Chapter 42 A Message to Gao Tangxiu
Lu Zhaoxue and Chu Siheng bowed in greeting. Lu Zhaoxue wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt as if a gaze was hanging over her head like a cold blade.
Chu Huaiyu ignored the two of them and walked straight towards Chonghua Palace, with Du Xianyue and a group of palace servants following closely behind.
Lu Zhaoxue was somewhat absent-minded the whole way, so much so that when she stepped into the main hall, she stumbled and almost tripped over the threshold. Fortunately, Chu Siheng was quick-witted and reached out to catch her waist and steady her.
"Ah Xue, be careful," Chu Siheng whispered, his tone full of concern.
After the birthday banquet began, festive music filled the hall, instantly creating a lively atmosphere. Not long after, dancers gracefully entered.
The dancers were all graceful and their movements were elegant, captivating everyone in the hall, who all looked on with amazement.
Lu Zhaoxue glanced at the infatuated expressions of the people around her, then quietly looked away and looked at Chu Siheng beside her. Seeing that he was also looking at the dancers, Lu Zhaoxue's face immediately darkened, and a strange sour feeling welled up in her heart.
Chu Siheng seemed to sense Lu Zhaoxue's displeasure, and suddenly grabbed her hand, whispering, "Ah Xue, I still think you're the prettiest."
Lu Zhaoxue didn't say anything, but simply pulled her hand away, quietly went behind Chu Siheng, and gently pinched him.
A smile flashed in Chu Siheng's eyes. He felt especially happy to see Lu Zhaoxue jealous for him.
“I’m telling the truth, Xue is the most beautiful in my heart,” Chu Siheng continued.
Lu Zhaoxue pouted arrogantly, too lazy to pay any more attention to Chu Siheng.
As the music gradually subsided, everyone thought the song and dance segment was over, but then a veiled "dancer" slowly walked in from outside the hall.
The woman's face was veiled, and her dance steps were stunning. The crowd watched and praised her repeatedly, "Who is this dancer whose dance is so moving?"
"She's not some dancer, she's His Majesty's..."
Lu Zhaoxue recognized the woman from her figure and dance steps as her former best friend, Liu Ruohua.
Because of what had happened before, Chu Siheng hadn't raised his head since Liu Ruohua came out to perform her dance.
As Liu Ruohua danced, her gaze fell on Chu Siheng several times. Seeing that Chu Siheng hadn't looked at her even once, a hint of disappointment flashed through her heart.
After the dance, Liu Ruohua slowly walked to Empress Dowager Rong, bowed and said, "Your daughter-in-law Liu Ruohua wishes Your Majesty good health and a long and happy life."
Empress Dowager Rong smiled with satisfaction, gestured for Liu Ruohua to stand up, and then asked her to remove her veil.
Empress Dowager Rong turned to look at Chu Huaiyu and said with a smile, "Huaiyu is truly blessed to have such a virtuous and talented concubine serving by his side."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Chu Huaiyu replied calmly, her tone revealing little emotion.
Du Xianyue, standing beside Chu Huaiyu, had a terribly gloomy face. From the moment Liu Ruohua entered, she had been secretly cursing Liu Ruohua for being shameless, but on the surface she could only put on a dignified and proper appearance.
However, ever since Liu Ruohua sat down next to him, Chu Huaiyu had been talking to her in a low voice, leaving Du Xianyue standing there. As a result, Du Xianyue's expression changed, and she could no longer maintain a dignified and proper demeanor.
Lu Zhaoxue looked at Liu Ruohua and felt uneasy. In her memory, Ruohua had always been a woman with a forthright personality. When did she become so gentle and charming?
Chu Huaiyu seemed to notice Lu Zhaoxue's gaze, looked up and then deliberately took Liu Ruohua's hand and chatted intimately with her.
Everyone in the hall turned their heads. His Majesty had previously shown great favor to the Empress, so why was he suddenly so fond of the newly promoted Consort Liu?
Indeed, the love of emperors is fleeting.
Upon seeing this, Lu Zhaoxue quickly averted her gaze, her dislike for Chu Huaiyu growing even stronger.
Just then, a palace maid quietly slipped a note into Lu Zhaoxue's hand. Lu Zhaoxue froze, somewhat at a loss. What did this mean?
Lu Zhaoxue subconsciously raised her head and happened to see Chu Huaiyu looking at her with a half-smile. When Chu Huaiyu saw her looking over, the corners of his lips turned up slightly.
Lu Zhaoxue frowned and quietly opened the note. It contained a poem: "A message to Gaotang: cease your poems, for tonight rain and clouds are sure to come."
Lu Zhaoxue's face flushed red with anger. She tore the note to shreds and crumpled it into a ball. Who else but the shameless Chu Huaiyu could write such verses?!
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