Chapter 3 Peace and Joy
The candle flame crackled and burst open, creating a tiny flower.
The rain outside the window had stopped sometime earlier, and a sliver of cool moonlight shone through the window screen, falling on the two of them. Su Jingyu looked down at the Crown Prince's still incomparably handsome profile as he slept, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She knew that from this moment on, some things were different.
From that day on, the task of feeding and changing medicine naturally fell to Su Jingyu.
Under the meticulous treatment of the imperial physicians and the subtle infusion of spiritual spring water by Su Jingyu, Xiao Jingzhan's injuries improved day by day. His high fever subsided, his wounds began to heal, and the dignity and clarity befitting a crown prince gradually returned to him.
However, this prince seems to have developed some new "habits".
For example, he would only slowly drink the medicine if Su Jingyu brought it to him personally. For example, when changing his dressing, although he would close his eyes to rest, he would always wake up at just the right moment when Su Jingyu was about to leave, and find an excuse to make her stay a little longer.
For example, he began to get used to seeing that lotus-colored figure sitting quietly by the window reading or arranging a vase of freshly picked flowers when he woke up from his afternoon nap. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of magnolias emanating from her, mixed with the scent of medicine, which became a rare moment of tranquility in his memory.
Su Jingyu was initially apprehensive, but she saw that although the Crown Prince was imposing, he never overstepped his bounds. At most, when she fed him medicine or handed him water, his fingertips would inadvertently brush against the back of her hand, or he would gaze at her quietly with his deep phoenix eyes until her cheeks flushed red, at which point he would almost imperceptibly curve the corners of his lips.
She gradually relaxed, treating it as serving a noble person with a somewhat eccentric temperament.
That afternoon, the sun shone brightly. Xiao Jingzhan felt quite well, so General Lu helped him slowly to the couch by the window and sat down to review some urgent reports sent from the capital. Even though he was ill, he never neglected matters of state.
I had just read a few books when I heard soft laughter coming from the courtyard outside the window, mixed with the babbling of children.
Xiao Jingzhan paused, then looked up out the window.
Under the crabapple tree in the courtyard, Su Jingyu was playing with a young woman and a chubby toddler of about two years old. The woman's features resembled Su Jingyu's; she must be her married older sister, who had brought her child back to her parents' home today.
Su Jingyu squatted on the ground, holding a pretty cloth tiger in her hand, which made the doll giggle and reach out its chubby little hand to grab it. Her eyes crinkled with laughter, and in the sunlight, her skin was so fair it was almost translucent. Her smile was pure and warm, without a trace of impurity.
"Auntie... Tiger..." the child called out incoherently.
"Little Bao, how about Auntie does you a magic trick?" Su Jingyu's voice was soft and sweet. She hid the cloth tiger behind her back and then magically produced it, making the baby cheer with joy. Her older sister stood aside, watching her younger sister and the child with a tender expression.
Just then, Su's mother brought over some snacks, affectionately inviting them to have some tea and refreshments. Su Jingyu naturally took the tray from her mother's hands and carefully brushed away the crabapple petals that had fallen on her sister's shoulder. The family was filled with joy and laughter.
Xiao Jingzhan's hand, holding the vermilion brush, remained motionless for a long time.
Such a scene was unfamiliar and distant to him. During his childhood, in the strictly disciplined Eastern Palace, although his mother was loving, she valued the upbringing of the crown prince more, and there were few moments of such intimacy.
Between siblings, there is more of a hierarchy of ruler and subject, and a weighing of interests. He had never seen family members express affection so naturally, or laugh so unrestrainedly.
An indescribable emotion, like delicate vines, quietly coiled around his heart. Was it envy? Curiosity? Or... a longing he himself was unwilling to admit?
His gaze involuntarily followed the figure in lotus root color. He watched her carefully break the snacks into small pieces and feed them to the doll, watched her adorable expression as she listened to her sister speak, and watched her completely dependent posture as she nestled beside her mother.
It turns out that she didn't only show that tenderness when she was with him. Her tenderness stemmed from this loving home.
Just then, a stray orange cat silently slipped into the yard and timidly crouched in a corner. Su Jingyu saw it, her eyes lit up, and she quietly picked up one of her snacks and gently tossed it over.
The cat looked around warily, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation and began to eat in small bites. Su Jingyu watched the cat, a satisfied and serene smile on her face.
At that moment, Xiao Jingzhan felt something gently bump against his chest.
He had seen too many people. Flatterers, those filled with awe and fear, those harboring ulterior motives. But he had never seen anyone show such pure, unguarded kindness to a humble stray cat.
This kindness, unlike her delicate appearance, comes from a warmth deep within her bones.
"Your Highness?" General Lu reminded him in a low voice when he noticed that he hadn't picked up his pen for a long time.
Xiao Jingzhan snapped out of his reverie, lowered his eyes to conceal the turbulent emotions within, and turned his gaze back to the memorial. Yet, between the lines, it seemed as if the smiling face outside the window was reflected.
As evening fell, Su Jingyu came to deliver the medicine as usual.
She wore a light pink dress today, which made her face look even more radiant. As she walked in, she brought with her a sweet, warm breeze.
Xiao Jingzhan put down the book in his hand and looked at her with a more profound gaze than usual.
Su Jingyu handed over the medicine bowl as usual. Xiao Jingzhan took it, but did not drink it immediately. Instead, he looked at her and suddenly spoke, his voice calm and even: "The courtyard was very lively today."
Su Jingyu was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Your Highness, it is my elder sister who has brought my little nephew back. The child is naughty, so please forgive him if he disturbs Your Highness's rest."
"It's alright," Xiao Jingzhan said calmly, his gaze still fixed on her. "You seem to really like children?"
Su Jingyu blushed slightly and answered honestly, "My little nephew is so cute and adorable, he's really lovable."
Xiao Jingzhan stopped talking, simply picked up the medicine bowl, and drank the bitter medicine in one gulp. Then, he watched as she skillfully handed him water and candied fruit, her movements natural and fluid.
He took the candied fruit, but didn't eat it; he just held it between his fingertips and played with it.
“Yu’er,” he suddenly called to her.
"Hmm?" Su Jingyu responded subconsciously, but realized her mistake immediately. Her cheeks flushed even more, and she hurriedly lowered her head.
Looking at her shy and flustered appearance, Xiao Jingzhan's inexplicable irritation strangely subsided. He softened his voice and asked casually, "Isn't it nice to grow up in a family like yours?"
Su Jingyu raised her head, somewhat puzzled, but still thought about it seriously, a gentle smile spreading across her eyes: "Yes. My parents are loving, and my sisters are harmonious. Although my father's official position is not high and our family is poor, we are happy every day." She paused, her voice soft yet firm, "Your Highness, actually, being together as a family, peaceful and joyful, is better than anything else."
Peace and joy...
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