Chapter 92 Extra: Taking a Break and Leaving the Palace
The following day was a day off.
The hangover and the night's revelry kept Su Jingyu from waking up until the sun was high in the sky.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I felt like all my bones were falling apart, especially my waist and legs, which were sore and weak, and my throat was dry.
Memories flooded back: last night at the palace banquet, she secretly drank fruit wine and was caught by Xiao Jingzhan and brought back; afterwards, all sorts of romantic encounters took place in the tent… Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she buried her face in the brocade quilt, burying her head in the sand like an ostrich, unwilling to face it.
"Awake?" A deep, smiling voice sounded from above.
Su Jingyu stiffened, slowly peeking half her face out from under the covers. Xiao Jingzhan was lying on his side beside her, propping his head up with one hand, watching her with a leisurely air, his phoenix eyes deep, filled with a clear sense of satisfaction and amusement. He had been awake for quite some time and had been watching her like this for a long time.
"Your Majesty..." Her voice was hoarse from just waking up and tinged with shyness.
"Are you still feeling unwell?" Xiao Jingzhan reached out and touched her forehead. Her temperature was normal. He then touched her cheek, which still had some residual warmth. "Does your head hurt?"
Su Jingyu shook her head and said honestly, "I just feel sore all over..."
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled, a knowing look mixed with a hint of barely perceptible smugness: "Who told my little darling to drink so much?" Though he said this, there was no reproach in his eyes, only an overwhelming tenderness.
He lifted the covers, got out of bed, fetched the warm water and refreshing tea that had been prepared beforehand, picked her up, and fed her the tea.
"I have had hot spring water prepared. Go soak in it and relax." Looking at her sleepy eyes, slightly disheveled hair, and charming appearance, his heart softened. He picked up the still limp and powerless woman, carrying the child, and headed straight for the white marble bathtub in the back hall of the Zichen Palace, which was fed by the royal hot spring.
The pool water was steaming, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers and herbs. Xiao Jingzhan carried her into the pool, and the warm water instantly enveloped their bodies, relieving the soreness in their muscles.
Su Jingyu, like a boneless cat, clung softly to him, her arms wrapped around his neck, her small face pressed against his warm, firm chest, breathing comfortably.
Xiao Jingzhan adored her completely dependent manner. He sat down against the pool wall, placed her on his lap, and let her lean against his chest, immersing herself in the warm spring water. Then, he dipped his hands into the water and began to massage her aching waist and the back of her neck with gentle pressure.
His pressure was just right; the pads of his large hands pressed against her delicate skin, bringing waves of tingling comfort.
Su Jingyu couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her body unconsciously relaxing in his arms, even leaning back slightly, giving him more of her weight.
"Hmm... Your Majesty, a little to the left..." she mumbled, her eyes closed.
Xiao Jingzhan readily complied, his large hand sliding down to her left waist, patiently massaging it. "Still calling me Your Majesty?" He lowered his head and kissed her damp earlobe, his voice coaxing, "Last night... you didn't call me that."
Su Jingyu's ears instantly turned bright red. Recalling how he had forced her to call out countless embarrassing names when she was in a daze last night, she buried her face even deeper into his neck and refused to make a sound.
"Hmm? Forgot?" Xiao Jingzhan persisted, his large hands, which had been massaging her, now carried a hint of teasing as they lingered on her sensitive side. "Then let me help you think of something?"
"No..." Su Jingyu trembled, trying to dodge, but he held her firmly in his arms. Unable to resist him, she called out with infinite shyness, "...Husband."
Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a misty, moist quality that went straight into Xiao Jingzhan's heart, sending a shiver down his spine. He chuckled contentedly, tightened his arms, and placed a kiss on her smooth, delicate shoulder: "Good girl."
After soaking for about half an hour, Su Jingyu's aches and pains were mostly relieved, and she felt much better. Xiao Jingzhan carefully dried her with a soft towel, changed her into comfortable casual clothes, and then tidied himself up.
"I have nothing to do this afternoon. Would you like to go out for a walk outside the palace?" He asked, gently combing her half-dry long hair with a jade comb.
Su Jingyu's eyes lit up. "Is that okay?"
"Why not?" Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow. "I'm off today, so I'll spend time with my little darling. I heard there's a poetry gathering at the 'Sifang Pavilion' in the West Market today, with many talented scholars and writers from the capital gathering. It's quite lively. Would you like to go and have a look?"
"Sifangguan" was not an official institution, but a gathering place built by several retired officials and wealthy merchants. It frequently held poetry and literary gatherings, inviting students from all over the country, regardless of their social status, and only discussing their talents. It was quite famous among the literati in the capital.
Su Jingyu was naturally tempted. It would be relaxing, and she could hear about the latest happenings in the capital and meet talented people from all walks of life. "Great!"
In the afternoon, the emperor and empress changed into the ordinary attire of a wealthy young man and his wife, and quietly left the palace gates with Lu Chen, who was also disguised as a servant and guard, and two secret guards.
Xiao Jingzhan, dressed in an indigo brocade robe with a jade belt, stood tall and straight. Although he deliberately concealed his imperial majesty, his unparalleled handsome face and overall demeanor still drew attention. Su Jingyu, on the other hand, wore a light green ruqun embroidered with magnolia branches, over which she wore a moon-white cloak. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, and she was elegant and refined. Standing next to Xiao Jingzhan, they looked like a perfect couple.
The West Market was indeed bustling with activity. The "Sifangguan" was a three-story wooden building, and today its entrance was crowded with carriages and horses, and literati and scholars came and went in an endless stream.
The poetry gathering was held in the lobby on the first floor, with a main stage in the center and tables and chairs arranged around it. Many people were already seated or standing, and the atmosphere was lively.
Xiao Jingzhan led Su Jingyu to a quiet corner by the window, ordered a pot of tea and a few plates of snacks, just like any other couple who had come to join in the fun.
The poetry gathering was in the "impromptu poetry writing" segment. The elderly gentleman hosting the event pointed to a crabapple tree in full bloom outside the window and asked participants to write a poem on the theme of "crabapple" within a time limit of one incense stick's time.
Some people frowned in deep thought, while others wielded their brushes. Su Jingyu leaned against the window, gazing at the crabapple tree. Its pink and white blossoms swayed gracefully in the spring breeze. Suddenly, she remembered that there was another crabapple tree in the back garden of Zichen Palace, which was also in full bloom at this time of year. Xiao Jingzhan often accompanied her to enjoy tea under its branches... Feeling a pang of emotion, she whispered to Xiao Jingzhan, "Husband, I'd like to try it too."
Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Lu Chen to fetch paper and pen. Su Jingyu pondered for a moment, then picked up the pen and wrote a seven-character quatrain on the paper:
Ode to the Crabapple Blossom
Even in the depths of spring, the flowers still adorn the branches with rouge, and tender shoots cluster on jade-like steps.
Do not say that palace flowers have no guests to appreciate them; the east wind first sends word to the imperial garden.
The poem is elegant and beautiful, depicting the delicate beauty of the crabapple blossoms while cleverly using the phrase "the east wind is the vanguard" to imbue the crabapple with a sense of spirit, as if this famous flower of the palace gardens also knew of the folk gathering and rushed here to compete for spring's favor. It is both relevant to the theme and unconventional, and also subtly reveals a unique style.
Xiao Jingzhan took the poem and read it, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes. His Yu'er had always been exceptionally talented. He handed the poem to Lu Chen and whispered a few instructions.
Lu Chen understood, took the poem to the main stage, and handed it to the elderly gentleman who was hosting the event. The old gentleman unfolded it and was first surprised, then his eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly: "A fine poem! A fine poem indeed! I wonder which talented person wrote it?"
Following instructions, Lu Chen simply said, "The lady in green by the window."
All eyes immediately turned to Su Jingyu. They were amazed by her stunning beauty, elegant demeanor, and the extraordinary presence of her husband beside her.
The old gentleman recited the poem aloud to the public, drawing cheers once again. Many people inquired about the lady's identity, wondering who possessed such talent.
Su Jingyu was a little shy and quietly tugged at Xiao Jingzhan's sleeve. Xiao Jingzhan, however, held her hand tightly, gently stroking the back of her hand, his eyes full of doting and pride.
The poetry gathering continued, followed by activities such as guessing lantern riddles and matching couplets. Faced with an extremely difficult riddle that required deciphering ancient characters, the talented scholars racked their brains but could not find a solution.
Su Jingyu pondered for a moment, then whispered something in Xiao Jingzhan's ear. Xiao Jingzhan's smile deepened, and he once again had Lu Chen quietly hand over the answer.
The mystery was solved, and it was indeed correct! Now, the couple in the corner attracted even more attention. Many people cast curious and admiring glances their way.
Seeing that Su Jingyu was having a good time, but knowing that there were too many people around and it was not advisable to stay any longer, Xiao Jingzhan put his arm around her and whispered in her ear, "Sweetie, we should go. If we stay any longer, we might get surrounded by these wild students."
Su Jingyu smiled sweetly and nodded. The two left money for tea and quietly left Sifang Pavilion through a side door.
"Did you have fun today?" he asked.
"Yes! I'm very happy." Su Jingyu nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Seeing so many talented people and hearing so many interesting insights into poetry and literature is much more interesting than being in the palace. And my husband?"
“I’m happy too.” Xiao Jingzhan looked at her bright and cheerful smile, his heart softening. He paused for a moment, then added, “However, you must not show it off to outsiders in the future. My Yu’er, your talent and beauty are enough for me to appreciate.”
Su Jingyu knew he was jealous again, and gave him a coquettish glare: "You're so stingy."
"You're just stingy." Xiao Jingzhan readily admitted, pulling her closer to him to avoid the oncoming crowd. "My darling, of course I have to hide her well."
The two chatted idly along the way, bought some interesting clay figurines and sugar paintings from street vendors, and listened to the storytelling of an old street performer for a while. It wasn't until the streetlights came on that they reluctantly began their journey home.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com