Early in the morning, when Xiao Jingheng woke up, he found Lu Jingning still fast asleep. He gently placed a kiss on her forehead before preparing to go to court.
Before leaving, he instructed the maids of Qianqing Palace, “When she wakes, serve her breakfast first, then send her back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Jingheng then turned to Eunuch Zhao. “Go inform the Six Palaces that Lady Lu is promoted to Noble Lady.”
With that, he headed off to morning court.
Eunuch Zhao hurried after him, still finding time to warn the young maid, “Serve her well.”
When Lu Jingning woke up, she found the maids of Qianqing Palace treating her with unusual attentiveness.
“Noble Lady, His Majesty instructed that you return only after finishing breakfast.”
“Yes, this is a favor granted to no one else,” another maid added enthusiastically.
The two maids spoke in turns.
Lu Jingning blinked in surprise. “Noble Lady?”
One of the young maids quickly explained, “This servant forgot to inform you. At dawn, His Majesty promoted you to Noble Lady.”
“It has already been announced to the Six Palaces,” the other maid chimed in.
As they supported her to the dressing table, she stared blankly at the bronze mirror. Faint marks from last night’s intimacy still remained on her neck.
Lu Jingning was astonished. She had never expected to be promoted so quickly.
In her previous life, she only became a Noble Lady after becoming pregnant, and that was because the Empress proposed it. She never imagined she would rise so fast in this lifetime. As expected, the emperor’s heart must be held tightly.
“Noble Lady, please have your breakfast soon, or it will cool.” The maid urged softly. The tray in her hands carried a variety of delicate foods, steaming and fragrant.
Lu Jingning nodded. Her gaze swept over the exquisite pastries, emotions churning within her.
The maids dressed her skillfully. Luxurious silk robes brushed against her skin, leaving her with a sense of unreality.
After breakfast, surrounded by attendants, Lu Jingning stepped out of Qianqing Palace—only to see a sedan chair waiting at the entrance.
“What is this?” she asked a maid nearby.
With envy in her eyes, the maid replied, “This is specially prepared for you by His Majesty.”
“Please, Noble Lady, board the sedan.”
Once she was helped into it, a voice called out, “Lift!”
Lu Jingning straightened her back, gazing ahead. She was only a Noble Lady now, but she would climb step by step—Consort, Imperial Consort, Noble Consort—she would rise above all.
Upon returning to her own palace, she found all the maids and eunuchs kneeling neatly on the ground.
“Welcome back to the palace, Noble Lady!”
Lu Jingning paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over them with gentle warmth. A faint smile graced her lips.
“Rewards. You all have served well these past days. As long as you remain loyal and diligent, you will never lack rewards.”
She personally distributed several taels of silver to them.
“Thank you, Noble Lady! We servants will surely serve with utmost loyalty!”
Receiving the generous reward, everyone’s faces brightened. Lu Jingning was generous and now favored. Following her upward rise was only a matter of time.
And even if she one day lost favor, it didn’t matter—she was kind and never beat or scolded them. Truly, she was a good mistress.
Lu Jingning nodded in satisfaction. “You may rise.”
“Yes, thank you, my lady.” They stood happily, clutching their silver.
“You may all leave. Xia’er, stay. I have something to tell you.”
“Yes.”
Once everyone left, only Xia’er and Lu Jingning remained.
“Your younger brother is at Madam’s manor outside the city,” Lu Jingning told her softly.
Xia’er trembled, overwhelmed with emotion. She immediately knelt. “Please, my lady, save my brother! From this day on, I will face any danger for you without hesitation!”
Lu Jingning personally lifted her up. “I have a plan that will help you rescue him.”
“My lady, please tell me!” Xia’er asked anxiously.
Lu Jingning motioned for her to lean closer. “Now that I am favored, with the Virtuous Consort’s temperament, she will not let me off. All you need to do is follow her instructions—and report her plans to me. I will handle the rest.”
“Yes, this servant will obey your every command.” Xia’er trusted her completely.
Lu Jingning patted her shoulder. “Don’t rush, and don’t expose yourself. Act as you always do.”
“Yes, I understand.” Xia’er nodded.
Lu Jingning worried that the Virtuous Consort might already have more spies in Chengqian Palace and that Xia’er might be exposed, so she dismissed her. “Go.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Lu Jingning knew her legitimate elder sister far too well. She only needed to add a bit more fuel, and Lu Shiwei would never be able to swallow her anger.
Zhongcui Palace
“What did you say!?”
Nanny Li stood nearby and whispered, “His Majesty promoted Lu Jingning to Noble Lady this morning.”
The Virtuous Consort was nearly driven mad with rage. She swept all the brushes, inkstones, papers, and ink slabs off the table.
Yunlu quickly rushed over to pick up the Buddhist scripture pages she had copied.
“That little wretch—what kind of seduction did she use to bewitch His Majesty!?” The Virtuous Consort was completely hysterical.
She pointed at the doorway and ordered Yunlu, “Go bring that wretch to me. I will teach her a lesson myself!”
“Your Ladyship, you must not!” Nanny Li stopped her in a panic.
The Virtuous Consort froze, her expression shifting. Shock and unwillingness flashed across her face.
She spun around, staring at Nanny Li with sharp eyes. “What did you say? His Majesty saw it? He thinks I hit her?”
Nanny Li kept her head lowered, her voice trembling.
“Yes… yes, Your Ladyship. It is said that when His Majesty summoned Noble Lady Lu last night, he noticed the bruise on her face. When he questioned her, she claimed she accidentally fell… but His Majesty’s expression… he clearly doubted it.”
The Virtuous Consort’s clenched fists trembled. Her mind replayed Lu Jingning’s injured yet alluring face, and His Majesty’s gentle inquiries. Rage surged within her, but she was powerless.
She stomped her foot hard, gritting her teeth. “That cunning little wretch! How dare she use His Majesty’s hand to punish me!”
Her voice shook with fury and unwillingness.
She paced the room, each step pounding against the floor as if venting her anger.
Suddenly, she stopped. A ruthless glint flickered in her eyes. “I won’t watch her gain favor and climb over my head.”
Nanny Li suddenly recalled the letter Madam had sent a few days ago. She approached the Virtuous Consort and whispered, “Your Ladyship, Madam said she planted a maid beside Noble Lady Lu as an informant.”
“Mother is brilliant. She knew that girl wouldn’t behave.” The Virtuous Consort’s expression eased slightly.
Nanny Li then offered a suggestion. “Your Ladyship, give that maid a small reward. When His Majesty hears of it, he will think you are not the jealous type and will clear his suspicions.”
Though she disliked it, the Virtuous Consort had no choice. “Fine. Go, Nanny Li.”
“Lu Jingning—I will never let you live in peace!”
(End of Chapter)