Chapter 57 Returning to Modern Times to Have a Child (Part Two)
In the modern penthouse apartment's nursery, Wang Yi held her newborn daughter, her emotions a jumbled mess as she looked at the copy of the ultrasound report in the nanny's hand.
"Are you sure it's a girl?" she asked again, even though the baby in her arms had already answered her with the facts.
"Mr. Wang, all the tests have confirmed that it's a very healthy baby girl," the nanny said gently. "She weighs seven pounds and two ounces, and all her indicators are excellent."
Wang Yi looked down at the baby in her arms—a pinkish-white face, sparse baby hair, and sleeping soundly with her eyes closed. Just like when Li Zhi was born, one could vaguely see her father's features in her eyebrows and eyes, but they were softer and more like her own.
This is her third daughter.
Lizhi, Shuyao, and now they have a little daughter. Three girls, no sons.
A sense of absurdity welled up in Wang Yi's heart. She remembered clearly the two names Li Shimin had given her: Li Huaijin (boy) and Li Shuyao (girl). Now Shuyao was used, and Huaijin... was no longer needed.
What's more troublesome is that she originally thought it was a boy this time, so she didn't ask Li Shimin to prepare a girl's name. Now that the child is born, he needs to be registered and given a name, and she, who is terrible at naming children, has absolutely no idea what to do.
"I can't exactly name her Li Huaijin..." Wang Yi muttered to herself. That's a boy's name; it wouldn't be appropriate for a girl.
Moreover, deep down, she still hoped to keep the name "Huaijin" for her future son—if there were a next time.
"Mr. Wang, it's time to register the baby's name," the nanny reminded him. "Have you decided on a name yet?"
Wang Yi shook her head: "Not yet. Let's come up with a nickname first, I'll think about the formal name later."
"What was your childhood nickname?"
Looking at her sleeping daughter, Wang Yi suddenly remembered the loud cry she made when she was born, like the chirping of birds at dawn.
“Let’s call her ‘Chenchen’,” she said, “the ‘Chen’ of morning.”
"Chenchen, that's a very nice name," the nanny smiled. "And the official name..."
"Give me some time," Wang Yi said.
She needs time, not just time to come up with a name, but also time to think.
This pregnancy disrupted her plans once again. She had originally thought it would be a son, so she could use the name "Huaijin" given by Li Shimin, thus ensuring that all three children would have names given by their father, forming a complete connection.
But now, this connection is missing a link.
What bothered her even more was the reaction of her friends. When Zhou Wei, Lin Yue, and Su Qing learned that she had given birth to another daughter, their expressions were all complex.
"Another daughter?" Zhou Wei's first reaction was, "Does that guy surnamed Li have some kind of genetic problem? How come he only has daughters?"
"Weiwei!" Lin Yue glared at her, then turned to Wang Yi, "The most important thing is the baby's health, boy or girl. But... Yiyi, do you still want to have more children?"
Wang Yi remained silent. She had asked herself the same question.
Having given birth to three daughters in a row, although her medical checkups showed everything was normal, the physical toll of three pregnancies and three births was undeniable. Moreover, caring for three children meant her time and energy were limited.
More importantly—does she really need to continue obtaining genetic samples?
Two daughters are enough to carry on Li Shimin's bloodline. Having more children would be more out of an obsession with "collecting the whole family" than out of actual need.
But deep down, she still wanted a son. It wasn't about favoring boys over girls, but... it was a promise. She still remembers the expectation and tenderness in Li Shimin's eyes when he gave her the name "Li Huaijin."
"I don't know," Wang Yi finally answered honestly. "Perhaps this is the last one."
"I hope so." Su Qing held her hand. "Three children are already a lot. You need to take good care of yourself and also be there for them as they grow up."
Wang Yi nodded. She knew her friends genuinely cared for her.
In the days that followed, Wang Yi was busy taking care of the newborn, worrying about the growth of her eldest daughter Lizhi and second daughter Shuyao, and also handling company affairs.
Fortunately, with the help of a professional team and friends, she was able to manage.
When Chenchen (her youngest daughter's nickname) turned one month old, Wang Yi held a simple and warm celebration for her. Only her closest friends and assistants attended; there were no media or business partners present.
Zhou Wei held Chenchen in her arms and examined her closely: "This child is so beautiful, combining the best features of you and...that person."
“She looks a lot like Yi Yi,” Lin Yue said with a smile, “especially her eyes.”
Wang Yi looked at her three daughters—four-year-old Lizhi, lively and adorable; one-and-a-half-year-old Shuyao, quiet and well-behaved; and one-month-old Chenchen, innocent and naive. Three girls, three different personalities, but all her precious darlings.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Su Qing asked.
Wang Yi shook her head: "Not yet. I'm thinking of... giving her a special name."
"Do you need any help? I know a very cultured old man who is good at naming," Lin Yue said.
"Thank you, but I'd like to do it myself," Wang Yi said. "Or..."
She didn't finish her sentence. Or, when the time is right, she could return to the Tang Dynasty and let Li Shimin take over.
The moment the idea popped into her head, it took root and sprouted in her heart.
Yes, she can go back. The time flow in modern times is different from that in the Tang Dynasty. She could easily return to the Tang Dynasty before the deadline for registering Chenchen's birth and have Li Shimin name the daughter.
Thus, all three daughters had names given by their father. Lizhi, Shuyao, and... a third name whose meaning is currently unknown.
The idea excited her. But then she calmed down.
Returning to the Tang Dynasty to have Li Shimin name his child meant facing him again, facing that complex court, and facing the chess game he had set up there.
Furthermore, she needed to prepare her explanation—why did she need a girl's name? How would she answer if Li Shimin asked?
One could say it's to seek a name for a "destined child." Or perhaps it's to prepare for a daughter she might have in the future. In any case, she can't reveal the fact that she already has three daughters.
Absolutely not.
Wang Yi knew very well that once Li Shimin found out he had three children in the modern world, the situation would completely spiral out of control. Leaving aside the consequences of his time travel being exposed, just the fact that he had been deceived—what would that emperor do? Bring the children into the palace? Give them a formal title? Or… be enraged by this “deception”?
Neither outcome is what she wants. She needs to maintain the status quo—a "Guardian of the Nation" in the Tang Dynasty, and an independent single mother in modern times. Two identities, two worlds, without interference.
Therefore, a name is acceptable, but the truth must not be revealed.
Having made up his mind, Wang Yi began preparations for returning to the Tang Dynasty.
Chenchen is two months old now and thriving. Lizhi and Shuyao are being cared for by Zhou Wei and her childcare team, which puts her at ease. All company affairs are arranged, so a short-term absence is not a problem.
Most importantly, she needs to prepare a reasonable explanation for why a new girl's name is needed.
"Our sect has a rule that we should bestow names upon those who are destined to be named..." Wang Yi practiced his speech in his study. "Recently, while observing the stars, I saw a female star enter my embrace. I fear that a woman is destined to be with me, so I wish to prepare a name in advance..."
The reason is somewhat far-fetched, but given her status as the "Guardian of the Nation," Li Shimin would likely accept her esoteric words.
After everything was prepared, Wang Yi initiated the return process late at night.
She kissed her three daughters on the forehead one last time and whispered, "Mommy will go and get a nice name for your little sister."
As consciousness fades, the modern scene disappears, and the landscape of the Tang Dynasty gradually becomes clear.
Qixia Garden, she's back.
It was still dark outside the window, the darkest hour before dawn.
Wang Yi got up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the Liangyi Hall in the distance. Li Shimin should still be asleep there, or he should have already gotten up early to prepare for the morning court session.
She needs to find a suitable opportunity to ask for fame. It shouldn't be too deliberate; it should be brought up during natural conversation.
The best time is when Li Shimin is in a good mood, when he is relaxed.
Wang Yi began planning her actions for the next few days. First, she needed to report the results of her "seclusion" to Li Shimin—although she had actually given birth in modern times during this seclusion, she still needed to have some "academic gains" to show for it.
Then, at the appropriate time, bring up the matter of names.
Thinking of this, Wang Yi suddenly felt a little nervous. Not because she was nervous about meeting Li Shimin, but because... she was about to ask for a name for her youngest daughter, a name from her father a thousand years ago.
It's a strange feeling. Her children are connected to two times, two worlds. Their bloodline comes from the Tang Dynasty, but they grow up in the modern era. Will they want to know about their origins in the future? Will they want to meet their legendary father?
Wang Yi doesn't have answers to these questions yet. All she knows is that now, she needs to fight for a name for her youngest daughter.
A name that carries the father's blessings.
As dawn broke, the palace servants began their activities. Wang Yi washed and changed his clothes, preparing to welcome the new day.
The game of chess is about to begin again. This time, she has an extra small, tender task—to seek a name for her daughter.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Yi pushed open the door and stepped into the morning light of the Tang Dynasty.
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