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

Chapter 32 Reunion with Aunt Zhou

Seeing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Lu Jingning smiled at the right moment, his eyes sparkling with warmth, and changed the subject, saying, "Your Majesty, I've heard that Consort Zhou's health hasn't been very good. I've come back this time and would like to take the opportunity to visit her. I wonder where Consort Zhou is now?"

Upon hearing this, Lord Lu's expression relaxed slightly, and a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes. He quickly said, "I will send someone to invite her right away. If Aunt Zhou knew that Your Excellency had returned, she would be overjoyed."

As he spoke, he turned and instructed the servant beside him to quickly go and fetch Aunt Zhou.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, please wait a moment. Consort Zhou has difficulty walking and will walk slowly."

Xiao Jingheng nodded and said gently to Lu Jingning, "I want to see the place where you used to live."

Lu Jingning smiled slightly, a nostalgic glint in his eyes, and replied softly, "Okay."

Lord Lu was not unaware of Madam Lu's mistreatment of her illegitimate daughter, but he simply chose not to intervene.

Now that Lu Jingning has received the Emperor's favor, he wonders if he will turn against his father. The more he thinks about it, the more panicked he becomes, constantly wiping the sweat from his brow.

She glanced at Lord Lu, then led the Emperor through the winding corridors into an ancient courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, wildflowers grew on both sides of the bluestone path, but the courtyard was somewhat dilapidated. I never imagined that Lu Jingning had lived such a miserable life before.

A strange pang of heartache welled up in Xiao Jingheng's heart: "Zhaozhao, is this where you used to live?"

Lu Jingning lowered her eyes slightly, forcing a smile to hide the bitterness in her heart: "Yes, my aunt's status is lowly, so this place is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingheng suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace, as if he wanted to use all his strength to warm her heart, which might have already turned cold.

His embrace was warm and firm, and Lu Jingning could clearly feel the rhythm of his heartbeat: "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Jingheng stroked her hair and said, word by word, "I will protect you well from now on and will never let you suffer again."

"I believe you," Lu Jingning said with a smile as she hugged Xiao Jingheng back.

But she could never forget what the master had said: not a single word a man says is true.

After hugging for a while, Lu Jingning gently pushed Xiao Jingheng's chest and said softly, "Your Majesty, let's go back."

Xiao Jingheng reluctantly let go of her, his eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance, and nodded gently.

The two walked side by side through the winding corridors, the moonlight shining like water on them, casting the silhouettes of a perfect couple.

As soon as I stepped into the hall, I saw a woman dressed simply and with a haggard face being helped by a servant as she slowly walked in. It was Aunt Zhou.

"Auntie!" Lu Jingning called softly.
Aunt Zhou's eyes glistened with tears, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she could not believe what she was seeing.

Lu Jingning quickly stepped forward and helped Aunt Zhou up; the two exchanged a smile.

After a moment, Aunt Zhou, her knees trembling, knelt down and said, "Greetings to the Emperor, greetings to the young mistress."

Xiao Jingheng gently supported her, his voice both gentle and firm: "Aunt Zhou, there's no need for formalities. You are Zhaozhao's family, and therefore my family."

Lu Jingning stood aside, a smile in his eyes, watching this scene, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

Aunt Zhou looked up, scrutinizing Lu Jingning closely. Her eyes reddened with heartache, and she said softly, "Why do you look so thin, young master? Have you not been eating properly?"

Lu Jingning's eyes instantly welled up with tears, which streamed down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string. She hurriedly raised her hand to wipe them away, but the more she wiped, the more tears flowed, and her voice choked with emotion: "Auntie, no, I'm fine."

Aunt Zhou felt a pang of heartache and gently wiped away her tears. Her eyes were full of love as she whispered, "Silly child, today is your birthday. You mustn't cry; you must be happy."

As she spoke, Aunt Zhou took out a somewhat worn handkerchief from her bosom and carefully wiped away Lu Jingning's tears.

Lu Jingning felt a slight tingling in her nose and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She said softly, "Auntie, I've missed you a little."

Aunt Zhou's eyes reddened further, and her voice choked with sobs: "My lady, I miss you too. I pray for you every day, hoping that you will be healthy and that everything will go well for you."

As she spoke, she slowly took out an exquisite amulet from her sleeve.

The amulet was finely woven with red thread, embroidered with a lifelike jasmine flower. The stitches were dense, revealing the aunt's deep love.

With trembling hands, she carefully tied the amulet around Lu Jingning's waist, her eyes filled with love and reluctance: "This was embroidered by your aunt herself and had it blessed at a temple. I thought I wouldn't be able to give it to you on your birthday."

Lu Jingning looked down at the amulet, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up inside her: "Auntie, please embroider less, or your eyes will suffer."

"I'll do whatever you say, as long as you're happy."

Xiao Jingheng took a piece of warm and smooth jade pendant from his waist. It was carved with intricate dragon patterns and gleamed faintly in the moonlight, making it look exceptionally noble.

He personally handed the jade pendant to Consort Zhou, his voice gentle yet firm: "Consort Zhou, this is a small token of my appreciation; please accept it."

Aunt Zhou looked up in astonishment, her hands trembling as she stared at the jade pendant in disbelief. She quickly declined, saying, "No, no, no, how could I dare accept such a precious item?"

When Madam Lu saw that the Emperor was so kind to Lu Jingning, she thought of her poor daughter and hated her even more.

Seeing this, Lu Jingning stepped forward and took Aunt Zhou's hand, his eyes full of encouragement and tenderness: "Aunt, this is the Emperor's kind gesture, please accept it. This is also my filial piety."

As she spoke, she gently placed the jade pendant into Aunt Zhou's hand. At that moment, Aunt Zhou's hand seemed to be enveloped by a warm current, and her eyes glistened with tears, filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness."

Zhou Shuo gently reminded him, his voice tinged with a cautious reluctance to disturb him: "Your Majesty, it's almost time."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng looked tenderly at Lu Jingning, his eyes filled with reluctance: "Zhaozhao, we should go."

Lu Jingning gripped Aunt Zhou's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into her palm, yet she still refused to let go. She turned her head, her eyes filled with affection and worry: "Aunt, please take care of yourself, okay?"

He could only reluctantly let go of Aunt Zhou's hand, and Lu Jingning felt extremely reluctant as his fingers parted.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servant and your wife, respectfully see you off."

Xiao Jingheng put his arm around Lu Jingning's shoulder and looked at Madam Lu: "Aunt Zhou is Consort Lu's mother, Lord Lu should treat her well."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Madam Lu was somewhat unwilling. With the Emperor's protection, it would be difficult for her to harm Concubine Zhou.

Lu Jingning kept turning back to look at them as he walked, until his figure gradually disappeared into the night. Aunt Zhou and Lord Lu were still standing at the door, watching them leave.

"Auntie, don't worry, I will make those who hurt us, mother and daughter, pay the price!" Lu Jingning secretly vowed in his heart.

(End of this chapter)