The first appearance of a foolish father

Wu Zetian had been feeling unwell for the past few days, with no appetite for anything, especially when she saw the glistening roasted lamb leg carefully prepared by the imperial kitchen, which made her stomach churn.

(Inner monologue: Oh no, these symptoms... are exactly like those in TV dramas! What was bound to happen has finally happened! Help, I wasn't mentally prepared!)

That day, as she was contemplating the roasted lamb leg, a symbol of "the emperor's favor," Li Zhi returned from court, eager to share with her how he had used the "contradiction transfer method" she had taught him to silence several senior officials in court that day.

"Meiniang, you have no idea what today..." Before he could finish speaking, Wu Meiniang covered her mouth with her sleeve, her brows furrowed, and she looked at the plate of lamb legs with a bitter and resentful expression.

Li Zhi instantly forgot about the amusing events at court and anxiously leaned over: "What's wrong? Is the mutton not to your liking? I'll order it taken away immediately!"

Wu Meiniang waved her hand weakly: "No...don't waste food. It's just...I suddenly feel it's a bit...too lively."

Indeed, that shiny, oily substance seemed to be bouncing around in her eyes.

(Inner monologue: What happened to being the empress? I can't even be the empress of a lamb leg now!)

Li Zhi was taken aback by her description of "lively," but then a thought struck him, and his eyes lit up. His voice trembled slightly. "Lively? Meiniang, when was your last period?"

Wu Meiniang counted on her fingers and her heart skipped a beat.

(Inner monologue: It seems... I'm quite late? I was so busy working on the business with the boss that I forgot about this!)

Seeing her expression, Li Zhi could no longer hold back and practically roared, "Wang Dequan! Summon the imperial physician! Quickly summon the imperial physician! Bring the head of the Imperial Hospital here to me!"

For a time, chaos erupted inside Chengxiang Hall.

The Imperial Physicians arrived practically being carried there by eunuchs, panting heavily, their official hats askew.

He cautiously placed his fingers on Wu Meiniang's wrist, holding his breath.

The palace was eerily quiet, with only the sound of Li Zhi pacing back and forth and Wu Meiniang's own heart pounding like a drum.

(Inner monologue: What should I do? What should I do? If I really get it, I won't be able to stay up all night reviewing documents anymore! If I don't get it... will the boss be very disappointed? Ugh, I'm so conflicted!)

After a long silence, the imperial physician abruptly withdrew his hand and knelt down with a thud. His voice was shrill and off-key with excitement: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Wu's pulse is strong and clear! It's been almost two months! The pregnancy is stable!"

"Clang!" Li Zhi kicked over the embroidered stool next to him. He didn't care about anything else and rushed over, grabbing Wu Meiniang's hand tightly. His eyes widened: "Really...really? Meiniang, did you hear that? It's true! We're having a child!"

(Inner monologue: The boss's reaction... why is he acting so stupid? Where's the imperial majesty he was supposed to have?)

Seeing his expression, Wu Meiniang felt much less nervous and couldn't help but tease him: "Your Majesty, please let go. You're pinching too hard and hurting the future crown prince or princess."

Li Zhi released his grip abruptly as if he had been burned, looking at her helplessly: "I'm sorry, I'm just too happy!"

He circled Wu Meiniang twice, wanting to hug her but not daring to, wanting to touch her but not daring to, and finally, facing Wu Meiniang's still flat belly, he stammered to himself: "Child, child, I am your father... You must be good in there and not disturb your mother, do you hear me?"

Wu Meiniang: "..."

(Inner monologue: Help! The boss's image has collapsed! He's completely turned into a complete idiot!)

From that day on, it seemed as if the wise and mighty Emperor Li Zhi had turned on some strange switch.

When reviewing memorials, he would suddenly burst into silly laughter, startling the ministers below him.

During meals, he would stare at Wu Meiniang's belly for a long time, then ask seriously, "Meiniang, do you think he/she wants something sour or spicy today?"

When I sleep at night, my posture is as stiff as a puppet's, as if I'm afraid of pressing down on "the foundation of the future nation."

What made Wu Zetian both amused and exasperated was that he had heard from somewhere that jade is good for one's health, so he turned his private treasury upside down and found more than a dozen top-quality jade pendants and rings, insisting that she wear them every day, saying that she should "absorb some of the spiritual energy in advance".

(Inner monologue: Help! I'm wearing a bunch of jade pendants around my neck, am I supposed to cosplay as a Christmas tree?)

On this day, Wu Zetian suffered severe morning sickness, vomiting everything she ate.

Li Zhi was so anxious that he developed blisters on his lips and berated the head of the Imperial Kitchen. In the end, he rolled up his sleeves and went to the small kitchen, saying that he would personally make her a bowl of "anti-nausea soup".

Half an hour later, His Majesty, his face covered in soot, eagerly handed her a bowl of a paste-like substance of suspicious color and strange smell.

Wu Meiniang looked at the bowl of "love soup," then at Li Zhi's expectant eyes, gritted her teeth, and took a bite with a death-defying resolve.

(Inner monologue: ...It's so salty it tastes bitter, and it even has a burnt smell! Is this really an anti-nausea soup, or an emetic?)

But looking into Li Zhi's bright eyes, which were full of "seeking praise," she swallowed back her complaints and forced a touched smile: "What Your Majesty made is better than any delicacy."

Li Zhi immediately beamed with joy, feeling an immense sense of accomplishment, and said he would research new dishes tomorrow.

Wu Meiniang: "..."

(Inner monologue: Help! For the future of the Tang Dynasty, I may have to make a heroic sacrifice at the dinner table first!)

Outside the window, the autumn breeze is refreshing, but inside Chengxiang Hall, it is always bustling with activity, filled with the clumsy yet ardent care of a certain expectant father and the sweet yet helpless complaints of a certain expectant mother.

In this everyday life brimming with warmth and life, their hearts drew ever closer.