The emperor would rather have a

Chapter 220 Both sons and daughters
On the fifth day of the second month of the third year of Xiande, the Privy Council officially issued a military order that the main force of the Imperial Guards would accompany the emperor on another expedition to Jiangnan in ten days.

The total strength of the Imperial Guards in this southern expedition was not significantly different from that of the first expedition.

Apart from the nearly 10,000 troops stationed in Jianghuai last year, and the more than 10,000 vanguard troops that had already set off, the emperor will personally lead 30,000 elite troops as the main force of the central army.

However, this time the preparations were more thorough than before.

Not only did they work day and night on the banks of the Bian River to build hundreds of paddlewheel warships, but they also had surrendered generals from the Southern Tang Dynasty teach the Zhou army naval warfare tactics in an attempt to reverse the disadvantage of the Jianghuai water network.

They spared no effort, conscripting 10,000 laborers to dredge the Wo River to Haozhou and clear the blockages, striving to enable Zhou's warships to sail downstream and enter the Huai River waterway.

That afternoon, Li Yi personally led a group to inspect the assembly status of the various units of the Palace Guard.

The deployment of tens of thousands of troops involves a multitude of complex matters; it's not something that can be accomplished simply by issuing a military order and immediately setting off.

Ten days seems like a lot of time, but in practice, it was very tight.

Fortunately, Han Tong had temporarily freed up his hands on the Imperial Guard, so Li Yi didn't need to worry too much. He focused his energy on the various departments of the Palace Guard.

Because of their closer relationship with the emperor, most of the Imperial Guards were stationed in the inner city. Li Yi inspected them one by one until the sun began to set, finally arriving at the Right Wing of the Crane Controlling Garrison in the northwest corner.

As Li Yi rode his horse into the training ground gate, a military officer quickly came out to greet him; it was none other than Ma Renyu, the commander of the Right Wing of the Crane Controlling Army.

He approached Li Yi's horse, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed, saying in a loud voice, "This humble general, Ma Renyu, pays his respects to Commander Li!"

Li Yi dismounted, tossed the reins to his personal guard, nodded slightly, and said nothing more.

The two walked side by side into the central command tent of the barracks. Li Yi dismissed his attendants before turning to his trusted brother and asking in a deep voice, "Yu-ge'er, are you adapting well to your new post on the right flank of the Crane Control Army?"

Ma Renyu grinned, revealing a set of big teeth, and chuckled, "Brother, I feel alright. I can handle things in the army. It's just that I'm new here, and most of the officers and soldiers under my command are unfamiliar faces. It took me a lot of effort just to recognize them. For a while, I've been having some hiccups and things aren't going very smoothly."

Li Yi tapped the table lightly with his fingertips and pondered, "His Majesty, in recognition of your merits in the Battle of Gaoping and remembering your dedication in protecting him during last year's southern expedition, has transferred you from the Inner Palace to the Crane Control Army, which is a promotion in military rank and benefits."

Upon hearing this, Ma Renyu's smile widened, and he opened his mouth as if to speak.

Unexpectedly, Li Yi changed the subject and solemnly instructed, "But the Right Wing of the Crane Control Army is not comparable to the Inner Palace Guard; it is one of the main field forces of the Palace Guard. You now have more than 15,000 men under your command, more than double the number when you were in the Inner Palace Guard! You must quickly familiarize yourself with the operations of the army and build good relationships with your subordinate generals. Do not make any mistakes during this expedition to Jiangnan."

Ma Renyu's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. He sat up straight and nodded emphatically, saying, "I will keep your instructions in mind, elder brother. Please rest assured, elder brother, although I am a rough man, I know my limits and will not embarrass you!"

"It doesn't matter if you embarrass me or not, the most important thing is to do your job well. You know how much the Emperor values ​​the southern expedition, so if anything goes wrong, no one can protect you!"

After Li Yi finished speaking, he reached out and patted Ma Renyu on the shoulder, about to give him a few more words of advice. Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the barracks, followed by Xu Sheng's slightly nervous report:
"Reporting to the Commander, someone from the Palace Guard has come to report that the manor has sent a servant to find you, saying that the Lady of the County is about to give birth..."

……

Horseshoes clattered rapidly on the smooth, solid rammed earth road, producing a dense, rapid "thump-thump" sound, as urgent as Li Yi's pounding heartbeat.

The north wind of early spring still carried a chill, whistling across Li Yi's cheeks and seeping into his slightly open collar, but it did nothing to cool the burning passion in his chest.

He only complained that the wind wasn't strong enough and the horse wasn't fast enough!

"Make way! Make way, everyone—"

Xu Sheng, the personal guard, spurred his horse forward, followed closely by three Dangxiang soldiers. The four of them shouted loudly as they cleared the way for their commander.

Pedestrians and vehicles on the road were startled by the swift and aggressive horse caravan and quickly gave way, leaving their exclamations and rebukes far behind.

Normally, Li Yi would not allow his subordinates to be so "arrogant." If the guards were blocking the passage of the people, he would usually order his men to make way for them.

But now, he couldn't care less about anything else; all he could see was the road home. The howling wind seemed to carry with it Fu Erniang's painful groans and the midwife's anxious cries.

Li Yi pursed his lips, clenched his teeth, his jawline taut like a sharp blade, and his eyes held an unprecedented urgency.

At this moment, he was no longer a high-ranking general of the Imperial Guard, nor a noble relative of the royal family.

He was just a husband, an ordinary man whose wife was about to give birth and who was worried... He had to get back to her side immediately!
The whip lashed hard across the horse's rump, and the horse, in pain, sped up again, its mane flying and its hooves almost leaving the ground.

Familiar streets and alleys rushed past before my eyes; distances that once seemed short now felt as long as crossing mountains and rivers.

Each time the horse's hooves landed, it seemed to strike Li Yi's taut heartstrings.

Finally, the familiar mansion came into view!

The vermilion gate was wide open, and several anxious servants and young men were gathered at the entrance, looking around anxiously.

"Uu——!"

Li Yi pulled hard on the reins, and the horse reared up with a long neigh. Before the horse had come to a complete stop, he had already leaped down as nimbly as a tiger, his movements so fast that they created a gust of wind.

His leather boots clattered heavily on the stone steps before the gate. Li Yi didn't even glance at the bowing servants on either side, and like a raging hurricane, he swept straight toward the inner courtyard.

He dared not think about the worst possible outcome, and could only rely on his instincts to rush forward as fast as he could!
Passing through the hanging flower gate, the scene of the inner courtyard comes into view—the corridor and the courtyard are full of people.

Guo Shi, Xian'er, and Zuo Ling'er, the three concubines, were all present, along with the Taoist priest Zuo Congtan, his uncle's family, the maids and servants of the mansion, and the imperial physician Qin who had been sent from the palace.

A complex mix of emotions—tension, exhaustion, but…no apparent worry?
Even the crowd seemed to be subtly revealing a hint of barely concealed excitement.
"Second Aunt! How is Second Aunt?" Li Yi's voice was hoarse and trembling, his eyes sharp as he quickly swept over the large group of people present.

Only then did he realize that the three midwives seemed to be missing.

Everyone was stunned by Li Yi's sudden intrusion and fell silent in an instant.

Zuo Congqin was the first to react, a smile appearing on his face. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands to Li Yi, and said, "Congratulations, General Li! The Lady of the County has given birth smoothly, and both mother and child are safe!"

"Given...given birth?" Li Yi's forward steps suddenly stopped, as if he had been frozen in place.

The huge emotional contrast caused his mind to go blank for a moment, with only the four words "mother and child are safe" buzzing in his head.

But the brief moment of stunned silence was fleeting, followed by a surge of ecstasy that erupted from the depths of his heart like magma, instantly dispelling all of Li Yi's expectations on his way back.

"No! I have to go in and see my second aunt!" Li Yi's distracting thoughts were dispelled, and a strong desire immediately took over his body. He lifted his leg and was about to rush into the tightly closed delivery room.

Aunt Chen was quick-witted. She stepped forward swiftly, spread her arms to block the doorway, and said with a smile, "Second Brother, don't be in such a hurry! The midwives are in the room dealing with... those unclean things. Wait a moment, and it won't be too late to go in after they've cleaned up."

Li Yi frowned slightly, his tone a little impatient: "What kind of logic is that? Do you think I would find my own wife and children dirty?"

Madam Chen quickly explained with a smile, "Oh dear, Aunt didn't mean it that way, Erlang, you've misunderstood! There have always been customs surrounding childbirth for women. Men shouldn't go near places stained with blood, it's considered very unlucky... Erlang, please relax and wait here for a while."

Standing quietly to the side, Madam Guo stepped forward and gently took Li Yi's arm, her voice soft as she advised, "My lord, my sister is always very particular about cleanliness and appearance. If you rush in like this before the midwives have finished tidying up, she will inevitably feel embarrassed and ashamed of her disheveled appearance..."

Indeed, no one understands you better than your spouse. Guo Shi brought up Fu Erniang's own feelings, which immediately touched the softest spot in Li Yi's heart.

His eagerness was forcibly suppressed. His gaze lingered on the closed door for a moment, and finally, after a slight movement of his Adam's apple, he gave up.

"Never mind." Li Yi waved his hand. But his burning gaze remained fixed on the door, as if he could see through the wooden planks and into the room.

Just as Li Yi was enduring an agonizingly long breath, the door that separated the inside from the outside and carried new life was finally opened from the inside.

Three midwives, their foreheads covered in sweat, filed out.

Upon seeing Li Yi, who stood like an iron tower outside the door, the three immediately rushed to deliver the good news, their auspicious words chattering like a machine gun: "Congratulations, Commander Li! Heaven blesses your noble birth! The Lady of the County is truly blessed; good people are always protected by heaven. She gave birth to twins, and both mother and children are safe and sound!" "The Lady of the County is truly miraculous, giving birth to two little noblemen at once. From the breaking of her water to the birth of the young master and the young lady, it took less than two hours! I've delivered babies my whole life, and I've never seen a first-time birth so smooth and efficient!"

"Absolutely! The young master came out first, and his cries were so loud, like thunder! The young lady followed, and she was so beautiful and delicate! The madam is in good spirits right now, and she's looking after the child!"

"Very well! You three ladies have worked hard! Your efforts are invaluable, and we will reward you handsomely later!"

The huge weight on his chest finally lifted, and Li Yi's voice was loud and clear, filled with excitement that he could no longer contain.

"Today is a day of great joy! Everyone in the household, regardless of whether they are inside or outside, will be rewarded!"

Before he could finish speaking, he could no longer contain himself and rushed toward the half-open door.

"Squeak-"

The door was gently pushed open a crack, and a scent mixed with a faint smell of blood and the fragrance of herbs immediately wafted out.

The room was softly lit, and the charcoal brazier was burning brightly. The swaying light and shadows created a warm and cozy atmosphere, keeping out the lingering chill of early spring.

Li Yi's gaze immediately and with unparalleled precision locked onto the bed draped with brocade curtains.

Fu Erniang leaned against the brocade pillow, covered with a thick brocade quilt.

Her face was pale, and her forehead and temples were damp with sweat, with a few strands of hair sticking to her cheeks.

His eyes and brows betrayed a deep weariness that he could not conceal, as if he had been through an invisible battle.

However, her eyes, which were looking at the swaddled baby beside her, shone with an astonishing brightness, filled with the holy radiance of a new mother, and seemed to carry immense satisfaction and happiness.

In Fu Erniang's arms, on either side of her body, wrapped in delicate swaddling clothes, were two tiny, rosy new lives.

"Jin Ding!" Li Yi's steps unconsciously slowed down, and he almost tiptoed to the bedside, afraid of disturbing this tranquil and sacred scene.

Upon hearing the sound, Fu Erniang raised her eyes and saw her husband's eyes filled with deep tenderness. A weak yet radiant smile bloomed on her lips, like the sunshine after a snowfall, instantly illuminating the entire room.

"Husband..."

Her voice was soft, with a slight nasal tone and a coquettish dependence, "You're back...come and see our child..."

Fu Erniang's gaze fell tenderly on the two swaddled babies in her arms.

Li Yi did not go to see the child immediately. He sat down on the edge of the bed, and his large hands, calloused from years of handling knives and guns, gently cupped Fu Erniang's cheeks.

His gaze lingered on her eyebrows, her lips, and her slightly pale cheeks, as if trying to confirm that she was real, warm, and unharmed before him.

He carefully brushed away the last bit of sweat from her forehead with his fingertips, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure.

Are you alright? Are you in pain? Are you tired?

Li Yi asked one question after another, each word filled with concern and heartache.

Fu Erniang gently rubbed his warm palm, feeling the infinite tenderness beneath the rough touch, and her eyes welled up with tears of happiness: "I'm fine... really, my husband doesn't need to worry so much. The midwives all say they've never seen such smooth twin births. Perhaps these two little ones feel sorry for their mother and are eager to come out and see their father."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but chuckle softly, a playful air of relaxation on her face.

Li Yi leaned down and kissed his wife's smooth forehead, his deep voice whispering in her ear, "You've worked so hard, Jin Ding... Thank God you're safe." All the words he wanted to say were condensed into this tender whisper.

Only after confirming that his wife was indeed alright did Li Yi finally feel relieved.

Only then did he turn his gaze to the two swaddled babies nestled close to his wife, his eyes filled with the immense novelty, excitement, and cautiousness of becoming a father for the first time.

Fu Erniang slightly turned her body and moved the little one wrapped in a purple brocade swaddle closer to Li Yi.

“Husband, look, this is our son… The midwife said his cry is so loud, he’s sure to be a strong young man.”

Li Yi held his breath, stretched out his fingers, and very gently parted the edge of the swaddling clothes.

A rosy, wrinkled little face appeared. The little one had his eyes closed, his tiny fists clenched tightly against his cheeks, and his thin eyelids trembled slightly from time to time.

His baby hair was thick and black, his small nose was straight and upturned, and his mouth was slightly pouting, as if he was still working hard in his sleep.

Although his facial features had not yet fully developed, the outline between his eyebrows faintly resembled Li Yi's.

An indescribable, blood-connected throbbing sensation instantly struck Li Yi's heart, making his throat tighten.

"Good boy..."

Li Yi praised softly, her fingertips touching her son's incredibly soft cheek with boundless affection, and then carefully stroking his thick baby hair, the movement as gentle as a feather.

Fu Erniang then shifted her body slightly, revealing the baby wrapped in pink swaddling clothes inside: "This is our daughter. She's much quieter than her brother. She hummed a few times when she was born. She's very delicate, like a little jade fairy."

Li Yi's gaze was immediately drawn to the even smaller swaddled baby. With the same gentlest of movements, he lifted the swaddled baby slightly.

The daughter's face seemed a little smaller than her brother's, and her skin appeared more delicate and white, like a peeled egg with a faint pink hue.

Her baby hair was sparse and soft, and her tiny eyelashes were long and thick, like two small fans, casting a faint shadow under her eyelids.

Her daughter's cherry-pink lips twitched slightly, as if she were tasting something sweet in her dream.

Her quiet and graceful appearance instantly melted the heart of Li Yi's father.

Li Yi extended his index finger, and his daughter's incredibly small hand, which was exposed outside the swaddling clothes, unconsciously and gently hooked onto his fingertip.

That insignificant power, however, was like a ray of the purest light, instantly piercing through his invisible armor and reaching the deepest part of his soul.

An unprecedented, overwhelming tenderness and protectiveness instantly overwhelmed this decisive and ruthless general of the Imperial Guard.

Li Yi gently cradled his son in his swaddling clothes with one hand, while his other hand was held by his daughter's little hand. His gaze lingered on his wife's tired yet peaceful and content face, and on his two newborn children beside him.

A profound sense of happiness intertwined with a heavy sense of responsibility, filling his entire chest and almost bringing him to tears.

Fu Erniang seemed to be affected by the scene before her, and her eyes gradually welled up with tears. She raised her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes and said softly, "Husband, please give the two children some names."

“Okay…” Li Yi nodded subconsciously, but after thinking about it carefully, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

As a first-time father, he had already been thinking about naming his children, and even prepared several names for his son and daughter in advance.

But when the time came, they felt that none of these options were suitable. Moreover, in that era, due to poor medical conditions, the infant mortality rate was extremely high.

It is very rare for children to be given a formal name at birth; they are usually referred to by their nickname.

People in ancient times were quite superstitious and paid great attention to names and nicknames. This was especially true for newborns, who were given simple yet meaningful nicknames in the hope that they would grow up safely.

After pondering for a long time, Li Yi finally made a decision: "Let's call the boy Shuo-ge'er. I hope he will be as strong and robust as his father in the future. As for the girl... let's call her Ning-jie'er. May she live a peaceful and joyful life, free from disasters and hardships."

A happy smile immediately spread across Fu Erniang's pretty face. She looked down at her two children and murmured, "Shuo-ge'er, Ning-jie'er..."

(End of this chapter)