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

Chapter 20 Your Majesty, I must report Consort Lu's affair.

The next morning, Consort Xian, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, walked gracefully toward Changchun Palace.

Inside Changchun Palace, all the concubines had already stood in order of rank and paid their respects to the Empress, who sat on a high seat.

"Offering a seat"

Consort Xian gently raised her fair wrist, her pearls jingling softly. A gentle yet meaningful smile graced her face, and her voice was clear and melodious: "Your Majesty, I have important matters to report to you, concerning the peace of the harem. I humbly request that Your Majesty summon the Emperor."

After speaking, she gave a slight curtsy and looked at Lu Jingning with a hint of provocation and smugness in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's brows furrowed with curiosity, and she asked softly, "Oh? What matter requires the Emperor's personal decision?"

The Consort Xian smiled mysteriously, her eyes gleaming with calculation. She deliberately lowered her voice, but it was enough for those around her to hear: "This matter is of great importance, involving the secrets of the inner palace. Only His Majesty can make a decision. I dare not act on my own."

After speaking, she turned her head slightly, covered her lips with a handkerchief, and stared at Lu Jingning with a hint of provocation in her eyes.

The Imperial Concubine's face darkened, her eyebrows furrowed, and her displeasure was evident. She said angrily, "Sister Virtuous Concubine, you are mistaken. The Empress is the one who will uphold justice in the harem. Why bother the Emperor with every little thing? Or are you trying to gain attention from the Emperor through this?"

Consort Xian, unusually, did not argue with Consort Gui, but instead bowed devoutly: "What I have said is true. If it is not true, I am willing to enter the Cold Palace myself."

The Empress had never seen Consort Xian like this before, and had no choice but to instruct Qingming: "Go and invite the Emperor here. Tell him there is an important matter and we implore him to make a decision."

"Yes, my lady."

After saying this, Qingming hurriedly went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Lu Jingning knew what she was going to do when he saw her like this.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Jingheng had just finished court and was reviewing memorials.

"This servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace," Qingming said carefully, kneeling on the ground.

Xiao Jingheng continued reviewing the memorials in his hands, without looking at her: "What is it?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress requests your presence at Changchun Palace. Consort Xian says she has important matters to report to Your Majesty, which is of great importance, hence the Empress's order to summon you," Qingming recounted to Xiao Jingheng.

Xiao Jingheng sighed softly, somewhat displeased, but then suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen Lu Jingning for several days and missed her. He decided to go: "To Changchun Palace."

Eunuch Zhao immediately shouted, "Prepare the carriage for Changchun Palace!"

Xiao Jingheng entered Changchun Palace, his golden dragon robe gleaming in the sunlight.

His dignified gaze swept over the concubines, and they all bowed their heads and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects."

Xiao Jingheng walked over, glanced at Lu Jingning and noticed she was looking at him, a smile appearing on his lips.

After Xiao Jingheng was seated on the high seat, the Empress spoke softly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Consort Xian, you said you had important matters to report to the Emperor, concerning the peace of the harem. Now that the Emperor has arrived, what do you wish to say?"

Consort Xian stood up, her eyes flashing with calculation. She slowly took a few steps closer, curtsied, and her voice trembled slightly, adding to her mystery.

"Your Majesty, I have recently come across a secret in the inner palace. If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, it may endanger the royal bloodline. I dare to ask Your Majesty to make a decision."

"Oh? Tell me about it," Xiao Jingheng said, his gaze sweeping over Consort Xian.

"Your Majesty, I must accuse Consort Lu of having an affair with a palace guard and causing chaos in the palace!" As soon as Consort Xian uttered these words, all the concubines below began to discuss the matter in hushed tones.

Xiao Jingheng was somewhat furious: "Do you know what you're saying?"

Seeing Xiao Jingheng's furious expression, Consort Xian was somewhat frightened, but still mustered her courage and said, "My servants saw that guard enter Consort Lu's Chengqian Palace a few nights ago."

The Empress, believing Lu Jingning wouldn't be that kind of person, quickly spoke up for her: "Your Majesty, I don't think Consort Lu would be so foolish. I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly."

Lu Jingning remained calm, stood up, walked to Consort Xian's side, and then knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, Consort Xian is slandering me."

Consort Xian glanced triumphantly at Lu Jingning and gently gestured to Xia'er.

Xia'er understood, stepped forward, and knelt before Xiao Jingheng with a firm expression: "Your Majesty, this servant did indeed see the guard sneak into Consort Lu's Chengqian Palace late at night. Every word this servant has said is true. If there is even half a lie, I am willing to accept any punishment."

Xiao Jingheng refused to believe their words and looked at Lu Jingning: "Do you have anything to say?"

Although Lu Jingning was kneeling on the ground, she stood up straight: "Your Majesty, I love you with all my heart. Why would I risk having an affair with a guard? It is Consort Xian who is jealous of Your Majesty's favor towards me and has done so many times..."

After saying that, Lu Jingning couldn't help but lower her head and sob softly, which made Xiao Jingheng feel a little sorry for her.

"Your Highness, do you have any evidence that Consort Lu is having an affair?" Xiao Jingheng questioned.

The Consort Xian's lips curled into a cold smile as she slowly said, "That guard exchanged tokens with Consort Lu. If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can send someone to search Consort Lu's Chengqian Palace. The token that the adulterer gave her was a jade pendant with a tassel on it."

Xiao Jingheng frowned, his gaze sharp. He then waved to Eunuch Zhao, "Zhao Quan, take your men to Chengqian Palace and search it thoroughly. If you find anything, report back immediately. Also, bring back the guard that Consort Xian mentioned."

Eunuch Zhao accepted the order and hurriedly left with several eunuchs.

Inside Changchun Palace, everyone held their breath, the atmosphere so tense it was almost frozen.

A short while later, Eunuch Zhao appeared with a jade pendant in his hand, followed by Han Yizhi.

Upon seeing this, Consort Xian immediately said, "Your Majesty, that is it!"

Eunuch Zhao handed the jade pendant to Xiao Jingheng, who, with an angry expression, threw it in front of Lu Jingning and asked, "What explanation do you have?"

Consort Xian thought Lu Jingning would be scared and trembling, but found that she was not flustered at all.

Lu Jingning said calmly, "Your Majesty, don't you think there's a problem with this matter?"

Lu Jingning picked up the jade pendant from the ground and said, "Let alone the fact that I have never seen one before, even if I did, how did Your Highness know what kind of jade pendant the guard gave me?"

Consort Xian immediately pointed at the guard: "Your Majesty, that guard knew his crime was unforgivable, so he came to me and told me about it, hoping to lessen his punishment."

Han Yizhi stepped forward and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, it was Consort Lu who forced me. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Seeing this, the Empress frowned slightly, looked at Lu Jingning with gentle eyes, and asked softly, "Consort Lu, is what he said true?"

After he finished speaking, the air in the entire Changchun Palace seemed to freeze, and everyone's eyes were focused on Lu Jingning.

Lu Jingning knelt on the ground, her back ramrod straight, her eyes gleaming with unyielding light. She shook her head firmly, her voice soft yet exceptionally clear: "Of course not! Your Majesty, I have a clear conscience and have never done such a despicable thing. I have never seen this jade pendant before, and I have no idea why Guard Han would slander me. I serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly, and I only wish that Your Majesty would investigate thoroughly and restore my innocence."

(End of this chapter)