Chapter 48 My good boy has done another great deed
Crown Princess Li gripped her silk fan tightly and forced a smile, saying, "My sister is truly skillful."
Consort Zhang, seated at the lower end of the table, her face thickly coated with face cream, felt even more annoyed upon hearing this. Just the other day, she had disfigured herself by imitating Lady Su's flower bathing method, and now this person was stealing the spotlight again!
The emperor asked with great interest about the method of making the fragrant dew, and Xiao Jingzhan answered fluently, recounting Su Jingyu's ingenious idea in detail, his words filled with undisguised pride.
At the height of the banquet, the Emperor suddenly said, "Consort Su is so intelligent and virtuous, she deserves to be rewarded! Issue my decree: bestow upon her one bushel of pearls from the East Sea and ten bolts of brocade!"
Xiao Jingzhan rose and bowed, saying, "Father, I have a request."
"speak."
"Recently, Lady Su has been studying medical books and discovered several medicinal herbs found in the malaria-ridden southern border regions, which may be used to prepare preventative medicine sachets. Your Majesty, I would like to request that the Imperial Medical Academy allocate two physicians to assist in this effort. If this can be accomplished, it will be a great benefit to both the army and the people."
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent. The Emperor clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Excellent! Excellent! The Crown Prince and his family are concerned for the people; I grant their request! The entire Imperial Medical Academy is at your disposal!"
The Empress nodded with a smile, "You are very kind, Lady Su."
A palace banquet instantly became a celebrated tale of the Su family's concern for the world. Xiao Jingzhan lowered his eyes, concealing the deep meaning within them. His Yu'er certainly deserved the best reputation.
At this moment, inside the Glazed Pavilion.
Su Jingyu was gently patting her son, who was whimpering due to a slight fever, and carefully feeding him warm water. Hearing the commotion at the palace banquet, she only smiled faintly. With Yu'er unwell, how could she be in the mood to attend the banquet? The Emperor and Empress doted on their grandson and had already granted her permission to stay in the palace to take care of him.
"Your Highness, His Highness has returned!" Yun Shu reported with a smile.
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingzhan strode in, followed by palace servants carrying several boxes of gifts. He first bent down to feel his son's forehead, and only after feeling that the fever had subsided did he reassure himself and pull Su Jingyu into his arms: "My dear, you've worked so hard. Is Yu'er feeling any better?"
"The fever has just subsided, and I'm sleeping soundly." Su Jingyu leaned against his chest, her gaze sweeping over the obviously extravagant rewards, and she understood. She tilted her head and lightly pecked his lips, a sly smile playing on her lips: "Your Highness has asked for another reward for me? Such a generous gift makes me feel unworthy."
Xiao Jingzhan adored her bright and intelligent appearance. He lowered his head and kissed her soft lips deeply, saying in a hoarse voice, "My dear, it's worth it. Today, your Hibiscus Dew relieved the summer heat at the palace banquet, and Father and Mother were very pleased." He paused, gazing into her eyes, "I have also asked Father for permission to allow you to work with the Imperial Hospital to develop an anti-epidemic medicine sachet."
Su Jingyu was slightly taken aback, then understood. Where was her studying medical books? It was clearly him who found her a major job that could both earn her a good reputation and truly benefit the people! Her current comfortable and honorable life, and the fact that her occasional "brilliant ideas" were valued, were all because this man was paving the way for her without her noticing, turning every bit of her strength into a cornerstone for a stable position.
A warm current surged in her heart. She took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Her voice was muffled but full of dependence: "Your Highness has thought of everything for me. I... have no way to repay you."
"My dear," Xiao Jingzhan gently stroked her hair, "your well-being and that of Yu'er is the best reward for me. Besides..." He chuckled, "My dear, have you forgotten that you do know some methods of epidemic prevention?"
Su Jingyu recalled the modern epidemic prevention concepts she had mentioned to him, such as drinking water cleaning and waste disposal, and smiled: "How dare my humble knowledge compare with that of the imperial physician?"
“Your insights are often more practical than those old fogies in the Imperial Medical Academy,” Xiao Jingzhan said solemnly. “Just go ahead and do it. I will have the Imperial Physicians fully cooperate. If it succeeds, it will be a blessing for all people and a merit for you; even if it fails, with me here, no one will dare to utter a single word of dissent.”
A few days later, two directors of the Imperial Medical Academy were ordered to go to the Eastern Palace.
Su Jingyu did not presume to be arrogant. She only proposed easily implemented principles such as boiling drinking water, disinfecting with lime, and isolating patients, and discussed with the imperial physicians how to incorporate them into the medicine formula and formulate epidemic prevention guidelines. Her words were humble and reasonable, which gradually convinced the imperial physicians who were initially skeptical.
Although Xiao Jingzhan was not directly involved, he paid close attention to the situation. Soon, a set of epidemic prevention regulations combining medicinal formulas and hygiene rules was presented to the emperor. The emperor was delighted after reading it and immediately promulgated it for trial implementation at the border, which effectively controlled the spread of the epidemic.
When the news reached the capital, the Emperor and Empress praised the Crown Prince and Lady Su highly, and the people were also grateful for the Eastern Palace's kindness. Xiao Jingzhan's prestige soared even higher.
Inside the Liuli Pavilion, Su Jingyu was watching her son taking his first steps in the distance, being cared for by palace servants. Xiao Jingzhan returned from court, embraced her from behind, and rested his chin on the top of her head: "My good boy, you've done another great service."
Su Jingyu turned around and smiled, her eyes sparkling: "It was Your Highness's plan; I merely did a small favor."
She knew very well that it was this man in front of her who gave her the space to perform and steadily protected her from the turmoil.
Xiao Jingzhan understood her gaze, his heart overflowing with satisfaction. He kissed the crown of her head and said, "As long as you're happy."
"Yu'er..." he called softly, his voice hoarse with emotion.
Su Jingyu tiptoed and pressed her soft lips to his. The kiss was filled with endless gratitude and dependence. Xiao Jingzhan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he immediately took the initiative, holding the back of her neck with one hand and deepening the kiss.
As their lips and tongues intertwined, the delicate fragrance of lotus dew lingered, along with her unique sweet warmth and the unspoken understanding and deep affection that had developed over the years. His kiss was incredibly tender, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
"My dear... I'll reward you properly tonight..."
"Your Highness...you're being inappropriate again."
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled softly, his chest heaving with pleasure.
...
The royal martial arts training ground on the outskirts of Beijing.
Banners fluttered in the wind, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens. Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan, clad in light black armor, stood on the command platform, his phoenix eyes sharp as an eagle's, scanning the ever-changing military formation below. Days of training in the military camp, exposed to wind and sun, had hardened his jawline, and he exuded the oppressive aura of someone long accustomed to a high position and the chilling aura honed on the battlefield.
"The left flank advance is too slow! The right flank cannot encircle them in time! Let's start over!" His voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed across the training ground, carrying an unquestionable authority.
The soldiers below the platform were all awe-inspiring, obeying orders without question, and changing formations with effortless ease. Several veteran generals accompanying him nodded secretly. Although His Highness the Crown Prince was young, he was exceptionally gifted in military strategy, tactics, and troop training. What was even more remarkable was that he led by example, eating and training alongside his soldiers. In just a few days, he had won over these proud and fierce generals.
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