Chapter 99 Doing a Favor
Chu Huaiyu raised his head, his gaze falling on Lu Zhaoxue's calm and expressionless face.
A bitter feeling welled up in his heart.
He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I suddenly felt unwell, so I will take my leave now."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoxue was taken aback.
She deliberately changed the subject, asking, "Is there anyone Your Majesty is satisfied with among the remaining candidates?"
"My dear consort, you may decide what to do."
He remained silent for a long time before finally uttering these words.
Chu Huaiyu knew that if the harem did not take any concubines, all the pressure would fall on Lu Zhaoxue.
He didn't want to put her in a difficult position, but he also didn't want to see her push him towards another woman.
Lu Zhaoxue nodded lightly and said nothing more.
After the two finished their breakfast together, Chu Huaiyu went to the Imperial Study to handle state affairs.
Not long after, Empress Dowager Rong sent someone to Chengqian Palace to deliver a message.
It was said that Lu Zhaoxue should go to Empress Dowager Rong's palace immediately.
Lu Zhaoxue had a vague sense of unease, but then she thought that she hadn't done anything out of line.
The Empress Dowager should not have any leverage over her.
A few days ago, Chu Huaiyu brought her a lot of high-quality and precious tonics from outside, saying that he wanted to use them to nourish her body.
She had her personal maid, Haitang, bring some to deal with Empress Dowager Rong.
Upon entering Empress Dowager Rong's palace, Lu Zhaoxue immediately understood why the Empress Dowager had summoned her.
Huo Chengbi was nestled beside Empress Dowager Rong, covering her face with a handkerchief and sobbing softly.
Empress Dowager Rong patted Huo Chengbi's back gently while sighing helplessly.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager," Lu Zhaoxue said, bowing respectfully.
Empress Dowager Rong looked up at her, her gaze instantly darkening, her tone filled with intense anger.
"Lu Zhaoxue, I never imagined you would be such a jealous woman!"
Lu Zhaoxue was inexplicably startled: Was she jealous?
(Female lead: Moragu? Miqiaosou? The author has gone mad...)
Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Huo Chengbi.
Huo Chengbi raised his head and glanced at her timidly, looking helpless and pitiful.
She even reached out and gently tugged at Empress Dowager Rong's sleeve, as if pleading for Lu Zhaoxue.
Empress Dowager Rong and Huo Chengbi's mother were close friends in the past, and Huo Chengbi was someone she watched grow up.
Therefore, Empress Dowager Rong took Huo Chengbi's entry into the palace for the imperial concubine selection very seriously.
After learning yesterday that Huo Chengbi had failed to win the emperor's favor and that Chu Huaiyu had left for Chengqian Palace, she concluded that Lu Zhaoxue was the one who had sabotaged the affair.
Lu Zhaoxue actually dared to deliberately ruin Huo Chengbi's good deed!
Therefore, Empress Dowager Rong has come today specifically to demand an explanation.
"Your Majesty, I do not understand what you are saying," Lu Zhaoxue said, lowering her eyes.
"If I have done anything improper, please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
"Hmph, don't you know what you've done?" Empress Dowager Rong sneered, her eyes filled with contempt and disgust.
"Let me ask you this: last night, when Chengbi served you in bed, why did you summon the Emperor to your chambers?"
Lu Zhaoxue understood; it turned out that Empress Dowager Rong was angry about this matter.
She was already used to Empress Dowager Rong's attitude towards her and didn't take it to heart.
I never expected that Empress Dowager Rong would be so indiscriminate, pushing all the blame onto her.
"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood me. I did not call His Majesty away last night. Eunuch Wei, who is by His Majesty's side, can testify to this."
In fact, the truth can be found out with just a little inquiry.
Empress Dowager Ke Rong was clearly unwilling to believe that Chu Huaiyu had left voluntarily.
"Since you didn't summon him away, then tell me, why did His Majesty go to Chengqian Palace after leaving?"
Empress Dowager Rong pressed on, asking questions relentlessly.
Lu Zhaoxue sighed inwardly, but maintained a respectful demeanor on her face.
"Your Majesty, please do not be angry. His Majesty went to Chengqian Palace only because the journey was shorter."
Besides, His Majesty drank quite a bit last night, and even in his sleep he kept saying he wanted to find Sister Chengbi. Seeing that dawn was approaching, I didn't send anyone to disturb Sister Chengbi's rest.”
Upon hearing this, Huo Chengbi felt a little uneasy.
She knew all too well how Chu Huaiyu treated her last night.
She didn't understand why Lu Zhaoxue would help her cover it up.
Empress Dowager Ke Rong's expression softened slightly upon hearing this.
"Did Huaiyu really say that?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you," Lu Zhaoxue nodded.
"Since Your Majesty has her in your heart, why did you leave halfway through yesterday?" Empress Dowager Rong asked, still somewhat puzzled.
Lu Zhaoxue covered her lips and pretended to think, saying, "Your Majesty mentioned yesterday that Sister Chengbi seemed to have a certain scent that made him feel unwell after smelling it."
Huo Chengbi's expression suddenly changed, and a flush instantly rose to his cheeks. He lowered his head in embarrassment and shame.
She recalled that she had lit several incense sticks last night in an effort to make a good impression on His Majesty, but unexpectedly, it backfired.
Empress Dowager Rong looked at Huo Chengbi, her eyes asking with a hint of inquiry: "What does it taste like?"
Huo Chengbi's eyes welled up with tears, and he choked back sobs as he whispered a few words of explanation into Empress Dowager Rong's ear.
Empress Dowager Rong shook her head helplessly after hearing this.
But she was puzzled: when did her son become so picky, unable to even tolerate the smell of incense? How strange.
"Lu Zhaoxue, Chengbi's affair with the Emperor was purely accidental. Find another opportunity to arrange for Chengbi to serve the Emperor again as soon as possible. I don't want to hear anyone in the palace talking about her."
"Your Majesty, I obey."
Lu Zhaoxue responded, paused, and then added.
"Your Majesty, I find that the young lady Feng Xin'er is pretty, gentle, and well-mannered. She is quite suitable to enter the palace to serve His Majesty."
Feng Xin'er is the daughter of Empress Rong's cousin, and she is also related to Chu Huaiyu by marriage.
Her entry into the palace was naturally at the behest of Empress Dowager Rong.
Lu Zhaoxue decided to do a favor and brought up the matter herself.
Empress Dowager Rong nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this: "Hmm, you have considered everything thoroughly."
Although she didn't say it outright, her attitude towards Lu Zhaoxue had softened considerably.
Her previous dislike of Lu Zhaoxue was not because of her improper conduct, but because Chu Huaiyu was too infatuated with her.
Seeing how "sensible" Lu Zhaoxue was, her resentment dissipated somewhat.
"By the way, Your Majesty, His Majesty recently found some top-quality tonics and intended to send them to you to help you recover, but he was delayed due to his busy schedule. I brought them to you today."
As she spoke, she gestured to the palace maid, Haitang, to bring up the tonic.
Empress Dowager Rong gave a faint "hmm," but she knew in her heart that these tonics were mostly Lu Zhaoxue's gift, not her own son Chu Huaiyu.
But since Lu Zhaoxue was willing to take the initiative to show her goodwill, she was happy to accept it.
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