Chapter 27 Serving a Ruler is Like Serving a Tiger
Eunuch Wei stood by the side of the hall and saw Chu Huaiyu holding a wine cup, staring blankly for a long time with a slight frown, but making no other move.
Eunuch Wei knew that the emperor was probably lost in thought again. Having followed Chu Huaiyu for many years, he was very good at reading people and knew that there were turbulent thoughts hidden beneath His Majesty's seemingly calm surface.
After a moment's hesitation, Eunuch Wei turned to the guard who was still kneeling on the ground and asked in a calm tone, "You just said that Madam Lu was injured. Is the injury serious?"
Upon hearing this, the guard respectfully replied, "When Madam Lu returned yesterday, her cheeks were severely swollen and red, and there seemed to be bloodstains at the corners of her mouth, judging from..."
Before the guard could finish speaking, a sound came from the throne, and the atmosphere in the hall froze instantly. Eunuch Wei's heart tightened, and he subconsciously lowered his head.
Chu Huaiyu slowly raised his eyes, his expression exuding an invisible pressure, and said calmly, "I understand, you may leave now."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard dared not say more, and quickly bowed and carefully withdrew from the hall, making his footsteps extremely soft.
Only after the guards had completely disappeared outside the hall did Chu Huaiyu's gaze slowly sweep over Eunuch Wei beside him. His gaze was calm and unwavering, yet it carried a hint of scrutiny.
Eunuch Wei felt increasingly that being a servant was not easy... He had clearly guessed Chu Huaiyu's thoughts and wanted to go along with his wishes to dispel his doubts, but the emperor seemed ungrateful.
But then I thought, if the servants in the palace can't figure out their masters' intentions, how can they stay by their masters' side for long?
Eunuch Wei sighed inwardly, feeling that serving the emperor was like walking on thin ice, and every step he took was like walking on thin ice.
...
The afternoon at Jingyou Garden was quiet, with sunlight filtering through the window lattices and casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Lu Zhaoxing wandered around the courtyard for a while, feeling extremely bored. She caught sight of her older sister, Lu Zhaoxue, reclining by the bed reading a book, so she skipped and hopped inside.
Lu Zhaoxing reached out and tugged at Lu Zhaoxue's sleeve, saying cheerfully, "Sister, sister, the flowers outside are in full bloom, will you come with me to see them?"
"Okay, I promise you."
Chu Siheng happened to come in from outside and, seeing this, quickly stepped forward to stop them. His tone was gentle but carried an undeniable insistence: "Zhaoxing, your sister's facial injury hasn't fully healed yet, so she can't be exposed to the wind. Wait until she's better before we go see the flowers together."
Lu Zhaoxing's smile vanished instantly, her lips pouting slightly. She turned to look at Chu Siheng, her eyes full of anticipation: "Okay, then brother-in-law, can you play with me? Shall we go catch butterflies?"
"Okay." Chu Siheng nodded with a smile, reached out and ruffled Lu Zhaoxing's hair. "Then you go wait in the yard first, I'll go change into some lighter clothes and come right away."
After saying that, Chu Siheng glanced at Lu Zhaoxue again before turning around and leaving with Lu Zhaoxing.
Lu Zhaoxue put down the book in her hand and followed the two figures as they left. Soon, Lu Zhaoxing's clear laughter and Chu Siheng's gentle response came from the courtyard.
But for some reason, the words that Empress Dowager Yu said that day in Cining Palace suddenly flooded into Lu Zhaoxue's mind uncontrollably.
"Siheng has sacrificed enough for you. I only hope that he can have a child."
"You shall be in charge of handling the matter of this woman's entry into the household."
Lu Zhaoxue felt as if a heavy object was pressing down on her chest, causing her to sink instantly. Even the bright sunlight outside the window seemed to dim.
After an unknown amount of time, Chu Siheng escorted Lu Zhaoxing back to her side room, then turned and went back to the inner room. As soon as he entered, he saw Lu Zhaoxue sitting on the edge of the bed, looking dazed.
A deep sorrow lingered between Lu Zhaoxue's brows. Chu Siheng quickly stepped forward, sat down beside her, and asked in a caring tone, "Ah Xue, what's wrong? Have you been indoors for too long and are you feeling stuffy?"
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