Chapter 24 This matter ends here.
"What's all this commotion about?" A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out, carrying the unique imperial authority that instantly drowned out the slapping sounds in the imperial garden.
Everyone turned around at the sound and saw Chu Huaiyu wearing an imperial brocade robe with gold embroidery. The dark cloud patterns shimmered with a dull luster in the sunlight. Chu Huaiyu exuded an air of dignified elegance. Even just standing there quietly, he possessed an imposing and intimidating presence.
Upon seeing that it was Chu Huaiyu, the palace servants immediately knelt down in unison and bowed in greeting: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Bai Zhi hurriedly stopped raising her hand, knelt down quietly, and her previous arrogance vanished.
The stern look on Du Xianyue's face vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle and submissive expression. She bowed and curtsied, displaying the dignified bearing of an empress: "Greetings to Your Majesty."
Chu Huaiyu stepped forward, reached out to help Du Xianyue up, and asked with a perfectly timed smile and a doting tone, "Empress, what are you doing here?"
Du Xianyue, with a shy demeanor, replied in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, I had nothing to do, so I came to the Imperial Garden to relax, but I unexpectedly encountered a distressing matter."
Chu Huaiyu nodded, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the surroundings. He saw Lu Zhaoxue still kneeling on the bluestone slab, her once fair cheeks now swollen and red, with blood even seeping from the corners of her mouth, looking utterly disheveled.
Lu Zhaoxue seemed to sense Chu Huaiyu's gaze. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she raised her head with difficulty to glance at Chu Huaiyu.
With just one glance, Chu Huaiyu trembled, his eyes filled with complex and unreadable emotions.
Du Xianyue took in Chu Huaiyu's expression and slowly said, "Your Majesty, you may not know this, but this servant stole the royal jade bracelet and dared to claim it was a gift from her mother. I am currently dealing with her according to palace rules."
"Really?" Chu Huaiyu's tone was unreadable, he simply asked indifferently, and then his gaze fell on Lu Zhaoxue again.
Lu Zhaoxue's voice was hoarse and trembling: "Your Majesty, I really didn't steal this jade bracelet."
Du Xianyue sneered, her tone filled with sarcasm: "You still dare to argue even now! It seems you won't admit your mistake until you're punished and sent to the Censorate!"
After saying that, Du Xianyue turned to look at Bai Zhi, about to order her to take Lu Zhaoxue away, when she heard Chu Huaiyu's voice suddenly turn cold.
"alright."
"It's just a bracelet, why are you so angry, Your Majesty? She has already been punished, let's leave it at that."
Du Xianyue's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Chu Huaiyu in disbelief. She could clearly sense that Chu Huaiyu was protecting Lu Zhaoxue!
Du Xianyue could only suppress the resentment and bitterness in her heart, and put on a gentle expression again, saying softly, "Your Majesty is merciful, your concubine obeys the decree."
Then, Du Xianyue looked at Lu Zhaoxue and said coldly, "Take off the jade bracelet and you may leave. If there is a next time, I will not let you off easily!"
Lu Zhaoxue quickly bowed her head and kowtowed. She raised her hand with trembling hands, enduring the sharp pain in her cheek, and slowly took off the jade bracelet from her wrist.
Upon seeing this, Bai Zhi immediately stepped forward, reached out and snatched the jade bracelet, her movements rough, as if venting her earlier dissatisfaction.
Lu Zhaoxue staggered to her feet, her body swaying as she slowly retreated, her back view thin and lonely.
Once her figure had completely disappeared, Du Xianyue turned to look at Chu Huaiyu and asked casually, "Your Majesty, I just heard someone say that this person is Lu Zhaoxue?"
Chu Huaiyu's gaze fell on the flower bushes in the distance, and he responded with a faint "Mm".
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