Chapter 101 Self-Deception (The male protagonist is deceiving himself)
Lu Zhaoxue was stunned by Chu Huaiyu's words.
She thought he was just mentioning it casually, never expecting that he was telling the truth.
Lu Zhaoxue opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found that her throat was blocked and she couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing her astonished expression, Chu Huaiyu felt a slight relief from the stifling feeling in his heart.
The more she tried to distance herself from him, the more he wanted to keep her firmly by his side.
Before Lu Zhaoxue could respond, Chu Huaiyu got up and left Chengqian Palace.
Chu Huaiyu did not return to the Imperial Study to handle government affairs, but went straight to Empress Dowager Rong's palace.
As soon as they arrived outside the hall, they saw Huo Chengbi gracefully walking out from inside.
Huo Chengbi was caught off guard when he saw Chu Huaiyu, and his face instantly turned bright red.
She quickly lowered her head shyly, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Chu Huaiyu gave a faint "hmm" and walked into the hall without looking back, not even glancing at her.
Huo Chengbi bit her lower lip, looking at Chu Huaiyu's resolute back, feeling both angry and aggrieved.
Huo Chengbi was a famous beauty in the capital, possessing both talent and beauty, and had many admirers.
But Chu Huaiyu ignored her presence time and time again.
He was staring at her intently yesterday in the selection hall, so why has his attitude changed so drastically now?
Could it really be because the incense he burned earlier had offended him?
Huo Chengbi felt a sudden panic and hurriedly ordered the palace servants beside her to go back and prepare hot water so that she could wash up properly.
As soon as Chu Huaiyu entered the hall, he immediately saw the precious tonics displayed on the table.
These were the very gifts that Chu Huaiyu had given to Lu Zhaoxue earlier. He was puzzled, but he didn't ask any further questions.
"Huaiyu, what brings you here?"
When Empress Dowager Rong saw Chu Huaiyu, a smile appeared on her face, and she quickly reached out to pull him down to sit.
"Chengbi just left, did you see her?"
Chu Huaiyu gave a curt reply, then cut to the chase:
"Mother, I have come here today to tell you that I agree to bring both Feng Xin'er and Huo Chengbi into the palace."
However, there is one more thing I wish to tell the Empress Dowager.
"What's up?"
Seeing his serious expression and the unquestionable tone in his voice, Empress Dowager Rong felt a sense of unease.
"I wish to appoint Lu Zhaoxue as Empress."
"What are you saying?!" Empress Dowager Rong stood up abruptly, her eyes wide with shock.
"Your Majesty, are you joking with me?"
Lu Zhaoxue is Chu Siheng's rightful wife and Chu Huaiyu's sister-in-law. Now that Chu Huaiyu wants to make her empress, what will people say if this gets out?
“I am not joking,” Chu Huaiyu said with unusual firmness.
"I am serious."
Empress Dowager Rong was so angry that her face turned red, her chest heaving violently, and she couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
"Mother, if you do not agree to make Zhaoxue Empress..."
Chu Huaiyu looked at Empress Dowager Rong, his tone carrying an unyielding resolve.
"Then Feng Xin'er and Huo Chengbi will not need to enter the palace."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Rong swayed slightly.
She stared at him in disbelief: "You...you're actually using something like this to blackmail me?"
He was clearly telling her that either she should make Lu Zhaoxue her empress, or he would make the royal family line end!
Chu Huaiyu lowered his eyes and said in a calm tone:
"Mother, I have already lost too much, and I do not want to lose her again because of the so-called royal face."
Empress Dowager Rong closed her eyes and shook her head helplessly.
She knew that once Chu Huaiyu made up his mind, no one could easily sway him in the slightest.
Moreover, he is now an emperor.
She was no longer the child who always obeyed her arrangements.
"Aren't you afraid of what people will say?" Empress Dowager Rong asked softly, her tone tinged with helplessness.
"What is there to fear from people's opinions? Whether they want to talk or not, I have already decided to make Zhaoxue Empress."
Chu Huaiyu raised his head, his gaze resolute.
“In my heart, no one is more suitable to be my empress than her.”
Empress Dowager Rong gave a cold laugh.
He thought to himself: I've really been bewitched.
In Empress Dowager Rong's opinion, any woman in the harem would be more suitable to be empress than Lu Zhaoxue.
But she also understood that arguing with Chu Huaiyu would be pointless and would only increase the rift between mother and son.
Empress Dowager Rong sighed.
"Then I will do as you wish, Your Majesty. Whatever you desire, so be it."
"But Huaiyu, I must remind you of something: you are deeply in love with Lu Zhaoxue, but she may not reciprocate your feelings at all."
Upon hearing this, Chu Huaiyu gave a bitter smile.
He knew, of course, that she had never truly loved him in the slightest...
But he insisted on deceiving himself like this, even if what he saw was just a beautiful dream, he would hold on to it tightly.
I just wish I could stay in this beautiful dream a little longer.
After receiving Empress Dowager Rong's approval, Chu Huaiyu immediately drafted an imperial edict, deciding to first confer the title of Empress upon Lu Zhaoxue and hold a grand investiture ceremony before Feng Xin'er and Huo Chengbi entered the palace.
When the imperial edict was delivered to Chengqian Palace, Lu Zhaoxue was taken aback.
Lu Zhaoxue held the imperial edict appointing her as empress, her hand trembling slightly, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She had thought Chu Huaiyu was just acting on a whim, but she never expected that an imperial edict would be issued.
The entire Chengqian Palace was filled with jubilation, and the palace servants all stepped forward to offer their congratulations, but Lu Zhaoxue couldn't manage a smile.
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PS:
Anyone who comes here to leave a malicious negative review without even reading for 30 minutes, I'll take them down one by one. You're a free novel author!
The synopsis clearly states that the male lead is a jerk and will be abused later on. If you don't have the patience to read it, then don't. I'll write whatever I want.
I will accept any reasonable and justified criticism.
(∩_)━☆
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