Chapter 89 Extra: Stitch and Thread
In late summer and early autumn, Su Jingyu specially decorated the side hall and warm pavilion of Zichen Palace into an elegant and tranquil place.
A large rosewood embroidery table was set up by the window, on which various colored silk threads, gold and silver threads, soft and smooth fabrics, as well as embroidery hoops, scissors, thimbles and other items of various sizes were neatly arranged.
The place is well-lit, quiet, and cozy, making it one of her favorite spots to spend her free time.
Recently, she has been focusing on making two pieces of clothing—a close-fitting nightgown and a casual robe for outerwear, both for Xiao Jingzhan.
The nightgown is made of the finest moon-white soft gauze, which is light, breathable, and cool to the touch, making it perfect for nights during the transition from summer to autumn.
Instead of embroidering elaborate dragon patterns or fierce beasts on it, she used silver thread to delicately outline continuous lotus patterns on inconspicuous places such as the collar and cuffs, with tiny rice beads adorning the lotus hearts, symbolizing "unity and harmony," understated yet elegant.
The stitches are fine and even, with almost no loose threads. It was painstakingly sewn by her, stitch by stitch, over countless afternoons.
She imagined how comfortable it would be for him to wear this nightgown, the soft, cool fabric against his warm, firm skin.
The outer robe was made of dark Shu brocade with gold cloud patterns, which was crisp and had a restrained luster, making it luxurious but not ostentatious.
This piece required even more effort. She didn't rely on the embroiderers of the Imperial Clothing Bureau; from cutting to sewing to the final embroidery, she did almost everything herself.
She embroidered exquisite seascapes, cliffs, and auspicious cloud patterns on the collar, sleeve edges, and hem of the robe with gold and dark blue silk thread. These patterns, symbolizing "eternal stability of the empire and good fortune," are found on imperial robes.
Especially on the back of her dress, she embroidered a pair of small, intertwined, colorful lovebirds with extremely fine colored thread, hidden among the intricate cloud patterns, almost invisible unless you look closely.
I wish to be like a pair of lovebirds, deeply devoted to each other, and never to be apart until our hair turns white.
That afternoon, Su Jingyu was sitting at her embroidery table, sewing the last button on her black outer robe.
She lowered her head, her profile was beautiful and soft, her long eyelashes cast a light fan-shaped shadow under her eyes, her expression was focused, and her slender, white fingers moved nimbly, the golden threads between her fingers seemed to come alive.
After finishing a batch of urgent reports, Xiao Jingzhan remembered that she was probably here at this time, so he strolled over.
He waved to stop the palace servants who were about to announce his arrival, then quietly walked to the door of the warm pavilion, leaned against the door frame, and quietly watched the scene inside.
Sunlight streamed through the bright glass windows, bathing her in a warm glow.
She wore a simple light blue silk dress, her dark hair loosely tied up with only a simple jade hairpin, a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks, swaying slightly as she threaded the needle. Her posture was serene and beautiful, her face soft and pretty, yet her focused tenderness imbued her with a lively and genuine warmth.
His gaze fell on the nearly finished black outer robe in her hands, then swept over the neatly folded moon-white nightgown beside it.
It wasn't the first time he had seen her doing needlework, and he knew that she often sewed intimate clothing for him and the children by hand, but every time he saw it, a soft ripple would still stir in his heart.
He knew that in every stitch, not only was time sewed in, but also her unreserved love and concern for him and for this family.
Soon after, Su Jingyu finally finished sewing the last stitch, gently bit off the thread, trimmed it with small silver scissors, and then carefully sewed the delicate Chinese knot button onto the robe. She looked up and was surprised to find someone standing in the doorway.
"Your Majesty?" A look of surprise flashed in her eyes. She put down the clothes in her hands, stood up, and went to greet him. "What brings you here? Have you finished your official duties?"
“Hmm, come keep my darling company.” Xiao Jingzhan naturally reached out, put his arm around her waist, and brought her in front of him. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, but his gaze was on the embroidery table. “Making clothes for me again? Didn’t I tell you that these can be done by the Imperial Wardrobe? Don’t tire yourself out.”
“Nothing made by the Imperial Wardrobe can compare to the thoughtfulness of what I make.” Su Jingyu looked up at him and smiled sweetly. She pulled him to the embroidery table, picked up the moon-white nightgown, and said, “Your Majesty, try this one. The fabric is so light and refreshing. You’ll sleep soundly in it tonight.” She then pointed to the black outer robe and added, “And this one. It’s perfect for the cool autumn weather.”
Xiao Jingzhan's gaze first fell on the nightgown, its understated elegance with lotus blossoms and tiny beads stirring his heart. He picked up the black outer robe, its crisp texture as expected, but upon closer inspection, he discovered that hidden within the intricate and luxurious sea, cliff, and cloud patterns were a pair of lovebirds.
He ran his fingertips over the pair of birds, and was instantly struck by a great warmth in his heart. He looked up and gazed deeply at her.
Su Jingyu felt a little embarrassed by his gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "I embroidered it according to my own wishes..."
“Very good.” Xiao Jingzhan interrupted her, his voice deep and firm, filled with undeniable emotion. “I like it very much.” He put down his outer robe and picked up the nightgown. “I’ll try it on now.”
He actually untied the jade belt from his court robes and took off his outer robe right in front of her. Su Jingyu quickly stepped forward to help him remove the heavy court robes, carefully unfolded the moon-white nightgown, and helped him put it on.
Just as she had said, the nightgown was light, soft, and cool against the skin, extremely comfortable. The size was also perfect, fitting his broad shoulders, strong chest, and lean waist perfectly.
The silver-lined lotus scroll pattern shimmered subtly as he moved, further accentuating his upright posture and refined, noble air.
Su Jingyu took two steps back, carefully examining the woman, her eyes filled with appreciation and joy.
Her husband, no matter what he wore, always possessed such a majestic and unparalleled handsome appearance.
Xiao Jingzhan walked to the huge bronze mirror, looked at himself in the mirror, then turned to look at her, a gentle smile curving his lips: "It fits perfectly and is very comfortable. Thank you for your trouble, my dear."
"I'm glad Your Majesty likes it." Su Jingyu's heart was filled with sweetness, and she picked up the black outer robe again, "Would you like to try on the outer robe too?"
Xiao Jingzhan nodded, letting her help him put on the clothes. The dark Shu brocade perfectly accentuated his imperial bearing and majesty, and the gold-embroidered patterns shimmered with a noble luster under the light.
As he raised his hand, the pair of lovebirds on his back were faintly visible, only noticeable to his closest confidants. He looked at himself in the mirror, then turned to her, opening his arms: "How is it?"
Su Jingyu stared at him, unable to look away for a moment. His features were exquisite, his nose high and straight, and his thin lips, when slightly pursed, carried the coldness of an emperor, yet his gaze towards her was always full of tender love.
He stood there, wearing the clothes she had made, and he was the most secure support and the most captivating scenery in her entire world.
“Your Majesty looks good in anything.” She stepped forward and gently smoothed out non-existent wrinkles on his clothes, her eyes sparkling, and said coquettishly, “But you look best in what I make.”
Xiao Jingzhan chuckled softly, took her hand that was resting on her clothes, and kissed it: "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? With Yu'er by my side, I feel full of energy."
Su Jingyu leaned against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling his warm body temperature under the fabric, her heart filled with immense happiness and tranquility.
"As long as Your Majesty does not mind, I am willing to make clothes for you for the rest of my life," she said softly, as if making a vow.
"How could I possibly dislike it?" Xiao Jingzhan tightened his arms around her, holding her even closer. "I want to wear it for the rest of my life." He lowered his head, found her lips, and gently kissed her.
Every stitch and thread is filled with affection; every day and night is a testament to our companionship.
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