Chapter 152 Must Die
After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Mingwu finally couldn't help but slowly say, "Huaiyu... since I owed you back then, I will repay you with my life today, thus settling this karmic debt."
"But Siheng... is truly innocent. He never intended to harm you. Now that his eyes are blind, could you spare his life for the sake of our brotherhood?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Huaiyu's calm expression suddenly changed drastically, and his eyes burned with rage!
The emotions that had calmed down slightly after confronting Emperor Mingwu were now churning up again, and Chu Huaiyu was almost consumed by hatred.
"Let him go?"
Chu Huaiyu turned her head sharply, her eyes bloodshot as she stared at Emperor Mingwu, and shouted angrily, "Father, you are still favoring him even in death! What right do you have to ask me to let Chu Siheng go?!"
He took two steps forward, looking down at Emperor Mingwu on the bed, his chest heaving violently, his tone filled with bone-chilling hatred: "Chu Siheng was born as the Crown Prince, and he has everything he could ever want!"
"Chu Siheng has your favor and Empress Yu's all-encompassing care. Whatever he wants, you will eagerly deliver it to him! He doesn't have to fight for anything or snatch anything; he can easily have everything I want!"
"If he hadn't been so incompetent and cowardly, how could I have had the chance to rise to this position and ascend to the throne?!"
Chu Huaiyu's voice was filled with hysterical madness, and his eyes were full of jealousy and resentment.
"Chu Siheng can get everything I've ever dreamed of without lifting a finger! But I have to fight with all my might, give up everything, and climb over blades to get what I have now."
"Even the princess you originally betrothed to me, Chu Siheng still interfered. How could I not hate him?!"
"He wants to take the woman I love away from me! How can I accept that!"
Chu Huaiyu clenched his fists so tightly that his fingertips dug deep into his palms, and blood dripped from between his fingers. But Chu Huaiyu was completely unaware of it; all that remained in his eyes was a madness that wanted to destroy everything.
"I've endured all these years, just so that one day I can trample you all under my feet! I'll show you that I, Chu Huaiyu, have never been a dispensable pawn in your eyes, much less a stepping stone for Chu Siheng's ascent to the top! I have the ability to control this world!"
"I want Chu Siheng to taste what it's like to struggle for survival!"
Chu Huaiyu's gaze swept over Emperor Mingwu's pale and powerless face, her tone icy and devoid of any warmth: "So Father, not only do you deserve to die! Chu Siheng deserves to die! Empress Dowager Yu also deserves to die!"
"None of you will escape; you will all die!"
Emperor Mingwu looked at the almost twisted hatred in Chu Huaiyu's eyes, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something more, but he could only close his eyes helplessly.
Seeing this, Chu Huaiyu's lips curled into a cruel and cold smile. He leaned down and whispered in Emperor Mingwu's ear, his voice low and sinister: "Father, you can go in peace. On the road to the Yellow Springs, your son will be filial and will never let you go alone."
"Soon, Yu Shi and Chu Siheng will go to the underworld to join you. Your family will be reunited in the netherworld. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
After speaking, Chu Huaiyu straightened up, no longer looking at Emperor Mingwu, turned around and strode out of the meditation room, his back view resolute.
After returning to the palace, it was already late at night. Chu Huaiyu did not rest for a moment. As soon as he stepped into the imperial study, he immediately summoned his trusted guards.
Chu Huaiyu sat on the throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
"Prepare white silk, dagger, and arsenic. Let Empress Dowager Yu choose for herself tomorrow. After it's over, keep the news secret and don't leave any trace."
The guard was startled upon hearing this, but dared not hesitate for a moment and immediately bowed to accept the order: "Your subordinate obeys."
Chu Huaiyu never forgot how Empress Dowager Yu had made things difficult for Lu Zhaoxue and humiliated her in the palace back then.
He knew everything that had happened to Lu Zhaoxue over the years through his spies in the palace. Every single thing was deeply imprinted in his heart. They all owed her, so they all had to repay her.
Now that Emperor Mingwu is dead, it is a good opportunity for Empress Dowager Yu to go to the underworld to accompany him, which will not only fulfill his "promise" as a son, but also avenge Lu Zhaoxue.
Chu Huaiyu has always been vengeful; he always makes sure to get back what is owed to him or to those he cares about.
Even if his hands were stained with blood, even if the world cursed him as cruel and heartless, he didn't care at all.
...
The night was as dark as ink, and Chengqian Palace was quiet and still.
Chu Huaiyu arrived under the moonlight, dismissing the palace servants on duty. He walked very quietly, afraid of disturbing the sleeping Lu Zhaoxue.
A faint, calming incense burned in the warm jade incense burner. Lu Zhaoxue was fast asleep when Chu Huaiyu gently removed his outer robe, leaving only a moon-white undergarment, and carefully lay down on the bed.
Then, he stretched out his long arm and pulled that soft body into his embrace. The familiar fragrance lingered around Chu Huaiyu's nose, and his worries seemed to be soothed in an instant.
Chu Huaiyu tightened his arms, rested his chin on Lu Zhaoxue's shoulder, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Morning light streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the brocade quilt.
Lu Zhaoxue slowly woke up, still a little dazed. She felt something warm wrapped around her waist. She frowned slightly, then suddenly turned around.
Chu Huaiyu was fast asleep, and his usually sharp and deep-set eyes were much softer. Lu Zhaoxue stared at him blankly, a question swirling in her mind.
Didn't Chu Huaiyu go to the Taihang Mountains? How come he's back so soon? And when did he quietly end up lying next to me?
Lu Zhaoxue raised her hand to move the arm across her waist, but as soon as she did, the person behind her let out a low hum.
Chu Huaiyu slowly opened her eyes, still sleepy, and looked at Lu Zhaoxue with drowsy eyes.
"Your Majesty, when did you return?"
Chu Huaiyu was clearly still half asleep, mumbled something indistinctly, and once again pulled Lu Zhaoxue back into his arms, making it impossible for her to break free.
He buried his face in Lu Zhaoxue's neck and mumbled, "Zhaoxue, let's sleep a little longer..."
"Your Majesty!" Lu Zhaoxue was held so tightly by him that she couldn't move. She raised her hand to push against his chest, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed tightly.
"It's getting late. Aren't you going to the morning court today?"
Chu Huaiyu showed no intention of letting go of her, nuzzling his head against Lu Zhaoxue's neck, his tone still somewhat childish: "I'm not attending the morning court today, I'm too tired."
Lu Zhaoxue sighed helplessly and patted the back of his hand: "Alright, Your Majesty, you can go to sleep by yourself. I still have to go see Zhaozhao."
"Mmm." Chu Huaiyu responded softly. As soon as she finished speaking, the strength in her arms loosened a little, and her breathing returned to normal.
Seeing that Chu Huaiyu had fallen asleep again, clearly exhausted, Lu Zhaoxue couldn't help but wonder if something serious had happened.
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