Chapter 76 Doing chores for his wife
Yuwen Che suppressed the complex emotions surging within him, ultimately releasing only a very light kiss on Su Luoxue's lips. He gazed at her, his eyes deep and focused, his tone filled with undeniable tenderness and love:
“Xue’er,” he called her softly, his fingertips brushing against the corner of her slightly damp eyes, “Remember this, in this deep palace, the only people you should care about are your husband, me… and our unborn child.”
He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him, and spoke each word clearly and distinctly:
"Your thoughts, your joys and sorrows, your worries, should all be focused on me and your child. That is enough."
He paused, his tone carrying a calm confidence that suggested he was in complete control:
"As for the rest... whether it's the turmoil of the previous dynasty, the trivial matters of the harem, or those insignificant people... I'm here to help."
His eyes sharpened, carrying a hint of warning:
“You don’t need to, and shouldn’t, waste your energy on them, understand? Including Hao’er’s matter.”
Looking at the clear boundary in his eyes, Su Luoxue understood that this was his way of protecting her. He kept her and their child under his wing as a warning, forbidding her from mentioning... that past he considered shameful!
She nestled into his arms, nodded gently, her voice filled with dependence and obedience: "Yes, I remember, A-Che. I'll do whatever you say."
Yuwen Che then tightened his arms with satisfaction, resting his chin on the top of her head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Su Luoxue leaned against Yuwen Che's chest, her eyelids growing heavy, her voice filled with weariness: "A-Che... I'm a little sleepy, I want to sleep..."
Yuwen Che looked down at her dependent appearance, his eyes softened, and he gently helped her lie down and tucked her in: "Sleep, I will stay here in Guanju Palace to watch over you today."
Once her breathing became even and deep, he quietly got up and went to the outer hall.
“Fuling, Granny Zhang.” His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Fuling and the old nanny from before quickly bowed and approached: "Your Majesty."
Yuwen Che stood with his hands behind his back, his voice calm and even, yet carrying an invisible pressure: "The Empress is kind-hearted and cannot bear to see people suffer. But regarding the First Prince... there's no need to bring it up in front of the Empress again, lest she be troubled."
He paused, then continued, "As for the birthday... Zhang Mama, go to the storeroom and pick out a few decent, valuable gifts, and send them to Chengqian Palace in the name of the Empress."
The old woman's heart skipped a beat, knowing that this was a boundary drawn by His Majesty. She quickly replied, "Yes, this old servant understands. This old servant will go and do it right away." After saying that, she bowed and withdrew.
Yuwen Che then turned to Fuling: "At the New Year's Eve palace banquet, what trivial matters have not yet been properly handled?"
Fu Ling was taken aback when she realized His Majesty would personally inquire about these matters. She quickly stepped forward and reported the accounts and pending tasks that were still not fully checked: "Your Majesty, there are still several purchase accounts that need to be checked, as well as the final arrangements for banquet seating and musicians..."
"Bring it to me." Yuwen Che walked to the desk and sat down.
Li Dehai watched from the side, secretly surprised. Wait… there are still a lot of government affairs piled up in the Sizheng Hall, how come His Majesty has the leisure to personally handle these trivial accounts and banquet arrangements in the harem?
Yuwen Che had already taken the booklet from Fuling and was carefully flipping through it, occasionally picking up a pen to make a few annotations or modify the arrangements. Without looking up, as if aware of Li Dehai's doubts, he spoke calmly:
"To the outside world, just say that the Empress handled it personally."
Li Dehai suddenly realized! His Majesty was taking on all the tedious and troublesome matters himself, ensuring the palace banquet would go perfectly, allowing the Empress to relax and gain a reputation for being prudent, and sparing her the troubles of pregnancy! His Majesty silently bore all the hardships and decisions for her, leaving her only with glory and peace.
"This servant...understands." Li Dehai bowed, his heart filled with even greater awe for His Majesty's painstaking efforts.
Yuwen Che said no more, focusing on dealing with those trivial matters that he considered insignificant, yet which could shield her from the storms of life.
His protection was silent yet omnipresent.
Seeing that Yuwen Che was focused on reviewing the trivial matters of the palace banquet, his expression calm and without displeasure, Li Dehai cautiously stepped forward and whispered his inquiry:
"Your Majesty, the day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Everyone in the palace is preparing for the reunion banquet... So... how should we entertain the princess from the Northern Kingdom and her envoy at the Honglu Guest House? This servant will instruct the servants to make preparations as soon as possible."
Yuwen Che's vermilion brush continued to flow, his gaze remaining fixed on the accounts, his tone indifferent and devoid of any emotion, as if he were discussing a trivial matter unrelated to himself.
"Entertainment?" A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Provide rice, grain, and charcoal according to regulations. As long as you don't starve or freeze, that's enough. What more do you need to entertain me?"
Li Dehai's heart skipped a beat, knowing that His Majesty was too lazy to even bother with formalities, and he quickly replied, "Yes, this servant understands. Then... the New Year's Eve palace banquet..."
"A palace banquet?" Yuwen Che finally raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Li Dehai like ice. "What are their identities? Do they even deserve to participate in the royal family banquet of my Great Zhou?"
He put down his vermilion brush, leaned back slightly, and said sharply, "Li Dehai, remember this. They are prisoners now, not guests. I have already shown mercy by sparing their lives."
Li Dehai's forehead was beaded with sweat, and he dared not raise his head: "This servant is foolish, Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Yuwen Che picked up the list of musicians again, his tone returning to its usual calm, yet carrying an undeniable resolve:
"Keep a close eye on them. They are not allowed to step out of the guest house. On New Year's Eve, I do not want to see anyone connected to the Northern Kingdom anywhere in the palace. Understand?"
"This servant understands! We will definitely increase manpower and keep a close watch to ensure that no one disturbs His Majesty and the Empress's festive occasion!" Li Dehai quickly assured him.
"Yes, give the orders." Yuwen Che waved his hand and said no more.
Li Dehai sighed inwardly. It seemed that the Northern Kingdom had made a fatal mistake.
Yuwen Che carefully checked the banquet's schedule and attendee list to ensure everything was perfect. When he saw the arrangement of entertainment programs at the end, his pen paused slightly.
He raised his head and instructed Li Dehai, who was standing to the side, "Li Dehai."
"Your servant is here."
"Give the order that fireworks be prepared for the New Year's Eve palace banquet as usual."
Li Dehai quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will have them prepare near the viewing platform immediately, so that Your Majesty and the Empress may..."
“No,” Yuwen Che interrupted him, his tone calm but unyielding, “have them move the fireworks display further away. Far from the palace where the banquet is being held, choose a spacious place with a good view, but where the noise won’t be too loud.”
Li Dehai paused for a moment, somewhat puzzled: "Your Majesty, these... fireworks, though dazzling from afar, lack the awe-inspiring presence of up close, and the effect will likely be diminished considerably..."
Yuwen Che put down the list in his hand, looked towards the inner palace, and his eyes softened unconsciously: "The Empress is pregnant with twins and cannot tolerate too much noise. The sound of the fireworks explosion is too loud, and I am afraid it will frighten her and the children in her womb."
He paused, then continued, "She loves watching the light and color of fireworks, so let her sit quietly and admire them from afar. Tranquility is more important than any grandeur."
Li Dehai suddenly realized what was going on and secretly praised His Majesty for his thoughtfulness. He quickly bowed and said, "This servant understands! This servant will make arrangements immediately and will find a location that will allow Your Majesty to see the fireworks clearly without disturbing the imperial carriage!"
"Okay, go ahead. Make sure it's done properly." Yuwen Che waved his hand.
"This servant obeys the decree." Li Dehai accepted the order and hurriedly withdrew to make arrangements.
Yuwen Che picked up the report again, but his gaze swept over the inner palace once more. To him, no matter how grand and splendid the celebration, it couldn't compare to the contented smile on her face. Every detail was geared towards her and the child's comfort.
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