Chapter 79 New Year's Eve Palace Banquet
On New Year's Eve, the Great Zhou Imperial Palace was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Although the heavy snow had not stopped, the atmosphere was festive and lively everywhere.
Inside Guanju Palace, Yuwen Che had already changed into a black robe embroidered with gold dragons. Su Luoxue, on the other hand, wore a bright red robe with gold phoenix thread, which was lighter than the one she wore at the coronation ceremony. She also wore a crown with nine dragons and nine phoenixes. Although her belly was noticeably protruding due to her twin pregnancy, her complexion appeared gentle and dignified thanks to her careful makeup.
"Are you tired? If you're not feeling well, I'll have them simplify the banquet." Yuwen Che looked at her still somewhat pale face and asked again, still worried.
Su Luoxue shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile: "I'm not tired. Today is New Year's Eve and Hao'er's birthday, so I have to show up."
When Yuwen Hao was mentioned, Yuwen Che's eyes darkened slightly, but he didn't say much. He simply helped her up and said, "Then let's go. I'll accompany you."
Inside the main hall, all the concubines, dressed in their finest attire according to their rank, were seated, while civil and military officials stood solemnly on both sides. The sounds of string and wind instruments were utterly silent, awaiting the arrival of the Emperor and Empress.
"His Majesty has arrived! Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
As the eunuch announced his arrival in a loud voice, Yuwen Che and Su Luoxue entered the palace together at the gate.
As they entered the palace, Yuwen Che stopped naturally and personally took off her fox fur cloak to keep her warm, handing it to Li Dehai behind her with meticulous and gentle movements. Su Luoxue instinctively placed one hand on her swollen belly, her posture radiating the care of pregnancy and the glow of motherhood.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!" All the civil and military officials knelt down and kowtowed in unison, their voices echoing throughout the palace.
"Your Majesty, we concubines pay our respects to the Empress." The concubines also rose, curtsied, and bowed respectfully.
Consort De was also among them. She gently tugged at Yuwen Hao, who seemed somewhat reserved beside her, and together they bowed and greeted His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.
Yuwen Che simply raised his hand and said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yuwen Che held Su Luoxue's hand tightly as they walked step by step toward the throne. As they passed Consort De's seat, Su Luoxue paused slightly, smiled gently at Yuwen Hao, who was dressed in new clothes and seemed a little reserved, and said softly, "Hao'er, you look very handsome in your clothes today."
Consort De quickly pulled her son to his feet to express her gratitude. "On behalf of Hao'er, I thank Your Majesty the Empress."
Yuwen Che glanced at them indifferently, without lingering.
After everyone was seated, ceremonial music began, and the palace banquet officially commenced. One after another, delicacies were served by palace servants.
Su Luoxue was served a light meal prepared separately. Yuwen Che would occasionally ask her in a low voice, "Is this to your liking? Would you like to try that?" He personally served her the food, taking meticulous care of her.
During the banquet, some elderly members of the imperial family rose to offer toasts and say auspicious words. Others, however, glanced at His Majesty's undisguised protection, each harboring their own thoughts.
After several rounds of drinks, the night sky outside the hall was suddenly lit up.
"It's fireworks!" The young prince pointed outside excitedly.
In the distance, magnificent fireworks burst forth in the night sky, like brocade spreading across the heavens, dazzling and radiant. But because of the distance, the sound was not deafening, leaving only a visual feast.
Yuwen Che turned his head and asked Su Luoxue, "Do you like it?"
Su Luoxue leaned against him, gazing at the dazzling display of colors, her eyes shining, and nodded gently: "It's beautiful."
Yuwen Che smiled slightly and tightened his grip on her hand.
Su Luoxue leaned on Yuwen Che's strong shoulder, looked up at the sky, and had a happy and satisfied smile on her face.
Yuwen Che had one arm around her shoulder, while his other hand remained firmly in hers, watching the movements in her abdomen. He would occasionally lean down and softly ask her:
"Xue'er, are you cold? Do you want another hand warmer?"
"If you feel tired, be sure to tell me, and I will accompany you back to Guanju Palace to rest. There is no need to push yourself."
Su Luoxue shook her head and nuzzled his shoulder affectionately: "I'm not cold or tired. It's nice to just watch like this."
At this moment, Fuling brought over a bowl of light and nourishing soup that she had specially prepared for Su Luoxue.
"Your Majesty, it's time to take some tonics."
Yuwen Che naturally reached out and took it: "Give it to me."
He picked up the jade spoon, blew on it carefully to ensure the temperature was right, and then held it to Su Luoxue's lips, his tone like that of someone coaxing a child:
"Xue'er, be good, open your mouth, eat a little. Even if you don't eat, our child needs nutrition too."
Su Luoxue still had a poor appetite, but looking into his focused and gentle eyes, she obediently opened her mouth and swallowed in small sips.
"Yes, just like that, have another sip." Yuwen Che was extremely patient, feeding her spoonful by spoonful, as if this was the most important thing in the world at that moment.
The courtiers and concubines below watched the scene unfold on the throne, a scene of utmost tenderness and care that seemed to transcend all others. This young emperor poured all his gentleness and patience into the empress beside him.
Consort De silently withdrew her gaze and gently placed a piece of her favorite pastry on Yuwen Hao's plate. Some warmth is destined to belong only to certain people. All she could do was guard her own little world and seek peace.
Inside the hall, singing and dancing filled the air, creating a joyous atmosphere. An official from out of town, unaware of the full story, rose, holding a wine cup, and asked his colleague in a voice neither too loud nor too soft:
"Huh? At today's New Year's Eve banquet, why is there no sign of the Empress Dowager's carriage?"
Although the words were spoken softly, they still attracted the attention of many in the relatively quiet moment. Many ministers who knew the inside story immediately fell silent, their eyes subtly glancing towards the throne.
Upon hearing this, Su Luoxue subconsciously turned to look at Yuwen Che, worried that he might turn on her today.
Yuwen Che felt her gaze, but his expression did not change. He calmly put down the jade bowl in his hand, took a brocade handkerchief, carefully wiped the corner of her mouth, and then held her hand to make sure her fingertips were warm before looking down.
His gaze swept calmly over the official who had asked the question, without anger, and his tone was indifferent.
"It is freezing cold today, and the Empress Dowager is getting on in years. She has been feeling unwell recently and needs to rest quietly in Cining Palace. It is inconvenient for her to attend such noisy occasions. I have already instructed the imperial physicians to take good care of her."
With just a few words, he attributed the Empress Dowager's absence to the cold weather, a perfectly reasonable explanation that left no room for criticism. He thus fulfilled his duty of filial piety while extinguishing any further inquiries from others.
The official then realized he might have asked something he shouldn't have, and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I misspoke."
Yuwen Che said no more, waved his hand to indicate that it was alright, and then turned his attention back to Su Luoxue, as if he had just dealt with a trivial matter.
Seeing that he handled the situation with ease and did not get angry, Su Luoxue felt somewhat relieved and leaned back against him. Everyone knew that although the Empress Dowager claimed to be recuperating, she was actually under house arrest. On this day of reunion, she only wished that he had no worries.
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