Chapter 169 A Family of Three (A Sweet Treat!)
The next day, as dawn broke, the gilded bronze incense burner in the sleeping quarters emitted a faint fragrance of pear blossoms from the bed curtains.
Lu Zhaoxue woke up in Chu Siheng's arms as the warmth of the morning light seeped in.
With the lingering warmth of last night still clinging to her shoulder, Lu Zhaoxue stirred slightly, and the person beside her immediately woke up.
Chu Siheng tightened his grip, pulling Lu Zhaoxue closer to him, his voice hoarse from just waking up.
"Ah Xue, you're awake?"
"Sleep a little longer. Since you canceled your appointment today, you don't need to get up early to handle matters. I also canceled my morning court session."
After saying that, Chu Siheng kissed Lu Zhaoxue's face again and lingered with her, refusing to get up.
Lu Zhaoxue smiled and patted Chu Siheng's hand, her eyes filled with the morning light, clear and gentle.
“Siheng, if we keep sleeping, Lingyang will laugh at us for being lazy. We promised to have breakfast with you and your daughter yesterday, so we can’t go back on our word.”
Chu Siheng reluctantly gave in, but still gently tidied Lu Zhaoxue's disheveled hair, his movements incredibly tender.
Who would have thought that the emperor, so majestic and awe-inspiring in the imperial court, would be so affectionate and tender towards his wife and daughters in private?
The morning light was just right, and it truly brought the peaceful warmth of an ordinary household.
After the two had finished washing and dressing, they had just arrived at the outer hall's dining room when a pink figure rushed towards them.
Chu Lingyang was dressed in casual clothes, without the elaborate princess court dress, and her hair was styled in two buns, with only two small pearl hairpins in her hair.
Upon seeing Lu Zhaoxue, she sweetly called out, "Mother!"
Chu Lingyang then turned to Chu Siheng, curtsied respectfully, and called out with a touch of coquettishness, "Father."
"Why are you running so fast? Be careful not to fall."
Lu Zhaoxue reached out to support her daughter, straightened Chu Lingyang's skirt, and brushed away the stray hairs from her hair.
Lu Zhaoxue's tone was full of concern, just like an ordinary mother who dotes on her daughter.
Chu Siheng had already instructed the palace servants to prepare the meal. The dishes on the table were not the usual delicacies, but mostly simple home-style dishes.
The soft and glutinous lotus seed soup and lotus root starch osmanthus sugar cake were specially ordered by Lu Zhaoxue to be made by the imperial chef, as they were sweet treats that both father and daughter loved.
The crisp and tender green sunflower salad is refreshing and helps to cut through the richness, paired with soft and fluffy silver thread rolls and water chestnut cake.
Finally, there are Chu Lingyang's favorite crystal shrimp dumplings, each with a thin skin and generous filling, and a faint pink hue.
The three sat around a round table, completely devoid of the strict hierarchy of the capital's palace.
Chu Lingyang held the small jade chopsticks, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the crystal shrimp dumplings. Just as she picked one up, she remembered something and put it into Lu Zhaoxue's bowl first.
Then, Chu Lingyang picked up another piece and placed it in Chu Siheng's bowl, instructing him like a little adult: "Eat more, Mother. You work so hard every day, you need to nourish yourself."
"Father is eating too. These shrimp dumplings look especially delicious today."
Looking at the shrimp dumplings in the bowl, Chu Siheng's expression softened instantly. He reached out and ruffled Chu Lingyang's hair, his tone gentle: "Zhao Zhao is so thoughtful. You should eat more too."
Chu Siheng ate the shrimp dumplings with great satisfaction, thinking to himself as he ate, "Life is so wonderful! It seems that a little bit of 'playful teasing' really works!"
Seeing the father and daughter like this, Lu Zhaoxue felt a surge of warmth in her heart and scooped up a spoonful of lotus seed soup and brought it to Chu Lingyang's lips.
"Zhaozhao, come here, let your mother feed you too, taste if it's sweet."
Chu Lingyang obediently opened her mouth, her eyebrows curving into crescent moons, and nodded repeatedly, saying, "So sweet! Even sweeter than what the imperial chef usually makes!"
There were no formalities during the meal. Chu Lingyang chattered on about the fun she had with the Grand Tutor yesterday, and said that she would write a piece of calligraphy to give to her mother today.
Then, she mentioned wanting to feed the koi in the warm pavilion of the Imperial Garden, rambling on and on. Chu Siheng and Lu Zhaoxue listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a word or two.
This uninhibited conversation made Chu Siheng feel more at ease than any delicacy in the palace.
The sunlight was perfect after the meal, and the warm pavilion in the Imperial Garden was bathed in sunshine. Chu Lingyang held Lu Zhaoxue's hand and ran ahead.
Chu Siheng followed behind them, carrying a small bamboo basket filled with fish food.
Chu Siheng was dressed in a bright yellow casual outfit. Shedding the imposing aura of the dragon robe, he looked just like an ordinary husband and father protecting his wife and daughter.
In the koi pond next to the warm pavilion, koi of various colors swam around. Chu Lingyang squatted by the pond and carefully sprinkled a handful of fish food into the pond.
Chu Lingyang watched the fish vying for food, her eyes crinkling with laughter, her clear laughter ringing out in the air, exceptionally melodious and pleasant to hear.
Lu Zhaoxue stood to the side watching her daughter when a warm cloak suddenly fell onto her shoulder.
Chu Siheng had brought it out because he was worried that Lu Zhaoxue would catch a cold when the wind picked up. He gently tied the cloak for her from behind.
Chu Siheng's hand inadvertently brushed against Lu Zhaoxue's neck, causing her to tremble slightly.
Chu Siheng chuckled softly, "It's windy, Xue, be careful not to catch a cold."
Seeing the two of them looking like this, Chu Lingyang covered her mouth and chuckled, then deliberately raised her voice and shouted, "Father and Mother, come and see! This golden-red koi is huge!"
Chu Siheng took Lu Zhaoxue's hand and walked over. The family of three squatted by the pond, watching the koi fish chase after their food and chatting casually.
Chu Lingyang suddenly tilted her head and asked, "Father, isn't Mother busy with the affairs of those sisters today?"
“In the past, I always saw that my mother was busy until very late before returning to her palace. It has been a long time since I have spent time with my mother and father like this.”
Lu Zhaoxue felt a warmth in her heart, reached out and held her daughter's small hand, and said softly, "From now on, Mother will make more time to spend with Lingyang and your father. We'll go out and play often, just like today."
Upon hearing this, Chu Siheng turned his head to look at Lu Zhaoxue, his eyes full of tender smiles, and tightened his grip on Lu Zhaoxue's hand.
Chu Siheng, as an emperor, possessed the world, but the most precious thing in this world was not supreme power, but the ordinary warmth of having his wife and daughter by his side.
No need for the constraints of being an emperor, empress, or princess; just an ordinary family living together.
Being able to eat breakfast together in the morning and stroll together in leisure time was, in Chu Siheng's opinion, the most precious and fulfilling thing within these palace walls.
As the sun rose higher, the palace servants in the warm pavilion prepared tea and snacks. Chu Lingyang pestered Lu Zhaoxue to teach her calligraphy, while Chu Siheng sat to the side, watching his wife and daughter write at their desks.
Chu Siheng also held a book in his hand, but he didn't look at it much, his gaze fixed on the mother and daughter.
Sunlight streamed through the windows of the warm pavilion, falling on the three of them and gilding them with a gentle golden edge.
Despite the imposing palace walls and the absolute power in one's hands, the warmth of this cozy corner of the home is more comforting and captivating than any magnificent landscape.
The palace servants stood at a distance outside, not daring to disturb them, and quietly watched the scene inside the hall.
Everyone knows that His Majesty dotes on the Empress and cherishes the Grand Princess, but they do not know that this favor and affection is devoid of any imperial scheming or majesty, but is just like that of an ordinary couple or father and daughter.
They guarded this corner of the capital, turning their ordinary days into the happiest time of their lives.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com