Chapter 83 The New Year's Eve Palace Banquet Ends
Yuwen Che thought for a moment, then waved his hand: "Sit down. Today is a palace banquet, so we will not discuss state affairs. This matter can be discussed in court tomorrow."
The minister quickly bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty, I misspoke." He sat back down sheepishly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Although the emperor hadn't lashed out, the invisible pressure emanating from him had already chilled him to the bone. After this question, the atmosphere in the hall subtly froze, the previous ease and comfort vanishing completely.
Yuwen Che ignored them and turned to the side. The coldness he had shown when facing his ministers melted away instantly. He approached Su Luoxue as if no one else was there and spoke in a gentle voice that only she could hear: "Xue'er, have you been sitting for so long? Are you cold? If you are tired, I will accompany you back to rest."
Su Luoxue felt the warmth from his palm, gently shook her head, and smiled a reassuring smile: "I'm not cold. With A-Che here, my heart is warm."
"Your little mouth is always so sweet." Yuwen Che chuckled, personally picking up a piece of steamed fish belly with his jade chopsticks, carefully removing the tiny bones, and bringing it to her lips. "You're carrying two now; I can't let you and the children go hungry. Come on, have a little more, okay?"
Su Luoxue obediently opened her mouth and ate from his hand, still protecting her stomach with one hand, and whispered, "They are very well-behaved."
Yuwen Che's eyes softened even more, and he couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke her belly through her clothes, with immense tenderness: "You must know that their mother needs to rest."
The two whispered sweet nothings, their loving demeanor drawing envy from onlookers and completely dispelling the tension left by the earlier incident. The Emperor and Empress's deep affection was no secret, but witnessing His Majesty so humble and tenderly caring for them still stirred envy in many of the women present.
However, this heartwarming scene didn't last long. As the music stopped and the dancers withdrew, a slightly timid child's voice rang out: "Father...Father Emperor..."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Yuwen Hao holding a small, crooked snowball that appeared out of nowhere, standing not far from the throne. The little guy seemed to be frightened by his father's majesty, and his voice was barely audible.
Consort De's face turned pale, and she hurriedly pulled her son to kneel down and beg for forgiveness.
Su Luoxue, with a soft heart, gently tugged at Yuwen Che's sleeve and whispered, "Ache, Hao'er is still young. Today is New Year's Eve, which is also his birthday. Don't scare him."
Yuwen Che frowned. His feelings for his eldest son, born out of wedlock, had always been complex and indifferent. But sensing the pleading in Su Luoxue's eyes, the coldness on his face softened, and his gaze fell on his son's small, slightly red, frozen hands: "What is it now?"
When Yuwen Hao was seen by his father, he became even more nervous and stammered, "Your subject... Your subject and mother have just made a new snowman... We wanted to... We wanted to show it to Your Majesty and Mother..." He held up the shapeless snowball in his hand and then quickly hid it behind his back.
Seeing this, Su Luoxue gently intervened, "Hao'er is such a good boy. But it's freezing outside, why did you run out again? Be careful not to catch a cold. Fuling, go and get my pair of small hand warmers so Hao'er can warm his hands."
Poria cocos departed immediately.
Consort De glanced gratefully at Su Luoxue, then quickly pulled her son to express her gratitude: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Hao'er is ignorant and has disturbed His Majesty and Your Majesty's enjoyment. I will take him away now."
Yuwen Che said calmly, "Since the Empress has bestowed it upon him, take it. Take him back and take good care of him." Although his tone was indifferent, he meant no blame.
Consort De felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly took the hand warmer handed to her by Fuling and hurriedly pulled Yuwen Hao away.
After this interruption, Su Luoxue's weariness deepened, and Yuwen Che immediately noticed it, waving his hand: "Li Dehai."
Li Dehai, who had been standing respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides, immediately stepped forward and said, "This servant is here."
"By imperial decree, the palace banquet is hereby adjourned. All officials may disperse as they see fit, or go to the side hall for tea and refreshments." Yuwen Che's voice brooked no argument.
"Your Majesty, I obey." Li Dehai bowed and accepted the order, then announced loudly, "By order of His Majesty, the palace banquet is now adjourned—"
Although the officials were surprised, none of them dared to object, and they all rose, bowed, and took their leave.
Yuwen Che ignored everyone and carefully picked up Su Luoxue.
Su Luoxue gasped softly, her cheeks flushing slightly, and instinctively hugged him, saying, "A-Che! I can walk by myself..."
"Don't move," Yuwen Che lowered his head, his gaze tender. "I'll hold you securely. You don't look well today. Were you tired when you accompanied me and Hao'er out just now?"
He carried her through the now-silent palace corridors, where palace servants knelt in the distance, not daring to raise their heads.
Leaning against her husband's strong, warm embrace, Su Luoxue gently shook her head, then softly asked, "Ache, the Northern Kingdom...is it..."
Yuwen Che's steps were steady, his voice calm and reassuring: "It's nothing but a minor ailment, a mere clown. You need not worry, I'll take care of everything."
He paused, then continued, a chilling murderous intent in his voice: "If Helian Bobo wants to play, I'll play along to the end. But he dares to set his sights on you and the child..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but Su Luoxue could feel the muscles in his chest tense instantly and the chilling aura emanating from him.
She buried her face in the crook of his neck and softly replied, "Yes. My child and I both believe you."
Yuwen Che tightened his arms, but his eyes remained dark and unfathomable.
A new envoy? Peace talks?
He sneered inwardly. The Shadow Pavilion had just presented a secret report last night: although the Northern Kingdom's spies had been purged, Helian Bobo would not give up easily. This so-called new envoy was likely up to no good.
Gently placing Su Luoxue on the soft phoenix couch, tucking her in, and watching her peaceful sleeping face as she quickly drifted off to sleep from exhaustion, Yuwen Che's eyes were so tender they could melt water.
But when he straightened up, walked out of the bedroom, and met Li Dehai waiting outside, his face had returned to its usual cold and dignified expression.
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