Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 434

After lunch that day, Gu Ye set down his tableware and went to play with Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao had actually known how to walk by himself for a long time, but because he was used to being carried, he usually didn’t bother to walk, and the same applied to talking.

However, he was close to Gu Ye, his own brother. When Gu Ye played with him, he would rarely be lazy, willing to talk and run behind his big brother.

The two brothers played for a long time, and Empress Zhou wiped the sweat from both of them and had someone serve them sweet soup.

Gu Ye drank his own sweet soup, while Lu Zhao asked Empress Zhou to feed him.

Usually, Empress Zhou would have started feeding him herself, but Gu Ye smiled and said, “Little Lu Zhao, aren’t you ashamed? You’re so big, but you still need to be fed. Look at me, I drink it by myself!”

Lu Zhao responded in his cute voice, “My brother is big, I’m small!”

“When I was your age, I wasn’t fed!” Gu Ye finished his small bowl of sweet soup in two mouthfuls and then pretended to reach for Lu Zhao’s small bowl, saying, “It seems our little Lu Zhao doesn’t like sweet soup, so I’ll help you finish it.”

Lu Zhao, despite growing up with all the luxuries, didn’t like it when someone rushed to eat his food, especially as a child. He immediately took the small spoon and drank it by himself. Later, he found the spoon bothersome, so he simply put it down, held the small bowl with both hands, and started drinking.

Empress Zhou remarked, “Slow down,” and usually smiled.

“It’s done!” Lu Zhao held the empty bowl and placed it in front of Gu Ye to show him.

Gu Ye naturally didn’t hesitate to praise him, giving a thumbs-up and saying, “Little Lu Zhao, you’re awesome, just as I’d expect from my little brother.”

Lu Zhao proudly puffed out his small chest.

Empress Zhou’s eyes were filled with a smile, and she looked at Gu Ye affectionately, saying, “This child listens to you. If you have the time, please teach him more.”

Gu Ye was no longer free, but he had an idea in mind.

“In Wenhua Hall, Lu Xu and I are both in class, and Lu Zhao isn’t much younger than Lu Xu. Can we let him study with us?” He proposed.

Empress Zhou looked at Lu Zhao with a worried expression after hearing the suggestion.

Emperor Zhengyuan had already raised this matter before, but at the time, due to Lu Zhao’s young age, Empress Zhou had declined the idea. However, facing Gu Ye, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. She recalled how small Gu Ye had been when he was kidnapped, and she was well aware of Lu Zhao’s delicate health, as recommended by the imperial doctors. With a little more care, there wouldn’t be any significant issues, and it was advised that Lu Zhao engage in more physical activity.

“That’s what I think,” Gu Ye continued. “Let little Lu Zhao join me for half a day of class every day, only in the afternoon. I’m afraid he won’t get up in the morning, and it’s quite chilly at that time… We’ll have lunch at noon, and then he can attend classes with me, play a game, and if he wants, he can doze off in class just like Lu Xu used to. It’s fine, as long as he doesn’t snore like Lu Xu.”

Empress Zhou couldn’t help but laugh again, while Lu Zhao hastily said, “I don’t want to study!” He took Empress Zhou’s hand, shaking it vigorously, and with an adorable tone, he declared, “I want to play!”

“What do you think, Mother Empress?” Gu Ye, following Lu Zhao’s example, held Empress Zhou’s other hand.

Empress Zhou had long grown accustomed to her youngest son’s endearing antics. However, even though Gu Ye had been recognized for some time, he had never displayed such behavior, always acting like an adult.

While a child who behaved like an adult was well-behaved and adorable, at times it made Empress Zhou feel a sense of distance and loss between her and her son.

Empress Zhou’s hands trembled slightly. She held Gu Ye’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. When she was filled with joy, she found that she had nothing to complain about, especially in response to such a small request.

“Lu Zhao will attend classes with me in the afternoon. Although people from other halls cannot enter Wenhua Hall, Lu Zhao’s situation is a bit special. I will go and inform Father Emperor to have an extra imperial doctor on standby in the hall. This way, if Lu Zhao experiences any discomfort, he can receive quick care. If Mother Empress is still concerned, I can draft a ‘military order’ to guarantee…”

Empress Zhou listened to him, with “Mother Empress” repeated throughout, her heart softened. She smiled and gently covered his small mouth, saying, “We’re all a family here; there’s no need for a ‘military order.’ I know you’re doing this for your brother.”

So, Lu Zhao began attending classes in Wenhua Hall.

When Emperor Zhengyuan received the news, he felt genuinely relieved. He couldn’t help but think that his eldest son was right. He had indeed matured, or else what might have happened if he were named a prince right away?

Not to mention, the child possessed the patience and kindness needed to teach his two younger brothers, who didn’t share the same mother.