Chapter 155 Chu Huaiyu's Expedition
The next morning.
At the morning court session, "Chu Huaiyu," wearing a human skin mask and dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on the dragon throne in the Golden Palace, receiving the homage of the officials.
Lu Huaimin imitated Chu Huaiyu's every move.
Inside the hall, a eunuch held the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Now that the barbarians have invaded and the borders are in dire need of attention, I am deeply concerned for the people and hereby appoint 'Lu Huaimin' as General Zhennan, to command the three armies."
"I hope the general will live up to my expectations, wipe out the enemy, and return in triumph. So be it!"
...
At this moment, the side hall of Chengqian Palace was a completely different world from the frigid atmosphere outside the palace. The air inside was filled with a faint scent of milk and a calming sandalwood fragrance.
The wet nurses and palace maids were carefully tending to Princess Chu Lingyang in the cradle.
Upon hearing footsteps and seeing that it was Chu Huaiyu, everyone curtsied and bowed, their voices low: "Greetings, Your Majesty."
They had spent many years in the palace and were accustomed to the emperor's majesty and indifference.
But I have never seen a ruler like Chu Huaiyu, who is so decisive and ruthless in public, yet so gentle and tender like an ordinary father when facing his daughter.
He personally fed the princess, massaged her, and made her laugh. Where was the air of a supreme ruler? He clearly cherished and doted on this little princess.
Even the little princess's name... was chosen in this way...
Chu Huaiyu raised his hand to signal the palace servants to leave, then his gaze fell on Chu Lingyang in the cradle.
Chu Lingyang's face was flushed with a healthy blush, and her long eyelashes, like two small fans, trembled gently with her even breathing.
Perhaps sensing the familiar presence, Chu Lingyang smacked her lips and let out a soft, sweet moan, waving her little hand at Chu Huaiyu.
Chu Huaiyu's heart instantly melted into a pool of spring water.
He walked quietly and carefully to the cradle, squatted down, and gently stroked his daughter's soft cheek with his large, well-defined hands. Chu Huaiyu was reluctant to move away even an inch.
"My precious Zhaozhao, are you awake?" Chu Huaiyu's voice was very soft and gentle.
"Did you know that Father was leaving, and woke up specifically to see him?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Lingyang blinked. Her eyes looked exactly like Lu Zhaoxue's, with dark and bright pupils.
When Chu Lingyang saw the person in front of her clearly, she immediately grinned and made a series of "ee-yah-yah" sounds, while her little arms and legs kicked happily.
Chu Huaiyu smiled happily, the coldness in his eyes completely replaced by tenderness. He reached out and gently touched his daughter's little fist.
Chu Lingyang immediately grasped it tightly with her small fingers as if she had caught a treasure. She didn't have much strength, but she held it very firmly.
"Good boy Zhao Zhao."
Chu Huaiyu's voice was a little hoarse as he leaned closer to his daughter, his forehead touching hers, and whispered softly.
"Father is going to war. There are fierce barbarians there. Father will lead the soldiers to drive them far away, protect the people of our Great Zhou Dynasty, protect you, and protect your mother."
Chu Lingyang seemed to understand but not quite. She rubbed her little head against his forehead, still babbling as if responding to Chu Huaiyu's words.
Chu Huaiyu's heart softened further, and also grew heavier.
He recalled Lu Zhaoxue's hardships during her ten months of pregnancy, and the loud cry of his daughter when she was born.
For the past six months, whenever Chu Huaiyu had free time, he would come here to personally hold Chu Lingyang, tease her, and coax her.
Chu Huaiyu would hold Chu Lingyang's little hand and teach her to grasp, humming off-key tunes to lull her to sleep, and even clumsily try to massage Chu Lingyang's hands and feet, all to help her grow stronger.
"Father knows that this trip will take at least six months and at most a year."
Chu Huaiyu's voice was full of reluctance as his fingertips gently traced his daughter's eyebrows and eyes in the air.
"While Father is away, our Zhao Zhao must be good, eat well, sleep well, grow up to be chubby and healthy, and then wait for Father to come back, okay?"
"Eeya...ya..." Chu Lingyang shook her little head, her little hand grasping Chu Huaiyu's finger and shaking it, as if agreeing to the promise.
Looking at his daughter's innocent face, Chu Huaiyu's eyes welled up with tears. He stayed with Chu Lingyang for a long time until Wei Gonggong cautiously reminded him from outside the palace gate: "Your Majesty..."
Chu Huaiyu seemed to snap out of her daze and reluctantly let go of her daughter's little hand. Chu Lingyang seemed to sense something, her little mouth twitched, and she started to cry. Her aggrieved appearance made Chu Huaiyu's heart clench.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to stand up.
Then, Chu Huaiyu took out a brocade box from his bosom. The box was made of the finest Yun brocade, with delicate lotus patterns embroidered on the edges.
Chu Huaiyu opened the brocade box, inside which lay a jade bracelet. This jade bracelet was the one he had personally put on Lu Zhaoxue's wrist when they pledged their love years ago.
Chu Huaiyu gently stroked the jade bracelet, then turned his gaze back to Chu Lingyang in the cradle, and whispered, "This bracelet is a token of love between Father and Mother."
"Father will leave it here as a way of keeping you and Mother company. When you grow up, Father will put it on you himself."
After saying this, Chu Huaiyu gently placed the brocade box on the table beside him and took another deep look at his daughter.
"Zhaozhao, Father is leaving."
Chu Huaiyu raised his hand one last time, gently brushing his daughter's hair, before resolutely turning away.
The palace servants outside the hall watched Chu Huaiyu's departing figure until it completely disappeared outside the palace gates before letting out a soft sigh.
The north wind still howled outside the window, but any warmth inside Chengqian Palace was enough to sustain Chu Huaiyu.
The dark battle robes fluttered in the wind, and the iron hooves kicked up clouds of dust.
The wind has risen again.
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