Chapter 111 Reunion with Chu Siheng
The night was as dark as ink.
Inside Chengqian Palace, the candlelight flickered, casting warm yellow light on the gilded objects and making the entire hall gleam.
Lu Zhaoxue was at the window organizing the Buddhist scriptures she had copied over the past few days when she suddenly heard Eunuch Wei's voice coming from outside the hall:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Just as she looked up, Chu Huaiyu stepped inside.
The twelve symbols on the bright yellow dragon robe shimmered in the candlelight, making Chu Huaiyu appear even more majestic.
Lu Zhaoxue rose and slowly curtsied: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"No need for formalities." With that, Chu Huaiyu took Lu Zhaoxue's hand and led her to sit down on the soft couch.
"Zhaoxue, the natural disasters are gradually subsiding, and the people can look forward to living in peace..."
Chu Huaiyu said in a low voice, "Three days from now, I intend to go to the ancestral altar to pray for the country's prosperity and the well-being of its people. You will come with me."
Lu Zhaoxue lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment. Praying for blessings was for the sake of the world, and also for her own peace and stability.
She readily replied, "Your Majesty is wise; I will naturally follow Your Majesty."
Chu Huaiyu's gaze fell on Lu Zhaoxue's eyebrows and eyes.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his lips moved twice, as if he had a thousand words to say to Lu Zhaoxue.
Chu Huaiyu looked at her calm demeanor, his eyes filled with hesitation and complex emotions.
The words I wanted to say were swallowed back, turning into a barely audible sigh.
But Chu Huaiyu could not suppress the feelings in his heart, and slowly reached out to gently pull Lu Zhaoxue into his arms.
His hand covered Lu Zhaoxue's back, the force gentle yet carrying an undeniable tenderness.
The sweet fragrance emanating from Lu Zhaoxue lingered around Chu Huaiyu's nose, and his coldness seemed to melt away a bit at that moment.
Lu Zhaoxue could clearly feel the warmth from Chu Huaiyu's chest and his steady heartbeat.
But in those eyes resting on the top of her head, there surged complex emotions that no one else could understand.
Lu Zhaoxue stood stiffly, not daring to make any rash moves. Chu Huaiyu's current appearance was somewhat unfathomable to her.
After a long pause, Chu Huaiyu said in a low voice, "May this prayer protect you and me... and keep this country safe and sound."
——
Three days later, all preparations for going to the altar to pray for blessings were completed.
The jade tablet and ritual implements required for the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven have all been prepared, the sacrificial robes embroidered with the sun, moon and stars are as good as new, and the court robes of the civil and military officials and the procession of the guards have all been rehearsed according to regulations.
They could set off for the altar the next morning when the first light of dawn appeared.
At this time, everyone in the palace was performing their duties, and the air was filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Even the sound of the wind passing through the eaves had a sense of order.
But unexpectedly, the day before the prayer ceremony, Chu Huaiyu was reviewing memorials in the imperial study when he suddenly felt dizzy.
At first, he thought it was due to days of hard work, and he forced himself to rub his temples, trying to dispel the discomfort.
But after a while, the dizziness intensified, and the words in front of Chu Huaiyu's eyes began to blur and spin.
He felt weak and sore in his limbs, and his consciousness was shrouded in thick fog, gradually becoming hazy and unclear.
"His Majesty!"
At this moment, the eunuch who was bringing Chu Huaiyu ginseng soup saw him swaying and quickly stepped forward to help him up.
Chu Huaiyu's face was as pale as paper, and fine beads of cold sweat kept seeping from his forehead.
The imperial physicians rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, busily examining the patient's pulse and administering acupuncture, but they were still unable to determine the cause of the illness.
All he could do was advise Chu Huaiyu to rest and recuperate, and not to overwork himself.
At this moment, Chu Huaiyu lay on the dragon bed, still thinking about the blessing ceremony in his drowsy state.
He struggled to open his eyes, gazing at the dragon embroidery on the tent ceiling, and said weakly:
"The matter of praying for blessings... concerns the stability of the nation and its people, and cannot be delayed because of me alone." He took a slight breath.
"By imperial decree, Empress Lu Zhaoxue will lead all civil and military officials to the ancestral altar tomorrow to ensure the successful completion of the prayer ceremony."
Eunuch Wei, standing to the side, looked troubled but dared not disobey the emperor's will. He could only bow and accept the decree, then hurriedly went to Chengqian Palace to proclaim it.
The night was deep, and the lights in the palace flickered slightly in the wind, reflecting off Chu Huaiyu's pale face.
This sudden turn of events has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the upcoming prayer ceremony.
Before dawn, the ancestral altar was already shrouded in banners, creating a magnificent spectacle.
The altar is built against the mountain and consists of nine levels, paved with white marble.
The steps are carved with dragon patterns soaring through the clouds, their surfaces gleaming with a cool luster after being soaked by the morning dew.
Bronze ritual vessels were placed along the edge of each altar, their bodies engraved with ancient inscriptions, exuding solemnity in the morning light.
Lu Zhaoxue, dressed in an imperial ceremonial robe embroidered with the sun, moon, mountains and rivers, wearing a beaded hairpin and holding a jade tablet, stepped onto the altar under the guidance of the master of ceremonies.
Behind him, civil and military officials, dressed in court attire, were arranged in order of rank, their black court robes intertwined with their vermilion official robes.
The Imperial Guards, armed with spears and halberds, stood solemnly around the altar, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light, exuding an imposing aura.
Not far away, a pair of eyes were fixed intently on the top of the altar.
The auspicious hour has arrived, and the master of ceremonies loudly proclaims: "The blessing ceremony begins!"
The drums and music resounded together, the deep tones of the chime bells intertwining with the clear, melodious sounds of the sheng and xiao, echoing throughout the valley.
Following the proper etiquette, Lu Zhaoxue bowed, kowtowed, offered wine, and read the prayer, performing each action with utmost care.
Her clear, melodious voice traveled far and wide through the amplified bronze bell:
"May disasters be eliminated, may the five grains be plentiful, may the four seas be at peace, and may all people be healthy and prosperous..."
As soon as she finished speaking, all the officials knelt down and shouted "Long live the Empress!" The sound of their voices rose and fell, shaking the mountains and rivers.
The ceremony was solemn and elaborate, with each step proceeding in an orderly fashion until the sun was high in the sky, when it finally came to a close with the tolling of a final bell.
According to protocol, Lu Zhaoxue is to stay at the royal temple near the altar today.
The royal temple is nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with its green bricks and gray tiles hidden among the pines and cypresses. The temple is bustling with incense and the sound of chanting fills the air.
She had just removed her heavy ceremonial robes when a palace eunuch rushed in, knelt down, and reported:
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has been unconscious since yesterday. The imperial physicians have taken turns treating him, but they have yet to determine the cause of his illness. We beg Your Majesty for guidance!"
Lu Zhaoxue was stroking the jade bracelet on her wrist when she heard this, and simply nodded slightly.
He said calmly, "Then let the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital take turns caring for His Majesty until he recovers."
Her expression showed no worry whatsoever, as if she had only heard about a trivial matter.
The palace servants, though surprised by her behavior, dared not say anything and could only bow and retreat.
As night deepened, the temple fell silent, save for the occasional clear ringing of the copper bells on the eaves.
Lu Zhaoxue was leaning against the window, lost in thought, when she suddenly heard light footsteps outside the door.
A chill ran through her.
When she looked up, she saw a figure in black push open the door and enter.
The moonlight outlined his gentle features, and the person who came was none other than Chu Siheng!
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