Chapter 144: Brothers and sisters respect each other
Li Dehai escorted Yuwen Hao to the pavilion in the Imperial Garden, where Zhang Mama and Fuling were playing with the Crown Prince and Princess.
As soon as Cheng'an saw Yuwen Hao, he ran over excitedly and grabbed his hand: "Brother Hao'er! You're here!"
Yuwen Hao, somewhat reserved, was pulled along and whispered, "Cheng'an... Father and Mother... they are busy."
Cheng'an nodded vigorously, comforting him like a little adult: "Yes! Brother Hao'er, don't be afraid. Father may look fierce, but he loves us very much! He will definitely love you very much too!"
At this moment, Tingxue also curiously came over, tilted her little head, blinked her big eyes and looked at Yuwen Hao, asking in a childish voice, "You...you are really our brother?"
Yuwen Hao looked at his beautiful younger sister and nodded gently: "Mm."
Tingxue counted on her fingers, looking at him with even more confusion: "But...why is your name different from ours? My name is Tingxue, my brother's name is Cheng'an, and you only have one... Hao?"
Yuwen Hao was taken aback by her question. He lowered his head and spoke even softer: "My...my name was given to me by my grandmother. Your names...were given to you by my father."
"Grandmother?" Tingxue tilted her head, her little face full of confusion. "I don't know her. Who is Grandmother?"
Looking into his younger sister's innocent eyes, Yuwen Hao explained softly, "Grandmother... was Father's mother. She... she passed away a few years ago."
Tingxue said "Oh," seemingly understanding but not quite, but her attention was quickly drawn to the butterflies beside her, and she ran away.
Cheng'an, however, still held Yuwen Hao's hand and said very seriously, "Brother Hao'er, it's okay! We'll play together from now on! I'll ask Father to give you lots and lots of fun things too!"
Seeing Cheng'an's unreserved enthusiasm, Yuwen Hao gently squeezed Cheng'an's hand in return, a faint smile on his face. "Okay..."
Seeing that the two princes got along well, Li Dehai felt a little relieved. He whispered to Fuling and Zhang Mama, "Take good care of Prince An. His Majesty has given us some instructions. I have to go and attend to them now."
Fuling quickly replied, "Don't worry, Steward Li, we understand."
After Li Dehai left, Cheng'an excitedly grabbed Yuwen Hao's hand and shook it: "Aunt Fuling, quickly go and bring all the toys that Father Emperor made for me! And my little wooden sword too!"
Fuling smiled and replied, "Alright, Your Highness, don't worry, this servant will send someone to fetch it right away."
Before long, several eunuchs carried in two large boxes filled with all sorts of exquisite toys: wooden ponies, clay dolls, and mechanical birds that could move—a dazzling array.
Yuwen Hao stared at the toys, stunned. Pointing to a small wooden sword that was slightly rough in workmanship but very smooth in polish, he asked in disbelief, "Did Father Emperor make all of these by hand?"
Cheng'an nodded vigorously, picked up another small wooden bow and handed it to him: "That's right! Father makes toys for me and Ning'er whenever he has time! There are many more in Guanju Palace!" He looked up at his little face and invited enthusiastically, "Brother Hao'er, shall we play together from now on?"
Yuwen Hao looked at the small wooden bow in his hand, his fingertips gently tracing the smooth wood. A bittersweet feeling welled up inside him, and he murmured, "Okay..."
He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Father... has he always been this good to you?"
Cheng'an was fiddling with a mechanical bird when he heard this. Without even looking up, he said matter-of-factly, "That's right! I always get sick, and it's so uncomfortable. Every time, Father Emperor holds me and coaxes me to take my medicine. Sometimes I have a high fever and cry all night. Father Emperor stays up all night, holding me and walking around the room until I fall asleep."
As Yuwen Hao listened to his younger brother describe in his childish voice the tenderness and care from their father that he had never experienced before, what came to mind was the cold, distant, and even disgusted look in his father's eyes when he looked at him. He gripped the small wooden bow tightly in his hand and lowered his head.
Cheng'an, oblivious to his odd behavior, picked up two small wooden swords, shoved one into Yuwen Hao's hand, and excitedly pulled him along, saying, "Brother Hao'er, stop daydreaming! Let's have a sword fight! Let's see who's better!"
Pulled back to his senses by his brother's gesture, Yuwen Hao looked into his younger brother's bright, expectant eyes, gripped the small wooden sword, and nodded: "Mm."
Li Dehai tiptoed back to his bedchamber and bowed to report: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Prince An and the Crown Prince got along quite well in the Imperial Garden. The Crown Prince was very hospitable, and the Princess didn't seem so averse to Prince An anymore. The three princes are having a great time right now."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Che's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "That's good. You may leave."
"This old servant takes his leave." Li Dehai quietly withdrew and gently closed the palace door.
Silence returned to the palace. Yuwen Che turned to Su Luoxue on the bed, his eyes instantly softening into gentle spring water. He leaned down and asked softly, "Xue'er, is there anything else that's bothering you?"
Su Luoxue frowned slightly, her voice soft and sweet, as she reached out her hands to him with a hint of coquetry: "Ache, just a hug... a hug will do."
Yuwen Che gently pulled her into his arms, letting her lean against his chest.
"Okay..." His voice whispered in her ear, "I'll hold you like this, for a lifetime... for a lifetime, okay?"
Su Luoxue snuggled closer to him in his warm embrace, found a more comfortable position, closed her eyes peacefully, and softly hummed in agreement.
In the Imperial Garden, Yuwen Hao and Cheng'an were sparring with small wooden swords. Although Cheng'an was young, he had a very impressive stance, while Yuwen Hao carefully cooperated, afraid of hurting him.
Seeing how much fun they were having, Tingxue grabbed her smaller wooden sword and ran over with her short legs, shouting, "I want to play too! I want to play too!"
Cheng'an stopped what he was doing, put his hands on his hips, and said to his younger sister, "Ning'er, you want to play too? Then I won't let you win this time!"
Upon hearing this, Tingxue pouted and raised her head defiantly: "You dare not let me have my way? I'll go tell Father Emperor! I'll say you're bullying me!"
Cheng'an immediately wilted and looked at Yuwen Hao for help: "Brother Hao'er, look at her! She's always like this!"
Yuwen Hao watched his younger brother and sister bickering, feeling somewhat at a loss but also intrigued. He whispered to Cheng'an, "Then... then should we give in to our sister a little?"
Tingxue proudly waved her little wooden sword: "Brother Hao'er is the best! Let's get started!"
Cheng An sighed and assumed a fighting stance: "Alright, alright, I'll give you a break. Take this!"
The three children quickly burst into laughter and play, their wooden swords clashing softly, mingling with their cheerful laughter. Yuwen Hao was initially a little reserved, but infected by Cheng'an and Tingxue's pure joy, he gradually relaxed and carefully played along with his younger siblings.
Fuling and Granny Zhang, who were not far away, looked at this harmonious scene, smiled at each other, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Mama whispered, "It seems that His Highness Prince An has a gentle nature; it's good that we can get along."
Fuling nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty will be more at ease knowing this."
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