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

Chapter 22 The Virtuous Consort Suffers the Consequences of Her Own Actions

After dealing with the two of them, Xiao Jingheng coldly swept his gaze over Consort Xian, his eyes seemingly capable of freezing her.

He parted his thin lips slightly, his voice as cold as a biting wind: "The Virtuous Consort is jealous and vicious. Effective immediately, she is demoted to the rank of Consort, her title is revoked, and she is confined to her quarters for one year, not to be allowed to leave without being summoned."

Consort Xian's face was ashen, and her body swayed precariously, as if all her strength had been drained away.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time." Her eyes widened, filled with despair and resentment. Her former nobility and pride vanished in an instant.

Xiao Jingheng frowned, his eyes revealing an undeniable determination.

"Guards, take Consort Lu back to Zhongcui Palace." He waved his hand lightly, and two eunuchs quickly stepped forward and took Lu Shiwei's arms.

She struggled, still murmuring, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I know I was wrong, Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." Her voice gradually faded away in Changchun Palace.

Xiao Jingheng's sharp gaze swept over each of the concubines present, his voice low and powerful: "From now on, anyone who dares to slander Consort Lu without cause will be banished to the Cold Palace."

Consort Liang had never seen the Emperor so protective of anyone before, and her heart ached as if it were being pricked by needles.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Liang was about to stand up and say something when she was gently pulled back by her personal maid.

The maid shook her head at her, and seeing that the Emperor was in a fit of anger, Consort Liang had no choice but to swallow her words.

Xiao Jingheng turned to look at the Empress, his brows revealing a hint of impatience.

He walked slowly to the Empress, his voice low and powerful: "Empress, as the head of the six palaces, you should manage the harem in an orderly manner. You are also to blame for what happened today. Do you know that the atmosphere in the harem has been turned into a mess by some people with ulterior motives!"

The Empress trembled slightly, a hint of guilt and helplessness flashing in her lowered eyes. She said softly, "Your Majesty is right. This matter was indeed due to my mismanagement. I am willing to accept my punishment." With that, she slowly knelt down.

Unable to bear seeing the Empress suffer, Lu Jingning softly said to Xiao Jingheng, "Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with the Empress. Please do not implicate the Empress because of my affairs."

Xiao Jingheng felt even more sorry for her when he saw her like this. She was the one who had been wronged, yet she kept speaking up for others. How could she be so foolish?

After her expression softened somewhat, she looked at the Empress again: "Your Majesty is unwell. Consort Liang, please assist Your Majesty in managing the six palaces."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your decree," Consort Liang managed a weak smile after hearing the Emperor's order.

Xiao Jingheng coughed lightly, his brows revealing a hint of authority. His gaze swept over everyone present, and his voice was steady and powerful: "Let's leave it at that. Everyone disperse and do not disturb the Empress's rest any further."

Having said that, he naturally took Lu Jingning's hand: "Come and stay with me for a while."

Lu Jingning was slightly taken aback, then a gentle smile bloomed on his face: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Consort Liang watched as the Emperor so naturally took Lu Jingning's hand, and the two walked side by side.

She felt a pang of sadness. She felt that the Emperor treated Lu Jingning differently, but this favoritism should have been reserved for her.

Eunuch Zhao had already ordered the imperial carriage to be prepared, and Xiao Jingheng took Lu Jingning's hand to lead her up.

"Your Majesty, only the Empress is permitted to ride in this imperial carriage with you. My humble status is unfit for such a position," Lu Jingning quickly refused. However, Xiao Jingheng disregarded this and scooped her up in his arms. Lu Jingning couldn't help but exclaim softly, "Your Majesty!"

"If I say you can sit, then you can sit," Xiao Jingheng said firmly as he gently placed her on the imperial carriage and sat down beside her.

“Your Majesty…” Lu Jingning looked at him with deep emotion.

"Let's go!" Eunuch Zhao called out, and the eunuchs steadily lifted the sedan chair and headed towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After everyone had left, Qingming heard the Emperor actually carrying Lu Jingning as he boarded the imperial carriage.

That position is clearly reserved for the Empress; she is merely a concubine!
"Your Majesty, that Consort Lu is truly restless. She actually dared to ride in the imperial carriage. This clearly shows that she doesn't respect you!" Qingming said angrily, feeling indignant on behalf of the Empress.

The Empress had witnessed the Emperor's entire behavior that day, and coughed.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?" Qingming knelt at the Empress's feet, her face full of concern.

The Empress waved her hand: "It's nothing. Qingming, you absolutely must not repeat what you just said."

"Your Majesty! It was clearly Consort Xian who did it. What does it have to do with you? The Emperor is blaming you. I feel sorry for you and I'm indignant on your behalf," Qingming said, puzzled.

Hearing Qingming's words, the Empress was somewhat angered. She pointed at Qingming's forehead and said, "Do you know that what you just said was extremely disrespectful? If the Emperor had heard it, he would have taken your life. Today's matter was due to my failure to manage things properly, and it is only right that the Emperor reprimands me."

Qingming's eyes reddened slightly. She bit her lip and whispered, "This servant feels sorry for you, Your Majesty. You always think of others so much, but you never fight for anything for yourself."

As she spoke, she gently knelt down beside the Empress, looking at her with heartache.

The Empress gently patted Qingming's hand, a hint of tenderness and helplessness flashing in her eyes: "I know you care about me, but in this harem, every step is fraught with intrigue, and one must be careful with one's words. Those words are no longer allowed to be spoken, understand?"

After speaking, the Empress coughed violently again. Qingming quickly handed her tea, her eyes filled with worry and heartache, but she could only silently nod in agreement: "Yes, this servant understands."

"Consort Lu is pitiful today, suffering such injustice. If it weren't for her eloquence, she might have lost her life today. Go and deliver some things to Consort Lu at Chengqian Palace later to comfort her," the Empress said with lingering fear.

Qingming said somewhat reluctantly, "Yes, I understand. I'll go to the storeroom to get some good things and send them to Chengqian Palace in a bit."

Cheng Qiangong

Consort Shu had witnessed quite a show today: "I knew I wasn't wrong! Consort Xian, oh! No, I mean Consort Lu, actually fell for Noble Lady Lu!"

Dieyi gently fanned Consort Shu, a hint of amusement in her eyes: "This Noble Lady Lu was lucky to escape."

Consort Shu smiled knowingly, took a sip of tea, and the tea swayed gently in the delicate porcelain cup, reflecting her meaningful eyes: "Do you think this matter is so simple? The waters of the harem run deep. Today's turmoil is just a few fallen leaves on the lake. The real undercurrents are yet to come."

"Dieyi, just you wait and see. Lu Jingning will definitely stir up a storm in the palace in the future. She's very cunning. How could Consort Lu possibly outmaneuver her?"

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(End of this chapter)