Chapter 82 A Little Disappointment
Yuwen Hao was having a great time playing in the snow, his little face red from the cold. Although Yuwen Che would only lend a hand occasionally when Yuwen Hao couldn't reach the top or when the snowball was too big to roll, it was still a rare moment of happiness for Yuwen Hao.
Fuling stood beside Su Luoxue, watching this scene, but she had other plans in mind. She knew how much His Majesty valued the child in the Empress's womb. If His Majesty were to have too much contact with the eldest prince, and a father-son bond were to develop, it would not be a good thing for the prince born to the Empress.
Her thoughts shifted, and a perfectly feigned concern appeared on her face as she softly reminded Su Luoxue, “Your Majesty, look, the snow hasn’t stopped, and it’s freezing cold. You’re pregnant, so it’s really not advisable for you to stay here for long. Besides, His Highness the First Prince is still young, and after playing for so long, I see his nose is all red from the cold. What if he catches a cold? Furthermore… the palace banquet isn’t over yet, and it would be impolite for His Majesty to leave your seats for too long…”
Reminded by her, Su Luoxue suddenly realized that she was indeed pregnant and should not stand in the cold wind for long, and she was also worried that Yuwen Hao might catch a chill. She looked at the father and son in the snow and softly called out, "A-Che..."
Upon hearing her voice, Yuwen Che immediately stopped what he was doing, turned around without hesitation, and strode towards her, temporarily leaving Yuwen Hao, who was still playing in the snow, behind. He reached her, naturally took her hand, his brows slightly furrowed, and asked with concern, "What's wrong, Xue'er? Are you feeling unwell? Are you cold or tired?"
His attention was completely focused on her, as if his brief interaction with Yuwen Hao had never happened.
Su Luoxue raised her hand and gently brushed the snowflakes from his shoulders and hair, saying softly, "I'm fine, don't worry. But shouldn't we go back? I'm afraid Hao'er will get cold after playing for so long..."
She paused, her gaze turning towards the main hall: "Moreover, the ministers and sisters are all waiting inside. It would be impolite for us to be away from our seats for too long."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Che glanced at her and confirmed that she was indeed unharmed before nodding and pulling her into his arms to shield her from the wind and snow: "Yes, it's time to go back."
On the other side, Fuling quickly walked to Yuwen Hao's side, squatted down, took out a clean handkerchief and carefully wiped the snow water and coldness from his little hands, and coaxed him softly, "Your Highness, it's too cold. Shall we go back first? Look, His Majesty and the Empress are going back too."
Yuwen Hao was engrossed in playing, his little face full of reluctance. He looked longingly at the snowman that was not yet finished, then glanced timidly at his father and mother. Seeing that they were indeed preparing to leave, he pouted and replied dejectedly, "...Oh."
Yuwen Che protected Su Luoxue and turned to walk back, not even glancing at the unfinished snowman, nor caring about Yuwen Hao's slight disappointment. To him, accompanying her on this trip was already out of consideration for Xue'er.
Fuling held Yuwen Hao's cold little hand, behind Yuwen Che and Su Luoxue. Yuwen Hao looked back every few steps, staring at the half-finished snowman standing alone in the snow, until he turned the corner of the corridor and could no longer see it. Only then did he silently lower his head and follow Fuling forward.
This brief father-son time, won by Su Luoxue, was like shallow footprints on the snow, quickly covered by new snow. It's unknown how much warmth it will leave in the child's heart.
The group returned to the warm and bustling palace banquet hall.
Yuwen Che immediately helped Su Luoxue back to her seat, cupped her slightly cool hands in his palms, and said with a hint of doting reproach, "Your hands are so cold. You're not allowed to make a scene like this next time, understand?"
Seeing his nervous expression, Su Luoxue felt a sweet warmth in her heart and obediently nodded. "Okay."
Meanwhile, Fuling brought Yuwen Hao back to Consort De's side. The little guy lowered his head, clutching the hem of his clothes, his face still showing unfinished fun and disappointment. He muttered softly to Consort De, "Mother... the little snowman... isn't finished yet..."
Consort De's heart tightened, and she quickly covered his mouth to stop him from continuing. Her gaze swept quickly towards the throne, and seeing that His Majesty was focused on warming the Empress's hands and had not noticed them, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She pulled her son close and soothed him gently in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Hao'er, you've had a great time today. Tomorrow... tomorrow Mother will definitely go with you to finish building the snowman, okay?"
Yuwen Hao looked up at his mother, still somewhat disappointed, but obediently nodded, nestled into Consort De's arms, and said nothing more.
Consort De gently patted her son's back, her heart filled with complex emotions. The unfinished snowman, perhaps like the fatherly love that the child longed for but could not obtain, would ultimately become a chilling regret in his childhood.
At the palace banquet, the singing and dancing continued, and cups were clinked in celebration. An official from the Court of State Ceremonial, responsible for receiving foreign guests, rose, bowed, and reported:
"Your Majesty, I received an urgent report from the border today. The newly dispatched delegation from the Northern Kingdom has crossed the border and is rushing towards the capital of our Great Zhou. Judging from their route and scale, it seems... that they intend to negotiate peace and bring back the Northern Kingdom's princess and the original delegation. I wonder... how we should receive them upon their arrival? Please advise, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, the previously noisy banquet immediately quieted down, and many ministers put down their wine cups, focusing their attention on the throne.
Yuwen Che, who had been leaning back lazily, slowly sat up straight, his hand beneath his black dragon robe still tightly gripping Su Luoxue's, never letting go. His expression was calm, but his sharp gaze swept over Pei Xuan, who sat at the head of the military officers' seats:
"Pei Xuan."
Pei Xuan immediately rose from his seat, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Your subject is here!"
"Has the General of the Northern Garrison sent back any military reports or secret letters recently? What does he have to say about this new batch of envoys from the Northern Kingdom?" Yuwen Che's voice was not loud, but it carried an invisible pressure.
Pei Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "Your Majesty! My father did send a letter to the capital recently, but it only mentioned the defense of the northern border and trivial matters in the army, and instructed me to do my duty in the capital. It did not... it did not mention the new envoy sent by the northern kingdom, nor did it give any instructions on this matter."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Che's eyes narrowed slightly, and he tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the armrest of the dragon throne, without immediately expressing his opinion. Did the Marquis of Zhenbei consider this matter unimportant, or... was there a deeper meaning?
Everyone awaited the emperor's decision. What was the purpose of this new envoy from the north? Whether to fight or make peace depended entirely on His Majesty's word.
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