Chapter 44 Your subject has his own means to deal with this.
She paused, her tone carrying just the right amount of worry, "I've heard that His Highness the Crown Prince seems... to favor Consort Su quite a bit, and since his birth, he has rarely set foot in the palaces of other concubines. This... although Consort Su has rendered meritorious service, the Crown Prince is, after all, the heir apparent, and the principle of distributing favors equally... I'm sure Her Majesty the Empress is also worried about this, but she doesn't dare to say it directly. Your Majesty, do you think we could find an opportunity to subtly remind His Highness the Crown Prince together with Her Majesty the Empress?"
Her words were impeccable, praising the Empress's virtue, pointing out the potential problems caused by the Crown Prince's "exclusive favor," and absolving herself of any responsibility, as if she were acting entirely for the sake of the nation.
The Emperor frowned slightly, not responding immediately. He knew, of course, that the Crown Prince treated Lady Su differently, but the matter of offspring was no small matter. He pondered for a moment, then said, "My beloved consort is very thoughtful. I will discuss this matter with the Empress."
The news quickly reached the Eastern Palace through the Empress's confidants.
Xiao Jingzhan was reviewing memorials in his study in the Liuli Pavilion, while Su Jingyu was in the inner room playing with her son, who had just woken up and was just learning to speak. The room was filled with warmth. He Yong quietly entered and whispered a report on the happenings in the palace.
Xiao Jingzhan's hand, still holding the brush, remained calm and composed, though a cold, sharp glint flashed deep within his phoenix eyes. He put down the vermilion brush, his voice indifferent: "Understood. You may leave."
He Yong bowed and withdrew.
Xiao Jingzhan rose and walked to the door of the inner room, leaning against it as he looked at Su Jingyu, who was on the couch making her son giggle with a rattle drum. Her eyes were curved in a smile, her expression pure and innocent, completely unaware of the gossip circulating outside. His gaze softened instantly, and the displeasure he felt from the outsiders' interference vanished in an instant.
His Yu'er only needs to be happy like this. He'll handle the other troubles.
The following day, at the time of paying respects in the early morning.
Xiao Jingzhan did not go to the Liangyi Palace as usual, but instead carried his newly dressed son Xiao Chengyu to the Empress's Fengyi Palace.
The Empress had just finished her breakfast when she saw the Crown Prince arrive carrying his grandson. She was both surprised and delighted: "Zhan'er, what brings you here today? Quickly, bring my precious grandson here so I can see him!"
Xiao Jingzhan handed his babbling, lively son to the approaching nanny before bowing and saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty. The weather is fine today, so I brought Yu'er to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, so that he may also share in her good fortune."
The Empress took her grandson, calling him her darling and playing with him for a while before turning to her son, her tone tentative: "Zhan'er, you're so thoughtful. You've been so busy with state affairs lately, you must take care of yourself. Is everything alright at the Eastern Palace? Are the Crown Princess and Consort Zhang behaving themselves?"
Xiao Jingzhan remained calm, lifting his robes to sit at the lower end of the table. He picked up the tea offered by a palace servant, slowly stirring the floating leaves before saying, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Everything is well in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Princess is managing affairs steadily, and Consort Li and the others are also fulfilling their duties." He paused, raising his eyes to look at the Empress, his gaze calm yet carrying an undeniable power. "As for the heir, I know what I'm doing."
The Empress's heart stirred. She put down her grandson and waved for the wet nurse to take the child to a side hall to play, leaving only her trusted confidants inside. She sighed, her tone gentle: "Zhan'er, your mother knows your deep affection for Lady Su. She gave birth to Yu'er for you, and her contribution is invaluable. However... you are, after all, the Crown Prince, and your fate is in the hands of the nation."
“Some things, even if you are unwilling, should be considered. Consort Li mentioned this matter to His Majesty yesterday. Although she had her own selfish motives, her words were rough but her reasoning was sound. His Majesty... seems to be somewhat tempted.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhan's lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile: "Consort Li's reach is a bit too far." He set down his teacup, his voice low but each word clear, "Mother, I have my own plans for my Eastern Palace. The matter of offspring is not urgent. Yu'er's health and intelligence are the best proof. As for others..."
His gaze shifted towards the side hall, and as he listened to the faint laughter coming from his son, his tone softened, yet carried a deeper resolve: "My son will only be born from someone I truly love. Forcing someone to be born will not bring blessings to the country or the family. I am unwilling to wrong myself, and even less willing to let Yu'er and his mother suffer the slightest grievance. If anyone in the previous dynasty uses this to cause trouble, I will have my own means to deal with it, so please do not trouble yourself, Mother."
These words were spoken with absolute certainty, leaving no room for negotiation. Looking into her son's resolute and profound eyes, the Empress was deeply shaken! She finally understood that the Crown Prince's feelings for Su Jingyu were not a fleeting infatuation, but a profound and unwavering commitment!
He was willing to withstand the pressure to give her a unique status and stability!
Thinking of Consort Li's petty thoughts, and comparing them with her son's resounding declaration, the Empress suddenly felt clear-headed and a little ashamed.
Her son is far more intelligent and resourceful than ordinary people, so why should she worry about these things? She only needs to remain in the empress's palace and support him.
"Your Majesty understands." The Empress nodded, her tone losing its usual composure. "You are the Crown Prince, so you should make the decisions regarding matters of the Eastern Palace. As for His Majesty, I will speak to him. As for Consort Li..." She snorted coldly, "I am not senile yet, it is not her place to interfere."
"Thank you for your understanding, Mother." Xiao Jingzhan stood up and bowed respectfully. Having achieved his goal, his expression softened considerably.
At this moment, the wet nurse brought back Xiao Chengyu, who had fallen asleep after playing. Xiao Jingzhan took his son and carefully held him in his arms. His gentle and skillful manner was completely different from the cold and stern demeanor he had displayed when discussing state affairs.
"Your subject still needs to attend a meeting at the Liangyi Hall, so I must take my leave now," Xiao Jingzhan said.
"Go on, state affairs are of utmost importance." The Empress waved her hand affectionately.
Watching her son's tall figure carrying his grandson away, the Empress let out a long sigh and said to her trusted nanny, "Zhan'er... he's really grown up. He's decisive and responsible. Well, children and grandchildren have their own destinies, let him be. As for those restless ones..." A cold glint flashed in her eyes, "it's time to teach them a lesson."
...
Xiao Jingzhan carried his son back to the East Palace and went straight to the Liuli Pavilion.
Su Jingyu was at her desk by the window, intently drawing something. Seeing Xiao Jingzhan return carrying the child, she put down her pen and greeted him with a smile: "Your Highness is back? Did Yu'er cause any trouble?"
"No, Mother Empress likes him very much." Xiao Jingzhan handed his sleeping son to the wet nurse, reached out and pulled Su Jingyu into his arms, lowered his head to take a deep sniff of her hair, and raised an eyebrow: "What are you drawing?"
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