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

Chapter 38 Dragon Boat Festival Banquet (Part Two)

"Your Highness, the people around the Empress haven't caught that palace maid; they can't find her."

Lu Jingning took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and instructed, "Find her family first. I don't believe she can run anywhere."

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant will go immediately."

Lu suddenly thought of something: "Don't tell anyone. Go and keep an eye on Granny Li, and keep a close eye on her at all times."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Xiao Linzi left, Lu Jingning looked worried, somewhat concerned about the eldest princess.

At this moment, Madam Lu, dressed in gorgeous clothes, slowly entered the main hall with delicate steps.

A smug smile played on her lips as she looked at Lu Jingning defiantly, as if everything was under her control.

Madam Lu gave a cold smile and leisurely sat back down in her seat.

That smile was particularly glaring, piercing Lu Jingning's heart like a sharp blade, causing her to frown slightly and feel a strange unease welling up inside her.

Lu Jingning bit her lower lip lightly, deciding to remind Consort Liang in a tactful way.

She said softly, "Your Highness, the lotus seed soup today is indeed sweet and delicious, but Princess Jingyao is still young, so it's best to eat sweets in moderation to avoid harming her spleen and stomach."

"Thank you for your concern, Consort Lu," Consort Liang said, her smile unchanged, though a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.

He continued to gently stir the lotus seed soup in the bowl with a spoon. "Come on, Jingyao, have some more."

Consort Zhen, standing to the side, looked at Consort Liang with curiosity and asked softly, "Sister Consort, what did she just say to you?"

Consort Liang looked up, a playful smile playing on her lips: "Consort Lu said Jingyao should eat less of this lotus seed soup."

"That Consort Lu is really meddling in other people's business," Consort Zhen rolled her eyes and said speechlessly.

"Never mind, Consort Lu meant well."

As she spoke, Consort Liang put down the lotus seed soup in her hand and fed the eldest princess some other food.

At this moment, Consort Yan stepped out gracefully, her figure swaying, and said to Xiao Jingheng, "This humble concubine is willing to add color to today's grand banquet with a dance, and hopes that Your Majesty will grant her permission."

Xiao Jingheng was overjoyed and nodded happily, "Granted."

"Yes, Your Majesty, please wait a moment." Consort Yan bowed gracefully, turned and left, leaving behind a silhouette that left much to the imagination.

A moment later, she stepped into the hall again, dressed in a dazzling dance costume.

As melodious music began, Consort Yan led a group of dancers dressed in light gauze slowly into the dance floor.

Their steps were light, and as they twirled and leaped, their skirts fluttered like colorful clouds, a truly beautiful sight.

Consort Yan's dance was absolutely exquisite, every movement was just right, as if she were conversing with the music, which was intoxicating.

Xiao Jingheng led the applause: "Consort Yan danced well, a reward!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Consort Yan said with a slight curtsy and a happy expression.

Xiao Jingheng looked at all the concubines and said, "Who else has a talent? Please demonstrate it."

Consort Zhen's eyes held a provocative glint as she deliberately raised her voice: "I've heard that Noble Lady Lu is exceptionally talented. I wonder if you could also broaden our horizons? Or are you perhaps hiding your abilities and unwilling to reveal them?"

Having said that, a smug smile curled at the corner of her lips. Consort Liang felt that Consort Zhen's actions were somewhat inappropriate and was about to intervene…

The Empress gently set down her teacup, her gaze sweeping across the crowd with a gentle light before finally settling on Consort Zhen. Her voice was soft yet carried an undeniable authority: "Consort Zhen, you are mistaken. Today's banquet is meant to be enjoyed. If Noble Lady Lu wishes to display her talents, that would be the icing on the cake; if not, that is fine too. How about Consort Zhen herself demonstrates her abilities?"

After she finished speaking, the hall fell silent, and all eyes were focused on Consort Zhen. Her face turned pale and then red, and she stood there awkwardly.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. Today's banquet is all about enjoying ourselves. If Consort Zhen is interested, she might as well perform a sword dance. It would surely be quite a unique experience."

After speaking, Consort Liang's words instantly resolved Consort Zhen's awkward situation.

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen's eyes flashed with gratitude. She stood up and said, "Since Your Highness has spoken, I will obey."

Having said that, she stepped to one side of the hall, and several maids quickly presented her with a long sword that gleamed coldly. Consort Zhen took the sword, and with a graceful leap, she entered the center of the hall like a swallow.

Lu Jingning's gaze lingered on Consort Zhen's graceful sword dance. She turned to look at Consort Shu beside her and said softly, "Consort Zhen's sword dance is quite elegant."

Consort Shu smiled slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of meaning: "Of course, but this sword dance was personally taught by the Noble Consort."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingning's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he looked at Consort Liang: "Does Your Highness also know sword dancing?"

Consort Shu continued, "The Imperial Concubine's sword dance was truly breathtaking and exquisite."

After speaking, she gently shook her head, as if recalling the magnificent scene of the sword dance that year.

After Consort Zhen finished her sword dance, she sheathed her sword, her sharp gaze shifting to Lu Jingning, a smile playing on her lips: "Your turn, Noble Lady Lu."

At this moment, Xiao Jingheng looked at Lu Jingning curiously and asked, "Oh? What talents does Consort Lu possess?"

Lu Jingning rose, gave a slight bow, and said with humility mixed with confidence, "This concubine can play the konghou (a type of Chinese harp). I would be honored to offer a piece for His Majesty and the ladies-in-waiting. Please excuse my poor performance."

Xiao Jingheng nodded slightly and looked at the attendant beside him: "Go and bring the konghou from my bedchamber so that Consort Lu can play it."

The Empress nodded slightly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, and said gently, "I really look forward to Consort Lu's performance on the harp."

Consort Liang's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer as she toyed with an exquisite teacup in her hand, her eyes full of amusement.

Beside her, Madam Lu clutched her silk handkerchief tightly. Although she maintained a polite smile on her face, she couldn't hide her smugness in her eyes. She secretly plotted that Lu Jingning would definitely embarrass himself in front of everyone.

Before long, several palace maids carefully carried in an ancient and exquisite harp and placed it in the center of the main hall.

Lu Jingning slowly rose, walked to the konghou (a type of Chinese harp), and gently sat down, his posture dignified and elegant.

She raised her hand and gently stroked the strings of the konghou, her gaze tender and focused.

With a gentle flick of the fingertips, a string of crisp and melodious notes leaped out, like a spring breeze caressing the face, instantly filling the entire hall and captivating the listener.

As the music ended, its lingering notes still resonated in the air. Xiao Jingheng remained captivated by the plaintive and poignant melody, only slowly regaining his senses after a long while. His eyes were filled with admiration: "Consort Lu's musical skills are extraordinary; they truly surprise me."

After speaking, he took off the jade pendant from his waist and ordered Eunuch Zhao to hand it to Lu Jingning. The jade pendant had a faint dragon pattern and was priceless.

"This jade is hereby presented to Consort Lu to express my delight."

Lu Jingning accepted the gift with both hands, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He curtsied slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Consort Liang smiled jealously, her hand holding the soup bowl gently shaking, a hint of resentment and coldness flashing in her eyes: "Consort Lu is truly blessed. You are the only one who has received the Emperor's reward. How enviable!"

(End of this chapter)