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Chapter 258: The Emperor's Thoughts
Chapter 258: The Emperor's Thoughts
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's suggestion, the Queen of Qi felt her heart skip a beat.
She had grown accustomed to sleeping with Suisu in recent times, and the idea of being separated from her tonight made her feel uneasy.
Putting aside how Suisu might feel, the Queen herself wasn't ready for this change!
Moreover, Suisu was still very young, and frequently changing her living environment might not be the best for her development.
Children had limited understanding, and constantly changing the people around them might lead to emotional detachment as a coping mechanism to avoid heartbreak. The Queen couldn't bear the thought of her precious daughter closing off her heart.
The tension was palpable, and the couple's anxiety spoiled their appetite. The Empress Dowager found the situation amusing yet frustrating.
She wasn't trying to take the child away; she just wanted to spend more time with Suisu and have her stay over for a night or two.
However, the Empress Dowager recalled that the eldest son of the Duke of Fuyang would be celebrating his birthday in early May, and the Qi royal family would undoubtedly attend.
Since Suisu had been granted the title of princess, there hadn't been a small banquet to officially announce her status, and she had temporarily refrained from social engagements.
But one couldn't stay reclusive in the capital without attracting attention. The Empress Dowager thought this upcoming birthday celebration was a perfect opportunity for Suisu to enter high society, and it wouldn't be appropriate to keep the child in the palace.
Moreover...
Seeing the confused and fearful expression on Suisu's face, the Empress Dowager realized that their bond was still fresh, and their relationship wasn't strong enough for her to force the child to stay in the palace. She could imagine how terrified Suisu would be if she were left alone in this vast palace.
This thought made the Empress Dowager's heart ache.
She admitted that a large part of her affection for Suisu stemmed from the void left by Jiaoyang's departure, and she sought comfort in the child's presence.
However, the Empress Dowager was lucid enough to distinguish between her daughter and her beloved granddaughter.
Oh well, there would be plenty of time in the future.
She could always spend more time with Suisu once they became closer.
With a wave of her hand, the Empress Dowager relented, "Never mind, the child is still young and needs her mother. She can stay with you for now."
As soon as these words left her mouth, the tense atmosphere in the room eased significantly.
The Emperor had been hoping that Suisu would stay in the palace for a few days, giving him a chance to visit her from time to time and hopefully lessen her fear of him, her imperial uncle.
Unlike the Qi King, the Emperor's affection for princesses and county lords wasn't obsessive.
With several princesses and numerous children of his own, his love for his offspring was tempered with practicality.
Moreover, the Emperor's status meant that his relationships with his children were not solely based on emotions but also involved political considerations.
As such, even when he felt affection, he couldn't display excessive favoritism.
On the other hand, Suisu's unique status as the Emperor's niece allowed him to express his paternal love more freely.
It was a pity that she couldn't stay over tonight.
However, as the Empress Dowager pointed out, there would be plenty of time in the future.
When Suisu grew older and became more independent, inviting her to stay in the palace for a few days would be a delightful plan.
The meal proceeded pleasantly, and everyone ate heartily.
Even the usually stoic Emperor indulged in a few extra bites, specifically to please his mother and younger brother, though he didn't particularly feel like eating.
That was the extent of his indulgence—a few extra bites.
The weight of his imperial status ensured that he could never fully relax, even among his closest kin. He could only allow himself a momentary respite, a brief pause from the constant fatigue of his heart.
Suisu wasn't sure how the others were eating, but she enjoyed her meal immensely.
The meat, vegetables, and snacks were all delicious, and even the rice tasted extraordinary!
Delighted by Suisu's appetite, the Qi King seized the opportunity after the meal to request some of the palace's special rice from the Emperor.
The rice from the palace was naturally of a higher caliber than that of the Qi Kingdom.
Being exclusively supplied to the royal family, it was undoubtedly a cut above the rest.
Naturally, the rice from the palace was the finest there was.
As expected, the Qi King relentlessly pestered the Emperor for it, and His Majesty, accustomed to his brother's shamelessness, readily agreed.
Even without the Qi King's request, the Emperor would have gladly offered it.
The Emperor was quite curious about Suisu's blessed life, favored by the heavens.
However, he feared that if he asked too much, his younger brother might get upset and turn against him again.
Thus, after much restraint, he ultimately refrained from asking the questions on the tip of his tongue.
After the meal, Suisu began to feel drowsy.
Seeing her little head resting in the embrace of the Qi Queen, her eyes blinking slowly, the Emperor smiled and said, "How about Imperial Uncle lulls you to sleep, Suisu?"
The Emperor thought, "I may not ask, but can I at least hold you?"
He believed that by holding a fortunate child like her, perhaps Lady Luck would mistake him for one of her favorites and bless him as well.
He wasn't seeking eternal life or anything like that, of course. If a longer life naturally came with it, then so be it.
But mostly, he just wanted...
For the next emperor to be a wise and virtuous ruler, ensuring a stable empire, a peaceful world.
Well, the Emperor admitted that he was asking for quite a lot.
If he had to choose just one, he would select...
A stable empire.
A stable empire implied that the next emperor would be a truly talented ruler.
Not only his crown prince but also his future generations.
Suisu was still half-asleep when she heard the Emperor's words. Although she still felt a bit afraid, she could tell that the Emperor wasn't a bad person, so she merely looked at him blankly before her eyes glazed over again.
The Qi Queen understood that her child didn't mind.
She handed Suisu to Autumn Auntie, who then passed her to the Grand Steward by the Emperor's side.
After several handovers, Suisu finally reached the Emperor's arms.
Being held by the Emperor, Suisu softly murmured, "Greetings, Imperial Uncle."
Hearing this, the Emperor's heart softened even more.
She was such an obedient child.
Even in her drowsy state, she still remembered to greet him properly.
The Emperor gently patted Suisu's back, "Rest assured and sleep tight, for Imperial Uncle is here."
Suisu was indeed very tired, and sensing no ill intent from the Emperor, she snuggled comfortably into his shoulder and soon drifted off to sleep.
Feeling the weight on his shoulder, the Emperor's heart unexpectedly calmed as well.
He gently lifted Suisu, afraid that the little one might fall.
The Empress Dowager, watching from the side, had a warm feeling in her heart, but she was also worried that the Emperor might not handle the child carefully enough, so she softly suggested, "Sleeping like that doesn't seem comfortable. How about you bring the child to my chambers to sleep?"
After speaking, the Empress Dowager quickly changed her mind, "No, to the side chambers, I mean. My chambers still have the medicinal herb scent from my treatment. It might be unpleasant for a young child. Take her to the side chambers instead."
Due to the Qi King's matter, the Empress Dowager had been suffering from her respiratory condition, and the chambers unavoidably carried the scent of the medicine she had been taking.
The Empress Dowager was concerned that the young child might not like the smell and have a restless sleep.
The Emperor was reluctant to let go of Suisu, but if they spoke too loudly, they might startle the child.
Thinking it over, the Emperor nodded and stood up.
From his expression, it seemed that he intended to personally bring Suisu to the chambers.
The Empress Dowager didn't stop him, merely asking Xu Auntie to lead the way.
(End of Chapter)
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