Chapter 135 A Marriage is Bestowed upon Lu Zhaoxing (His Sister Finds a Happy Match)
When Empress Dowager Rong heard the news that Huo Chengbi had secretly bribed palace servants to assassinate Empress Lu Zhaoxue, but failed and instead injured Chu Huaiyu, and was then banished to the Cold Palace and given death, her hand holding the teacup trembled violently.
Empress Dowager Rong's heart trembled violently, her palms turned cold, and the unease she had previously suppressed with force now surged forth like a tidal wave.
Huo Chengbi's ruthlessness far exceeded her imagination, and Chu Huaiyu's current high regard for Lu Zhaoxue was beyond doubt.
Given the current state of the palace, if I stay, I might unintentionally get caught up in the conflicts and anger my son.
After much deliberation, Empress Dowager Rong finally made up her mind and sent her personal maid to immediately invite Chu Huaiyu to her palace to discuss important matters.
When Chu Huaiyu arrived at Empress Dowager Rong's palace, Empress Dowager Rong had lost her usual elegance and grace, and her brows showed signs of fatigue and helplessness.
Before Chu Huaiyu could even pay his respects to his mother, Empress Dowager Rong cut to the chase: "Huaiyu, I have been feeling uneasy lately, and there have been many troubles in the palace..."
"I am getting old now, and I would rather be out of sight, out of mind. I would like to go to the royal temple outside the palace to practice for a while. After the Empress gives birth safely, I will come back to the palace to visit her."
Upon hearing this, Chu Huaiyu's eyes flashed with understanding, and he nodded in agreement.
His tone was respectful yet relaxed: "Since Your Majesty has this intention, I will naturally comply. Royal temples are quiet and elegant, and I will order people to make proper arrangements so that Your Majesty can practice in peace."
Chu Huaiyu felt the same way. With Empress Dowager Rong gone from the palace, there would be fewer unnecessary troubles, and he and Zhaoxue could live a more peaceful life.
Recently, a series of incidents have occurred in the palace. First, Huo Chengbi plotted to murder Zhaoxue, and then trouble arose in the border region.
Looking at the withered leaves falling outside the palace, Chu Huaiyu felt that the palace should hold some celebratory events to bring good luck and dispel the gloom that filled the palace.
As night deepened, the moonlight, like water, shone through the carved window lattices into Chengqian Palace, bathing the furnishings inside in a soft, silvery glow.
At this moment, Lu Zhaoxue was leaning back on a couch covered with plush cushions, wrapped in a light-colored embroidered blue velvet blanket, holding a book called "Over the Wall" in her hands and reading it carefully.
Lu Zhaoxue's features carried a hint of languid gentleness and composure. The hall was filled with a faint, calming incense, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, a picture of tranquility and peace.
Footsteps approached from afar, and Chu Huaiyu, dressed in casual clothes, stepped into the hall, his usual majesty gone, replaced by a gentle look in his eyes.
Chu Huaiyu walked straight to the soft couch and sat down on the cushion next to Lu Zhaoxue. His gaze lingered on Lu Zhaoxue's serene profile for a long time.
Lu Zhaoxue had already noticed Chu Huaiyu's arrival, but she did not get up to greet him.
Previously, she would always observe proper etiquette and respectfully stand up to greet Chu Huaiyu whenever she saw him, but he would always quickly step forward to help her up.
After doing it many times, Lu Zhaoxue became too lazy to put on such a superficial show of respect anymore.
Now, the two of them get along more like an ordinary married couple, which Chu Huaiyu is extremely satisfied with.
He had been waiting for this for a long time, hoping that Zhaoxue would not have to be formal with him, that she could let down her guard and treat him with sincerity.
Chu Huaiyu's gaze was too intense, and Lu Zhaoxue finally felt a little uncomfortable. She gently closed the book, looked up at Chu Huaiyu, and her eyes held a smile that was hard to describe.
Lu Zhaoxue pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, I have a request to make today, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."
"Oh? Zhaoxue, please speak freely." Upon hearing this, Chu Huaiyu felt a surge of joy, and her eyes lit up.
Chu Huaiyu always hoped that Zhaoxue would come to him whenever she needed something, even if it was just a trivial matter, so that he would feel that he still had a place in her heart.
It would also give him the opportunity to do more for her and make up for some of the things he owed her in the past.
Lu Zhaoxue lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently stroking the edges of "Over the Wall," her voice soft yet serious: "It concerns my younger sister, Zhaoxing."
She paused, then looked up at Chu Huaiyu, who also looked at her. At this moment, Lu Zhaoxue's eyes were filled with guilt and heartache.
"Zhaoxing suffered a lot of unspeakable hardships and was hurt a lot outside the palace because of my affairs. Now that she has entered the palace to accompany me, her life is more stable, but she always lacks the liveliness and joy of her peers."
At this point, Lu Zhaoxue smiled faintly, her tone becoming warmer: "Lord Shen's eldest son, Shen Minghe, gets along very well with Zhaoxing. The two talk endlessly about interesting things from ancient and modern times, as well as poetry and songs."
"Your Majesty, I happened to see the two of them together. I noticed that their eyes held a mixture of shyness and joy, and their words were full of unspoken understanding."
"The two were of similar age and had similar temperaments, making them true kindred spirits."
Lu Zhaoxue sighed softly, her eyes full of expectation: "Looking at Zhaoxing's vibrant appearance now, I feel both gratified and moved. I only hope that she can find a man who truly loves her and live a peaceful and happy life."
"If His Majesty could grant them a marriage and allow them to be together, it would not only fulfill my heart's desire but also be the best outcome for Zhaoxing."
Chu Huaiyu listened quietly, and the images of Shen Minghe and Lu Zhaoxing together that she occasionally saw in the past couldn't help but surface in her mind.
Since Shen Minghe was transferred to Chengqian Palace to protect Lu Zhaoxue, Chu Huaiyu occasionally bumped into him when she came to Chengqian Palace, and he was always with Lu Zhaoxing.
Lu Zhaoxing's eyes and brows were more lively and expressive than when she first came to the palace, and her eyes seemed to hold starlight when she smiled.
Shen Minghe was handsome and treated Lu Zhaoxing with great affection. The two of them standing together were indeed a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
Chu Huaiyu, having been through similar experiences, naturally understood what Shen Minghe was thinking. However, since Lu Zhaoxing was Lu Zhaoxue's younger sister, he dared not bestow a marriage upon her without Lu Zhaoxue's personal request.
When he heard Lu Zhaoxue mention Lu Zhaoxing's past hardships, his heart sank and guilt surged over Chu Huaiyu like a tidal wave.
In the past, he used Lu Zhaoxue for the sake of the throne, which also caused the entire Lu family to suffer. Lu Zhaoxing had to endure a lot of pain at a young age. All of this was his fault.
The palace is currently going through a turbulent time, and it needs a joyous occasion to dispel the gloom and bring good fortune for his and Lu Zhaoxue's unborn child.
Now that Lu Zhaoxue has asked him for a favor, Chu Huaiyu will naturally not refuse. Moreover, he wants to make this marriage a grand affair so that Zhaoxue can feel at ease and make up for his past shortcomings.
Thinking of this, Chu Huaiyu immediately nodded, his tone light yet solemn: "Zhaoxue, don't worry, I approve of this matter."
Looking at the expectation in Lu Zhaoxue's eyes, Chu Huaiyu's heart softened even more, and he continued:
"I will issue an edict tomorrow, bestowing upon Lu Zhaoxing the title of Princess Chang Le, and granting her a spacious and magnificent princess's mansion, furnished and equipped to the standards of a first-class princess."
"Furthermore, Shen Minghe is young and promising, and he is conscientious in his duties. Lord Shen is also an honest and upright official. Both he and his wife are virtuous and talented. I hereby bestow upon them additional titles and ranks. Lord Shen's rank will be increased by one grade, and Lady Shen will be granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree as a sign of my commendation."
"Tomorrow I will have the Imperial Household Department calculate carefully and find an auspicious day so that your sister can be married off in a grand and glorious manner from the palace, with ten miles of red bridal procession and the congratulations of the people. I will never let her suffer the slightest grievance."
Upon hearing this, a genuine sense of gratitude flashed in Lu Zhaoxue's eyes, and the smile on her lips became even more genuine.
She nodded slightly, looked up at Chu Huaiyu, and said with a touch of emotion, "Thank you, Your Majesty. On behalf of Zhaoxing, I thank Your Majesty for your grace."
Chu Huaiyu gently held her hand. Lu Zhaoxue's palm was a little cool, so he warmed it with the warmth of his palm.
He then gently patted the back of her hand, his tone earnest and cautious: "Zhaoxue, I was foolish before, I owe you too much, and I owe the Lu family far too much..."
"For the rest of my life, I will do everything in my power to protect you, your child, and your family. I will also make up for all the debts I have owed you in the past."
"I only hope that you can still have some room for me in your heart."
Looking at the earnestness and unease in his eyes, Lu Zhaoxue felt a slight stirring in her heart. She remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Upon seeing this, Chu Huaiyu was overjoyed. He took the opportunity to get up and go to Lu Zhaoxue's side, gently pulling her into his arms.
Chu Huaiyu's embrace was warm and firm, carrying a faint scent of ambergris. Lu Zhaoxue froze for a moment, but ultimately did not push him away.
She simply leaned gently against Chu Huaiyu's chest, feeling his steady and powerful heartbeat.
Lu Zhaoxue sighed inwardly, "If I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?"
The hall was silent, with only the moonlight flowing quietly through the window, elongating the shadows of the two embracing.
The candlelight flickered, casting interplay of light and shadow. Time seemed to stand still, leaving only a moment of peace and tranquility, and the impending joyous occasion that belonged to Lu Zhaoxing…
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