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

Chapter 15 Han Yizhi has also been reborn.
On the way back to the palace, Xia'er looked around curiously and asked softly, "Your Highness, is that Consort Liang?"

Lu Jingning nodded slightly: "Yes, that was the once most favored concubine in the palace."

Xia'er carefully recalled Consort Liang's appearance and said sincerely, "She is indeed very beautiful, elegant and noble, with an extraordinary temperament."

She then added, "But I still think she's not as beautiful as you, Your Highness. Your beauty is the kind that's almost aggressive; anyone who looks at you can't take their eyes off you."

As she spoke, Xia'er unconsciously tightened her grip on Lu Jingning's arm.

Lu Jingning was pleased by her flattery and smiled as he said, "You have such a sweet tongue."

As dusk fell, the setting sun, like blood, bathed every corner of the Forbidden City.

After finishing his official duties, Xiao Jingheng said to Eunuch Zhao, "Prepare the carriage for Changchun Palace."
Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately responded and directed the palace maids and eunuchs to prepare for the journey.

Inside Changchun Palace
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is about to depart for our Changchun Palace!" Qingming said excitedly.

Upon hearing that the Emperor was about to arrive, the Empress's face lit up with a long-lost smile, and she quickly instructed Qingming, "Quickly, do my hair and makeup."

After she finished, she stood in front of the bronze mirror, carefully examining herself, and asked softly, "Qingming, do I look haggard?"

Qingming carefully examined the Empress's face and said gently with a smile, "Your Majesty, you are naturally beautiful, and now you are even more stunning. There is not a trace of haggardness in you."

As she spoke, she gently placed the last gold hairpin in the Empress's hair. The Empress in the mirror looked even more dignified and noble, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

The eunuch's shrill voice echoed throughout Changchun Palace: "The Emperor has arrived!"

The Empress quickly put down her comb, straightened her clothes, and strode out of the palace. She bowed gracefully, her voice filled with barely suppressed joy: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Jingheng raised his hand in a gesture of support, looking at the Empress with gentle eyes: "Your Majesty, you may dispense with the formalities."

The Empress rose, a gentle smile on her face: "Your Majesty, I have specially prepared several of your favorite dishes. Please, Your Majesty, move inside and enjoy them."

As she spoke, she turned slightly to the side, making an inviting gesture, her eyes sparkling with expectation and tenderness.

"Okay," Xiao Jingheng replied calmly, his face expressionless.

During the meal, Xiao Jingheng turned to the Empress with tender eyes: "Are you feeling any better?"

The Empress smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with tenderness: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now."

She picked up a piece of tender fish with her chopsticks and gently placed it into Xiao Jingheng's bowl, her actions full of care.

Xiao Jingheng glanced at the fish in the bowl, somewhat absentmindedly.

He nodded, his tone serious: "Consort Lu has just entered the palace. As the head of the harem, you should take good care of her."

Upon hearing this, the Empress nodded slightly, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes, before smiling gently: "Your Majesty, I understand and will certainly not fail your trust."

"Will Your Majesty stay overnight at Changchun Palace tonight?" the Empress asked expectantly.

Xiao Jingheng nodded and continued eating.

The Empress was delighted to hear this and kept serving food to Xiao Jingheng, saying, "Your Majesty, please eat more. I've noticed you've lost weight lately."

"it is good"

On the other side, Chun'er returned hastily from Chengqian Palace, her face showing a mixture of excitement and mystery.

She gently pushed open the palace door and saw Lu Jingning leaning against the chaise lounge, playing with a string of exquisite beads in his hand, seemingly lost in thought.

Chun'er stepped forward quickly and said in a low voice, "My lady, I have found out everything."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning's eyes lit up instantly, and he turned around eagerly to ask, "How is it?"

Chun'er leaned close to Lu Jingning's ear, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet every word was clear: "The guard today is named Han Yizhi. He only has an elderly mother at home. But recently his mother seems to be ill and seems to be short of money, often borrowing from other guards."

Lu Jingning's brows furrowed slightly, a complex look flashing in his eyes, as if he were thinking or weighing his options.

Presumably, the virtuous concubine in the previous life controlled his mother to threaten him, but all of this is just her speculation.

Just then, Xia'er suddenly entered and said to her very cautiously, "My lady, a guard disguised as a eunuch is kneeling outside the palace requesting to see you. I was afraid someone would see him, so I rushed to tell you."

"What? A guard? Let him in." Lu Jingning was somewhat surprised, thinking it would be Han Yizhi.

"Yes"

After Xia'er finished speaking, she quietly brought the person in, avoiding everyone else.

After Han Yizhi entered, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject is guilty, please punish me, Your Highness."

"Oh? What crime have you committed?" Lu Jingning asked tentatively as he slowly approached Han Yizhi, his gaze deep.

"After saving Your Highness today, one image has been constantly on my mind: I am guilty for slandering Your Highness for the sake of others. I am willing to atone for my sins with my death."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning was startled, his gaze fixed intently on Han Yizhi, as if trying to see through his heart.
She parted her lips slightly, her voice low and firm: "You've been reborn too, haven't you?"

Lu Jingning sat back on the chaise longue, her posture haughty and indifferent. In the candlelight, her face appeared cold and resolute.

Han Yizhi knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, each kowtow seemingly filled with endless remorse: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die a thousand deaths, I beg Your Majesty to grant me death!"

Lu Jingning's gaze was as cold as ice as he stared directly at Han Yizhi: "I have been wronged and suffered endless torment because of you. How can your life possibly compensate for that? Even if you die a thousand times, it will not be enough to ease the hatred in my heart!"

Her voice was deep and powerful, each word like a heavy hammer striking Han Yizhi's heart.

Han Yizhi's body trembled slightly. His forehead was already cut open, and blood slid down his cheek, dripping onto the cold ground and splashing up tiny blood flowers.

"Your Majesty, I know my sins are grave. In my previous life, because Consort Xian threatened my mother's life, I had no choice but to sacrifice Your Highness. I do not ask for Your Highness's forgiveness, but only that you give me a chance to atone for my sins."

Lu Jingning's expression softened slightly, a cold yet calculating glint in his eyes, his voice devoid of warmth: "I can give you a chance to atone for your sins, it just depends on whether you're willing."

Upon hearing this, Han Yizhi's eyes flashed with disbelief, followed by determination and resolve. He kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling yet exceptionally clear: "Your subject is willing! Your subject is willing to serve Your Majesty with his life, even unto death!"

Lu Jingning slowly stood up, walked to Han Yizhi, leaned down to look at him, and his eyes flashed with a complex light.

She extended her finger and gently lifted Han Yizhi's chin, her voice low and powerful: "Considering your eagerness to save your mother, it's understandable. Your life is now in my hands. Work for me with unwavering loyalty, and I might consider giving you a fresh start."

"Your subject will gladly die ten thousand times over," Han Yizhi kowtowed heavily.

(End of this chapter)