Chapter 132 A Broken Mirror Cannot Be Reunited (Just Pretending)
Chu Huaiyu recalled that whenever Lu Zhaoxue looked at him, there was always a faint sense of detachment in her eyes, without joy or resentment, only a calm indifference.
That indifference hurt Chu Huaiyu more than any accusation.
They were in the same palace, sleeping on the same bed, their bodies so close that Chu Huaiyu could clearly feel the frequency of her breathing.
But their hearts were so far apart that he could not touch them even a fraction of a second, no matter how hard he tried.
Power, status, supreme imperial authority—everything he painstakingly acquired, paved with blood and betrayal, seemed so pale and laughable in the face of the simple happiness in his dreams.
If only he hadn't been blinded by power back then, hadn't been so obsessive and ruthless, hadn't personally destroyed that pure beauty...
At this moment, could he also have a peaceful and happy life, instead of being like this now, possessing a vast country but only having boundless loneliness and regret left...?
In this cold palace, he guarded a beautiful but empty dream, unable to move an inch.
Even though Lu Zhaoxue disguised herself well, Chu Huaiyu could still clearly feel her aloofness. After all, he had once had Lu Zhaoxue's wholehearted love.
But he was helpless; all he could do now was deceive himself into believing that Lu Zhaoxue still loved him…
Only in this way can he keep going.
Chu Huaiyu stared blankly out the window, his eyes gradually dimming, leaving only an unyielding sense of melancholy and bitterness.
He seemed to have lost his soul, exuding an indescribable loneliness and desolation in the morning light, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
Eunuch Wei tiptoed into the room and saw that Chu Huaiyu on the bed had already woken up. Although his pale face was still bloodless, his eyes had become clearer.
Eunuch Wei immediately felt relieved and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, you're awake!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Eunuch Wei called out to the imperial physician waiting outside the hall, his voice filled with urgency: "Quickly! His Majesty has awakened, come in immediately to treat him!"
Upon hearing the commotion, the imperial physicians outside the hall dared not delay and hurriedly carried their medicine chests inside.
The imperial physician knelt beside the bed and carefully removed the layers of gauze from Chu Huaiyu's chest, revealing a deep, bone-revealing knife wound that was still gruesome and terrifying.
When the imperial physician reapplied the medicine to Chu Huaiyu, he noticed that Chu Huaiyu's brows were slightly furrowed but he did not utter a sound. So he bent down and carefully examined his pulse.
Although Chu Huaiyu's pulse was not strong, it had become stable and was no longer as disordered and weak as it had been the day before.
After the examination, the imperial physician slowly rose, bowed to Chu Huaiyu, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, your wound is healing relatively smoothly, and your pulse is gradually stabilizing. However, this knife wound was dangerous, and Your Majesty will need to rest and recuperate properly in the future."
"Furthermore, Your Majesty must not overwork yourself, otherwise you may develop a chronic illness."
Chu Huaiyu nodded upon hearing this, his voice slightly hoarse but still exuding the composure of an emperor: "I understand, you may leave now."
"Your humble servant takes his leave." The imperial physician bowed in response, then carefully instructed Eunuch Wei on a few dietary restrictions before quietly slipping away.
Silence returned to the hall. Chu Huaiyu turned his head and looked at Eunuch Wei, who was standing to the side.
A hint of urgency flashed in his eyes, and he raised his chin, gesturing for Eunuch Wei to step forward.
Wei Gonggong understood and quickly bowed and walked to the bedside, bowing his head and waiting for Chu Huaiyu's instructions.
"How is the Empress?" Chu Huaiyu asked, her voice unconsciously softening.
"Have the palace servants and imperial physicians taken good care of her? Is she feeling unwell?"
Eunuch Wei quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress is doing well. The imperial physicians visit her daily to check her pulse as usual, and the palace servants are taking meticulous care of her."
"Your Majesty, please rest well and have no discomfort. But Your Majesty, you have just woken up and should really rest in bed. You can't keep up with all this stress!"
Chu Huaiyu nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the outside of the hall, his eyes filled with concern.
He struggled to get up: "Help me up, I need to wash up and go to Chengqian Palace to see Zhaoxue in person."
Seeing this, Eunuch Wei hurriedly stepped forward, offering some advice: "Your Majesty, you mustn't! Your injuries are so severe, why rush over there?"
"If Your Majesty wishes to see the Empress, you can simply issue an edict to summon her. Why must you go in person?"
Chu Huaiyu suddenly raised her eyes and gave Eunuch Wei a cold glance. Although her gaze was not sharp, it carried an undeniable authority.
His tone grew heavier: "The Empress is currently pregnant, and her body is already heavy. How can we trouble her to walk around? I will go myself."
Knowing that the emperor's mind was made up, and that further persuasion would be useless, Eunuch Wei could only sigh helplessly and bow, replying, "This servant obeys the decree."
As he spoke, he carefully supported Chu Huaiyu's arm and slowly helped him up. He then brought a soft cushion to place behind him so that Chu Huaiyu could lean back and rest for a while.
Then, a palace maid brought warm water, and Eunuch Wei personally served Chu Huaiyu by washing his face and wiping his hands, his movements gentle and meticulous.
After washing up, Eunuch Wei brought out a loose-fitting bright yellow casual robe and carefully helped Chu Huaiyu put it on, slowing his movements to avoid touching Chu Huaiyu's wound.
Although Chu Huaiyu felt a dull pain in his chest, he remained silent, but his gaze grew increasingly anxious, his mind filled with thoughts of seeing Lu Zhaoxue as soon as possible.
With everything settled, Chu Huaiyu slowly rose with the help of Eunuch Wei. Fine beads of cold sweat gradually appeared on his forehead, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered.
For Chu Huaiyu, Lu Zhaoxue and the child in her womb were his most important concerns at the moment. Even though he was seriously injured, he could only feel at ease if he stayed by her side.
Inside Chengqian Palace, the delicate fragrance of flowers and fruits permeates the air, creating a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.
Chu Huaiyu stepped over the vermilion threshold, his steps extremely light, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the palace.
As soon as my gaze fell upon the scene, I was struck by a warm and gentle sight: Lu Zhaoxue was leaning against the inside of the bed, with soft pillows behind her.
Her already slender figure became even more delicate, and her slightly protruding pregnant belly was gently covered by a brocade quilt.
Lu Zhaoxue's brows relaxed, her eyes filled with warmth. She held a storybook in her hands, her fingertips gently twirling the pages, a faint smile playing on her lips.
She was clearly so engrossed in watching that she didn't even notice the palace door being gently pushed open.
When Chu Huaiyu arrived, he specifically instructed the palace maids guarding outside the hall not to announce his arrival.
He stood quietly at the entrance of the palace, his gaze fixed on Lu Zhaoxue on the couch.
Sunlight fell on her fair cheeks, making her skin appear exceptionally radiant and translucent, while her long eyelashes cast soft shadows beneath her eyes.
Chu Huaiyu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and the wound on his chest still throbbed faintly.
Seeing Lu Zhaoxue safe and sound, his anxiety and worry instantly dissipated, leaving only tenderness in his heart.
[Lu Zhaoxue's inner monologue: It's almost time for me to show off my acting skills again...]
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