An Lingrong after rebirth

"When An Lingrong returned to Chengqian Palace, everything had been settled. The emperor leaned against the couch with a bad look on his face, and Ping'er knelt on the ground, sobbing softly."

"When An Lingrong entered the room, she saw this scene. Your Majesty, please forgive me. Zhao'er and Jun'er were too attached to me and didn't let me come back. I'm sorry for making Your Majesty wait for so long..."

"Then, An Lingrong's voice got stuck in her throat and suddenly stopped."

"He paused, and a smile appeared on his face again. Your Majesty, what happened? Did Ping'er offend your Majesty?"

As he spoke, his eyes swept across the table, and the traces of the incense burner had been cleaned up completely.

"The emperor's face was gloomy, and he didn't seem to be going to speak. Su Peisheng walked up to An Lingrong with an embarrassed look on his face and whispered, "Your Majesty, this palace maid... has been favored..."

"An Lingrong was startled, and hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me..."

"Get up," the emperor said in a somewhat stiff voice, but he did not mean to blame An Lingrong.

Thank you, Your Majesty. An Lingrong stood up gracefully, her face full of grievance. Your Majesty...

"This matter has nothing to do with you. But this maid was sent here by the Ministry of Internal Affairs? The emperor's words made An Lingrong look even worse."

"He hesitated for a long time, still not knowing what to say? The emperor frowned slightly. What can't be said?"

"Lian'er knelt down behind her and said, 'Your Majesty, it's not that my queen doesn't want to say it, but this Ping'er...was rewarded by the queen a few days ago and was transferred to Chengqian Palace to serve."

Lian Er, stop talking nonsense! An Lingrong turned around and rebuked, then looked at the emperor, "Your Majesty, the Empress loves me so much that she gave me the maidservant by her side as a reward."

"What happened today must have been done by Ping'er herself. It has nothing to do with the Empress. Your Majesty, please understand." After hearing An Lingrong's words, the Emperor's expression softened.

Reach out and hold An Lingrong's hand. You are always so considerate and only see the good in others.

"An Lingrong looks puzzled. Your Majesty?"

"The emperor did not say anything more about the empress. He shook his head and continued; this maid took advantage of your absence and deliberately tried to curry favor with the emperor. It is really hateful, Su Peisheng..."

"Your Majesty... Before the Emperor could finish his words, An Lingrong suddenly spoke up. She naturally couldn't just stand by and watch the Emperor punish Ping'er."

"Rong Er, do you have anything to say?"

"Your Majesty, Rong'er is a maid given by the Empress. If you treat her like this, wouldn't it make it difficult for the Empress?"

"The emperor's expression changed. He didn't have to take Ping'er's life. What An Lingrong said now was exactly what he wanted to hear."

Now, considering what Rong'er said, what should we do about this matter?

"Your Majesty, I think Ping'er's behavior today must have been caused by your Majesty. Why don't you show mercy and give her a grace and confer a higher position on her?"

"Yes, An Lingrong wanted the emperor to confer a title on Ping'er. The person sent by the queen climbed onto the dragon bed without telling her master when she was away."

"No matter what the Queen's reason was for letting someone enter Chengqian Palace, now it has become a deliberate attempt to divide An Lingrong's favor. It was not arranged by her, but it all became her intention."

"How could An Lingrong let go of such a good opportunity? She is the one who has been wronged. The Queen can only swallow her anger and cannot say anything else."

Isn’t this another kind of victory?

"Wouldn't that be unfair to you? After hearing this, the emperor's expression became inexplicable, as if he felt sorry for An Lingrong's grievance."

"I only hope that Your Majesty can be at ease. It is the duty of the women in the harem to serve the Emperor. How could I feel wronged? Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

"The emperor nodded. Well, since Rong'er asked, how can I refuse? I will make her an official lady. As for where to live, Rong'er can decide."

I allow you to live alone in Chengqian Palace, and no one else has to occupy your place.

"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely accomplish this. But do you want someone to inform the Empress?"

"Ping'er has been appointed as a female official, and she will have to pay respects to the Empress tomorrow. You can handle it. I will return to the Yangxin Palace first."

"An Lingrong let go of the emperor's hand, stood up and bent her knees. Yes, I will respectfully send your Majesty off."

"Within a few words, the two decided Ping'er's future."

"After the emperor left, An Lingrong sat down, glanced at Ping'er, and said: "I don't know where you come from yet."

Ping'er sobbed a few times and replied, "My lady, my surname is Gao, and my father is Gao Lie, the Director of Ceremonies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs." "Director of Ceremonies? Although he is from a bannerman family, he is qualified to be a concubine."

"An Lingrong's family background is ordinary, so naturally she won't say anything about her family background. After she finished speaking, she continued: "You are also a young lady now, so stand up, you don't have to kneel."

"The tears on Ping'er's face have not yet dried. When An Lingrong was talking to the emperor earlier, she had no room to speak. Now, hearing An Lingrong's words, she seems to be even more unable to bear it."

"Falling to the ground, Madam Shufei, I didn't mean to do that. I don't know what happened. I came in to give His Majesty a cup of tea, but His Majesty wouldn't let me leave."

Slave, slave...

"You mean, the emperor used force on you? An Lingrong's voice had a bit of an ambiguous meaning, and Ping'er stopped crying immediately after hearing it."

"That's right. She is just a servant. In the eyes of the people in the harem, she is favored by the emperor and should be grateful. Why does she feel wronged now?"

"If word of this gets out, let alone being given an official title, she might even be dragged out and beaten to death."

"With thoughts flying in her mind, Ping'er slowly knelt up straight. Today, the Concubine Shu spoke for me, which makes me a great benefactor. If I need you in the future, I will definitely repay you."

There is no need to do so. I just don't want to see Chengqian Palace become a place that is constantly criticized by others.

"An Lingrong waved her hand and said, "Okay, it's late now, no need to say more. You will stay in the side hall today, and I will arrange other accommodation for you tomorrow. Lian'er, take the high-ranking woman downstairs."

"An Lingrong didn't intend to talk anymore. Lian'er responded and led Ping'er out. The palace suddenly became quiet."

"After exhaling slightly, An Lingrong attacked Rong Pei, who had been standing aside for a long time. Rong Pei, I'm tired. Prepare some water."

………～…

"Although she said she would inform the Queen about Ping'er, An Lingrong slept for a while and seemed to have forgotten the instructions. It was not until the next morning that Lian'er reminded An Lingrong of the matter."

"After swallowing the snack in her mouth, An Lingrong picked up the teacup and took a sip before speaking; Forget it, it was already late last night, and it would be inappropriate to disturb the Queen."

"I will take the high-ranking official's daughter to Jingren Palace later. Yes. Your Majesty, please use it first. I will go and invite the high-ranking official's daughter to come."

"It wasn't the time for breakfast. In just a cup of tea, An Lingrong had packed everything and was leading Ping'er to Jingren Palace."

Although the other party was still wearing the palace maid uniform, An Lingrong had no intention of asking her to change clothes. She entered Jingren Palace and sat down in the main hall.

"But she let Lian'er accompany Gao Ping'er and stood outside, not letting her in. She walked to her seat and sat down. An Lingrong's face was naturally not as peaceful as when she first left the house."

"On the contrary, it makes me feel a little aggrieved and sad. Shen Meizhuang's position is not next to An Lingrong, and it is not convenient to ask in Jingren Palace."

"It was Concubine Qi, who was sitting below An Lingrong, who looked at her for a moment and couldn't help but ask in confusion, 'What happened to Concubine Shu? Why did you look unhappy all morning?'"

After hearing this, An Lingrong turned around and forced a smile, saying, "Thank you, Sister Qi Fei, for your concern. I'm fine!"

"Sister is in such a state, why are you still holding on so hard?" Concubine Qi didn't say anything for a while, and Concubine Jing on the opposite side also asked in confusion.

"After hearing this, An Lingrong still looked aggrieved, lowered her head and refused to speak. Concubine Qi then asked in doubt, "Why is my sister alone? Where are the servants?"

"When I came in just now, I saw Lian'er standing outside with another person. I dare to ask whether the Concubine Shu has suffered any injustice?"

"As soon as Xinpin entered the room, she said this. After saying this, An Lingrong seemed to be unable to hold back her expression any longer, and tears began to roll down her cheeks."

"This situation immediately made everyone in the palace panic. Oh my! What happened to Concubine Shu? Why is she crying like this for no reason?"

"Concubine Qi stood up and walked in, handing over the handkerchief. An Lingrong did not dislike it, but took it and wiped her eyes. I'm fine, I'm sorry to have worried you, sister."

"We are all sisters, there is nothing to hide. Tell us what happened. The Emperor will make the decision for you."

"After Concubine Qi finished speaking, before An Lingrong could open her mouth, Yixiu came in from the back hall, supporting Jianqiu. What were they all doing together?"

"Everyone paused in their consoling voices, turned their heads and looked at Yixiu, each of them stepped back two steps, knelt down, and greeted the Empress. May the Empress be blessed with good health!"

"Yixiu raised her hand to waive the ceremony, and naturally noticed An Lingrong's strange behavior. Is Concubine Shu crying?"

I have been disrespectful, please forgive me, Your Majesty!

Forget it, let’s all get up!

"After Yixiu finished speaking, Concubine Qi couldn't help but speak: Your Majesty, the Queen didn't see that Sister Shufei was crying so hard just now. Who knows if she has suffered some kind of injustice?"

"Oh? What happened when you were paying respects just now? What made Concubine Shu feel so wronged?"

"Yi Xiu responded, as if she had thought of something. Could it be that she had some dirty dealings with the Emperor? I heard that the Emperor did not stay in Chengqian Palace yesterday?"

"Yi Xiu only knew that the emperor left last night, but she didn't find out why. After what happened last night, An Lingrong quickly had someone watch over Gao Ping'er and didn't let her leave."

This is the moment! She stood up and knelt down. "Your Majesty, you are too kind. How dare I say something dirty to the Emperor? I just wonder if Your Majesty still remembers that you gave me a maid named Ping'er a few days ago?"

"Yi Xiu's expression paused, and she subconsciously had a bad feeling in her heart! But she couldn't figure out what An Lingrong meant by suddenly mentioning this person."

"Ping'er? How could she, a palace maid, let you, a legitimate concubine, feel wronged? Tell me, what happened? I will help you make the decision."

"Yixiu acted like a virtuous queen. If someone didn't know her well, they would think she was a kind person."

"But now the more she acts like this, the happier An Lingrong is."

"I knelt slightly and straightened my body. Your Majesty knows that the children are now temporarily living in Yonghe Palace. I had dinner in Yonghe Palace yesterday. When Your Majesty came to Chengqian Palace, I had not returned yet."

"Because Hong Zhao was crying, I stayed in Yonghe Palace for a few more hours. But when I returned to Chengqian Palace, I saw... saw..."

"At this point, An Lingrong seemed unable to continue. She swayed and was about to fall. Shen Meizhuang rushed over, bent her knees and supported An Lingrong. Rong'er..."

"Sister, I'm fine!" An Lingrong reached out and held Shen Meizhuang's wrist, but Yixiu spoke again; Shufei, just tell me what you saw!"

"Empress, Ping'er has been favored by the Emperor!" An Lingrong's words caused an uproar in the palace.

"In theory, the palace maids are all from the Eight Banners. Even if the emperor favors her, it's just a favor. It doesn't mean anything. He just gives her a rank."

"Although there is no such person in the emperor's harem, but during the time of the previous emperor, this was not uncommon. But no matter who it was, they all got the approval of their master?"