"News has come from the north. General Shi has arrived safely in Texas. Both sides are safe and sound."

In the imperial study of the Purple Palace, Xiao Ling told Chu Yi, who had just entered, the news he had received.

She seemed particularly relaxed today, holding Xiaotuan in her arms and stroking him repeatedly, with a smile on her lips that wouldn't fade away.

"Well, I've also received news of this. The Qi army will likely invade the south soon. A major war is imminent."

Chu Yi nodded slightly, walked over and sat down beside her, pushed Xiaotuan aside, and then pulled the little empress into his arms.

"Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Ling seemed not to hear and kept leaning against his back in his arms until she realized that Chu Yi was asking her a question, then she nodded quickly.

Chu Yi was in a bad mood. She lowered her head, raised her chin, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty seems a little absent-minded today?"

“No…no…”

Xiao Ling hurriedly shook her head, but after a moment of silence, she suddenly took the initiative to hug him, appearing particularly intimate.

"Chu Yi, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Chu Yi: “???”

He was stunned when he noticed the happy look on the little empress's face and the look of pity on him.

This is what you're trying to do, right?

After hesitating for a moment, Chu Yi rubbed Xiao Ling's face and said, "I want to hear the bad news first."

"The bad news is that you, Chu thief, are not allowed to touch me for a long time from now on." Xiao Ling said seriously, putting away his smile.

Chu Yi was stunned, seemingly unable to comprehend the meaning behind it. "Really? Good news?"

"The good news is..." Xiao Ling's face suddenly became filled with happiness again, "Husband... I'm pregnant..."

Chu Yi nodded, "Pregnant? Okay, pregnant... Wait—? Pregnant?"

As if waking up from a dream, Chu Yi was already several beats late when he heard this unexpected news.

His eyes turned serious until he realized the suddenness of the news.

"Your Majesty, promise that you will not deceive me this time?"

"Of course!" Xiao Ling pouted when Chu Yi asked, "The imperial physician has confirmed it. It's only been two months... but... we don't know if it's a boy or a girl."

Seeing Xiao Ling so serious, Chu Yi's doubts finally dissipated.

Then, a sudden feeling of helplessness came over him. After a long time, he happily and carefully held the little empress sitting on his lap in his arms.

At the same time, a pair of hands subconsciously and carefully placed on Xiao Ling's abdomen.

"Okay, that's good."

"I'm going to be a father, Lingling. Thank you for your hard work..."

"It's not hard." Feeling the warm body temperature, Xiao Ling and Chu Yi shared the joy brought by this news.

"We are husband and wife. We want to have our own children and go far together..."

for a long time……

As if he had thought of something very important, Xiao Ling suddenly pinched the Chu thief in front of him.

"The imperial physician said that I need to focus on my pregnancy and not have sex. So, from now on, please don't bully me for a long time."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I am not that impatient yet."

Chu Yi patted her back quietly, and their eyes soon met, and Xiao Ling's cheeks flushed slightly.

"However, if necessary, Your Majesty may occasionally have to sacrifice yourself, such as here and these..."

Chu Yi lowered his head and touched her lips carefully.

After spending so much time with Chu Ze, Xiao Ling was able to fully understand the meaning of Chu Yi's words.

Upon hearing such an obvious answer, her pretty face immediately flushed and she quickly refused, "No... No! It's very tiring..."

"It's okay, it's just once in a while."

Chu Yi once again explained that he was not an unsatisfied beast, and then began to plead:

"Your Majesty has always been considerate of his subjects. I'm sure you wouldn't want to see me overworked with state affairs, would you? Couldn't you please not be so stingy with the rewards I deserve?"

Xiao Ling: “…”

Chu thief is a bastard, what a bastard!

I haven't even started to enjoy the joy of being pregnant, how come we've come to this?

You have actually arranged this matter so clearly. Are you still human, Chu Zei?

Shouldn't I start my maternity leave from today?

Isn't it you, the Chu thief, who took the initiative to take on all the affairs of the court, allowing me to have a good rest?

How could it be that I would have to find other ways to satisfy you?

Xiao Ling felt very aggrieved after receiving such a request, so aggrieved that she cried.

But soon, Chu Yi's hands hugged her tightly again.

"Since Your Majesty is newly pregnant, please do not worry about these political matters. Leave them to me and let Xiaotuan accompany Your Majesty to rest, okay?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ling, who was already feeling extremely aggrieved, was stunned for a long while.

Then, a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

"Well, I won't tire myself out."

"But..." Xiao Ling suddenly thought of something and frowned, expressing his dissatisfaction. "If I hand over the political affairs to you, wouldn't that mean I'm giving you more power?"

She wasn't really worried, she was just joking.

Chu Yi's expression became serious when he heard this, and he refuted righteously: "How could it be? The world belongs to your Majesty, and your Majesty belongs to you. This is very reasonable!"

Xiao Ling: “…”

Chu thief, you are very bold, really.

but……

Anyway, we are already a couple who support each other through thick and thin. As for whether I am his or not, let the Chu thief say whatever he wants.

Thinking about this, Xiao Ling suddenly mentioned something she almost forgot.

"Chu Yi, I've been thinking about the position of Prime Minister being vacant until now. Why don't I issue an edict one day and let you take the position?"

"Actually...it doesn't matter whether I join the cabinet or not."

Chu Yi smiled and said, "If Your Majesty has a better candidate, you can support him to join the cabinet. In the end, the memorials will be handled by Your Majesty and I together."

Xiao Ling shook his head. "After much deliberation, I've concluded that you're the only one suitable. Lord Cheng is capable enough, but I still hope he'll continue to manage the Ministry of Revenue for the next year or two. After all, the tax reform will have a significant impact, and I'm worried about leaving it to others."

"So... I have decided to give you the position of Prime Minister."

After saying that, Xiao Ling looked up at Chu Yi with a playful smile on his face.

"Okay? My little elder~"

Hearing the little empress's somewhat tender voice, Chu Yi couldn't help but tremble, and his whole heart was inexplicably moved.

Since His Majesty has requested this, what else can we do?

Of course, he has to join the cabinet and take on the position of prime minister.

Chu Yipo spoke seriously, "I am much older than Your Majesty. Your Majesty should say, my great elder..."

"Then..." Xiao Ling thought for a moment and spoke again:

"I also ask Mr. Chu to join the cabinet and serve as the chief minister in the near future for the sake of national security, okay? My great elder~"

Chu Yi bent down to kiss her.

"If your Majesty does not abandon me, I will devote my whole heart to it."