Chapter 31 Drawing
As autumn deepened, the crabapple blossoms in the courtyard of the Liuli Pavilion bore bright red fruit, and the osmanthus flowers exuded a rich, sweet fragrance. Su Jingyu's pregnant belly was clearly showing, adding a touch of languid charm to her movements. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan moved more government affairs to the Liuli Pavilion, wishing he could keep her under his watchful eye at all times.
That day, Xiao Jingzhan was reviewing memorials under the crabapple tree in the courtyard, while Su Jingyu leaned against a chaise lounge with thick cushions beside him, sewing a small garment for her unborn child. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, a scene of serene beauty.
The Imperial Household Department dispatched painters from the Imperial Painting Bureau to create portraits of the Crown Princess and several high-ranking concubines for use in the imperial genealogy. The painter who arrived at the Liuli Pavilion was a young man surnamed Gu, with delicate features and an elegant demeanor.
"Your humble servant Gu Qingzhu greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Consort." The painter knelt and bowed, his voice gentle.
"Rise." Xiao Jingzhan didn't even raise his head, only responding lightly, his gaze still fixed on the memorial.
Su Jingyu put down her needlework and said gently, "Thank you for your trouble, Painter Gu."
Gu Qingzhu rose, not daring to look directly at the distinguished person, and lowered his eyes to begin preparing his painting tools. His skills were indeed superb; he laid out the paper and ground the ink with fluid movements. When painting, he was completely focused, his brushstrokes precise, and with just a few strokes, he had already sketched Su Jingyu's leisurely posture and gentle charm as she leaned against the recliner.
Seeing that he was so young yet so skilled, Su Jingyu couldn't help but softly praise, "Painter Gu's brushwork is exquisite, and his composition is also excellent."
She had only made a casual compliment, her voice soft. However, Xiao Jingzhan, who seemed to be focused on the memorial, paused almost imperceptibly with his pen in hand.
Gu Qingzhu was flattered and quickly bowed, saying, "You flatter me, Your Highness. I am humbled."
Xiao Jingzhan slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over Gu Qingzhu. His eyes were unfathomable, revealing no emotion, yet they sent a chill down Gu Qingzhu's spine, causing her to lower her head even further.
"Finished drawing?" Xiao Jingzhan's voice was unreadable.
"Your Highness, the sketch is complete, but the details still need to be polished back at home," Gu Qingzhu replied respectfully.
"Hmm, step down." Xiao Jingzhan waved his hand, his tone indifferent.
Gu Qingzhu felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly packed up her painting tools, bowed, and left, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on her back.
Silence returned to the courtyard. Su Jingyu didn't dwell on the little incident and picked up her needle and thread again, measuring the size of the clothes. Xiao Jingzhan put down his vermilion brush, walked over and sat down beside her, naturally pulling her into his arms and placing his large hand on her pregnant belly.
"Are you tired?" he asked softly, his fingertips gently tracing the smooth curves beneath the fabric.
"Not tired." Su Jingyu shook her head, leaned on his shoulder, looked up at him, and smiled, "Is Your Highness finished with your work?"
"Mmm." Xiao Jingzhan responded, looking down at her delicate face so close to his. In the autumn sunlight, her skin was radiant, her eyebrows curved, and she was a hundred times more vivid than in the painting. The subtle displeasure he felt because of the stranger vanished instantly, replaced by a strong sense of possessiveness.
His beloved child can only be a sight to behold for him alone.
"Was the painting by that artist just now well done?" Xiao Jingzhan asked casually, his fingertips twirling a strand of her hair.
Su Jingyu didn't notice anything amiss and nodded honestly: "Yes, although she is young, her painting skills are very mature, and she captures the expressions very accurately."
"Is that so?" Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone still calm. "I think it's merely similar in form, but far from capturing the spirit." How could a mere painting paper possibly capture the vivacity and beauty of his Yu'er?
Su Jingyu chuckled, assuming it was just love blindness, and said coquettishly, "Your Highness just knows how to make me happy."
Xiao Jingzhan remained noncommittal, lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, ceasing the discussion about the painter. However, that very night, Su Jingyu experienced the Crown Prince's subtle "punishment."
After dinner, Xiao Jingzhan didn't hold her and chat with her as usual. Instead, he ordered someone to prepare water for her bath. In the bath, he washed her more meticulously than usual, leaving no inch of her skin untouched. His movements were slow and suggestive, carrying a strong implication. The warm water and his burning palms sent shivers down Su Jingyu's spine.
"Your Highness..." her voice was soft, her cheeks flushed.
Xiao Jingzhan turned her around to face him. In the misty steam, his gaze was as deep as the night, locking onto her hazy eyes: "My dear, you praised that painter today... I'm jealous."
Su Jingyu was taken aback, then suddenly realized that he had actually remembered that casual compliment! She was both amused and touched, and proactively wrapped her arms around his neck, offering him a sweet kiss: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong… In my heart, Your Highness is the best, no one can compare…"
These words pleased Xiao Jingzhan. He chuckled softly, kissed her, and made the apology long and tender. Although her pregnancy prevented him from being fully satisfied, he always had a way of using extreme gentleness and skill to make her lose her mind and become completely immersed in his scent, so that she would no longer have time to think about anyone else.
When Xiao Jingzhan lifted Su Jingyu, whose body was limp and whose eyes were red, from the water, seeing her curled up dependently in his arms, unable to even move her fingertips, the last vestiges of jealousy in his heart completely turned into satisfaction. He carefully dried her body, dressed her in her nightgown, and carried her back to bed, treating her like a fragile treasure.
"From now on, you are only allowed to praise me, do you understand?" He held her in his arms and whispered in her ear, his tone domineering and unquestionable.
Su Jingyu was exhausted. She mumbled an "Mmm," snuggled closer to him, found the most comfortable position, and fell into a deep sleep.
Looking at the sleeping face of the person in his arms, Xiao Jingzhan's lips curled into a satisfied smile. His darling, from head to toe, even a single strand of hair, could only belong to him.
A few days later, Su Jingyu received the completed portrait, which was indeed exceptionally well-painted. However, she discovered—
The woman in the painting is clearly her! The same recliner, the same autumn courtyard backdrop. But in this painting, her eyes are lively, a gentle smile plays on her lips, and she gazes down at the unfinished little garment in her hands, her eyes filled with maternal radiance and anticipation. Sunlight shines on her, even her hair seems to glow with warmth.
The painting is more unrestrained in its brushwork, with ink tones that are just right, capturing her spirit perfectly and vividly. It is far more lifelike and beautiful than the one painted by the court painter.
In one corner of the painting, there was a small personal seal—"Zhan." The ink was bright red, just like the flame that was burning in her heart at that moment.
Su Jingyu's heart was instantly filled with immense sweetness! Her Highness was even so skilled in painting! He must have been secretly jealous when he saw her praising the painter that day, and insisted on painting an even better one for her himself!
This man... how can he be so adorable, yet so domineering!
Her fingertips gently traced the signature on the painting, as if she could feel his focus and affection while he was painting. Her cheeks flushed, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.
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