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

Chapter 17 The Virtuous Consort Takes the Bait
Inside Changchun Palace
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace." All the concubines bowed in unison to greet the Empress.

The Empress sat regally on her high throne, dressed in simple palace attire, a faint smile playing on her lips. She gently raised her hand, her voice warm: "Sisters, you may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Consort Liang rose first, her figure swaying, a hint of jealousy barely perceptible on her face, and spoke softly.

"After His Majesty visited the Empress yesterday, her complexion was indeed much better. It seems that His Majesty's favor is more effective than any magic pill."

After speaking, she gently touched her temple, her gaze sweeping over Lu Jingning seemingly casually, a playful smile playing on her lips.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's face blossomed into an even gentler smile, her eyes seemingly filled with the warmth of spring sunshine.

She gently raised her hand, her fingertips lightly tapping the table, making a pleasant sound: "Of course, the Emperor's grace and favor are my greatest blessing. My sisters should also work hard to share the Emperor's burdens and add color to the harem."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over each of the concubines present, her eyes conveying both encouragement and warning.

Consort Rong's eyes flickered as she gently twirled the round fan in her hand, a hint of provocation in her gaze as she looked at Lu Jingning and smiled, "Noble Lady Lu is deeply favored by the Emperor, which truly makes this concubine envious."

After speaking, she took a small sip of tea, a subtle light flickering in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning's lips curved into a gentle yet dignified smile, her voice soft: "Sister Rongpin, you flatter me. His Majesty cares for all the women in the harem. I have merely received a little of His Majesty's favor, nothing more."

There's no question of deep favoritism.

As she spoke, her gaze was clear as water, and her demeanor exuded composure.

Consort Rong chuckled, put down her fan, and turned her gaze to Consort Xian to the side, a playful smile playing on her lips: "Speaking of which, we are sisters, so why is it that Consort Xian doesn't receive the Emperor's favor? It's truly puzzling."

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian's face instantly turned ashen. She glared fiercely at Consort Rong, a cold smile playing on her lips, her voice sharp and sarcastic: "Hmph, you'd better worry about yourself first."

Seeing this, Consort Liang merely said to Consort Rong in a lukewarm tone, "Why bother arguing with Consort Xian? She is a consort, and you are a concubine. How dare you be so presumptuous?"

Consort Liang's words were a veiled criticism that she was only relying on her high rank.

"Yes, Your Highness, I would never dare to offend Consort Xian," Consort Rong said with a smug smile.

She was a member of Consort Liang's faction and always obeyed her every word.

The Empress gently set down her teacup, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with a calm yet authoritative air. Her voice carried an undeniable power: "What I'm saying is that harmony within the harem is what the Emperor truly desires. Have you all heard me clearly?"

The concubines all lowered their heads, their expressions varied, but they all respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard you clearly."

She nodded slightly, her eyes revealing her hope for peace in the harem. In this deep palace, only harmonious coexistence can ensure longevity.

"Alright, all of you may step down," the Empress said gently, her face showing a hint of weariness.

"Yes, Your Majesty, we shall take our leave."

After the concubines dispersed, Consort Xian waited outside Changchun Palace. Her face was gloomy, and she occasionally stroked the intricate patterns on her sleeves, appearing somewhat impatient.

Lu Jingning slowly stepped out and saw Consort Xian waiting. She leisurely approached and said with a soft smile, "Your Highness, please calm down. I've kept you waiting. It's really my fault."

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian's eyes flickered slightly. Thinking of the impending downfall of Consort Xian, a smug smile curled at the corner of her lips. She said, "Fine, I won't hold it against you." Lu Jingning raised her eyes slightly, looking at Xia'er standing beside her. Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable firmness: "Xia'er, you must not act rashly in Consort Xian's palace, do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Xia'er bowed and said.
Afterwards, Consort Xian took Xia'er back to Zhongcui Palace.

Lu Jingning bowed respectfully, his voice clear and crisp: "Respectfully seeing off Consort Xian."

Back at Zhongcui Palace, Xia'er had barely stepped across the threshold when she eagerly asked, "Granny Li, how is my brother doing? Is he eating on time? Is he still healthy?"

Granny Li gently patted Xia'er's shoulder, her eyes filled with reassurance: "Xia'er, don't worry. As long as Consort Xian is doing well in this palace, your brother will naturally be doing well too. I sent a message a few days ago saying that your brother is living a peaceful life and his complexion is much rosier than before."

As she spoke, Granny Li took out a yellowed letter from her sleeve and handed it to Xia'er: "We have to thank Consort Xian for this, you know?"

Xia'er accepted the gift with trembling hands, tears welling in her eyes: "Thank you so much, Your Highness, Consort Xian."

Consort Xian walked slowly to Xia'er, her magnificent palace attire making her appear imposing.

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed intently on Xia'er, and asked softly, "How have you been with Consort Lu lately?"

Xia'er trembled, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her face as pale as paper, her voice barely audible: "Lu... Noble Lady Lu is wary of me and won't let me get close to serve you."

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Consort Xian, only to see Consort Xian's brows furrow slightly and a hint of coldness flash in her eyes.

Xia'er's heart tightened, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to speak again: "This servant is incompetent, please forgive me, Your Highness."

The virtuous concubine's fingertips gripped Xia'er's chin like icy blades, forcing her to look up and stare directly at her.

"Tell me, has she had any dealings with anyone?" The Empress's voice was low and cold, like a winter wind that pierced straight to the heart.

Xia'er's chin was pinched painfully, her face was as pale as paper, and her eyes were full of terror.

She kept kowtowing, and soon blood seeped from her forehead. "Your Majesty, this servant cannot speak, please spare my life!"

Consort Xian's eyes were ruthless, yet a hint of confusion flashed across them: "Why can't I say?"

Xia'er suddenly remembered something terrible, her face turned deathly pale, and she cried as she said, "If I tell anyone, Consort Lu will beat me to death!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian's lips curled into a cold, beautiful smile, her voice carrying an undeniable authority: "Xia'er, have you forgotten? Aren't I still here? I will protect you. Don't you trust me?"

Xia'er trembled and looked up at Consort Xian, her eyes filled with struggle and hesitation.

Xia'er's eyes reddened, tears welled up, and she bit her lower lip tightly.

Granny Li stepped forward and threatened, "If you don't speak now, when Consort Lu's misdeeds are exposed and the Emperor orders the execution of her entire family, you and your brother will both die."

Upon hearing this, Xia'er collapsed to the ground, hesitating before finally speaking, "Your Highness, this servant wishes to expose Consort Lu's affair with a guard."

　I hope everyone will support me

　　
　
(End of this chapter)