Chapter 157 Getting Better and Better

Yuwen Che looked at the three children who suddenly became excited, his eyes filled with tenderness.

He released Su Luoxue's hand and instead took her hand, leading her to the children.

"Li Dehai".

"This old servant is here."

"Let's go to the Imperial Garden to prepare first."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Dehai bowed and accepted the order, then quickly withdrew to make arrangements.

Yuwen Che lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over his children who were looking up at him with expectant eyes. His voice was gentle: "Let's go... Your father and mother will accompany you to the Imperial Garden to fly kites now, shall we?"

"Great! Let's fly a kite!" Tingxue clapped her hands happily and opened her arms to Yuwen Che.

In a childish voice, she pleaded, "Father, Ning'er wants Father to hug me!"

Yuwen Che smiled and bent down to easily pick up his youngest daughter with one hand, letting her sit in the crook of his arm.

He replied affectionately, "Okay, Father will hug our little princess."

He held Tingxue firmly in one arm and held Su Luoxue tightly in the other, and walked out of the hall first, saying to his other two sons, "Cheng'an, Hao'er, follow me."

Cheng'an immediately responded with a positive "Yes!"

Then she reached out her little hand and took Yuwen Hao's hand, looking up at him and saying, "Brother Hao'er, I'll hold your hand! Let's walk together!"

Yuwen Hao looked at his younger brother's outstretched hand, then at his father, the Emperor, who was holding his sister, leading his mother, and whose back was tall and imposing.

The long-standing sense of alienation and loneliness in his heart seemed to be gently dispelled by this warm scene. He hesitated for a moment, then gently grasped Cheng'an's hand and whispered, "...Okay."

Su Luoxue turned her head to look at her husband and daughter beside her, then looked back at her two sons who were holding hands and following behind.

She reached out her hand to Yuwen Hao behind her and said gently with a smile, "Hao'er, come here quickly. You hold your brother's hand, and your mother will hold yours... okay?"

Yuwen Hao looked at the hand that belonged to his mother, which was reaching out to him, his eyes slightly reddening. He nodded vigorously and said, "Yes."

Pulling Cheng'an along quickly, she caught up with Su Luoxue, carefully placed her small hand in her palm, and whispered, "Mother..."

Su Luoxue felt the slight coolness of his small hand, squeezed it back tightly, and praised softly, "Hao'er is such a good boy."

Seeing this, Cheng'an, who was being led by his older brother, pouted unhappily: "Mother! Mother! Why are you only leading my brother and not Cheng'an!"

Su Luoxue was amused and exasperated by her son's jealous expression, and patiently explained, "Cheng'an, isn't it good for your brother to hold your hand? Look, your mother is holding your father's hand with her other hand."

Su Luoxue shook the hand that Yuwen Che was holding, "How about... you go and talk to Father Emperor and ask him to stop holding Mother Emperor's hand and give you the throne?"

Yuwen Che, who was walking ahead, immediately turned around, deliberately put on a stern face, and raised an eyebrow at his son: "Hmm? Cheng'an, do you want to compete with your father?"

Cheng'an looked up at his father's suddenly changed expression, then at his mother's smiling face. After weighing the options for a moment, he immediately shook his head vigorously, realizing the situation.

She gripped Yuwen Hao's hand tightly and declared loudly, "No! I want my brother to hold my hand! Father Emperor to hold Mother Empress's hand!"

Yuwen Che chuckled with satisfaction, turned back, and gripped Su Luoxue's hand even tighter.

Su Luoxue looked at her husband with a victorious expression beside her, and then at Hao'er behind her, who was finally no longer alone and was being held tightly by his younger brother. She couldn't help but chuckle.

As Yuwen Hao felt the warmth of his mother's palm and the strength of his younger brother's little hand, his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, Yuwen Che gently put Tingxue down from his arms, and Su Luoxue also released her grip on Yuwen Hao's hand.

She bent down and said softly to the three children, "Hao'er, Cheng'an, Ning'er, why don't you play around here for a while?"

"After Steward Li brings the kites, Father and Mother will play with you."

"Okay!" Tingxue replied happily, and ran towards the butterflies fluttering among the flowers with her short legs.

Cheng'an and Yuwen Hao quickly followed, chasing after their younger sister while carefully watching over her.

"Ning'er, slow down! Wait for us!"

"Ning'er, look over there! That butterfly is beautiful!"

"Brother Hao'er, hurry up! Help me catch that prettiest butterfly!" Tingxue pointed to a blue swallowtail butterfly not far away and excitedly directed her.

Seeing his sister's expectant eyes, Yuwen Hao nodded and cautiously approached the butterfly. "Okay, brother will catch it for you."

Yuwen Che helped Su Luoxue to sit down on a stone bench and tidied her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

Su Luoxue leaned against him, her gaze gently following the three children who were laughing and running among the flowers. A satisfied and peaceful smile graced her face as she whispered, "Ache, this is so nice."

Yuwen Che followed her gaze and saw that the eldest son was trying hard to catch butterflies for his younger sister.

The second son stood by, noisily offering his help.

And there's the silvery laughter of my beloved youngest daughter.

He put his arm around Su Luoxue's shoulder, pulled her closer to him, and whispered in response, "Yes, that's nice."

Fuling came from the direction of Guanju Palace and stepped forward to report: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the repairs on the outside of Guanju Palace are largely complete, but the interior of the palace was severely damaged by fire. If it is to be fully restored to its original appearance... it will probably take some time."

Yuwen Che waved his hand: "It's alright. Give the order and have them do it carefully. There's no need to rush. I want Guanju Palace to be even better than before after the reconstruction."

“Yes, this servant understands,” Fuling replied respectfully.

Su Luoxue looked at Fuling, her tone filled with gratitude: "Fuling, you've worked so hard these past few days, taking care of everything inside and outside."

Fuling quickly replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. I have been with you since childhood, and these are all my duties."

Remembering Zhang Mama, who had always served her along with Fuling, Su Luoxue's expression changed, and she whispered, "Zhang Mama, she..."

Yuwen Che immediately grasped her hand, gently interrupting her thoughts, and comforted her, "Don't think about it anymore, Xue'er. I have already sent enough gold, silver and banknotes to Zhang Mama's family to ensure they have enough to eat and wear for the rest of their lives. It can also be considered as... fulfilling her loyalty in protecting her master."

Su Luoxue leaned on his shoulder and nodded gently. She turned her gaze back to the children playing not far away, watching their carefree figures, and said softly, "Yes, those who are alive should live well. Guanju Palace will be renewed, and we... will get better and better."

Yuwen Che tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze unwavering: "I will."