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

Chapter 26 Consort Zhen's Difficulties
When Consort Zhen woke up in the morning, she heard from the palace maids around her about Lu Jingning's favor with the emperor yesterday. She knew that Consort Liang would not be in a good mood today, so she went to Chang Le Palace early.

The moment she stepped into Chang Le Palace, she was startled by a crisp sound of porcelain shattering.

Consort Liang stood in the hall, her face ashen, clutching a delicate blue-and-white porcelain vase tightly in her hand, as if she were about to smash it at any moment.

The palace maids and eunuchs beside her stood with their heads bowed, fearing that Consort Liang would take her anger out on them.

Her eyes burned with rage, a hint of resentment and a cold smile played on her lips, and an extremely oppressive atmosphere surrounded her.

Consort Zhen carefully stepped over the broken pieces, took a few steps forward, and could only pretend to be stupid, asking softly, "Noble Consort, what's wrong? Why are you so angry so early in the morning?"

Fearing she might offend her, Consort Liang casually placed the vase aside, her eyes filled with obvious jealousy, and asked, "Do you know about Consort Lu's favor yesterday?"

Consort Zhen's heart tightened, but she smiled cautiously and said, "I know, Noble Consort. That's why I came to Chang Le Palace early this morning, wanting to talk to you and also to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

As she spoke, she kept glancing at the Imperial Concubine's face, afraid that she might say something wrong and hurt her feelings.

The Imperial Concubine's eyebrows furrowed, her tone filled with resentment: "I really didn't realize that Consort Lu was so scheming. She just brought down Consort Xian, and now she's managed to win the Emperor's favor so much. I really underestimated her!"

As she spoke, she twisted the handkerchief in her hand fiercely, as if that would vent the hatred in her heart.

Consort Zhen chimed in, a fawning smile plastered on her face, and comforted her, "That's right, Consort Gui is right. That Noble Lady Lu is a vixen, she's good at seducing people, but no matter how much she tries, she can't surpass you."

As she spoke, she rubbed the Consort's shoulders, a barely perceptible hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.

A palace maid standing nearby, somewhat frightened, cautiously reminded her, "Your Highness, it's time to pay your respects to the Empress."

Consort Liang said angrily, "Let's go, go and pay our respects to the Empress, otherwise the Emperor will accuse me of disrespecting the Empress again."

"Yes, my lady."

Inside the Changchun Palace.

The Empress was already seated on her high seat, chatting dignifiedly with the concubines who had arrived earlier.

Lu Jingning, dressed in an elegant palace gown, sat to one side, her eyes and brows exuding a gentle charm, occasionally exchanging a few words.

Consort Liang and Consort Zhen stepped into the palace and immediately saw Lu Jingning.

The imperial concubine's brows furrowed instantly, and her eyes seemed to be blazing with anger.

Suppressing her anger, she led Consort Zhen forward and bowed to the Empress, saying, "Your Majesty, this concubine greets Your Majesty."

The Empress's gaze swept over everyone, seemingly seeing through everything, yet she merely smiled faintly: "Rise, offer seats and tea."

Consort Zhen's eyes darted around, and she noticed the Consort's gloomy face. She devised a plan to avenge the Consort.

She took a step forward with light, lotus-like steps, her voice soft yet sharp: "Your Majesty, yesterday Consort Lu actually served Your Majesty in Kunning Palace. This is a great disrespect to you. The rules in the inner palace are strict. Consort Lu's actions are tantamount to disregarding Your Majesty's dignity."

As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Jingning out of the corner of her eye, a smug smile playing on her lips, as if she could already see Lu Jingning's panicked expression.

However, Lu Jingning simply smiled faintly, her eyes clear and fearless, and stepped forward.

"What does Consort Zhen mean by this? I have always respected Her Majesty the Empress and have never dared to be late in paying my respects. But you..."

As Lu Jingning spoke, she subtly mocked Consort Zhen. Seeing Consort Zhen momentarily speechless, Consort Liang smirked coldly, her voice icy: "Consort Lu truly has a silver tongue; no wonder the Emperor likes her so much. But I remember, red has always been reserved for Her Majesty the Empress. Consort Lu, tell me, am I right?"

The Empress gently raised her hand, interrupting Consort Liang's words, her tone tolerant: "Consort, you are too kind. Noble Lady Lu has always been well-mannered, and she did not mean it. It is getting late, and all the sisters have been paying their respects for a long time, so please disperse early and return to your palaces to rest and recharge your energy so that you can share the Emperor's burdens."

After speaking, the Empress smiled gently, a smile as warm as the spring sunshine, illuminating Lu Jingning's heart.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave." The concubines bowed and took their leave, each harboring their own ulterior motives as they departed from Changchun Palace.

Everyone knows that although Lu Jingning was favored yesterday, the Imperial Concubine will probably not let her off the hook.

Consort Liang stormed out of the gates of Changchun Palace, her face full of displeasure, her embroidered shoes making a heavy thud on the ground.

Her brows furrowed, her eyes blazing with anger: "The Empress is becoming more and more spineless, allowing that Lu Jingning to be so arrogant!"

Consort Zhen hurriedly followed, gently trying to dissuade her: "Noble Consort, please calm down. Her Majesty the Empress has always been a kind-hearted person. Apart from the Emperor, nothing can please her."

Before they could finish speaking, the two turned around the palace wall and unexpectedly saw Lu Jingning.

She was walking slowly, a faint smile on her face, chatting and laughing with Chun'er beside her.

Seeing this, Consort Liang's face darkened even more, and she gritted her teeth as if she wanted to chew Lu Jingning to pieces.

The Imperial Concubine, furious, led Consort Zhen forward and stood directly in front of Lu Jingning.

Consort Liang's gaze was piercing as she stared directly at Lu Jingning, her tone icy: "Consort Lu is truly utterly lacking in manners. To not even bow before me is truly unacceptable. You are merely a concubine's daughter; it seems you have never learned such etiquette."

Lu Jingning's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly bowed and greeted the Imperial Concubine with a humble posture: "This concubine greets Your Highness, may Your Highness be blessed with ten thousand years of good fortune and peace."

However, the Imperial Concubine did not allow her to rise. She simply looked at her coldly, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "Consort Lu, your greeting is rather perfunctory. Do you perhaps think I am unworthy to receive your courtesy?"

As she spoke, the Imperial Concubine stretched out her slender hand and gently pinched Lu Jingning's chin, forcing her to look up and meet her gaze.

"This concubine dares not," Lu Jingning's face paled slightly, but she remained calm, her eyes revealing a hint of defiance.

Consort Zhen, standing to the side, curled a sinister smile and added fuel to the fire, saying, "That's right. Now that Consort Lu has gained favor, she probably doesn't even care about Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."

Her voice was shrill, like a sharp blade cutting through the air.

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's anger intensified. She coldly uttered, "You are the Emperor's favored concubine, and I dare not offend you. Kneel here for half an hour."

The voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.

"Yes, Your Highness will follow your instructions." Lu Jingning was not surprised to hear the Consort's words.

Before she entered the palace, the Imperial Concubine had always been deeply favored by the Emperor, and now was not the time to confront her head-on.

She knelt on the ground, the hem of her palace dress spreading out, making a soft scraping sound as it touched the cold floor.

The imperial concubine snorted coldly, feeling a bit hot: "Let's go, sister, the eldest princess is waiting for me."

"Yes, Your Highness." Seeing Lu Jingning's expression, Consort Zhen felt a sense of relief and left with the Imperial Concubine triumphantly.

(End of this chapter)