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

Chapter 34 The Empress Appreciates Lu Jingning

After everyone had left, the Empress gently put down her teacup, looked tenderly at Lu Jingning, and asked softly, "Consort Lu, are you nervous about such an important task?"

Lu Jingning smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with confidence. She shook her head and replied, "It is an honor for me to share Your Majesty's burdens, and I feel no nervousness whatsoever."

Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in the Empress's eyes, and then she asked curiously, "They all hesitated and made excuses, so why did you agree so readily?"

Lu Jingning gently smoothed the hem of her robe, her eyes firm yet tender: "I know my qualifications are still shallow. To have gained Your Majesty's favor is to enhance my abilities, and I should do my best."

The Empress nodded gently, her eyes seemingly reflecting her past self, that resilience and intelligence faintly visible in Lu Jingning.

She said gently, "I will teach you well, Jingning, you must study hard."

After speaking, the Empress rose, walked slowly to the window, and gently swayed a delicate banknote in her hand.

Gazing at the blue sky beyond the palace walls, her tone tinged with reminiscence: "The paths within this palace must be taken with utmost care; this is the first lesson I taught you."

Lu Jingning stood to the side, her gaze fixed intently on the Empress, and nodded earnestly: "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

The Empress stood by the window, a gentle breeze bringing a touch of coolness: "Cough, cough, cough."

Lu Jingning quickly stepped forward, her eyes filled with worry, and said softly, "Your Majesty, is the wind making you a little cold? Perhaps I should close the window for you."

As she spoke, she reached out and gently closed the window frame, her movements soft and swift.

The Empress turned to look at Lu Jingning, a hint of surprise and warmth flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected that someone could be so thoughtful and considerate within these cold palace walls; it was truly rare.

"Alright, Jingning, I'll teach you tomorrow. Go back and get some rest."

Lu Jingning spoke softly and with concern, "Your Majesty, please rest well and do not overwork yourself."

The Empress nodded slightly, her eyes filled with satisfaction: "Go back now."

Lu Jingning returned shortly after leaving, carrying an exquisite cup. Steam rose gently from the cup, carrying a faint scent of snow pear.

She parted her lips slightly and said, "Your Majesty, this is rock sugar stewed pear that I hurriedly ordered someone to make. It can stop coughing and is very nourishing for your throat."

As she spoke, she carefully handed it over.

The Empress showed a hint of surprise, then a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Looking into Lu Jingning's sincere eyes, she slowly took the soup bowl, took a small sip, and said, "It's delicious. It tastes completely different from any medicinal soup I've had before."

"Your Majesty, I was afraid you would find it too bitter, so I only added rock sugar, snow pear, and goji berries to make it. So it will taste very good," Lu Jingning explained patiently.

The Empress's eyes were slightly red. She hadn't felt genuine affection in a long time. Her voice was choked with emotion as she said, "Jingning, you've really worked hard. No wonder the Emperor dotes on you because you're so thoughtful and considerate."

Lu Jingning gently shook her head, her eyes full of sincerity: "Your Majesty is too kind. It is my honor to be able to do something for you."

As she spoke, she turned to Qingming, a palace maid standing beside her, and instructed, "Qingming, from now on, Your Highness's diet needs to be more carefully managed. Less spicy food and more warm and nourishing food. Do you understand?"

Qingming curtsied respectfully, saying, "Yes, Your Highness, I have remembered this and will serve Your Highness with care."

As the Empress watched this scene, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, as if the cold palace had become warm because of Lu Jingning's gentleness.

"This concubine will not disturb Your Majesty's rest any longer. This concubine takes her leave," Lu Jingning said, bowing and departing. The Empress watched Lu Jingning's departing figure, a feeling of deep emotion welling up within her.

"Your Majesty, Consort Lu seems different from the other concubines," Qingming couldn't help but exclaim.

Although it was a very ordinary thing, Lu Jingning always gave people a different feeling.

"Yes, it has been a long time since I have seen a woman like Consort Lu. Looking at her is like seeing myself in the past, so innocent and lively."

Looking at the Empress's current state, Qingming knew she would never be as happy as before.

"Your Majesty, don't be sad. Now that you are the mother of the nation, your future will surely be smooth," Qingming comforted her gently.

"But I have no children, and the Emperor is already somewhat dissatisfied with me," the Empress said with a worried expression.

Qingming helped the Empress to a chair and told her, "Your Majesty, you will have it sooner or later, don't worry. How could the Emperor be dissatisfied with you?"

"I hope so"

Zhongcuigong

Consort Lu was sitting in front of the mirror, carefully drawing her eyebrows. She thought that Lu Jingning had bewitched the Emperor with his good looks, so she also needed to take good care of herself.

Suddenly, Granny Li rushed in, her expression showing unusual surprise: "Your Majesty, great news! Her Majesty the Empress has decided that Consort Lu will co-host this banquet."

Consort Lu's hand holding the rouge box suddenly stopped. The person in the mirror frowned slightly, a hint of disbelief flashing in their eyes: "What? It's actually her?"

She looked up at Granny Li, her eyes filled with surprise.

Granny Li's face was somewhat unpleasant. She nodded in confirmation, "Yes, Your Highness, I heard it from the other palace maids. They say the Empress greatly admires her."

Consort Lu could no longer contain her hatred and swept all the rouge and powder on the stage onto the ground.

"Why should she? If I hadn't been confined to my quarters, would it have been her turn?"

Seeing this, Granny Li quickly stepped forward, bent down to pick up the scattered rouge and powder, and said softly, "Your Highness, this is not a bad thing."

Consort Lu glared angrily, but Granny Li remained unfazed and continued, "Your Majesty, consider this: this banquet is no small matter. If Consort Lu's preparations go awry, she will naturally be held responsible. Then, if Your Majesty and the Lady join forces, are you afraid she won't fall out of favor? Perhaps she'll never have a chance to recover."

As she spoke, a sly glint flashed in Granny Li's eyes.

Upon hearing this, Consort Lu's anger subsided slightly, a cold smile playing on her lips, her eyes gleaming with calculation: "What you said makes a lot of sense, Granny Li. Have you obtained the peach blossom powder yet?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant has already obtained it. We have people in the Imperial Kitchen, so Consort Lu's good days are probably coming to an end," said Granny Li smugly.

Consort Lu's lips curled into a satisfied, cold smile, her eyes flashing with a chilling light.

She gently patted the back of Li Mama's hand, her voice low and firm: "Mama, this time you must do it cleanly and neatly, without any more mistakes, understand?"

Granny Li bowed, her face plastered with a fawning smile, but a glint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes: "Your Highness, rest assured, I always handle things meticulously. This time, I will make sure that Noble Lady Lu makes a complete fool of herself at the banquet and will never be able to recover."

"That's good"

(End of this chapter)