Chapter 131 Our Hearts Are So Far Apart (Chu Huaiyu, There's No Turning Back)
Lu Zhaoxue's tone was urgent and shy, with a hint of exasperation: "Chu Siheng, you're not allowed to say another word! Not even a single extra word!"
Chu Siheng's smile deepened as she covered his mouth. He quickly raised his hand and patted the back of her hand, indicating that he would stop talking.
Then he mumbled, "Okay, okay, I won't say anything more, I won't say anything more. It's all my fault, I shouldn't have made you angry."
After saying that, Chu Siheng gently grasped Lu Zhaoxue's wrist, slowly removed her hand from his lips, and then lowered his head to gently kiss her palm.
"I'm just worried about you, and I want to see you and our child properly."
Looking into the sincerity in his eyes, Lu Zhaoxue's cheeks were still burning, but the panic in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a feeling of warmth.
She gently grasped Chu Siheng's hand in return, tears welling up in her eyes. All the worries of the past few days turned into peace of mind at this moment.
A cold wind howled outside the hall, like a slumbering beast roaring in the shadows, carrying a chilling aura.
Occasionally, a few sparrows would huddle among the branches, their chirping weak and timid, creating a subtle atmosphere in the air.
At this moment, Chu Siheng lowered his eyes to look at Lu Zhaoxue in his arms, his large hand gently stroking her swollen belly, his eyes full of tenderness.
He lowered his voice to a whisper, but with barely concealed concern: "Ah Xue, there are many spies in the palace. The longer I stay, the greater the risk to you. I cannot linger."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Siheng's slender fingers reached into his sleeve and pulled out a warm, white jade medicine bottle.
Chu Siheng pulled Lu Zhaoxue's hand and placed the medicine bottle in her palm, his tone solemn yet tender.
"Ah Xue, this is a Heart-Restoring Pill that I specially found for you. Take it a few days before you are due to give birth. This pill can relieve pain and calm your mind, so you won't feel so uncomfortable during childbirth."
Chu Siheng paused, then continued, "Ah Xue, I'm sorry for making you suffer because of me."
Lu Zhaoxue held the medicine bottle, feeling the coolness of its jade-like texture on her fingertips, but her heart trembled with warmth.
She looked up into Chu Siheng's eyes, which were filled with concern and reluctance, almost melting Lu Zhaoxue's heart.
Before Lu Zhaoxue could speak, Chu Siheng tightened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head.
Chu Siheng's voice was noticeably hoarse, each word carrying immense weight:
"Ah Xue, promise me, you and the child must be well. You must be safe and well, this is my greatest wish in this life."
Lu Zhaoxue buried her face in Chu Siheng's clothes, inhaling the crisp magnolia scent on him, a scent etched deep in her heart.
She nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face and soaking Chu Siheng's clothes. Her voice was slightly choked with sobs, yet filled with an unusual firmness:
"We will, Siheng, don't worry. I will definitely protect myself and our child."
"My child and I will be waiting for you to come see us again."
The two embraced quietly, their shadows stretched long, as if trying to etch this brief tenderness deep into their hearts.
Chu Siheng was reluctant to let go of Lu Zhaoxue's hand, and his fingertips caressed the back of her hand again and again. After a long time, he slowly released his arm.
Chu Siheng's gaze lingered on her face for a long time before he finally gritted his teeth, turned around, and quickly left.
His departing figure carried a hint of hurried reluctance, as if he feared that if he lingered even a second longer, he would never be able to leave again.
The palace doors closed gently, separating the inner and outer worlds. Lu Zhaoxue held the medicine bottle in her hand, standing still for a long time without moving her feet.
Her tears slid down her cheeks again, dripping onto the medicine bottle and spreading a small wet patch.
Meanwhile, on the dragon bed in the Ganqing Palace, Chu Huaiyu was still fast asleep.
His brows furrowed unconsciously, as if he were trapped in a long dream from which he did not wish to wake up.
There was no palace intrigue or treacherous schemes in my dream, no fratricidal cruelty, and no heart-wrenching betrayals or hurts.
In the dream, Chu Siheng did not plot to frame Lu Zhaoxue and Chu Siheng, nor did he try to kill Chu Siheng.
The court was calm and peaceful, and Chu Siheng was the one who finally ascended the throne as emperor.
Chu Huaiyu was still the same Fourth Prince as before. He had not become as ruthless and heartless as he was now, nor had he done anything as absurd as stealing his brother's wife.
He and Lu Zhaoxue held a grand wedding banquet as scheduled, with red candles burning brightly and a ten-mile-long red bridal procession, which made others envious.
After their marriage, the two were deeply in love and lived in perfect harmony. Soon after, they had a child of their own.
The child is exquisitely beautiful and extremely cute.
In the dream, Chu Huaiyu's eyes were full of tenderness, Lu Zhaoxue smiled radiantly, and the three of them nestled together tightly. The scene was peaceful and beautiful, so warm that it made one's heart tremble.
In the illusion, Chu Huaiyu stood quietly watching from a short distance away.
All the resentment, jealousy, and bitterness that had been building up in his heart for half his life seemed to melt away completely in this tender scene.
At this moment, he felt only peace and relief, and even the air seemed to smell sweet.
He didn't know how long he had been dreaming. The sky outside the window gradually brightened, and a ray of dazzling sunlight shone through the carved window frame, shining directly on Chu Huaiyu's face.
He suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils contracting sharply.
The warmth of her dream lingered in Chu Huaiyu's eyes, but as she saw the magnificent palace around her, the warmth gradually faded, leaving only endless loss and melancholy.
He lay there quietly, his arms stiffly draped at his sides.
Chu Huaiyu's fingertips curled unconsciously, his nails digging deep into his palms, sending a slight pain through him, but it did nothing to pull him out of his dazed thoughts.
The exquisite golden dragon embroidery on the tent ceiling gleamed with a cold luster in the morning light. What should have been the highest honor now felt like countless fine needles, pricking Chu Siheng's heart and making him feel suffocated.
Lu Zhaoxue's bright smile kept replaying in my mind in my dream, so vivid and real.
But in an instant, her cold and aloof demeanor in reality replaced his warm feelings, and the contrast between the two made Chu Huaiyu feel a deep bitterness in his heart.
After a long while, Chu Huaiyu slowly turned to the side, staring blankly out the window.
Morning light streamed through the window screens, casting dappled shadows on the ground, while the faint sound of eunuchs and palace maids' footsteps could be heard outside the palace.
Everything was the same as usual, except that the comforting warmth of my dreams was missing.
Chu Huaiyu raised her hand and pressed it against her chest, which felt empty, as if a piece of it had been hollowed out, and even her breathing felt heavy and powerless.
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PS:
I've discovered that no matter how I write it, someone will always be dissatisfied.
Writing about the abuse of women will draw criticism for not doing so, and writing about the abuse of men will also be criticized as being done for the sake of abusing men.
This is a story about a wife-chasing tragedy...
I've told them everything, I really have no other choice.
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