Chapter 93 The Past is Gone
Lately, Lu Zhaoxue has been preoccupied with her younger sister, Lu Zhaoxing.
At night, she lay on her bed, tossing and turning.
Her hands clenched tightly under the quilt, her mind filled with the image of Lu Zhaoxing's sullen face after learning that Pei Yuanzheng was going to marry Princess Jinde.
Chu Huaiyu, who was beside him, was sleeping soundly, and his even breathing sounded particularly clear in the rainy night.
Lu Zhaoxue was afraid of disturbing him, so she turned over very gently.
She buried her face in the soft pillow, listening to the relentless downpour outside the window all night long.
As dawn broke and the rain gradually subsided, Lu Zhaoxue finally drifted off to sleep, exhausted.
But she didn't sleep well. She finally managed to get to Chenshi (7-9 AM) before being gently woken up by a palace maid.
The imperial kitchen had prepared a feast for the eyes, but Lu Zhaoxue had no appetite.
She only took a few bites before losing interest.
Because she couldn't sleep well at night, she felt weak all over during the day, always wanted to rest, and was listless.
After hearing the palace servants' report on her condition, Chu Huaiyu frowned slightly and immediately summoned the imperial physician to Chengqian Palace to examine her pulse.
The imperial physician took the patient's pulse intently for a long time, then inquired in detail about his diet and daily life. Finally, he bowed and reported:
"The Imperial Concubine was simply overthinking, which damaged her spleen and stomach, leading to poor blood circulation."
"Just relax and stop worrying. Your Majesty, I will prescribe another prescription for you to take care of yourself. You will be fine in a few days."
Chu Huaiyu sat to the side, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of her teacup.
Hearing this, he simply gave a faint "hmm".
The barely perceptible expectation deep in his eyes faded away, replaced by an undisguised disappointment.
He had assumed that her lethargy, lack of energy, and poor appetite meant she was pregnant.
Lu Zhaoxue took in all the changes in his expression, and a secret sneer flashed through her mind.
Did he really think she would have his child?
Stop daydreaming.
——
Three days later, Lu Zhaoxue heard that Pei Yuanzheng had actually run away from the wedding banquet.
Although he was eventually escorted back from the ferry outside the city by the Imperial Guards.
When Pei Yuanzheng returned, his moon-white robe was covered in dust, and the light in his eyes had been mostly wiped away by reality.
Chu Huaiyu was immediately enraged and wanted to throw Pei Yuanzheng into prison.
Princess Jinde cried and begged Chu Huaiyu to let him go, saying that she would marry no one but Pei Yuanzheng.
Finally, Chu Huaiyu couldn't withstand Jin De's crying and had no choice but to let Pei Yuanzheng go, ordering the two to get married soon.
Seven days later, at the celebratory banquet with red silk filling the sky, Pei Yuanzheng, dressed in a red wedding robe, looked as cold as ice on this joyous day.
In the end, he could not escape this arranged marriage.
Princess Jinde sat gracefully in the bridal sedan chair, her phoenix coronet and wedding gown making her even more radiant and beautiful.
She knew that Pei Yuanzheng had someone else in his heart, but there was never anything she couldn't get!
At this moment, Lu Zhaoxing, inside Chengqian Palace, dropped her teacup upon hearing the news of Pei Yuanzheng's marriage.
Scalding hot tea splashed onto her hands, but she was completely unaware.
Lu Zhaoxing felt a pang of pain in his heart, and tears rolled down his cheeks.
These days, she still secretly hoped for Pei Yuanzheng, because he had made a promise to her.
But what he finally received was news of his marriage to the princess.
My heart feels like a piece has been ripped out, leaving an empty, aching void.
Lu Zhaoxue wanted to comfort Zhaoxing, but Lu Zhaoxing stayed in the palace and refused to see her.
She sighed and could only instruct the palace servants to keep a close watch outside.
Another month passed, and Princess Jinde entered the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. When she reached the pebble path in the Imperial Garden, she happened to bump into Lu Zhaoxue and Lu Zhaoxing walking side by side.
Seeing Lu Zhaoxing's pale face, a hint of smugness flashed in Princess Jinde's eyes.
She deliberately slowed her pace, approaching Lu Zhaoxing, her tone filled with undisguised provocation:
"Hey, isn't this Lu Zhaoxing?"
"What? Now that your sister is married to my brother, are you eagerly trying to curry favor with him? Do you also want to become one of my brother's concubines, to emulate the legendary consorts Ehuang and Nüying?"
Lu Zhaoxing froze, biting his lower lip tightly, but couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing this, Lu Zhaoxue was about to speak up to stop her, but Princess Jinde took advantage of the situation.
She suddenly stepped forward and shoved Lu Zhaoxing to the ground.
With a dull thud, Lu Zhaoxing's head slammed heavily against the palace lantern beside him.
Lu Zhaoxing's vision went black, and he immediately fainted.
"Shining Star!"
Lu Zhaoxue exclaimed in surprise and, together with the palace servants, quickly knelt down to help her.
When he looked up at Princess Jinde, his eyes were filled with anger.
Lu Zhaoxue suddenly stood up and slapped Princess Jinde across the face.
The crisp sound was particularly loud in the Imperial Garden.
Princess Jinde's head was turned to the side by the blow, and her cheek instantly became red and swollen.
"You dare hit me?" Princess Jinde said angrily, covering her face.
"I'm going to hit you!" Lu Zhaoxue shouted sternly.
"I am a Noble Consort personally appointed by the Emperor. You, a mere princess, dare to commit violence and injure people in the palace. So what if I beat you!"
Princess Jinde was both shocked and furious, and tried to pounce on Lu Zhaoxue to fight her: "You dare to hit me! I will make sure my brother kills you!"
"Enough! All of you, stop!" a stern voice shouted.
Chu Huaiyu and the palace servants behind him hurriedly stepped forward, their cold gazes sweeping over the two of them, and the noisy scene instantly quieted down.
Chu Huaiyu looked at Princess Jinde and said in an icy tone:
"As a princess, your words and actions are inappropriate, and you even wantonly hurt people in the palace. Go back to your residence immediately to reflect on your actions!"
"Without my decree, you are not to leave the residence even a step! That's all for today!"
Princess Jinde felt wronged, but dared not disobey the emperor's will. She could only glare at Lu Zhaoxue before turning away unwillingly.
After returning to Chengqian Palace, Lu Zhaoxue told Chu Huaiyu everything that had happened that day.
After listening for a long time, Chu Huaiyu said in a deep voice:
"I understand."
He didn't say anything more, but immediately ordered that his most trusted imperial guard be sent to protect Lu Zhaoxue's safety.
At this moment, Lu Zhaoxing, who was lying on the bed, finally opened his eyes slowly after being unconscious for a long time.
As the light and shadows before my eyes gradually became clearer, those forgotten memories surged forth like a tide.
Lu Zhaoxue had been staying by her bedside. Seeing her younger sister wake up, she was overjoyed and wept tears of joy, holding her hand and saying:
"Zhaoxing, you scared me to death! How are you feeling now? Is anything bothering you?"
Lu Zhaoxing looked at the tears in his sister's eyes and gently shook his head.
“Sister, I remember everything now,” Lu Zhaoxing said softly.
After hearing her words, Lu Zhaoxue was slightly taken aback, then hugged her tightly.
"Zhaoxing, everything will be alright. I won't let you be bullied anymore."
"Mmm." Lu Zhaoxing nodded obediently in response.
When Lu Zhaoxue hesitantly told her that Pei Yuanzheng had already married Princess Jinde, Lu Zhaoxing simply smiled calmly.
"Sister, you don't need to worry about me. I don't like Pei Yuanzheng anymore."
At this moment, her eyes no longer held the obsession of the past, but only a sense of relief.
The pain of hitting the palace lantern not only awakened her memories but also shattered her last illusions about Pei Yuanzheng.
The old dream has ended, and the past can now be let go.
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