Chapter 79 Kunning Palace and Winter Warmth
Chapter Seventy-Nine: Kunning Palace and Winter Warmth
Now that Li Qianche has finished dealing with state affairs, returning to Kunning Palace has become a habit, and the steps are clearly defined.
Upon entering the palace, the first thing to do is to find Su Su. No matter what she is doing, he always pulls her into his arms and places a gentle kiss on her lips or cheek, as if to confirm the end of their day apart.
The second thing was to look around and find Xiao Zhaoyue, who was wearing a pink dress and looked like a glutinous rice ball. He bent down, picked her up, and held her in his arms, cherishing her dearly.
Zhaoyue was also very attached to her father, the Emperor. Her small, soft body nestled in Li Qianche's broad embrace, her slender arms tightly wrapped around his neck, and her tender little face pressed against his neck. The warm, milky scent that brushed against her could melt the heart of this majestic emperor into a pool of spring water, making him wish he could immediately present all the rare treasures in the world to little Zhaoyue.
On this day, a little over a year old, Zhaoyue pointed to her cheeks with her chubby little fingers and said in a childish, still unclear voice, "Fu'an~ Yue'er wants... pink~"
Li Qianche was slightly taken aback, looked down at Xiao Zhaoyue, and tried to understand: "Pink? Yue'er wants to eat... rice flour cake?" He thought it was a children's snack.
Watching the heartwarming scene of the father and daughter talking at cross purposes, Su Su couldn't help but chuckle. She put down her needlework and explained softly, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. It's the 'powder' in rouge and face powder. Yue'er often sees Chunlan applying powder to my face, so she remembered it and thinks that the fragrant powder is a good thing, and she's been asking for some too."
Li Qianche suddenly realized and laughed loudly, "So that's how it is! As expected of my princess, she knows how to apply powder and rouge at such a young age and understands how to feel sorry for herself." His words were full of pride as a father.
Upon hearing this, Su Su gave him a reproachful look, her tone tinged with a helpless yet indulgent affection: "Your Majesty is praising her? This little one is already so vain, who knows what she'll be like in the future?"
Li Qianche, however, disagreed. He lowered his head and rubbed his chin against Xiao Zhaoyue's soft hair, his tone firm: "My Yue'er is so lovely and beautiful. Even when she grows up, she will still be stunningly beautiful without makeup. Yue'er, be good and don't wear any cosmetics. You are most beautiful in your natural state."
Although Xiao Zhaoyue couldn't fully understand, she caught the words "good-looking" and "pretty," and seeing her father's smiling face, she knew he was praising her. She immediately became so happy that she danced around in Li Qianche's arms, giggling incessantly.
Compared to his younger sister's liveliness and activity, Xiao Zimo sat quietly in the corner covered with a thick carpet, stroking a pure white, gentle-natured lion dog with his little hands.
This dog was specially found by Li Qianche some time ago, to keep the children company. Xiao Zimo is quiet, and the dog is well-behaved, often lying quietly beside its little master, letting his little hands stroke its fur.
Looking at Xiao Zimo's focused profile, Su Su asked softly, "Does Mo'er like this dog?"
Xiao Zimo raised his head at the sound, his deep eyes, which resembled Li Qianche's, looked at Su Su, nodded seriously, and replied in a still childish but clear voice, "I like it." He paused, then added, his voice not loud, but exceptionally heartwarming, "But Zimo likes Mother Empress even more."
The child's innocent words instantly touched the softest spot in Su Su's heart. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she bent down to pick up Xiao Zimo, kissing his fair little face several times.
Little Mo seemed a little shy, his little ears turning slightly red, but he still nestled obediently in his mother's fragrant embrace. Su Su held him for a while, then put him back on the ground, encouraging him, "Mo'er, take a few more steps so your mother can see you?"
After Xiao Zimo steadied himself, he took a few quick steps toward Su Su, though his steps were still a little unsteady. Then he plunged into her open arms, causing Su Su to lean back slightly.
"Our Mo'er is so smart, she's walking more and more steadily!" Su Su hugged Mo'er and praised her generously.
Li Qianche, who was standing to the side, held Zhaoyue and said with pride, "Calm and intelligent, she is indeed just like me when I was a child."
Upon hearing this, Su Su deliberately snorted and raised her eyebrows, asking in return, "Your Majesty, I don't like to hear such words. Can't Mo'er's intelligence be attributed to me?"
Seeing her coquettish expression, Li Qianche smiled inwardly and deliberately teased her, saying slowly, "Oh? I vaguely remember, I don't know who it was when they first met me as a child, they were only looking at the pastries in their hands and didn't watch where they were going, and as a result..." He deliberately dragged out his words.
Su Su immediately recalled that embarrassing incident, her cheeks flushed red, and she huffed in embarrassment and annoyance before turning her head away and ignoring him.
Seeing that she was truly annoyed, Li Qianche quickly picked up the giggling Xiao Zhaoyue and leaned closer, softening his voice to coax her, "It was my fault, I misspoke. Su Su is the most intelligent and quick-witted, and she is also so beautiful. Look how lovely and adorable Yue'er is, isn't she just like you?"
As he spoke, he winked at Xiao Zhaoyue in his arms. Xiao Zhaoyue didn't understand what he meant, but she just watched her father and mother laugh even more happily.
Su Su couldn't help but laugh at his humble and subservient manner, which also involved Xiao Zhaoyue. She turned her face away, but still couldn't help but take credit for Xiao Zimo: "Xiao Zimo's composure and intelligence must be like mine!"
Li Qianche readily agreed, nodding repeatedly and saying in a doting tone, "Good, good, they all resemble Su'er, Su'er is the best."
As he spoke, he took Xiao Zimo from Su Su's arms, holding one in each arm and steadily cradling both Zimo and Zhaoyue in his embrace. He lowered his head and touched forehead to forehead with them, making the two children laugh and play. Su Su looked at the three of them so intimately together, her heart filled with a warm and happy feeling.
After the laughter subsided, Su Su remembered the important matter and said gently, "Your Majesty, today is the Winter Solstice. The palace is much quieter than at other times. How about... we take Zi Mo and Zhao Yue to Cining Palace to have dinner with the Empress Dowager? Let her enjoy some family time."
Since the Empress Dowager completely relinquished her responsibilities to the previous dynasty and began to enjoy her retirement, the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager has improved considerably, now resembling that of ordinary family ties. He nodded upon hearing this: "Su Su is indeed very thoughtful; I will follow your advice."
The group arrived at Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager had been eagerly awaiting their arrival. Upon seeing her two adorable grandsons, the Empress Dowager's face immediately lit up with a smile. She lovingly took the steady little Zimo in her arms first, calling him her darling. The little Zimo obediently called out, "Grandmother~" Though his voice was still young, it was clear and distinct, which delighted the Empress Dowager, making her beam with joy.
Then she took the lively little Zhaoyue in her arms, and Zhaoyue imitated her brother, calling out indistinctly, "Huang Zumu~" Her adorable little appearance made the Empress Dowager unable to resist kissing her cheeks again and again.
The atmosphere was even warmer at dinner time. The Empress Dowager was in high spirits and did not allow the palace servants to do anything. She personally took a small silver spoon and patiently fed Xiao Zimo egg custard first, and then coaxed Xiao Zhaoyue to drink soup.
Li Qianche was relieved to be free from worrying about the two children. She was happy to have some peace and quiet. She and Su Su smiled at each other and ate their meal in peace, but her eyes always followed Zi Mo and Zhao Yue with tenderness.
Looking at the scene before her—the majestic emperor shedding his coldness of the court, the kind empress dowager enjoying the pleasure of playing with her grandchildren, and her two children doting on her knees—Su Su was filled with emotion.
Last year's winter solstice may have carried the shadows of the past, but this year's winter solstice is quite different. A smile unconsciously curved her lips, blossoming into a bright and warm one from the heart.
Every winter solstice from now on will likely be a time of family reunion and joy.
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