Chapter 256: The Imperial Uncle
Chapter 256: The Imperial Uncle
The Emperor had arrived, and Prince Qi led Suisui out to greet him, causing the Empress Dowager to swallow the words that had reached her lips.
"Why now?" she thought bitterly. "Just as I was ready to speak, too."
It was indeed quite a coincidence. With a resigned sigh, she acknowledged, "Very well, he is your son after all."
There was little she could do about it now.
The Emperor had rushed over after the morning court session, eager to see Suisui and concerned about Prince Qi's health. He had spent the previous night in his own palace, contemplating his approach toward this child blessed by the heavens.
He wondered how he should present himself—what attitude he ought to adopt. Of course, he decided on a friendly demeanor. After all, the child was pure and virtuous, and he might benefit from her good fortune in the future.
But beyond that...
The Emperor hesitated. Even if he considered it from a purely pragmatic perspective, what if he gained too much and ended up losing everything? A steady stream was more sustainable than a flash flood. He prided himself on understanding this principle well.
He could distinguish between a blessing that would last a century and one that would last a decade.
The Emperor hurried over, driven by his curiosity about Suisui and his worry for Prince Qi's well-being. Despite the imperial physicians' assurances that careful nourishment and rest would extend the prince's lifespan, the imperial family's longevity left much to be desired.
If Prince Qi continued to exert himself, his lifespan might shorten, leaving behind a courtyard full of widows and orphans.
By the time the Emperor arrived, Prince Qi had already led the princess and Suisui out to the courtyard to await him. As the bright yellow figure approached, Prince Qi hastily pulled Suisui forward to pay their respects.
Due to her young age and position as a junior, Prince Qi indicated that she should perform a grand ritual. Obediently, Suisui knelt down and performed the ritual with reverence.
She recalled what her father and mother had told her—that her name had been chosen by the Emperor himself. Thus, in her eyes, the Emperor was a kind figure.
The child's frail and slender form evoked a sense of pity. Despite her vibrant clothing, adorable hat, and swaying tassels that moved with her movements, she couldn't hide her thin and delicate appearance.
As the Emperor watched her kneel and occupy only a small space, his brows furrowed slightly. He gestured for them to rise, saying, "Get up, all of you. We are family; there's no need for such formality."
With the Emperor's permission, Prince Qi quickly helped Suisui to her feet, his heart aching for her.
The Emperor was unsurprised by his younger brother's doting demeanor. After all, having longed for a daughter for so many years, he would likely behave the same way if their situations were reversed.
Cough, cough. He would definitely be more composed than that!
After rising, Suisui dared not raise her head and instead stayed close to her father, her little head bowed.
Although the Emperor couldn't see Suisui's face, he was displeased by her frail stature and asked, "Why is she so thin? Has the harvest in the princely domain been poor this year?"
Prince Qi: ?
It had barely been a month since the child came to his estate, and she had been ill twice during that time. How could she have gained any weight?
Prince Qi was at a loss for words, but after a moment's thought, he honestly replied, "Yes, it hasn't been good."
Princess Qi: ...
Although lying was not ideal, if it meant obtaining more resources for Suisui, she could justify it. After all, this year's harvest had indeed been smaller than the last.
In a way, her husband was telling the truth.
The Princess quickly reassured herself.
The Emperor had only been voicing his concerns, but his younger brother had readily agreed.
The Emperor was both amused and exasperated, eventually waving his hand in resignation. "Fine, fine. Go ahead and pick something out from the private treasury to give to your great-niece. We can't starve the child; she's already so thin."
The Emperor did hold a certain affection for his younger brother.
With a cheerful smile, he then looked down at Suisui. "Good child, lift your head so I, your imperial uncle, can see you."
The Emperor felt he ought to see his niece's face, lest he return home without knowing what his niece looked like.
Suisui herself wasn't sure if she should lift her head. She glanced surreptitiously at her father, the Prince.
Prince Qi, for his part, wasn't too concerned. He was more worried that Suisui's eyes would frighten the Emperor again.
However, a mischievous thought crossed the Prince's mind.
He struggled to hold back his smile, lest the Emperor notice something amiss, and then lowered his head, his eyes warm as he looked at Suisui. "Suisui, he is your imperial uncle. Be bold and look at him. You are his niece; there's no need to be afraid."
The Princess: ...
"My lord, you certainly have a way with words," she thought. "How could he forget that when he was afraid, he ran as fast as he could to seek refuge in the Empress Dowager's palace?"
With her father's permission, Suisui obediently lifted her head.
As she did so, her eyes met the Emperor's expectant gaze.
Seeing those eyes, so familiar they couldn'd be mistaken for anything else, the Emperor felt his breath catch and his heartbeat stutter.
"This... this..."
Although fear of their father Emperor had suppressed his thoughts and controlled his thinking for those years, the Emperor was still the Emperor, and he could control his emotions.
So, the momentary lapse was just that—a blink of an eye—before he adjusted himself, deciding not to ask too much in front of the child. Instead, he merely glared at the Prince and then cheerfully beckoned to Suisui. "Come, good Suisui. Let your imperial uncle hold you."
The imperial uncle was unusually enthusiastic, and Suisui looked at him with some fear. She dared not respond, only turning her head to look at her father.
The Prince, for his part, was generous. He gently patted Suisui's shoulder. "Don't be afraid. Don't worry. Be bold and respond. Your imperial uncle isn't an outsider."
The imperial uncle liked her, and so did the Empress. In the future, Suisui would be able to walk proudly through the capital.
The Prince was delighted by this thought.
However, there was a tinge of sourness in his heart at the thought of the imperial uncle holding his precious daughter.
Though the Prince didn't say anything, he nodded his head gently, his eyes warm as he looked at his daughter.
Since the Emperor liked her, the Empress would too, and with their support, Suisui would be able to walk proudly through the capital in the future.
Suisui only needed some encouragement, and she boldly stepped forward, opening her thin arms. "Your Imperial Majesty, please hold me."
The child's eyes still held a hint of wariness, but her actions were bold and confident.
With some guidance, she would surely grow into a fine young lady.
The Emperor had initially been curious about those eyes, but now he didn't want to think too much. He cast aside all extraneous thoughts and, with a cheerful smile, held Suisui in his arms.
As he held her, feeling her singular lightness, the Emperor frowned. "She looks so frail, and she feels even lighter in my arms. Don't you feed the child properly? My daughter, Shunyang, is only two years older than her, but she feels much heavier when I hold her."
Shunyang, the Princess of Sunshine, was seven years old, only two years older than Suisui.
However, her weight...
It was probably double that of Suisui's.
Of course, she wasn't fat. Her height was also significantly taller, and she had a sturdy build.
She was the type of child who, at a glance, clearly appeared well-nourished.
Though Prince Qi loved his child, Suisui's deficiencies couldn't be rectified overnight.
When the Emperor questioned him, the Prince didn't argue but admitted with a guilty conscience, "We're working on it. We're working on it. This is just the beginning; she'll gain more weight soon."
(End of Chapter)
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