After being reborn, the empress only wanted to seduce the emperor and seize the empress's posit

Chapter 14 An Encounter with the Imperial Concubine
"Chun'er, immediately order someone to investigate, and remember not to let anyone find out," Lu Jingning told Chun'er after returning to the palace.

Chun'er curtsied and said, "Yes, this servant will go right away."

Lu Jingning's judgment of people is usually accurate. That guard shouldn't be that kind of person, unless he has some kind of leverage over Consort Xian.

She wanted to strike first. Since Consort Xian had an inside agent by her side, Consort Xian must also have her own inside agent by her side.

Xia'er came in to deliver pastries and saw Lu Jingning sitting in a chair with his brows furrowed and a troubled look on his face. She couldn't help but slow down and ask softly.

"My lady, what's wrong? You look so troubled."

Lu Jingning looked up at the sound, a hint of confusion and worry in her eyes. She sighed softly and asked Xia'er, "Xia'er, when you were by Madam's side, did you learn anything about the people around Consort Xian? In particular, did Madam mention any of the palace guards?"

Upon hearing this, Xia'er pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "The guards really don't know. I haven't had much contact with the people around Consort Xian; I've only occasionally heard Madam mention them."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and added, "Granny Li was Consort Xian's wet nurse, but Yunlu seems to have entered the palace with her; wasn't she the one serving Consort Xian before?"

Lu Jingning nodded slightly: "Yun Lu..."

Lu Jingning remembered that when Consort Xian was angry, she would beat and scold her maids. As her personal maid, Yunlu must have been beaten quite often.
Perhaps, she could become an important pawn in his fight against Consort Xian.

"Okay, I understand. Go and deliver a bowl of ginseng soup to the Hall of Mental Cultivation," Lu Jingning told Xia'er after making his decision.

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

As Xia'er turned around, Lu Jingning suddenly stood up and said, "Never mind, I'll deliver it myself."

Seeing this, Xia'er smiled mischievously and teased, "His Majesty will be delighted to see how much effort Your Highness has put in."

Lu Jingning blushed slightly and said with a light reproach, "You're such a chatterbox."

After speaking, she gently picked up the exquisite food box, which contained a bowl of ginseng soup that was still steaming, and walked lightly toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Lu Jingning lightly carried a food box. Zhao Gonggong's apprentice, Xiao Quanzi, saw him from afar and hurriedly put down his whisk, jogging forward to greet him, bowing and curtsying, his voice carrying a hint of flattery.

"Oh my, isn't this Consort Lu? What brings you here in person? Please wait a moment, this servant will go in and inform her."

With that, he turned and strode into the hall, finding Eunuch Zhao: "Master, Consort Lu has arrived and is waiting outside the hall."

"Alright, I'll go report it," Eunuch Zhao said immediately upon hearing this.

Xiao Jingheng was currently focused on handling government affairs.

Eunuch Zhao stepped forward quietly and reported in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Consort Lu has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng paused, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. He then put down the vermilion brush and said with a faint smile, "Quickly, invite Consort Lu in. Don't keep her waiting."

"Yes"

Eunuch Zhao hurriedly went outside the palace: "Consort Lu, His Majesty summons you in."

She nodded slightly: "Thank you, sir."

Lu Jingning stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation and walked to the Emperor. She slowly curtsied and spoke in a gentle voice like a spring breeze: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Jingheng smiled and beckoned to her: "Come here, Zhaozhao, come to me."

A gentle smile bloomed on her face as she moved gracefully, her skirt swaying gently, like the most beautiful flower in spring.

As she approached, Xiao Jingheng suddenly stood up and pulled her into his arms, his strength carrying an irresistible tenderness.

Caught off guard, Lu Jingning's cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible, yet filled with shyness and sweetness: "Your Majesty, I'm so embarrassed by your suddenness." Her hands rested gently on the Emperor's waist, and she could feel the steady heartbeat emanating from his chest.

Xiao Jingheng stared at her flushed face and asked, "Why aren't you calling me Arui anymore?"

“Your Majesty, there are still people inside the palace,” Lu Jingning whispered in his ear.

She then stepped out of his arms, opened the food box, and took out the ginseng soup: "Arui, I was worried you were tired, so I specially brought you this ginseng soup."

Xiao Jingheng took the ginseng soup from Lu Jingning and drank it all in one gulp: "Zhaozhao is so thoughtful. By the way, how was your visit to pay your respects to the Empress today? Did no one give you any trouble?"

Lu Jingning parted her lips slightly and said softly, "Of course not, but Her Majesty the Empress is not yet fully recovered. Arui, please go and visit her."

After speaking, she turned her head slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of anticipation.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then his gaze softened: "In that case, I will go and see the Empress tonight. As the head of the harem, she has a hard time managing it, and now that she is ill, I naturally cannot ignore her."

After speaking, he gently took Lu Jingning's hand, his fingertips lightly caressing her delicate skin, his eyes full of tenderness.

Lu Jingning hugged him and said sweetly, "Arui is the best."

At this moment, Consort Liang approached slowly with delicate steps, wearing a magnificent brocade dress and dazzling jewels on her head, her brows revealing an undeniable air of nobility and pride.

Is His Majesty handling state affairs?

Upon seeing this, Xiao Quanzi hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects, his voice trembling slightly: "Greetings to Your Highness, Consort Lu is inside with the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's face instantly darkened, her brows furrowed, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, as if displeasure was churning within her.

She gently waved her hand, signaling Xiao Quanzi to go in and report, while she stood outside the hall to wait.

Xiao Quanzi hurriedly entered the hall and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible ripple. She rose and curtsied, her voice gentle and tactful: "Since the Noble Consort has arrived, this concubine will take her leave to avoid disturbing His Majesty and the Consort's discussion."

Xiao Jingheng looked at her, a hint of admiration and reluctance flashing in his eyes, and said softly, "You're quite sensible. I'll come see you another day."

After saying this, he gently waved his hand, signaling Lu Jingning to step down, his eyes full of tenderness and reluctance.

"Yes, this concubine takes her leave."

As Lu Jingning walked out of the hall, he heard Xiao Jingheng say, "Go and invite the Imperial Concubine in."

As he was leaving, Lu Jingning happened to run into Consort Liang.

She gently lifted her skirt, slowly squatted down, and performed a dignified and graceful palace salute: "This concubine greets Your Highness the Noble Consort, may Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings."

Consort Liang glanced at her sideways, her red lips slightly parted, a hint of barely perceptible sourness in her voice: "Consort Lu is truly favored."

"This concubine dares not accept such an honor."

Xiao Quanzi anxiously said from the side, "Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence."

After saying this, Consort Liang's gaze lingered for a moment on the empty food box in Lu Jingning's hand, a complex look flashing in her eyes. Then she turned around and strode proudly into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Consort Liang went in, Lu Jingning got up and returned to Chengqian Palace.

(End of this chapter)