Chapter 40 The Su Family's Unparalleled Prestige
She looked at Xiao Jingzhan earnestly, "Your Highness, Yu'er is young. If she does anything wrong, I hope Your Highness will forgive her. I... entrust her to Your Highness." These words were an entrustment based on complete trust.
Xiao Jingzhan's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze towards Su Jingyu was deep and firm: "Don't worry, Mother-in-law." These four simple words carried the weight of a promise.
Su's mother almost shed tears, tears of relief. She said no more, gave Su Jingyu a few more words of advice to rest well, and then tactfully withdrew.
Only the two of them remained in the hall. Xiao Jingzhan sat down by the couch, picked up the jade bowl, stirred it gently with a silver spoon, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it carefully, and tested the temperature with his lips before holding it to Su Jingyu's lips: "Come on, sweetie, open your mouth."
Watching his meticulous actions, Su Jingyu felt a surge of sweetness in her heart and obediently opened her mouth to drink it. The medicine was slightly bitter, and she frowned slightly.
"Is it bitter?" Xiao Jingzhan immediately noticed, put down the spoon, and touched her brow with his fingertips, his tone full of heartache, "Bear with it, it'll be fine after you finish drinking it." He scooped up another spoonful, blew on it more carefully, and then fed it to her.
He fed her spoonful by spoonful with great patience, occasionally wiping the soup stains from the corners of her lips with his warm fingertips, his gaze always gently fixed on her face. Su Jingyu obediently drank her soup, her almond-shaped eyes looking at him with watery eyes, full of dependence.
The bowl of medicine was finally empty, and Xiao Jingzhan immediately picked up a candied crabapple and fed it to her. The sweet and sour taste melted in her mouth, washing away the bitterness, and Su Jingyu squinted her eyes in satisfaction, looking delicate and soft.
"Is it still bitter?" he asked softly, his fingertips brushing against her puffed-up cheeks.
Su Jingyu shook her head, swallowed the dried fruit, and took the initiative to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and said softly, "It's so good to have Your Highness here."
Xiao Jingzhan's heart skipped a beat. He gently pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head and patting her back as if he were coaxing his most precious treasure.
Inside Changchun Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense, but the atmosphere was not as somber as usual; instead, it exuded an unusual calmness.
Crown Princess Li sat regally in the main seat, her makeup exquisite, her clothes luxurious, her expression calm, even carrying a hint of detached indifference. Below her sat her mother, Lady Liu, wife of the Duke of Cheng'en. Lady Liu's brows furrowed with lingering worry and a touch of resentment.
"Mother, what brings you to the palace today?" Madam Li asked, picking up her teacup and gently stirring the floating leaves. Her tone was calm.
Seeing her daughter's state, Lady Liu grew even more anxious and couldn't help but lower her voice, saying, "My child, how can you remain so calm? That Lady Su is currently enjoying unparalleled influence. She gave birth to the eldest grandson of the emperor, and the Emperor and Empress's rewards are flowing into the Liuli Pavilion like water! In the Eastern Palace, who still remembers you as the principal wife? Even your maternal family... your father is finding it difficult to move forward in the court!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Li's lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile: "What can you do if you don't keep your composure? Does Mother perhaps want her daughter to emulate Princess Yongjia or Prince An?"
Lady Liu choked, remembering the fate of the two who had angered His Highness the Crown Prince, and was immediately speechless.
Madam Li put down her teacup, her gaze sweeping over the familiar furnishings in the hall. Her voice was clear and calm: "Mother, even now, don't you understand? His Highness's heart is already set on Madam Su. What kind of person is His Highness? His literary and military talents, his intelligence and methods, far exceed our imagination. To confront him head-on is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock. Yongjia and Prince An are the lessons of the past."
Lady Liu sighed, "Are we just going to let it go like this? My son is the rightful Crown Princess, married through proper channels!"
“Crown Princess?” Madam Li repeated the title softly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. “This position is both an honor and a shackle. It has given me prestige, but it has also made me the target of everyone’s criticism. Now, His Highness only has eyes for Madam Su and the eldest grandson of the Emperor. If we do not know when to advance and retreat, I am afraid we will not even be able to keep this last bit of dignity.”
She looked at her mother, her eyes sharpening slightly: "Father, while in court, you must be even more cautious in your words and actions, and simply remain loyal to your duties. You must absolutely avoid any conflict with the Crown Prince or the Su family. His Highness detests factionalism and inquiries into inner affairs. As long as Father behaves himself, His Highness, out of consideration for the Li family's generations of loyalty, will not easily harm us. But if we ourselves stray from the right path..."
She didn't say anything more, but Lady Liu was already drenched in a cold sweat. She knew about the Crown Prince's methods.
"Then... what are my son's plans for the future?" Madam Liu's tone softened.
Li took a deep breath and slowly said, "Wait."
"wait?"
"Hmm." Madam Li gazed out the window, a hint of world-weary indifference in her expression. "Waiting for an opportunity. First, waiting for the eldest grandson to grow up. Childbirth is not uncommon; who can predict the future?" Her voice was low and chilling. "Second, waiting for His Highness... perhaps there will be a time when he needs to balance the court and must rely on the powerful families. Third," she stroked her flat stomach, a flicker of resentment and hope in her eyes, "waiting for myself, whether I will have the opportunity to give birth to a legitimate son. Only bloodline is the foundation of our existence."
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu felt somewhat relieved. Her daughter had not been defeated by the current predicament; instead, she had thought things through so deeply.
"As for Consort Su," Li said calmly, "not only should we not antagonize her, but we should also be polite to her. She is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, and making things difficult for her is making things difficult for His Highness. We just need to do our duty, abide by the palace rules, and leave no room for criticism. We must not show even the slightest bit of jealousy."
She looked at her mother and said solemnly, "Mother, you must tell Father when you get back that what the Li family needs to do now is to remain still, not to act rashly. Keep your sharp edge hidden and wait for the right opportunity. Before I give birth to my legitimate son, any rash actions will only lead to our own destruction."
Looking at her daughter's calm, almost cold profile, Madam Liu suddenly felt that her daughter seemed to have grown up overnight. She was no longer the girl who needed the protection of her family, but had truly acquired the shrewdness and cunning of a Crown Princess. Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she finally let out a long sigh: "I understand. Be careful in the palace."
Madam Li nodded: "Mother, don't worry, I know what's important."
After her mother left, Changchun Palace fell silent once more. Li Shi walked alone to the window, gazing towards the Liuli Pavilion, her hand slowly clenching in her sleeve. She would not admit defeat. As long as she remained the rightful Crown Princess, as long as the Li family did not fall, she still had a chance. The humiliation and waiting she endured now were all for the future.
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