Chapter 85 Reward
Upon returning to the East Palace, Xiao Jingzhan went straight to the Liuli Pavilion without even changing out of his court robes.
Su Jingyu was reading a book on the soft couch by the window when she heard footsteps. She looked up and saw him return, her eyes crinkling with joy: "Your Highness is back."
"Mmm." Xiao Jingzhan walked over and sat down beside her, naturally pulling her and the thin blanket into his arms, and lowering his head to deeply inhale the scent of her hair.
"Everything is fine, Your Highness, you need not worry." Su Jingyu said softly, noticing the lingering coldness between his brows, she gently smoothed it away. "Is there... anything happening in court?"
"It's nothing." Xiao Jingzhan held her hand and pressed it against his cheek, his voice low and gentle. "The slight disturbance has been dealt with. From now on, no one will bother you with matters concerning the Crown Prince's Palace."
Su Jingyu was slightly taken aback, then understood. He had shielded her from all the storms of life. Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, she intertwined her fingers with his and whispered, "Your Highness has gone to so much trouble."
"It's worth it for you." Xiao Jingzhan kissed her fingertips and hugged her even tighter.
Su Jingyu turned her head and smiled sweetly at him, her eyes sparkling and radiant, beautiful and delicate.
Xiao Jingzhan's heart stirred. Taking advantage of her tilted head, he kissed her delicate, jade-like cheek, then lingered on her alluring earlobe. He lowered his voice, carrying a hint of teasing and suggestion: "My darling, you've been taking such good care of yourself these past few days. Your complexion is more beautiful than a flower."
Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed slightly as she gently nudged him, "Your Highness..."
“A few days ago,” Xiao Jingzhan ignored her weak protest, tightened his arms, and held her even closer in his embrace. His thin lips brushed against her earlobe, and his hot breath caressed her. “It was so exhausting. You had to keep the court in check, clean house, and worry day and night about taking care of a disobedient little darling who jumped into the cold water…” With each word he spoke, a kiss landed on her earlobe and neck, bringing a tingling, itchy sensation.
Su Jingyu's body went weak from his kisses, her ears and neck flushed a blush, and her voice softened: "Your Highness, you've worked so hard... I'm all better now..."
“It’s all better now,” Xiao Jingzhan chuckled, his voice magnetic and husky, carrying an irresistible allure. “So…shouldn’t I ask for some ‘reward’?”
Before he finished speaking, he had already scooped her up in his arms.
“Your Highness! In broad daylight…” Su Jingyu exclaimed softly, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.
"So what if it's daytime?" Xiao Jingzhan carried her and strode towards the large, comfortable canopy bed in the inner room. His phoenix eyes were deep, and within them burned an undisguised fervor. "It is only natural for me and the Crown Princess to be in love. What difference does it make between day and night?"
He gently placed her on the bed, bracing himself on his arms beside her, trapping her in a small space, his gaze fixed intently on her shimmering eyes and luscious red lips.
"My darling, I want you." Xiao Jingzhan said simply and clearly, lowering his head to kiss her lips, dancing with her, absorbing all the sweetness from her mouth.
The air mingled, and the temperature steadily rose.
Su Jingyu was so overwhelmed by his kisses that she let him release all the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing for the past few days.
Su Jingyu's voice was soft and sweet, and her body trembled slightly as she leaned against him.
Their skin touched, the scalding heat almost melting them. Su Jingyu's dark hair was spread across the embroidered pillow, her body glistening with fragrant sweat, her skin flushed pink, breathtakingly beautiful.
She unconsciously called his name, which aroused his endless affection and desire to conquer, melting his heart.
“Yu’er…Yu’er…”
"My love, I can never love you enough."
After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Jingzhan finally...
He held her tightly in his arms, kissing her temples, eyebrows, nose, and finally his lips, which were now even more luscious, tenderly lingering on them.
"My dear..." He pressed his forehead against hers, his voice languid and husky with boundless satisfaction, "This is the reward I asked for. Are you... satisfied?"
Su Jingyu was exhausted, but her heart was filled with sweetness and happiness. She gently nuzzled his nose and replied in a soft but clear voice, "Mmm... I like anything Your Highness gives me."
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled softly, his chest heaving with a satisfied pleasure. He held her in his arms, his large hand gently stroking her soft, white skin, as if soothing his most beloved treasure.
"Are you exhausted?" he asked, his fingertips twirling a strand of her damp hair.
"A little..." Su Jingyu honestly admitted, burying her face in the crook of his neck, greedily inhaling the pleasant scent on his body that was a mixture of desire and coolness.
"Sleep well, sweetheart, I'll take care of the aftermath." He kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer into his arms.
The sun was setting outside the window, and the inner palace was quiet and peaceful.
His Yu'er was his Achilles' heel, his armor, and the ultimate destination of all his battles and schemes. He would certainly demand much more of this reward in the future.
Time flows like water, two years have passed quietly.
In the past two years, the power of the Great Sheng Kingdom has grown increasingly stronger. Under Xiao Jingzhan's decisive leadership, the northern border is impregnable; trade routes to the west are unimpeded; the southern frontier is won over; and the coastal regions are peaceful. Under the Crown Prince's reforms, the court is clean and efficient, new policies are implemented smoothly, the national treasury is full, and the people live in peace and prosperity. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan's prestige and ability are now unmatched.
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Su Jingyu, with her gentleness and wisdom, quietly made an undeniable contribution to the Crown Prince and the country.
She managed the Eastern Palace in an orderly manner, treated the palace staff kindly, and handled matters fairly, so that Xiao Jingzhan had no worries about the inner palace.
She frequently hosted small gatherings of women, inviting the wives of high-ranking officials and nobles, using elegant activities such as flower viewing, tea tasting, and copying scriptures as a pretext to appease and communicate with them.
From these ladies, she could keenly perceive subtle movements within the homes of court officials, hidden worries among the people, or minor public opinions that were inconvenient to report formally. She would then subtly remind Xiao Jingzhan in casual conversation, and many problems were detected and resolved in advance.
She used the improved formula from the sacred spring to create affordable and effective medicines, which were then sent to disaster areas or distributed to the poor. Her low-key approach and lack of seeking fame further highlighted the benevolent rule and love for the people shown by the Crown Prince and his wife.
She also improved several prescriptions for treating common injuries and illnesses of border troops (such as frostbite, rheumatism, and knife wounds) and preventing epidemics in the south. These prescriptions were delivered to the military and local communities through reliable channels. They were very effective, greatly reducing non-combat casualties and losses from epidemics, and thus strengthening national defense and stabilizing the local area.
Finally, on a clear autumn day, a day of abundant harvest, Emperor Xiao Yan made a decision that shocked the court and the country—to abdicate.
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