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

Chapter 12 Paying Homage to the Empress
Knowing that he was going to pay his respects to the Empress today, Lu Jingning got up early.

"Why don't you sleep a little longer?" Xiao Jingheng asked with concern as he was being helped by a palace maid to put on his court robes.

Lu Jingning rubbed her eyes, sat up, and the blanket slipped down, revealing her bare shoulders, her skin flushed slightly: "Today I'm going to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

Seeing her so enthusiastic, Xiao Jingheng thought that if all the women in the harem were like her, they wouldn't have so many worries.

"Arui, Her Majesty the Empress has always been unwell. Would you like to visit her sometime?" Lu Jingning asked tentatively after thinking for a while.

Although Shen Wanxian was his wife, Xiao Jingheng did not love her. He married her only to gain the support of the Prime Minister's side.

“Okay, I’ll listen to Zhao Zhao,” Xiao Jingheng agreed, not wanting to see her unhappy.

Lu Jingning was overjoyed, ran barefoot to his side, and gave him a kiss on the cheek: "Arui is the best!"

Looking at her innocent and carefree appearance, Xiao Jingheng couldn't help but feel happy: "Alright, I'm going to court now. If anyone bullies you, just tell me, and I'll teach them a lesson for you."

"With Arui protecting me, who would dare to bully me?" Lu Jingning nestled in his arms and said coquettishly.

Xiao Jingheng kissed her forehead and left reluctantly.

After he left, Lu Jingning began to dress up, planning to go to Jingren Palace early to visit the Empress.

"My lady, would you like to wear this hibiscus hairpin?" Chun'er asked, picking one up.

Lu Jingning shook his head and picked up the plain lotus hairpin: "Wear this. Her Majesty the Empress dislikes extravagance."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The reason Lu Jingning knows the Empress's preferences so well is because in her previous life, the Empress was the only person in the palace who truly cared for her.

Everyone believed she was having an affair with a guard, only the Empress believed her and pleaded for her, but unfortunately...

"My lady, what's wrong? Why are you so gloomy?" Chun'er asked, noticing her pale face.

Lu Jingning adjusted her hair ornaments and told her, "I'm fine, let's go quickly."

On the way, Lu Jingning realized that he had forgotten to bring the calming sachet he had embroidered for the Empress, so he had to hurry back to get it.

Upon arriving at Changchun Palace, they discovered that most of the concubines had already arrived, except for the Imperial Concubine.

When Consort Xian saw Lu Jingning, she thought of the pain she had endured copying Buddhist scriptures so many times, and she wanted nothing more than to beat her to death.

But one should not act rashly in Changchun Palace, so it's best to stay away from her to avoid getting angry.

But Consort Zhen was unwilling to see her suffer, so she walked up to Lu Jingning and praised her in a voice that Consort Xian could hear.

"Sister Lu is truly blessed; she gained favor so soon after entering the palace."

Lu Jingning knew that Consort Zhen had been at odds with Consort Xian since she entered the palace, so how could Consort Zhen let go of this rare opportunity?

Instead of doing this, we should take advantage of the opportunity to give Consort Xian a push.

"I dare not accept such a title, I am not as good as my elder sister," Lu Jingning said modestly.

Seeing that Consort Xian didn't seem to care, Consort Zhen deliberately raised her voice: "Don't say that. His Majesty likes a wonderful person like you, gentle and virtuous, a hundred times better than someone else."

"Consort Zhen, how dare you!" Consort Xian, unable to contain herself, walked up to her and scolded her angrily.

Consort Zhen looked aggrieved: "Your Highness, why do you say such things? Everyone in the palace says that Consort Xian is very elegant and poised. How come you speak like a shrew?"

"Consort Zhen, how dare you be so disrespectful! If I don't teach you a lesson today, you'll never be able to change this bad habit."

As Consort Xian spoke, she wanted to order someone to teach Consort Zhen a lesson.

"What's all the noise about?" As soon as everyone saw the Imperial Concubine striding in, her gorgeous clothes dazzling and her aura imposing, they quickly composed themselves and bowed respectfully.

"Your humble servants/concubines pay their respects to Her Highness the Noble Consort."

The Imperial Concubine raised her jade-like hand slightly, her voice clear and cold yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket so early in the morning!"

"Yes, Your Highness is right to reprimand me." Consort Xian's face stiffened, and she reluctantly withdrew her hand, forcing out a smile.

Consort Zhen stood obediently to the side and said nothing more.

Qingming, the Empress's maid, appeared at the opportune moment, curtsied, and said in a gentle yet undeniably powerful voice, "Her Majesty the Empress requests that all ladies enter to pay their respects."

After saying this, she gently lifted the curtain, and everyone filed in one by one, leaving the matter of Consort Xian and Consort Zhen behind.

This was the first time Lu Jingning had paid his respects to the Empress since his rebirth.

The two leading figures on either side are Consort Liang and Consort Xian.

Following Consort Liang were Consort Shu, Consort Rong, Noble Lady Yan, Noble Lady Yi, and other ladies-in-waiting and concubines.

Behind Consort Xian is Consort Zhen, and Lu Jingning sits behind Consort Zhen.

Consort Liang, Consort Xian, Consort Zhen, and Noble Lady Yan all served in the Prince's residence.

The Empress sat regally on the phoenix throne, dressed in a gold-embroidered phoenix robe, her face gentle yet dignified.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

After everyone respectfully bowed, the Empress gently raised her hand and said in a soft voice, "Rise, all of you."

After speaking, her gaze slowly swept across the crowd, finally settling on Lu Jingning, with a hint of curiosity and gentleness: "I've heard that the newly arrived Consort Lu is exceptionally talented. May I ask which one it is?"

Lu Jingning rose, stepped forward gracefully, and bowed, her voice clear and melodious: "Lady Lu greets Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

As she spoke, she raised her head slightly, her bright eyes filled with sincerity and admiration.

The Empress nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on her face, and said gently, "Consort Lu, you may rise."

Lu Jingning stood up as instructed, and then Qingming, the maid beside the Empress, stepped forward, holding a delicate piece of jewelry in her hands.

The Empress gently raised her jade hand, gesturing for Qingming to present the jewelry to Lu Jingning: "This jewelry is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will serve the Emperor well and ensure the continuation of the royal family's lineage."

Lu Jingning accepted the jewelry with both hands, her eyes shining with gratitude, and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will do my best to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Consort Liang pursed her lips slightly, a hint of amusement in her eyes, and turned to Consort Xian, saying, "Consort Xian, your sister, this Consort Lu, is truly remarkable. She has served the Emperor for three consecutive days. Such favor is something you never received when you first entered the palace."

After saying that, she smiled slightly, a smile that concealed a hint of provocation and smugness.

Consort Xian's expression changed slightly, and her fingers unconsciously clenched her handkerchief, but she still forced a smile and responded.

"Your Highness is right. Sister Lu is indeed a rising star. However, matters of favor cannot be easily compared. Each has its own destiny."

Consort Xian's gaze unconsciously swept towards Lu Jingning, her eyes filled with complex emotions, seemingly unwilling, yet also containing a few indescribable feelings.

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning quickly curtsied, her tone filled with humility and respect: "This humble concubine is new here; how can I possibly compare myself to the Virtuous Consort?"

As she spoke, she lowered her head slightly, appearing somewhat timid.

Only in this way can she make the concubines lower their guard.

(End of this chapter)