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

Chapter 6 The Virtuous Consort was furious

Lu Jingning had only slept for about an hour when she heard Chun'er enter: "Your Highness, the Consort Xian summons you."

It must be because of her service to the emperor yesterday. Since Consort Xian herself does not compete for the emperor's favor, she naturally does not allow those around her to gain favor either.

Knowing he was bound to get a scolding soon, he reluctantly got out of bed and said, "Help me up to do my hair and makeup, we're going to Zhongcui Palace."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lu Jingning made some simple decorations and then got up to go to Zhongcui Palace.

She slowly entered Zhongcui Palace. As soon as she crossed the threshold, she saw Consort Xian sitting at the head of the table, her face ashen and her eyes burning with anger.

"This humble concubine greets Her Highness the Virtuous Consort."

When Consort Xian saw Lu Jingning arrive, she slammed her hand on the table, causing the teacups to tremble slightly, and said sternly, "Lu Jingning, do you know what mistake you have made?"

Her voice was sharp and piercing, like a blade cutting through the still air.

Lu Jingning's body trembled slightly, but she remained calm, her gaze unwavering as she met the Consort Xian's eyes: "This humble concubine is ignorant and does not understand Your Majesty's meaning."

"I don't know? You dare say you don't know? Granny Li, you tell her what mistake she made?"

"I thought you were a decent person, but you actually dared to seduce the Emperor behind the Empress's back," said Li, the nanny beside Consort Xian.

"This concubine did not seduce the Emperor."

Consort Xian looked at her charming face and became even angrier.

He walked up to Lu Jingning and slapped her hard across the face.

Lu Jingning was knocked to the ground, and several bright red finger marks immediately appeared on her delicate cheeks.

Chun'er felt sorry for her mistress when she saw her being beaten: "Your Highness, our mistress is a concubine just like you, how could you hit her?"

Consort Xian, who was looking for an outlet for her anger, punched Chun'er hard, saying, "You lowly servant, how dare you talk to me like that!"

Lu Jingning immediately stepped in front of Chun'er: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Last night, His Majesty had Your Majesty in his heart and did not consummate the marriage with any concubines."

Now is not the time for her to confront Consort Xian head-on.

Now that she has no favor or power, she knows that if she angers Lu Shiwei, she will suffer the consequences, and it would be bad if she implicates her aunt.

She can only pretend for now, and deal with her when she has fully gained the emperor's favor.

"Oh?"

When Consort Xian heard Lu Jingning's words, her anger subsided somewhat, but she still didn't believe it.

Lu Jingning had no choice but to continue, "His Majesty only came to my place yesterday because of Your Highness. I know my place; how could I dare to seduce His Majesty?"

Consort Xian snorted coldly, her expression softening slightly. She withdrew her hand: "You'd better be telling the truth, otherwise..."

Granny Li stepped forward, her wrinkled face full of seriousness and warning, her eyes as sharp as a hawk's, staring intently at Lu Jingning.

"In this palace, the most important thing is to know your place and not to covet things that don't belong to you or have any improper thoughts."

Granny Li's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Lu Jingning bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes slightly red, but she still stubbornly raised her head, her voice soft but firm: "I understand, Granny."

A hint of resentment flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by submission.

Seeing her like this, Consort Xian felt somewhat pleased. She returned to her seat but did not intend to make her get up.

Chun'er felt sorry for Lu Jingning and wanted to speak up for her, but Lu Jingning shook her head at her, telling her not to worry about it.

Consort Xian leaned back on the chaise longue, coldly watching Lu Jingning kneel on the cold ground.

About fifteen minutes later, she gently raised her hand and said, "Get up."

Lu Jingning's legs were numb. He struggled to his feet, his face pale, yet he maintained a respectful posture. The Consort Xian's voice held a hint of amusement: "Let me ask you, did Consort Shu say anything to you yesterday?"

Lu Jingning shook her head slightly and told the truth: "Your Majesty, Consort Shu did not say much to me, she only asked a few simple questions."

The virtuous concubine curled her lips into a cold smile, her eyes revealing an undeniable threat: "Lu Jingning, remember this, you are a member of the Lu family. Your honor, disgrace, rise and fall are all tied to the Lu family."

"If you dare to harbor even the slightest thought of seducing the Emperor in this deep palace, don't blame me. I will make you know what it means to wish you were dead."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Lu Jingning said with a hint of humility.

"Granny Li is gone."

"Yes," said Li Mama after receiving the Consort Xian's order, taking out a small bottle of medicine from her sleeve and handing it to Lu Jingning.

"You are not allowed to stop taking this medicine until I have given birth to your child, do you hear me?" Consort Xian said fiercely.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Then, Consort Xian impatiently waved her hand and said, "Get out of here. I get annoyed just looking at you, you vixen."

Suppressing her anger, Lu Jingning calmly said, "This concubine takes her leave."

After leaving Zhongcui Palace, Chun'er's eyes reddened, and she tenderly stroked Lu Jingning's swollen cheek, whispering, "My Lord, are you in pain?"

"I'm fine, Chun'er. How about you? Were you hurt when Consort Xian pushed you like that?"

As he spoke, Lu Jingning gently pulled up Chun'er's sleeve and examined it carefully.

Chun'er quickly withdrew her hand, the tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally falling, and she choked out, "This servant is thick-skinned and it's nothing, but it's you, my lady..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lu Jingning interrupted her with a gentle yet firm gaze.

"A person with a brain like Chun'er won't act rashly. We are currently far weaker than Lu Shiwei."

"Only by enduring humiliation, strengthening ourselves, and waiting for the right opportunity can we strike decisively."

As he finished speaking, a ruthless glint flashed in Lu Jingning's eyes.

This minor injury is nothing compared to the suffering she endured in her past life.

Her current goal is to firmly grasp the Emperor's heart, so that she can have a foothold in the harem.

Chun'er looked confused, with tears still in her eyes. Lu Jingning gently patted the back of her hand, his eyes flashing with determination and wisdom.

She spoke softly, yet each word was firm and resolute: "Chun'er, don't worry, today's beating will not have been in vain."

As he spoke, Lu Jingning slowly raised his hand and gently touched the distinct finger marks on his cheek: "Alright, let's go back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Highness."

On the way, she happened to encounter the Imperial Concubine's entourage, and she immediately bowed, saying, "This humble concubine greets Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine."

Consort Liang ignored her completely and continued walking as if she didn't exist.

The Imperial Concubine was the legitimate daughter of General Liang. She had been by the Emperor's side since he was still the Crown Prince. In addition, due to her illustrious family background, the Emperor doted on her.

Consort Liang had given Lu Shiwei no shortage of trouble, but that fool Lu Shiwei actually managed to side with the Consort Liang in order to deal with her.

After the imperial concubine had walked a distance, she asked the palace maid beside her, "That person looks unfamiliar."

"Your Majesty, she is Consort Xian's half-sister, the newly arrived Consort Lu."

"I see. Her younger sister is much more pleasing to the eye than Consort Xian."

After saying that, the Imperial Concubine ignored her and continued walking towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

(End of this chapter)