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

Chapter 24: Partial Favor
Upon returning to Chengqian Palace, as soon as she stepped through the palace gate, Xia'er, holding her younger brother, bent her knees and knelt heavily on the ground.

With her forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles, she kowtowed repeatedly, her voice choked with sobs and gratitude: "Thank you so much, my lord, for your great kindness in saving my brother's life. I will repay you even if I have to serve you like a cow or a horse for the rest of my life!"

Her younger brother nestled in her arms, his little face still pale from his illness, but he stared at Lu Jingning with wide, innocent eyes, and there seemed to be tears glistening in them.

Seeing this, Lu Jingning's heart softened. He quickly stepped forward, gently placed his hands on Xia'er's trembling shoulders, and helped her up with tenderness and firmness: "From now on, you'll never have to be separated from your brother again. This is a happy thing, why are you crying?"

As she spoke, her gaze gently swept across Xia'er's younger brother's face, full of sincere concern.

"If it weren't for you, my little brother and I would probably have had to wait a long time to see you again." Xia'er's eyes were filled with gratitude. She looked at her little brother in her arms and could hardly believe it was true.

Lu Jingning gently comforted her, saying, "You're the one who will be with me through thick and thin from now on, so it's only right that I help you."

"Please rest assured, my lady, I would be willing to die for you."

Lu Jingning smiled and shook his head, saying gently, "The word 'death' is too heavy. I don't need you to sacrifice anything for me. I just hope you can stay by my side and lend me a hand."

"But my brother has been rescued, but what about Madam..."

Lu Jingning's eyes deepened, as if he could see into people's hearts: "You don't need to worry too much about the Madam. Although she is ruthless, she can only rule the mansion. In the palace, no matter how far her reach is, it can't penetrate."

"Then, what about the master?"

She gently patted Xia'er's hand, her smile warm and confident: "Don't worry, I have my own way of persuading my father to support me."

Xia'er nodded, trusting Lu Jingning completely.

Yangxindian

After quickly finishing his official duties, Xiao Jingheng started thinking about Lu Jingning. She had been wronged today, and he was determined to make it up to her.

He thought for a long time but couldn't figure out how to make it up to him, so he summoned Eunuch Zhao and asked, "Tell me, how do you make a woman happy?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhao knew that the Emperor was referring to Consort Lu. He quickly changed his mind and said with a fawning smile, "Your Majesty, Consort Lu seems to love flowers very much. Why don't you order the Imperial Garden to select the most beautiful flowers and decorate the palace and surrounding area like a spring scene? It will surely make Consort Lu very happy."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He then ordered, "Bring Consort Lu to Kunning Palace to serve you today. Have them prepare now."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhao's expression changed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he still mustered his courage and reminded him, "Your Majesty, this may not be appropriate. Kunning Palace is the residence of the late Empress. Historically, few concubines have served her in bed here. This may cause turmoil in the harem and damage Consort Lu's reputation."

Xiao Jingheng frowned, looking at Eunuch Zhao with displeasure: "What, you dare to question my words?"

The eunuch Zhao trembled with fear and immediately knelt down, saying in a trembling voice, "This servant dares not, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jingheng snorted coldly: "Alright, go prepare another red veil. I want to give Zhaozhao a surprise."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhao's face turned deathly pale. His lips trembled, and he almost collapsed to his knees, kowtowing as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! Red is reserved for the Empress Dowager. Please, Your Majesty, reconsider!"

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at the Emperor and saw that Xiao Jingheng was frowning and glaring at him.

The emperor's sharp, knife-like gaze made Eunuch Zhao stiffen, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead. His legs seemed to lose their support, but he still forced himself to kneel tremblingly.

Xiao Jingheng's voice was deep and authoritative, each word like a hammer blow to Zhao's heart: "You don't want your life, do you?" The air seemed to freeze; Zhao's heartbeat was clearly audible. His face was deathly pale, and his lips trembled as he stammered, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant deserves to die a thousand deaths."

Xiao Jingheng knew he was just advising him out of good intentions, so he didn't want to argue with him: "Why aren't you making the arrangements? Are you waiting for me to take your head?"

"Yes, yes, this servant will go right away." Upon hearing Xiao Jingheng's words, Eunuch Zhao felt relieved and hurriedly crawled out of the Yangxin Hall on his knees to lead people to make arrangements.

Xiao Jingheng married the Empress only to consolidate his power; he had no feelings for her whatsoever.

So she made Changchun Palace the Empress's residence, but for some reason she wanted Lu Jingning to take over Kunning Palace.

Oh dear, if that silly girl knew about the surprise I prepared for her today, she would probably hug me tightly and tell me how much she loves me.

Just thinking about Xiao Jingheng makes the corners of his mouth unconsciously turn up.

Fearing that his eunuchs might not understand, he sighed softly, got up and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, taking a few trusted eunuchs with him to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, intending to make arrangements personally.

Xiao Jingheng personally directed the eunuchs to hang lanterns and arrange flowers, ensuring that no detail was overlooked.

He stood in the center of the hall, his sharp gaze surveying his surroundings, occasionally reaching out to adjust his position.

Eunuch Zhao stood by, dumbfounded. He had never seen the Emperor care so much for any of his concubines. He had to curry favor with this Noble Lady Lu.

After the arrangements were nearly complete, Xiao Jingheng nodded in satisfaction and instructed Eunuch Zhao, "Go and take the Fengluan Chun'en carriage to pick up Zhaozhao, but don't tell her yet."

"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured."

Then, Eunuch Zhao led his entourage into Chengqian Palace, his face full of fawning smiles, and said to Lu Jingning, "Young Master Lu, you must dress up nicely tonight to impress the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning naturally understood the implication in Eunuch Zhao's words and said with a smile, "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. Please wait a moment."

"No need to rush, Consort Lu."

She immediately sat down in front of the bronze mirror, and the palace maids skillfully styled her hair into an elaborate bun.

Lu Jingning wore a blue brocade dress with a hundred flowers, her red lips slightly pursed, her eyebrows and eyes exquisite. In the mirror, she looked like a fairy descended from heaven.

She gently stroked her cheek. Today, she no longer intended to hide her beauty; she wanted to amaze everyone and leave a lasting impression on Xiao Jingheng's heart.

Upon seeing Lu Jingning's beautiful face, Eunuch Zhao couldn't help but sigh, then respectfully said, "Please come with me, Your Highness."

"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law."

With the help of several palace maids, Lu Jingning boarded the Phoenix Spring Grace carriage. As the carriage slowly moved forward, she realized that this was not the way to Qianqing Palace.

"Father-in-law, have we taken the wrong turn? This doesn't seem to be the way to Qianqing Palace," Lu Jingning asked tentatively, somewhat doubtful.

Eunuch Zhao smiled, a hint of mystery in his voice: "You'll understand when you arrive, Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)