifts and sighed softly.

"His Majesty and the Empress have treated us far too well."

Li Xuanzhi turned to look at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and depth, and gently took her hand in his.

"We deserve it. You stood by me through thick and thin, and I gave my all for my country. All the favors we have received are well-deserved."

The servants carefully arranged the items and quietly tidied them up.

Li Xuanzhi accompanied Pei Qingyuan back to the backyard, still carefully protecting her waist. He slowed his pace, his gentleness and tenderness undiminished.

Pei Qingyuan sat on the soft couch in the stone pavilion by the water, turning to look at Li Xuanzhi, a gentle smile always on her lips.

The two had only been sitting and chatting for a short while when the soft sounds of carriages and horses came from outside the mansion again.

The gatekeeper quickly entered the pavilion, bowed, and reported—

"My lord, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived in person and is already outside the gates of the mansion."

Both of them were slightly taken aback upon hearing the voice, then looked at each other and smiled.

Presumably, the good news from the palace had spread throughout the capital, and the Crown Prince, upon hearing the news, immediately took time out of his busy schedule to come and visit.

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly and said softly, "Please invite Your Highness inside quickly."

Before the words were finished, a familiar figure slowly walked into the courtyard.

The crown prince was dressed in casual clothes, his black hair was tied up, and his features were handsome and gentle.

His days of attending court and handling state affairs had made him increasingly composed and dignified. His brows and eyes exuded the air of a crown prince, yet when facing Li Xuanzhi, he always maintained the initial respect and affection he held for him.

He strode into the stone pavilion, his eyes brimming with genuine joy, and gently cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them:

"Congratulations, teacher! Congratulations, teacher's wife!"

Pei Qingyuan smiled and nodded gently in response. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Looking at the increasingly mature and composed student before him, Li Xuanzhi's eyes softened with a gentle warmth. He said softly:

"There are many matters to attend to in the court; you don't need to make a special trip here."

"No matter how complicated the government affairs are, they are not as important as the great joy in the teacher's and teacher's family."

The Crown Prince straightened up and his gaze fell on Pei Qingyuan's steady belly.

"Today, while attending to state affairs in the palace, I heard my father and mother speak of the good news, and I was overjoyed. I immediately put aside my official duties and came to visit them. Such a joyous occasion is one that I should personally offer my congratulations."

The crown prince sat down on a stone bench in the pavilion, his tone calm and sincere.

"Now the court and the country are at peace, the new policies have taken root, all officials are performing their duties, the cabinet is operating smoothly, and there is no obstruction in the court."

"Students are already capable of handling daily administrative affairs, so teachers can rest at home with peace of mind and do not need to worry about the court."

He understood the profound meaning behind his father's decree that Li Xuanzhi should stay home and recuperate, and he also understood that his mentor was exhausted both physically and mentally from years of hard work.

Li Xuanzhi's eyes showed even greater approval, and he slowly nodded.

"You are now calm and composed, and your thinking is thorough. I really don't need to worry about you. With the Great Yong Dynasty in your hands, both His Majesty and I can rest assured."

"This is all thanks to the teacher's guidance."

The Crown Prince bowed slightly, displaying a humble attitude and never showing arrogance due to his status as the heir apparent.

"Without teachers imparting their knowledge wholeheartedly, students will remain nothing more than ignorant children, unaware of the weight of the nation's affairs and the suffering of its people."

Pei Qingyuan sat quietly to the side, listening with a smile, without saying a word.

After a brief chat, the Crown Prince's gaze gently fell upon Pei Qingyuan again, and he gave her detailed instructions:

"Your wife has had a difficult pregnancy, so please take good care of yourself and rest well. The palace has prepared countless auspicious items to ensure a safe pregnancy. If there is any shortage or discomfort, please just send someone to inform the palace, and I will make arrangements immediately."

His tone was earnest, showing a thoughtfulness that showed he cared deeply about Li Xuanzhi's family.

Pei Qingyuan thanked her gently, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince sat for a while longer, but fearing that staying any longer would disturb Pei Qingyuan's rest, he rose, bowed, and took his leave.

Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed his servants to serve him diligently and reiterated his wish for Li Xuanzhi to stay at home and not worry about the court. Only then did he reluctantly turn back to the palace to resume his duties.

Pei Qingyuan leaned slightly against the railing, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair.

Perhaps due to the fatigue that comes with pregnancy, there was a hint of weariness in her eyes, yet she still smiled brightly.

Li Xuanzhi observed this and immediately leaned down slightly, asking gently:

"Are you tired?"

"It's alright." Pei Qingyuan shook her head gently. "Just sitting quietly and watching this peaceful scene makes me feel especially at ease."

Li Xuanzhi said nothing more, but steadily supported her arm and carefully helped her up. His palms always protected her waist, his strength gentle, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

"Go back inside, don't catch a chill."

The two walked slowly along the cobblestone path back to their bedroom.

The room had already been tidied up to be warm and cozy, and the servants, following instructions, closed the windows properly.

He helped her sit down on the soft couch, and personally brought a soft velvet blanket, gently covering her knees.

I tested the temperature of the tea again to make sure it was warm and suitable before handing it to her.