With the carriage rolling steadily forward, she finally arrived at the imperial palace. Chun’er and Xia’er supported her as she stepped down from the sedan chair and walked inside.
Lu Jingning gazed up at the towering vermilion palace walls—majestic, solemn, sealing off the world within from everything outside.
Truly, once you step through the palace gates, the sea is deep;
A single fallen flower in the palace can ruin a lifetime.
Lu Jingning was taken to the palace residence that had long been prepared for her. Her assigned lodging was called Chengqian Palace.
The mistress of the main palace was the Virtuous Concubine, and Lu Jingning would be staying in the East Hall.
Once inside, Chun’er and Xia’er couldn’t help but sigh, “This palace is truly magnificent.”
Seeing their reactions reminded Lu Jingning of her own first arrival in her previous life.
This Virtuous Concubine was known for being straightforward—she disdained using disgraceful tricks.
After settling in, all the palace maids and eunuchs assigned by the Internal Affairs Office came to greet her.
“This servant greets Lu Changzai. May Lu Changzai be blessed.”
Lu Jingning sat at the main seat, her gaze calm yet carrying a natural authority.
“You all will serve in my palace. I detest troublemakers. Within my palace, you must speak cautiously and behave properly—no arrogance or disorder. Anyone who violates this will not be forgiven lightly.”
A shiver ran through the servants. She was clearly only sixteen or seventeen, yet her words carried an innate pressure.
“Did you all hear clearly?”
“We heard clearly, Changzai.”
Lu Jingning swept her eyes over them. Chun’er understood the cue immediately and began distributing the prepared silver.
Seeing her generosity, the servants were pleasantly surprised.
“If you are loyal and accomplish your duties well, there will be no shortage of rewards.”
Lu Jingning knew that only by using both grace and authority could she control them.
This was the experience she had gained from her previous life.
“You may all leave and attend to your duties.”
“Yes.”
After they left, Lu Jingning instructed Chun’er and Xia’er to stand on either side.
She leaned close and whispered, “In a moment, do exactly this… understood?”
“Yes, this servant understands,” both answered.
“Go.”
Chun’er and Xia’er each went off to speak to the palace staff.
Chun’er left the warm pavilion and saw Xiao Linzi sweeping nearby. She called out, “Xiao Linzi, come here.”
“Chun’er-jie, does Lu Changzai have instructions for me?”
Chun’er put on a mysterious air. “Lu Changzai feels you are honest and dependable. She intends to promote you.”
“Really?” Xiao Linzi was overjoyed. Having just entered the palace, he was desperate to prove himself. Hearing he had gained Lu Changzai’s favor filled him with excitement.
“Of course. But you must serve her well. And don’t tell anyone what I just said—I’m telling you secretly.”
“Understood, Chun’er-jie. I won’t breathe a word,” Xiao Linzi promised.
“Do your work well. I still have things to do for my mistress.”
“Yes, yes. Chun’er-jie, take care.”
Chun’er and Xia’er delivered similar messages to Siyu, Sifeng, and Xiao Wuzi.
Lu Jingning was newly arrived and had not yet served the emperor, so the Internal Affairs Office had assigned random servants.
Those four were all new to the palace and unlikely to be bribed by other concubines.
The other two, however, had been in the palace for years—those two required extra caution.
Just as expected, after being spoken to, the four worked with renewed diligence.
After fulfilling her instructions, Chun’er and Xia’er returned.
“You must keep an eye on those four at all times. Only you two may lead people to clean my bedchamber. Do not allow them to clean alone,” Lu Jingning reminded them.
You must not harm others, but you must guard against them.
She would remain vigilant.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Tomorrow is the day to pay respects to the Empress,” Chun’er said nervously.
But Lu Jingning remained calm. “Don’t worry.”
“Miss—no, Changzai—how can one not worry? I heard that Noble Consort…” Chun’er’s face was anxious.
Compared to Chun’er, Xia’er was more composed. “With our mistress’s intelligence, she will certainly overcome any danger.”
Lu Jingning nodded and reassured Chun’er, “Relax. I know what to do.”
The next morning
Sunlight fell on Lu Jingning’s delicate face. She softly instructed Chun’er, “Today we are paying respects to the Empress. Dress me simply. I must not overshadow anyone.”
Chun’er was puzzled but didn’t dare question, carefully choosing a light-colored gown—elegant and misty like morning fog.
She styled Lu Jingning’s hair into a simple bun, adorned only with a few small white flowers.
Lu Jingning glanced at herself in the mirror and smiled faintly. “Let’s go.”
She brought Xia’er and headed to Jingren Palace. The Empress, slightly ill from a cold, looked pale and frail on her couch. With a soft breath, she dismissed the greetings and sent everyone away.
Just as Lu Jingning turned to leave, a familiar voice rang out—
“Fifth Sister, wait.”
“You’re new to the palace and must be unfamiliar with many things. Come to my palace. I’ll speak with you so you can adapt faster,” her legitimate sister, Lu Shiwei, said with thinly veiled disdain.
“Yes,” Lu Jingning responded respectfully.
Zhongcui Palace
The Virtuous Concubine deliberately made Lu Jingning wait outside for a long time before allowing her in.
Inside, Lu Jingning saw her reclining on the beauty couch, a palace maid fanning her.
“Concubine greets the Virtuous Concubine. May Your Ladyship be blessed.”
The Virtuous Concubine cast her a sharp, jealous glance. “Little sister has grown even more beautiful.”
Lu Jingning saw she was just as impulsive and temperamental as in her previous life.
“How could this concubine compare to Your Ladyship?”
The Virtuous Concubine snorted lightly, making no move to let her rise.
The maid Yunlu noticed the growing tension and tugged gently at the Virtuous Concubine’s sleeve, whispering—
“My lady, Lu Changzai is new and may not understand all the rules yet. There is no need to be angry and harm the harmony.”
The Virtuous Concubine’s brows relaxed slightly, though her face remained cold. She waved her hand unwillingly. “Fine. Get up.”
Lu Jingning rose slowly, her posture straight, her gaze calm.
The Virtuous Concubine glanced at her and sneered before admonishing her—
“You are new to the palace. Learn the rules well. Don’t disgrace the Lu family—and don’t use improper methods to seduce the emperor.”
“This concubine will obey Your Ladyship’s teachings.”
Lu Jingning was long used to this attitude. Unable to win favor herself, she refused to let others gain it.
Seeing she could find no fault, the Virtuous Concubine waved a hand impatiently for her to leave.
“Yes. This concubine takes her leave.”
Leaving Zhongcui Palace, Lu Jingning took Xia’er to the Imperial Garden.
In her previous life, she clearly remembered a court lady who angered the emperor here and was punished with confinement.
That meant the emperor would definitely be visiting the garden today.
What she needed now… was a perfectly timed, “accidental” encounter that would ensure the emperor remembered her.
(End of this chapter)