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

Chapter 63 The Imperial Concubine Wants to Leave Her Mother and Keep Her Child
After Xiao Jingheng left, the atmosphere in the bedchamber became somewhat heavy.

Lu Jingning slowly turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on Consort Liang, and asked softly, "Your Highness, do you think anyone was behind Lü'e's plot to harm the Empress?"

Consort Liang gently stroked the embroidery on her sleeve, her eyes flickering, and replied calmly, "How would I know? I have no desire to get involved in such sordid matters."

Beside her, Consort Zhen smiled knowingly and interjected, "What, is Consort Lu suspecting that one of us is plotting against the Empress? This hall is full of the Emperor's bedmates, Consort Lu should be careful with her words."

After speaking, she gently waved the fan in her hand, her gaze darting back and forth across Lu Jingning's face, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"I only had some questions, why is Consort Zhen so angry?" Lu Jingning said meaningfully.

Just as Consort Zhen was about to argue with Lu Jingning, Consort Liang grabbed her arm and said, "Noble Lady Lu is indeed sharp-tongued. Does she think she can be so disrespectful just because she has the Emperor's favor?"

At this moment, Consort Shu stepped forward and acted as a peacemaker: "Your Highness, Consort Lu merely spoke offhand; she meant no harm."

The Empress gently raised her hand and rubbed her temples, looking slightly tired: "My sisters, today's matter is settled. I am not feeling well and need to rest. You may all go back now."

After speaking, her gaze gently fell on Lu Jingning. "Jingning, stay here. I have something to say to you."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's eyes flickered slightly, and a cryptic smile appeared on her lips. She curtsied and said, "Since it is Her Majesty the Empress's decree, we will naturally obey. I will take my leave."

After saying that, she turned around, strode out of the bedchamber, leaving behind a haughty silhouette.

After all the concubines had left, the Empress forced herself to sit up and looked at Lu Jingning: "Jingning, in this palace, you should be lenient with others when possible. This will only benefit you, not harm you."

"But Your Majesty, your body has been harmed like this." A hint of confusion flashed in Lu Jingning's eyes.

Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Why should you swallow your grievances?

The Empress reached out and took Lu Jingning's hand, telling her earnestly, "Jingning, the palace is far more complex than you think. The imperial court and the harem are interconnected, and some things cannot be judged by right or wrong."

"But Your Majesty, you're already in this state today, are you still going to endure it?"

A bitter, melancholy smile played on the Empress's lips as she said with a touch of self-mockery, "I am the Empress; I should be tolerant and magnanimous, and not cause the Emperor any trouble."

An overwhelming pang of sadness welled up in Lu Jingning's heart: "Your Majesty..."

"These things were decided the moment I entered the Prince's residence. I cannot contend for them, I cannot seize them; this is my fate."

Lu Jingning's eyes were firm as he retorted, "Your Majesty, although fate is determined by birth, the way one lives is one's own choice. You have already suffered so much injustice; you cannot allow yourself to suffer any more."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes reddened, and glistening tears slid down her cheeks.

Lu Jingning hurriedly stepped forward, gently raised his hand, and tenderly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, his movements gentle and full of care.

A flicker of emotion crossed the Empress's eyes. She grasped Lu Jingning's hand tightly, as if she had found a kindred spirit in that moment, and whispered, "Jingning, you must take good care of yourself. The situation in the palace is unpredictable; don't be too impulsive."

"I understand, Your Majesty," Lu Jingning replied, tightly grasping the Empress's hand in return.

Qingming brought a bowl of dark, murky medicine to the Empress: "Your Majesty, please drink your medicine."

The Empress waved her hand gently, her voice tinged with weariness yet still tender: "Jingning, you should go back now. I will take good care of myself." Lu Jingning looked at the Empress's pale yet still strong face, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She slowly rose and curtsied: "Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself. Jingning will take her leave now."

As she turned around, she looked back again and saw the Empress nod slightly, her eyes full of tenderness and trust.

Lu Jingning looked back every few steps. Through the crack in the door, the Empress's figure gradually blurred. A strange sorrow welled up in her heart, and every step felt heavy.

On the Palace Road

Consort Zhen looked regretful: "Not only did we fail to catch Lu Jingning in the trap, we also lost Lü E, our inside man."

Consort Liang, standing to the side, looked grave. She stopped and stared sharply at Consort Zhen, saying in a deep voice, "Let's avoid conflict with Lu Jingning for now. Let's stay away from her."

Consort Zhen was taken aback, then frowned in confusion: "Why? Your Highness, are we just going to let her go like this?"

Consort Liang's eyes sharpened. She glanced around and lowered her voice, "The Emperor has clearly favored her in today's events. If we make any further moves, we'll only bring trouble upon ourselves!"

"This Lu Jingning is very shrewd. He found the loophole immediately and turned the tables. If we hadn't had control over Lü'e's family, we would be the ones in trouble today."

Consort Zhen looked unwilling, but in the end she could only swallow her anger and say, "Yes, I will do as you say, sister."

Consort Liang was also quite helpless. She only had one princess, who was the only one in the palace with offspring, but she was not a prince.

Moreover, Consort Yan is currently pregnant with the emperor's child. If it is a prince, he will be the eldest son, and such a thing must absolutely not happen.

However, her maternal family was too powerful, and the emperor would not allow her to give birth to a prince.

Seeing Consort Liang's troubled expression, Consort Zhen asked with concern, "What's wrong, sister?"

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about what would happen if Consort Yan gave birth to a prince," Consort Liang said, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Sister, don't worry. How could someone as unlucky as Consort Yan have the good fortune to give birth to a prince?"

Consort Liang said worriedly, "Things are unpredictable, what if..."

Before she could finish speaking, Consort Zhen interrupted her. She glanced around and said in a low voice, "Sister, have you forgotten? The imperial physician who takes care of Consort Yan is one of your people. Whether Consort Yan's pregnancy succeeds or not is entirely up to you, sister."

After saying this, Consort Zhen's lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes flashing with a calculating light.

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's expression softened slightly, but she was not entirely at ease. Her gaze was deep as she looked into the distance, seemingly weighing her options or struggling with her thoughts: "But that is, after all, a living, breathing child."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen's face revealed a ruthless smile. She leaned closer to Consort Liang and whispered, "Then let the mother go and the child stay."

Consort Liang nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. She parted her lips and said, "Consort Zhen, your suggestion suits me very well. Then let's remove the mother and keep the child. This way, we can eliminate future troubles without causing the Emperor too much grief."

Having said that, she gently stroked Consort Zhen's hand, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Only you truly care for me."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen smiled smugly, her voice tinged with pride: "It is my honor to be able to share the burdens of Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

(End of this chapter)