Chapter 33 Good News

Time flies. Su Jingyu was over eight months pregnant, her belly protruding high, making movement increasingly difficult, but her complexion was excellent, her skin radiant and translucent. Nourished by the spiritual spring, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan took meticulous care of her, almost never leaving her side.

That afternoon, Xiao Jingzhan had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials. He put down his vermilion brush, rubbed his temples, and looked up to see Su Jingyu leaning against a soft couch by the window, meticulously sewing a bright red little bodice in the bright sunlight. Her expression was focused and gentle. The sunlight shone on her, outlining her soft features, making her look as serene and beautiful as a painting.

Xiao Jingzhan's heart stirred, and he got up and walked to the edge of the bed to sit down. He naturally pulled her and her work into his arms, gently placing his large hand on her swollen belly and feeling the strong movements of the little one inside.

"Sweetie, take a rest if you're tired, or you'll hurt your eyes." He said softly, rubbing his chin against the top of her fragrant hair.

Su Jingyu put down her needlework, leaned into his arms, and smiled gently at him, saying, "I'm not tired. Making a little outfit for the baby makes me happy."

Xiao Jingzhan gazed into her clear eyes, his heart softening. He lowered his head and lightly pecked her lips, not leaving immediately, but lingering for a moment before pulling away slightly, a sly smile in his eyes: "Yu'er has been so well-behaved today, I... would like to ask for a reward."

Su Jingyu blushed slightly and gave him a coquettish glance: "What reward does Your Highness desire?"

Xiao Jingzhan stroked her delicate cheek with his fingertips, his gaze intense: "Give me a kiss, and I'll tell you some good news."

Su Jingyu was amused by his childlike appearance. Curious, she tilted her head up and placed a soft, sweet kiss on his lips: "Your Highness, can you speak now?"

Xiao Jingzhan embraced her tightly with satisfaction before speaking slowly, his voice filled with obvious pleasure: "I have informed the Emperor that your father, Su Mingyuan, has been promoted to Vice Prefect of the Capital Prefecture. He will soon be bringing his family to the capital to assume his post."

Upon hearing this, Su Jingyu's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at him: "Your Highness... is this really true?" The Vice Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture was a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, in charge of the capital's security and criminal justice, a position of great prestige! Her father had actually been promoted several ranks from a seventh-rank county magistrate and transferred to the capital!

“A king’s word is his bond.” Xiao Jingzhan looked at her delighted expression, feeling a great sense of accomplishment, and continued, “Once your father is settled, I will send someone to bring your mother to the Eastern Palace for a short stay, to accompany you for some time until you give birth. Are you happy?”

Overwhelming joy washed over Su Jingyu like a tidal wave! She had been away from home and in the palace for nearly a year. Although she was extremely favored by the Crown Prince, she couldn't help but miss her parents and relatives when the night was quiet.

Now, not only has her father been promoted and transferred back to the capital, but she can also see her mother! This is simply wonderful news!

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and she choked back sobs as she threw herself into Xiao Jingzhan's arms, hugging his waist tightly: "Your Highness... thank you, Your Highness! I... I'm so happy!" She knew that the transfer of officials, especially important positions in the capital, involved a wide range of people and was by no means an easy matter. He must have put in a lot of effort to arrange everything so quickly and properly, just to put her at ease and make her happy.

Feeling the excitement and dependence of the person in his arms, Xiao Jingzhan felt a great sense of satisfaction. He gently patted her back, kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes, and said in a deep and gentle voice, "My dear, why are you crying? Your happiness is my happiness. Your parents are also my in-laws. If they are well, you can feel more at ease in the palace. In the future, you will have your family in the capital to rely on."

His thoughtfulness and consideration for her in everything moved Su Jingyu deeply. She could only tilt her head back and offer her lips to him, expressing her overwhelming love through her actions. The kiss, tinged with the saltiness of tears, was filled with sweetness and gratitude, lingering and profound.

Su Jingyu, sensitive during her pregnancy and overwhelmed by this immense joy, felt weak all over, her eyes sparkling with alluring charm. Leaning against Xiao Jingzhan's chest, she whispered, "Your Highness treats Yu'er so well, Yu'er doesn't know how to repay you..."

Xiao Jingzhan was aroused by her charming demeanor, and with her increasingly voluptuous and alluring body during her pregnancy, he, who had been abstaining from sex for many days and only indulging in cravings, could not help but feel aroused at this moment. He lowered his head, took her sensitive earlobe into his mouth, and said in a hoarse voice, "Then... Yu'er, will you 'repay' me properly tonight?"

Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed, but she did not refuse. Instead, she nestled closer to him, silently acquiescing. She knew he was always cautious and, even when aroused, would be extremely gentle, ensuring the child would not be harmed in the slightest.

That night, red candles burned brightly in the Crystal Pavilion, filling the air with a warm, fragrant aroma. Xiao Jingzhan, as expected, was extremely patient and gentle, carefully avoiding her abdomen, using only his lips, tongue, and fingertips to ignite the flames, leading her to wave after wave of pleasurable peaks. Su Jingyu beneath him melted into a pool of spring water, yielding and responding willingly, their love intense and passionate.

As the passion subsided, Xiao Jingzhan held the unconscious woman tightly in his arms, gently kissing her sweat-dampened temples. His heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of contentment and peace. His Yu'er was his wife, the mother of his child, and the only love of his life. He would do anything for her willingly.

With a sweet smile on her lips, Su Jingyu drifted off to sleep.

The Crown Prince, holding the precious treasure in his arms, felt that he had achieved everything he could in life.

One afternoon, the sun shone warmly. Su Jingyu, her pregnant belly quite large, strolled slowly through the East Palace Garden, aided by Yun Shu, to digest her meal. The chrysanthemums transplanted by the Crown Prince were in full bloom, filling the air with a faint, fresh fragrance of grass and trees.

As they walked past a chrysanthemum garden, they happened to meet Zhang Liangyuan, who was also out for a stroll. Zhang Liangyuan was a year older than Su Jingyu and came from a military family. She was straightforward and outspoken. Because the Crown Prince favored Su Jingyu, she inevitably felt a little jealous. She would occasionally complain a few harmless but sarcastic remarks, but she was not malicious and had never made any real trouble for Su Jingyu.

Upon seeing Su Jingyu, Zhang Liangyuan paused, her gaze falling on Su Jingyu's protruding belly and her face, which appeared even more translucent and flawless in the sunlight. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly: No wonder... no wonder His Highness the Crown Prince was so infatuated. With such a face and figure, even she, as a woman, couldn't help but feel a skipped beat. She felt no disgust, only a sense of "it is only right".

"Sister Su, you're out for a walk too?" Zhang Liangyuan forced a smile, her tone still polite enough, but a hint of sourness still crept in. "Sister, you're quite precious these days. His Highness treats you like the apple of his eye. How could he bear to let you come out alone today?"

Su Jingyu could sense that she meant no harm, that she was just a young girl feeling jealous, so she smiled gently and said, "Sister Zhang is joking. The imperial physician said that pregnant women need to move around appropriately, which is good for both mother and child. Your Highness is busy with state affairs, how can you accompany me at all times?"

The two exchanged a few casual words.