Chapter 29 Desiring a Lifetime of One and Only
Yuwen Che had drunk some wine and was slightly tipsy. His whispered words, carrying a rare sense of guilt and deep affection for an emperor, were not loud, but in the quiet warm pavilion, they were still faintly heard by some of the imperial relatives, nobles, and sharp-eared courtiers nearby.
"...My children should all have been born from you."
"...If I had known I would meet you, I would have done it for you..."
"...to be with you for life, to be one and only..."
These words, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a storm in the hearts of those who heard them! On the surface, everyone maintained their composure, enjoying the song and dance and savoring the delicacies, but inside, they were in turmoil, filled with utter horror!
His Majesty... he actually had such thoughts about Consort Chen?! He felt indebted to her for having children with other concubines? He even regretted not "keeping himself pure"? This... this completely overturned their understanding of the emperor's heart!
Some of the older members of the clan exchanged knowing glances, sighing inwardly: Indeed, the Yuwen family is full of devoted lovers, and not just any devoted lovers, but the kind who become almost obsessive once they've made up their minds! Didn't the late emperor neglect state affairs and almost bring down the Great Zhou Dynasty because of his beloved concubine who died young? Now, His Majesty is probably even more devoted than the late emperor! Once his destined one appears, he would be willing to give up the country, the nation, and even his own heart and soul for that person.
Su Luoxue sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere around her and heard the deep regret in Yuwen Che's words. She felt no resentment towards Consort De or the First Prince, only a profound pity for the man beside her. He was the Emperor, yet because of her, he had harbored such "improper" thoughts.
She quickly raised her hand and gently covered his mouth to stop him from continuing. Her beautiful eyes were filled with tender tears, and her voice was soft yet firm: "Silly boy, don't say things like that anymore. I really don't blame you, not at all. You're really, really good, so good that it feels like a dream."
She rested her head on his shoulder and continued to comfort him softly, "Most men from ordinary families, especially those with some means, have three wives and four concubines. You, the Emperor, are the master of this vast land. For you to treat me like this, to cherish me so dearly, and to give me such unique love, I am already the happiest woman in the world. I have never held onto the past, and you must not think about it anymore, okay?"
Her understanding and complete acceptance were like a warm current, soothing the subtle regret in Yuwen Che's heart. He held her small hand that was covering his lips, gently kissed her fingertips, and then pulled her closer into his arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
He rested his chin on the top of her head, his gaze fixed on the swirling snowflakes outside the palace, his voice carrying a longing for a place far removed from the clamor of power, as he murmured softly:
"Xue'er, but sometimes I really just want to be your husband. We don't want this palace, we don't want this empire. Let's find a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains, build a few bamboo houses, and live a simple life. Every day I will farm and hunt, and you will weave and embroider. We will have two lovely children, and watch them grow up happily at our feet..."
This almost fantastical description, so different from his usual ruthless and decisive imperial image, reveals with unmistakable truth his deepest desires. The supreme imperial power brought him not only glory, but also endless responsibility and constraints. Only in front of Su Luoxue could he shed all pretense and reveal his longing for an ordinary married life.
As Su Luoxue listened to his heartwarming description, her heart was filled with a bittersweet feeling. She knew it was just wishful thinking; he was the emperor, destined to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. But she was still deeply moved by his affection. She wrapped her arms around his waist and softly replied, filled with longing, "Yes, those days must have been beautiful... But right now, with you by my side, I am very happy and content."
For her, whether in a magnificent palace or a humble cottage, wherever Yuwen Che was, that was her paradise. This deep affection that transcended status and environment was what she cherished most.
In the eyes of the people, His Majesty is a wise and mighty war god, an invincible ruler who led the Great Zhou to expand its territory and bring peace to the country. He is both a scholar and a warrior, decisive in his actions, and holds the life and death of all people in his hands. He is a god-like being who is high above and awe-inspiring.
Yet this very emperor, holding his beloved concubine in his arms, was now saying he wanted to abandon his vast empire and live a simple life of farming and weaving? This stark contrast left everyone feeling a sense of unreality and disorientation.
The ladies and young women present were overflowing with envy. They gazed at the two figures embracing on the throne. His Majesty was incomparably handsome, with a tall and imposing figure and extraordinary bearing—the undisputed most handsome man in the Great Zhou Dynasty. He possessed supreme power, yet he reserved all his tenderness and affection for one woman. How could such unique favoritism not drive one mad with jealousy?
However, Yuwen Che didn't care what others thought. In his world at this moment, there was only the soft, delicate person in his arms. He held Su Luoxue's slightly cool little hand, completely enveloping it in his warm, broad palm, as if to dispel all her chill.
He lowered his head, his gaze piercing into her clear eyes, reflecting his earnest expression. Ignoring the assembled guests and the imperial grandeur, he spoke with an almost pious tone, making a vow that would transcend this life and extend to the next:
"Xue'er, in this life I am the emperor, and there are many things I cannot control. But if there is an afterlife..." He paused, his voice low and seductive, "In the next life... I won't be the emperor, and you won't be this damned favored concubine. Let's just be an ordinary couple, shall we?"
His thumb gently caressed the back of her hand as he continued to paint that beautiful picture: "No burdens of power, no palace intrigues, no court scheming. Just the two of us, a small courtyard, a few acres of land. Springtime to admire flowers, summer nights to gaze at the stars, autumn to harvest, winter to gather around the fireplace. I might be a hunter, or a schoolteacher, and you, my beloved wife. We'll depend on each other, grow old together..."
He had faced so many things in his life against his will, and this simple, unpretentious life, full of warmth and everyday joy, touched Su Luoxue's heart more than any vow of eternal love. Looking at the emperor before her, who was willing to give up wealth and glory for her, seeking only an ordinary life in the next, tears instantly blurred her vision.
She gripped his hand tightly, nodded firmly, her voice choked with emotion yet unwavering: "Okay! It's a promise! In the next life, you won't be an emperor, and I won't be a concubine. We'll just be an ordinary couple! You'll till the fields, and I'll weave cloth; you'll fetch water, and I'll water the garden... For all eternity, we'll be together!"
"We'll be together for all eternity," Yuwen Che repeated her words, his eyes filled with deep affection and contentment. He leaned down and placed a solemn kiss on her smooth forehead, as if sealing a vow.
At this moment, court etiquette and the presence of officials as witnesses were all forgotten. They had only each other in their eyes, and only that deep promise that transcended status, power, and even this lifetime.
The hall was silent, save for the crackling of the charcoal fire. Everyone was deeply moved by the profound and genuine affection between the Emperor and Consort, their hearts filled with a complex mix of emotions. This birthday banquet, because of this "pact for the next life," reached an emotional climax, destined to become a legendary tale of the court passed down through generations. Yuwen Che held her tightly, afraid to let her know about his past... not that he was ruthless on the battlefield, but that he had murdered his brothers... even his mother and the noble families... and he had turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to his father's schemes... For so many years, he had dared not recall, dared not face his past cowardice, or rather, his selfishness.
Having witnessed his mother's collusion with powerful families, he refrained from favoring concubines or entering the palace for the past few years, and he didn't even touch the Empress. On his wedding day, he led his troops into battle. After returning to court, he focused on purging the court and suppressing powerful families. He eradicated anyone who tried to resist him or manipulate him.
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