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

Chapter 72 The Empress is Extremely Disappointed
As night fell, Xiao Jingheng walked heavily into Changchun Palace.

The Empress leaned against the embroidered couch, her face as pale as paper, and managed to squeeze out a weak sentence: "Greetings to Your Majesty."

Her voice was full of exhaustion and weakness. Her hair was scattered on her shoulders, and a few stray strands clung to her forehead, adding to her haggard beauty.

The Emperor stood a few steps from the bed, looking at her with a complex expression, his heart filled with mixed emotions: "Empress, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. It's just an old ailment. I'm so sorry that Your Majesty still remembers me," the Empress forced a smile, a smile that concealed endless bitterness and helplessness.

The Empress's appearance made Xiao Jingheng's heart inexplicably tighten: "Hmm, that's good."

The Empress felt that she looked somewhat haggard. She gently raised her hand, as if to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead, but the movement seemed somewhat powerless.

She looked tenderly at Xiao Jingheng: "Your Majesty, have you had dinner yet? How about I have the palace maids prepare some of your favorite dishes for you?"

After speaking, a barely perceptible hint of concern flashed in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng's gaze softened, and he slowly said, "I already used it before I came, so Your Majesty doesn't need to worry. Just focus on recovering. Consort Lu has been thinking of you."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. My mother wishes to come to the palace to visit me. May Your Majesty grant her permission?"

The Empress's eyes were full of expectation as she reached out and gently took Xiao Jingheng's hand.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng assumed that the Empress was using the Prime Minister's wife's visit as a threat to remind him not to forget what happened back then.

The fleeting pity that had just arisen vanished instantly, replaced by a cold indifference: "I grant your permission."

"Thank you..." The Empress was about to express her gratitude when Xiao Jingheng changed the subject and continued, "Your health has always been poor, and I have already decided to entrust the affairs of the harem to the Noble Consort."

After speaking, he gently withdrew his hand from the Empress's tight grip, his gaze cold and distant.

"Your Majesty..." Upon hearing this, the Empress's face turned deathly pale, and the glimmer of hope that had just ignited in her eyes was instantly extinguished.

She felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and she collapsed weakly onto the embroidered couch, staring blankly ahead.

The Empress, forcing herself to stand up, her eyes flashing with complex emotions, said softly, "Your Majesty, are you perhaps still holding a grudge against me?"

Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly, a barely perceptible tremor flashing in his eyes, and said calmly, "Your Majesty is indeed ill; she has begun to ramble incoherently."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's lips curled into a bitter smile, a smile that concealed endless desolation and self-mockery. Her eyes gradually reddened, and tears welled up in them before finally sliding down her cheeks.

"why are you laughing"

As she laughed, tears streamed down her face like broken beads, her voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, I'm laughing at my own laughable life, laughing at how I misjudged you!"

Xiao Jingheng angrily rebuked, "Empress, do you know what you're saying?"

His voice echoed in the hall, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Upon seeing this, Qingming immediately knelt on the ground, her voice filled with anxiety and pleading: "Your Majesty, the Empress is ill, please calm your anger!"

Her forehead was pressed tightly to the ground, fearing that Xiao Jingheng would punish the Empress.

Xiao Jingheng's gaze darted back and forth between the Empress and Qingming, and finally he snorted coldly: "Fine, Empress, you should take good care of your health."

After saying this, he turned to leave, but the empress reached out and grabbed the corner of his dragon robe.

"Your Majesty, you originally intended to marry Liang Qingxun, but it was my father who coerced you into marrying me instead."

"But is that really the case? All these years, the Imperial Concubine has held a grudge against me, but she doesn't know that I've been made a scapegoat for you!"

"You're trying to gain the support of the Prime Minister's residence!"

"you are……"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingheng suddenly swung his hand, and a loud slap landed hard on the Empress's cheek, so forceful that the Empress's head turned to one side.

The jade hairpin on her head fell to the ground and shattered in two with a crisp sound. "You're really crazy!" Xiao Jingheng roared, somewhat embarrassed and angry.

The hall fell silent instantly, with only the empress's trembling breaths audible.

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" They all knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling like leaves, not daring to breathe.

The empress slowly raised her hand to cover her burning cheek, her eyes filled with both despair and relief.

"It seems that I was right."

Her voice was low and hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed out from the depths of her heart, carrying endless sorrow and desolation.

"Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself."

After saying that, Xiao Jingheng flicked his sleeves and stormed off from Changchun Palace.

The Empress's gaze followed his retreating figure until the bright yellow figure completely disappeared from sight.

Her tears fell again, dripping onto the embroidered couch and spreading out in a wet patch.

Qingming hurriedly stepped forward, knelt before the Empress's bed, and said with heartache, "Your Majesty, why are you doing this?"

"It's all my own fault."

Qingming gently stroked the Empress's trembling back and comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't cry. Your health is the most important thing."

Before she could finish speaking, the Empress coughed violently, and bloodstains appeared on her handkerchief.

With trembling hands, she gently pushed Qingming away, her voice barely a whisper: "I want to be alone. You can leave."

Qingming was filled with worry, but dared not disobey, so she could only leave the palace with tears in her eyes.

Qingming was extremely anxious. She thought of Consort Lu, who was the Empress's favorite. It would be good to have Consort Lu comfort the Empress.

She instructed the palace maid beside her, "Take good care of Her Highness. I'll be right back."

"Yes, Sister Qingming."

Qingming hurriedly ran all the way to Chengqian Palace.

Lu Jingning was studying a book when he saw Qingming rushing over. His expression changed drastically, and he quickly put down his book and went to greet her, asking, "Has something happened to Her Majesty the Empress?"

With tears welling in her eyes and a choked sob, Qingming nodded and briefly recounted what had happened: "The Emperor just came to Changchun Palace and had a huge argument with the Empress. The Empress just coughed up blood."

"Let's go to Changchun Palace." Lu Jingning's expression hardened, and he hurried towards Changchun Palace with Qingming.

Walking along the road, Lu Jingning walked hurriedly, her face as solemn as frost, her brows furrowed.

"Has the imperial physician been summoned?"

She asked in a deep voice, her tone filled with undeniable anxiety.

Qingming shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion: "Not yet, I came to find you first."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning's eyes sharpened, and he immediately stopped in his tracks: "Quickly summon the imperial physicians and make sure they arrive as quickly as possible. I will take care of Her Majesty the Empress."

A resolute glint flashed in Qingming's eyes as she nodded and replied, "Yes, Consort Lu, I entrust Her Majesty to you."

After saying that, she turned and ran away, her figure gradually disappearing into the night.

Lu Jingning continued to stride towards Changchun Palace, her heart heavy with worry like a dark cloud.

(End of this chapter)