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

Chapter 8 Punishing the Virtuous Consort
After about half an incense stick's time, Eunuch Zhao ordered the imperial meal to be placed on the table and respectfully approached Xiao Jingheng, saying, "Your Majesty, please have your meal."

"it is good"

After reviewing the memorials in his hand, Xiao Jingheng stood up from the dragon throne, walked to the soft couch, and took Lu Jingning's hand.

"Your Majesty has worked so hard. It breaks my heart to see you like this. You should eat more to nourish your body," Lu Jingning said, looking at Xiao Jingheng with great concern.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say," Xiao Jingheng said indulgently.

Lu Jingning followed Xiao Jingheng to the dining table. When his eyes fell on the dazzling array of delicacies on the table, he deliberately widened his eyes and pretended to be incredulous.

Her gaze swept over the exquisite jade plate, she gently tugged at Xiao Jingheng's sleeve, lowered her voice, and her eyes sparkled with childlike excitement.

"Your Majesty, these dishes are so exquisite. I have never seen such a sumptuous imperial meal before. It is truly an eye-opener."

As she spoke, she unconsciously swallowed, her innocent and surprised expression making Xiao Jingheng chuckle: "Then eat more."

"Your Majesty, how can I, your concubine, share lunch with you? It's against the rules," Lu Jingning said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

Xiao Jingheng didn't care and pulled her to sit down: "I am the rule."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

As soon as Lu Jingning sat down, he eagerly picked up a dish and began to taste it: "The Emperor's food is delicious!"

Seeing her greedy eating, Xiao Jingheng personally put some more on her plate: "Eat slowly."

"Your Majesty, I thank you very much," Lu Jingning said, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she ate.

Seeing that she was eating with great relish, as if she had never tasted such delicacies before, Xiao Jingheng casually asked, "Have you never eaten these before?"

Lu Jingning paused slightly with her chopsticks, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes. She gently shook her head, her voice barely audible: "No, I'm just a concubine's daughter and can't afford these. If only you could have a taste, Madam."

As she spoke, she lowered her head and gently took a bite of the pastry in her hand. The delicate sweetness slowly melted on her tongue, and a thin mist welled up in her eyes.

"If you feel sorry for me, then that's the point," Lu Jingning thought to himself.

Then, as if realizing something, Lu Jingning immediately knelt on the ground, terrified: "Your Majesty, I have misspoke."

Seeing her reminded Xiao Jingheng of his past self. He was also a son of a concubine and was not favored by his father from a young age. Fortunately, he had his mother who protected him in every way.

Despite possessing countless talents, he dared not display them, and could only play the fool to outwit the cunning, fearing that he would be outmaneuvered.

Now he has finally made it through the tough times and is no longer the cowardly person he once was.

Xiao Jingheng put down his chopsticks and helped Lu Jingning up: "I didn't say I was going to blame you. The food will get cold if you don't eat it soon."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will be more careful with my words and actions in the future," Lu Jingning said gratefully.

After she sat down, Xiao Jingheng's gaze was gentle yet sharp, revealing a keen insight into people's hearts. He asked softly, "Did you often suffer when you were young?"

Lu Jingning gently shook her head and said softly, "No, although I am a concubine's daughter, Madam treats me very well."

After speaking, she lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes trembling as if she were trying to hide something.

Xiao Jingheng slowly curled the corners of his mouth, a smile that concealed a hint of understanding and heartache. He reached out and gently stroked Lu Jingning's hair.

He then instructed, "From now on, have the imperial kitchen send meals to Consort Lu's palace every day."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

Lu Jingning put down the pastries in his hand, very grateful: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Eat quickly," Xiao Jingheng gently urged Lu Jingning.

Lu Jingning nodded gently and continued to savor the delicacies before him.

After the meal, Xiao Jingheng gently patted the back of her hand: "You may leave." "Yes, Your Highness, I take my leave." Lu Jingning reluctantly bowed and slowly withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After her figure disappeared, Xiao Jingheng's face instantly darkened, and he whispered to Eunuch Zhao beside him, "Eunuch Zhao, go and check what happened to the injury on Consort Lu's face."

Eunuch Zhao accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew, secretly pondering the Emperor's thoughts.

A moment later, Eunuch Zhao hurriedly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, pondering whether or not he should speak.

Xiao Jingheng asked softly, "Did you find out?"

Eunuch Zhao lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, we have found out."

Xiao Jingheng's gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared intently at Eunuch Zhao: "Who is it?"

Eunuch Zhao trembled, almost losing his footing on his knees, and said in a trembling voice, "I heard from the palace maids of Chengqian Palace that Consort Xian summoned Consort Lu today, and after leaving Zhongcui Palace, Consort Lu's face was swollen."

After speaking, he secretly glanced at Xiao Jingheng and saw that the emperor's brows were covered with a layer of frost.

A storm seemed to be brewing in those deep eyes, causing the atmosphere in the entire Hall of Mental Cultivation to plummet to freezing point.

"What a virtuous consort!" Xiao Jingheng said angrily, recalling the grievances Lu Jingning had suffered at home when he observed her eating.

Eunuch Zhao immediately knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Xiao Jingheng narrowed his cold eyes, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "Since Consort Xian is so jealous, let her pray for the Empress Dowager and copy Buddhist scriptures a hundred times. Consider it a chance for her to calm down and reflect on her mistakes."

After saying this, he waved his hand gently, signaling Eunuch Zhao to inform Consort Xian.

Eunuch Zhao immediately bowed, his voice trembling with respect: "Yes, this servant will go and convey the decree immediately."

He turned to leave, but was stopped by the Emperor.

"Also, have Consort Lu come to serve you tonight." Xiao Jingheng's voice softened when he spoke of Lu Jingning.

Zhao Gonggong's heart skipped a beat. He quickly agreed and hurriedly left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhongcuigong

As soon as Granny Li saw Eunuch Zhao arrive, she quickly smiled and went to announce, "Your Highness, Eunuch Zhao has arrived!"

Consort Xian's maid, Yunlu, immediately flattered, "It must be that the Emperor misses Your Highness and has summoned you to accompany him."

Although Consort Xian was pleased inside, she maintained her aloof demeanor: "Go and invite Eunuch Zhao."

Eunuch Zhao strode into Zhongcui Palace with steady steps, bowed, and said in a voice that carried a hint of imperceptible authority: "Greetings to Consort Xian."

Consort Xian sat upright in her high seat, gently stroking her hair. Though her face was aloof, a hint of expectation flickered in her eyes: "Did His Majesty send me here, Eunuch?"

Eunuch Zhao straightened up, his gaze lowered, and his tone was somewhat indifferent: "Your Majesty, that is not the case."

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian paused slightly, a hint of doubt and displeasure flashing across her face. She frowned slightly and asked, "Then, why has the eunuch come here?"

Then, Eunuch Zhao said, "Bring forth the Emperor's decree."

Consort Xian immediately rose from her seat, knelt down, and accepted the imperial decree.

"His Majesty is concerned that the Empress Dowager has left the palace to pray for the country's well-being, and that Consort Xian is wholeheartedly devoted to good deeds. Therefore, he has specially ordered Consort Xian to hand-copy Buddhist scriptures one hundred times," said Eunuch Zhao, reciting Xiao Jingheng's verbal decree.

Consort Xian almost gritted her teeth to pieces, but she had no choice but to accept the imperial decree: "Your Majesty, I obey!"

"This servant takes his leave," said Eunuch Zhao, and then left Zhongcui Palace.

(End of this chapter)