Chapter 105: Appreciation

Chapter 105: Appreciation

Bending down to tie a bib around him, she then took a wet towel and wiped his little hands clean.

The serving palace maid stepped forward to introduce the dishes to Fan Xueyao. They had been serving her for some time and knew that she preferred not to be served during meals. Usually, it was the maids who would serve her, so after introducing the dishes, they retreated to the side.

Hua Ping knew that Fan Xueyao wanted to feed the Crown Prince herself, so she first presented a bowl of well-cooked shredded chicken and fish noodle soup. Then, she prepared two bowls of hot soup that she guessed Fan Xueyao would like, setting them aside to cool before stepping back and standing still.

Fan Xueyao picked up the bowl of noodle soup, using a small plate to scoop out a few pieces of noodles, fish, and chicken shreds, blowing on them until they were no longer hot, and then brought them to Chu Xu's mouth, who was eagerly waiting.

Chu Xu "ah-woo" swallowed the spoonful along with the golden spoon, chewing contentedly.

The little one had a great appetite and could finish an entire bowl of noodle soup each time, without needing any coaxing. He ate quickly and obediently. Fan Xueyao fed him spoon by spoon until the bowl was empty. She then took a damp silk handkerchief and wiped his dirty face covered in soup.

Then she said, "Chun Die, take the Crown Prince over there and get some toys for him to play with."

Chun Die, who had been assigned to look after Chu Xu since his birth, promptly stepped forward, skillfully unfolded a small chair, and carried Chu Xu to the couch at the back to play.

After Chu Xu was taken away, Fan Xueyao could focus on eating her meal. The soup had cooled to a comfortable temperature, and she drank half of each bowl, picking out fresh vegetables and wild game to eat. She usually didn't eat much in the evening, stopping when she felt about seven or eight-tenths full and calling for the food to be cleared away.

After the meal, Fan Xueyao walked around outside Yao Hua Palace for a while, then returned to her room, called for hot water to bathe, and changed into casual clothes before sitting down at her dressing table. Hearing the commotion outside, she knew Chu Nan had returned and hurriedly instructed Su'e to be quick.

Quickly tying up her dark hair, Fan Xueyao stepped out of the inner chamber and saw Chu Nan still wearing his official robes—a long-sleeved vermilion robe and jade crown—sitting on the couch, holding a teacup but not drinking from it. On the floor beside the couch, which was covered with a lion embroidery carpet, Chu Xu was playing with colorful building blocks, holding onto a wooden toy cart and clumsily picking them up.

"My Lord, why haven't you changed out of your official robes? Aren't you uncomfortable?" Fan Xueyao asked, noticing his preoccupied expression.

Hearing her voice, Chu Nan looked up, realizing she had come out. Smiling, he said, "I was lost in thought and forgot." Setting down the teacup, he stood up and said, "I'll change now," heading towards the inner chamber.

Fan Xueyao followed, bringing a set of Chu Nan's usual casual clothes, a bright blue outfit that looked both vibrant and soothing.

She personally helped Chu Nan change out of his official robes into his casual attire, removing his black patterned boots and replacing them with comfortable cloth shoes.

Seeing Chu Nan's smile, which lacked his usual warmth, she gently said, "My Lord, sit down at the dressing table. Let me comb your hair."

Without a word, Chu Nan followed her to the dressing table, where a couch was placed instead of the usual embroidered stools or drums. This couch was her idea, long and narrow, elegant and comfortable, suitable for sitting or lying down. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the craftsmen had named it the "Beauty Couch," which pleased Fan Xueyao greatly.

Since the couch was made of redwood and could feel cold in March, especially for a woman like Fan Xueyao who needed warmth, a light jade-colored silk cushion was laid on top for comfort.

Chu Nan sat down on the couch, and seeing his mood still troubled, Fan Xueyao gently pressed his shoulders, urging him to lie down on the pillow, saying softly, "Lie down, let me comb your hair, and rest a bit."

Chu Nan nodded, saying, "Alright," and lay down on the Beauty Couch, closing his eyes.

Fan Xueyao removed his jade crown and untied his tight hair bun, then took an ivory carved comb to comb through his hair and massage his scalp.

Through this repetitive action, she learned that Chu Nan was worried about the recent wind and hail disaster in Shouzhou, which had destroyed countless homes and fields, necessitating relief efforts.

Chu Nan was deeply troubled by the cost of rebuilding homes and fields in Shouzhou. Since his ascension to the throne, disasters had occurred almost every year, requiring relief efforts. However, much of the relief money and grain was often embezzled by corrupt officials. The actual extent of the disasters was often underreported.

This corruption had been a longstanding issue inherited from the previous emperor, who had indulged in luxury and drained the treasury. If only the treasury had been depleted, it might have been recoverable, but the previous emperor's incompetence had led to widespread corruption. Chu Nan had been working tirelessly to combat corruption and restore integrity, but progress was slow.

Now, with the treasury still strained and annual disasters continuing, Chu Nan also planned to reclaim the two lost states from the north. Thus, replenishing the treasury became a pressing matter.

Fan Xueyao understood the gravity of the situation.

Her hands continued their skilled massage, and Chu Nan began to relax, his mood gradually improving.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Nan opened his eyes and patted Fan Xueyao's hands, which were gently rubbing his temples. "Rest a bit, don't tire yourself. Are your hands sore?"

Fan Xueyao tenderly stroked his cheek, her voice soft and loving, "I'm not afraid of tiring myself, but seeing you troubled makes me uneasy. I may not be able to help much, but these small gestures are all I can do. How could I be tired?"

Her words conveyed her love and respect, touching Chu Nan deeply. He held her hand, sat up, and pulled her into his embrace, looking at her with a gentle and affectionate expression. "Only you truly understand and care for me. I was merely troubled by state affairs today, and your concern has made me feel guilty for causing you worry."

He spoke with a touch of emotion, acknowledging that it wasn't difficult for those close to him to notice his distress. Despite being trained to hide his emotions, he couldn't completely conceal them. His attendants and servants always tried to gauge his mood to avoid displeasing him.

When he was happy, they fawned over him; when he was upset, they avoided him. Today, even Li Huai-ren, whom he trusted, remained silent, sensing his distress.

In such moments, Fan Xueyao's efforts to ease his mind were particularly precious.

"As long as My Lord doesn't find me incompetent."

Fan Xueyao tilted her head, smiling sweetly, nestling into his embrace. "State affairs will never end. Everything has a solution. It's getting late, My Lord, don't worry anymore. Otherwise, you won't sleep well, and how can you have good spirits tomorrow? I hope you can relax here in the palace and put aside your troubles."

Chu Nan chuckled, tapping her nose gently. "You always see things so clearly. How did heaven bless you with such a broad heart? With your encouragement, I'll put my worries aside for now."

Fan Xueyao blushed, nuzzling against his neck. "Then, play a game of chess with me. It's been days since we last played, and I'm itching to play again. None of the palace servants are good at chess, so it's no fun playing with them."

"Let's bring out your favorite set of chess pieces, and we'll play a couple of games," Chu Nan agreed, his eyes sparkling with affection.

The chess pieces were crafted from rare materials—black stones made of ink jade and white stones made of the finest white jade, known as 'mutton fat white jade.' The pieces were meticulously selected and polished, resulting in a beautiful set that was both visually pleasing and comfortable to hold.

Soon, the palace maid brought the chessboard and pieces. They sat down on either side of the couch and began their game of go.

With Fan Xueyao using all her skills to make him feel at ease, Chu Nan soon forgot about the troublesome state affairs and fully immersed himself in the game of Go. He had no choice but to do so, as Fan Xueyao's skill was exceptionally high. If he didn't concentrate, he would lose miserably.

Fan Xueyao was naturally skilled at Go. After all, for over a decade, her daily life revolved around music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with chess being one of her few pastimes. She played almost every day, so it would be strange if she weren't good at it.

Moreover, she had the ability to read minds, which was like having a cheat code. With her skill and this ability, in an era without computers, she was almost unbeatable.

However, she knew the importance of moderation. No matter who she played against, she always kept a balance, especially with Chu Nan. When they played, they engaged in intricate strategies, battling wits on the small board, and she often emerged victorious.

She always gauged the intensity, making each game thrilling and exhilarating. In the end, she wouldn't let Chu Nan lose too badly, as their skill levels were vastly different. One-sided dominance would make the game lose its fun.

Now, Fan Xueyao played even more attentively, trying to keep Chu Nan fully engaged in each move, helping him forget his troubles. This wasn't difficult.

They played for half an hour, and when they finished, both sighed deeply. The game was truly intense and satisfying. They realized only then that they had broken a sweat in the cool spring air.

Chu Nan looked at Fan Xueyao with admiration and sighed, "Your skill is indeed remarkable. I learned from a national master since childhood and have studied countless rare chess manuals in the palace, yet I still can't match you. It's clear that you have exceptional talent. In a few years, there might not be anyone in Daliang who can beat you."

He couldn't help feeling a bit regretful. Although Fan Xueyao was reserved and didn't like to show off, through daily interactions, he had come to appreciate her vast knowledge and extraordinary talent. What was even more admirable was her grace and kindness despite her brilliance.

If she were a man, she would undoubtedly be outstanding. Whether as a scholar or an official, her achievements would surpass many others. Just looking at her poetry and essays, they were far more refined than those of her brother.

Such a brilliant mind, yet born a woman, could only remain hidden in seclusion, unknown to the world. It was hard not to feel sorry for her and regret her situation.

Fan Xueyao smiled gently, the dim candlelight adding warmth to the atmosphere. "I merely got lucky. How can you praise me so much? It's embarrassing. It's not that I have exceptional talent; it's just that you're busy with state affairs every day, while I have nothing but leisure time to study chess manuals. You've seen the manuals once, but I've seen them two or three times. If my skill isn't good after all that, how could I face anyone?"

Chu Nan smiled wider, nodding. "That's true. Since ascending the throne, I've had little time for leisure. It's impressive that you can still enjoy and improve your chess skills."

Fan Xueyao glanced at him, her smile changing from her usual gentle demeanor to one that seemed to melt honey, bright and charming. "Even the Emperor admits to being inferior to someone else. That's quite surprising to hear."

Despite appearing gentle and scholarly, Chu Nan was actually quite proud.

He had every reason to be proud. From his background, he was the Empress's son and now the Emperor. While not extraordinarily handsome, he had a graceful stature and a refined demeanor, embodying the image of a gentleman.

His imperial status added to his regal bearing, balancing his gentleness with authority. This combination made him a compelling figure.

Chu Nan chuckled at her remark.

After some light conversation, Chu Nan remembered that today was the day Fan Yelin was supposed to meet Fan Xueyao, so he inquired about it. Before they knew it, it was late. Chu Xu had fallen asleep during their game and was taken by a wet nurse to his bed.

Chu Nan bathed and changed into his nightclothes, and they went to bed together.

After returning home from the villa, Fan Yelin first reported to his parents. After a thorough conversation, he returned to his courtyard. His wife, Chen Shi, had been napping on the couch, but upon seeing him approach, a servant girl hurried to inform her.

Chen Shi quickly got up and composed herself before Fan Yelin entered. As soon as he came in, she greeted him warmly.

Seeing her heavily pregnant belly, Fan Yelin said, "You don't need to get up. I have maids to serve me. You should be careful, especially now that you're close to your due date."

Chen Shi held her waist, smiling brightly.

For years, she had been childless, causing worry for both her husband's family and her own. Now that she was finally pregnant, both families were very supportive. Her family, though not as wealthy as the Fans, sent her the best things. Li Rong, eager for a grandchild, provided her with all sorts of delicious food. Thus, she was well-nourished, with a round and heavy belly, causing her back to ache.

Seeing her large belly, Fan Yelin felt concerned and helped her sit down on the couch.

As soon as she sat down, Chen Shi eagerly asked, "Did you see the lady? What did she say? Did she mention anything about your appointment?"

"I just came from talking to Father and Mother, answering many questions. I haven't even had a chance to rest or have a cup of tea, and you're already asking," Fan Yelin said, somewhat exasperated.

Realizing her eagerness, Chen Shi blushed and called for Yuanxiao, the maid skilled in brewing tea. "Bring out the osmanthus golden lantern tea that Zhaoyi gave us and brew two bowls."

Yuanxiao went out and soon returned with two bowls of the fragrant tea. The aroma of osmanthus flowers and tangerines filled the room.

Fan Yelin slowly sipped his tea, while Chen Shi, who had just woken up, also drank a bowl to quench her thirst.

After finishing their tea, Fan Yelin felt refreshed and began recounting what happened at Yao Hua Palace.

Chen Shi, usually calm and composed, found it hard to stay collected given the importance of her husband's future and their family's well-being. Hearing Fan Yelin's account, she was momentarily lost in thought.

The lady's words made sense. She worried about leaving her child behind, but she knew it was the right decision. She wasn't stupid; she understood it was the best choice.

But logic couldn't control her emotions.

She couldn't help but think about going away for years with her husband, leaving a newborn child who wouldn't recognize them. Raised by grandparents, the child might not bond with them when they returned.

Hearing the lady's words, she felt enlightened and relieved.

Of course, the child was hers, carried for ten months. Even if they were apart temporarily, the child would recognize them eventually. Blood ties couldn't be severed.

Chen Shi touched her belly, "The lady's words are truly wise. I was foolish to get stuck in such a narrow mindset." She apologized, her long-standing worries finally dissipating.

Fan Yelin patted her hand, his eyes softening. "It's good that you understand. We're young, and this isn't our only child. Besides, I need to achieve something in my new post. Having the child with us might not be ideal for proper care. Letting Mother raise the child will give her purpose, and you know how she's been since Yao Niang entered the palace. Our presence used to comfort her, but now we'll be away, and she'll feel lonely."

Chen Shi chided him, "You had this plan all along and didn't tell me? You let me worry for so long! How does Mother feel about it?"

Before, he couldn't tell her, knowing she would agree against her wishes. He smiled, listening to her complaints about making her seem unfilial.