Chapter 80 Making a Wish at the Ancient Temple
In the afternoon, they abandoned their horses and boarded an inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage to head to the famous "Lingshan" on the outskirts of Beijing.
Lingshan is not high, but its forests are serene and secluded, with winding stone steps. There is an ancient temple at the top of the mountain, where incense is very popular and it is said to be extremely effective for praying for marriage and peace.
The stone steps were a bit strenuous for Su Jingyu, who had just learned to ride a horse and whose legs were still a little weak. After walking less than a third of the way, she was out of breath and her pace slowed down.
Xiao Jingzhan stopped and turned to look at her: "Can't walk anymore?"
Su Jingyu nodded shyly, slightly out of breath, "I just need to rest a bit..."
Xiao Jingzhan smiled, walked up to her, and squatted down with his back to her: "Come on up."
Su Jingyu was taken aback: "Your Highness?"
"I'll carry you up." He said casually, as if he were just saying the weather was nice today.
“How can that be! Your Highness is of noble birth, I can manage on my own…” Su Jingyu quickly shook her head.
“I am your husband, even though I am of noble birth.” Xiao Jingzhan turned to look at her, his phoenix eyes smiling. “It is only natural for a husband to carry his wife up the mountain to pray for blessings. Come on up, don’t keep me waiting.”
His words carried an undeniable gentleness. Su Jingyu's heart fluttered. Looking at the broad, strong back before her, she finally couldn't resist the temptation and couldn't bear to let him squat for long. She gently leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Xiao Jingzhan steadily stood up, lifted her up a little, and continued walking uphill with steady steps. His back was warm and strong, carrying a reassuring aura.
Su Jingyu pressed her face against his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin and his steady heartbeat.
A cool mountain breeze, chirping forest birds, and stone steps stretching beneath her feet—she felt this was the most peaceful place in the world.
"Your Highness, is it heavy?" she asked softly.
"It's very light." Xiao Jingzhan chuckled. "When we get back, I'll have to feed my little darling lots of good food."
"If Your Highness is tired, please let me know. I can walk by myself."
"Not tired." His answer was brief, yet firm. Carrying her on his back, he stepped over each stone step, as if stepping over the years to come for them.
The mountain path grew steeper, but his breathing remained steady, with only fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. Su Jingyu quietly wiped them away with her sleeve, her heart melting with sweetness.
Along the way, a few pilgrims cast surprised and envious glances at the handsome man carrying the beautiful woman up the mountain. Su Jingyu felt a little shy and buried her face even deeper. Xiao Jingzhan, however, didn't seem to mind at all, and even lifted her up a little higher to make her more comfortable.
We finally arrived at the ancient temple at the top of the mountain.
The ancient temple was simple and quiet, with towering ancient trees and the distant sound of bells. Xiao Jingzhan carefully put Su Jingyu down and led her into the main hall.
Inside the hall, the Buddha statues were solemn, and incense and candles curled upwards. The two washed their hands, burned incense, and knelt side by side before the Buddha.
Xiao Jingyu clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a sincere wish. Xiao Jingzhan glanced at her profile, bathed in the soft glow of incense, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, her red lips moving slightly as she silently expressed her desire.
He was curious: what wish would his darling make?
A moment later, the two placed the incense sticks into the incense burner. They walked out of the main hall, stood on the platform in front of the hall, and looked down at the vast spring scenery below the mountain.
"What did you wish for just now?" Xiao Jingzhan asked in a low voice, his arm around her shoulder.
Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes glistening with tears. She looked up at him, her voice soft yet firm: "My first wish is for Your Highness to be healthy, safe, and free from worries." This was her deepest concern.
"And the second one?"
May my family be safe and well, and may Yu'er, Ye'er, and Anning grow up healthy, intelligent, and kind.
Is there anything else?
Su Jingyu blushed even more, her voice barely audible, yet each word clear and distinct, striking Xiao Jingzhan's heart: "My third wish... is to grow old with Your Highness, our love as deep as ever. Year after year, just like today."
She didn't pray for wealth and glory, nor for absolute power. Her wish was so simple, yet so tender and weighty.
Xiao Jingzhan was deeply shaken, as if he had been brushed by the softest feathers or enveloped by the hottest current.
He gazed intently at her, his phoenix eyes swirling with emotions that ultimately transformed into a deep, overwhelming affection. He took her hand and placed it against his heart, where it was pounding fiercely at her words.
“Yu’er,” his voice was hoarse, with an unprecedented solemnity, “your wish is also my wish. No,” he corrected, “it is something I must do.”
He leaned down and placed a solemn, vow-like kiss on her smooth forehead. "I swear in the name of the ancestors of the Xiao family that I will protect you and your child for all eternity. We will stay together until our hair turns white, and our love will remain as strong as ever—this vow is witnessed by heaven and earth, and heard by gods and Buddhas."
A mountain breeze rustled through the eaves, and the copper bells on the eaves jingled softly, as if responding to this solemn promise.
Tears welled up in Su Jingyu's eyes—tears of joy, emotion, and boundless peace of mind. She nodded vigorously, threw herself into his arms, and hugged his strong waist tightly: "Mmm!"
The two embraced for a moment before Xiao Jingzhan said, "I have just fulfilled my wish."
"What did His Highness promise?" Su Jingyu asked curiously.
Xiao Jingzhan lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, his gaze gazing at the distant, rolling green mountains and the horizon: "My first wish is for the nation to be prosperous and the people at peace, and for the country to be forever secure; my second wish is for my parents to be healthy and live long lives;" He paused, then looked away, gazing deeply into her eyes, a gentle smile playing on his lips, "And my third wish... is that my wife, Yu'er, may always be as she is today, smiling and carefree."
Su Jingyu choked up, buried her face in his chest, and remained silent for a long time.
As the sun set, it gilded the mountains with gold. Xiao Jingzhan once again carried Su Jingyu on his back and slowly descended the mountain. He had come empty-handed, and was returning laden with warmth.
When we returned to the Glazed Pavilion, the lanterns were already lit.
For three whole days, the Emperor and Empress did not disturb them, and the children were happy to be with their grandparents. The Glazed Pavilion seemed to have become a sweet love nest secluded from the world.
During the day, they would ride horses, sip tea and play chess, or simply embrace by the window watching the clouds drift by. At night, inside the red silk tent, she indeed changed into two other "surprises" as promised: one was a moon-white silk embroidered with silver thread and epiphyllum flowers, cool and alluring; the other was a rouge-red soft gauze embroidered with golden crabapple blossoms, passionate and enchanting, naturally evoking boundless spring colors, which he savored and loved.
For the past three days, the Crown Prince has been exceptionally happy...
Three days later, Xiao Jingzhan returned to court, his brows displaying a relaxed yet sharp expression of contentment. Su Jingyu also resumed her leisurely life as usual, her eyes and brows radiating the charming allure nurtured by love, which even prompted the Empress to tease her, making Su Jingyu blush with embarrassment.
The wish they made together before the Buddha, intertwined with family, country, and deep affection, is like a seed, buried deep in their hearts. It will surely take root, sprout, and flourish with the years, protecting them and leading them to a brighter future.
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