“Chun’er, bring me the fan you brought.” Lu Jingning spoke to Chun’er with a mysterious expression.
“Yes, my lady.” Although Chun’er couldn’t follow her mistress’s train of thought, she still obeyed without question.
Lu Jingning took the fan from Chun’er’s hands and gently waved it. When she saw a butterfly fluttering among the flowers, a good idea came to her, and she immediately lifted the fan to chase the butterfly.
In the palace, the consorts fought for favor every day, and the schemes behind the scenes were endless.
She needed to appear pure, lively, and refreshing before the emperor—someone who would catch his eye at first glance.
More importantly, she needed to let the emperor know of her affection.
While she was planning, she caught sight of a figure dressed in bright imperial yellow slowly approaching—it was the emperor.
Her heart stirred, and she immediately thought of a plan. Pretending not to notice him, she continued joyfully chasing after the butterfly.
When the emperor drew near, she suddenly staggered, and the fan in her hand brushed lightly across his sleeve, carrying a faint, accidental trace of fragrance as she “accidentally” bumped into him just perfectly.
Lu Jingning pretended not to recognize him and asked angrily on purpose, “You—the palace guard—how dare you!”
Xiao Jingheng was already captivated by her bright, enchanting eyes the moment she looked up.
“Palace guard?” Xiao Jingheng looked at her with curiosity, though his eyes showed not a hint of anger.
Lu Jingning looked him up and down. “Judging by your clothing, you really don’t look like a guard. Don’t tell me you’re some prince?”
Xiao Jingheng was amused when he heard this. Joy lit up his brows as he asked, “Looking at your attire, which consort might you be?”
Lu Jingning smiled sweetly, raising her fan to cover half her face, deliberately widening the distance between them. “I am His Majesty’s Lu Changzai.”
A breeze stirred, and her black hair swayed lightly, with a few loose strands brushing against her cheek.
Xiao Jingheng looked at her, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted involuntarily. “Lu Changzai… are you the newly entered Lu Changzai?”
“That’s right. I’ve admired His Majesty for a long time now, though I still don’t know when I’ll be able to meet him.” Lu Jingning’s face was filled with joy, though her expression dimmed slightly at the end.
“But you haven’t even seen the emperor yet.” Xiao Jingheng asked in confusion.
Lu Jingning looked at him with admiration sparkling in her eyes. “Even though I haven’t seen His Majesty, I know he is a wise ruler. He always puts the world first, and the people praise him endlessly.”
When Xiao Jingheng heard this, his gaze toward her grew even gentler.
Just as he was about to tease her a bit more, a little eunuch hurried over, bowing low as he reported, “Your Majesty, the ministers request an audience at Yangxin Hall. They say there are important matters to discuss.”
Hearing this, Lu Jingning feigned surprise, covering her mouth with her fan. Her clear eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at him.
“You… you’re the emperor?”
Her voice trembled with disbelief, as though she had truly only just realized his identity.
Xiao Jingheng looked at her expression and couldn’t help feeling a bit amused. His gaze grew softer. “Why? Do I not look like one?”
Lu Jingning immediately dropped to her knees in salute. “This concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace and good fortune.”
Seeing her panic, Xiao Jingheng found her rather interesting, though he still had government affairs to handle.
He reached out his hand and personally helped her up. “Lu Changzai, is it? I will come visit you later tonight.”
With that, he left with the little eunuch.
After the emperor departed, Chun’er approached and asked in confusion, “My lady… will His Majesty really come later?”
Lu Jingning dropped her innocent expression and said, “He definitely will. Come, we’re returning to our palace to prepare.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After returning to Chengqian Palace, Lu Jingning decided to visit Consort Shu first.
“This concubine, of the Lu family, greets Consort Shu.”
Consort Shu looked her up and down. She truly was a beauty.
“Rise, Sister Lu. Be seated.”
“Thank you, Consort Shu.”
Lu Jingning stood and slowly took her seat on the carved pearwood chair.
Consort Shu lightly sipped her tea, her gaze lingering on Lu Jingning. “I didn’t expect Virtuous Consort to have such a fairy-like younger sister.”
“This concubine does not deserve such praise.”
Consort Shu set down her teacup and looked at her, thinking to herself, Virtuous Consort must be furious now.
“Sister Lu, if you suffer grievances in the future, just tell me. I will make the decisions for you. But since you now belong to Chengqian Palace, you must not forget where you stand.”
“Yes, this concubine understands.”
Consort Shu soon dismissed her under the excuse of feeling unwell.
“This concubine takes her leave.”
After returning to her own palace, Lu Jingning immediately ordered Xia’er, “Prepare hot water for a bath, and bring a few light-colored outfits.”
Xia’er obeyed and left quickly. Soon, warm steam filled the bathing chamber, with flower petals drifting atop the water and releasing a faint fragrance.
Lu Jingning entered the bath, letting the warm water caress her skin.
After washing, she carefully selected a lotus-green dress. Once she wore it, her skin looked even fairer, her brows delicate as though painted.
Before the bronze mirror, she dabbed on red lipstick and traced her brows with a gentle hand.
Having lived a lifetime already, Lu Jingning was well aware of the emperor’s preferences. He loved this face of hers, but disliked scheming women.
Lu Jingning’s goal was to be the one and only in the emperor’s eyes—someone irreplaceable.
Just as she expected, by evening Eunuch Zhao arrived with an imperial decree.
“This servant greets Lu Changzai. His Majesty will dine here shortly. Please prepare well.”
Lu Jingning replied softly, “Understood. Thank you, Eunuch.”
After speaking, she instructed Xia’er to bring a piece of silver and handed it to the eunuch.
Eunuch Zhao accepted it gratefully before withdrawing to report back.
Lu Jingning turned and told Chun’er, “Go summon the meal.”
Chun’er obeyed, hurrying out.
Soon, palace servants entered in a line, placing exquisite dishes one by one upon the table.
Under the glow of palace lanterns, Lu Jingning sat by the table, lightly brushing the edge of the porcelain plate with her fingertips as she waited quietly for the emperor’s arrival.
“His Majesty arrives!”
Hearing the announcement, Lu Jingning rose at once and gracefully walked toward the entrance, bowing with gentle elegance as she welcomed him.
“This concubine greets Your Majesty.”
Xiao Jingheng stepped inside, his gaze soft as it landed on her. “Rise.”
Lu Jingning stood, her eyes glowing with shy joy. “Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.”
The emperor took his time admiring her. Dressed in the lotus-green gown, she resembled the loveliest lotus blooming in a summer pond—without heavy makeup, yet fresh and ethereal.
Her hair was neatly arranged, with a few loose strands falling by her cheek, adding even more softness to her beauty.
Xiao Jingheng couldn’t help but praise her. “Lu Changzai, your appearance today… truly stirs the heart.”
A gentle smile curved his lips, filled with affection. “Sit. Let us dine together.”
“Yes. This concubine thanks Your Majesty.”
End of Chapter.