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

Chapter 71 Consort Liang Assists in Managing the Six Palaces

Lu Jingning witnessed the ruthlessness of an emperor once again.

The Empress has managed the harem for him for several years, putting in her heart and soul. Now that she is seriously ill, the Emperor refuses to even visit her.

"What's wrong, my lord?" Chun'er noticed that Lu Jingning seemed a bit off and hurriedly went to ask.

Lu Jingning felt sorry for the Empress and was very depressed: "Chun'er, I'm fine. You go ahead and do your work. I want to be alone for a while."

"Then call me if you need anything, my lord."

Chun'er didn't know how to comfort her, so she could only tell her to calm down.

After returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Jingheng sat on the dragon throne and carefully reviewed the memorials.

Eunuch Zhao stepped forward quietly and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, when you have some free time, would you like to visit the Empress at Changchun Palace?"

Xiao Jingheng gently rubbed his temples, his entire body focused on the man, his face cold and stern: "No need."

Eunuch Zhao looked worried: "But this time, Her Majesty's illness seems to be more serious than before. When I saw Consort Lu mention Her Majesty the Empress, her eyes turned red."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng paused, his eyes flashing slightly, but he ultimately let out a cold snort: "The Empress's illness has been going on for a long time. Do you think my presence will make her better?"

Eunuch Zhao looked troubled, but mustered his courage and said, "But what about the Prime Minister...?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng said somewhat helplessly and reluctantly, "Then let's go check it out tonight, so the Prime Minister won't overthink it."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Zhao said respectfully, relieved.

In the afternoon, Consort Liang, dressed in a gorgeous brocade dress, stepped lightly into the palace, followed closely by the little princess, her face beaming with a childlike smile.

Upon seeing the Emperor, the princess excitedly waved her little hands, calling out, "Father, Father!"

Xiao Jingheng put down his pen, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. He stood up and strode towards the princess, lifting her high in his arms. The princess wrapped her arms around the emperor's neck and giggled.

Consort Liang, standing to the side with a gentle smile, said softly, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. The princess has been nagging to see her father all day; I'm at my wit's end with her."

"Does Jingyao miss her father?" Xiao Jingheng asked gently, looking at his daughter in his arms with loving eyes.

Jingyao hugged Xiao Jingheng's neck tightly: "I miss Father."

"Qinglang," Consort Liang called softly.

Upon hearing this, Qinglang immediately stepped forward, took out the fish soup from the food basket, and presented it to Xiao Jingheng.

"Your Majesty, I personally cooked this fish soup today. Please try it."

Xiao Jingheng carried the little princess back to the dragon throne and gently placed her on his lap: "Perfect timing, I'm a little hungry, bring her here."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

Qinglang gently placed the soup spoon into the bowl and put it in front of Xiao Jingheng.

Xiao Jingheng picked up the soup spoon, took a sip, nodded, and praised, "Your Highness is very thoughtful; this soup suits my taste perfectly."

"As long as His Majesty is pleased."

After finishing the bowl of fish soup, Xiao Jingheng looked at the Imperial Concubine and said, "Xun'er's cooking is just as good as it was back then."

The Imperial Concubine was delighted to hear the Emperor call her by her name, as he hadn't called her that in a long time.

"If Your Majesty likes it, I will stew it for you every day." Seeing that the Imperial Concubine was still standing, Xiao Jingheng's expression darkened: "Hurry up and offer the Imperial Concubine a seat."

"Yes"

A servant quickly moved a chair behind the Imperial Concubine so she could sit down.

The Imperial Concubine pursed her lips slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes, and said with a knowing smile, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Prime Minister's wife submitted a memorial, saying that she wishes to visit the Empress in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng frowned, his displeasure evident: "What is she doing here? Why should a mere official's wife interfere in matters of the inner palace?"

The Imperial Concubine gently stroked the intricate patterns on her sleeve and said slowly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The Prime Minister's wife did this because Her Majesty the Empress is unwell, and she is worried about her. After all, Her Majesty the Empress is the Prime Minister's wife's only daughter."

Xiao Jingheng was somewhat displeased that the Prime Minister was interfering in his family affairs, and said in a huff, "Since the Empress is unwell, the affairs of the six palaces will be left to you to manage."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's face flashed with surprise, followed by undisguised joy. She bowed slightly, feigning reluctance, "This...this is not appropriate, Your Majesty. I fear I am not fit for such a great responsibility." As she spoke, her eyes flickered, as if testing the waters, yet also as if anticipating something.

Xiao Jingheng chuckled softly, his tone carrying an undeniable resolve: "What's wrong with that? You've always been intelligent; I trust you completely to handle this matter."

As he spoke, he gently pinched Jingyao's cheek.

Upon seeing this, Consort Liang felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She respectfully bowed and said, "Then I will respectfully comply and do my utmost to share Your Majesty's burdens."

After speaking, she slowly sat down, her face beaming with joy.

"Alright, I need to attend to state affairs now. Take Yao'er back to the palace. Don't betray my trust in you."

Consort Liang stepped forward and embraced Jingyao: "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly not let you down."

"Well, let's go down."

"Yes"

Consort Liang happily led the eldest princess away from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Consort Liang returned to the palace, she entered Chang Le Palace, where Consort Zhen was waiting for her.

Seeing the Imperial Concubine's radiant face and the unusual glint in her eyes, Consort Zhen asked curiously, "Why are you so happy after your visit to the Hall of Mental Cultivation? Is there some good news?"

Consort Liang smiled smugly, while Qinglang beside her covered her mouth and chuckled, quickly replying, "Consort Zhen, you may not know, but His Majesty has just granted our Consort the right to assist in managing the six palaces!"

As she spoke, Qinglang handed over a cup of warm tea. Consort Liang took a sip, her brows furrowed with barely suppressed joy.

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen's eyes flashed with surprise, then she rose to congratulate her, saying, "Congratulations, elder sister! From now on, you'll be the one in charge of the harem."

Consort Liang snorted, a disdainful smile playing on her lips, a smile that concealed a hint of arrogance and resentment: "This should have always belonged to me. If it weren't for Shen Wanxian relying on her father being the Prime Minister, the position of Princess Consort would have been mine back then. I'm merely taking back what was rightfully mine."

As she spoke, she gently stroked the dazzling gemstone ring on her finger.

Consort Zhen quickly chimed in, her face full of fawning smiles: "That's right, sister is the most honored woman in this harem. The Empress's position will return to sister's hands sooner or later."

As she spoke, she subtly gave her a meaningful look, and the two smiled knowingly.

"Speaking of which, the Empress is quite pitiful. Now that she's ill, she doesn't receive even the slightest bit of the Emperor's pity."

Consort Zhen, however, disagreed: "She took what rightfully belonged to you, elder sister. Why pity her?"

“Indeed, she brought it on herself.” Consort Liang put away her pity and continued to immerse herself in joy.

(End of this chapter)