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

Chapter 52 He grew anxious and took the initiative to visit

Lu Jingning leaned lightly against the chaise lounge, recalling how Xiao Jingheng had lost his composure today and sent someone to test her, which meant that she already held a place in his heart.

"My lady, the Emperor hasn't summoned you for several days. Aren't you worried?" Chun'er said with a distressed expression.

Lu Jingning didn't seem to care, eating the grapes in his hand: "I don't care."

Xia'er, as if she had already seen through everything, told Chun'er, "Our young mistress has a brilliant plan, so don't worry."

Seeing that Xia'er understood him well, Lu Jingning smiled and softly instructed, "Xia'er, go to the Imperial Household Department and tell the manager there to remove my green plaque."

"Yes, this servant will go right away." Upon hearing this, Xia'er immediately went to the Imperial Household Department.

Chun'er, who was embroidering a sachet nearby, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise upon hearing Lu Jingning's words, "My lord? Why did you remove the green plaque?"

Lu Jingning smiled slightly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes: "I'm on my period now, so I'm not feeling well. I won't be competing with them for their favor these next few days."

"But my lady, aren't you afraid the Emperor will forget you?"

Lu Jingning looked confident: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After leaving Weiyang Palace, on his way back to Yangxin Hall, Eunuch Zhao noticed his troubled expression and cautiously suggested, "Your Majesty, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. Let's go take a look and clear our minds."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng turned his gaze away from the distance and nodded slightly: "Alright."

In the Imperial Garden, hundreds of flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, each one a riot of hues. The blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, releasing their sweet fragrance.

As Xiao Jingheng strolled through the Imperial Garden, his gaze swept over the delicate and vibrant flowers, but the image of Lu Jingning involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

I remember the first time I met her, it was also in this Imperial Garden. The spring scenery was beautiful, and she was dressed in plain clothes, chasing butterflies among the flowers.

Her eyes were clear as water, and a gentle smile played on her lips. At that moment, time seemed to stand still.

Suddenly, an indescribable emotion welled up in my heart.

Xiao Jingheng waved his hand irritably and said, "I'm not watching anymore, let's go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch Zhao replied hastily, following closely behind.

Back in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the flickering candlelight illuminated Xiao Jingheng's gloomy face.

The head eunuch of the Imperial Household Department bowed his head and carefully held a wooden tray carved with dragons and phoenixes. On the tray were neatly arranged green nameplates of the concubines of the palace. He said softly, "Your Majesty, it is late at night. Please choose a nameplate."

Xiao Jingheng glanced at the wooden tray and demanded, "Where is Consort Lu's nameplate?"

The head of the Imperial Household Department bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, today Consort Lu's personal maid said that she is not feeling well."

A hint of impatience flashed in Xiao Jingheng's eyes. With a casual wave of his hand, the green plaques on the wooden tray scattered all over the ground, making a crisp sound that sounded particularly jarring in the quiet Yangxin Hall.

The head of the Imperial Household Department trembled with fear and immediately knelt down, pleading, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

"Your Majesty, please calm down," Eunuch Zhao quickly knelt on the ground and said softly.

Xiao Jingheng frowned, his gaze sharp, and turned to Eunuch Zhao, his tone tinged with reproach: "Why didn't Consort Lu inform me of her illness?"

Eunuch Zhao was taken aback, clearly surprised by the sudden question. He scratched his head, looking puzzled: "This... I suppose Consort Lu is afraid of disturbing His Majesty, or perhaps she misses His Majesty too much and doesn't want to distract him with her trivial matters."

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the Emperor, only to see that the Emperor's expression was complicated, as if he were both angry and worried.

She couldn't help but secretly speculate that Consort Lu's position in the Emperor's heart was far more important than she had imagined. "Your Majesty," she said, "why don't you go and see Consort Lu?"

Xiao Jingheng hesitated for a moment before deciding not to go, but still refused.

Seeing Xiao Jingheng's silence, Eunuch Zhao knew that he was wavering, so he gently advised, "Your Majesty, Consort Lu is not feeling well. Why don't you go and see her? Perhaps it will cheer her up."

There was a barely perceptible plea in his words.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he finally nodded, saying in a deep voice, "Alright, go to Chengqian Palace."

He then stood up and strode out. The night was as still as water, and the moonlight shone on the bluestone slabs, reflecting his slender figure.

With palace lanterns hanging high on both sides and the firelight flickering, it was clear that Xiao Jingheng was in a better mood.

Eunuch Zhao followed closely behind, secretly relieved. If he hadn't gone to Consort Lu's place soon, he would have gone mad.

Changle Palace

Consort Liang looked at the sleeping princess and softly asked Qinglang beside her, "Where did His Majesty go today?"

"Your Majesty, His Majesty spent the entire day in the Hall of Mental Cultivation dealing with state affairs. In the evening, he went to dine with Consort Yan," Qinglang told the Consort.

After hearing this, Consort Liang nodded, then suddenly thought of something: "Then the Emperor stayed at Weiyang Palace?"

Qinglang said tremblingly, "I heard them say that the Emperor went... went to Consort Lu's place."

After hearing this, Consort Liang closed her eyes, pondered for a while, and then slowly opened them, revealing a bitter smile: "In the end, the Emperor still went to Chengqian Palace."

Seeing Consort Liang's gloomy expression, Qinglang quickly stepped forward to comfort her: "Your Majesty, don't be sad. The Emperor is only interested in her for a short time. Once the novelty wears off, he will naturally return to Your Majesty's side."

Consort Liang gently shook her head, her delicate brows furrowed, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes: "You don't understand, this time, the Emperor may have truly fallen for her."

"Look at him, which concubine has he ever cared for so much? Even Consort Yan's unborn child couldn't keep the Emperor. This doesn't seem like he's just after a fleeting infatuation."

"No, Your Majesty, the most important people in His Majesty's heart are definitely you and the Eldest Princess. Please don't overthink it."

Consort Liang remained silent, only gazing at the sleeping eldest princess. She dared not imagine what it would be like if Lu Jingning were pregnant.

Inside Chengqian Palace, Lu Jingning was sitting by the window, holding an ancient book and flipping through it.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating her gentle face and adding to her serene beauty.

Chun'er rushed in, her expression filled with excitement: "My lady, my lady! I just found out that His Majesty was originally supposed to dine with Consort Yan tonight, but for some reason, he came directly here."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning put down the book in her hand, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, and said noncommittally, "It seems I've won."

"My lady, what do you mean by 'won'?" Chun'er felt that her mistress's words were becoming more and more profound, and she herself could not understand them.

"Alright, Chun'er, hurry and help the young mistress tidy up. The Emperor will be here soon." Xia'er helped Lu Jingning put away the books she had put down.
"Yes, yes, Your Highness, please allow me to do your hair and makeup."

Lu Jingning walked to the mirror and told Chun'er, "Keep it simple."

"Yes, Your Highness."

　Feel free to point out any opinions you may have, and I will humbly consider them. You can also leave a message if you'd like to see any particular plot points.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)