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

Chapter 69 Lu Jingning learns she is pregnant

Inside Lu Jingning's palace, the candlelight flickered, illuminating her lonely figure.

She sat alone by the window, fiddling with a delicate beaded necklace in her hand, her gaze vacant as she stared at the bright moonlight outside.

A gentle night breeze brought a touch of coolness, making the hall less stuffy.

More than a month has passed, and the Emperor has been staying at Chang Le Palace frequently because of the Consort's nephew's military achievements.

"My Lord"

Seeing that Lu Jingning had not yet gone to bed, Chun'er came in and called softly.

Lu Jingning put down the beaded string in his hand and said lazily to Chun'er, "Let's go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Chun'er got Lu Jingning an outer cloak and then went out with her.

Walking along the palace path to the Imperial Garden, Chun'er's tone carried a hint of complaint: "The Emperor has been going to the Consort's place so often lately, he's probably forgotten all about you, Your Highness."

"It's alright, there's no need to vie for temporary favor."

Lu Jingning's mind was not on this at all. She was counting down the days until her period was due, but it had already been delayed for several days.

If the imperial physician were to be summoned at this moment, and it turns out she was pregnant, then the matter would become public knowledge, which would be detrimental to her.

No one would want to see a concubine who is deeply favored by the emperor pregnant with a child.

Especially the Imperial Concubine, she would definitely target her child first.

"Sigh," Lu Jingning couldn't help but sigh. Staying in this palace meant living in constant fear.

The two continued on their way, and the Imperial Garden appeared exceptionally quiet in the night.

Suddenly, a noisy commotion broke the tranquility ahead, as if someone was arguing.

Lu Jingning paused, a hint of doubt flashing across her brows. She gestured for Chun'er to stop: "Come on, let's go see what's going on."

Chun'er quickly signaled the eunuchs behind her to follow and protect the young mistress's safety.

As they passed through a patch of low bushes, the sight before them made Lu Jingning frown.

A palace maid dressed in simple palace attire was curled up on the ground, while several other palace maids dressed in fine clothes were gathered in a circle, pointing and whispering about her.

"You?"

"You think you're so capable? Go ahead and complain to the head maid if you dare!"

"You dare to go against Sister Xue?"

Some people even kicked her lightly, but the palace maid, though at a disadvantage, still refused to give in.

Lu Jingning's eyes sharpened, and he strode forward, his voice clear and powerful: "Stop!"

Upon hearing the noise, a group of palace maids hurriedly stopped and turned around, their expressions varying. A few of the bolder ones even wanted to continue.

When he saw that it was Lu Jingning and recognized her, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

Lu Jingning's cold gaze swept over them, and he asked in a deep voice, "Which palace are you from? How dare you humiliate people like this?"

The palace maids looked at each other in dismay, then scattered in all directions as if they had been burned, leaving only the humiliated maid curled up on the ground, trembling.

Lu Jingning quickly stepped forward and squatted down. Chun'er followed closely behind, and the two carefully helped the palace maid up.

Under the moonlight, a hint of gratitude shone through the palace maid's unyielding eyes.

"Are you alright? Where does it hurt?" Lu Jingning gently comforted her.
Chun'er then handed her a handkerchief: "Wipe the dirt off your face."

The palace maid quickly wiped her hands, her hand inadvertently brushing against Lu Jingning's wrist.

"This servant greets Consort Lu." Lu Jingning quickly helped her up: "No need for formalities, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Your Highness," the palace maid shook her head, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Then she looked at the palace maid behind her and whispered, "My lady, I have something to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, and he told her, "It's alright, just say it."

The palace maid looked nervous. After glancing around and seeing that she was the only one there, she lowered her voice and whispered close to Lu Jingning's ear, "My lady, your pulse is slippery; I suspect you are more than a month pregnant."

A hint of surprise flashed across Lu Jingning's face, but it was also within his expectations.

She asked softly, "How did you know?"

"Your Highness, my father is an itinerant doctor, and I have learned a little about medicine from his influence. Just now, I accidentally touched Your Highness's wrist and felt that the pulse was smooth and slippery, which is a sign of pregnancy."

As she spoke, the palace maid's eyes were full of sincerity and worry, as if she were heartbroken for the unknown life in Lu Jingning's womb.

"Your pulse is somewhat unstable. You should avoid cold foods and medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning nodded slightly, a tender look flashing in his eyes: "Thank you for reminding me. I will remember your kindness."

The palace maid quickly waved her hand, her expression firm: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will never reveal a word to anyone. And if anyone should thank you, it should be me thanking you. I am willing to protect Your Highness's safety with my life."

Looking into her sincere eyes, Lu Jingning felt a surge of warmth in his heart: "I believe you."

With that, she removed a delicate silver bracelet from her wrist and gently slipped it onto the maid's wrist. "Here, take this as a small token of my appreciation. If anyone bullies you again, you can come to Chengqian Palace to find me, and I will stand up for you."

The palace maid's eyes were slightly red. She lowered her head and said softly, "If you feel unwell, my lady, you can go to the flower room to find me at any time. My name is Leyan. I take care of the flowers and plants there."

"Alright, it's getting late, you should head back soon," Lu Jingning said to her with concern.

Leyan curtsied, carefully put away the silver bracelet, and said gratefully, "This servant takes her leave."

Lu Jingning watched her retreating figure, his hand unconsciously stroking his stomach.

This is her child; she doesn't know if it's a boy or a girl, but this is her only relative in the palace.

Chun'er could hardly believe it: "My lady, are you really pregnant? This servant will go and tell the Emperor this good news!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning stopped her: "No, I'm newly pregnant. No one else can know except you and Xia'er. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I will obey your will."

Lu Jingning had lost interest in sightseeing any longer: "Let's go back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Chun'er immediately stepped forward and carefully supported Lu Jingning, afraid that she would fall.

This left Lu Jingning somewhat amused and exasperated: "There's no need to be so afraid."

Although Lu Jingning said that, Chun'er still carefully supported her, but her heart was full of doubts. When they returned to the bedroom, she finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "My lady, is this servant Leyan really reliable?"

Lu Jingning gently stroked her belly, her eyes tender yet firm: "She saved me and knows medicine, so she should be trustworthy. But you can't judge a book by its cover, so be careful and quietly investigate her background. Don't alert her."

Chun'er nodded in agreement, her expression solemn: "Understood, Your Highness, I will take care of it tomorrow."

"it is good"

Chun'er turned to leave, but then seemed to remember something and turned back, saying, "My lady, are you hungry? Let me get you some porridge."

"No need, I'm a little tired, let me rest."

"Yes, Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)