Chapter 86 Su's Mother Visits Her Daughter in the Palace
The next day, before dawn, Yuwen Che got up and changed his clothes, carefully avoiding disturbing Su Luoxue who was still fast asleep, before heading to the Taiji Hall for the morning court session.
In the imperial court, he remained as stern as ever, quickly addressing the issue of the upcoming arrival of the new delegation from the Northern Kingdom. He established a policy of "strict surveillance and restraint," approved several urgent military matters, and then adjourned the court session.
Instead of returning to Guanju Palace, he went directly to Sizheng Hall to continue reviewing the mountain of memorials.
During a break from reviewing papers, without even looking up, he suddenly asked, "Li Dehai."
“This old servant is here.” Li Dehai quickly stepped forward.
"How are the Empress's parents doing lately?" Yuwen Che's tone sounded casual, as if he were just asking offhand.
Li Dehai bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, Master Su is currently serving as a royal merchant and is working diligently. Today is the first day of the month, a day off according to custom, so he should all be at home. I heard that the eldest son of the Su family, Su Jingxing, is studying hard behind closed doors, preparing for next year's imperial examination."
Yuwen Che paused in his vermilion brush, pondered for a moment, and said, "The Empress has been feeling unwell lately and misses her family. You should immediately send someone to the Su residence to bring Madam Liu, the wife of Su, into the palace so she can have a chat with the Empress."
Li Dehai understood immediately; His Majesty was trying to comfort the Empress by appealing to family ties. He replied immediately, "Yes, this old servant will arrange for capable people to receive her and ensure that Madam Su enters the palace safely."
“Hmm,” Yuwen Che added, “Tell the people below to behave themselves and not disturb the peace of the Su residence.”
"This old servant understands."
The imperial decree quickly reached the Su residence. Upon hearing that the Empress missed her mother and that His Majesty had summoned her by special decree, the entire Su household felt both honored and somewhat apprehensive. Lady Liu was both surprised and delighted, and quickly dressed in her rank-appropriate attire before boarding the carriage to the palace with the eunuch.
Inside Guanju Palace, Su Luoxue had just finished breakfast and was taking a nap on a soft couch when Fuling entered lightly, her face beaming with joy: "Your Majesty, the Lady has come to see you!"
Upon hearing this, Su Luoxue's eyes lit up, and she struggled to sit up straight: "Mother is here? Please come in!"
Guided by the eunuch, Lady Liu entered the bedchamber. Upon seeing her daughter, her eyes immediately reddened, but she still remembered etiquette and stepped forward to curtsy: "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress..."
"Mother, please don't stand on ceremony!" Su Luoxue hurriedly gestured for Fuling to help Liu Shi up, her voice choked with emotion, "There are no outsiders here, please sit down."
Only then did Madam Liu rise and sit on the embroidered stool beside the couch. She held her daughter's hand tightly, looked her up and down, and said with heartache, "Your Majesty... Xue'er, why is your face still so pale? Has your appetite improved recently? Are the children behaving themselves?"
Hearing her mother's familiar words of concern, Su Luoxue felt a sense of security as she struggled to maintain her spirit these past few days, and her eyes reddened slightly: "I'm sorry to have worried you, Mother. I'm alright, just feeling very tired. I'm fine too..."
Madam Liu gently stroked her daughter's belly. Having given birth herself, she noticed that although her daughter's belly was noticeably protruding, her face and arms appeared even thinner. Her heart sank, but she dared not show it on her face. She only said softly, "Carrying twins is certainly hard work. You must take good care of yourself and don't worry about anything. Everything is fine at home. Your father and your brother are thinking of you."
"My brother..."
"Jingxing is doing very well. He studies diligently day and night, hoping to pass the imperial examination with flying colors and live up to His Majesty's and your expectations..."
The mother and daughter held hands and talked intimately, filling the bedroom with a rare and warm atmosphere.
Inside the Sizheng Hall, after hearing Li Dehai's report that "Madam Su has successfully entered the palace and is currently speaking with the Empress," Yuwen Che merely nodded indifferently, his gaze returning to the report in his hand, as if it were just a trivial matter.
Only he himself knew that arranging for Lady Liu to enter the palace was one of the few tender things he could do for Su Luoxue at this moment.
Around noon, Li Dehai received an imperial decree, went to Guanju Palace to deliver a few words, and then left. Fuling came in to report: "Your Majesty, Madam, His Majesty sent Chief Eunuch Li to deliver a message, saying that he is busy with state affairs and will have lunch in Sizheng Hall. He told Your Majesty and Madam to enjoy their meal without waiting."
Upon hearing this, Su Luoxue's eyes flashed with understanding, and she said softly to her mother, "His Majesty is being considerate, afraid that you might feel constrained while dining with him here."
Lady Liu quickly replied, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Lunch was served, consisting of delicate and easily digestible dishes. Su Luoxue still had a poor appetite, but she ate a few more bites while keeping her mother company.
During a break from her meal, Su Luoxue recalled the past and said, "Mother, His Majesty once said that you would be allowed to visit the palace once a month, so why don't you ever come? Your daughter... misses home very much."
Madam Liu put down her silver chopsticks, gently interrupting her daughter, and sighed: "Luoxue, His Majesty has shown mercy. But... our Su family cannot take advantage of the Emperor's grace to openly disregard palace rules."
She lowered her voice, her tone filled with deep worry: "Your status is different now; you are the Empress, and you are carrying twin imperial heirs. Countless eyes are watching your Guanju Palace and your belly from the shadows. Some are envious, some are trying to curry favor, but many more... are jealous and hateful!"
Su Luoxue paused slightly in the hand holding the spoon.
Madam Liu continued, “Although our family is now a royal merchant and Jingxing is about to take the imperial examination, our foundation is still shallow. If Mother enters the palace in a grand manner every month, wouldn’t that give those with ulterior motives something to use against us? They might say that our Su family is arrogant because of the emperor’s favor, or that the Empress’s maternal family is restless. Mother doesn’t want to cause you any trouble whatsoever.”
Looking at the fine wrinkles at the corners of her mother's eyes and the unyielding worry in them, Su Luoxue felt a pang of sadness: "Mother... I'm the one who has caused you so much worry."
“Silly child,” Madam Liu held her hand and patted it gently, “As long as you are safe and sound and give birth to your child smoothly, that is more important than anything else. His Majesty treats you so sincerely, so our Su family must be even more careful in our words and deeds, so as not to make things difficult for you, and even more so for His Majesty.”
She glanced around the luxurious palace, which seemed to isolate her from the outside world, and said in an even softer voice, "In this palace, you must be careful at every step. His Majesty can protect you from open attacks, but he can't guard against hidden arrows. Luo Xue, you must be careful in everything you do, especially what you put in your mouth, and the people around you..."
Su Luoxue nodded, keeping her mother's words in mind: "Daughter understands."
The mother and daughter chatted for a while longer. Seeing that her daughter looked tired, Madam Liu got up to take her leave: "You should rest well. I will come to see you another day... when His Majesty grants my permission."
After seeing her mother off, Su Luoxue leaned against the couch, savoring her mother's words of advice, her heart filled with both warmth and heaviness. She stroked her belly and whispered, "My children, you must be born safely... for your mother, for your grandmother, and for all those who wish us well."
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