The sense of loss came to an abrupt halt.
Lu Yuanduo turned and met the clear eyes of Sui, just a few steps away.
The indigo brocade woven with gold thread, the intricate and ornate round patterns, the decorative waistband, and the jade pendants all accentuated his noble bearing. A light-colored fur cloak was fastened at his shoulders. He now stood on the pebble path, looking at Lu Yuanduo with curiosity.
Gazing into those phoenix eyes, restrained yet expressive, Lu Yuanduo's throat felt dry and tight. "Su... Little Highness."
The name 'Sui', called countless times before, was forcibly swallowed back.
He moved his lips, forcing a smile. "This subject drank some wine during the banquet and felt stifled, so I came out for a stroll. Seeing the shimmering lake and beautiful scenery here, I stopped to admire it for a while."
Noticing Sui was alone, he glanced around and couldn't help but frown. "Where is your entourage, Highness? Why have you come out alone?"
Sui replied, "Father Emperor took Mother away. I came out to look for them and saw Uncle standing here alone in the snow, so I came over."
"Eunuch Jiang is over there. I didn't come out alone." He turned his head and pointed towards Jiang Fusheng not far away.
Jiang Fusheng had been keeping an eye on them. He waved at Sui in response and gave a slight nod towards Lu Yuanduo as a greeting.
Only then did Lu Yuanduo feel relieved.
There was a difference in their height. He bent down slightly, placing his hands on his knees, and looked at Sui before him. "Your Highness should not call this subject 'Uncle'. I... am not your uncle."
He lowered his gaze, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness.
Looking at Sui's eyes, so identical to Emperor Jingxuan's, he sighed inwardly. Why had he never noticed it before?
Such a wonderful child, yet he did not belong to their Lu family.
Then again, with his third brother's chronically ill and frail constitution, how could he possibly have such a robust and healthy child?
Suddenly, a warm touch brushed between his brows. Lu Yuanduo was slightly startled.
Sui had reached out to stroke his tightly furrowed brow, as if trying to smooth away the crease.
"But in Sui's heart, you will always be the Uncle who bought me chestnut cakes and lifted me overhead to see the festivities."
Sui looked at him with innocent, childlike eyes.
Tears suddenly welled up in his eyes. The defenses in his heart crumbled unexpectedly. Lu Yuanduo choked up instantly. "Your Highness..."
He raised his hand, wanting to pat Sui's head as he used to, but then realized it was inappropriate and stopped abruptly.
A shadow passed through Sui's eyes, and he said somewhat dejectedly, "Why does it feel like you're all acting strange, as if you don't want to pay attention to me anymore?"
Ever since everyone learned that his father was the Emperor, all the people he used to know would look at him with strange eyes but wouldn't come close.
Sui felt unfamiliarity and distance.
Lu Yuanduo was taken aback, momentarily at a loss.
After all, this was a child he had watched grow up. He couldn't bear to see him like this. After a moment's thought, Lu Yuanduo crouched down, placed his hands on Sui's shoulders, bringing his gaze level with the boy's.
"Your Highness misunderstands. It's not that we ignore you. It's a matter of distinction between superior and subordinate."
Hearing this, Sui looked up slightly.
Lu Yuanduo sighed and explained, "Your Highness is the child of His Majesty, of imperial bloodline, exceptionally noble. As subjects, we cannot be presumptuous towards you. Otherwise, it would be the crime of overstepping one's place."
Sui said, "Then I pardon you of any offense."
He clasped his hands behind his back, imitating Emperor Jingxuan's manner.
Lu Yuanduo couldn't help but feel his heart soften, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. "Thank you, Little Highness. May this subject ask if I may hug you?"
In Sui's expectant gaze, the weariness and pain of these past days turned to ashes.
Sui's eyes lit up. "Of course you can!"
He opened his arms. Lu Yuanduo reached out and embraced him, just like before.
Only, a certain child had grown more than just a little. Lu Yuanduo struggled slightly.
He failed to lift him the first time. The second time, prepared, he managed to pick him up.
Lu Yuanduo turned his head to hide his slight embarrassment. "If Your Highness likes it, this subject will bring you chestnut cakes from Wuxiangzhai next time I enter the palace. However, from now on, Your Highness must not call me Uncle anymore."
Sui tilted his head. "Then what should I call you?"
After a few moments of consideration, Lu Yuanduo spoke. "Your Highness may call me Lord Lu."
"Then, Lord Lu, how are... Elder Brother Changze and Elder Sister Changning recently? I haven't seen them for a long time; I miss them very much. And Little Black, Steward Grandpa, Auntie Tian from the kitchen, Little Stone the gatekeeper..."
Sui counted on his fingers, notably omitting Old Madam Lu from the list.
Lu Yuanduo understood in his heart, guessing that the boy must have learned something.
"They are well. Everything in the estate is fine. If there is an opportunity, Your Highness could return for a visit." He answered patiently, a trace of hope showing in his expression.
Unexpectedly, Sui shook his head. "Better not. The old lady doesn't like Mother, and Father Emperor would also be unhappy."
Those who hurt his mother, he did not like and would not forgive.
"Please take good care of Little Black, Lord Lu. If I get the chance, I will definitely go see him!"
It's just that he had Little Date now. If he brought Little Black over, Little Date wouldn't be happy, and Father Emperor wouldn't be happy either.
If Father Emperor was unhappy, everyone would have a hard time.
Ah!
Sui heaved a heavy sigh.
A flash of melancholy passed through Lu Yuanduo's eyes. He changed the subject. "And Your Highness and... the Consort? How are you faring in the palace? Has anyone bullied you?"
Sui nodded, then shook his head. "Those who bullied us got bullied back. Mother and I are fine."
Indeed, with His Majesty's protection, no one could harm the mother and son.
Tonight in the Taihe Hall, he had also witnessed that man's defense and favor towards her throughout. What was there to worry about?
Lu Yuanduo suppressed a self-mocking thought. "Good, that's good..."
Not far away, Jiang Fusheng made a gesture towards them. Seeing this, Lu Yuanduo reluctantly set Sui down and gently patted his head. "It's getting late, Little Highness. You should return with Eunuch Jiang."
Sui also saw Jiang Fusheng waving. He bid farewell to Lu Yuanduo and trotted over.
Jiang Fusheng, afraid he might fall, hurried forward. He adjusted Sui's cloak and hat and put on his warm little gloves for him.
Only after ensuring everything was proper did he straighten up.
Sui seemed to say something to him. Afterwards, Jiang Fusheng walked over holding an umbrella.
"The snow is beautiful, but the wind is strong here. It would be best for Duke Lu to leave soon."
As he spoke, he handed the umbrella in his hand to Lu Yuanduo. "This is the umbrella the Little Highness asked this servant to leave for you."
Holding the umbrella handle, Lu Yuanduo stood for a moment before finally turning to leave.
On the way back, the snow fell heavier and heavier. Sui held Jiang Fusheng's hand, his steps light on the pebbles, seeming to be in very good spirits.
Jiang Fusheng said softly, "Little Highness."
Sui turned his head and asked what was the matter.
Jiang Fusheng whispered a reminder. "Regarding your meeting with Duke Lu tonight... if His Majesty asks, you should tell him. If he doesn't ask, then you need not mention it."
"Why is that?"
Because he's a petty man.
Jiang Fusheng thought this to himself but dared not say it aloud. "Because... His Majesty would be unhappy."
Sui sniffed lightly. "I know. Father Emperor is often unhappy."
Jiang Fusheng sharply drew in a breath. "Hiss— Little Highness, you must not let His Majesty hear such words, or this old servant would be in serious trouble."
Sui nodded.
If Father Emperor charged Eunuch Jiang with a crime, he would pardon him!
