Chapter 24 Suppressing Desire
The entire Eastern Palace was shaken!
The palace servants in the Glazed Pavilion were all beaming with joy, their backs ramrod straight. He Yong was especially busy, directing the Imperial Household Department staff to register and record the endless stream of rewards and send them to the storeroom. Yun Shu and Jin Shu, looking at the hall full of treasures, were so excited that their eyes reddened. They knew that this time, their mistress, Consort Liang, had truly secured her position!
Changchun Palace and Zhang Liangyuan's residence were eerily silent.
When Crown Princess Li heard the news, she was having breakfast. The jade chopsticks in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter" and shattered. Her face turned deathly pale, and her whole body became ice-cold, as if all her strength had been drained away in an instant.
An heir… the legitimate son she had longed for had been snatched away by that Su woman! And at this very moment! His Highness already cherished her like a treasure, and now that he has an heir, where will she find a place in the Eastern Palace in the future? Granny Sun sighed and lamented, but there was nothing she could do.
Zhang Liangyuan was so angry that she smashed her most beloved set of purple clay teaware, gritting her teeth: "That vixen! She really knows how to use witchcraft! She actually beat me to it!" But no matter how angry she was, she knew that there was nothing she could do, and she didn't have the guts.
In the afternoon, the Empress herself traveled to the Liuli Pavilion to visit him.
This was an immense honor! Su Jingyu hurriedly tried to get up to greet her, but the Empress quickly stepped forward and pressed her down: "Good child, you are pregnant, so please lie down properly. These formalities are unnecessary."
The Empress sat by the bed, holding Su Jingyu's hand, carefully examining her complexion. Her tone was more affectionate and loving than ever before: "Your face is a little pale. You must have been working hard these past few days. Zhan'er is really too inconsiderate." These words seemed to be a complaint against the Crown Prince, but in reality, they were an expression of affection.
"Your Highness treats me very well," Su Jingyu replied obediently.
The Empress nodded in satisfaction and gently patted the back of her hand: "You are a blessed woman and a meritorious official of my Great Sheng. Now, the most important thing is to take good care of yourself and give me a healthy grandson. If you need anything or lack anything, just say the word. Anyone who dares to neglect you will be reported to me directly!"
She gave detailed instructions on pregnancy precautions and bestowed upon Su Jingyu many precious medicinal herbs and tonics to help with the pregnancy before returning to the palace. The Empress's personal visit and warm attitude were tantamount to announcing her approval and protection of Su Jingyu to the entire harem.
After seeing the Empress off, the Liuli Pavilion was warm and quiet.
Xiao Jingzhan dismissed his attendants, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled Su Jingyu, blanket and all, into his arms. He gently rubbed his chin against the top of her head and sighed contentedly, "My dear, can you rest easy now?"
Su Jingyu leaned against his warm chest, feeling his strong heartbeat, and a sense of peace washed over her. She nodded gently, "Yes. Thank you, Your Highness." She knew that all the honor and security she enjoyed today were thanks to him.
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled and kissed her hair. "You gave me the biggest surprise." His hand gently covered her lower abdomen, where their hope and future were growing. "My dear, rest well. From now on, I will protect you and protect him."
The afterglow of the setting sun streamed into the room through the window, bathing their embracing figures in a warm golden light.
It was the height of summer, the cicadas chirped incessantly, and the scorching sun beat down like fire. The entire palace was shrouded in a suffocating heat. However, inside the Eastern Palace's Glazed Tile Pavilion, it was a completely different world.
Large ice chests stood in the four corners, wisps of cool air emanating from them, dispelling the summer heat. The window screens had been replaced with the lightest silk gauze, providing excellent ventilation while blocking out the scorching sun. The Imperial Household Department supplied ice in an endless stream, maintaining the indoor temperature as pleasant as springtime.
Su Jingyu was wearing only a light red soft silk nightgown, and she was lounging lazily on the chaise lounge by the window. Her lower abdomen was already slightly protruding, which added to her gentle and beautiful charm.
She held a book in her hands, but seemed somewhat absent-minded, her gaze occasionally drifting to the crystal-clear glass bowl on the small table—containing chilled milk and bird's nest, her first iced drink of the day.
Xiao Jingzhan sat at his desk not far away, reviewing memorials. Although he was wearing a light summer robe, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. But he seemed completely unaware of it. When his gaze occasionally lifted from the memorials and fell on the languid figure on the couch, it always carried an unyielding tenderness and a hint of... barely perceptible restraint.
"Your Highness..." Su Jingyu called softly, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry, "It's so hot. May I drink that iced drink?" She stared longingly at the tempting dessert, like a greedy little cat.
Xiao Jingzhan put down his vermilion brush, walked to the edge of the couch and sat down. He naturally pulled her into his arms, gently placing his large hand on her lower abdomen, feeling its wonderful roundness.
He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, his tone filled with uncompromising doting: "Sweetie, it's only been less than an hour since you had breakfast, wait a little longer. Two small cups a day, as agreed, you can't be too greedy, your body is weak, your stomach can't handle it."
Su Jingyu pouted and snuggled against him, feeling wronged: "But it's really so hot..." After becoming pregnant, her body temperature seemed to be higher than normal, and she was more sensitive to heat and craved coolness.
"If you're hot, hug me; I'm cool." Xiao Jingzhan chuckled, pulling her even closer. His body temperature was naturally low from years of martial arts training, making him a natural cooling agent in the sweltering summer. Su Jingyu, craving his coolness, obediently nestled in his clothes, though her little hands still tugged restlessly at his collar.
With the beautiful woman's soft and fragrant body in his arms, he had always been unable to control himself when it came to her, especially Yu'er during her pregnancy, who exuded a unique soft glow and charm. Her skin was more radiant and translucent than ever before, as if you could squeeze water out of it.
Xiao Jingzhan held her in his arms, the sweet fragrance emanating from her body filling his nostrils, and his lower abdomen involuntarily tightened.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging emotions. Pregnancy required extra caution; no matter how much he wanted her, the safety of her and the child had to be the priority.
But being together every day, whispering sweet nothings to each other, was a sweet torment for him. He could only restrain himself and kiss her forehead, her eyebrows and eyes again and again, lingering on her increasingly luscious lips, taking only light bites and daring not to go any deeper.
Su Jingyu was incredibly sensitive and quickly noticed the tension in his body and the heat of his breath. She raised her watery almond-shaped eyes and saw the suppressed desire in his phoenix eyes and the fine sweat on his forehead. Her heart instantly softened like spring water, mixed with a touch of heartache.
This man cherished her like a precious gem, even suppressing his desires for her sake.
She bit her lip, two blushes rising to her cheeks. Her small hands slid down and wrapped around his waist. She buried her burning face in the crook of his cool neck, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet carrying an astonishing allure: "Your Highness... are you... feeling unwell?"
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