Chapter 43 Your happiness makes me happy
Xiao Jingzhan led Su Jingyu into the well-ventilated and bright inner room. He helped her sit down, bent down and carefully tidied her slightly messy hair, then straightened up and said to the Su family members who followed in, "Yu'er and Yu'er will be a bother for a few days. Thank you for your help, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."
"Your Highness is too kind! This is our duty, and it is also a great blessing!" Su Mingyuan quickly replied.
Xiao Jingzhan then looked at Su Jingyu, gently placing his hand on her shoulder and saying in a tender tone, "I'll come to pick you up when I'm done with my work. If anything happens, have Lu Chen relay the message." With that, he turned and left amidst the respectful farewells of the Su family, his entourage heading straight towards the palace.
The atmosphere in the room relaxed as soon as the Crown Prince left. Zhou Shi and Su Jingrou immediately gathered around the bed, looking at Su Jingyu, who had a radiant complexion and smiling eyes, and the fair and beautiful imperial grandson in swaddling clothes. They were overjoyed and didn't know what to do.
“Yu’er, His Highness has treated you… truly…” Madam Zhou held her daughter’s hand, her eyes slightly red, choking as she could not utter a complete sentence.
Su Jingrou also said enviously, "Sister, you are so lucky. His Highness is such a person, yet he treats you with such care."
Looking at her family, Su Jingyu felt a warm glow in her heart and smiled as she chatted intimately with her mother and sister.
In the following days, Xiao Jingzhan was indeed busy with official duties, but no matter how late he was busy, he would always come to the Su residence to pick up Su Jingyu and take her back to the East Palace for accommodation, and then personally deliver her the next morning.
Each time he arrived, he would first inquire carefully about Su Jingyu's daily life, then hold his son and play with him for a while before exchanging a few words with Su Mingyuan, who was waiting to greet him.
That evening, Xiao Jingzhan arrived earlier than usual. After the political meeting, he made a special detour to buy the osmanthus cakes from Li's shop that Su Jingyu had casually mentioned a couple of days earlier. Upon entering the Su residence, he went to the inner courtyard to see his wife and children, as usual. He saw Su Jingyu chatting and laughing with her sister, and their son babbling in his wet nurse's arms, a scene of joyful harmony. Only then did his stern expression soften.
After sitting with him for a while, Xiao Jingzhan said to Su Mingyuan, "Lord Su, if you have time, we can have a chat in the study."
Su Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and led the way: "Your Highness, please."
The study in the Su residence was elegant and simple, a stark contrast to the extravagance of the Eastern Palace. Xiao Jingzhan sat down, his gaze sweeping over the numerous geography, water conservancy, and agricultural books on the bookshelf, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Lord Su has been serving as the Vice Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture for some time now. Do you have any insights into the administration of the capital region?" Xiao Jingzhan asked directly, his tone calm, as if it were a casual discussion.
Su Mingyuan pondered for a moment, then respectfully replied, “Your Highness, the Jingzhao Prefecture is in charge of the capital's security, criminal justice, and all aspects of people's livelihood and industry; there are many matters to consider. In my opinion, there are two issues that may be worth considering. First, the number of displaced people in and around the capital is increasing daily. Although soup kitchens have been set up, they are mostly temporary measures and probably not a long-term solution. Perhaps we could emulate the previous dynasty's ‘work relief’ program, organizing displaced people to dredge waterways and repair official roads during the off-season for farming, which would not only provide for their physical and mental needs but also benefit the local area. Second, the management of the city's markets, especially the East and West Markets, is problematic. With merchants living together in a mixed environment, theft of fire and candles is frequent. Perhaps we could divide the markets into sections, establish night watchmen to patrol, and clarify responsibilities, which might improve the situation.”
Xiao Jingzhan listened attentively, his fingers lightly tapping the table. While Su Mingyuan's words weren't groundbreaking solutions, they all addressed the current problems, and his proposed methods were practical and feasible, demonstrating that he was a truly dedicated and responsible person. He recalled the report from his secret guards that Su Mingyuan had been diligent and pragmatic since taking office, possessing keen insight and handling several long-standing cases, earning him a good reputation.
“What Lord Su said is very insightful.” Xiao Jingzhan nodded. “Using work relief can both bring peace to the people and generate profits. I have already ordered the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to discuss a set of regulations. As for the management of the market and residential areas, the Prefect of the Capital also made a similar proposal the other day. Lord Su can discuss it with him in detail and come up with specific rules.”
Su Mingyuan was thrilled; His Highness the Crown Prince valued his opinion so much! "Your subject obeys! I will do my utmost!"
Xiao Jingzhan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and softened his tone, adding a touch of familiarity: "Yu'er is gentle and kind, sometimes too naive. She doesn't have many close friends in the capital. She was very happy that her parents came to the capital. In the future, she will need your company more."
Su Mingyuan, being astute as he was, immediately understood that this was the Crown Prince expressing his deep affection for his daughter, as well as his closeness and trust in the Su family. He quickly rose and bowed deeply: "Your Highness's kindness is deeply appreciated by my entire family! We will certainly fulfill our duties and live up to Your Majesty's grace, and we will also take good care of our daughter. Please rest assured, Your Highness!"
"Please sit down, Lord Su. There's no need for such formalities." Xiao Jingzhan offered a gesture of support. "You are an upright and capable official, and Yu'er is always proud of you. Do your job well. The capital region is a crucial place, and it is precisely at this time that we need capable people."
These words were a clear expectation and promise. Su Mingyuan's heart was filled with excitement, knowing that this was a rare opportunity for the Su family, and also a recognition of his abilities by the Crown Prince because of his affection for Su Mingyuan.
After discussing some specific matters of the Jingzhao Prefecture, seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Jingzhan stood up and said, "It's getting late, I'll take Yu'er and the others back."
Upon arriving at the inner courtyard, Su Jingyu was already waiting under the eaves with her neatly dressed son in her arms. Xiao Jingzhan naturally took the child, steadily supporting Su Jingyu's arm with his other hand. He nodded slightly to the Su family members who had escorted him to the second gate, and then they boarded the carriage together.
As the carriage drove away from the Su residence, Su Mingyuan watched the departing procession, remaining silent for a long time. Madam Zhou whispered beside him, "Master, it seems His Highness truly cares for Yu'er, and values our Su family as well..."
Su Mingyuan sighed deeply, his tone filled with emotion and determination: "The grace of Heaven is boundless! Our Su family must not bring shame to Yu'er, nor to His Highness! In the future, as officials, we must be even more diligent and honest!"
Inside the carriage, Xiao Jingzhan placed his sleeping son in a soft basket, then pulled Su Jingyu into his arms and whispered, "My darling, were you happy today?"
Su Jingyu leaned against him and smiled sweetly: "I'm happy! Thank you, Your Highness."
Xiao Jingzhan kissed the top of her head, "If you're happy, then I'm happy."
...
In the early summer, the pomegranate blossoms in the Imperial Garden were ablaze with color. The Emperor, having finished his official duties, was strolling along the Taiye Pond, enjoying the scenery, accompanied by several of his concubines. Consort Li, currently the Emperor's favorite, was strikingly beautiful, her smile captivating, and she was holding the Emperor's arm, chatting witty remarks.
Changing the subject, Consort Li sighed lightly, seemingly unintentionally: "Your Majesty, I have noticed that the Eastern Palace is filled with joy these days. The young prince is so lovely and adorable, it is truly the envy of everyone. His Highness the Crown Prince is young and vigorous. If he has many children, it will be a great blessing for our Great Sheng."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor stroked his beard and nodded: "Yes, Yu'er is indeed a lovable child. The Crown Prince has also become much more composed."
Consort Li's eyes flickered as she continued, "Yes, the Crown Princess is virtuous, and the sisters in the Eastern Palace are all well-educated and reasonable. Especially the Empress, who has always cared for the Eastern Palace the most, often teaching them to live in harmony and to produce offspring for the royal family as soon as possible. However..."
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