Chapter 70 Yuwen Che's Promise

Yuwen Che sensed the lingering unease in the woman in his arms. He knew she was still young, and having entered the palace less than a year ago, she had already experienced the deposition of the empress, a palace coup, pregnancy, and now the establishment of the empress and the potential for war. She was also six months pregnant, so it was perfectly normal for her to be sensitive. He felt no annoyance, only deeper pity and patience.

He patted her back gently, as if soothing a baby, his voice slow, each word clear and solemn:

"Xue'er, I know what you're thinking. You've only been in the palace for a short time, yet you've already seen too much hardship. Now you're carrying my child, so it's understandable that you're anxious."

He cupped her face in his hands, allowing her to clearly see the pure sincerity in his eyes:

"Listen to me, I promise you again today—aside from your Guanju Palace, I, Yuwen Che, will never set foot in the palace of any other concubine in this lifetime."

His tone was firm and left no room for argument:

"It's not temporary, it's not perfunctory, it's forever. My heart, my person, from the moment I recognized you, has belonged only to you, Su Luoxue. It was then, it is now, it will be in the future, and even when we are old and gray, it will never change."

He gently stroked her cheek with his thumb, his eyes filled with a deep affection that could drown her:

"So put aside all those unnecessary worries. You just need to remember that whether I am the emperor or in the future... or perhaps we can really be an ordinary couple, you will always be my only wife, the place I am willing to confine myself to."

Su Luoxue's tears flowed uncontrollably again, but this time, they were tears of complete peace and happiness. She nodded vigorously, threw herself into his arms, and hugged him tightly.

“Ah Che… I remember… I remember everything… I won’t think nonsense anymore… The child in my womb and I… both believe in you…”

Yuwen Che held her tightly, feeling her body relax, a sense of peace filling his heart. He knew that some promises needed to be repeated to completely dispel the gloom in her heart caused by her youth and circumstances. And he was willing to patiently give her this unwavering sense of security. His promise of lifelong devotion was not empty words. "I am the King of Great Zhou, but even more so, I am your husband."

He sensed that Su Luoxue in his arms was gradually calming down, and felt that he needed to clarify a few more things. His tone remained gentle, but it carried an unprecedented seriousness.

"Xue'er, I know you are kind-hearted and feel sorry for the women in the harem who have such a hard life and are wasting their youth." He gently patted her back, but then changed the subject slightly, "But I want you to understand something."

He stepped back slightly, gazing into her eyes, each word clear and distinct:

"I am your husband. The one with whom you have sworn an oath to heaven and earth, the one with whom you will spend your life. A husband is not something that can be given away or shared casually out of pity or because you feel it is unfair to others, understand?"

Su Luoxue's heart tightened under his serious gaze, and she subconsciously shook her head: "I didn't mean for you..."

“I know that’s not what you meant,” Yuwen Che interrupted her, his tone softening but still firm, “but subconsciously, you still place me in a position that can be assigned. That’s wrong.”

He took her hand and placed it against his heart, letting her feel its burning pulse.

“This place is alive, and it has its own choices. It has chosen you, and there is no room for anyone else. This is my affection for you, and it is also the loyalty and exclusivity that I, as your husband, should have for you.”

His gaze was deep, carrying an undeniable air of authority:

"So, Xue'er, put away your excessive kindness and sympathy. When it comes to me, you don't need to, and shouldn't, have any thoughts of giving in. I am yours, and only yours. No one can share me, and you absolutely cannot push me away, not even in the slightest thought."

He lowered his head, forehead to forehead, their breaths mingling, his voice deep and possessive:

"Remember this? Your husband is yours. Hold him tightly in your hands and don't give him to anyone else."

Looking into his eyes, so close to hers and filled with earnestness and possessiveness, Su Luoxue's heart pounded. An unprecedented sense of clarity and sweetness welled up within her. She nodded firmly, her voice soft yet incredibly resolute:

“Remember, A-Che. You are my husband, and only mine. I... I won’t give him to anyone else.”

Yuwen Che smiled with satisfaction and kissed her lips: "That's more like it."

After the kiss, he held her in his arms until he felt she was completely at ease, then continued gently:

"Xue'er, I understand your kindness. You feel that they are trapped in the deep palace and cannot receive the love of their husbands, which is very pitiful."

His tone was calm, carrying the rationality and deliberation of an emperor:

"Although I cannot give them love or favor, as long as they behave themselves and their maternal families do not commit any serious crimes, I can guarantee that they can enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor and live a peaceful life within these palace walls."

He gently squeezed her hand and explained:

"Their allowances and expenses will not be lacking; the palace servants will not neglect their duties. They will receive the respect due to the festivals and holidays. If in the future any of them feel lonely in the palace and wish to devote themselves to Buddhism or seek other solace, I will grant their request and even support them to leave the palace."

He looked at her, his gaze clear:

"I can never be their husband. This is merely the only guarantee I, as the emperor, can give them, and also a kind of... compensation. But this is different from the marital relationship between you and me, understand?"

Su Luoxue nestled in his arms and nodded gently: "I understand, A-Che. You have given them security and dignity in their lives, which... is perhaps a kind of comprehensiveness in itself."

"It's good that you think that way." Yuwen Che nodded. "Everyone has their own destiny, and the best outcome is for everyone to accept their fate. You don't need to feel indebted to them, and you don't need to let it affect our relationship."

He lowered his head and gently patted the top of her head, his tone becoming gentle and attentive again:

"What I can give you is my whole heart, the only Empress position, the honor of our child being the legitimate heir, and a promise for all eternity. These are the things I, as your husband, truly want to give you."

The last trace of hesitation in Su Luoxue's heart completely dissipated. She understood his principles—he clearly distinguished between responsibility and love. And she, fortunate enough, occupied his entire emotional world.

"Mmm," she wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice soft and content, "I understand. From now on... I won't think about these things anymore."

Hearing her finally relieved response, Yuwen Che tightened his arms, pulling her closer into his embrace. His deep voice sounded in her ear, carrying a relieved joy and an undeniable solemnity:

"It's good that you remember... My Xue'er, you must remember that in this world, whatever you want, I can give you. Any request you make, as long as I can fulfill it, I will grant it."

He paused slightly, his tone resolute and absolutely exclusive:

"Apart from letting me sleep with other men, there is absolutely no room for negotiation on this."

He stepped back slightly, gazing into her eyes, those deep eyes filled with an unprecedented clarity and determination, as if making the most sacred vow:

"I, Yuwen Che, will be loyal to only you for the rest of my life."

He spoke each word clearly and distinctly:

"Both body and mind are the same."

He took her hand and placed it on his heart, letting her feel the burning heat that beat only for her, and continued:

"I will devote the rest of my energy to the affairs of the state, to work diligently and make the Great Zhou Dynasty last forever, so that the people of the world can live in peace and prosperity. This is my responsibility as emperor."

His gaze softened, settling intently on her face:

"But all my selfish desires and all my love are devoted to you alone. This loyalty will last until death."

Su Luoxue looked up at him, deeply shocked by his unreserved, even somewhat obsessive, vow. She had never imagined that an emperor, especially such a young and heroic emperor who held the world in his hands, would give a woman such an ultimate and unique promise.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him tightly, her voice choked with emotion yet unwavering:

"Ache... I believe in you. My heart and my body will always belong to you alone. In this life, I will never have another heart."

After Yuwen Che patiently explained everything, he finally smiled with complete relief and kissed away the tears from the corners of her eyes. From that moment on, the last remaining barrier between them, caused by their different statuses and the outside world, was completely shattered. They were Emperor and Empress, and more importantly, each other's only chosen partners, husband and wife... In this deep palace, they would depend on each other, remain loyal to one another, until the very end.