Chapter 80 Yuwen Hao Wants to Build a Snowman
Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Su Luoxue turned her gaze to Yuwen Hao, who was sitting quietly beside Consort De, and smiled gently, beckoning to him lightly.
"Hao'er... come here to your mother."
Upon hearing the call, Yuwen Hao instinctively looked at his mother. Consort De nodded slightly to him and said softly, "Go, listen to your mother."
With his mother's permission, Yuwen Hao walked with his short legs, somewhat reserved yet obedient, to the throne. He reached out his little hand and took Su Luoxue's hand, and following Consort De's usual teachings, said in a childish voice, "Your subject... greets Your Majesty."
He didn't quite understand the complicated etiquette yet, but Consort De had repeatedly reminded him to respect his mother.
The pear soup incident taught Su Luoxue a lesson. Instead of giving him snacks, she gently pulled him closer, bent down slightly to look him in the eye, and softened her voice even more:
"Hao'er, your mother knows that today is not only New Year's Eve, but also your birthday." She gently stroked his head. "Tell your mother, is there anything you particularly want? Or... is there anything you want to do? You can tell your father and mother anything, okay?"
She deliberately brought Yuwen Che in as well, hoping to let the child feel more love.
Yuwen Hao looked up at his beautiful and gentle mother, then stole a glance at his father, who, though silent, hadn't stopped him either. His little hands nervously gripped the hem of his robe, and he whispered, with a hint of expectation:
"Hao'er... Hao'er wants to go to the Imperial Garden to build a snowman... Mother said it's cold and she's afraid Hao'er will catch a cold, so she won't let him go..."
Su Luoxue's heart softened as she listened to Yuwen Hao's small wish. She took his little hand and said softly:
"Hao'er, your mother is right. It's freezing cold today, so you really need to take care of yourself and not play around and catch a cold."
She changed the subject, a loving smile on her face: "But... today is your birthday, a special day. Your mother will make an exception and let you go out to play this once, okay?"
Yuwen Hao's eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded his little head vigorously.
Seeing his excited expression, Su Luoxue glanced at Yuwen Che, who had remained silent beside her, and a thought struck her. She tentatively asked Yuwen Hao in a soft voice:
"Hao'er...would you like...to let your father go build a snowman with you?"
Even she herself was a little unsure when she asked the question, and subconsciously looked at Yuwen Che.
Upon hearing the words "Father Emperor," Yuwen Hao's small body visibly stiffened. He timidly raised his eyelids, quickly glancing at the tall and majestic figure. His little hands clenched even tighter, his face full of longing, yet he dared not speak. He could only gaze longingly at Su Luoxue, then secretly glance at Yuwen Che.
The entire hall seemed to quiet down a bit, with many eyes subtly focusing on the scene. Below, Consort De nervously clenched her handkerchief.
Yuwen Che felt Su Luoxue's pleading gaze and his son's timid yet expectant eyes. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but seeing Su Luoxue protecting her abdomen and looking at her expectant expression, he remained silent for a moment before finally giving a soft "hmm".
Although it was just a simple syllable, it made Su Luoxue smile instantly. She gently nudged Yuwen Hao: "Hao'er, did you hear that? Father Emperor has agreed."
Yuwen Hao seemed to still be in disbelief, staring blankly at Yuwen Che.
Yuwen Che stood up, his black dragon robe exuding an aura of power. He glanced at Yuwen Hao, his tone remaining calm: "Aren't you leaving?"
Seeing Yuwen Che get up, Su Luoxue also tried to stand up, supporting her belly. Fuling quickly stepped forward to help her.
Yuwen Che immediately reached out and held her firmly in his arms, his brows furrowing slightly: "You shouldn't go. It's freezing outside, and you're carrying a lot of weight."
Su Luoxue leaned against him, tilted her head back, and pleaded softly, "I want to go... I want to stay with Hao'er and watch him play."
She paused, tiptoed, and whispered in Yuwen Che's ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, a voice thick with jealousy and coquettishness:
"I do feel sorry for Hao'er... but... I don't want you and Consort De to take Hao'er to play in the snow together... that way you two will look like a family of three... I don't want that..."
Her breath brushed against his ear, carrying a hint of grievance and an undisguised possessiveness.
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Che was taken aback at first, then a faint smile and understanding flashed in his eyes. He tightened his arm around her waist, looked down at her slightly pouting lips and her jealous face, and the discomfort he felt at having to face Yuwen Hao strangely dissipated.
He lowered his voice as well, responding in her ear with a tone of indulgence and a hint of teasing: "You're so petty. When have I ever been part of a family of three with anyone else?"
He gently squeezed her hand: "Don't you know who's in my heart?"
Su Luoxue's ears turned slightly red at his words, but she still clung to his sleeve. "I don't care!"
Yuwen Che had no choice but to compromise, his tone full of affection: "Alright, as you wish. But you can only watch from the side, you are not allowed to touch the snow, and you are not allowed to stay for too long. If you feel cold, tell me immediately, and we will come back."
"Mmm!" Su Luoxue nodded immediately, a sweet smile of triumph blooming on her face.
Yuwen Che then put his arm around her, glanced at Yuwen Hao who was standing there somewhat helplessly, and said calmly, "Follow me."
Having said that, she carefully protected Su Luoxue and took the lead in walking out of the palace. Yuwen Hao was stunned for a moment, and under the encouraging gaze of Consort De, he took his short legs and followed behind with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Consort De stood still, not following. Her gaze followed her son's small figure closely, her eyes filled with heartache and worry. She knew she couldn't go; His Majesty had finally managed to spend time with Hao'er, and her presence would only make His Majesty dislike Hao'er.
Yuwen Che stopped and glanced back at the crowd in the hall, who were somewhat restrained because the Emperor and Empress had left their seats. He said in a calm tone, "My lords, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Today is a festive occasion, so please enjoy yourselves."
"Your Majesty, we obey!" Everyone responded quickly, and the atmosphere became lively again.
Li Dehai and Fuling quickly followed. Fuling stepped forward and carefully fastened the thick fox fur cloak for Su Luoxue.
Su Luoxue was carefully embraced by Yuwen Che. Turning around, she saw Yuwen Hao following behind alone, looking somewhat lonely. His small hands nervously twisted the hem of his clothes. Feeling sorry for him, she stopped and gently reached out her hand to him:
"Hao'er... come here, come to your mother, let your mother hold your hand and walk with you, okay?"
Yuwen Hao looked up at Su Luoxue's gentle smile and outstretched hand, then glanced timidly at his father beside him. Seeing that his father didn't object, he mustered his courage, took a few steps, and placed his cold little hand into Su Luoxue's warm, soft palm. "Thank you, Mother..."
Su Luoxue immediately grasped his small hand tightly, feeling its icy touch, and felt even more heartache. She said softly, "Why are your hands so cold? Fuling, bring that small hand warmer for the Crown Prince to warm up."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Fuling quickly handed over a spare hand warmer.
Yuwen Che looked at Su Luoxue, who was holding one hand with him and holding Yuwen Hao's hand with the other, and carefully instructed someone to warm the child's hands. His eyes were complicated, but he didn't say anything in the end. He just held her arm more firmly.
"Let's go," he said in a low voice, protecting the two children as they walked towards the Imperial Garden.
The Imperial Garden, blanketed in silver after the snow, was serene and peaceful. This brief companionship, for Yuwen Hao, was perhaps a rare touch of warmth in his memory. For Yuwen Che and Su Luoxue, however, it represented a cautious attempt to maintain balance amidst the complex relationships within the palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
