The playboy county magistrate

Li Xuanzhi was also aware that he had several women in his backyard. Calculating the time, apart from the female assassin he had taken in Jinling, the other two had been with him for longer than Pei Qingyuan.

He just left her alone in his own backyard, ignoring her completely; he'd be acting like a scumbag.

She willingly gave up the title of someone else's wife and voluntarily became a concubine in her own household, someone who could not show her face in public.

Li Xuanzhi felt a deep reluctance to leave them alone in the inner quarters, where they would wither and die like flowers.

It's only a matter of time before he goes to rest in the women's rooms in the inner quarters, but at least not now.

Before Pei Qingyuan gave birth successfully and before the Li family had a legitimate eldest son to inherit the family business, Li Xuanzhi would never allow his concubine to become pregnant with his child.

He was well aware of how awkward the position of the eldest son born out of wedlock was.

The reputation of favoring a concubine over one's wife should never befall oneself.

Furthermore, a pregnant woman's emotions are very important; if a pregnant woman is in a bad mood, various problems can easily arise.

Li Xuanzhi figured there was still plenty of time, so he wasn't in a hurry to favor the concubines in the backyard.

For so long, Pei Qingyuan had always treated those women well.

Pei Qingyuan's eyes reddened completely, tears welling up, and her voice trembled slightly: "But I don't want you..."

Warm tears slid down her fair cheeks, gently landing on her clothes, leaving a shallow wet patch, which also touched Li Xuanzhi's heart.

She wasn't feeling wronged or resentful; she was simply suddenly enveloped by his sincere and passionate heart. The guilt, concerns, and cautious concessions that had been building up in her heart for months collapsed in an instant, turning into a surge of warmth.

When Li Xuanzhi saw her tears, his heart tightened. He quickly bent down and gently wiped away the tears from her cheeks with his fingertips, his movements so light that he was afraid of breaking her. His voice was filled with helplessness and tenderness.

"Why are you crying?"

He bent down slightly, his gaze level with hers, locking onto her wet eyes, speaking each word very softly and slowly.

"Do you think I lied to you, or do you think I wasn't sincere enough with you?"

Pei Qingyuan quickly shook her head, her nose reddening, her voice soft and trembling slightly from crying.

"Neither."

"Then why are you crying?" Li Xuanzhi raised his hand and gently pulled her into his arms, deliberately avoiding her lower abdomen, only firmly supporting her back, tenderly encircling her in his embrace. "Was my tone too harsh just now, and did I frighten you?"

"No." Pei Qingyuan buried her face in his warm clothes and took a deep breath.

"I just suddenly realized that I've been too narrow-minded and overthinking things."

Li Xuanzhi sighed softly, his chest trembling.

"Silly girl, how are you narrow-minded? You're just too worried about me and think too much about me."

Pei Qingyuan raised her hand and gently grasped the fabric of his clothes, saying in a muffled voice:

"But just now, I insisted that you go to someone else's room... If it were anyone else, they would probably have gotten angry by now."

Li Xuanzhi lowered his head, his nose lightly brushing against her slightly cool bangs, his tone gentle and tender, with a hint of a smile.

Why should I be angry?

Li Xuanzhi gently ruffled the top of her head, his tone full of affection.

"There's no need to be so careful. You are my wife, the only person I love in this life."

The two embraced quietly for a long time, the fatigue from sitting for so long slowly washing over them. Pei Qingyuan's body went slightly weak, and she subconsciously leaned closer to him.

Li Xuanzhi keenly sensed this and immediately released his arms from her, helping her to lie down slowly on the bed. He carefully placed soft pillows under her and covered her with a thick, soft brocade quilt, tucking the edges tightly around her.

"If you're tired, get some sleep." He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. "I'll stay by your side tonight."

Pei Qingyuan gazed at his handsome and gentle features, nodded slightly, and smiled faintly: "Okay."

Li Xuanzhi did not lie down immediately, but sat on the soft stool by the couch, quietly watching her sleep peacefully.

The night outside the window was dark and bustling, the noise and clamor were blurred and distant through the layers of courtyard walls, and could not disturb the peace and tranquility inside the house in the slightest.

The backyard on the other side was equally quiet and deserted.

Gu Pan'er, Liu Yunrou, and Fu Xiaoxiao were always well-behaved and obedient, spending their days planting flowers and grass, reading and practicing calligraphy. They lived peacefully, never peeping into the front yard or asking for any favors.

They knew perfectly well that this powerful and gentle regent had his heart and soul completely devoted to his wife.

Just now, a servant in the front yard secretly passed on a message saying that the madam, out of consideration for your hard work tonight, invited you to rest in the back yard.

The three exchanged glances and smiled faintly. There was neither joy nor anticipation in their eyes.

The maidservants serving them were quite puzzled, "If the master really comes tonight..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Pan'er gently interrupted him by raising her hand.

No, it won't.

Her gaze was calm. "The master's heart is entirely devoted to his wife. No matter how docile or obedient others may be, they cannot catch his eye. His wife is considerate and magnanimous, and cannot bear to see the master restrain himself day and night."

Having observed for so long, she had already seen everything clearly.

Li Xuanzhi's tender affection for Pei Qingyuan was something that no one else could shake in the slightest.

Upon hearing this, the maid immediately shut her mouth and said no more.

The next morning, as dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight of the new year streamed through the window and gently bathed the bedroom.

Pei Qingyuan slowly woke up, still drowsy, feeling warm all over, and slept soundly through the night without any dreams.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Li Xuanzhi sitting by the bed, his eyes gentle and deep, quietly watching her, as if he had been watching over her all night.

"Awake?" His voice was gentle, slightly hoarse from the morning.

Pei Qingyuan gave a soft "Mmm" and asked in a sweet, gentle voice, "You didn't sleep all night?"

"She's asleep." Li Xuanzhi smiled gently, reaching out to brush the stray hairs from her forehead. "Sleeping peacefully with you by my side."

The two whispered for a moment, and then Zhang's light footsteps came from outside the door, accompanied by gentle, nagging instructions. Her voice arrived before she did.

"Is Qingyuan awake yet? On the first day of the new year, I had the kitchen prepare bird's nest porridge early. It's gentle and nourishing for your stomach, perfect for your current condition."

Madam Zhang pushed open the door and entered, carrying a warm food bowl in her hand, her eyes full of loving smiles.

His gaze immediately fell on Pei Qingyuan, carefully examining her complexion.

After observing her for a moment, she nodded in satisfaction. "You look much better than yesterday; you must have slept well last night."

As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept over Li Xuanzhi beside her, and seeing the slight weariness in his eyes, she immediately understood, and feigned reproach:

"You child, you must have stayed up all night watching over Qingyuan again, didn't you? I told you long ago, Qingyuan's pregnancy is stable, you don't need to be so careful every day."

Li Xuanzhi smiled helplessly, "My son is used to it."

Zhang handed the food bowl to Pei Qingyuan and gently gave her some instructions.

"Eat it while it's hot! New Year, new beginnings. After eating this bowl of porridge, may the coming year be smooth and successful, and may my little grandson be safe and sound."

Holding the warm bowl of porridge, Pei Qingyuan felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She looked up and smiled gently, "Thank you, Mother."