Chapter 76 Finding the Real Culprit
A hint of undisguised disdain flashed across Du Xianyue's eyes.
In her eyes, Lu Zhaoxue was simply the embodiment of all the worst things in the world.
First, she secretly had an affair with Chu Siheng, then she discarded him like a worn-out shoe.
She entered the palace as a maid, and with her seductive charm, she bewitched Chu Huaiyu, eventually gaining access to the palace and becoming the emperor's concubine.
However, Lu Zhaoxue's experiences have already fermented into countless scandalous rumors among the people.
In the streets and alleys, when storytellers recount her story, they always include the assertion that she was a "femme fatale who brought ruin to the country."
The common people regarded her as a hidden danger to the dynasty's collapse, and they gritted their teeth when they mentioned her, fearing that this femme fatale would really ruin the dynasty's fate.
"Your Majesty, you must never mention this again!" Empress Dowager Rong interrupted her sharply, her eyes full of warning.
"If Huai Yu hears you say this, he will not let you off easily!"
Du Xianyue felt a chill run down her spine and quickly composed herself.
She bowed her head respectfully: "Your Majesty is right. Should I go and visit Lu Zhaoxue now?"
"No need," Empress Dowager Rong waved her hand, her tone solemn.
“Huaiyu is still very wary of her affairs. If you show up now, it will only arouse his suspicion and cause trouble.”
"Your Majesty, I understand," Du Xianyue replied softly.
"By the way, has your mother come to the palace to see you recently?"
Empress Dowager Rong changed the subject, her gaze falling on the woman's slightly protruding belly, her tone softening somewhat.
A hint of worry crossed Du Xianyue's face when her family was mentioned.
She gently shook her head: "My mother wrote that my father has been unwell recently and is bedridden. She needs to take care of him day and night. Once his condition improves, she will come to the palace to see me."
Empress Dowager Rong looked at the worry in her eyes and casually said a few words of comfort.
A barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.
General Du was in high spirits just a few days ago, how could he suddenly be unwell?
Privately, she actually hoped that General Du would fall seriously ill and never recover.
The Du family holds military power and their influence is deeply entrenched, posing a significant threat to Chu Huaiyu's path to imperial power.
If she hadn't been attracted by Du Xianyue's powerful connections, why would she have insisted on Chu Huaiyu marrying her?
Just as Du Xianyue thanked the Empress Dowager for her concern, a sudden wave of nausea washed over her.
She covered her mouth, staggered, and lunged at the edge of the bowl, retching violently.
Empress Dowager Rong knew that she was experiencing morning sickness, but she still couldn't help but worry, and immediately ordered the palace servants: "Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
"Go back to the Queen Mother..."
The palace maid looked troubled and replied in a trembling voice:
"The imperial physicians... are all on standby at Ganqing Palace right now, saying that His Majesty has ordered them not to leave even for a moment."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Rong's face suddenly darkened.
Du Xianyue stopped gagging and, supporting herself, advised:
"Mother, please calm down. I'm fine. It's just normal morning sickness."
Empress Dowager Rong sighed deeply again, her tone full of resentment:
"My son is getting more and more confused as he gets older! No matter what Lu Zhaoxue is like, can he be more important than his first legitimate son?"
She longed to give Chu Huaiyu a good scolding, but ever since he ascended the throne, he had become increasingly silent and ruthless.
The chill emanating from him was so intense that even her own mother was terrified.
Whenever she spoke to him, she had to carefully consider every word, afraid of offending him. How could she dare to have the slightest intention of scolding him?
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Rong silently prayed in her heart:
That vixen Lu Zhaoxue would have been better off just burning to death in that fire! Keeping her around is just an endless source of trouble.
Inside the Ganqing Palace, a rich aroma of medicine permeated every corner.
Lu Zhaoxue, perhaps awakened by the silent curse, slowly opened her eyes from her coma.
As soon as she woke up, she felt a tearing pain in her right leg, as if countless needles were piercing her flesh.
With the slightest movement, cold sweat rolled down her forehead, instantly soaking her clothes.
She still remembers that fire.
She was still somewhat conscious when the flames licked at the palace beams and pillars.
Her survival instinct made her want to struggle and escape, but her body was as limp as a puddle of mud.
He didn't even have the strength to lift his hand.
Finally, she mustered all her strength to climb out of bed, but still fell heavily to the ground. Fortunately, the small bedside table next to her provided some shelter, which barely saved her life.
"What exactly are you doing? Why hasn't she woken up yet?"
Chu Huaiyu's suppressed anger came from outside, his tone full of anxiety and impatience.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
The imperial physician's voice trembled, filled with obvious fear.
"When Her Majesty will awaken is beyond human control. However, we have done our utmost to treat her, and her condition is currently stable; there is absolutely no danger to her life..."
Lu Zhaoxue could tell that the imperial physician's voice was full of exhaustion.
It seems that they have suffered a lot of resentment and torment from Chu Huaiyu these past few days.
She couldn't help but cough softly, but it was an extremely faint sound.
Immediately outside the hall, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, and then the hall door was pushed open abruptly.
Chu Huaiyu strode in, and when his gaze fell upon her open eyes, he froze on the spot.
Chu Huaiyu's eyes were filled with unbelievable, ecstatic joy:
"Zhaoxue...you're awake!"
Lu Zhaoxue looked up at him, her eyes momentarily blank.
She had never seen Chu Huaiyu like this before.
The once majestic and meticulous emperor has now completely lost his image.
His hair was loosely tied at the back of his head, with a few strands sticking messily to his forehead. The collar of his brocade robe was askew, and his brows revealed an unconcealable deep weariness.
It felt like I hadn't slept for several nights...
Those usually sharp and deep eyes were now veiled in a thin mist, revealing an indescribable sadness and vulnerability.
Chu Huaiyu subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to touch Lu Zhaoxue's pale cheek.
But just as his fingertips were about to touch her skin, he suddenly stopped in mid-air, his eyes filled with hesitation and tenderness.
He was afraid that if he used even a little force, he would hurt her.
"Zhaoxue, how are you feeling? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"
His voice was terribly hoarse, with a barely perceptible tremor.
Lu Zhaoxue smiled bitterly to herself.
Since she entered the palace, this was the question Chu Huaiyu asked her most often.
She seemed to be born at odds with the palace; in just a few months, all sorts of strange and tragic events unfolded around her.
She didn't reply, but looked at her injuries and found that her right leg was wrapped in layers of thick white gauze, making it impossible for her to move.
Her lips were slightly pursed, her expression calm and undisturbed.
Seeing this, Chu Huaiyu quickly comforted him gently:
"Don't worry, I've already sent someone to invite the best physician in the land outside the palace. He'll be here soon to treat your injuries. I've heard he has a secret medicine that can..."
"Your Majesty need not be so distressed."
Lu Zhaoxue interrupted him, her voice indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"I think it's good to leave these scars."
Her tone was too calm, not like she was pretending to be nonchalant, but rather like she really didn't care at all.
Chu Huaiyu's brows furrowed suddenly, his eyes swirling with a complex undercurrent.
A strange chill spread down his spine, making him feel cold all over.
She doesn't care?
How could a woman not care about the scars on her body?
"Zhaoxue..." He wanted to say something more, but Lu Zhaoxue spoke first.
"Your Majesty, is Zhao Xing alright?"
Only when Lu Zhaoxing was mentioned did a genuine worry finally appear on Lu Zhaoxue's calm and composed face, and her dim eyes brightened slightly.
Chu Huaiyu gazed at her and slowly said, "Lu Zhaoxing is fine, she was just a little frightened, and I have already sent people to take good care of her."
Lu Zhaoxue was right beside him, only a few feet away.
But Chu Huaiyu felt as if there were thousands of miles between them.
She seemed within reach, but in reality, she was unattainable for him.
It seemed that if he were to reach out even slightly, the fragile tranquility before him would shatter into nothingness in an instant.
After hearing his words, Lu Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief and understood.
The fire at Chengqian Palace was clearly aimed at her, but fortunately Zhao Xingli was not in mortal danger.
It remains to be seen whether Chu Huaiyu has already found out who was behind the arson.
"Your Majesty, have you made any progress on who was behind that fire?"
"Not yet, but we have some leads."
Chu Huaiyu paused, his tone becoming heavier:
"The reason you were unable to escape that day was because you were drugged with a mind-numbing drug. That drug can instantly drain a person's strength, leaving you helpless and waiting to die."
Lu Zhaoxue nodded gently, and the image of Haitang suddenly flashed through her mind.
She quickly asked, "What about my personal maid, Haitang? How is she?"
"I've already imprisoned her in the Censorate." Chu Huaiyu's voice was devoid of any emotion.
"Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with Haitang. Please release her," Lu Zhaoxue said urgently.
"She is your personal maid who is in charge of your daily life and has the best chance to poison you. You don't need to trust her too much."
Chu Huaiyu frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
"Your Majesty, she is someone close to me, so of course I trust her!"
As Lu Zhaoxue spoke, she reached out and grabbed Chu Huaiyu's sleeve.
"Your Majesty, if Haitang is truly the mastermind behind this, shouldn't you have extracted information from her by now?"
Looking at the earnestness in her eyes, Chu Huaiyu swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
He sighed deeply and took her cold hand in his.
He gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips. If it weren't for her injuries, he would have loved to hold her tightly in his arms and feel her real body temperature.
"Alright, I agree. Release her."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com