Chapter 28 Are you deliberately trying to hurt me?
Lu Zhaoxue's fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, her eyes full of hesitation. She really didn't know how to say those words to Chu Siheng.
If she were to bring up the fact that Empress Dowager Yu wanted to marry that woman for him and have him bear an heir, Chu Siheng would definitely be angry.
But Empress Dowager Yu deliberately assigned this task to her, precisely because she knew she would be caught in a dilemma. This served to test her feelings for Siheng while also achieving Empress Dowager Yu's own goals. It was truly a clever scheme.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhaoxue felt a sudden panic and a great deal of discomfort in her heart.
"Ah Xue, don't overthink it." Chu Siheng seemed to see through Lu Zhaoxue's thoughts, smiled gently, and reached out to tidy up the stray hairs on her forehead.
"Once the wound on your face heals, I'll take you and Zhaoxing to play together."
"Okay." Lu Zhaoxue responded softly, looking at Chu Siheng. Sunlight fell on his face, and Chu Siheng's eyes were full of his cherishing and doting on her, without a trace of impurity.
Chu Siheng continued to smile, his gaze fixed on Lu Zhaoxue. He knew that Lu Zhaoxue harbored too many worries in her heart, perhaps past pains or the pressure of the inner palace.
He didn't want to pressure her; he only wanted to wait for Lu Zhaoxue to open her heart to him on her own initiative.
Chu Siheng reached out and took Lu Zhaoxue's hand, saying softly, "Ah Xue, if you have any difficulties, you must tell me. No matter what it is, we must face it together."
As Lu Zhaoxue felt the warmth emanating from Chu Siheng's palm, the knot in her heart seemed to dissipate a little. How wonderful.
No matter how much cold stares and coercion she encountered, no matter how difficult the road ahead, this man would always stand firmly by her side, accompany her, protect her, and treat her as the most precious treasure in the world.
Lu Zhaoxue closed her eyes, a faint smile slowly curving her lips, her voice soft yet full of sincerity: "Siheng, I know."
How could she not love such a wonderful person as Chu Siheng? But how could she be worthy of Chu Siheng now?
...
The next day.
"Ah Xue, let me apply the ointment for you again." Chu Siheng lowered his eyes, but there was an unyielding darkness in them.
His tone was somewhat slow and deliberate. "I hope that in a few days, your face will be completely healed."
The image of Lu Zhaoxue returning in such a disheveled state that day still pierces his heart like a needle, causing him unbearable pain.
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoxue raised her hand and gently grasped Chu Siheng's wrist. Her palm was a little cold. "Siheng, I'm really fine. You don't need to worry about me like this."
Chu Siheng remained silent, but gently withdrew his hand, his movements almost cautious, and applied the ointment evenly to Lu Zhaoxue's still swollen cheeks.
The ointment had a slightly cool touch, which eased the burning pain a little, but Lu Zhaoxue's heart grew heavier.
After Chu Siheng finished applying the medicine, he was about to withdraw his hand when Lu Zhaoxue grabbed his hand tightly again, with a hint of stubbornness.
Lu Zhaoxue looked up and gazed at Chu Siheng, causing Chu Siheng's heart to skip a beat. He felt a tightness in his chest from Lu Zhaoxue's gaze and asked softly, "What's wrong, Xue?"
"Siheng..."
Lu Zhaoxue called Chu Siheng's name, her tone hesitant as she said, "I... I've been causing you trouble all along, and I really feel bad about it. I was thinking, perhaps... perhaps another woman could come and help me take care of you."
Lu Zhaoxue barely managed to say these words, and the moment her voice fell, she abruptly lowered her head, not daring to look into Chu Siheng's eyes.
She knew better than anyone that he would not like those words, but she had no way out.
“Siheng, I…I can’t have children for you, so…” Lu Zhaoxue’s voice struck Chu Siheng’s heart with each clear word.
"Lu Zhaoxue! You're no trouble for me!" Chu Siheng called her by her full name, his face instantly darkening as if covered in ice.
Chu Siheng suddenly stood up, staring intently at Lu Zhaoxue with a frighteningly cold gaze. His thin lips were pressed into a straight line, and the veins at his temples throbbed faintly.
"Cough cough... cough cough cough..."
Chu Siheng suddenly coughed violently, his chest heaving, and his face flushed an abnormal red.
Lu Zhaoxue panicked and quickly got up to help him, but he brushed her arm away without hesitation.
Chu Siheng staggered back half a step, barely managing to steady himself by holding onto the edge of the table. Then, he suddenly chuckled softly.
Chu Siheng's tone was awkward and pained: "Ah Xue, did you already know my weakness? Did you know what would make me angry the most, so you deliberately said these things to hurt me, didn't you?!"
"That's not what I meant! Siheng, let me explain!"
Lu Zhaoxue's eyes reddened with anxiety. She quickly stepped forward to grab Chu Siheng, but fearing she might anger him, her hand froze in mid-air, caught in a dilemma.
"I……"
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