Chapter 108 Crawling in the Dark
The next day, Lu Zhaoxue specially took her younger sister Lu Zhaoxing to the Thousand Carp Pond to feed the fish.
Willows sway gently by the Thousand Carp Pond, and the shimmering water reflects the sunlight, creating a delicate golden glow.
Lu Zhaoxue, dressed in an elegant silver brocade gown, walked slowly towards them, arm in arm with her younger sister Lu Zhaoxing.
Shen Minghe silently followed and protected Lu Zhaoxing from behind, his gaze always fixed on Lu Zhaoxing, calm and focused.
"Sister, look! There are so many carp here! Some of them are even golden!" Lu Zhaoxing said excitedly.
As soon as she arrived at the Thousand Carp Pond, she was attracted by the schools of koi, her eyes shining as if they were filled with starlight.
Lu Zhaoxue smiled and nodded. The palace servants served the fish food that had been prepared in advance. The two sisters leaned down side by side and sprinkled the fine bait onto the water with their fingertips.
Black, red, gold, and white koi carp leaped out of the water, splashing water droplets and eliciting giggles from the two sisters.
The crisp laughter echoed across the pool, exceptionally pleasant and melodious.
Looking at her younger sister's joyful expression, Lu Zhaoxue's eyes softened with a gentle smile, and her fingertips moved a little slower.
Just as she was about to say something to Lu Zhaoxing, Lu Zhaoxing accidentally stepped on a slippery pebble, twisted his ankle, and fell forward uncontrollably.
"careful!"
Shen Minghe reacted quickly, stepping forward to firmly support Lu Zhaoxing's waist, while holding her arm with his other hand.
He managed to keep Lu Zhaoxing steady without overstepping the bounds.
Lu Zhaoxing was still in shock, her cheeks flushed instantly, her ears felt hot, and she subconsciously gripped Shen Minghe's sleeve tightly.
Shen Minghe's heart skipped a beat.
His palm touched the soft fabric of her waist, and the girl's faint fragrance lingered in his nostrils.
Shen Minghe's ears turned bright red without him even realizing it, and his movements were somewhat stiff when he released Lu Zhaoxing's hand from his waist.
Lu Zhaoxue took in the whole scene and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, her eyes full of teasing.
Just as she was about to make a joke, two voices suddenly came from behind her, breaking the tranquility by the pool.
"Jin De greets Her Majesty the Empress."
"Your subject Pei Yuanzheng greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Lu Zhaoxue turned around and saw Princess Jinde wearing a light pink dress with green butterflies. Although she was beautiful, her expression showed some reluctance.
Princess Jinde was severely punished by Chu Huaiyu for making things difficult for Lu Zhaoxue last time, and now Lu Zhaoxue has become the Empress.
She had to rein in her usual arrogance and bow respectfully.
Pei Yuanzheng, standing beside her, wore a blue lotus-patterned brocade robe and had a handsome figure, but his expression was calm.
As he bowed to Lu Zhaoxue, his gaze unconsciously fell on Lu Zhaoxing, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions.
"Rise," Lu Zhaoxue said calmly, nodding slightly.
After the two of them stood up, Pei Yuanzheng looked up and his gaze fell on Lu Zhaoxing's hand, which was still supporting Shen Minghe's arm.
The image of their touching was like a fine needle piercing Pei Yuanzheng's heart unexpectedly.
His eyes suddenly darkened, and a hidden jealousy surged within his deep gaze.
Pei Yuanzheng clenched his hands tightly, his knuckles turning white, and his aura seemed to grow colder.
Shen Minghe was incredibly perceptive; he instantly noticed Pei Yuanzheng's unfriendly gaze and looked up to meet it.
When their eyes met, a hint of disdain flashed undisguisedly in Shen Minghe's eyes.
His gaze seemed to say that Lu Zhaoxing was no longer someone Pei Yuanzheng could covet.
Their gazes clashed in the air, carrying a silent tension, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Lu Zhaoxue frowned slightly, sensing the tense atmosphere, and did not want to cause any more trouble here.
She gently patted Lu Zhaoxing's hand and said softly:
"Zhaoxing, why don't we go to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers? The roses in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, and now is the perfect time to go and see them."
"Okay," Lu Zhaoxing replied softly.
Lu Zhaoxue then glanced indifferently at Princess Jinde and Pei Yuanzheng, and said in a flat tone:
"You two can enjoy it yourselves."
Having said that, he stopped looking at Pei Yuanzheng and Princess Jinde, turned around and left with Lu Zhaoxing.
Throughout the entire process, Lu Zhaoxing never once looked up at Pei Yuanzheng.
It was as if he were just an insignificant person who had never left any trace in her heart.
At this moment, Lu Zhaoxing's attention was entirely on her sister, and the smile from when she was feeding the fish was still on her lips.
She walked briskly, completely unaware of the burning, painful gaze behind her.
Pei Yuanzheng watched as Lu Zhaoxing's slender figure gradually disappeared from his sight until it vanished completely.
His chest felt as if something was blocking it, and a dull pain spread through him.
The dense, overwhelming presence became unbearable for Pei Yuanzheng.
He knew that it was his own cowardice and hesitation that had led him to push her away.
But did he have a choice?
The pressure from imperial power, the father's harsh words, the mother's pleas...
Now that he was no longer qualified to get close to Lu Zhaoxing, he could only swallow his pain and bear it.
Princess Jinde saw Pei Yuanzheng's reluctant and distraught appearance and was furious.
She already harbored resentment towards Pei Yuanzheng for his lingering affections for Lu Zhaoxing, and seeing him like this only fueled her anger.
Jin De snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave angrily.
Pei Yuanzheng didn't care at all, and didn't even flinch.
Princess Jinde's anger was nothing more than an insignificant commotion to him.
He stood by the pond, gazing at the koi still frolicking on the surface, but his heart was filled with sorrow.
After a long while, Pei Yuanzheng slowly withdrew his gaze, turned around, and silently left the palace to return to his residence, his back view lonely and desolate.
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