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Chapter 524 The Emperor's Love

"Listening to the sound of horses' hooves outside, I really envy Sister Ruohan, who can ride a horse like a man. Unlike me, I am trapped in this small place and don't even know what it's like to ride a horse."

Chu Ruohan followed her gaze and saw several figures speeding across the grass in the distance, looking dashing and heroic.

She withdrew her gaze and replied softly, "Your Majesty is too kind. I have only recently learned to ride and am not very steady. I am just doing it for the novelty."

“Sister,” Su Wan turned her head and looked at her earnestly, her tone carrying a hint of girlish grievance, “You have no idea how envious I am of you.”

Chu Ruohan was slightly taken aback. Meeting her clear and sincere gaze, she said gently, "Your Majesty is of noble status and possesses the world. I am but a mere woman. What is there for you to envy?"

"What I envy is not the Duchess's title, but you."

Su Wan tightened her grip on her hand, lowering her voice even further, "I envy that you can protect the people you want to protect, I envy that you can live so... so freely."

She thought of the invisible shackles in the palace, and the undercurrents in the court that flowed into the harem, and the smile on her face faded slightly.

"His Majesty told me everything that happened that day." Su Wan looked at Chu Ruohan with admiration in her eyes.

"Sister, you have some skill. With just a few words, you scared the wife of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel out of her wits. If it were me, I would probably have to swallow my anger or go to His Majesty crying."

Chu Ruohan gently patted the back of her hand, comforting her, "Your Majesty is in a different position, so naturally you have more concerns."

"I am barefoot, so I have fewer concerns about what I do."

“But I feel that my sister walks more steadily than most people in this world who wear shoes.” Su Wan shook her head and sighed, “This deep palace is the most magnificent cage.”

"All I can see is this four-sided sky. But you, sister, can see the whole world."

Chu Ruohan's heart stirred slightly. She knew that Su Wan's words today came from the bottom of her heart.

This seemingly noble and unparalleled empress was, in reality, just an ordinary woman who longed for freedom and stability.

"If Your Majesty does not mind, after we return to the capital, I may often visit the palace to keep you company and tell you about interesting things that happen outside."

Su Wan's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had found a kindred spirit, and she nodded vigorously: "Okay! Then it's a deal!"

The two exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere inside the tent became relaxed and intimate.

Just then, Xuan-ge'er's clear laughter came from outside the tent, mixed with Xiao Qing-chen's indistinct babbling.

"Mother! Mother! Look!"

Chu Ruohan lifted a corner of the tent flap and saw Xuan Ge'er running over, holding a colorful pheasant feather as if presenting a treasure.

Behind him, the wet nurse carefully held little Qingchen, who was happily stuffing an unknown little yellow flower into her mouth.

"Don't eat it!" Xuan-ge'er, with his sharp eyes, snatched the flower from his sister's hand and scolded her in an adult's tone, "This is dirty, it will give you a stomachache if you eat it!"

Little Qingchen's "delicious food" was snatched away, and her little mouth twitched, looking like she was about to cry.

Xuan-ge quickly stuffed the beautiful feather into her hand, clumsily coaxing, "Don't cry, don't cry, brother will let you play with this."

Seeing this scene, Su Wan's envy deepened, but a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

"My sister is so lucky," she exclaimed sincerely.

She has the love and respect of her husband, the joy of having children around her, and the ability to advance or retreat, defend or attack.

Such a life was a luxury that countless women in the inner palace could only dream of.

Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan's smile softened slightly.

She looked at the two small figures outside the tent and said softly, "Having more children just means more liveliness."

Su Wan's gaze remained fixed on Xuan Ge'er and Xiao Qingchen. She waved to Xuan Ge'er, her voice softer than ever before.

"Good child, come to Auntie."

Xuan-ge looked at his mother and saw Chu Ruohan nod slightly.

He toddled over with his short legs, held up the beautiful pheasant feather in front of Su Wan, and said like a treasure, "Your Majesty, this is for you!"

Su Wan carefully took it, then reached out and gently patted Xuan-ge'er's head. "Thank you, Xuan-ge'er. Auntie likes it very much."

Xuan-ge'er smiled shyly after being praised, and then pointed to Xiao Qingchen in the wet nurse's arms: "My sister has one too, hers is a little yellow flower."

Su Wan looked in the direction he pointed, and there was Xiao Qingchen staring at her with his big, dark eyes.

She was still clutching the feather her brother had given her tightly in her little hand, having long forgotten the grievance she had felt about the little yellow flower earlier.

"All is well, all is well," Su Wan murmured, her eyes overflowing with longing.

She looked at the two children as if they were the most beautiful scenery in the world, her love pure and untainted.

Chu Ruohan watched all of this with a soft feeling in her heart. She picked up a teacup and handed it to Su Wan.

He gently comforted her, saying, "Your Majesty and His Majesty have only been married for a year, and their love is deep and their blessings are abundant. When the time is right, the child will come naturally. There is no need to be anxious."

Su Wan took the teacup, and the warmth of her fingertips calmed her chaotic thoughts slightly.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath them. "I hope... I can heed your good wishes, sister."

Even so, a hint of melancholy in his tone could not be concealed.

Chu Ruohan didn't say anything more, but just quietly stayed with her.

Seeing the lingering longing in Su Wan's eyes, Chu Ruohan's heart suddenly stirred.

A thought flashed through her mind without warning.

Your Majesty has been on the throne for over a year.

The empress was not the only one in the imperial harem.

To this day, however, no news has been reported of any of the concubines being pregnant in the vast palace.

This is by no means a coincidence.

Given Zhao Yunci's current status and power, it is absolutely impossible for him to be unaware of this matter.

The only explanation is that all of this was done with his tacit approval or even at his behest.

He... was waiting.

Chu Ruohan felt as if something had gently tapped her heart.

He was waiting for the Empress's legitimate son.

The imperial family places great importance on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Throughout history, the bloody battles between legitimate and illegitimate children for the throne have never ceased.

The title of the eldest son of the legitimate wife is enough to establish the empress's unshakeable position for decades to come, and it can also give the future crown prince the most legitimate identity, avoiding countless disputes.

That high and mighty emperor cleared the way for his empress and protected the woman he cherished most in his heart in such a silent and domineering way.

This imperial favor, deep and silent, is more profound than any flowery words.

Having figured this out, Chu Ruohan looked at Su Wan again with a hint of understanding in her eyes.

Su Wan may envy her freedom, but what she possesses is a unique honor and affection in the world.

In this life, Chu Ruohan also possessed...