Chapter 39 A Loving Couple
Su Jingyu was extremely tired after giving birth, and her face was still a little pale. She closed her eyes to rest, and her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes. She looked so fragile that it made one's heart ache.
Xiao Jingzhan sat down by the bed, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure. He reached out and gently stroked her slightly cool cheek with his fingertips, his gaze deep, brimming with an intense love, heartache, and a sense of relief at having regained what he had lost.
His fingertips were burning hot, yet incredibly gentle. Su Jingyu felt his touch, slowly opened her eyes, and met his focused gaze that seemed to draw her in.
"Your Highness..." Her voice was weak, hoarse from childbirth.
"Don't talk, be good, rest well." Xiao Jingzhan whispered to stop her, then leaned down and placed a precious kiss on her forehead, lingering for a long time. His breath brushed against her skin, carrying a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
"Does it still hurt?" He looked up, his fingertips lingering on her brows and eyes, his voice hoarse. "Listening to her... it breaks my heart." Heaven knows, hearing her suffer inside, yet being powerless to help, was a pain worse than being cut by a knife.
Su Jingyu shook her head gently, wanting to smile and comfort him, but she didn't have the strength: "Seeing Your Highness and Yu'er makes the pain go away."
These words made Xiao Jingzhan's heart clench, and he felt a surge of tenderness. He carefully avoided the wound beneath her, and with extremely gentle movements, he pulled her, blanket and all, into his arms, allowing her to comfortably lean against his chest. His arms supported her steadily, with just the right amount of strength, providing support without hurting her.
He rested his chin on the top of her head, greedily inhaling the scent of her body, a mixture of faint medicinal and milky fragrance—a comforting scent that belonged to him.
Su Jingyu snuggled gently against him, finding the most comfortable spot, and said softly, "I would be very happy to bear children for Your Highness..."
He paused, tightened his grip on her, and said in a low, solemn voice, "Yu'er, thank you... thank you for bringing Yu'er safely to my side. Thank you... for being safe and sound in my arms."
His last sentence revealed his deep-seated fear.
A warm current surged through Su Jingyu's heart, and her eyes welled up with tears. She raised her weak hand and gently placed it on the back of his hand that was holding her: "Your Highness, rest assured, we will always be with you, and we will be even happier in the future."
"Mmm." Xiao Jingzhan responded softly, pulling her closer into his arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones. "My darling, I truly love you so much." This was no longer an outpouring of emotion, but a vow flowing from the deepest recesses of his heart after experiencing immense worry and joy, carrying a heavy weight.
Su Jingyu closed her eyes, feeling his strong heartbeat and warm embrace, all her fatigue and discomfort seemed to vanish. She whispered in response, as if in a dream, "Yu'er also loves Your Highness... so much, so much..."
Xiao Jingzhan was deeply shaken. Looking down at the sleeping face of the person in his arms, his heart was filled with an unprecedented, overwhelming happiness. He gently adjusted his position to make her more comfortable, and just held her like that, gazing at her as if he could never get enough of looking at her.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, and the spring breeze rustled through the newly blooming crabapple blossoms, bringing a delicate fragrance. Inside the hall, the candlelight crackled, illuminating their embracing figures, tender and affectionate, a picture of peaceful bliss.
Madam Zhou, Su's mother, had been accompanying her daughter in the palace for nearly a month. Seeing that her daughter was recovering very well after childbirth, with a rosy complexion, she was in a good mood. What pleased her even more was that His Highness the Crown Prince's care for her daughter was meticulous, and he did everything himself. The way he cherished her was something that even she, as a mother, felt ashamed of herself for not being able to do it.
That day, Su's mother was watching the wet nurse change the clothes of the little prince. The little guy was chubby, fair-skinned, lively, and healthy. Su Jingyu sat on a soft couch nearby, watching with gentle eyes.
“Yu’er,” Mother Su said softly, “seeing that you are all well and His Highness treats you so well, I am relieved. Your father has settled down in the capital, and I should leave the palace and return home.”
Upon hearing this, Su Jingyu's eyes showed reluctance as she grasped her mother's hand: "Mother, please stay a few more days."
Her eyes shone with anticipation. "His Highness also said that he has sent people to Jiangnan to fetch my sister and brother-in-law. Judging by the days, they should arrive in the capital around the time of the full moon. Then our family will be reunited in the capital!"
Upon hearing this, Su's mother was both surprised and delighted: "Really? Your Highness even thought of Rou'er and the others?" She hadn't expected that the Crown Prince, so busy with state affairs, would consider even such family matters so thoroughly for his daughter! Thinking of the upcoming reunion with her husband and two daughters in the capital, a huge warm current surged in her heart.
"Yes!" Su Jingyu nodded vigorously, her face beaming with happiness. "His Highness said that this is my greatest wish right now, and he will definitely fulfill it for me."
Madam Su's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded repeatedly, "Good, good! His Highness treats you so well... truly, truly beyond words! Mother... Mother is so happy!" With the Crown Prince making such arrangements, what else could she possibly worry about?
Just then, the palace doors opened softly, and Crown Prince Xiao Jingzhan entered, carrying a white jade cup. Today, he was dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, which made him appear less imposing and more refined. Upon seeing Su's mother, he nodded slightly: "Mother-in-law is here too."
"Your Highness." Madam Su quickly rose and bowed.
“Mother-in-law, there’s no need for such formalities.” Xiao Jingzhan’s tone was gentle, his gaze already shifting to Su Jingyu on the couch. He walked over calmly, placed the jade cup on the small table, and said gently, “The imperial physician prescribed a blood-tonifying soup. The temperature is just right. Drink it while it’s hot.” His tone was natural, as if this were just an ordinary daily occurrence.
Su Jingyu sniffed the wafting medicinal smell, her small face wrinkling slightly, with a hint of coquettishness: "Your Highness, it looks so bitter..."
A hint of a smile flashed across Xiao Jingzhan's eyes. He magically produced a small glass jar from his sleeve, inside which were crystal-clear candied fruits: "Drink it obediently, and I'll reward you with a candied crabapple."
Watching from the side, Su's mother observed the Crown Prince's coaxing tone and her daughter's unconsciously coquettish manner. There was no trace of the airs of a Crown Prince and Consort; they were clearly just an ordinary, loving couple. She was filled with mixed emotions, both amused and gratified.
She stepped forward and bowed again to Xiao Jingzhan: "Your Highness, I have troubled you in the capital for a long time. Seeing that Yu'er is doing well, all thanks to Your Highness's meticulous care, I am extremely grateful and completely relieved. Today I will take my leave and return home."
Xiao Jingzhan nodded, his tone still gentle: "Mother-in-law, you flatter me. Taking care of Yu'er is my duty. Is everything alright in the manor? If you need anything, just tell He Yong to take care of it."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Everything is fine." Madam Su was touched; the Crown Prince even remembered such trivial matters.
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