Chapter 56 Homesickness and Return
Su Jingyu's baby was already over five months along, and the pregnancy was stable. Perhaps because of the fright she had experienced, Xiao Jingzhan cherished her even more. No matter how busy he was with court affairs, he would always make time to accompany her for meals and walks every day, and he would always wait until she was sound asleep before going to his study to handle any unfinished business. The imperial physician would take her pulse twice a day, and tonics would be delivered to her in a constant stream. Su Jingyu's complexion became rosy, and she gained a little weight, adding a touch of languid and gentle charm to her appearance.
On this sunny afternoon, the Liuli Pavilion was warm and inviting. Su Jingyu was leaning against the soft couch by the window, reading a storybook and eating dried plums. Xiao Jingzhan sat beside her, holding a book in his hand, but his gaze kept falling on her.
"Is Your Highness not busy today?" Su Jingyu asked.
"Nothing urgent." Xiao Jingzhan put down his book and naturally reached out to pull her onto his lap. "Are you bored? The crabapple blossoms in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. Shall we go for a walk?"
Su Jingyu shook her head, nestled into his arms, and said softly, "It's not that I'm bored, it's just... I'm a little homesick. The other day, my mother sent a message to the palace, saying that my father has acquired some new silk from Jiangnan and wants me to take a look and ask what patterns I like so that I can make clothes for my unborn grandson. I've been thinking about how long it's been since I've been home..."
Her tone carried a hint of longing. Since entering the Eastern Palace, she had seen her family only a handful of times.
Xiao Jingzhan paused, looking down at her slightly lowered eyelashes, and understood. His Yu'er had always been sensible and never made requests on her own initiative. This subtle way of bringing it up meant she missed him terribly.
"My dear, it was my oversight." He gently kissed the top of her head, his tone apologetic. "Your parents are worried about you, you should go back and visit them. How about... I accompany you back for a couple of days? To relax, and let your mother-in-law cook you some hometown dishes to nourish your body. My darling is a little glutton." He gently nuzzled her nose.
Su Jingyu looked up in surprise: "Really? Your Highness is so busy with state affairs, how can we..."
"It's alright," Xiao Jingzhan smiled. "The affairs of the court are handled by Father Emperor and several Grand Secretaries. A delay of a day or two won't matter. Besides, I should also go and see my father-in-law and mother-in-law." He had long regarded the two elders of the Su family as family, and this was a good opportunity to personally comfort them and put their minds at ease.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Su Jingyu's eyes curved into crescents, as if filled with starlight, and she leaned forward to kiss his chin. Xiao Jingzhan's eyes darkened, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, deepening the kiss.
Three days later, the Crown Prince's entourage arrived at the Su residence in a low-key yet grand manner.
Su Mingyuan and Madam Zhou had already led the entire household in kneeling at the gate to welcome them, extremely excited. Seeing the Crown Prince personally helping his daughter down from the carriage, so carefully and tenderly, the two elders had tears in their eyes, feeling both gratified and heartbroken.
"Your subject (your wife) pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Consort." Su Mingyuan and Zhou Shi bowed respectfully.
"Father-in-law and mother-in-law, please rise quickly, there's no need for such formalities." Xiao Jingzhan offered a helping hand, his attitude gentle. "At home, we should only talk about family matters, not about the relationship between ruler and subject."
Su Jingyu hurriedly stepped forward to help her mother up, her eyes slightly red: "Father, Mother, your daughter is back."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" Zhou held her daughter's hand, looked her up and down, and saw that she looked very well and her belly was slightly protruding. She was well taken care of and felt very warm in her heart. She said "good" repeatedly.
The group entered the main hall, where the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Despite his noble status, Xiao Jingzhan was completely unpretentious, chatting and drinking tea with Su Mingyuan, inquiring about the smooth progress of his recent official duties and his health. Su Mingyuan was initially somewhat reserved, but seeing the Crown Prince's earnest words and sincere attitude, he gradually relaxed, his words filled with gratitude and satisfaction.
Madam Zhou then led her daughter into the inner room, where the two had endless heartfelt conversation. Upon learning that her daughter was being wholeheartedly cared for by the Crown Prince in the palace, and also greatly favored by the Emperor and Empress, Madam Zhou was both overjoyed and moved to tears.
“Yu’er, His Highness treats you as well as ever, without a doubt.” Madam Zhou patted her daughter’s hand. “You must also serve His Highness well and not be arrogant.”
"I understand," Su Jingyu nestled against her mother's shoulder and replied softly. In front of her parents, she shed some of the dignified demeanor she displayed in front of the Emperor and Empress, revealing the coquettishness of a young girl.
Dinner was held in the small flower room of the house. There was no grand banquet; the family simply sat around one table, with Yu'er held by his wet nurse. The dishes were mostly home-style cooking that Su Jingyu liked, prepared by Zhou herself, along with a few Jiangnan-style dishes. Xiao Jingzhan didn't eat much, but he tasted every dish and praised Zhou's culinary skills. He also carefully served Su Jingyu food, removing fish bones and peeling shrimp shells with natural and skillful movements.
Su Mingyuan and Zhou Shi were overjoyed. Their daughter's finding such a good husband was their greatest blessing.
After the meal, Xiao Jingzhan talked with Su Mingyuan in the study, while Su Jingyu chatted with her mother in the room. Little Yu'er, held by his wet nurse, looked at the flowers in the courtyard, babbling happily.
That night, they stayed in the boudoir that Su's mother had prepared for Yu'er. Although the room was not as luxurious as the Eastern Palace, it was filled with a warm and cozy atmosphere. Xiao Jingzhan held his wife as they lay on the soft bed, the unique fragrance of her body and the faint scent of the boudoir lingering around his nose, and his heart was filled with peace.
"Are you getting used to it?" he asked in a low voice.
"With Your Highness here, I feel comfortable anywhere." Su Jingyu found a comfortable position in his arms and sighed contentedly. Returning to the place where she grew up, with her beloved by her side and their child in her womb, there was no greater happiness in the world.
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled and kissed her forehead: "Then let's stay a couple more days. I'll take you for a stroll in the streets tomorrow?"
"Really?" Su Jingyu's eyes lit up, then she shook her head. "No, Your Highness's status is too noble to be easily..."
"I'll go incognito," Xiao Jingzhan interrupted her. "I'll take you out for a walk to clear your head. With me here, it's fine."
Su Jingyu felt a sweet warmth in her heart and stopped refusing, only snuggling closer to him: "I will do as Your Highness says."
It was summer, and the sky was clear and bright. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan had indeed changed into ordinary nobleman's clothes, and with only Lu Chen and a few plain-clothed guards, he escorted Su Jingyu out quietly. Su Jingyu was dressed as a young mistress, wearing a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a moon-white cloak over it, and her face covered with a light veil to conceal her features, but her overall demeanor was undeniable.
On Zhuque Street, the crowds were dense, and the cries of vendors filled the air. Xiao Jingzhan carefully shielded Su Jingyu on the inside, his arm loosely around her, blocking the passersby. Su Jingyu hadn't left the palace in a long time, and everything seemed new and exciting to her. Her eyes sparkled, like a little sparrow released from its cage.
"Husband, look at that sugar figurine!" She gently tugged at his sleeve and pointed to a sugar figurine stall. The old craftsman was skillful, and the Monkey King he made was lifelike.
Xiao Jingzhan followed his gaze, a smile in his eyes: "Want to eat?"
Su Jingyu shook her head and whispered, "I want to bring one back for Yu'er; he'll definitely like it." She was always thinking about her son.
Xiao Jingzhan's heart softened, and he gestured for Lu Chen to go buy it. Soon, a lifelike sugar monkey was in her hands, carefully wrapped in oil paper.
"Sweetie, try this." Passing by a shop selling chestnut cakes, the aroma was irresistible. Xiao Jingzhan remembered her sweet tooth after she became pregnant, so he ordered someone to buy a freshly baked one. He personally peeled off the oil paper and held it to her lips. Su Jingyu took a small bite from his hand. It was soft, sweet, and fragrant. Her eyes crinkled into a smile: "Delicious."
Seeing that she liked it, Xiao Jingzhan's smile deepened, and he also took a bite. The sweetness seemed to spread from the tip of his tongue to the bottom of his heart.
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