Chapter 34 Endless Shock and Envy
At this moment, Jinshu came over carrying a red lacquered food box, bowed and said, "Liangdi, the rock sugar stewed pears and almond milk you ordered are ready and still chilled. Would you like some now?"
Upon opening the food box, a refreshing and sweet aroma wafted out. The rock sugar stewed pears were crystal clear, the almond milk was as white as jade, and a few bright red goji berries were scattered around, making it look incredibly appetizing.
Su Jingyu had a good appetite during her pregnancy. Seeing this, she smiled and said to Zhang Liangyuan, "Sister Zhang, would you like some of these too? This rock sugar pear soup is good for the lungs, and the almond milk is refreshing."
Zhang Liangyuan wanted to refuse, but the alluring sweet fragrance and cool scent were too tempting on the autumn afternoon. She couldn't help but swallow and nodded as if possessed: "Then... I'll trouble you, sister."
The three sat down in the nearby pavilion. Zhang Liangyuan took a bite of the chilled almond yogurt, and its smooth, delicate, sweet but not cloying, and refreshingly cool taste instantly won her over! Her eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but scoop up another spoonful: "This...this tastes so good! Was it made by the new pastry chef at the Imperial Kitchen?"
Su Jingyu smiled and said, "It was made by the small kitchen of Liuli Pavilion according to the recipe I wrote. If you like it, I will have them copy the recipe and send it to you."
Zhang Liangyuan looked at Su Jingyu in surprise, never expecting that this dessert was her idea! She suddenly remembered that it seemed that several refreshing snacks and cold drinks that were popular in the Eastern Palace recently originated from Liuli Pavilion.
No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince dotes on her so much; with such a clever mind, even the food is so unique and tempting! The sourness in her heart inexplicably faded a little, and instead a trace of admiration and... a feeling of craving arose.
"Well... thank you very much, little sister," Zhang Liangyuan said somewhat shyly.
A simple afternoon tea session subtly eased the tension between the two.
As evening fell, the Liuli Pavilion was brightly lit and filled with warmth.
Xiao Jingzhan had just finished dealing with official business when he returned to Liuli Pavilion. Su Jingyu was leaning against a soft couch, flipping through a travelogue. Xiao Jingzhan naturally walked over, picked her up along with the blanket, and sat on the couch, letting her comfortably lean against him.
"What are you looking at so intently?" He rubbed his chin against the top of her head, his voice languid.
“It’s a local history book about the Jiangnan region.” Su Jingyu held the book up higher so he could see it too. “Your Highness, look, this West Lake Vinegar Fish looks really good.”
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled, "Trying to get some? Have the Imperial Kitchen make some for you to try tomorrow." As he spoke, he picked up the warm milk on the small table, tested the temperature, and brought it to her lips, "Drink some milk first."
Su Jingyu took small sips from his hand, her posture one of dependence.
Just then, hurried footsteps and a palace maid's soft cry came from outside the hall: "Consort Zhang, you can't go in! His Highness and Consort Liang are having their meal..."
Before she could finish speaking, the curtain was lifted! Zhang Liangyuan, holding a scroll, rushed in excitedly: "Sister Su, I found a chrysanthemum painting from the previous dynasty, thinking you might like it..." Her words trailed off, and she froze in the doorway, staring dumbfounded at the scene before her—
Inside the magnificent and warm palace, the lights were bright. The Crown Prince, usually so aloof and imposing, whose gaze was unapproachable, was actually… actually holding Consort Su in his arms, sitting on the couch! Consort Su leaned languidly against his chest, one of his arms around her waist, the other… holding a jade bowl, carefully feeding her milk! And Consort Su, taking small sips from his hand, looked completely at ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world!
His Highness the Crown Prince showed no impatience or coldness. His eyes were lowered, and the gaze he gave the person in his arms was one she had never seen before… gentle? No, even doting! That almost reverent protectiveness completely overturned Zhang Liangyuan's entire understanding of the Crown Prince!
The moment Zhang Liangyuan burst in, Xiao Jingzhan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his gentle aura vanished instantly, replaced by an invisible pressure. He didn't put down the bowl in his hand, but merely raised his eyes, coldly sweeping them over the stunned Zhang Liangyuan, his gaze like an icy blade: "What is it?"
Those two short words, carrying a chilling coldness, jolted Zhang Liangyuan awake from her immense shock! Startled, her hand trembled, and the scroll fell to the ground with a "thud." Her face turned deathly pale, and she hurriedly knelt down:
"Your Highness... Your Highness, please forgive me! I... I didn't know Your Highness was here... I came to deliver a painting manual to Sister Su..." She stammered, her heart pounding like a drum, and she almost fainted.
Su Jingyu was also taken aback by the sudden situation and gently nudged Xiao Jingzhan's arm. Xiao Jingzhan understood, and although he was displeased, he considered her feelings and looked away, his tone softening slightly: "Put down the painting and leave."
"Yes! Yes! Your Majesty, I take my leave!" Consort Zhang felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She hurriedly picked up the scroll and placed it on a small table to the side. She practically scrambled out of the room, her back covered in a cold sweat.
Only after running a long way from the Glazed Pavilion, a gust of cold wind blew, did Consort Zhang regain her senses, leaning against a pillar and panting heavily. The astonishing scene from just moments before kept replaying in her mind—His Highness the Crown Prince personally feeding her, holding Consort Su in his arms like a precious treasure…
So... so this is what His Highness is like in private! So the rumors of his extreme favor are true! Even more so than the rumors suggest!
The resentment and jealousy she felt due to family interests and her teenage crush vanished completely at this moment, leaving only endless shock and... endless envy.
That kind of pampering was exclusively for Su Jingyu. No one else even had the right to dream of it.
Inside the hall, Xiao Jingzhan snorted in displeasure, "No manners." Looking down at the person in his arms, his gaze softened again, "Were you frightened?"
Su Jingyu shook her head, hugged his neck, and said softly, "Your Highness is so fierce, you scared Sister Zhang to death."
"She deserves it." Xiao Jingzhan said dismissively, lowering his head to kiss the corner of her lips. "From now on, no one is allowed to disturb you during meals." His tenderness and his loss of composure were reserved for her alone.
Su Jingyu felt a sweet warmth in her heart and tilted her head back to respond to his kiss.
...
Su Jingyu was nearly nine months pregnant, her belly was high and protruding, and her movements were becoming increasingly slow. She often had trouble sleeping at night due to fetal movements or back pain. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan stayed by her side every night. Whenever she made the slightest movement, he would wake up immediately, gently soothe her, adjust her sleeping position, or pat her back to help her fall asleep.
That morning, Su Jingyu woke up feeling heavier than usual, listless and unwilling to move. Xiao Jingzhan had already gotten up and was being helped to change by servants. Seeing that she was awake and her eyes were still sleepy, he quickly waved away the palace servants, sat down by the bed, and pulled her, along with the blanket, into his arms.
"Honey, you're awake? Are you still feeling unwell?" He gently placed his warm hand on her abdomen, feeling the movement of the little one inside, his tone filled with unwavering worry and tenderness.
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