Chapter 50: Adding Fun with Dance

Inside the Glazed Tile Pavilion, everything was as warm and inviting as ever.

Su Jingyu was teasing her toddler son, Xiao Chengyu, with a cloth tiger. The little guy giggled, threw himself into his mother's arms, and softly murmured, "Mother..."

Yun Shu smiled and reported, "Liangdi, Consort Zhang just sent someone to deliver a plate of newly made lotus flower pastries, saying that she would like you to try them."

Su Jingyu didn't even raise her head, only saying indifferently, "Leave it there. Tell her that I thank her for her kindness. When the newly made jasmine dew is ready tomorrow, send her a bottle."

Jinshu muttered from the side, "She certainly knows how to fawn over others; she must be taking advantage of His Highness's absence..."

Su Jingyu chuckled, unconcerned. "Since we're all in the Eastern Palace, harmony is paramount." She naturally knew Zhang Liangyuan's thoughts, but she didn't care. If her prince could be swayed by such petty favors, he wouldn't be her prince.

What she was more concerned about was what Xiao Jingzhan had mentioned in his letter the day before: during the army's new formation drills, the messengers were running back and forth, and the transmission of commands was sometimes delayed, affecting the speed of formation changes. She recalled the methods of signaling with flags and horns that she had heard of, so she drew a few simple diagrams from memory and attached them to her reply, just as a casual anecdote.

That night, Su Jingyu received a letter delivered by express horse from the military camp.

Unfolding the letter, the handwriting was still familiar. Besides expressing his longing, he also detailed the progress of the training, revealing a calm and composed control over the overall situation. At the end of the letter, he made a special mention, the ink still fresh, indicating that it was added later: "The communication diagram drawn by my darling is wonderful! I have ordered it to be tested in the army, and the results are remarkable, astonishing all the generals. Yu'er is truly my lucky star."

Su Jingyu pressed the letter to her heart, a smile curving her lips. He was always like this, able to glean useful information from her few words and generously offer his affirmation.

Meanwhile, at Changchun Palace, Lady Li also received the news.

"What...message diagram did His Highness adopt from Su's drawing? And even praised it as a lucky star?" Li Shi twirled her prayer beads, her eyes unfathomable. "She certainly knows how to please him, even daring to interfere in military affairs."

Granny Sun whispered, "Your Highness, should we also..."

“No need,” Lady Li interrupted her. “His Highness dislikes the empress discussing military and political affairs. Lady Su’s actions are nothing more than taking advantage of His Highness’s favor to gain attention. Let’s see how long she can be so smug.” She looked in the direction of the Glazed Pavilion, her voice growing colder, “The sky over the Eastern Palace will not always be clear.”

Several days later, in the main tent of the military camp.

Xiao Jingzhan watched the soldiers on the training ground, their commands flowing smoothly and their formations changing like flowing water, a look of satisfaction on his face. His military advisor excitedly reported, "Your Highness, this method of communication is swift and accurate! Compared to before, the speed of formation deployment is nearly 30% faster! Truly a brilliant idea!"

A mixture of tenderness and pride flashed in Xiao Jingzhan's eyes as he picked up his pen to write a letter. As for the pastries sent by Qinghui Pavilion and the customary greeting card from Changchun Palace, he only glanced at them before setting them aside.

His heart has always belonged to that one person. He shielded the Crown Prince from the storms of war; his beloved was not only the most precious treasure in his heart, but also a confidante who understood him and offered him support. This vast empire is all the more worth looking forward to because of her.

In late summer, the sounds of battle echoed through the training grounds on the outskirts of Beijing.

The grand autumn military exercise, personally presided over by Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan, was nearing its end. The new military formations moved like dragons, the flag signals were swift as lightning, and the soldiers' morale was high. Their archery and horsemanship were highly skilled, and the formidable fighting power they displayed made the foreign envoys watching the ceremony pale and whisper among themselves.

Sweat beaded on the forehead of the Northern Barbarian envoy, while the wine cup in the hand of the Western Barbarian envoy trembled slightly. They both knew perfectly well that with such a crown prince and such a mighty army, the borders of Da Sheng would never know peace again!

Ten days later, at the Liangyi Hall.

The Minister of War submitted an urgent report: "Your Majesty, Your Highness! The Northern Di and Western Rong have sent envoys to sue for peace, offering a thousand fine horses, countless treasures, and ceding three border cities! Furthermore... the eldest prince of the Northern Di also wishes to offer his sister, Princess Yunzhu, saying he is willing to form a marriage alliance and serve His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The entire hall erupted in uproar! It was already rare to cede a city and offer up treasures, but to offer up a princess was even more outrageous!

The emperor looked at the crown prince sitting below him: "Zhan'er, what do you think?"

Xiao Jingzhan remained calm and composed, his phoenix eyes sweeping over the various expressions on the faces of the envoys in the hall. His voice was clear and cold, like the sound of jade chimes: "The Northern Barbarians and the Western Rong have repeatedly invaded our borders and plundered our people. Today's 'peace' is nothing more than a sign of their fear of our military might. We may accept the cession of cities and the offering of treasures to demonstrate the Celestial Empire's tolerance. However, the matter of a marriage alliance need not be mentioned again."

He paused, then his tone suddenly turned stern, carrying an undeniable air of authority: "My Eastern Palace is not a place you dare to covet. Go back and tell your masters that they will be safe by remaining law-abiding and engaging in trade. If they harbor any further ambitions, don't blame my iron cavalry for being ruthless!"

These words, spoken with resounding force, not only demonstrated the magnanimity of a great nation but also completely extinguished any foreign ambitions for the Eastern Palace. The Northern Barbarian envoy turned ashen-faced and remained silent.

The emperor clapped his hands and laughed: "Excellent! The Crown Prince is absolutely right! This matter shall be done as the Crown Prince wishes! The envoy shall be richly rewarded and sent back to his country!"

That night, the Crown Prince held a banquet to reward the generals and soldiers who had made meritorious contributions to the training of troops.

The banquet was held in the Qingliang Palace by the Taiye Pond, brightly lit and filled with the clinking of glasses. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan sat in the main seat, with Su Jingyu beside him. Today, she wore a flowing, dark-patterned brocade palace gown, looking breathtakingly beautiful under the lights.

Su Jingyu rose gracefully and smiled sweetly: "Today Your Highness is enjoying yourself with the generals, and I would like to offer my humble opinion to enhance the merriment."

As the music began, she gracefully entered the hall. There was no elaborate accompaniment, only the clear, melodious sound of a flute. She danced to the music, her figure as light as a swallow, her long sleeves fluttering like clouds. Every turn, every glance, was breathtakingly beautiful. Especially her gentle smile, under the dazzling lights, was even more enchanting than the moonlight.

As the dance ended, the hall fell silent, then erupted in thunderous applause! Xiao Jingzhan's eyes were deep, filled with undisguised amazement and pride. He extended his hand to her.

Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, and amidst the good-natured laughter of the crowd, she walked lightly back to his side. Xiao Jingzhan, however, did not let her return to her seat. Instead, he wrapped his long arm around her and pulled her into his embrace, making her sit on his lap!

"Your Highness..." she whispered, her ears turning blush.

"If you're tired of jumping, sit down properly," he whispered, his arm encircling her waist in an intimate and natural manner, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Amidst the envious gazes of the assembled generals, Su Jingyu, unable to resist, obediently leaned against him. She picked up the jade pot and poured him a full cup of wine, then took two plump, glistening green grapes from the silver plate and deftly sculpted them with a small silver knife. In a short while, the grapes transformed into two lifelike, exquisite jade flowers, their centers oozing glistening juice that dripped into the wine cup, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.

She held the cup with both hands, bringing it to his lips. Her eyes sparkled, and her voice was soft and intoxicating: "Your Highness has worked hard these past few days. I offer this cup to congratulate Your Highness on the great success of your military training and on your awe-inspiring power among the barbarians. Please enjoy it, Your Highness."

The wine in the glass is clear, with green grape carvings floating on top. The fragrance of the wine blends with the aroma of the grapes, making the slender fingers holding the glass even more beautiful than the flowers.

Xiao Jingzhan's heart was deeply touched. He lowered his head and took her hand, drinking the wine in his glass in one gulp. He not only tasted the wine's mellow strength and the sweetness of the green grapes, but also the warmth and deep affection in her fingertips.

“Good wine.” He gazed at her, his voice hoarse, “but not even a fraction as good as my dear.”

The soldiers in the hall were all deeply moved by this scene. They realized that even the aloof and dignified Crown Prince possessed such a tender and affectionate side. Consort Su was not only exceptionally beautiful and a captivating dancer, but also possessed such a clever mind and profound feelings; no wonder she had won the Crown Prince's heart!

Holding the warm, soft woman in his arms, Xiao Jingzhan looked at his valiant generals, his heart filled with a mixture of heroic spirit and tenderness. The magnificent landscape was not as beautiful as the woman in his arms; he held immense power, solely to protect her from harm.

After the banquet, only their figures remained in the Qingliang Hall.

Xiao Jingzhan picked up Su Jingyu and carried her to the bedroom.

"Your Highness, please let me down..."

"My dear, you've done a wonderful dance and offered wine today. Thank you for your hard work."

"Then, Your Highness... are you satisfied?"

"Extremely satisfied... Tonight, I will slowly 'reward' you."