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

Chapter 45 The Emperor Has Her in His Heart
As night deepened, palace lanterns lit up one by one, casting long shadows of the two people on the bluestone slabs.

"You've been wronged today," Xiao Jingheng said to her with a guilty look in his eyes.

Lu Jingning looked up, her eyes flashing with determination, and gently shook her head: "With His Majesty's trust in me, this concubine will not feel wronged."

Xiao Jingheng gently stroked Lu Jingning's hair with heartache and said softly, "Zhaozhao, you have suffered an injustice today. I should have stayed with you, but I also need to visit Consort Liang and the Eldest Princess."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning smiled slightly, gently withdrew her hand, and grasped Xiao Jingheng's hand in return, her eyes full of understanding and tenderness: "Your Majesty is burdened with state affairs and also has to take care of the harem, which is truly not easy. How could I not know? Please go ahead, I will be fine here."

As she spoke, she rested her face on Xiao Jingheng's arm, a sight that evoked tenderness in people.

Xiao Jingheng looked at her, a hint of admiration and tenderness flashing in his eyes, and said softly, "Only Zhaozhao truly understands my heart."

"This concubine doesn't want the Emperor's favor, she only wants the Emperor to be less burdened."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng turned to look at Lu Jingning and found that she only had eyes for him, making him feel even more guilty towards her.

"No matter how much you dote on me, I have no right to enjoy it so readily," Lu Jingning thought to himself with a slight smile.

The two returned to Chengqian Palace hand in hand. The moonlight, as clear as water, gently spilled onto the palace gates, adding a touch of tenderness to the night.

Lu Jingning held Xiao Jingheng's hand reluctantly, and seeing that the servants were far away, she whispered, "Arui..."

Xiao Jingheng also grasped Lu Jingning's hand in return, feeling somewhat reluctant to part with her for some reason.

Lu Jingning parted her lips slightly, slowly tiptoed, and gently kissed Xiao Jingheng's forehead.

"I'm going back now," she whispered, her voice barely audible yet clearly reaching Xiao Jingheng's ears, filled with endless tenderness and reluctance.

"Okay," Xiao Jingheng nodded gently, his gaze never leaving her face.

Lu Jingning turned around and walked into the hall, glancing back every step of the way.

Seeing that Xiao Jingheng's gaze was fixed on the direction where Consort Lu had left, Eunuch Zhao coughed lightly and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Consort Lu has suffered such an injustice today. Why don't you keep her company? This servant finds Consort Lu quite pitiful."

Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said, "What about the Imperial Concubine and the Eldest Princess..."

The quick-witted Eunuch Zhao immediately replied, "Your Highness is magnanimous and will surely understand His Majesty's good intentions. Besides, His Majesty's visit won't immediately cure the eldest princess's illness. Rather, I would like to have someone prepare some precious medicinal herbs and fine jewelry and send them to Your Highness's palace as a token of my appreciation."

Zhao Gonggong's words struck a chord with Xiao Jingheng. He knew nothing about medicine, and going to the Imperial Concubine would only cause her to cry, which wouldn't solve anything.

"You're quite clever; it's no wonder you've followed me for so many years," Xiao Jingheng said with a smile.

Eunuch Zhao curtsied: "It is my duty to share the Emperor's burdens."

"Okay, go ahead."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go and get it right away."

After speaking, Eunuch Zhao left behind a few servants and palace maids and prepared to go to Chang Le Palace.

Xiao Jingheng quickly caught up with Lu Jingning and pulled her into his arms.

Lu Jingning was a little startled and exclaimed, "Ah!"

Upon closer inspection, she was surprised to see it was Xiao Jingheng: "Your Majesty! How come you..."

Xiao Jingheng found her surprised expression quite adorable.

"Don't you want me to accompany you?"

Lu Jingning looked at Xiao Jingheng with a sense of helplessness; the Consort's hatred for her was probably even greater now. "How could that be, Your Majesty? I'm overjoyed! But aren't you going to visit the Consort?"

Although Lu Jingning said this aloud, he was secretly thinking, "If the Imperial Concubine finds out, she'll devour her alive!"

Xiao Jingheng, oblivious to Lu Jingning's helplessness, continued, "I sent Eunuch Zhao to deal with the Imperial Concubine; you don't need to worry."

"Not worried? You don't need to worry, sigh..." Lu Jingning silently complained in his heart.

At this moment, Lu Jingning felt a pang of sympathy for the Consort. Her daughter was ill, and her beloved was with another woman. It was truly tragic. Who knew if she would be the next one?

Changle Palace

Consort Liang, looking at the eldest princess who appeared ill, asked the imperial physician with great concern, "When will the princess wake up?"

"Your Highness, there is no need to worry. The princess's poisoning is not severe. She has already taken the medicine and will wake up tomorrow. The princess is weak, which is why she is not waking up sooner."

The imperial physician observed the princess's condition while speaking.

"Sister, don't worry, the imperial physician said that the princess will wake up tomorrow." Consort Zhen felt very sorry for the Consort, who was so absent-minded.

Consort Liang held the princess's hand to her face, her eyes filled with tears: "Jingyao's health was already poor, and now she has suffered this undeserved calamity."

Mentioning Consort Zhen filled her with anger: "It's all that Lu Jingning's fault! It was clearly a feud between her and Lu Shiwei, yet she dragged it into the princess's affairs. It's truly despicable!"

"Forget it, Consort Lu is also a victim in this matter, let's not bring it up again. I just hope my daughter is alright."

"elder sister……"

At this moment, a palace maid hurried in, her expression filled with urgency and anticipation. She whispered, "Your Highness, I saw Eunuch Zhao coming this way. I think it's the Emperor..."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's eyes lit up instantly, and the sorrow on her face lessened somewhat: "Jingyao, your father has come to see you."

However, after half an incense stick's time, Eunuch Zhao entered the hall with two servants, carrying tonics, but Xiao Jingheng was nowhere to be seen.

"This servant greets Her Highness the Noble Consort and Her Highness Consort Zhen."

Consort Liang's smile gradually froze, a faint look of disappointment and doubt appearing between her brows. She asked softly, "Eunuch Zhao, His Majesty... didn't he come to visit Jingyao?"

Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

Seeing the Imperial Concubine's dejected expression, Eunuch Zhao stepped forward and explained, "Your Highness, His Majesty cannot bear to see the Princess ill. Today, the Princess was poisoned, and His Majesty is extremely distressed. To avoid upsetting her, His Majesty specially ordered me to bring her some tonics."

"Is that so..." Consort Liang looked somewhat forlorn.

Consort Zhen, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask, "Is His Majesty accompanying Consort Lu?"

Upon hearing Consort Zhen's words, Eunuch Zhao was at a loss for words and could only say tactfully, "It's pitiful that Noble Lady Lu has been wronged today..."

"I understand. Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty."

Before she could finish speaking, Consort Liang interrupted her. She didn't want to hear the Emperor talking about accompanying someone else; at least that way she could deceive herself.

"Yes, this servant will certainly convey the message. This servant will take his leave now."

Zhao Gonggong was interrupted before he could finish speaking. Feeling a little relieved, he quickly left.

(End of this chapter)