Chapter 65 His Delicate Flower
Yun Shu presented a new set of clothes and said with a smile, "Your Highness, His Highness specially ordered the Imperial Wardrobe to make this the other day. It is made of the newly tribute 'Xia Ying Sha' and 'Yun Wu Xiao'. Do you like it?"
Su Jingyu looked up, her eyes widening in amazement. It was a flowing, ethereal dress made of crimson cloud-like silk. The silk was as light and thin as smoke, its color naturally blending from light pink to crimson, like the rosy clouds at the edge of the sky; over it was a layer of cloud-like silk of the same color, embroidered with intricate and gorgeous patterns of twin lotus blossoms and butterflies in gold and silver threads, shimmering and radiant as she moved, like a dream.
A wide, moon-white, soft silver belt cinched her waist, accentuating its slenderness and delicate shape. The skirt flowed in large, layered folds, billowing like clouds or rippling water as she moved.
Her skin was already as white as snow, but this scarlet dress made her even more radiant and beautiful. Her black hair, like clouds, was styled into a lively fairy bun, adorned with only a red-gold and kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin and a few fresh, dewy pink crabapple blossoms. With her eyebrows lightly painted and lips lightly touched, she was already a beauty that could topple kingdoms.
"Your Majesty, you are so beautiful!" Jinshu was also stunned, praising her sincerely. The Crown Princess before her did not look like a mother who had given birth to three imperial heirs. She was clearly a young woman of sixteen or seventeen, and even possessed an indescribable, indescribable beauty that blended girlish charm with the allure of a mature woman. Her figure was exquisite and well-proportioned, slender yet full, with a waist so thin that it could be encircled by one hand. As she walked, the hem of her skirt fluttered slightly, outlining her graceful curves. There was absolutely no trace of childbirth.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Su Jingyu felt refreshed. Gazing at the bright spring sunshine outside the window and listening to the birds chirping merrily in the branches, a long-lost joy almost overflowed in her heart.
"Bring me my shawl," she said enthusiastically.
"Your Highness, where are you going? His Highness said you should wait for him..."
"It's just in the courtyard, not far." Su Jingyu smiled as she took the long, scarlet shawl that matched her dress and was embroidered with gold thread along the edges. She then took light steps and walked out of the bedchamber.
In the courtyard of Liuli Pavilion, several crabapple trees were in full bloom, their pink and white blossoms like clouds and rosy hues, scattering petals as the wind blew. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns of light. Su Jingyu stood beneath the trees, closed her eyes, and felt a long-lost sense of freedom and vitality.
She suddenly remembered a blessing dance her mother had taught her when she was young in Jiangnan. The movements were slow and graceful, meant to thank heaven and earth and pray for peace and health. With her heart at ease, she stretched out her arms, the soft shawl fluttering in the wind, and twirled lightly with her steps.
There was no music, only the sound of the wind, birdsong, and the rustling of falling petals. She closed her eyes and danced according to her heart's desire.
She was so focused on her dance that she didn't notice a figure in black standing quietly outside the moon gate of the courtyard.
After finishing his meeting with the emperor, Xiao Jingzhan, preoccupied with his concerns, hurried back. The moment he stepped into the courtyard of the Glazed Pavilion, he was breathless at the sight before him.
His Yu'er was dancing gracefully amidst a shower of crabapple blossoms. Her crimson dress intertwined with the pink and white petals, making her seem almost unreal. Her face radiated a bright, untroubled smile, her eyebrows curved, and dimples appeared at the corners of her lips. Her laughter was clear and melodious, like pearls falling onto a plate, carried by the wind, and struck straight into his heart.
At just eighteen, she was in the prime of her life. Having experienced pregnancy and childbirth, she had shed the last trace of naivety, blossoming like a peony in full bloom, vibrant and exquisite. Her dance, though simple, was filled with moving power and beauty because of her heartfelt joy and gratitude for life.
Xiao Jingzhan stood there, motionless, his phoenix eyes fixed on that graceful figure, his heart softening like spring water, yet also swelled with indescribable pride and affection.
His Yu'er, his wife. She entered the Eastern Palace at sixteen, so delicate and innocent, giving him her whole heart. In just two years, she bore him three children, enduring hardship without ever complaining. Now, she blossoms safely under his wings, still that tender young girl who dances with joy at the slightest freedom.
A surge of emotions, a mixture of ultimate satisfaction, overwhelming love, and profound responsibility, almost engulfed him. How fortunate he was to have her devotion, to have borne him children, and to have entrusted his life to her.
As the dance ended, Su Jingyu breathed slightly, her cheeks flushed with a peach-blossom hue from the exertion, adding to her beauty. She raised her hand to brush away the fallen flowers from her temple, and her eyes met a pair of deep, ocean-like phoenix eyes filled with intense affection.
"Your Highness?" She was startled, then felt a little embarrassed, and subconsciously tried to hide the shawl in her hand. "When...when did you return?"
Xiao Jingzhan strode forward and, without saying a word, picked the person up in his arms.
"Ah!" Su Jingyu exclaimed softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
He carried her in his arms, then turned and walked towards the inner chamber of the bedchamber, his steps steady yet hurried. The palace servants had already discreetly withdrawn and closed the palace doors.
"Your Highness, please put me down..." Su Jingyu blushed even more, being held like this by him in broad daylight...
Xiao Jingzhan walked straight to the bedside, gently put her down, but did not let go of her. He braced his arms on either side of her, trapping her in his embrace, and looked down at her with a gaze so intense it was almost melting.
"You danced so well." He spoke in a hoarse voice, his fingertips brushing against her slightly damp temples, tracing her delicate eyebrows and eyes, and finally stopping at her rosy lips. "My Yu'er, you are so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off you."
Su Jingyu's heart pounded like a drum, and she felt weak all over under his gaze. Her voice was barely audible: "It's just beating randomly... I've just been cooped up for too long..."
“My dear, you can jump whenever you want, go wherever you want, don’t be restrained.” Xiao Jingzhan lowered his head, kissed the corner of her lips, and then moved to her small earlobe, his breath hot, “But… such a beautiful scene, you are only allowed to jump for me in the future.”
"Your Highness is so domineering..." Su Jingyu protested softly, but was met with an even deeper kiss in return.
During a brief moment of intimacy, he pressed his forehead against hers, his voice low, husky, and solemn: "Yu'er, thank you."
Su Jingyu looked into the depths of his eyes, her gaze filled with familiar affection, pride, tenderness, and a hint of almost devout adoration that she couldn't understand.
"Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for giving me the best years of your life, thank you for bearing my children despite the hardships, thank you for still being so beautiful, so... completely belonging to me." He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word coming from the bottom of his heart.
Su Jingyu's heart trembled, her nose tingled, and she reached out to wrap her arms around his neck, offering her red lips in return: "Everything I have is given to me by Your Highness. To be able to accompany Your Highness and bear your children is my greatest fortune."
Their clothes slipped down unnoticed, filling the room with the warmth of spring, even more so than the blooming flowers outside the window. Amidst the mingling of sweat, there was a passionate, desperate embrace, an endless sense of gratitude for each other's company, and boundless anticipation for the future.
He would dedicate the rest of his life to protecting his beloved.
...
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