NFBE Chapter 942 The Emperor Treats Bailu as His Daughter
Chapter 942 The Emperor Treats Bailu as His Daughter
In the small flower hall, a large round table was already filled with a dazzling array of dishes.
The Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is fragrant, the roast suckling pig has crispy skin and tender meat, the Eight Treasure Duck with Shredded Sauce is beautifully presented... and there are also a variety of exquisite dim sum. Its luxury and refinement are even better than Tianxianglou!
The emperor placed July on a specially made small chair next to him and warmly invited, "Come, come, sit down. Don't be shy, make yourself at home."
"Bai Lu, please sit down too."
"Try this deer tendon, it's very nourishing."
However, the children all looked hesitant when faced with this table of delicacies.
Their bellies were already completely full at Tianxiang Restaurant. Not to mention the table full of fish and meat, just looking at it for a second made them feel stuffed.
They looked at each other, their little faces filled with embarrassment.
April, being the most honest, patted her round belly and whispered to March beside her, "Third sister, I really can't eat anymore..."
The emperor paused in his act of picking up food, looking at them with some surprise.
Bai Lu inwardly cursed her bad luck and quickly rose to apologize, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, it was my fault. Today, upon returning to the capital... His Highness the Crown Prince and the two princes said they wanted to host a welcome banquet for my wife and children, so they arranged a feast at Tianxiang Tower..."
"The children are young and don't know how to control themselves. They indulged in their food and ended up...overeating."
Upon hearing this, the emperor was taken aback at first, but then the surprise on his face turned into a knowing smile.
There was a deeper meaning in that smile.
He glanced at the seven little ones, each with a round belly, and instead of getting angry, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! So those three kids beat us to it!"
He tapped the table, his tone full of indulgence, "Alright, alright, if you can't eat anymore, then don't eat."
"Manager Li!"
"The old slave is here."
"Take all these dishes away and replace them with some refreshing fruits and plum juice to aid digestion!"
"My little darlings have eaten too much; they need some time to digest!"
The emperor's tone contained not a trace of displeasure, but rather was full of affection for the children.
Manager Li was extremely efficient. In no time, the greasy dishes were removed and replaced with plates of delicately cut, juicy fresh fruit of various colors, and a pot of chilled plum juice.
Without the pressure of delicious food, the children immediately relaxed.
The sour plum drink was sweet and sour, and they sipped it slowly, their round bellies seeming to feel much more comfortable.
The emperor looked at them with a smile, growing more and more fond of them the more he looked.
He beckoned May and June, who were sitting closer, to sit beside him and asked gently, "My little darlings, tell your royal grandfather what you've been learning at the academy? Have you been listening to your teachers?"
The children showed no fear of their kind grandfather.
The moment the topic of life at the academy came up, their little mouths immediately started chattering away.
In January, the most composed, she answered first: "Reporting to Your Majesty, we have learned the Analects and the Thousand Character Classic. The Master also taught us to write."
February quickly added, "The teacher even praised our handwriting!"
March said with a touch of pride, "We also learned arithmetic!"
The emperor listened, nodding repeatedly, his eyes full of approval.
He asked them one by one, from their studies to interesting stories, and the children shared their own stories in turn.
When they got to the part where they were having fun, the whole little flower hall was filled with their cheerful laughter.
As they got into the conversation, the mischievous April suddenly leaned close to the emperor's ear mysteriously and whispered, "Grandpa, we have another secret: we're making money on our own!"
"Oh?"
The emperor immediately became interested and lowered his voice accordingly, "Making money? How do you make money? Tell your imperial grandfather quickly."
"We've become a personal shopper!"
The youngest, July, sat on her little chair, speaking loudly as if afraid others wouldn't hear her.
"Purchase agent?"
The emperor was clearly somewhat confused by this new term.
Siyue explained, "It's about running errands for the older brothers and sisters in the academy who can't easily go out! They live in the academy and can only go home once every six months or a year, so it's inconvenient for them to buy things from all over the country... So we help them buy them, and then they give us a little bit of errand fee!"
May added, "Not only that, our mother opened a cosmetics store in Qinzhou, and we help some of the students' mothers and the teachers' wives buy cosmetics!"
As her daughters described their business strategies one after another, Bai Lu smiled silently, her eyes full of tenderness.
After hearing this, the emperor was slightly taken aback, then laughed loudly, "Hahahaha! Good! Very good!"
"At such a young age, he knows how to use his brain and strength to solve problems and even profit from them. That's truly remarkable!"
He patted each of the children's heads, his gaze finally settling on Bai Lu. He said with deep emotion, "At such a young age, you have such a business mind and drive. You truly are your daughter, Bai Lu!"
"I seem to see you back in Liangzhou, where you single-handedly revitalized trade routes and stabilized the people's hearts!"
The children understood that their grandfather was praising them for being as capable as their mother, and they all puffed out their little chests.
The emperor was in a good mood from the joy of being with the children, and he played with them for a while longer. As it was getting late, the children began to feel sleepy and yawn.
He then smiled and instructed Steward Li, "Go, take the young princesses to the side hall to rest and play. Prepare some of their favorite pastries and don't keep them too confined."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Steward Li bowed and accepted the order, gently guiding the seven girls away from the flower hall.
Once the children left, the flower hall immediately fell silent.
The emperor's smile gradually faded, but he looked even more gentle.
He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and gazed at Bai Lu. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke, "In the blink of an eye, the children have grown so much... they're already seven years old..."
"Smart and adorable, you've taught her very well."
"Your Majesty is too kind. The children are simply sensible on their own."
Bai Lu answered humbly.
The emperor put down his teacup with a soft sound.
He changed the subject, his tone now carrying a hint of concern and inquiry: "Your mother... Zhao Bingyu, has she... harassed you in the Western Regions all these years?"
Bai Lu's heart stirred slightly, but her face remained calm as still water.
She lowered her eyes slightly and replied softly, "Your Majesty, no."
"My mother is busy with business in the Western Regions."
Upon hearing this answer, the emperor seemed to breathe a long sigh of relief, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed.
He gazed at Bailu with a complex expression, a mixture of sadness from reminiscing and a sense of relief.
"That's good, that's good..."
He sighed softly, as if speaking to himself.
He paused, his voice becoming unusually gentle and earnest: "Bai Lu, I know you are a good child."
"Bingyu...she was once a bright moon in my heart, pure and unattainable...the obsession of youth is always hard to forget."
"but,"
The emperor's tone became firm. He looked into Bailu's eyes, his gaze filled with affection, "People always have to look forward."
"The person is gone, and the dream is hard to find."
"For me, that's all in the past."
"Now, when I look at you, it's like seeing my own daughter."
"Everything you have done for the country and the people, your resilience, your kindness—I have seen it all, and it pains me deeply..."
He solemnly said, "Remember, Bai Lu, although she is my white moonlight... but you are the child I love and cherish the most right now."
"In my heart, you are my own daughter!"
The emperor used "I" instead of "朕" (zhen).
"If you ever feel wronged in the future, don't worry about her status. Just come and tell me, and I will stand up for you."
These words were earnest and heartfelt.
A warm feeling welled up in Bai Lu's heart, and her eyes became slightly hot.
She slowly rose and gave the emperor a solemn bow, her voice sincere and firm: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness."
The emperor personally stepped forward and gently helped Bailu up with both hands, gesturing for her to sit down.
His eyes were gentle, like an ordinary old father looking at his daughter who had been away from home for a long time.
There's no need for such formalities between us.
He sighed, his eyes filled with emotion, "Over the years, you have guarded Liangzhou and Qingzhou... your contributions have been immense."
"I know you've worked hard."
Bai Lu sat down again and said softly, "This is my duty."
"It's a tremendous achievement."
The emperor waved his hand, interrupting her humble words.
Looking at Bai Lu's beautiful yet slightly weathered face, he felt even more pity for her.
"Liangzhou is a good place, but it is still a cold and remote place. I know that you are unwilling to come back because you want to avoid the troubles in the capital and also because of your mother."
The emperor's voice was deep and penetrating, "But now, the children are growing up. Kyoto is the heart of the Great Wu, and its culture, education, and customs are ultimately unmatched by other places."
"not to mention......"
He paused, a hint of melancholy creeping into his voice: "...I'm getting old too."
"Although the Crown Prince and those boys are filial, they are still my sons, and there are some things I cannot say to them."
"Looking at you is like seeing my own daughter. I feel at ease."
"Bai Lu, grant my request."
He said in an almost pleading tone, "Please come back to Kyoto often in the future."
"Not for official business, not for reporting on performance, just consider it as..."
"Daughter, come home and see your father."
A sour feeling rushed to the tip of her nose, and Bai Lu's eyes instantly turned red.
She fought back tears and nodded heavily, "Yes, Your Majesty..."
"Sir, obey the order."
"Hey, why bother calling yourself a subject?"
Seeing her moved, the emperor smiled with satisfaction and said with loving reproach, "She deserves to be punished!"
Bai Lu couldn't help but laugh through her tears after hearing his words, and quickly corrected herself: "Yes... I'll remember."
"now it's right."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction.
He seemed to have shed the burden of being an emperor, and was just an ordinary father hoping that his daughter could come home to visit more often.
Seeing Bai Lu's tearful yet smiling face, the emperor felt both gratified and heartbroken.
He waved for her to sit down, then picked up his teacup and drank some tea.
He thought to himself: This child has never received his mother's love since he was a child.
There's no need to mention Zhao Bingyu.
As for her father, Bai Yansong... he's even more of a liar!
The entire Bai family... is already a disorganized mess, how can they provide this child with real family warmth?
She raised seven children all by herself in the harsh and cold land of Liangzhou... The hardships she endured... sigh.
Others only see her glory and achievements as the Marquis of Anguo, how powerful she is, but who can understand the heavy burden she, a woman, bears?
If I don't cherish her and protect her like my own daughter, who in this vast world will treat her like a child?
Thinking of this, the emperor's eyes grew even more loving.
He made up his mind that no matter what, he would definitely protect her!
This way, she can feel the warmth and support of home even in the capital.
After exchanging a few more casual words, the emperor noticed the fatigue on Bai Lu's face and said considerately, "Alright, you must be exhausted from rushing back all the way."
"I have ordered people to prepare a quiet palace garden for you and the children. Rest peacefully in the palace tonight. We can talk about anything else tomorrow."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."
Bai Lu was indeed exhausted, so she did not refuse and obediently got up to take her leave.
Led by palace servants, Bai Lu arrived at a palace garden called Nuanyun Pavilion.
The room was decorated elegantly and warmly. The children had already fallen asleep on the soft couches in the side hall, exhausted from playing. Their sleeping faces were all sweet.
Bai Lu tucked them in, then washed herself and lay down on the soft, comfortable bed, falling into a deep sleep.
The next morning, the sky was bright.
Bai Lu had just finished her breakfast when a palace attendant came to report that the three young masters of the Bai family were waiting outside the palace gates, having received His Majesty's special permission to visit them.
Soon, three familiar figures appeared in the courtyard of Nuanyun Pavilion.
Leading the group was the eldest brother, Bai Chuyao, who was still dressed in a neat civil official's uniform, walking steadily, but with obvious concern on his face.
Following closely behind was the second brother, Bai Liezhao, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a tall and straight figure. When he saw Bai Lu, his usually cheerful face was filled with barely suppressed joy.
Bringing up the rear was the third brother, Bai Qingze, who appeared even more refined and capable than when he left the capital. The moment he saw Bai Lu, his eyes were filled with pure joy.
"Little sister!"
Bai Liezhao's voice was the loudest.
The three spoke in unison, their faces beaming with the joy of reunion.
Bai Lu greeted them with a smile and led them into the hall.
"Big brother, second brother, third brother, why are you here so early?"
"And you say that! Such a big thing as your return to the capital, if it weren't for the news coming from the palace yesterday, we would still be completely in the dark!"
Bai Liezhao, being the most straightforward, said, "Why didn't you send someone back with a message beforehand? We would have welcomed you properly at the city gate."
Bai Chuyao gently interrupted him: "Alright, Lie Zhao, my little sister is rushing back to the capital. It must be an urgent summons from His Majesty. There's no time to send a message in advance."
"Little sister, please sit down. You must be tired from your journey."