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

Chapter 70 The Empress Falls Ill

The next day, the morning light shone through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on Lu Jingning's face.

She gently rubbed her sleepy eyes and instructed Chun'er, who was waiting beside her, "Chun'er, go to the Imperial Household Department and remove my green nameplate. Tell them I'm not feeling well."

Chun'er responded, her eyes full of concern: "Yes, Your Highness, please rest well. By the way, I made you some porridge with the finest bird's nest; you should nourish yourself properly now."

"Okay," Lu Jingning smiled slightly, took the bowl of porridge, gently blew on it to cool it down, and took a sip.

Suddenly, she remembered Leyan from yesterday and asked, "Have you investigated yet?"

"Your Highness, I've investigated, and that Yueyan is indeed as reliable as she said. I heard she's often bullied by the palace maids in the flower room."

Lu Jingning took another sip of porridge and said thoughtfully, "Next time I go to pick up the flowers, I'll warn the head of the flower room to keep an eye on those arrogant palace maids."

"Yes, Your Highness, please rest assured."

After finishing his porridge, Lu Jingning took Chun'er's handkerchief, wiped his mouth, and asked, "Is Her Majesty the Empress still not fully recovered?"

"No," Chun'er said, shaking her head.

Xia'er rushed into the bedchamber, her expression anxious: "Your Highness, I just heard from the palace maids of Changchun Palace that Her Majesty the Empress's illness has worsened again. Several imperial physicians went there this morning."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning tightened his grip on the handkerchief, his brows furrowed, and his eyes were filled with worry.

She quickly stood up and hurried out of the hall: "I must go see Her Majesty the Empress immediately."

Seeing this, Chun'er quickly followed, anxiously trying to dissuade her: "My lady, you are different now. Why don't we not go? Let's just stay in the bedchamber."

Lu Jingning didn't stop walking. He went to the mirror and said firmly, "It's alright, I know what I'm doing. Her Majesty the Empress has been incredibly kind to me. Now that she's seriously ill, how can I stand idly by? Help me with my makeup."

"Yes, my lady, I will do your hair and makeup right away."

Seeing that Lu Jingning was determined to do so, Chun'er had no choice but to go along with her.

Since Lu Jingning is now pregnant, Chun'er used only a symbolic amount of rouge when she did her makeup, fearing it might be harmful.

After finishing her makeup, Lu Jingning hurriedly headed to Changchun Palace.

Along the way, Chun'er kept urging her, "My lady, please slow down, please slow down."

Upon arriving at Changchun Palace, Lu Jingning was extremely anxious. As soon as he stepped across the threshold, he saw the Empress lying weakly on the bed, her face as pale as paper.

Lu Jingning's steps involuntarily softened. She slowly approached, tears welling in her eyes, and softly called out, "Your Majesty..."

The Empress turned her head slightly, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes as she saw her. She forced a gentle smile and asked, "Why do you look so worried?"

Lu Jingning's eyes reddened slightly as he looked at the Empress with heartache and said softly, "Your Majesty, why are you sick again..."

The Empress forced a smile, her voice barely audible: "My health has never been good, but I'm used to it."

After speaking, Qingming stepped forward lightly, carrying a bowl of still steaming hot medicine in her hands.

"Let me feed Your Majesty," Lu Jingning quickly took the bowl. The medicine in the bowl was dark brown and had a faint bitter smell.

She carefully scooped up a spoonful, gently blew on it to cool it, her eyes tender and focused, and brought it to the Queen's lips.

The Empress's gaze fell tenderly on Lu Jingning as she opened her mouth and drank.

Her heart warmed; she hadn't felt cared for like this in a long time, and it felt wonderful. After drinking her medicine, the Empress's eyelids gradually grew heavy, and a tired yet contented smile appeared on her face.

She gently patted Lu Jingning's hand, her voice delicate and tender: "Jingning, I am truly touched by your thoughtfulness. But I am feeling tired now and would like to rest for a while. You may go back now."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning felt a deep sense of reluctance, but he also understood that the Empress needed to rest. So he nodded gently, his eyes filled with reluctance and worry.

"This concubine takes her leave. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself. I will come to see you again tomorrow."

She slowly got up, took a few steps back, and as she turned around, she couldn't help but glance back at the figure on the sickbed, her eyes glistening with tears.

Seeing her like this, the Empress smiled slightly and nodded gently: "Alright, I'll be waiting for you. Go back now."

"Yes," Lu Jingning said before taking a step away, each step feeling heavy.

Upon returning to the palace, Lu Jingning had just stepped across the threshold when he saw Xiao Jingheng, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sitting upright in the main hall.

Startled, she quickly composed herself, took light steps forward, and respectfully bowed: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Jingheng gently raised his hand, his gaze tender yet probing as he looked at her slightly reddened eyes: "Why is my Zhaozhao crying? Who bullied you?"

Lu Jingning gently shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling with emotion: "Your Majesty, I have just returned from visiting the Empress at Changchun Palace. Seeing her gravely ill, I was deeply distressed, and therefore..."

She could no longer continue, and tears silently streamed down her face.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng gently took Lu Jingning's slender hand in one hand and carefully wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with the other, his movements gentle and meticulous.

A subtle, complex emotion flickered in his eyes as he said softly, "Zhaozhao, the Empress's health has always been like this, and the imperial physicians in the palace have done their best. Don't worry too much."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning was startled. She looked up at the Emperor, whose eyes, which were usually full of warmth, now seemed somewhat indifferent.

It was as if the Empress's serious illness was nothing more than a common occurrence in the palace to him.

“But, Your Highness’s health…” Lu Jingning wanted to say something more.

Unfortunately, Xiao Jingheng didn't care at all: "Alright, I heard from the Imperial Household Department that you were unwell, so I removed the green plaque. Where do you feel unwell? Summon the imperial physician."

A pang of sorrow welled up in Lu Jingning's heart. She gently shook her head, forcing a smile, "Your Majesty, I am fine, it's just a minor issue, there's no need to see the imperial physician."

Having said that, she persisted, her eyes pleading, "Your Majesty, please visit the Empress when you have some free time. Perhaps your visit will cure her illness."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng's eyes flickered slightly, but his tone remained calm: "Yes, it's good that you're alright. As for the Empress, I have my own arrangements."

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand gently, signaling Eunuch Zhao to go and see the Empress.

"You should avoid going to the Empress's place. Your health isn't good; don't let her illness affect you."

Looking at the Emperor's cold face, Lu Jingning felt a mix of emotions: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jingheng nodded in satisfaction and gently grasped her shoulders: "Alright, I still have official business to attend to. I'll come see you again in a few days when I have time."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this concubine respectfully sees you off."

Xiao Jingheng nodded and left Chengqian Palace.

(End of this chapter)