Chapter 27 Her Family Who Love and Respect Her
Yuwen Che's teasing remark about being a "proud little princess" finally coaxed Su Luoxue out of her tears, turning her from tears to laughter. Her shy and adorable appearance was even more endearing. The tense atmosphere in the hall was also slightly eased by the intimate interaction between the emperor and empress, who seemed oblivious to others. The sounds of string and wind instruments resumed, and the singing and dancing gradually began, finally allowing the banquet to officially commence.
Fine wine and delicious food filled the air, and toasts were exchanged. Su Luoxue was in high spirits, looking at her parents and brothers beside her, her heart overflowing with the happiness of family reunion. She picked up the jade cup filled with fruit wine in front of her, rose gracefully, and faced Su Wenyuan and Madam Liu, her eyes filled with tenderness and longing: "Father, Mother, your daughter toasts you. May you both be in good health and have everything go smoothly."
This should have been the simplest blessing a child could offer. But now, Su Luoxue was the emperor's most cherished concubine. Su Wenyuan and Lady Liu were overwhelmed with gratitude and hurriedly and tremblingly raised their wine cups, too excited to say anything.
However, something even more unexpected happened.
Just as Su Luoxue stood up to offer a toast, Yuwen Che also picked up his Nine Dragons Golden Cup without hesitation and stood up as well. Not only did he stand up, but he also naturally put one arm around Su Luoxue's slender waist, his posture intimate and full of protectiveness.
He faced Su Wenyuan and his wife, as well as Su Jingxing, who had stood up with him. His handsome face wore a rare, gentle smile, almost like that of a junior, and he said in a loud voice, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Jingxing, Xue'er and I toast you together."
These words astonished the entire hall! For the emperor to toast a subject was already an immense favor, let alone to toast a merchant family without any official rank! This was an unprecedented honor!
Su Wenyuan and Madam Liu were so startled that their hands trembled, and they almost dropped their wine cups. They said repeatedly, "Your Majesty is too kind to us commoners!"
Su Jingxing also bowed deeply, his heart filled with overwhelming shock.
Just as their glasses were about to clink, Yuwen Che made a subtle yet profound gesture—he slightly lowered his wrist, deliberately placing the rim of his Nine Dragons Gold Cup lower than the rim of the ordinary jade cup in Su Wenyuan's hand, before gently touching it to the other.
The cups touched, making a crisp, light sound.
This subtle movement might not have been seen clearly by those far away, but the Su family members, Li Dehai, and several princes nearby saw it clearly! His Majesty actually lowered his cup while offering a toast!
In the etiquette of the Central Plains, this is a gesture of respect from a subordinate to a superior, or from a junior to an elder! His Majesty is the supreme ruler, the sovereign of the land, and he has no need to do this to anyone! Yet he did it anyway, simply because they were the parents of the woman he loved!
This silent gesture speaks volumes more than a thousand words about how much Yuwen Che values Su Luoxue and how he genuinely respects the Su family because of her.
Su Wenyuan naturally sensed it too, and was so moved that tears streamed down his face, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. Madam Liu covered her mouth with a handkerchief, weeping with joy.
Su Luoxue witnessed all of this, her heart overflowing with warmth. She turned to look at Yuwen Che, her eyes filled with an overwhelming love and gratitude. He, the emperor, was willing to elevate her family to such a high position for her sake.
Yuwen Che felt her gaze, turned his head and smiled gently at her, tightened his grip on her waist, and whispered in her ear, "As long as you're happy, anything I do is worthwhile."
With that one cup of wine, the Su family's status within the capital's elite circles underwent a dramatic transformation. Everyone understood that from this day forward, although the Su family held no prominent official positions, their actual standing was likely no less than that of any noble family. All of this stemmed from His Majesty's unreserved, even somewhat "absurd," favor towards Consort Chen. This birthday banquet, due to these continuous "exceptions" and "honors," was destined to be recorded in history, becoming a legend.
After the toasts, Yuwen Che, with Su Luoxue in his arms, returned to the main seat. Inside the hall, dancers' sleeves flowed gracefully, and melodious music filled the air—a scene of peace and prosperity. However, the young emperor's attention was entirely elsewhere, not on the enchanting dances.
His gaze was almost constantly fixed on the petite woman beside him. Seeing her eyes drawn to the lively activity in the hall, and her slender, pale fingers unconsciously tapping on the table, Yuwen Che understood. He knew she loved grapes, especially these rare, tribute-grade ice grapes, a treat in winter.
He waved away the palace maids who were about to serve him, picked up a plump and glistening grape himself, carefully peeled off the skin to reveal the juicy flesh inside, and then carefully offered it to Su Luoxue's lips.
Su Luoxue naturally opened her mouth to take the grapes, her rosy lips accidentally brushing against his fingertips, bringing a slightly tingling sensation. As she watched the dance, she chewed elegantly. Just as she was about to spit out the seeds, she turned her head, and Yuwen Che naturally reached out his palm, steadily catching the grape seeds she spat out. He placed them in an empty dish beside him without changing his expression, and then peeled off another one.
The entire process was so smooth and natural, as if it had been rehearsed countless times, that it was outrageously natural.
He didn't just feed her grapes; if he noticed she glanced at a particular dessert or found a fruit appealing, he would prepare it himself before feeding it to her. Peeled longans, pitted red dates, delicately cut pastries... he took meticulous care of her.
Occasionally, if Su Luoxue accidentally touched the cold jade on the table or spilled some wine, Yuwen Che would immediately pick up a warm, damp cloth, take her hand in his own hand, and carefully wipe her hand clean, finger by finger, as if she were some fragile glass doll.
After wiping her down, not content with that, he pulled her closer to him, letting her almost lean against him, using his broad chest and warm embrace to shield her from any possible chill. He looked down at her gorgeous yet slightly revealing dress, especially the expanse of white skin at the neckline, his tone filled with undisguised doting, and a hint of barely perceptible jealousy and grievance:
“Curry made you so many beautiful phoenix robes and dresses, more than a dozen winter outfits alone, all of them warm. Why do you insist on wearing this one? Aren’t you afraid of freezing yourself?” His fingertip lightly touched below her bare collarbone, his voice low and tinged with a hint of gritted teeth, “And… here… it’s so… revealing. So many people have seen it.”
His tone was just like that of a stingy man whose treasured possessions had been seen by someone else.
Su Luoxue was amused by his jealous expression, her heart filled with sweetness. She proudly raised her chin, took the orange segment he offered her—one that had been carefully peeled clean, even removing the white pith—and ate it. Then, slowly, she spoke, her tone brimming with trust and coquettishness:
“But I don’t feel cold right now.” She said, deliberately snuggling closer to his warm embrace, and looked up at him with a sly smile, “Because my A-Che always manages to spoil me and take good care of me, right?”
Her words were both an answer to his question about whether she was cold and a response to his slight grievance. It meant: I know you'll take good care of me, so I can be a little willful and wear what I want. And I know you're a little jealous, but I'm happy about it.
Yuwen Che was completely charmed by her adorable yet slightly cunning appearance. His slight jealousy vanished instantly, leaving only helplessness and doting affection. He lowered his head, gently rubbed his forehead against her temple, and chuckled, "Yes, yes, I've spoiled you rotten."
The two were so intimately involved, oblivious to everyone else, that their sweetness was almost palpable. The crowd below, initially shocked, had become numb, and now accustomed to it all. They couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that His Majesty truly cherished Consort Chen, spoiling her to the core. This wasn't just a concubine; she was clearly a peerless flower, pampered and nurtured by His Majesty, requiring daily care and love. And this flower, it seemed, thoroughly enjoyed this unique pampering, growing ever more beautiful and captivating under the nourishment of love.
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