Chapter 59: Top-notch in both literary and military skills
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow around her, making even the small white jade pendant on her earlobe appear exceptionally warm and lustrous.
He put down his vermilion brush and silently walked behind her. The drawing on the paper depicted him practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard the day before—a dark, sleek outfit, a long sword like a rainbow; though only a few strokes were used, his sharp and imposing aura was vividly portrayed. Beside the drawing was a line of small characters: "My lord's heroic figure, his sword moves all directions."
Xiao Jingzhan's heart softened, and he hugged her from behind, gently nuzzling the top of her head with his chin: "When did you steal this drawing? Hmm?"
Su Jingyu was startled, and the tip of her pen smeared a small blot of ink on the paper. She turned back reproachfully, "Your Highness walks without making a sound!" Then, somewhat embarrassed, she tried to hide the drawing, "It was just a doodle, Your Highness, please don't laugh."
"It's very well drawn." Xiao Jingzhan grasped her hand as she tried to hide the painting, his fingertips gently tracing the ink marks on the paper. "These two characters, 'My Lord'..." He deliberately dragged out his words, and seeing her ears turn red, he chuckled softly, "They deeply capture my heart."
Su Jingyu blushed and turned to bury her face in his chest: "Your Highness always teases me!"
"How could you be joking?" Xiao Jingzhan adored her coquettish manner, pulling her onto his lap to sit comfortably. Pointing to the moves in the painting, he said, "This move, 'Rainbow Piercing the Sun,' could be enhanced with even more power. And here..." He then proceeded to explain the essence of swordsmanship to her, using the painting as a guide. Although Su Jingyu didn't understand martial arts, she listened with great interest, occasionally asking questions, her eyes sparkling.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside, and He Yong's voice rang out: "Your Highness, Minister Li of the Ministry of War and Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue request an audience."
Xiao Jingzhan's expression turned serious, and he carefully helped Su Jingyu sit back on the couch: "Be good and keep painting here. I'll be right back."
Su Jingyu nodded obediently. Seeing the hem of his robe flutter slightly as he turned around, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She picked up her brush and added a round, snowball-like cat next to the painting, chasing after the tassels on his robe. After finishing the painting, she smiled to herself.
Faint sounds of discussion drifted from outside. Su Jingyu put down her pen. With nothing to do, she noticed a fine piece of Shoushan stone paperweight on the table. She picked up a small knife and, referring to the image she had just drawn, began to carefully carve it. She was skillful and had always loved tinkering with these little things when she was at home. Although she wasn't a professional, she had her own unique, childlike charm.
An hour later, Xiao Jingzhan returned after finishing his business and saw his young wife struggling with a stone, beads of sweat appearing on her nose. He approached and saw that the stone had begun to take on a human shape, dressed in black robes and wielding a long sword—who else could it be but him? However, on this "Crown Prince's" shoulder, there was also an adorable stone cat perched.
"This is..." He couldn't help but chuckle.
Su Jingyu proudly presented the drawing to him, saying, "Your Highness, look! Doesn't it look like him? I carved it for fun." She then pointed to a newly laid-out sheet of Xuan paper, on which was a chibi-style drawing of the Crown Prince, his face serious as he reviewed memorials. Beside him, a speech bubble read, "I'm very busy, but my darling can bother me."
Xiao Jingzhan finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, pulling both the man and the stone into his arms: "Nonsense." His tone was full of indulgence. He stroked the rough stone carving, his heart softening like spring water.
His wife, Yu'er, always had these strange and ingenious ideas, like a beam of light illuminating his tedious political career.
The two walked slowly to the bookshelf. Su Jingyu's eyes swept over the rows of ancient books, and she suddenly pointed to a military book and said, "I heard that Your Highness created a new spear technique during a martial arts demonstration at the training ground a few days ago, and even several old generals praised it highly?"
Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes, but his tone was indifferent: "It's just some ordinary moves, with a few modifications. The old generals were too kind in their praise during the demonstration that day."
"Your Highness is too modest." Su Jingyu smiled lightly, her eyes full of admiration and pride. "Although I do not know martial arts, I know that Your Highness's martial arts are unparalleled, and your literary and military talents are both top-notch."
This was not flattery. A few days ago, military reports arrived from the northern border that a small group of Di Rong tribes had harassed the border, burning, killing, and looting, causing the border troops to suffer minor losses due to their unpreparedness. The court was divided between the pro-peace and pro-war factions. Xiao Jingzhan, however, overruled the objections, advocating "stopping war with war, establishing credibility with might," and personally formulated a detailed attack strategy. He did not simply launch a direct assault, but cleverly utilized the terrain, dividing his forces to lure the enemy, and then dispatching elite cavalry to outflank and cut off their supply lines. In less than half a month, news of victory arrived: hundreds of enemy soldiers were killed, countless cattle, sheep, and horses were captured, the Di Rong tribal leader who had harassed the border was killed in battle, and the remaining tribes fled a hundred miles away, daring not to invade again. This victory not only intimidated the Northern Di, but also reassured the court officials that they had such a capable heir.
Seeing the sparkle in his beloved wife's eyes, Xiao Jingzhan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but lower his head to give her a light kiss on the lips: "My darling, with such praise, I must be proud."
Su Jingyu blushed and leaned softly on his shoulder: "What I said is the truth."
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled softly, tightening his grip on her arm. His chin gently brushed against the top of her soft hair, his heart and eyes filled with the person in his arms. The weariness brought on by court intrigues and the tediousness of government affairs vanished in that moment. He turned his head and saw that her cherry lips were slightly dry from talking for so long. He reached for the warm honey water on the small table beside the bed, took a sip himself, but did not swallow. Instead, he lowered his head and precisely covered her lips with his.
"Mmm..." Su Jingyu was caught off guard when a cool, honey-scented liquid was passed to her and slid down her throat. She opened her eyes wide in surprise, meeting his deep phoenix eyes, which were filled with a smile. He kissed her gently and tenderly, slowly and steadily, feeding her the honey-like liquid in his mouth little by little, as if he were savoring the most precious nectar in the world.
When the kiss ended, Su Jingyu was slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes brimming with tears. Xiao Jingzhan wiped the water droplets from the corner of her lips with satisfaction, then lowered his head to kiss the tip of her reddened nose: "Are you still thirsty?"
Su Jingyu buried her face in his neck, blushing, and gently shook her head. This person... is always like this, using the most serious tone to do the most alluring things.
Xiao Jingzhan adored her like this, his chest heaving as he let out a soft, joyful laugh. He carefully adjusted his position so she could nestle more comfortably in his arms, one hand still firmly resting on her slightly protruding belly, feeling the life pulse of their unborn child emanating from there.
"Your Highness..." Su Jingyu called softly in his arms, her voice nasal, like a lazy cat.
"Hmm?" he replied, his voice low and gentle.
"It's nothing..." She just felt at ease and warm, and wanted to call out to him.
Xiao Jingzhan understood and said nothing more, only holding the person even tighter.
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