Chapter 146: Li Yan's Joy

The morning audience had just ended.

Liu Ju stood on the high platform before the front hall of Weiyang Palace, gazing at the bustling Great Han court.

Since his accession, he has personally presided over and witnessed the vigorous development of the Great Han in all aspects.

He has never dared to be the slightest bit lax, from initially hiding and protecting himself, to wholeheartedly striving to make the Great Han's realm more stable and the people's lives more prosperous.

He established the imperial examination system, breaking down class barriers;

He defeated the Xiongnu and Wusun, quelled the rebellions of the feudal princes and the uprising of Sang Hongyang.

He controlled the Yellow River floods, vigorously promoted the southern development, and the Great Han made substantial progress in politics, military, economy, and other areas.

Looking back on his time in the Great Han, Liu Ju couldn't help but be amazed that he had changed his own fate and also altered the course of the Great Han.

"Your Majesty, great joy!"

As Liu Ju was lost in endless emotion, a eunuch suddenly came to report.

Liu Ju slightly turned and asked, "What happy news?"

Since Sang Hongyang's defeat and flight, Liu Ju's mood has been good.

"Your Majesty, Lady Li is pregnant!"

The eunuch said excitedly.

Liu Ju stared, then plunged into ecstasy.

Immediately, he walked with light steps toward Li Yan's Lovely Smile Palace, his face full of uncontainable excitement.

"Yan'er!" Liu Ju's voice held a hint of urgency and delight as he entered the hall from afar.

Li Yan was half-leaning on the couch; hearing the voice, she rose slowly, her face bearing a gentle soft smile, her eyes full of happiness.

"Your Majesty."

Li Yan's face was flushed, and she gently caressed her abdomen.

Liu Ju stepped forward a few paces, gently taking Li Yan's hand; their hands trembled slightly, revealing his inner agitation.

In his previous life, he worked overtime all day, only to find he was still a pure ox and horse with no ability, no achievement, no prospect.

This is the first time in his two lives that he has felt the imminent joy of becoming a father.

His gaze swept over Li Yan's body back and forth, finally resting on her still-flat belly, his eyes full of anticipation and tenderness.

"Yan'er, is it really true?"

Li Yan nodded slightly, her cheeks flushing again, and she coquettishly said, "Of course it's true; the imperial physician has already confirmed it."

Liu Ju's eyes reddened slightly as he gently embraced Li Yan, his voice saying, "Wonderful, Yan'er, we are going to have our own child."

Li Yan leaned against his chest, gently nodding her head.

As they were speaking, Wei Zifu and Shi Liangdi, escorted by palace maids, walked in with smiling faces.

"Ju, Yan'er, hearing that Yan'er is pregnant, this palace is greatly delighted."

Liu Ju and Li Yan hastily bowed; Wei Zifu stepped forward quickly, helped Li Yan up, looked at her lovingly, and said, "This is indeed a joy for the imperial family, Yan'er—you must take good care of yourself; if you need anything, just speak up."

Li Yan slightly bowed her head, eyes full of gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern."

Wei Zifu then turned to Liu Ju, smiling, and said, "Ju, you are about to become a father; your conduct should be more steady."

Liu Ju quickly nodded, saying, "Empress Dowager, rest assured, I understand."

Shi Liangdi also came over gently to offer congratulations, her eyes full of longing as she gazed at Liu Ju.

Since she entered the palace, she has never seen Liu Ju again; now Li Yan is pregnant, yet she remains an unmarried maiden.

Liu Ju felt her gaze and couldn't help but feel embarrassed; lately he and Li Yan have been in their honeymoon phase, and with heavy state affairs, he has inadvertently neglected Shi Liangdi.

The reason he favors Li Yan rather than Shi Liangdi is not because he holds a poor opinion of her; on the contrary, he greatly appreciates and respects her.

Moreover, he and Li Yan are ultimately more familiar, sharing a common language in both work and life, with their thoughts highly compatible.

"Elder Sister Shi, I am pregnant, so I fear I cannot attend to Your Majesty's side for a while; I must rely on you."

As clever as Li Yan, she naturally could see Shi Liangdi's expression change, and thus she spoke.

Liu Ju blinked slightly, looking at Li Yan with some gratitude.

Wei Zifu beside them, hearing Li Yan say that, felt even more relieved.

That the imperial harem can live in harmony is naturally a great blessing.

After leaving Lovely Smile Palace, Liu Ju immediately went to the Hall of Announcement in Weiyang Palace, seated in the chief position, his expression brimming with uncontainable joy.

"Summon Li Guangli and Li Yanian for an audience."

Liu Ju's voice carried a hint of pleasure as he instructed the nearby eunuch.

Soon after, Li Guangli and Li Yanian hurried into the hall, both reverent, kneeling and paying homage: "We, your subjects, greet Your Majesty; may you live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

Liu Ju's face bore a gentle smile as he raised his hand to signal them to rise: "You two need not stand on ceremony; I summoned you today to discuss a matter."

He paused slightly, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes, and said, "You also know that Lady Li is now pregnant; this is a joy for the Great Han imperial family."

Li Guangli and Li Yanian glanced at each other, their eyes both showing delight and relief.

Li Guangli stepped forward one pace, clasped his hands, and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty; congratulations, Your Majesty—that Li Yan could have such fortune is truly an honor for her and my Li clan."

Liu Ju nodded slightly, then added, "This achievement also owes to you two. I have decided to bestow titles and rewards upon you to express my gratitude."

Li Guangli and Li Yanian knelt again to give thanks:

"We thank Your Majesty for your great favor."

Liu Ju pondered a moment, then said, "Li Guangli, I appoint you Marquis of Hexi, with a fief of a thousand households, granting one hundred qing of fertile land and a manor; may you continue to serve the Great Han and keep the borders peaceful."

Li Guangli's eyes reddened with excitement as he kowtowed, saying, "I will surely devote my liver and brains to the ground, not failing Your Majesty's great trust."

Liu Ju then turned to Li Yanian, saying, "Li Yanian, I appoint you Minister of the Ancestral Temple, overseeing court sacrificial music and dance, awarding a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of fine silk; may you compose more classic melodies to bring auspicious qi to the Great Han."

Li Yanian's heart overflowed with joy as he hastily gave thanks:

"I will surely exert my utmost effort, not betraying Your Majesty's trust."

Liu Ju looked at them with satisfaction, smiling and saying: "Alright, get up."

Li Guangli and Li Yannian performed the salute again, then withdrew from the hall.

The Empress's happy news was also immediately spread by the newly emerged gossip reports of the Han, and the streets instantly filled with an atmosphere of celebration and gossip.

Naming the future prince also became a hot topic of discussion among the Han populace.

Meanwhile, Emperor Wu of Han, Liuche, who was far away in Magadha, contemplated a vast territorial map.

On the map were marked the lands already conquered by the Han and the next step's expansion plans; his finger lightly glided along the southern coastline, pondering how to further consolidate Han rule over this land.

At that moment, a messenger who had come riding hard on a fast horse, carrying an urgent secret letter from Weiyang Palace, hurriedly entered the tent.

The messenger knelt on one knee, presenting the letter with both hands, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement: "Your Majesty, Weiyang Palace brings happy news!"

Emperor Wu's eyebrows slightly rose as he reached out to take the letter; the moment he unfolded it, his eyes suddenly brightened, and his normally stern expression was instantly replaced by delight.

He stared intently at the letter's contents, murmuring to himself: "Lady Li is pregnant; am I to become a grandfather?"

In an instant, Emperor Wu burst into a hearty laugh.

"For years I have campaigned south and north, expanding territory; now adding this great happy news, it is truly heaven's blessing upon our Han!"

"Convey my decree: immediately prepare congratulatory gifts, select the most precious treasures from Magadha, and send them to Weiyang Palace."

At this time, Li Guang and Huo Qubing also came forward to offer their congratulations to Liuche.

"Issue the order: the planning and construction in Magadha must be accelerated, while also preparing for the western campaign; I want him, when the royal grandson is born, to see a vaster, more prosperous Han realm!"

Liuche was full of high spirits.

Li Guang and Huo Qubing were also inspired, and they all agreed!