Realistic governance games for both male and female audiences

Chapter 23 My beloved son, I miss him so much!

Xiao Suyue, who had just entered the hall, was dressed in a prince's python robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a golden crown with two dragons chasing a pearl on his head. His face was resolute, and his brows showed the iron-bloodedness and composure of years of fighting on the battlefield.

He strode into the main hall, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over everyone present. Wherever he went, people involuntarily lowered their heads or showed respectful expressions.

"Prince Su has arrived!"

"Is Prince Su well?"

"Your Highness must have had a long journey!"

…………

Many royal relatives and court officials present bowed to him in greeting.

Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, was not arrogant. He nodded slightly and responded to each question. His every move exuded both the nobility of royalty and the competence of a military general.

"Yue'er, come quick! Come quick!"

Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager, sitting at the head of the table, had slightly reddened eyes. She stood up excitedly from her phoenix chair and waved her hands repeatedly, as if she wanted to embrace her youngest son, who had just returned to the capital, once again.

Although the Empress Dowager had met with Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, before, she still couldn't hide her excitement when they met again.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" Xiao Suyue walked to the foot of the steps, lifted his robes, knelt on one knee, and performed a most respectful salute. "Your subject is unfilial, causing Your Majesty to worry!"

"Get up quickly and come to my side."

The Empress Dowager offered a helping hand, and after Xiao Suyue stood up and came closer, she immediately took his hand and made him stand beside her. Her intimate gesture seemed to be a declaration to everyone present that this powerful warlord was her most beloved youngest son!

After everyone had arrived...

"The Emperor has arrived!"

As the voice of the Grand Eunuch rang out again, the palace doors opened wide once more.

Then, apart from the Empress Dowager sitting high above, everyone in the hall, whether members of the imperial family or officials, knelt down at that moment.

Then, a deafening roar echoed throughout the hall: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Qingkuang walked straight to the Empress Dowager without glancing to either side, ignoring the kneeling ministers. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he bowed and said, "Mother, your son greets you!"

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her gaze shifting between her son and Prince Su beside her, her smile deepening: "The Emperor has arrived, please sit."

Xiao Qingkuang straightened up, slowly turned around, and scanned the entire room with his gaze.

In that instant, the people who were kneeling on the ground didn't even dare to look up and meet his dragon eyes.

He slightly raised his hand, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Rise and take your seats!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone shouted in unison, then stood up and returned to their seats.

……

……

As the banquet drew to a close, the music in the hall gradually subsided, with only the occasional crackling of the burning red candles remaining distinctly clear.

Xiao Qingkuang picked up his wine cup, a gentle smile on his face, and slowly stood up, walking to the Empress Dowager's phoenix chair.

"Brother Su, Mother always says that nothing is worse than having her son by her side!" Xiao Qingkuang chuckled, extending his hands to respectfully support the Empress Dowager, who was standing before the main seat, raising her cup to drink heartily. His tone was full of filial piety and tenderness. "I can see that you are happier than anything else since Brother Su returned. Your complexion is much rosier than usual today."

The Empress Dowager, taking her son's help, gently patted Xiao Qingkuang's hand with her well-maintained hand. Her eyes and brows were full of smiles, yet with a touch of deliberate reserve: "Yes! Yes! Seeing you two brothers so harmonious and so filial, my heart is sweeter than honey."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager slightly turned her head, her cloudy yet sharp gaze passing over the tense members of the imperial family and officials in the hall, and accurately landing on Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, sitting at the lower end of the table.

"Yue'er, come here!"

The call carried an undeniable authority, yet also contained a hint of intimacy that everyone could easily discern.

"Empress Dowager!" Xiao Suyue quickly stood up, strode up the steps, knelt on one knee in front of the Empress Dowager, and looked respectful.

"Mother is getting old. This huge palace looks magnificent, but it is actually desolate."

The Empress Dowager bent down, her hands trembling as she reached out to help Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, up from the ground and pulled him to her side. Her well-maintained hands gripped Xiao Suyue's arms tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, her most beloved youngest son would disappear again.

At this moment, her face was filled with emotion, her eyes were slightly red, and her voice carried a barely perceptible sob: "Besides you sons, what else can I hope for? In the end, nothing is more real than having my children around to enjoy my happiness!"

Xiao Suyue felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed the strength in the Empress Dowager's palm. He quickly comforted her gently, "Mother, His Majesty and your son are both here with you. I will definitely spend more time with you in the future and never let you feel lonely."

"You're here today, but what about tomorrow? And what about the day after tomorrow?"

The Empress Dowager was not easily appeased. She shook her head, then her gaze shifted slightly, landing directly on Emperor Xiao Qingkuang, who stood silently to the other side. Her previously sentimental expression instantly transformed into a deep sorrow and discontent.

"Your Majesty, how can the rules set by our ancestors be so heartless?"

When she spoke the second half of her sentence, the Empress Dowager's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, carrying a long-suppressed accusation that echoed in the silent hall.

"My poor mother!" Then, the Empress Dowager released Prince Su's hand, her fingers trembling as she pointed to her eyes. "Every night when I think of my youngest son, I weep. Sometimes the tears flow all night long. My eyes are almost blind from crying!"

Upon hearing this, the imperial relatives and officials present all trembled and lowered their heads, not daring to watch this "deeply affectionate" scene between the royal mother and son. But at this moment, their hearts were already in turmoil!

Clearly, the Empress Dowager was using filial piety to pressure the Emperor, while also paving the way for Prince Su!

I wonder what His Majesty's true feelings are about this matter!

"But Mother... I just can't help thinking about it, hoping... that every day can be like today, that I can see my youngest son every moment!"

While the imperial relatives and court officials were filled with complex emotions, on the other side, the Empress Dowager, becoming increasingly agitated, even managed to squeeze out a few cloudy tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Your Majesty, tell me, what's the point of me only seeing my youngest son once every year or two?"

"Once the time comes, they'll leave without warning... My heart aches like it's being ripped apart by a knife every time this happens!"

…………

At this point, the Empress Dowager stared intently at Xiao Qingkuang, her tone carrying a hint of coercion: "Emperor, I truly wish that my youngest son could stay by my side year-round! The Western Frontier may be good, but it is ultimately a harsh and cold land. Why should he suffer there?"