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

Chapter 65 Win people’s hearts
Early in the morning, Lu Jingning gently opened her eyes and saw that Xiao Jingheng was already awake, looking at her with a smile, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Your Majesty, you're awake. Let me help you change your clothes." She smiled shyly and tried to get up to help him dress, but Xiao Jingheng gently pressed her shoulder down.

"Zhaozhao, you should sleep a little longer. These trivial matters will be taken care of by the servants."

Xiao Jingheng's voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an undeniable air of doting affection.

Lu Jingning was slightly taken aback, then a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She nodded obediently, a happy smile playing on her lips: "Very well, Your Majesty."

After saying that, she did not refuse and lay down again. Since the Empress was ill, she was exempt from paying her respects and could get a good night's sleep. So she slowly closed her eyes and continued to drift off to sleep.

Seeing that she had fallen into a deep sleep, Xiao Jingheng smiled indulgently, put on his court robes, gently kissed her forehead, and then left.

Lu Jingning slept until the sun was high in the sky before leisurely waking up, stretching lazily, her eyes filled with seductive allure: "Chun'er."

When Chun'er heard Lu Jingning calling her, she quickly came in and saw her sitting on the bed. She asked softly, "Your Highness is awake. Would you like some breakfast?"

"Help me with my makeup first, then we can eat. I'm not hungry yet."

"Yes, my lady," Chun'er said nimbly, bringing over a set of silk skirts.

Then he styled her hair into a bun and inserted several exquisite pearl hairpins.

"Not bad, Chun'er's eyebrow-drawing skills are getting better and better," Lu Jingning said, looking at his face in the mirror.

Chun'er was very happy after being praised by Lu Jingning: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. You are indeed beautiful."

"You are the only one with a sweet mouth"

After everything was ready, Xia'er came in and reported, "Your Highness, Li'er, who serves Consort Yan, has arrived."

"Oh? Let her in?" Lu Jingning was somewhat surprised, wondering why the person from Consort Yan's side had come.

"This servant greets Consort Lu."

After Li'er entered, she bowed to Lu Jingning.
"Get up"

"Thank you, Noble Lady Lu. Consort Yan invites you to Weiyang Palace to enjoy the flowers and tea, and have a small gathering."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning raised an eyebrow slightly and casually asked, "Did you invite any other sisters?"

Li'er lowered her head and replied, "Reporting to Consort Lu, Consort Yi, Consort Zhen, Consort Yin, and Consort He."

Lu Jingning nodded, pondering for a moment. These people were not usually favored and did not hold high positions.

This is a perfect opportunity for her to make friends with the concubines in the harem. Having one more sister is always better than having one more enemy.

"I wonder when we'll go."

Lu Jingning became interested, slowly got up, sat down at the table, and prepared to eat.

"Reporting to Consort Lu, at the hour of Wei (1-3 PM)."

"Okay, I understand. I will definitely keep my appointment on time."

After bowing, Li'er left Lu Jingning's residence and ran back to Weiyang Palace.

Upon entering the palace, one could hear Consort Yan's voice: "How is it?"

Li'er reported breathlessly, "Your Highness Consort Yan, Noble Lady Lu has agreed and said she will be there on time at 11:00 PM."

Consort Yan was sitting in front of the bronze mirror, letting the palace maid comb her long hair. Upon hearing this, she smiled slightly and said, "That's good."

She turned to look out the window; the sunlight was perfect, and the flowers swayed gracefully in the breeze. "Prepare some exquisite tea and snacks, as well as seasonal fruits. We must properly entertain my sisters today; this is the first time I've invited them over for a small gathering since I was promoted to the rank of Consort."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant will arrange everything carefully and there will be absolutely no mistakes."

Consort Yan gently stroked her belly and looked at Li'er: "Do you know why I insisted on inviting her?" "This servant is dull-witted," Li'er shook her head, looking completely bewildered.

Consort Yan chuckled softly, stood up, walked to the table, and gently stroked a pot of azaleas in full bloom.

"I am currently pregnant, and everyone is watching the child in my womb. Although Her Majesty the Empress can protect me, Her Majesty's health has always been poor, and the affairs of the six palaces are all in the hands of the Consort."

"The Imperial Concubine's power is too great, and I cannot afford to offend her. I desperately need an ally. Consort Lu is deeply favored by the Emperor and is different from the others in the harem. If I could form an alliance with her, it would be entirely beneficial to me."

Li'er was puzzled by Consort Yan's words: "But Your Highness, you are already a Consort, and that Noble Lady Lu is still below you. Why do you need to rely on her? There is still Consort Shu in the palace."

"No, if it weren't for this pregnancy, I'm afraid I would never have been able to surpass Consort Lu in this lifetime. I can see that the Emperor treats her differently, and Consort Shu has no interest in palace affairs, so Consort Lu is the best choice."

Pear nodded, seemingly understanding, "Your Majesty is truly wise."

"Alright, go and set it up."

Pear curtsied and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

After saying this, he left the hall to prepare tea and pastries for the afternoon.

Consort Yan lowered her head, looking at her slightly protruding belly, and said wearily, "No matter what, your mother will ensure your safe delivery."

As it approached the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), Lu Jingning was dressed in an elegant light green silk dress, with a few simple pearl flowers adorning her hair.

Chun'er, carrying an exquisite box, walked lightly into Weiyang Palace.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, she parted her lips slightly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "This concubine greets Consort Yan."

As she spoke, she slowly curtsied, a gentle smile on her face, and quickly told her to rise.

"Little sister, get up quickly, you must be feeling very hot. Pear will serve tea to Little Sister Lu first."

"Yes, my lady."

Pear quickly fetched some tea and handed it to Lu Jingning.

Lu Jingning smiled and accepted the tea, taking a small sip: "This tea is sweet, refreshing, and very thirst-quenching. Thank you, sister."

"I'm glad my sister likes it," Consort Yan said without any airs.

Lu Jingning picked up the gift box from Chun'er's hand and opened it: "This is a gift for the child in my sister's womb."

The box contained a safety lock, which was quite beautiful.

Consort Yan quickly had someone take it from her, gently picked up the safety lock inside, and praised, "This lock is truly beautiful. On behalf of the child in my womb, I thank you, sister."

"You're too kind, sister."

Consort Yan carefully placed the peace lock back into the box and looked at Lu Jingning: "I'm really embarrassed."

After saying this, she handed the box to the palace maid beside her, repeatedly instructing her, "Put it away carefully, don't break it."

"Yes, my lady."

Lu Jingning smiled brightly, waved her hand, and joked, "Sister, you're too kind. It's just a small token of my appreciation. I was afraid you might find it unworthy."

Upon hearing this, Consort Yan's eyes flashed with warmth, and she smiled, "How could I dislike it? I like it more than anything. When you are pregnant in the future, I will give you an even better one, okay, sister?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning blushed slightly and nodded shyly, "Okay, then I'll thank you for your kindness, sister."

After speaking, she took a small sip of tea, looked at Consort Yan, and asked softly, "When will the other ladies arrive?"

(End of this chapter)