The playboy county magistrate

Pei Qingyuan watched her mother-in-law's busy figure quietly, a warm feeling flowing through her heart.

Everyone says she is lucky, having found a loving husband and a kind mother-in-law, and living a peaceful and worry-free life.

She used to think that what others said was a bit exaggerated, but now that she is surrounded by such warmth every day, she realizes how fortunate she is.

She had no harsh mother-in-law, no domestic squabbles. Only a loving mother toiled for her and worried about her children. Only a loving husband sheltered her from the wind and rain, protecting her completely.

Pei Qingyuan slightly raised her hand, gently stroking her lower abdomen, and whispered:

"My child, look how much your grandmother loves you. You must be born safely, grow up well, and live up to your grandmother's expectations."

As soon as the words left her lips, another movement came from her abdomen. It was as if a child had understood her words and responded obediently.

Zhang happened to look up and see this scene, and immediately smiled broadly, saying repeatedly:

"Look, look! This child really understands what we're saying! What a well-behaved and sensible child!"

Li Xuanzhi watched the heartwarming scene of his wife, children, and loving mother together, a faint smile always on his lips.

He got up and walked to the table, looking at the soft baby clothes scattered on it. His fingertips gently brushed against the delicate fabric, and he asked softly:

"What else is missing? I'll have it all found. Don't settle for less; use the best of everything."

Hearing this, Zhang smiled and scolded him, "You! A child doesn't need everything to be luxurious. Cleanliness and softness are enough. I know all the items I need. Swaddling clothes, pillowcases, bibs, shoes, socks, and blankets are almost finished. I've also had someone go and buy some new toys."

"Oh, right." Zhang suddenly remembered something, turned to look at the two of them, and said seriously.

"Tomorrow I will personally go to the temple to offer incense and pray for a peace lock. May it protect our child and keep him safe and sound year after year. May it also bless Qingyuan with a smooth and safe delivery."

Pei Qingyuan felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you for your trouble, Mother."

"Why are you being so polite with your mother?" Madam Zhang smiled and ruffled her hair, her eyes full of affection. "You just focus on your pregnancy. Leave all the other chores and tasks to me and Xuanzhi. You don't need to worry about a thing."

As night deepened, the stars and moon hung high in the sky, their gentle light bathing the entire Li residence.

Zhang had been sewing for most of the day, and her eyes showed signs of fatigue. Not wanting to disturb the young couple's rest any longer, she carefully gathered up the soft fabrics scattered on the table, told them to go to bed early, and then quietly returned to her own courtyard.

Pei Qingyuan was overjoyed during the day and couldn't calm down for a long time. Now, in the quiet of the night, the languid weariness of pregnancy slowly surged up, and a faint look of fatigue appeared between her brows and eyes.

Seeing this, Li Xuanzhi carefully helped her up and gently removed her outer clothes.

"If you're tired, get some rest," he gently advised, his voice warm and deep, carrying a comforting power. "It's chilly at night, so lie down quietly and don't kick off the covers and catch a cold."

Pei Qingyuan nodded obediently, letting him help her lie down in the soft brocade quilt, and gently closed her eyes.

After several days of rest and quiet recuperation, she has always fallen asleep very quickly due to her peaceful state of mind.

Around midnight, Pei Qingyuan on the bed suddenly frowned, her steady breathing became slightly erratic, and she was not sleeping as soundly as before.

Li Xuanzhi was quite alert; even as a light sleeper, he noticed the change in her expression. He immediately leaned closer and softly called, "Qingyuan?"

The person in his arms did not open their eyes, but their brows furrowed even more. Their hands unconsciously gripped the brocade quilt gently, and a series of subtle rises and falls could be felt from their abdomen.

It's fetal movement.

The little guy was especially lively in the middle of the night, kicking and stretching his body gently, one kick after another.

The force wasn't strong, but it was unusually frequent, disturbing Pei Qingyuan's peace of mind.

Upon seeing this, Li Xuanzhi instantly understood, his heart softening completely, and he felt a pang of heartache.

He quickly placed his warm palms gently on her protruding belly, his touch soft and soothing as he gently stroked and comforted her.

"Little one, it's late, don't bother your mother."

He lowered his eyes and whispered softly to his lower abdomen, his voice extremely soft and slow, as if afraid of disturbing his wife, or as if gently advising the child in his womb.

"Behave yourself and let your mother sleep well."

Surprisingly, a moment after I finished speaking, the frequent fetal movements in my abdomen gradually slowed down.

The initial series of small kicks gradually turned into lazy, light rubbing.

Soft and gentle. As if the child in the womb had understood his words and settled down to rest.

Pei Qingyuan's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, her tense body eased, her breathing returned to a steady and long rhythm, and she once again drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Li Xuanzhi still dared not move his palm away, and kept his palm pressed together like that.

He could clearly feel the tender, vibrant pulse beneath his palm, and sense a small life growing within him.

Every subtle fluctuation carries a gentle and healing power.

Pei Qingyuan woke up slowly amidst an extremely peaceful and warm atmosphere.

She opened her sleepy eyes, still feeling drowsy. Turning her head slightly, she saw Li Xuanzhi standing guard by the bedside.

He remained in the same bent-over position as last night, his palm still gently resting on her lower abdomen. His expression was gentle, with a hint of weariness in his eyes.

"You didn't sleep all night?" Pei Qingyuan felt a warmth in her heart and instantly became more awake. Her voice was soft and slightly hoarse from the morning, full of heartache.

Li Xuanzhi slowly straightened up, gently rubbed his sore brows and eyes, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

"I'm asleep, but the sleep was a little short. I'm not tired from watching over you all."

"Did the baby bother me again last night?" Pei Qingyuan gently stroked her lower abdomen and asked softly.

She was half-asleep during the night, vaguely remembering frequent slight movements in her abdomen. But she was too sleepy to remember clearly.

"Hmm, she's especially lively at night." Li Xuanzhi chuckled softly, his fingertips still gently caressing her lower abdomen as he spoke tenderly.

"He has a mischievous nature. He's well-behaved during the day, but at night he sneaks around and makes a ruckus, disturbing your sleep."

Pei Qingyuan smiled gently upon hearing this, her eyes filled with tenderness. "It must be because it's quiet at night, and he's awake, wanting to keep us company."

"Then Mother should rest." Li Xuanzhi bent down and gently kissed her forehead, speaking tenderly to her belly, "From now on, sleep well at night and don't bother my wife anymore."

There seemed to be a sensation in my abdomen, a slight, gentle movement, like a child's response.

After a few tender whispers between the two, Zhang's light footsteps could be heard outside the door.

"Qingyuan is awake? Xuanzhi is here too?"

Zhang entered through the door, dressed neatly in simple clothes, her eyes sparkling with a smile. She carried a delicate little vermilion wooden box in her hands, her steps light and quick, unable to conceal her joy.

Looking at the sky outside, Pei Qingyuan asked gently, "Mother, did you go out so early today?"

Zhang walked to the edge of the couch, sat down, and nodded with a smile.

"We agreed yesterday that we would go to the ancient temple today to pray for you and the child. I got up before dawn and took the servants from the manor to the ancient temple in the mountains. It is the most popular and efficacious temple there. I sincerely prayed for a peace lock and brought it back."

As she spoke, she carefully placed the small vermilion wooden box on the table, her fingertips gently tracing the smooth wooden surface, treasuring it with utmost care.