Chapter 64 I'll Still Love You in the Next Life

After finishing his court duties, Yuwen Che rushed to Guanju Palace without a moment's rest. As he entered the inner hall, he saw the imperial physician withdraw his hand from Su Luoxue's wrist, his expression respectful.

"Your Majesty." The imperial physician and palace servants hurriedly bowed.

Yuwen Che waved his hand, his gaze falling directly on Su Luoxue. Seeing that her complexion seemed better than the previous two days, he felt somewhat relieved, but still immediately asked, "How is the Imperial Concubine's pulse?"

The imperial physician bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Her Majesty's pulse is stronger and more gentle than it was a few days ago, and her fetal breathing is much more stable. As long as she continues to rest peacefully and take her medicine on time, the imperial heir will surely be safe and sound."

Yuwen Che's tense nerves finally relaxed, and a genuine smile appeared on his face for the first time in days: "Good! Reward!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" the imperial physician hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Yuwen Che sat down on the edge of the bed, took Su Luoxue's hand, and said gently, "Xue'er, did you hear that? The imperial physician said that you and the child are much better."

Su Luoxue leaned on his shoulder, nodded gently, and smiled faintly: "Yes, I feel a bit better today, and I don't feel as nauseous as before."

"That's good." Yuwen Che put his arm around her, then looked down at her as if he had remembered something. "Li Dehai should have told you about what happened in court today, right?"

Su Luoxue's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes sparkling with happiness, and she whispered, "Mmm... A-Che, thank you."

"Don't talk nonsense," Yuwen Che chuckled, his fingertips brushing through her hair. "This is something I should have given you long ago. After the New Year, you will be my rightful Empress, the most honorable mother of our children."

"And she is my...only wife."

He paused, his tone carrying a barely perceptible chill: "Then, let's see who dares to speak ill of your background behind your back."

Su Luoxue felt the protectiveness in his words, and a warm current flowed through her heart. She pulled his hand over and placed it on her slightly protruding belly: "The children seem to know that their father loves them. They have been very well-behaved today."

Yuwen Che felt the pulse of life in his palm, his eyes softening unbelievably. He leaned down and whispered to her lower abdomen, "Did you hear that? Be good like this forever, don't bother your mother. Father and Mother are waiting for your safe arrival."

Seeing his expression, Su Luoxue couldn't help but smile.

The imperial physicians and palace servants had already tactfully retreated to the outer room.

Inside the inner palace, only the Emperor and Empress remained, their figures nestled together in tender affection. The storms of the outside world and the intrigues of the court seemed to be shut out from this space of warmth. For Yuwen Che, establishing an Empress was both his promise to her and the strongest shield he had built for her and their child.

The candlelight inside the hall cast a dim glow, illuminating their embracing figures. Su Luoxue leaned against Yuwen Che's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the warmth from his palm. A tremendous sense of happiness enveloped her, yet it also brought a touch of inexplicable unease.

She was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of confusion and uncertainty:

“A-Che…”

"Hmm?" Yuwen Che looked down at her slightly furrowed brows.

"Why...why are you so good to me?" Su Luoxue looked up, her clear eyes reflecting his image. "So good...sometimes I feel like I'm dreaming, it's a little...unreal."

She bit her lip slightly and continued, "You are the emperor, and you can choose any of the most beautiful women in the world. But you are so good to me... a mere daughter of an ordinary merchant family. You broke so many rules for me, disregarding the opposition of the Empress Dowager and the court officials to bring me into the palace, giving me the best favor, and now you have made me empress... I... I am sometimes afraid..."

"I fear this is just a beautiful dream, which will vanish when I wake up. I fear I am not worthy of your unconditional affection. I fear even more... that one day, this affection will disappear silently, just as it came."

Yuwen Che listened quietly without answering immediately. Looking at the vulnerability and anxiety in her eyes, a complex emotion welled up in his heart—a mix of heartache and pity.

He cupped her face, drawing her into his gaze, his eyes deep and focused, each word clear and distinct:

"Silly Xue'er, do you think I'm the kind of foolish ruler who would be seduced by beauty?"

Su Luoxue stared at him blankly.

"I have seen many beauties," Yuwen Che said calmly, yet with a penetrating power, "but you are the only one who could make me lose my soul at first glance on Zhuque Street."

He gently stroked her cheek with his thumb and continued, "I love you, and not just because of your appearance."

His voice was deep and firm: "I love you simply because you are Su Luoxue. You are the Su Luoxue who laughed without restraint on the long street, bumped into my arms, and made my heart, which had been cold for more than twenty years, feel warmth for the first time."

“I am the emperor, possessing the world, yet I am also lonely. It was only after meeting you that I felt this vast land had color and warmth.” He gazed into her eyes, as if trying to see into the depths of her soul. “I am good to you because you deserve it. I wish I could offer you all the best things in the world, but I fear that what I give is not enough, not good enough.”

He leaned down, forehead to forehead, their breaths mingling:

"So don't be afraid, and don't feel it's unreal. My love for you will never change in this lifetime. Not only in this lifetime, but in the next life, and the life after that, I have already reserved you. Didn't I say that in the next life I wouldn't be an emperor, but just an ordinary couple? I have always remembered that."

Su Luoxue's tears fell unexpectedly, not from sadness, but from being overwhelmed by immense happiness and a sense of peace. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck, her voice choked with emotion:

“Ache…I believe you. I’m just…so happy.”

Yuwen Che gently patted her back, as if comforting a child: "Silly girl. I said I only want you. That will always stand."

Su Luoxue's eyes welled up with tears from his words. She leaned against him for a while to catch her breath before raising her wet eyes and suddenly asking a slightly silly question:

"Then... Ah Che, if in the next life I'm not pretty anymore, just average-looking, the kind you wouldn't notice in a crowd, would you... would you still treat me as well as you do now?"

After asking the question, she realized it was a bit childish and shyly hid her burning cheeks in his arms.

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Che was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly and tightened his grip on her arm.

"Silly girl," he said, his tone full of indulgence and helplessness, "when I first saw you on Zhuque Street, you were chasing after Fuling, your hair disheveled, your face flushed, like a crazy girl. You didn't care about being pretty or not."

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his voice steady and resolute:

"What I admire is you as a person, your soul, your character, and the sparkling light in your eyes when you look at me. What does it have to do with your physical appearance?"

He cupped her face in his hands, making her look at him, his gaze earnest and almost reverent.

"Even if you become a clown in your next life, as long as you are still the Su Luoxue who can be coquettish, jealous, and makes my heart ache, I will still take you home, cherish you, and hold you in the palm of my hand."

Su Luoxue burst into laughter through her tears at his words, her heart filled with sweetness, but she still coquettishly retorted, "You're the ugly one!"

“Alright, I’m an ugly duckling,” Yuwen Che readily agreed, chuckling as he pinched her nose. “Then in the next life, you, this pretty little girl, will come and pick up this unwanted ugly duckling and take him home, okay?”

"You're not allowed to become ugly. I like you the way you are now," Su Luoxue said softly, hugging his neck. "In the next life, and the life after that, I'll still cling to you. You won't be able to shake me off!"

"I couldn't ask for more." Yuwen Che chuckled and kissed her deeply.

The candlelight crackled softly, illuminating their intertwined figures and bearing witness to this three-life vow that transcends physical appearance and penetrates the depths of their souls. For them, no matter how many times they are reincarnated, they are each other's only and unwavering destiny.