After Xiao Jingheng took his seat, she slowly sat down as well. Her gaze, without her noticing, drifted toward the emperor—filled with a hint of infatuation and reverence.
Xiao Jingheng picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and tasted it lightly. Noticing Lu Jingning’s gaze, he couldn’t help but smile. He set down his chopsticks and teased, “Lu Changzai, why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”
Lu Jingning’s cheeks turned slightly red. She gently shook her head, her eyes shimmering with sincerity and tenderness. “Your Majesty is wise and mighty. This concubine only feels that being able to look at Your Majesty quietly like this is the greatest happiness.”
As she spoke, she lowered her head shyly, like a flower just beginning to bloom—delicate and charming.
Xiao Jingheng watched her bashful expression, warmth rising in his heart. He found her especially adorable.
He picked up a piece of tender fish and placed it in Lu Jingning’s bowl. “Try this fish. It’s quite delicious.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Lu Jingning lifted her gaze, surprise and gratitude flashing in her eyes. She carefully picked up the fish and tasted it slowly, her face full of content happiness.
After the meal, Lu Jingning parted her red lips and spoke softly, “Your Majesty, perhaps you should go to Sister Virtuous Consort tonight. She must miss you.”
After speaking, her eyes carried a trace of hope and humility, as if she truly wished for the emperor to leave.
“Why?”
Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly. Confusion flickered in his eyes as he looked at her innocent expression, waves rippling in his heart.
Lu Jingning pretended to be aggrieved, yet still strong as she said, “If not for sister, this concubine would not even have had the chance to meet Your Majesty. How dare I expect anything more now?”
“Oh? Are those truly your heartfelt words?”
Xiao Jingheng had long grown used to women in the palace stopping at nothing to keep him by their side.
Why was Lu Jingning not only not keeping him, but even pushing him toward someone else?
Could it be she had other intentions?
Seeing the suspicion in his eyes, Lu Jingning secretly sighed—emperors truly were the most doubtful by nature.
Her gaze was clear, her voice gentle yet firm. “Your Majesty is not only this concubine’s husband, but also my sister’s husband.”
“Though this concubine is reluctant in a thousand ways, I do not wish to make Your Majesty feel troubled.”
As she spoke, she bowed slightly—humble, yet elegant.
Xiao Jingheng looked at her, a complicated emotion flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, he stood up, striding forward, and pulled Lu Jingning into his arms.
Lu Jingning was taken aback, feeling his warmth envelop her. “Your Majesty…”
Xiao Jingheng’s voice was low and steady. “Tonight, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay with you.”
Lu Jingning gazed at him in a daze, seeing only Xiao Jingheng in her eyes.
“Someone come.” Xiao Jingheng called out to the attendants outside.
“What are Your Majesty’s orders?” Chun’er asked nervously—this was her first time facing the emperor.
“Assist your mistress in changing clothes.”
“Yes.”
Lu Jingning followed Chun’er to change, and Eunuch Zhao stepped forward to serve the emperor.
Lu Jingning walked lightly, changing out of her layered palace attire. After putting on her nightwear, she approached Xiao Jingheng.
She wore a gauzy nightgown as thin as cicada wings, embroidered with elegant orchids that swayed softly with her steps, adding to her delicate beauty.
“Your Majesty…”
Xiao Jingheng reclined against the bed, his gaze gentle as water as he watched her—filled with admiration and desire.
The candlelight lit her features: skin like white jade, eyes like stars, lips rosy and soft—she looked like a fairy from a painting, breathtakingly beautiful.
Lu Jingning sat beside him, stealing a shy glance in his direction.
“I still don’t know your name.” Xiao Jingheng reached out to stroke her cheek. The delicate softness beneath his fingers made his heart tremble.
“Your Majesty, this concubine is named Lu Jingning.”
Her voice was soft and tender, each word seeming to fall directly into his heart.
“‘The white blossoms bind in joy, Ning withdraws the clinging vines’… it’s a fine name,” Xiao Jingheng praised.
Lu Jingning blushed deeply and whispered, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise. This concubine does not deserve it.”
Eunuch Zhao saw the late hour and reminded gently, “Your Majesty, it is time to rest.”
He extinguished several lamps, and the chamber dimmed.
Lu Jingning lay down lightly, the brocade quilt covering her as only her delicate face peeked out. Her eyes shimmered with shyness.
She lay on her side, hands folded before her abdomen, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your Majesty… this concubine cannot sleep. Will you talk with me for a while?”
Her long lashes fluttered lightly like butterfly wings.
“All right. What would you like to talk about?”
Xiao Jingheng gazed at her, a softness he had never felt before warming his heart. The world seemed to quiet around them.
“What kind of woman does Your Majesty like?”
Xiao Jingheng thought for a moment. “I do not know.”
“Then… may I become the kind of woman Your Majesty likes?”
Lu Jingning grew bolder and leaned onto his chest, asking softly.
“What do you think?” Xiao Jingheng teased her deliberately.
“This concubine… also does not know.” Lu Jingning stuck out her tongue playfully.
After speaking, she obediently lay properly and said seriously, “Your Majesty should rest now.”
Then she closed her eyes. She was truly a bit tired today, and within moments, she fell asleep.
Xiao Jingheng listened to her breathing, stunned that she had actually fallen asleep just like that.
Did he have no charm at all? How could she fall asleep so quickly?
“…Forget it.” Xiao Jingheng felt somewhat sulky.
He closed his eyes as well. After drifting off for a short while, he suddenly felt something soft pressing against him.
Half awake, he saw Lu Jingning clinging to him.
He forced his eyes open and glanced at her.
She was pressed tightly against him. Her nightclothes had slipped off her shoulder, revealing a wide expanse of smooth skin.
His body reacted instinctively—this little enchantress.
Xiao Jingheng got up, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it down to suppress the heat surging through him.
Then he returned to the bed and eventually fell asleep.
…
Morning.
Xiao Jingheng rose and stretched. Seeing Lu Jingning still asleep, he pinched her cheek lightly.
Watching her frown a little, he found it quite amusing.
Since the time was almost up, Xiao Jingheng left directly for court.
Lu Jingning woke later and found the other side of the bed already empty.
“Chun’er.”
Chun’er entered and reported, “My lady, the empress sent word earlier—Her Majesty is unwell and you do not need to pay morning respects for the next few days.”
Lu Jingning was about to get up, but upon hearing this, she lay back down, planning to sleep again.
Chun’er hesitated when she noticed the handkerchief beneath the bedding was still pure white. “My lady… you did not do that with His Majesty?”
Lu Jingning replied carelessly, “Of course not. All right, I’m going to sleep a little more. You can go.”
She had her own plan. If a man got what he wanted too easily, how would he cherish it? After all, what one cannot obtain is always the most desired.
“Yes, my lady.”
Chun’er trusted her. Her lady’s decisions were always right.
End of Chapter