After finishing dinner and bathing, Li Shuchen first applied some pregnancy oil to Qi Huan's belly as she had requested. Then he took the early education book she handed him and dutifully read stories to their two little ones.
Suddenly!
Qi Huan froze, not daring to move:
"Shuchen, they're kicking me!"
Li Shuchen quickly placed his hand on her belly, gently caressing it while fixing his phoenix eyes on her:
"Does it hurt when they kick?"
Qi Huan shook her head.
"You've worked so hard, Huan. After this pregnancy, let's not have any more children."
"What if they're both little princesses?"
"In the history books you gave me, even Wu Zetian was a woman."
The implication was clear. A daughter, if well-cultivated, could be just as excellent.
As his words sank in, Qi Huan furrowed her brow, considering another possibility.
"What if they're both princes?"
She raised her worried eyes to look directly at Li Shuchen:
"Would you abandon one of them, like your imperial grandfather did?"
"Never," Li Shuchen answered without hesitation.
Regardless of gender, they were his and Huan's children, flesh of her flesh. He couldn't bear to hurt them when he loved them so dearly.
When faced with problems, the solution was to resolve the issue, not eliminate those who might cause problems.
Li Shuchen moved to the foot of the bed and began massaging her legs and feet.
In the late stages of pregnancy, her lower limbs were somewhat swollen, and she would get leg cramps at night.
Although her condition had improved slightly after taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, she still didn't sleep well.
Li Shuchen diligently massaged her every night to provide relief.
At night, to avoid lying on her belly, Huan could only sleep on her side.
Her pregnancy pillow took up most of the bed, but Li Shuchen preferred to be squeezed rather than sleep in separate beds.
During Qi Huan's pregnancy, Young Madam Song also became pregnant with her second child.
Qi Huan sent her a pregnancy pillow and also gave one to Xiu Yuan.
Xiu Yuan: ?
"Take it apart, have the embroiderers at Huarong Pavilion copy and produce it, then launch it simultaneously in shops across all states... May every pregnant woman sleep well."
Xiu Yuan nodded in agreement.
Since the Empress became pregnant, their recent new business ventures had all been centered around babies.
Baby onesies, wooden high chairs, black and white visual stimulation cards, muslin bath towels, early education toys... and so on.
Yonghuan Palace was also filled with various baby items.
Qi Huan enthusiastically wanted to make an outfit for each of the little ones, but her sewing turned out crooked and messy...
In the end, Li Shuchen took on all the sewing tasks.
"Shuchen, it's so wonderful to have you!"
At that moment, the sun shone brightly.
The pale yellow sunlight fell on her radiant smiling face, and Li Shuchen's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
No matter how many years passed, she still made his heart flutter.
He leaned down to kiss her soft, moist lips, but was suddenly grabbed by the shoulders.
"It hurts..."
As the rhythmic pain struck, the system scanned various apps and concluded: "Host, you're going into labor!"
"Host, eat some chocolate first to replenish your energy."
"Then follow the system's instructions and use the Lamaze breathing technique for childbirth..."
Meanwhile.
Three experienced midwives in the palace coordinated with each other, teaching her how to push.
Hearing her painful cries, Li Shuchen's fingers suddenly clenched into fists. He kicked aside the eunuchs desperately trying to stop him and resolutely walked into the chamber.
"Huan, I'm here."
"Don't bite your lip, bite me."
Qi Huan, panting heavily, said: "I can bite a handkerchief instead."
"Give me a handkerchief."
"....."
Even at a time like this, Huan was still concerned about hurting him...
Li Shuchen was stunned for a moment, but Tao Su beat him to it and stuffed a handkerchief into Qi Huan's mouth.
He was about to wipe the fine beads of sweat from Huan's forehead when Tao Su beat him to it again...
At this point, a palace maid came to persuade him: "Your Majesty, the birthing room is unclean. Please step outside."
"Get out."
Li Shuchen's gaze remained firmly fixed on Qi Huan, not sparing a single glance for others.
Qi Huan was in labor for a day and a night, and he stayed by her side for a day and a night.
All the imperial physicians and Shen Jueming were summoned to wait outside the hall.
In case... in case of any emergencies, propriety between men and women would not be considered. Huan's life took precedence over everything.
Fortunately, Qi Huan emerged safe and sound.
After the two children were cleaned and wrapped in blankets, the midwives brought them over.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty and Your Highness. It's a pair of dragon and phoenix twins."
The little prince and princess, having just arrived in this strange new world, were still unaccustomed and kept crying.
Li Shuchen glanced at each of them and then frowned slightly.
"Take them away for now and take good care of them."
They were too noisy and would disturb Huan's sleep.
The next day.
When Qi Huan woke up, Li Shuchen had just returned from court.
"Are you hungry? What would you like for breakfast?"
"I want to eat the noodles you make, Shuchen."
"...Huan, I've learned all the postpartum recipes from the book you gave me from the imperial chefs."
"If you get tired of plain noodles, just let me know anytime."
Qi Huan burst into laughter.
Who would have thought that the mighty ruler of a nation would not only be skilled in needlework but also in cooking...
After finishing breakfast.
Li Shuchen began discussing names for the children with her.
"...Shuchen, why don't you share the names you've thought of first."
Li Shuchen nodded and began to explain.
"The prince will be called Li Xingzhou."
"Xunzi said: 'The ruler is like a boat, and the common people are like water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.' I hope the prince will remember to love his people as his own children."
"The little princess will be called Li Wanyan."
"'Possessing the brilliance of beautiful jade,' may our little princess shine like a precious gem."
"Additionally, the prince's pet name will be Chaochao, and the princess's will be Wanwan."
"'From dawn to dusk, from dusk to night, murmuring softly and peacefully.'"
The first two lines are from "The Rhapsody of Gaotang" by Song Yu of the Warring States period.
He wished to be with Huan from dawn to dusk, and also prayed that Huan would be safe and sound day and night, year after year.
After sharing all his thoughts, Li Shuchen tucked a stray lock of hair behind Qi Huan's ear and asked:
"What names did you have in mind, Huan?"
As long as they weren't called Cuihua or Goudan, he would agree to her choices too.
Qi Huan blinked her eyes and smiled sheepishly.
...She had spent over 200 points asking the system to help her randomly select two names on the computer.
But faced with such exquisite suggestions, she suddenly felt unable to voice her choices.
So, she looked at Li Shuchen with starry eyes, deliberately full of admiration:
"My husband is so amazing! Let's go with your choices!"
Li Shuchen saw through her little act in an instant but didn't expose her.
He just lovingly stroked her slightly oily black hair.
"Shuchen, the nanny won't let me wash my hair. Don't touch it!"
"It's alright, I can wash my hands."
Li Shuchen stroked her hair again.
*
On the day of Chaochao and Wanwan's full moon celebration.
At the palace banquet.
The Emperor and Empress appeared in full regalia, and an imperial edict was issued, proclaiming Li Xingzhou as Crown Prince and conferring the title of Princess Roujia upon Li Wanyan, with Ruyang granted as her fief.
Then—
Amidst the melodious sound of silk and bamboo instruments, the clinking of wine cups, and an atmosphere of joy and celebration, the Empress's cup suddenly fell to the ground.
She stared blankly at Yan Wu: "What did you say?"
Yan Wu, with red-rimmed eyes, choked out: "The young marquis... has died in battle."
