Chapter 51 The Su family is back
Time flies, and it's already late autumn. Xiao Chengyu is over seven months old and has grown increasingly chubby and adorable. His big, dark eyes are just like Su Jingyu's, lively and expressive, while his straight nose and tightly pursed lips are a perfect replica of Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan.
Inside the Glazed Tile Pavilion, laughter and joy filled the air every day.
This little guy has become the true "treasure" of the East Palace. At seven months old, Yu'er can already sit steadily and is full of curiosity about everything around him.
He especially loved to cling to his father. Whenever Xiao Jingzhan returned from court and stepped into the palace, the little guy would excitedly wave his little arms in his wet nurse's arms, babbling and craning his neck towards his father.
That evening, Xiao Jingzhan took off his court robes, changed into casual clothes, held his son in his arms, and gently tapped his little nose with his fingertip, teasing him: "Yu'er, were you well-behaved in the palace today? Did you bother your mother?"
Yu'er opened his big eyes, looking at his father's face so close to his own, and suddenly opened his toothless little mouth, uttering a syllable that was indistinct yet unusually clear: "Daddy...Daddy..."
The inner hall fell silent instantly!
Xiao Jingzhan was shocked, almost unable to believe his ears! He looked up abruptly at Su Jingyu, who was also stunned.
The embroidery frame in Su Jingyu's hand fell to the ground with a "thud." She quickly approached, her voice trembling, "Your Highness... Yu'er... wasn't he just now...?"
"Daddy...Daddy..." The little guy seemed to find it fun and tried to make a sound, his little hand grabbing at the dragon pattern on Xiao Jingzhan's clothes.
This time, everyone heard it clearly!
"Oh my! The little prince can call me 'Daddy' now!" the wet nurse exclaimed in delight.
Overjoyed, Xiao Jingzhan was instantly filled with ecstasy! He hugged his son tightly, lowered his head and kissed the soft little face deeply. His usually cold and stern eyes were now filled with barely suppressed excitement and joy: "Good Yu'er! Call me again! Call me Daddy again and let me hear it!"
Yu'er giggled as her father's beard tickled her, waving her little hands, but stopped crying and just looked at her parents with bright eyes.
Su Jingyu's eyes reddened slightly as she nestled close to Xiao Jingzhan, gently stroking her son's face, her voice choked with emotion: "Your Highness... Yu'er can call me Daddy now..."
"Yes, our Yu'er can call me 'Daddy' now!" Xiao Jingzhan hugged his son tightly with one arm and pulled Yu'er into his embrace with the other, his heart filled with immense happiness. The child's first indistinct "Daddy" thrilled him more than any good news or reward!
He immediately rewarded everyone in the Liuli Pavilion, and even the palace staff throughout the Eastern Palace benefited. When the news reached the Lizheng Hall, the Emperor and Empress were overjoyed, and rewards were sent to the Eastern Palace like a flowing river.
Soon, it was Yu'er's first birthday.
According to custom, the eldest grandson of the emperor must undergo the "grasping ceremony" on his first birthday. Although it was not a grand banquet for all the officials, the emperor and empress personally attended the Eastern Palace, and close relatives of the imperial family gathered, making the scene extremely solemn.
Inside the main hall of the Liuli Pavilion, a large red brocade carpet was laid out, covered with all sorts of objects: replicas of jade seals, gold seals, military books, swords, abacuses, writing brushes and ink, jade pendants, official hats, and so on, a dazzling array.
The wet nurse placed Yu'er, dressed in his new clothes, in the center of the brocade carpet. The little guy sat amidst a pile of treasures, neither crying nor fussing, his big, dark eyes curiously looking around, his appearance utterly endearing.
The Emperor sat on his throne, watching with a smile. Xiao Jingzhan and Su Jingyu stood side by side to one side, feeling both anticipation and nervousness.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yu'er first crawled towards the small jade seal, reached out his little hand to touch it, but did not grab it. Instead, he looked at the golden seal next to it and touched it as well. Then, he crawled towards the military book and patted the cover with his little hand.
Just when everyone thought he was going to grab the book, he turned and crawled away, his gaze drawn to a small, unsharpened wooden sword. He picked it up, swung it a couple of times, and seemed to find it amusing, chuckling to himself.
However, he still didn't put it down, but continued crawling until he finally stopped in front of the sandalwood wolf-hair brush that represented literary talent. He put down the small wooden sword, grabbed the wolf-hair brush that was a bit too long for him with both hands, hugged it tightly to his chest, then looked up at his parents and grinned with his toothless little mouth.
"Excellent!" The emperor clapped his hands and laughed first. "He can govern the country with his pen and is skilled in both literature and martial arts! My grandson will surely be a pillar of the nation in the future!"
The Empress nodded repeatedly, her face beaming: "Yu'er has bright eyes and well-mannered manners; he is a child with his own opinions."
Xiao Jingzhan and Su Jingyu exchanged a smile, their hearts filled with pride and satisfaction.
The baby's first birthday celebration was completed, and the grand banquet began. Just as everyone was raising their glasses in celebration, Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan slowly rose and raised his glass to toast the Emperor, Empress, and all the imperial relatives.
"Today is Yu'er's first birthday. I am deeply grateful for the love and care from Father, Mother, and all the elders." His voice was clear and melodious. His gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling gently on Su Jingyu beside him. A deep smile appeared on his lips. "On this auspicious day, I have another joyous occasion that I wish to share with Father, Mother, and all of you."
The hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on the Crown Prince.
Xiao Jingzhan took Su Jingyu's hand, interlocked their fingers, and announced loudly, his voice filled with barely suppressed joy and pride: "The imperial physician has examined her pulse and confirmed that the Crown Prince's Consort Su is pregnant again, nearly two months along. The Eastern Palace will soon welcome another son. This is a great blessing for Father Emperor and Empress Dowager, and also a great fortune for our Great Sheng!"
"Whoosh—" The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted in even louder congratulations!
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" The imperial relatives rose to offer their congratulations, their faces beaming with genuine smiles. The young prince is intelligent and healthy, and now the Crown Prince's consort is pregnant again, further stabilizing the foundation of the nation—truly a joyous occasion!
The Emperor was overjoyed and drank three cups in succession: "Good! Good! Double happiness! I am very pleased! As expected of..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the slightly pale Crown Princess Li, and changed his words, "Consort Su has rendered meritorious service to the country. By my decree, the Liuli Pavilion shall be richly rewarded!"
The Empress was also all smiles, and she held Su Jingyu's hand, repeatedly telling her to take good care of herself.
Amidst the envious and congratulatory gazes of the crowd, Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, her heart filled with sweetness and peace. She quietly tightened her grip on Xiao Jingzhan's hand; all this glory and happiness was given to her by the man beside her.
That night, all the guests left.
Xiao Jingzhan carefully handed his son, who had fallen asleep after playing, to the wet nurse. Returning to the inner room, he saw Su Jingyu gently stroking her lower abdomen, her eyes tender. He gently embraced her from behind, his large hand covering her belly, his voice low and full of anticipation: "My dear, I'm so happy. We're going to have another child."
Su Jingyu leaned against him, feeling his body temperature and heartbeat, and whispered, "Yu'er is also very happy, Your Highness, you have given me another treasure."
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