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

Chapter 46 Sending Yunlu out of the palace

Seeing the Imperial Concubine's tearful eyes, Consort Zhen's anger intensified. She said indignantly, "Sister, it's that bitch Lu Jingning again! How could the Emperor be so infatuated with her! He doesn't even come to visit the Princess anymore. Before she entered the palace, the Emperor clearly cared about her the most..."

Before she could finish speaking, Consort Liang's tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the back of the princess's hand. She quickly raised her hand to wipe away her tears, her voice choked with emotion: "Don't say anymore. His Majesty is busy. He may not be with Consort Lu, or perhaps he can't bear to see Jingyao sick, which is why he's not coming."

Consort Zhen looked at the usually proud Imperial Consort with heartache, seeing her so pitiful now. She could only gently pat her shoulder and softly comfort her, "Sister, don't be sad. Didn't the imperial physician say that the princess will recover in a few days?"

Consort Liang gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, forcing a gentle smile as she looked at Consort Zhen and said, "It's getting late. You've had a long day. Go back and get some rest."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen was filled with mixed emotions. She tightly grasped the Imperial Concubine's hand, her eyes filled with determination: "Sister, please let me stay here tonight. I'll help you take care of the princess, okay?"

Consort Liang gently shook her head, her eyes full of tenderness: "Sister, I appreciate your kindness, but you really need to rest. Tomorrow you will need to help me take care of Jingyao. Listen to me, go back now."

As she spoke, she patted Consort Zhen's hand, urging her to hurry back.

Consort Zhen thought the Imperial Concubine's words made sense and advised, "Then you should also get some rest, sister."

Then, she looked at the palace maid beside her and instructed, "Take good care of Her Highness and the Princess, understand?"

"Yes, Consort Zhen."

Consort Zhen grasped Consort Liang's hand in return, her face full of worry, and said, "Sister, I'll go back now. You should get some rest."

"I understand, don't worry," Consort Liang said, trying to appear strong so as not to cause her any concern.

Consort Zhen left Zhongcui Palace with a heavy heart, turning back to look at herself every few steps.

The night was as dark as ink, and the palace lanterns cast a dim yellow light, making her shadow appear long.

As soon as she stepped out of the palace gate, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes blazing, and gritted her teeth, saying, "I will make Lu Jingning pay the price!"

The palace maid beside her was startled by this sudden outburst of anger and asked in bewilderment, "Your Highness, why do you say that?"

Consort Zhen's eyes widened in fury, her slender fingers clenched into fists: "It's her! She stole the Emperor! Before, the Emperor only had eyes for the Consort and the Princess. Ever since she entered the palace, she's been seducing the Emperor every day. She even tried to steal the Emperor away when the Princess was sick, causing the Consort so much heartache. It's all her fault, and I'll make her pay the price!"

The palace maid was somewhat puzzled: "Your Highness, that's a matter between the Imperial Concubine and Consort Lu. Why are you getting involved?"

"I come from a humble background, but my sister never looked down on me and supported me all the way. Anyone who makes things difficult for my sister will make things even more difficult for her."

Consort Zhen's face appeared distorted and ferocious in the moonlight.

The next morning, Lu Jingning arrived at Changchun Palace early.

The Empress sat serenely on her phoenix throne, her gaze sweeping lightly over Lu Jingning. She asked softly, "What do you intend to do with those derelict palace maids?"

Lu Jingning bowed slightly, her voice gentle yet firm: "Your Majesty, I do not wish to commit further killings. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and give them twenty strokes of the cane, and demote them to the Sinzheku as punishment."

The Empress nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes: "Very good, let's do it your way."

As she spoke, she gently raised her hand, and Qingming immediately understood, quietly retreating to make the arrangements.

You were wronged about what happened yesterday.

The Empress's eyes held a hint of apology. As the head of the harem, she had failed to manage things properly, leading to this incident.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning smiled faintly and comforted her, "Your Majesty, I have not been wronged. Yesterday, Your Majesty always believed in me, and I was deeply moved."

"I trust your character," the Empress said with a gentle smile, looking at Lu Jingning. "This concubine will not betray Your Majesty's trust," Lu Jingning replied.

Before long, as the morning light began to shine, Changchun Palace was bustling with activity, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

The concubines, dressed in various brightly colored silk skirts, entered the main hall one by one to pay their respects to the Empress.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

The Empress sat regally on her high throne, her gentle gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Rise."

After all the concubines were seated, the Empress's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Consort Liang, and she asked with concern, "Consort, is the princess feeling any better?"

Consort Liang rose, curtsied, and although she had a smile on her face, she still looked very haggard: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Jingyao woke up this morning, and the imperial physician said that she will recover in a few more days."

Hearing this, the Empress felt much relieved and said gently, "That's good. Consort, you should also take good care of yourself. The princess still needs your care."

Consort Liang bowed slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty the Empress."

At this moment, Consort Zhen's gaze shot towards Lu Jingning like a sharp arrow, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips, her words carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Noble Lady Lu is still radiant, it seems that yesterday's turmoil did not affect you in the slightest."

Lu Jingning turned around gently, her gaze tender, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable firmness: "Thank you for your praise, Consort Zhen."

As she spoke, she gently raised her hand and brushed a strand of hair from her temple.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, the Empress said, "Alright, all of you ladies, go back and rest."

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

Back at Chengqian Palace, Lu Jingning lightly waved his sleeve and said to Xia'er, "Go and bring Yunlu here."

"Yes, my lady," Xia'er nodded, and soon led Yunlu into the inner room.

"Chun'er, go and bring over the bundle I prepared early this morning," Lu Jingning said calmly, sitting upright on the chaise longue.

"Yes, my lady, I'll go right away."

Chun'er went to the inner palace to retrieve the bundle and handed it to Lu Jingning.

Lu Jingning gently rose and stepped forward, handing the bundle to Yun Lu. He said in a low voice, "There are documents and some silver inside. Take these with you when you leave the palace. I've already made arrangements for you."

Yunlu accepted the gift with trembling hands, her eyes instantly reddening. She bent her knees and knelt heavily on the ground, choking out, "I will never forget your great kindness!"

Lu Jingning gently reached out and helped Yun Lu up, his eyes full of pity.

She whispered, "Go quickly, go as far away as possible, and never come back to this cannibalistic palace, understand?"

"Yes, my lady," Yunlu nodded repeatedly, her eyes brimming with tears. As she turned away, she gave Lu Jingning one last deep look, her eyes filled with gratitude.

She bit her lower lip tightly, trying not to let the tears fall, and took firm steps toward the palace gate.

Gradually, the figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared outside the palace walls.

(End of this chapter)