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

Chapter 30 Xiao Jingheng Prepares a Surprise

As soon as Xiao Jingheng finished his official duties, he rushed to Chengqian Palace.

As soon as she stepped into her bedchamber, she saw Lu Jingning dressed in newly bestowed magnificent robes, shimmering and dazzling, which made her skin appear as smooth as jade and her eyes as clear as autumn water.

Upon seeing Xiao Jingheng arrive, a radiant smile bloomed on her face as she gracefully ran towards him, like the most beautiful flower in spring.

Lu Jingning nestled into Xiao Jingheng's arms, her voice filled with sweetness and contentment: "Look how beautiful I am in the dress you gave me."

As she spoke, she nestled gently against the Emperor's chest and said coquettishly.

Xiao Jingheng softly praised, "So beautiful. Go change into another outfit; I have another surprise for you."

“Yes, Arui.” Lu Jingning’s cheeks flushed slightly, like a delicate peach blossom. She chuckled and planted a kiss on Xiao Jingheng’s cheek before turning and entering the inner hall.

A moment later, Lu Jingning emerged wearing that dress, the hem swaying gently with her steps, exuding a fresh and refined charm.

Xiao Jingheng's gaze was instantly drawn to her. He slowly walked towards Lu Jingning, gently stroked her soft hair, took her hand, and said with eyes full of doting affection, "Let's go."

Lu Jingning grasped his hand and smiled gently, "Yes."

Chun'er was about to follow when Lu Jingning stopped her: "Chun'er doesn't need to come."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As soon as they left Chengqian Palace, the Emperor led her into an elegantly decorated sedan chair.

Lu Jingning asked curiously, "Arui, where are we going?"

Seeing her like this, Xiao Jingheng smiled mysteriously and said softly, "Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."

As he spoke, he gently pressed Lu Jingning's hand down, signaling her to relax.

After the sedan chair had been moving for a while, it suddenly stopped. Lu Jingning gently lifted a corner of the sedan chair curtain and was immediately surprised when he saw the palace gate.

"Ari!"

Seeing her adorable expression, Xiao Jingheng couldn't help but laugh: "How was it? Surprised?"

"You're going to take me out of the palace?" Lu Jingning asked incredulously.

After the guards accompanying the sedan chair showed their waist tags, the sedan chair slowly started moving again.

"Of course," Xiao Jingheng said, grasping her excited hand.

Lu Jingning frowned slightly, her face filled with worry: "But Your Majesty, it's not safe outside the palace. What if something happens..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Jingheng gently interrupted her: "It's alright. I brought my most elite guards. Zhou Shuo told me there would be a lantern festival tonight, and since it's your birthday, I thought I'd come and show you around."

"Then I'll listen to you," Lu Jingning said with a smile, suppressing his excitement.

After a while, she heard a commotion outside the sedan chair. She gently lifted the curtain and looked out. The streets and alleys were dimly lit, and all kinds of lanterns hung high, like a dream.

The sedan chair slowly came to a stop. Xiao Jingheng held Lu Jingning's hand tightly and led her through the crowd, with the guards following closely behind.

Lu Jingning's gaze was drawn to an exquisite lantern. She excitedly pointed at it and said to Xiao Jingheng, "Young Master, look at that lantern! It's so beautiful!"

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with childlike innocence and joy.

Xiao Jingheng chuckled softly in her ear, whispering in a voice only she could hear, "As long as my wife is happy, I would give up the world to make her smile."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning blushed slightly. She turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Xiao Jingheng's. The two smiled at each other, their smiles warm and sweet.

Xiao Jingheng's gaze gently swept over Lu Jingning, looking at her happy face, and he said softly, "Haven't you ever seen a lantern festival like this before?"

Lu Jingning gently shook her head, her eyes seemingly veiled by a thin mist, revealing a hint of barely perceptible sadness: "I am a concubine's daughter, and I don't have many opportunities to leave the manor." As she spoke, a gentle breeze blew by, stirring the strands of hair at her temples.

Xiao Jingheng reached out with heartache and gently brushed it away for her, saying softly, "Wait a moment."

Beside him, a blind man dressed in a tattered Taoist robe sat behind a simple stall, waving a worn bamboo fan in his hand. A yellowed Bagua diagram lay before him as he called out his wares.
Lu Jingning's gaze was drawn to him, and he involuntarily stepped closer, feeling sorry for the blind man.

She crouched down, took out a piece of silver from her sleeve, and gently placed it beside the blind man's hand.

Sensing the movement, the blind man slowly raised his hand, his withered fingers gently pinching the silver coin, his hoarse voice carrying a hint of gratitude: "Thank you, kind person."

Just as Lu Jingning was about to turn and leave, the blind man's voice was somewhat hoarse: "Beauty fades quickly, rulers are heartless, the ending was already predetermined."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning felt a ripple of emotion and wanted to ask a few more questions: "Master..."

The blind man gently shook his head, leaving behind the words, "Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. Don't let temporary confusion cloud your judgment."

After saying that, he slowly packed up his stall and disappeared with faltering steps.

Lu Jingning stood there, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Just then, a familiar sound of footsteps approached. Xiao Jingheng returned, carrying a lantern painted with twin lotus blossoms. His smile was as warm as the early spring sunshine. He gently handed the lantern to Lu Jingning: "Wife, do you like this lantern?"

Lu Jingning snapped out of her daze, looked at the person in front of her, and the emotions surging in her heart instantly turned into tenderness. She forced a smile and said, "I like it, it's really beautiful."

She accepted the lantern, her face illuminated by the light, showing both gratitude and a subtle worry.

Zhou Shuo asked softly, "Young Master, when shall we return?"

"No rush," Xiao Jingheng smiled slightly, his gaze turning gently to Lu Jingning. "There are lanterns being released at the moat ahead. Come on, I'll take you there."

Lu Jingning looked up ahead, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and tenderness. She parted her lips slightly and said, "I also wanted to release a lotus lantern by the river."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng nodded indulgently, then took her hand and said, "Let's go."

On the river, lotus lanterns swayed in the wind, and crowds rolled around them.

Zhou Shuo, accompanied by several guards, cleared a path for them.

Lu Jingning gently protected her, and the two of them, holding lanterns in their hands, slowly walked to the riverbank.

A gentle night breeze carries the coolness of the river water, mingling with the warmth of distant lights.

Lu Jingning clasped her hands together, closed her eyes slightly, her eyelashes trembling, and silently made a wish: "From now on, I will not seek the emperor's heart, but only power."

She then slowly opened her eyes, her pupils seemingly sparkling with stars, and smiled gently as she looked at Xiao Jingheng.

Looking at her stunningly beautiful face, Xiao Jingheng asked, "What wish did you make just now?"

Lu Jingning smiled and told him sincerely, "Young Master, once you voice your wish, it can't be granted."

Xiao Jingheng affectionately pinched her nose and looked at her tenderly: "What other wishes do you have? I'll help you fulfill them."

"I hope that when I have the chance, I can see my aunt again," Lu Jingning said, his eyes slightly reddening as he spoke of Aunt Zhou.

Xiao Jingheng gently hugged her: "Okay!"

Looking at Xiao Jingheng's affectionate expression, Lu Jingning couldn't help but recall the master's words from earlier.

Having finally gotten a second chance, she knew the king was ruthless and she couldn't afford to repeat the same mistakes.

(End of this chapter)