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

Chapter 33 The Empress Promotes Lu Jingning

After boarding the carriage, Xiao Jingheng noticed a trace of sadness still lingering in Lu Jingning's eyes. He gently pulled her into his arms and softly comforted her, "Zhaozhao, don't be sad. You'll have another chance to see your aunt in the future."

Lu Jingning nestled against his broad chest, feeling the warmth and security, and her reluctance gradually subsided.

She looked up, her gaze gentle as water, and whispered, "Arui, I have no regrets in this life for being able to stay with you. I only hope that for the rest of my life, I can always be by your side and enjoy the splendor of this world together."

Xiao Jingheng gently kissed her forehead: "That's very good."

His gaze was deep, tinged with tenderness, as he gently embraced Lu Jingning, as if he wanted to take all her sorrows into his broad chest.

"Zhaozhao, Madam Lu, has she treated you badly?"

His voice was deep and magnetic, and every word struck a chord in Lu Jingning's heart.

Lu Jingning smiled bitterly, a smile that concealed too much untold sorrow. She shook her head, then nodded, and finally uttered only one sentence: "In this world, only my aunt treats me like a precious jewel."

After she finished speaking, her eyes reddened again. Seeing this, Xiao Jingheng tightened his arms and hugged her even tighter, as if he wanted to use his heart to dispel the chill in her heart and give her endless sense of security.

Lu Jingning nestled in his arms, silently saying in her heart, "I'm sorry, you are the emperor, I cannot and dare not give you my whole heart."

She felt sleepy as soon as she got into the carriage and fell into a deep sleep in the Emperor's arms.

When she woke up, she found herself back in Chengqian Palace.

She gently rubbed her sleepy eyes, a faint scent of ambergris lingering in her nostrils—the scent that belonged to Xiao Jingheng.

Turning my head, I saw a slender hand still resting on the edge of the bed, its fingers gently tapping the edge, seemingly still in the same position as before.

"Arui, how did I fall asleep?"

When Xiao Jingheng saw that she was awake, he pinched her cheek and told her, "You fell asleep in the carriage, so I carried you back."

Lu Jingning sat up, and just as he was about to speak, he heard Xia'er's voice.

"Your Highness, hot water has been prepared for you. You may take a bath now."

Lu Jingning told him softly, "I'm going to take a bath."

Xiao Jingheng looked at her with doting eyes and nodded.

Lu Jingning slowly sank into the warm water, only her shoulders and delicate face visible above the surface. The rising steam added to her gentle beauty.

Xia'er gently scattered flower petals beside her and couldn't help but ask, "My lady, you and the Emperor have such a good relationship, when do you plan to give birth to a royal heir for him?"

Lu Jingning smiled slightly, gazing at the hazy moonlight outside the window, and said softly, "There's no rush. I'm still young. Giving birth to a royal heir too early would actually make me less safe."

Xia'er frowned upon hearing this, seemingly understanding but not quite: "But how can one gain a foothold in the palace without offspring?"

Seeing her confusion, Lu Jingning gently patted the back of her hand, his eyes full of meaning: "Xia'er, I'm not capable yet. When I'm promoted to the rank of Consort, I'll be able to raise my own child, and then it will be too late to get pregnant again."

She is naturally fertile, so conceiving a dragon's child is no problem for her.

Xia'er thought this made sense and praised, "Your Highness is indeed wise."

"Alright, help me out. The Emperor is still waiting."

As Xia'er wiped her body, she said, "Yes, Your Highness."

After changing into her nightgown, Lu Jingning came to the bedside and looked at Xiao Jingheng with affection: "Arui, it reminds me of the first day you stayed here." Xiao Jingheng seemed to be recalling the past as well, a smile on his lips, and pulled Lu Jingning over to sit on his lap.

Lu Jingning was already used to it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said coquettishly, "You've given me so many surprises today. How can I ever repay you?"

"You little rascal, what do you say?"

After Xiao Jingheng finished speaking, he kissed Lu Jingning's lips, not giving her a chance to speak.

The two spent a passionate night together, deeply in love.

The next morning, when Lu Jingning woke up, Xiao Jingheng was already dressed in his court robes, ready to go to court.

Seeing that she was awake, he gently sat down beside the bed, tenderly stroked the stray hairs on her forehead, and said softly, "Zhaozhao, I'm going to court."

With a hint of reluctance in his eyes, Lu Jingning said softly, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty."

Only after Xiao Jingheng's figure disappeared outside the door did she slowly get up and walk to the bronze mirror.

After washing up, she changed into an elegant palace dress and walked gracefully towards Changchun Palace.

"Your Majesty, we concubines pay our respects."

The Empress sat gracefully on her high seat, her red lips parting slightly: "Rise."

The concubines rose as instructed and sat down gracefully. The palace maids filed in and placed hot tea on the table one by one.

The Empress looked at everyone with a gentle gaze and smiled, "The Dragon Boat Festival is in fifteen days. His Majesty said the other day that this banquet must be held in a grand manner. My health has always been poor, so I would like to find a concubine to accompany me in the arrangements."

Consort Liang gently swirled the teacup in her hand, a disdainful smirk playing on her lips, and preemptively said, "The eldest princess has been unwell recently and cannot be separated from me at all times. I'm afraid I will be unable to spare the time."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the Empress, intentionally or unintentionally, with a hint of provocation.

Consort Shu, who had always been a recluse and never bothered with such matters in the palace, echoed this sentiment upon hearing it: "Your Majesty, I would also like to share your burdens, but unfortunately, I am not skilled at managing these things."

When Consort Zhen saw that the Imperial Concubine Guifei refused, she said more directly, "Your Majesty, I am not well and I am afraid I cannot accompany you."

The Empress seemed to have anticipated this, and was not angry. She simply smiled gently, turned her gaze to the silent Lu Jingning, and said in a soft voice, "Consort Lu, would you be willing to assist me?"

Lu Jingning bowed slightly, her gaze clear as water, and replied softly, "It is my honor to share Her Majesty the Empress's burdens."

There was no hesitation on her face, only calmness and determination.

The Empress took a small sip of tea and said to everyone, "Consort Lu, please stay. The rest of you may leave."

After leaving, Consort Zhen hesitated slightly, glancing at Consort Liang from time to time. Finally, she couldn't help but whisper, "Consort Liang, you should have gone instead. This matter was given to Consort Lu. It would have been better if you had gone. The Empress is unwell, and the power of the six palaces will fall into your hands sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's lips curled into a cold smile, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes: "Hmph, I don't care about that. As long as the Emperor's heart is with me, that's enough. My maternal family is now enjoying the Emperor's increasing trust, so I have no desire to get involved in such a trivial matter. I'll just take this opportunity to see what Consort Lu is capable of."

"Yes, sister is so wise. I never thought of these things," Consort Zhen said, her eyes filled with admiration for the Imperial Concubine.

Consort Liang looked at her with a disappointed expression and pointed at her: "You, hurry up and go. I'll prepare your favorite rose-flavored pastries for you."

"My older sister is the best."

(End of this chapter)