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

Chapter 54 Lu Jingning Regains Favor

Xiao Jingheng no longer wanted to suppress his love. He was an emperor, so how could he not protect the one he loved?

Lu Jingning nuzzled Xiao Jingheng's chin with her little head: "Arui, am I dreaming?"

"Why do you say that?" Xiao Jingheng gently stroked her hair, looking at her with eyes full of tenderness.

Lu Jingning clung tightly to him, the alcohol starting to take effect: "If I wasn't dreaming, how could I have seen you?"

"I'll make sure you see me every day from now on, okay?" Xiao Jingheng coaxed her.

Lu Jingning's eyelids were already drooping, but he nodded: "Okay."

She couldn't resist her drowsiness any longer and fell asleep on Xiao Jingheng's lap.

"Little drunkard, I can't let you sneak drinks anymore," Xiao Jingheng sighed silently.

He gently placed Lu Jingning beside him, covered her with a blanket, and then went to change into his nightgown.

"Your Majesty, why have you come out?" When Eunuch Zhao saw Xiao Jingheng come out of the palace, he was a little scared. Had Consort Lu angered the Emperor again?

Xiao Jingheng entered the side hall and instructed Eunuch Zhao, who was waiting closely behind, "Help me change my clothes."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

Eunuch Zhao quickly stepped forward and carefully helped Xiao Jingheng remove his dragon robe and change him into his nightgown.

After Xiao Jingheng finished changing his clothes, he was about to return to the main hall when he pondered for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, you should go to the Empress's place yourself and tell her that Consort Lu is unwell and will not be paying her respects. Also, tell Consort Lu's maid not to disturb her tomorrow and let her sleep peacefully."

"Yes," Eunuch Zhao bowed and agreed, his eyes filled with awe.

Just then, Chun'er brought in tea and, upon hearing this, softly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant has remembered."

After Xiao Jingheng returned, he saw that Lu Jingning had kicked the blanket aside, so he thoughtfully covered her up again and held her as they fell asleep.

The next day, when Xiao Jingheng got up early, he quietly went out to the side hall to change his clothes for court.

"Later, make a bowl of hangover soup for your mistress and have her drink it."

Before leaving, Xiao Jingheng gave Xia'er some instructions.

"Yes, Your Majesty"

As he walked outside Chengqian Palace, he suddenly remembered something and stopped: "Oh, right, your young mistress has woken up, so let her go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

Xia'er couldn't contain her joy when she saw that her mistress had finally regained the emperor's favor.

Inside the Changchun Palace.

Consort Zhen had a barely perceptible sneer on her lips. After glancing around, she said in a shrill voice, "Oh dear, what time is it? Why hasn't Consort Lu arrived yet? Could it be that she's become arrogant because of the Emperor's favor?"

His words were full of provocation and disdain.

The Empress gently raised her hand to stop Consort Zhen from speaking, a calm smile on her face: "Sister, don't be anxious. Perhaps Noble Lady Lu is delayed by something."

After speaking, the Empress took a sip of the tea in her hand.

Just as Consort Zhen was about to speak sarcastically again, Eunuch Zhao hurriedly walked in, his face solemn.

The Empress gently set down her teacup, her gaze gentle yet dignified as she looked at Eunuch Zhao, and asked, "Eunuch Zhao, what brings you in such a hurry?"

Eunuch Zhao immediately stopped, bowed, and replied, "Your Majesty, Consort Lu was unwell yesterday and was unable to come to pay her respects. His Majesty specially ordered me to inform Your Majesty." After speaking, Eunuch Zhao slightly raised his head, a hint of barely perceptible respect in his eyes.

The Empress nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, and said, "I understand. Go and attend to the Emperor."

"Yes, this servant takes his leave."

When Consort Liang heard that the Emperor had actually sent Eunuch Zhao to ask for leave for Lu Jingning, she knew that her words from that day had been in vain.

When Consort Zhen heard about this, she saw that the Imperial Concubine looked unwell and felt a pang of sympathy.

“I remember, didn’t His Majesty go to Consort Yan’s place yesterday?” Consort Zhen turned her gaze to Consort Yan, wanting to make Consort Yan resent Lu Jingning.

Consort Yan's face was slightly pale. She lowered her eyelids and said softly, "His Majesty did have dinner yesterday and then left, saying that he was busy with state affairs."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, her voice sharp: "Consort Yan, you say you can't keep the Emperor's heart even with a child, unlike Noble Lady Lu who can hold onto the Emperor's heart even without children. You're truly useless."

The Empress frowned slightly and rebuked, "Consort Zhen, stop stirring up trouble."

Seeing Consort Zhen being reprimanded, Consort Liang was somewhat indignant. She lightly touched the jewels at her temples, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation: "Your Majesty, Consort Zhen was merely speaking her mind. Why are you so angry? But speaking of which, this Noble Lady Lu is truly capable, managing to make the Emperor so attentive. What do you say?"

As she spoke, the Imperial Concubine lightly covered her lips and looked at the Empress with a half-smile.

The Empress's expression turned slightly cold as her piercing gaze swept over Consort Liang. Her voice carried an air of authority: "Consort, you should mind your own business and not let others' gossip taint the tranquility of the harem. As for Noble Lady Lu, she has her reasons for being favored by the Emperor; what does it have to do with you or me?"

Consort Liang snorted lightly, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips, seemingly unconcerned about the Empress's admonition.

She yawned lazily, a hint of provocation flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty is right, I have learned my lesson. Since we have come to this point, I am feeling tired, so I will take my leave now."

After saying this, she lightly flicked her sleeves, turned and left, with Consort Zhen following closely behind. The two of them looked quite smug from behind.

Consort Yan's eyes held a hint of tenderness and consolation: "Your Majesty, please don't get upset over their words, it's not worth it."

The Empress gently turned her head, her gaze towards Consort Yan filled with tenderness and concern: "How are you feeling? Has the baby been bothering you?"

Consort Yan smiled slightly: "Everything is fine, the child is very well-behaved."

Upon hearing this, the Empress nodded in satisfaction, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. Her voice was gentle: "Since there's nothing else, everyone may leave and return to your palaces."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Cheng Qiangong

When Lu Jingning woke up, the sunlight was already streaming into his bedroom.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, somewhat flustered: "What time is it? Did you forget to pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Xia'er happened to bring in a bowl of steaming hangover soup and said softly, "Your Highness, the Emperor has already sent Eunuch Zhao to ask for leave for you. You don't need to pay your respects today. The hangover soup is ready. Please drink it while it's hot, or your head will start to hurt."

"That's good. I thought I overslept. I haven't slept this soundly in a long time."

After speaking, Lu Jingning took the soup bowl. The soup was clear and had a faint herbal aroma. She took a sip, and warmth instantly flowed through her body.

After finishing the soup, Xia'er gently reminded him, "His Majesty has asked you to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation once you wake up."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning nodded slightly, a blush rising to her cheeks: "Okay, I understand. Go prepare some water for me; I want to take a bath. Add plenty of flower petals to get rid of the smell of alcohol."

"Yes"

(End of this chapter)