Returning to Chengqian Palace, Lu Jingning had barely stepped through the doors when Xia’er, clutching her young brother in her arms, dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.
Her forehead pressed to the cold floor as she kowtowed repeatedly, voice trembling with sobs of gratitude.
“Thank you, My Lady, for your boundless kindness! You saved my brother’s life—this servant would gladly be a beast of burden for you in this lifetime to repay it!”
Her younger brother nestled weakly in her arms, still pale from illness. His large, innocent eyes stared at Lu Jingning, shimmering faintly with tears, though he did not yet understand what was happening.
Lu Jingning’s heart softened at the sight. She hurried forward and gently held Xia’er’s shaking shoulders, helping her up with a warm yet steady touch.
“From now on, you’ll never have to be separated from your brother again. This is something to be happy about—why cry?”
As she spoke, her gaze lingered tenderly on the little boy’s face, full of genuine concern.
“If not for My Lady, who knows how long it would’ve been before I saw my brother again…” Xia’er whispered, eyes brimming with gratitude. She looked at the boy in her arms as though he were a miracle she still couldn’t believe.
Lu Jingning soothed her softly.
“You’re going to follow me through storms and bloodshed. Helping you is only right.”
“Please rest assured, My Lady! This servant would even die for you and feel no regret.”
Lu Jingning smiled and shook her head gently.
“Death is too heavy a word. I don’t need you to sacrifice anything for me—only to stand by my side and lend me your strength.”
“But now that my brother has been rescued… what about Madam?”
Lu Jingning’s eyes darkened slightly, as though she could see through hearts and secrets.
“As for Madam, you need not worry too much. She may be ruthless, but her reach extends only within the household. No matter how long her hands are, they cannot stretch into the palace.”
“Then… what about the Master?”
Lu Jingning lightly patted the back of Xia’er’s hand. Her smile was warm and confident.
“Rest assured. I have my own ways to persuade Father to support me.”
Xia’er nodded, completely convinced.
Hall of Mental Cultivation
Xiao Jingheng finished reviewing his memorials as quickly as possible. His thoughts kept drifting to Lu Jingning—she had suffered today, and he absolutely had to compensate her properly.
But what would please her?
After pondering fruitlessly, he finally summoned Eunuch Zhao.
“How does one coax a woman into happiness?”
Eunuch Zhao instantly understood which woman he meant. His eyes gleamed with calculation as he bowed and said with a fawning smile,
“Your Majesty, the Noble Lady seems fond of flowers. Why not command the Imperial Garden to gather the most beautiful blooms and decorate the palace like a spring garden? Surely it will delight her.”
Xiao Jingheng nodded with satisfaction.
“Prepare for Noble Lady Lu to attend me in Kunning Palace tonight. Have them begin arrangements at once.”
Eunuch Zhao’s face blanched slightly. After a brief hesitation, he mustered the courage to warn,
“Your Majesty… this may not be appropriate. Kunning Palace was the former empress’s residence. Throughout history, concubines rarely stayed there. It may stir unrest in the harem and damage the Noble Lady’s reputation.”
Xiao Jingheng’s brows snapped together. He glared.
“What? You dare question my words?”
Eunuch Zhao trembled violently and immediately knelt.
“This servant would not dare! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”
“Enough.”
Xiao Jingheng snorted coldly.
“And prepare a red bridal veil. I want to give Zhaozhao a surprise.”
At that, Eunuch Zhao’s face turned ghostly pale. He nearly collapsed as he stammered,
“Your Majesty—this must not be done! Red is reserved solely for the principal wife! Please reconsider!”
He risked a furtive glance upward—only to see the emperor’s storm-dark eyes boring into him.
Eunuch Zhao froze under that blade-like gaze, cold sweat soaking his forehead. His knees wobbled, barely supporting him.
Xiao Jingheng’s voice dropped into a chilling growl.
“Is your life something you no longer want?”
The air sank into suffocating silence.
Eunuch Zhao’s heart hammered, his lips quivering uncontrollably.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty… this servant deserves a thousand deaths.”
Xiao Jingheng understood the man meant well and chose not to pursue it further.
“Hurry and prepare. Or must I take your head myself?”
“Yes! Yes—this servant will go at once!”
Relief washed over Eunuch Zhao. He scrambled out of the hall on hands and knees, rushing to set arrangements in motion.
Xiao Jingheng had married the Empress only for political reasons. There was no affection between them.
Thus the Empress lived in Changchun Palace.
And yet… without knowing why, he wanted Lu Jingning to reside in Kunning Palace.
He sighed faintly.
When that silly girl saw the surprise he prepared today, she would surely cling to him and confess her love.
Just thinking of it made him smile unconsciously.
Worried that the eunuchs might arrange things poorly, he rose and left the hall, personally leading trusted attendants to Kunning Palace to supervise.
He directed the eunuchs in hanging lanterns and arranging flowers, scrutinizing every detail himself.
Standing in the grand hall, he inspected the decorations with sharp eyes, occasionally adjusting placements with his own hands.
Eunuch Zhao stared in disbelief.
He had never seen the emperor so attentive toward any concubine.
He must curry favor with Noble Lady Lu.
Once everything was ready, Xiao Jingheng nodded in satisfaction.
“Go fetch Zhaozhao with the Phoenix Blessing Carriage. And do not tell her anything.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon Eunuch Zhao arrived at Chengqian Palace, smiling obsequiously.
“Noble Lady Lu, please dress up well tonight—you must dazzle His Majesty.”
Lu Jingning understood the underlying message and smiled.
“Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. Please wait a moment.”
“No rush, My Lady.”
She sat before the bronze mirror as palace maids styled her hair into an elaborate coiffure.
Clad in a blue embroidered floral gown, red lips lightly pressed together, brows delicate as a painting—her reflection looked like a celestial maiden descending to earth.
Lu Jingning caressed her cheek lightly.
Tonight, she would no longer hide her beauty.
Tonight, she would carve herself deeply into Xiao Jingheng’s heart.
Eunuch Zhao marveled at her appearance before bowing respectfully.
“My Lady, please follow this servant.”
“Thank you, Eunuch.”
Supported by her maids, Lu Jingning boarded the Phoenix Blessing Carriage. As it began moving, she quickly realized—this was not the direction to Qianqing Palace.
“Eunuch Zhao, did we take the wrong path? This doesn’t seem to lead to Qianqing Palace.”
Eunuch Zhao smiled, voice tinged with mystery.
“My Lady will know once we arrive.”
(End of chapter)