Chapter 128 Yuwen Hao's Grievance
Yuwen Cheng'an looked up with his fair face and curiously examined this unfamiliar older brother. He obediently stepped forward and said in a childish voice, "Brother Hao'er... my name is Yuwen Cheng'an. You can call me Cheng'an."
Yuwen Hao trembled violently, his head drooping even lower, his voice barely audible: "...Alright, Cheng'an..."
Tingxue reached out and grabbed Yuwen Che, saying, "Father, Ning'er wants Father to hold her, wants Father to hold her."
Yuwen Che felt a pang of heartache and quickly took Tingxue into his arms, saying, "Alright, alright, Father will hold you, Father will hold you."
Tingxue buried her face in Yuwen Che's neck, hugging him tightly and refusing to let go: "Father, I won't call him brother, I won't."
Yuwen Che immediately patted his daughter's back to comfort her, his tone indulgent: "Alright, alright, if you don't want to call me that, then don't. My Ning'er can call me whatever she wants."
“A-Che,” Su Luoxue looked at him helplessly, “you’ll spoil Tingxue if you keep doing this.”
Yuwen Che held his daughter tightly, not taking it seriously: "Xue'er, Ning'er is still young, don't frighten her."
His gaze finally fell on Yuwen Hao, who had kept his head down, and that trace of tenderness quickly vanished.
Having restored the emperor's majesty and aloofness, he instructed Li Dehai, who was waiting beside him: "Li Dehai, take him back to Chengqian Palace. Now that he's back in the palace, he should learn the rules properly and not make any mistakes."
Yuwen Hao's small body trembled violently, and his head almost buried in his chest.
Su Luoxue gently tugged at Yuwen Che's sleeve. Yuwen Che felt her movement, paused, and softened his tone slightly: "...Go."
"Wait a moment," Su Luoxue gently stopped him, and said to Li Dehai, "Serve the meal. Let Hao'er eat before he goes back to rest."
Exquisite food was quickly laid out on the round table in the side hall. Yuwen Che sat down, holding Tingxue in his arms.
He then carefully placed Cheng'an on a specially made high chair and patiently coaxed him, "An'er, try this. Ning'er, come on, open your mouth."
Su Luoxue picked up a piece of steamed sea bass, carefully removed the bones, and placed it in Yuwen Hao's bowl, saying softly, "Hao'er, eat more."
"Thank you...Mother..." Yuwen Hao only dared to stare at the white rice in front of him.
They picked at the food with their chopsticks, taking small bites, and dared not touch the dishes that looked and smelled delicious.
Yuwen Cheng'an watched, and suddenly, with his still somewhat clumsy movements, picked up a piece of glistening cherry meat, stretched out his arm, and placed it in Yuwen Hao's bowl.
He grinned and said, "Brother Hao'er, eat this! It's cherry meat, so delicious!"
Yuwen Hao stared in disbelief at the extra piece of meat in his bowl, his fingers tightening slightly as he gripped his chopsticks.
Yuwen Che was carefully wiping the soup stains from Tingxue's lips and didn't notice what was happening here.
Tingxue noticed Yuwen Hao's gaze, and she suddenly pointed at him with her little finger, saying to Yuwen Che in a clear voice, "Father, he's peeking!"
Yuwen Hao was so startled that his hand trembled, and the chopsticks fell to the table with a "clatter." He hurriedly bent down to pick them up, his shoulders hunched over.
Su Luoxue sighed inwardly, put down her chopsticks, and said gently to her daughter, "Tingxue, you can't do this. He is your brother."
Tingxue pouted and buried herself back in Yuwen Che's arms.
Yuwen Che glanced coldly at Yuwen Hao, who was awkwardly picking up his chopsticks, a hint of barely perceptible annoyance flashing in his eyes.
However, out of consideration for Su Luoxue, he did not react, but simply said, "Li Dehai, get the Crown Prince a new pair of chopsticks."
New chopsticks were quickly served. This little incident made the atmosphere even more tense.
Su Luoxue tried to ease the tension and put some more food on Yuwen Hao's plate: "Hao'er, if you need anything in the palace, or if the servants are not doing their job properly, just come and tell your mother."
Yuwen Hao lowered his head, his voice trembling: "Thank you... thank you, Mother... Your son... lacks nothing."
“Xue’er need not worry about him,” Yuwen Che said, his tone calm but unquestionable. “The Imperial Household Department will not dare to shortchange Chengqian Palace on all its provisions.”
His gaze returned to his daughter in his arms and his son beside him, as if Yuwen Hao was not his son.
After finishing his meal, Yuwen Hao practically fled with Li Dehai. "Your subject takes his leave."
Only the Emperor and Empress remained in the palace with their playful children. Yuwen Che dismissed the palace servants, gently placed the drowsy Tingxue on the soft couch after playing, and watched as the wet nurse led away the yawning Cheng'an.
He walked to Su Luoxue's side, naturally took her hand, and frowned slightly: "Xue'er, you are paying too much attention to that child."
Su Luoxue nestled into his arms, looking up at him: "Ache, he's only seven years old after all. Seeing his timid appearance makes me... feel bad. What does his mother's matter have to do with him?"
Yuwen Che's eyes darkened, and he tightened his grip on her arm slightly: "Seeing him reminds me of the suffering you endured back then. Zhao caused your premature birth... and almost..."
His voice carried a chilling hint of lingering fear, "If it hadn't been dealt with in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. He is the son of the Zhao family. I'm only letting him live because of you. I'll give him the title of Prince and let him live a peaceful life."
“But he calls you Father Emperor,” Su Luoxue gently stroked his chest, trying to dispel the pent-up anger, “He is also your flesh and blood. A-Che, we are doing well now, Cheng’an and Tingxue are both safe and healthy, the past…”
“I dare not forget the past for a moment.” Yuwen Che interrupted her, looking down at her with deep eyes. “Xue’er, I will never allow anyone or anything to threaten your safety and that of our child again.”
The resolute tone in his voice told Su Luoxue that there was no turning back. She said nothing more, simply pressing her face against his firm chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.
But in my heart, I felt even more pity for the child who had just left, his back looking so lonely.
Inside Chengqian Palace, the vast palace was deserted and desolate.
Yuwen Hao sat alone by the window, looking at the dark night sky outside.
A young eunuch carefully brought over tea and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, it's late, you should retire for the night."
Yuwen Hao didn't turn around. After a long while, he asked in an almost inaudible voice, "...Does Father Emperor hate me?"
The young eunuch was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud, his head hitting the ground repeatedly: "Your Highness, please forgive me! This servant... this servant dares not speak ill of His Majesty!"
Yuwen Hao looked out the window, remaining silent. Only his clenched fists betrayed the unspeakable grievances and bewilderment in his heart. Here, he didn't even have the right to ask a single question.
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