Chapter 163 Yuwen Che's Concerns
Yuwen Che returned to the Imperial Garden, his coldness completely gone. He walked to Su Luoxue's side and gently took her hand: "Xue'er, it's getting late. Let's go back to Sizheng Hall to rest."
He turned to Bai Xiao, who was gnawing on a chicken leg, and said, "Bai Xiao, keep an eye on the three of them. Once they've finished their meal and had their fun, then safely escort them back to Fengyi Palace."
Bai Xiao, still holding a chicken leg in his mouth, froze, then looked utterly dejected: "No... Yuwen Che, wait a minute! Didn't I come here today to have a drink and a heart-to-heart talk with you?"
"How come now that you have your beloved in your arms and are going to rest, you're leaving me here to be your wet nurse and look after your child?!"
Yuwen Che glanced at him indifferently, his tone calm and unwavering: "Disobeying the imperial decree...you're welcome to try."
Bai Xiao was so choked by his words that he couldn't catch his breath, pointing at Yuwen Che and stammering "You...you...you..." for a long time.
Finally, he angrily put down the chicken leg and sighed, "It's true... a higher rank can crush you!"
Seeing Bai Xiao dare to argue with his father like this, Yuwen Hao frowned and looked at Bai Xiao with displeasure: "Are you an official too? What kind of official are you?"
Yuwen Che ignored Bai Xiao's complaints and only gave one last instruction: "Keep a close eye on all three children."
He then took Su Luoxue's hand and left the Imperial Garden, surrounded by palace servants.
Bai Xiao watched the Emperor and Empress leave hand in hand, then looked at the three little rascals in front of him, who were blinking their big eyes and staring at him, especially Yuwen Hao, who had a "How dare you talk back to my father" expression on his face.
Resigned, he wiped his face and forced a smile again: "Come, come, my little darlings, what else would you like to eat? Brother Bai... Brother Bai will get it for you!"
Su Luoxue was led back by Yuwen Che's tight hand. His unusual silence and the strength of his grip made her uneasy, and she couldn't help but ask softly, "A-Che... what's wrong? Did something happen?"
Yuwen Che stopped, shook her hand, and then raised his hand in greeting.
Li Dehai immediately understood and led all the palace servants and eunuchs to retreat to a distance and wait with their backs turned.
Only the two of them remained. Yuwen Che turned around, placed his hands on Su Luoxue's shoulders, and said with unprecedented seriousness and solemnity, "Xue'er, listen carefully. In the coming days, there may be some turmoil in the palace. But I will handle everything. You don't need to do anything or ask any questions."
He gazed into her eyes, each word clear and heavy: "I only need you to do one thing—trust me, and only listen to me. Apart from me... do not easily trust anyone else."
Su Luoxue was startled by his sudden seriousness and the profound meaning in his words.
She grabbed his arm and pressed him urgently, "A-Che, tell me, what happened? Don't scare me..."
Yuwen Che raised his hand, his thumb gently stroking her slightly furrowed brow: "Xue'er, don't ask. You just need to remember my words, remember them firmly. At any time, under any circumstances, you can only trust me."
He paused, lowering his voice even further, with an almost cold clarity: "Even if a palace coup breaks out... even if Bai Xiao or Han Ying come and claim to be acting on my orders to take you and the child away... you must not go with them."
Su Luoxue's eyes widened in shock, almost thinking she had misheard: "Ache! You...you don't even completely trust Bai Xiao and Han Ying anymore? They aren't..."
"Human hearts are unpredictable, and situations can change in an instant." Yuwen Che interrupted her, his eyes deep and unfathomable, carrying a complex emotion she couldn't understand.
"I will not allow them, or anyone else, the opportunity to take you away alone. Because..."
He cupped her face in his hands: "You, Su Luoxue, are more precious to me than anything else in this world. I cannot bear even the slightest risk of losing you. Do you understand?"
Looking into the undercurrents in his eyes and the heavy, suffocating love and protectiveness he exuded, Su Luoxue, though still filled with countless questions and anxieties, slowly nodded under his gaze: "I understand, A-Che. I believe you, I only believe you."
Yuwen Che brought Su Luoxue back to the Sizheng Hall and dismissed all the palace servants.
The palace doors closed, and he pulled her tightly into his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head. His voice was deep and solemn: "Xue'er, Guanju Palace is currently under renovation and in a mess. Don't go there anytime soon. Just stay in Sizheng Hall and don't go anywhere. If you really want to go out for a walk, wherever you want to go, be sure to inform me beforehand. Never go alone, understand?"
Su Luoxue nodded vigorously in his arms, wrapping her arms around his strong waist, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, listening to his slightly faster-than-usual heartbeat, and said softly but firmly, "Ache, I know... something very serious and dangerous must have happened, otherwise you wouldn't be so nervous, and you wouldn't even be with Bai Xiao and Han Ying..."
She looked up, her eyes blurry with tears, and gazed into his deep eyes. Each word was like a vow: "But remember, no matter what the future holds, no matter how the situation changes, wherever you are, the children and I will be there."
She reached out and gently stroked his cold, handsome face, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve: "If you live, we will live. But if... something truly happens to you, I, Su Luoxue, will never live alone."
Yuwen Che suddenly pulled her closer, his voice hoarse and trembling slightly: "Xue'er... don't talk nonsense! I will be fine, and neither will you! I will never let that happen!"
"I...will not allow anyone to harm you and the child."
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lips deeply. After a long while, he slowly released her, his forehead pressed against hers, and he whispered breathlessly, "Take good care of yourself... We're a family, and we'll always be together."
Su Luoxue's tears fell silently, soaking the front of his shirt. She tilted her head back, letting him wipe away the tears from her face.
“Okay, I’ll listen to you… but Ah Che, I want you to know very clearly,” she said, taking his hand that was wiping away her tears and pressing it against her heart.
"What I care about most has never been the position of empress, nor the immense wealth in the palace."
Her voice was choked with sobs, yet every word was clear, striking Yuwen Che's heart: "The only thing I've ever cared about, from beginning to end, is you... just you, Yuwen Che. Only when you are well does my life have meaning."
Yuwen Che gazed at her tearful yet earnest expression, a surge of indescribable bittersweet emotion welling up within him. What had he done to deserve such devotion from her?
He pulled her into a tight embrace again, his arms gripping her tightly.
“I know… I have always known. So do I, Xue’er. This vast empire, with its supreme power, is nothing but a cold prison to me without you by my side.”
He lowered his head, gently kissed her forehead, and made his most solemn promise: "So, believe me, for you, for the children, I will never lose."
Su Luoxue nodded, sobbing, in his arms, and choked out, "Mmm..."
Yuwen Che gently coaxed her for a while until her emotions calmed down a bit, then called Fuling over: "Help the Empress change her clothes, and then rest for a while."
He stood up to leave, but Su Luoxue suddenly ran up from behind, hugged his waist tightly, pressed her cheek against his back, full of attachment and unease. "A-Che..."
Yuwen Che stopped and turned around to embrace her again. He gently stroked her long hair and soothed her in a tender voice, "Xue'er, be good, don't be afraid. I promise you, nothing will happen."
Su Luoxue took a deep breath in his arms before slowly letting go of his hand, raising her tearful eyes and nodding.
Yuwen Che lowered his head and gently kissed her slightly red and swollen eyes. His fingertips brushed against her wet cheeks, and he teased her with a hint of affection: "You've cried like a little kitten. Let Fuling help you wash up. Rest first, and I'll come back to keep you company when I'm done with my work."
As he watched Fuling help her walk towards the inner room, Yuwen Che's gentle expression vanished instantly. He turned and walked out of the bedchamber, his face returning to its usual cold and stern expression.
"Han Ying".
A dark figure appeared in response.
Yuwen Che's gaze was sharp as a knife as he asked directly, "Is it confirmed? That person is Yuwen Hong?"
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