Chapter 130 Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet
After dinner, Yuwen Che was handling some official business when Su Luoxue quietly instructed Fuling, "Take the Crown Prince and Princess to the Imperial Garden for a while, but make sure they don't get too much sun."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the children's cheerful footsteps faded into the distance, Su Luoxue turned around, approached Yuwen Che who was reviewing memorials, and tugged at his sleeve: "A-Che..."
Yuwen Che put down his vermilion brush and naturally pulled her onto his lap: "What's wrong?"
"The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner." Su Luoxue leaned against him, playing with the jade pendant on his body. "Will the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet be the same as in previous years?"
Yuwen Che chuckled and pinched the tip of her nose: "Xue'er, are you trying to slack off again and have me take care of things for you?"
Su Luoxue always unconsciously revealed her girlish nature in front of him. Upon hearing this, she muttered, "Then... would A-Che be willing? I hate dealing with these things the most... just thinking about the procedures and seating arrangements gives me a headache."
"Alright, alright, I'll arrange it." Yuwen Che's eyes were full of doting affection as he lowered his head and rubbed the top of her head. "You just need to dress up beautifully that day and accompany me and the children."
Su Luoxue immediately beamed and kissed him on the cheek: "Ache is the best!"
Yuwen Che enjoyed her intimacy, then seemed to remember something and asked casually, "Since it's a family banquet, what about Hao'er's side... what do you think we should do?"
Su Luoxue raised her head, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Since it's a family banquet, he should naturally attend as well. How about we arrange for him to sit to the left of Cheng'an? He should see more people; he can't always stay cooped up in Chengqian Palace by himself."
Yuwen Che was silent for a moment, his fingertips gently twirling her hair, and finally nodded: "As you wish. However..." His tone was slightly heavy, "The position can be arranged, but I do not want him to have too much contact with outside officials, especially... those who have had entanglements with the Yang family and the Zhao family."
Su Luoxue knew he was referring to the former faction of Consort Yang and her birth mother, Consort Zhao, who had been purged. Her heart tightened, and she quickly nodded, "I understand, I will follow your arrangements."
A few days later, news spread throughout the court and the palace that the emperor was personally in charge of the preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. This was nothing unusual, as it wasn't the first time.
Inside the Sizheng Hall, the Minister of Revenue bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, the budget for all expenses of the palace banquet has been approved. Please review it."
Yuwen Che glanced at the list and responded indifferently, "Hmm. Prince An will also be attending this banquet. Add his portion of the list. According to the rules for princes, there is no need to exceed them, nor can they be omitted."
"I obey the order."
After the Minister withdrew, Yuwen Che instructed Li Dehai beside him: "Go and tell Yingge that on the day of the palace banquet, keep a close eye on everyone who comes into contact with Chengqian Palace and Prince An. If there is any unusual activity, kill them without hesitation, no need to ask for permission."
Li Dehai's heart skipped a beat, and he respectfully replied, "This servant understands."
Inside Chengqian Palace, Yuwen Hao also received a notification of the palace banquet.
The young eunuch said cautiously, "Your Highness, by His Majesty's grace, you are granted permission to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet. This is a new robe sent by the Imperial Household Department; would you like to try it on and see if it fits?"
Yuwen Hao looked at the brand-new prince's everyday robe, the material of which was far superior to what he usually wore, but his face showed no joy. Instead, he became even more uneasy: "Do...do I really have to go?"
"Your Highness, this is an imperial favor..." the young eunuch whispered, trying to persuade him.
Yuwen Hao lowered his head, his fingers gripping the sleeves of his robe tightly, his voice barely audible: "I...I'm afraid of doing something wrong and upsetting Father Emperor and Empress..."
Inside Guanju Palace, Su Luoxue was personally reviewing the menu for the palace banquet.
Fuling smiled and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty truly cherishes you, even taking care of these trivial matters for you."
Su Luoxue smiled, picked up her pen and crossed out an overly sweet pastry, adding a few refreshing seasonal dishes. After thinking for a moment, she said to Fuling, "Go tell the imperial kitchen to add a cherry meat dish, make it soft and tender, the children love it."
“Yes,” Fuling replied, adding, “His Highness the Crown Prince will surely be happy.”
Su Luoxue paused, then said softly, "The Crown Prince... seems to like it too."
Fuling understood, nodded, and withdrew.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the bright moon hangs high in the sky, the palace is brightly lit, and a grand banquet is about to begin.
Yuwen Che led Su Luoxue by the hand and they walked side by side into the Linde Hall where the banquet was being held. Three-year-old Cheng'an and Tingxue, carried by their wet nurse, followed behind, dressed in festive red palace attire, like golden boys and jade girls in a New Year's painting.
Officials and relatives were already seated according to their rank, and upon the arrival of the Emperor and Empress, they all rose to pay their respects.
"Rise, my lords." Yuwen Che's voice was steady as he led Su Luoxue to sit on the throne.
Su Luoxue spotted Yuwen Hao in a slightly secluded spot. He was wearing new robes, sitting upright with his hands nervously placed on his knees and his head bowed, completely out of place with the lively atmosphere around him.
Yuwen Che had obviously seen it too. He tightened his grip on Su Luoxue's hand slightly, but remained expressionless, and loudly announced the start of the banquet.
As the music of string and wind instruments began, songs and dances took the stage, and the banquet was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the atmosphere of harmony and joy.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively. Several princes of the imperial family stepped forward with their wine cups to toast the Emperor and Empress.
While Yuwen Che was talking to an old prince, Su Luoxue whispered a few instructions to Fuling behind her. Fuling nodded, quietly withdrew, and after a while, returned with a small plate of delicate pastries. She walked to Yuwen Hao's seat, bowed slightly, and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Your Highness Prince An, Her Majesty the Empress noticed that you haven't eaten much, so she specially ordered me to bring you some pastries. Please have a taste."
Yuwen Hao suddenly looked up, flattered and surprised, towards the throne. Su Luoxue was smiling gently at him.
He hurriedly stood up, his movement so sudden that his sleeve nearly knocked over a wine cup on the table. He quickly caught it, then bowed deeply towards the throne, his voice trembling slightly: "Your subject... Your subject thanks Your Majesty for the reward!"
Yuwen Che had just finished speaking with the old prince when he turned around and happened to see the whole scene. His smile remained unchanged, but his eyes deepened as they swept over Yuwen Hao's panicked figure. He raised his wine cup and said to everyone, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, my lords and ministers, please do not stand on ceremony and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
The ministers raised their glasses in response, and the atmosphere became lively once again.
However, Su Luoxue keenly sensed that Yuwen Che was gripping her hand even tighter than before. She turned her head to look at him and saw a smile on his lips, but his eyes were a bottomless, icy pool.
The banquet continued in a seemingly peaceful and lively atmosphere until late at night.
Upon returning to Guanju Palace, Yuwen Che dismissed all the palace servants.
The smile on his face vanished instantly. He turned to look at Su Luoxue, his voice low and devoid of emotion: "Xue'er, why did you specially reward Hao'er in front of everyone today?"
Su Luoxue's heart skipped a beat.
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