Chapter 23 Lu Zhaoxue is punished
A sharp rebuke suddenly rang in Lu Zhaoxue's ears, "How dare you! Which palace maid are you? How dare you disturb Her Majesty the Empress! You're courting death!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoxue staggered and knelt down on the ground.
"Bai Zhi, I'm fine." Du Xianyue's voice remained gentle, carrying the dignified air unique to an empress. She waved her hand, seemingly unwilling to argue with a palace maid.
Just as Du Xianyue was about to leave, she suddenly stopped, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over the jade bracelet on Lu Zhaoxue's wrist.
Du Xianyue froze instantly, then slowly walked towards Lu Zhaoxue, looking down at her and the jade bracelet in her hand.
When Du Xianyue saw the jade bracelet clearly, her composed expression suddenly changed, and her eyes surged with undisguised shock and anger.
"I can tell that the jade bracelet on your hand is no ordinary item. Where did you, a mere palace maid, get it?"
Du Xianyue's beautiful eyes were now covered with a layer of frost.
Lu Zhaoxue subconsciously touched the jade bracelet on her wrist, and the scene from that day flashed through her mind instantly: Chu Huaiyu had put the bracelet on her wrist and forced her not to take it off.
This matter was naturally not something to be told to others. Lu Zhaoxue opened her mouth, but her throat seemed to be blocked by something. After a long while, Lu Zhaoxue said, "This jade bracelet was... a gift from my mother."
Seeing Lu Zhaoxue's stammering appearance, Du Xianyue's anger intensified. She glanced at Bai Zhi beside her and gave her a meaningful look.
Bai Zhi had followed Du Xianyue since childhood and naturally understood the situation. She immediately stepped forward and angrily rebuked Lu Zhaoxue: "How dare you! This jade bracelet is a royal treasure. Ordinary palace maids can't even see it. How dare you, a palace maid, wear it? Did you steal it?!"
"No! Your Majesty! This bracelet was indeed a gift from my mother. I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly." Lu Zhaoxue hurriedly raised her head and denied it urgently.
Du Xianyue spoke slowly, her tone calm and even: "Bai Zhi just said that this is a royal treasure, how could your mother possibly have it?"
Just then, Bai Zhi suddenly leaned close to Du Xianyue and said, "Your Majesty, this person is not a palace maid, but... Lu Zhaoxue."
Upon hearing this, Du Xianyue was startled. So it was her!
A terrible thought arose in Du Xianyue's mind. She could no longer control her anger, and her eyes were filled with undisguised resentment and hatred as she looked at Lu Zhaoxue.
Bai Zhi, seeing Du Xianyue's expression, understood and raised her hand to give Lu Zhaoxue a resounding slap.
Lu Zhaoxue was knocked to the side by the blow, and a clear five-finger mark instantly appeared on her face. She endured the dizziness and steadied herself, her chest heaving violently.
"Your Majesty the Empress..." Lu Zhaoxue wanted to say something more, but was interrupted sharply by Du Xianyue.
"Guards! This palace maid dared to steal royal treasures. I will punish her according to palace rules today!"
Immediately afterwards, two palace maids stepped forward and pressed down on Lu Zhaoxue's shoulders, one on each side, pinning her firmly to the ground and rendering her unable to move.
Bai Zhi raised her hand again and slapped Lu Zhaoxue's cheek. "Slap! Slap! Slap!" The crisp sound of the slaps echoed in the Imperial Garden.
Lu Zhaoxue tried to struggle, but was powerless and could only let the slap land on her face.
Du Xianyue stood to the side, looking down at Lu Zhaoxue with an unfathomable gaze.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com