Early the next morning, the Virtuous Consort, dressed in luxurious palace robes, walked gracefully toward Changchun Palace.
Inside the hall, the concubines were already arranged according to rank, having finished greeting the Empress.
“Granted seats.”
The Virtuous Consort lifted her delicate wrist, jewels chiming softly. A gentle smile played on her lips, though her eyes hid deeper meanings. Her voice was crisp like chimes.
“Your Majesty, this concubine has an important matter to report. It concerns the peace of the harem. I humbly request Your Majesty to invite His Majesty.”
She bowed gracefully, her eyes sweeping toward Lu Jingning with a hint of provocation and triumph.
The Empress looked at her with curiosity. “Oh? What matter requires His Majesty’s judgment?”
The Virtuous Consort’s smile grew mysterious, her gaze gleaming with calculation. She lowered her voice just enough—loud enough for everyone to hear.
“This matter is grave. It involves secrets within the harem. Only His Majesty can decide. This concubine dares not overstep.”
She glanced sideways, covering her lips with a handkerchief, her eyes full of blatant provocation aimed at Lu Jingning.
The Noble Consort’s face darkened, her brows arching sharply. Annoyance spilled across her expression.
“Virtuous Consort, your words are inappropriate. Matters of the harem are handled by the Empress. Why trouble His Majesty over everything? Or is it that you simply want to seize His Majesty’s attention?”
This time, the Virtuous Consort did not argue back. She lowered herself in a devout bow.
“This concubine speaks only the truth. If even half is false, this concubine is willing to enter the Cold Palace.”
The Empress had never seen her this solemn. With no other choice, she sighed and ordered Qingming,
“Go invite His Majesty. Say there is an important matter requiring his judgment.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Qingming hurried away to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Lu Jingning, watching all this, immediately understood what was about to unfold.
At the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Jingheng had just finished morning court and was reviewing memorials.
“This servant greets His Majesty. Wishing Your Majesty ten thousand blessings,” Qingming said carefully while kneeling.
Still reading, Xiao Jingheng asked, “What is it?”
“Your Majesty, the Empress requests your presence at Changchun Palace. The Virtuous Consort claims to have an important matter to report—one of great significance. The Empress ordered this servant to invite Your Majesty.”
Xiao Jingheng sighed, slightly displeased—but then recalled he hadn’t seen Lu Jingning for several days and found himself wanting to.
“Very well. To Changchun Palace.”
Eunuch Zhao immediately called out, “Prepare the route to Changchun Palace!”
Xiao Jingheng entered the hall, his golden dragon robe shining under the sunlight.
His piercing gaze swept across the concubines, all of whom knelt immediately.
“This concubine greets His Majesty.”
Xiao Jingheng walked in, and when he saw Lu Jingning looking at him, a smile tugged at his lips.
After he sat upon the main seat, the Empress spoke softly, her voice firm yet gentle.
“Virtuous Consort, you said you had an important matter involving the peace of the harem. His Majesty is here. Speak.”
The Virtuous Consort rose, calculation flickering in her eyes as she stepped forward. She bowed deeply, her voice trembling with feigned solemnity, adding to the air of mystery.
“Your Majesty, this concubine recently uncovered a secret within the harem. If not investigated, it may threaten the imperial bloodline. This concubine begs Your Majesty to decide.”
“Oh? Speak,” Xiao Jingheng said coldly.
“This concubine wishes to report Lu Guiren for secretly consorting with a guard and corrupting the sanctity of the palace!”
The moment she said this, all the concubines below began whispering among themselves.
Xiao Jingheng’s expression darkened with anger. “Do you understand what you are accusing her of?”
Seeing his anger, the Virtuous Consort grew nervous but persisted.
“This concubine’s servants witnessed a guard entering Lu Guiren’s Chengqian Palace late at night.”
The Empress, believing Lu Jingning incapable of such foolishness, quickly defended her.
“Your Majesty, this concubine believes Lu Guiren would never do such a reckless thing. Please judge wisely.”
Lu Jingning remained calm. She stood, walked to the Virtuous Consort’s side, then knelt down.
“Your Majesty, the Virtuous Consort is slandering this concubine.”
The Virtuous Consort smirked proudly and gestured toward Xia’er.
Understanding the signal, Xia’er stepped forward, knelt before Xiao Jingheng, and said firmly,
“Your Majesty, this servant indeed saw the guard sneaking into Lu Guiren’s palace. Every word I speak is true. If I lie, I am willing to accept any punishment.”
Xiao Jingheng frowned. He did not want to believe them.
He turned to Lu Jingning. “Do you have anything to say?”
Kneeling straight-backed, she answered with unwavering sincerity,
“Your Majesty, I have always admired you alone. Why would I risk everything to consort with a guard? Rather, it is the Virtuous Consort who is jealous of Your Majesty’s favor toward me and has repeatedly…”
Before she finished, her voice broke, and she lowered her head, shoulders trembling softly.
Xiao Jingheng’s heart tightened with distress.
He turned sharply to the Virtuous Consort.
“You accuse Lu Guiren of an affair—where is your evidence?”
The Virtuous Consort smiled coldly.
“The guard and Lu Guiren exchanged tokens of affection. If Your Majesty does not believe, you may order Chengqian Palace searched. The man’s gift is a jade pendant—bright green with a tassel.”
Xiao Jingheng’s brows drew tightly together. He gestured to Eunuch Zhao.
“Zhao Quan, take men to Chengqian Palace. If anything is found, report immediately. Also bring the guard whom the Virtuous Consort mentioned.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Eunuch Zhao hurried out with several attendants.
The hall fell into tense silence.
Before long, Eunuch Zhao returned—holding a jade pendant. Behind him was Han Yizhi.
Seeing them enter, the Virtuous Consort immediately said,
“Your Majesty, that’s the one!”
Zhao presented the jade pendant. Xiao Jingheng’s face twisted with fury. He threw it before Lu Jingning.
“What explanation do you have?”
The Virtuous Consort expected Lu Jingning to tremble, panic, cry—yet found her completely calm.
Lu Jingning said evenly,
“Your Majesty, do you not think this matter is suspicious?”
She picked up the jade pendant. “Leaving aside that I have never seen this item, how did the Virtuous Consort know exactly what type of jade pendant the guard supposedly gave me?”
The Virtuous Consort immediately pointed to Han Yizhi.
“Your Majesty, that guard, knowing his crime was unforgivable, came to this palace to confess everything and seek leniency.”
Han Yizhi stepped forward and knelt.
“Your Majesty, Lu Guiren forced this servant. I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”
The Empress frowned and looked at Lu Jingning with gentle concern.
“Lu Guiren, is what he says true?”
Silence fell over the hall. All eyes turned to Lu Jingning.
Kneeling, her back straight, her eyes shone with righteous strength. She shook her head firmly and said,
“Of course not! This concubine’s conscience is clear—I have never committed such disgraceful acts. I have never seen this jade pendant, nor do I know why Guard Han would slander me. This concubine has served His Majesty wholeheartedly and begs His Majesty to see through the lies… and return my innocence.”
(End of Chapter)