ATNCF: Chapter 128 Relocating the Capital (Part Five)

 In the blink of an eye, it was already February, and the New Year atmosphere gradually faded away as the spring approached.

Pei Ji had already put training and preparations for war on the agenda, and generals like Zhang Jian and Wei Peng had also returned to Hedong.

Because of Wei Peng's reasons, Lan Ying couldn't stay in Luoyang for too long either. She left for the north in early March.

Fortunately, Li Zhi now had several very compatible friends around her. Although she felt regretful bidding farewell to Lan Ying, frequent correspondence gradually satisfied her.

The law lecture hall in the palace had resumed since early February. In addition to Li Zhi and the original dozen or so female officials, Madam Qin also attended as agreed.

Yang Ba Lang happened to be busy with the relocation, shuttling back and forth between Chang'an and Luoyang. This left Madam Qin with a lot of free time.

She was introverted and a bit slow to warm up. At first, she didn't speak much, just quietly listened. After about half a month, as everyone got more familiar, she began to open up. Being the granddaughter of the Grand Justice Minister, she might not be as knowledgeable as the imperial scholars in law, but she had a broad knowledge base and had accumulated many old cases over the years, often providing inspiration to others.

Li Zhi greatly admired her. After observing her for a few times, she came up with an idea. She let several female officials skilled in writing follow Madam Qin, selecting six old cases and combining them with the laws of Dayan, adding comments. Then, she asked several imperial scholars to review and polish them one by one, and finally compiled them into a book for everyone to read and learn from.

When this matter reached the ears of Empress Dowager Li, after the first case was reviewed, she specifically asked Li Zhi to carefully review it. After learning the details of the matter, she nodded in agreement.

Seeing that she was truly concerned about this matter, Li Zhi couldn't help but feel very happy. Besides continuing to personally oversee the matter, she also regularly informed Empress Dowager Li and asked for her opinion.

Although the dynasty had changed, most of the courtiers and nobles were still from the previous dynasty. Empress Dowager Li's status was revered, and her words were highly influential. With her care, Li Zhi also invited several noblewomen who were interested in this matter to the palace to participate together.

Seeing that the matter she had put so much effort into was gradually getting on track, and with another half a year to go, the first group of female officials would be able to leave the palace and observe daily trials and verdicts in the Yamen in Luoyang, Li Zhi felt a sense of satisfaction like never before.

In the past, she had no power or influence, confined to the inner court. She was like a mud Bodhisattva crossing the river, with no opportunity to care about other things. Being able to show a little sympathy and compassion to those around her was already considered benevolent.

Now that she had truly settled down and could do what she wanted with her identity, she gradually realized the meaning and joy in it.

As April approached, Li Zhi's belly became heavier day by day, and her due date was getting closer. Symptoms of edema began to appear all over her body.

On this evening, after returning from the Hanlin Academy to the sleeping hall, she felt bloated and swollen all over and couldn't stand still. After changing her clothes, she hurriedly sat down on the couch.

With her belly getting bigger, even the couch was uncomfortable. She couldn't kneel anymore and had to let her legs hang naturally.

She propped a soft pillow behind her waist, gently tapping her legs while removing the makeup from her face in front of the bronze mirror.

Looking at her slightly plump face in the mirror, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes. "Alas, I don't know when I can give birth. If this continues, I dare not see anyone anymore."

As she spoke, Chun Yue, who was standing at the door, said, "Your Majesty has returned."

Li Zhi turned her head to see Pei Ji striding into the hall.

Meeting her gaze, the expressionless face finally softened a bit. He walked over and directly brushed aside her hands that were still tapping her legs, replacing them with his own.

Li Zhi had been struggling with the pounding, and now, sitting on the side and feeling the appropriate pressure on her legs, she finally felt completely relaxed.

"It's better for you to do it. I already felt weak after tapping my legs a few times just now," Li Zhi said.

Pei Ji smiled and raised his head, freeing one hand to massage her arms. "You're a woman, naturally not as strong as a man. And I've been in the military for many years, so I have plenty of strength. Tapping legs like this is more suitable for me than you."

Li Zhi smiled, pursing her lips as she took down the remaining hairpins one by one in front of the mirror, letting her long hair cascade softly to one side.

Looking left and right, she touched her face with one hand, feeling a bit aggrieved. "Sanlang, I feel like I've become less attractive."

"Hmm?" Pei Ji raised his head at her words, carefully examining her in the mirror before shaking his head. "How could that be? I still think you're as beautiful as ever."

If he had simply replied without even looking, it might have seemed perfunctory. But by carefully looking and giving a sincere answer, it was very convincing.

Li Zhi felt happy and couldn't help but smile again, reaching out to touch the man who was now massaging her legs instead of her. "Sanlang, I just realized that although you seem serious and reserved, you're not at all ambiguous when it comes to sweet talk."

A blush flashed in Pei Ji's dark eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Where's the sweet talk? I just said what I thought."

Li Zhi looked at him calmly, a hint of mischief flashing across her face. "Really?"

"Of course. Don't overthink it."

She immediately put on a look of grievance again, taking advantage of there being no one else around to twist her hair ends and mutter softly, half-complaining and half-faking, "But you've been so proper lately. How can I not overthink?"

Pei Ji was momentarily stunned, then slowly understood what she was referring to.

Since her pregnancy had progressed, he had listened to the imperial physician's advice and dared not touch her anymore. Every night, he followed the rules and simply held her without doing anything else.

This was the result of his consideration for her and his efforts to restrain himself.

He was a passionate man, and after abstaining for three whole months, faced with such a beloved beauty, how could he truly resist?

Especially when facing her on normal days, no matter how he restrained himself, there would always be moments when he couldn't control his desires.

But he didn't want her to think too much. Lately, he had been secretly taking care of it during his baths, without her noticing.

"Li Niang, don't tease me." His eyes changed slightly, and he squeezed her hand with a meaningful touch, quickly withdrawing it after transmitting the warmth from his palm, "I only hope for you to have a safe delivery."

Li Zhi looked at him, still wanting to laugh in her heart but not showing it on her face. Without hesitation, she admitted her fault first, "It's my fault for not understanding your good intentions." With that, she took the folded clothes beside her and stood up, "I'll help you change clothes today."

Pei Ji supported her to stand steadily, then stood straight himself, stretching out his arms, waiting for her to undo his buttons.

At first, Li Zhi stood in front of him with her pregnant belly, unfastening his belt as if she were meticulously changing his clothes. But as the outer layers of clothing were removed, leaving only the inner garments, when she had to put on the wide robe, her nimble fingers began to move differently.

Her slender fingertips casually brushed over his Adam's apple, then lifted his collar as if by accident, before lightly trailing along the skin of his neck.

Pei Ji, now like dry tinder ready to be ignited at any moment, couldn't bear it after just a few touches. His gaze deepened rapidly.

Unable to help himself, he swallowed hard, his clearly visible Adam's apple bobbing up and down. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, his voice hoarse, "Don't move. I can't stand it."

Li Zhi didn't stop her hand but instead tilted her head up and lightly kissed his Adam's apple, while her other free hand quietly slid down along the slightly open collar of his clothes.

"Sanlang, I don't want to see you endure this difficulty like this..."

"Li Niang—" He wanted to refuse, but when the words reached his lips, he couldn't say them. They dissolved into a suppressed sigh.

...

After a long time, when Pei Ji had cleaned everything up, the two sat facing each other, and their dinner was brought in.

Pei Ji talked about the recent military training and preparations for war, as well as the timing and rough arrangements for the upcoming battle.

"With the current situation, we will probably have a battle at the end of this year. At that time, the Turks will likely be short of food and wealth, and Ashina Duobi will be eager to make a move. I plan to thoroughly resolve them this time, either driving them to the northern deserts or making them submit directly."

Li Zhi listened attentively, asking about whom he would send and how confident he was, then praised him for his concerns. Then, she talked about the progress of her own affairs.

Pei Ji listened attentively without missing a word, offering his insights.

Li Zhi felt that this kind of life was just right.

During the day, they were both very busy, hardly having time to be together. At night, after they both took off their exhaustion, they cuddled together, talking about their affairs. If there were suggestions, they would offer them; if there were troubles, it served as a release. Between them, they never grew tired of each other's company or encountered major disagreements due to interference.

She had never felt so settled and at ease in her life.

At night, with the candles extinguished, Pei Ji hugged Li Zhi and gently caressed her swollen belly in the darkness.

"Calculating the days, it's less than half a month before giving birth," Li Zhi said softly, leaning against his chest with her eyes closed.

"Mm," Pei Ji's voice was somewhat muffled, and his caresses became gentler, as if he was touching something fragile, "We are well-prepared, and you've been taken care of very well during the pregnancy. Everything will go smoothly when it's time to give birth."

His voice was somewhat tense, as if he didn't know if he was comforting her or himself. Giving birth was like passing through the gates of hell for a woman, even though he was a man, he had heard many such sayings. As her pregnancy progressed, his initial joy slowly turned into worry.

Sometimes he also thought, if her health didn't improve, if she couldn't bear children, perhaps he wouldn't need to worry like this.

In the darkness, Li Zhi couldn't see his expression, but she could hear his concern in his voice.

In reality, her worries were no less than his, even more so with added fear and apprehension of the unknown. Just the thought of childbirth at this time, relying almost entirely on a natural delivery, made her heart beat faster.

Therefore, since she became pregnant, no matter how tired she was, she insisted on moving around outside every day. Moreover, following the imperial physician's instructions meticulously, she adjusted the position of the fetus in her abdomen, all for the sake of ensuring everything would go smoothly on that day.

Now, hearing his nervousness, she suddenly felt much better, as if someone was sharing the burden of everything she was enduring.

"Sanlang, it will be fine, don't worry."

The room fell silent for a long time before a low response came.

"Mm."

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