Chapter 30 It's Just You
He personally helped her to her seat, his movements careful and considerate, his undisguised appreciation making everyone realize once again how much Consort Su meant to the Crown Prince.
As the banquet reached its climax, music filled the air, and singing and dancing abounded. Perhaps it was the wine's influence, or perhaps it was lingering resentment, but Princess Yongjia, who had once been severely punished by the Crown Prince, couldn't contain herself any longer. She rose with a smile to toast the Empress, then changed the subject: "Empress Aunt, on this festive day, merely watching music and dance is rather monotonous. I've heard that Consort Su has a melodious voice, especially skilled in Jiangnan folk songs. I wonder if we, your humble servants, will have the honor of hearing such heavenly music again?"
Her words caused an immediate silence in the room. Everyone knew that Consort Su was pregnant. To make a pregnant concubine sing in public was clearly a deliberate attempt by Princess Yongjia to make things difficult for her, to reduce her to a performer for amusement, which was utterly improper.
The Empress's expression darkened slightly, and she was about to refuse when Su Jingyu smiled gently, rose, and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, Your Highness is too kind. My skills are rudimentary, and I dare not embarrass myself. Moreover, I have heard that His Highness the Third Prince has recently learned a new piece, 'Drinking Alone Under the Moon,' with clear and melodious flute notes and a lofty artistic conception. Would you please invite His Highness to play a piece to enhance the refined atmosphere?"
Her voice was not loud, but clear and pleasant. With a few deft words, she not only defused the difficult situation, but also shifted the focus to the Third Prince Xiao Jingxuan, who was known as the "Elegant Prince," giving him a way out.
The Third Prince, Xiao Jingxuan, was clearly not expected to be called out. He was slightly taken aback, then smiled gently and stood up, saying, "Consort Su, you flatter me. Since you have given the order, I will make a fool of myself." When his gaze swept over Su Jingyu, it carried a hint of appreciation and gentleness.
Su Jingyu remained calm and composed, skillfully shifting the focus to the Third Prince Xiao Jingxuan, who was renowned for his refined music, thus easily defusing the awkward situation. Her words and actions were appropriate, neither humble nor arrogant.
Xiao Jingzhan's hand holding the cup paused slightly, a barely perceptible shadow of gloom flashing deep in his eyes. Yongjia… it seems the previous lesson was too lenient. His gaze swept indifferently over the Third Prince, Xiao Jingxuan, who had risen to play the flute.
As the Third Prince Xiao Jingxuan played the flute, his gaze would occasionally, seemingly unintentionally, sweep over Su Jingyu beside the Crown Prince, his eyes filled with pure appreciation and an indescribable tenderness. Xiao Jingzhan, however, maintained a faint smile on his lips, conversing quietly with the Emperor, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.
However, he tightened his grip on Su Jingyu's hand almost imperceptibly for a moment, with just the right amount of force—conveying his presence without hurting her.
Su Jingyu seemed to sense something, and slightly turned her head to meet his deep eyes. Xiao Jingzhan smiled gently at her, raising his hand to tidy up her non-existent stray hairs at her temples, his actions intimate and natural, as if to say, "I'm here for you." But Su Jingyu keenly caught a fleeting glint in his eyes, a glint like a beast guarding its territory.
During a break in the banquet, Su Jingyu returned after changing her clothes and unexpectedly encountered the Third Prince in the corridor. Xiao Jingxuan spoke gently, with a hint of regret and concern. Alarm bells rang in Su Jingyu's mind; she immediately and firmly refused and hurriedly left.
All of this was naturally seen by the shadow guards in the shadows without any error, and was immediately reported to Xiao Jingzhan, who was having a brief conversation with his trusted minister.
After hearing the shadow guard's whisper, Xiao Jingzhan's expression remained unchanged, even the smile on his lips did not change. However, his eyes instantly darkened, like the calm sea before a storm. He gently ended his conversation with the minister and turned to walk towards Su Jingyu, who was waiting for him.
The atmosphere in the carriage on the way back to the East Palace was unusually quiet.
Su Jingyu was a little uneasy, so she leaned into Xiao Jingzhan's arms and whispered, "Your Highness, just now in the corridor..."
“I know.” Xiao Jingzhan interrupted her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer into his embrace. His chin rested on the top of her head, his voice devoid of emotion. “My dear, you handled it very well.” His hand gently covered her slightly protruding belly, stroking it lightly with a soothing tone.
But Su Jingyu could sense that his aura was lower than usual, and his embrace was tighter, carrying an undeniable possessiveness. She didn't say anything more, but simply nestled obediently against him.
Back at the Glazed Pavilion, he dismissed all the palace servants. Xiao Jingzhan didn't immediately press for answers, but instead, as usual, personally helped her remove her makeup and wash up, his movements still gentle and meticulous. However, when he removed her hairpins and watched her cascading black hair fall down, he gazed at her exquisite face in the mirror, unable to look away for a long time.
"Yu'er," he called her softly, his voice a little hoarse.
"Hmm?" Su Jingyu looked back at him in the mirror.
“You look beautiful at today’s palace banquet.” He leaned down and embraced her from behind, his warm lips pressed against her sensitive ear, his breath hot. “So beautiful… that I wish I could hide you away and only show you to me.”
His tone was soft, even tinged with a hint of amusement, but Su Jingyu sensed an almost uncontrollable possessiveness within it. Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned around, taking the initiative to hug his waist. Looking up at him, her eyes were clear and firm: "Wherever Your Highness is, that's where I am. In my eyes and in my heart, there is only Your Highness."
Xiao Jingzhan gazed deeply into her eyes, as if trying to confirm every word she spoke. After a long while, his tense jawline relaxed slightly, and he lowered his head to kiss her lips.
This kiss was no longer the usual tender and lingering one, but rather carried a predatory depth and urgency, as if to confirm her complete ownership through this method.
After the kiss ended, both of them were breathless. Xiao Jingzhan picked her up and carried her to the bed, but instead of rushing to make love, he carefully placed her on the bed and lay down beside her fully clothed, holding her tightly in his arms, so tightly that she was almost embedded into his body.
"Sweetie, don't move, let me hold you for a while." He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her unique fragrance, his voice muffled, "I'm just... a little unhappy."
Su Jingyu understood; he was jealous and seeking reassurance and confirmation through this extreme dependence. Her heart softened, and she hugged him back, gently patting his back like she was comforting a child: "Your Highness, I belong to you, and only to you."
That night, Xiao Jingzhan made no further moves, simply holding her tightly as if she would disappear if he let go. Su Jingyu let him be, quietly staying by his side until his breathing became steady and he fell into a deep sleep.
However, His Highness the Crown Prince's displeasure never remained merely an emotional state.
The following day, several imperial edicts were quietly issued:
Princess Yongjia was ordered by the Empress to be sent to a royal temple in the suburbs of the capital to "pray for blessings" because of her "improper words and deeds" and the date of her return was uncertain.
The Third Prince, Xiao Jingxuan, was dispatched by the Emperor to a remote prefecture in the southwest to oversee the grain transport under the pretext of "experiencing the people's conditions." He was to depart immediately, and his return date was also uncertain.
There was no fierce conflict, no public reprimand, but all discerning people knew that this was His Highness the Crown Prince's silent warning and punishment. Anyone who coveted or attempted to touch his treasures would not even have the slightest chance.
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