The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

Chapter 472 Hibiscus

The political situation in the previous dynasty was stable, with no major wars on the border and no major chaos in the court. Yongzheng felt a little relieved, which was rare. As a result, he had more time to go to the harem.

The place he frequented most was still Yongshou Palace. Whenever he stepped through that gate, Yongzheng's mood would unconsciously lighten. Together, they would discuss poetry, admire flowers, and drink tea. Zhen Huan's gentleness and thoughtfulness only made him yearn for her. In this palace, he could shed the majesty of the emperor, become an ordinary man, and share a moment of tranquility with the woman he loved.

But what Zhen Huan was thinking is unknown.

Shen Meizhuang is still busy with various trivial matters in the palace, handling palace affairs, and managing all the affairs of the harem in an orderly manner. In her spare time, she also has to take care of the children and care about Hongxu's homework.

The one with the most leisure is An Lingrong. She has nothing to do every day. When she has free time, she will drag people to play mahjong. No matter whether they are ladies or palace maids, they can sit at the same table with her. If she really can't find anyone to play with, she will go out for a walk and enjoy herself.

In the royal garden.

An Lingrong was wandering aimlessly when a breeze blew gently. The flowers on the treetops were picked up by the wind and fluttered down, scattering on her shoulders and hair. Some flowers even hit her head squarely.

She lowered her head and saw a few pale pink hibiscus flowers scattered at her feet.

Hibiscus, also known as the infinite flower, blooms in the morning and withers in the evening, symbolizing gentle persistence and perseverance. It means that every day has a new beginning, so cherish time and hope for new life.

She squatted down and gently picked up a flower. The petals were delicate, with slightly curled edges. There were still a few drops of undried dew in the center of the flower, which slid to the ground as she moved.

Seeing her lost in thought, Ju Qing couldn't help but remind her, "My Lady, it looks like it's going to rain soon. Let's go back!"

An Lingrong glanced at the sky, shook her head, and smiled, "The free-flowing petals are as light as a dream, and the endless drizzle is as fine as sorrow. There is something special about admiring flowers in the rain."

Seeing her madam reciting poetry seriously, Ju Qing smiled secretly and said, "Madam, I didn't bring an umbrella with me. What if I get sick from the rain?"

An Lingrong looked around and pointed to a pavilion not far away: "Let's go there to avoid the rain and enjoy the flowers."

Seeing that she was in high spirits, Juqing didn't try to persuade her and helped her walk into the pavilion.

As soon as the two of them sat down in the pavilion, they heard light footsteps coming from not far away.

Looking up, I saw a concubine holding the hand of a palace maid, walking towards the pavilion. She walked slowly and cautiously, obviously because of her physical condition.

Only when I got closer did I see clearly that it was Concubine Shun Mu Jingqiu.

Mu Jingqiu was surprised to see someone in the pavilion and was slightly startled. Then she revealed a gentle smile and stepped forward, bowing slightly and saying, "Your concubine greets Her Majesty Wen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health."

An Lingrong stood up, took a step back, and said with a smile, "Sister, you're pregnant, so there's no need to be polite. Please sit down!"

Mu Jingqiu nodded gently and said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Then, with Cuixiang's support, she slowly sat down on the stone bench, holding her slightly bulging belly with both hands.

An Lingrong looked at the sky, which was becoming increasingly overcast, and asked with concern, "It's going to rain soon. Why isn't your sister staying in the palace to take good care of your pregnancy? Instead, why are you out and about? What if you catch a cold?"

Mu Jingqiu smiled slightly, her tone gentle: "I was bored during my pregnancy, so I thought I'd go out for a walk to relax. I didn't expect to run into the Empress. What a coincidence."

An Lingrong didn't want to talk to her any more, so she made an excuse: "Sister, please rest here. I have something else to do, so I'll go back first."

Upon hearing this, Mu Jingqiu quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I respectfully bid you farewell."

An Lingrong nodded, and just as she stepped out of the pavilion, the rain began to fall outside. The raindrops hit the bluestone slabs with a crisp sound, and the air was suddenly filled with a damp smell.

She had no choice but to retract her leg and retreat back to the pavilion.

Seeing this, Mu Jingqiu smiled gently and walked over to her side: "It seems that God also wants to keep guests. If your Majesty doesn't mind, why don't you let me chat with you?"

An Lingrong looked at her expression and saw that nothing was wrong with her. She felt a little relieved and sat back on the stone bench.

Mu Jingqiu then noticed a hibiscus flower on the table. She gently picked it up and murmured, "Tall and graceful, reflecting the clear pond, swaying gracefully in the wind. It resembles a hibiscus, vaguely a peony."

After reciting the poem, she looked up at An Lingrong and asked softly, "My Lady, do you like hibiscus?"

An Lingrong's gaze fell on the hibiscus flower, and she said calmly, "I just picked it up casually to enjoy it. It's hard to say whether I like it or not."

Mu Jingqiu smiled slightly and placed the hibiscus flower back on the table, his eyes filled with deep meaning: "The wind and dew are sad, the autumn scenery is flourishing, it's a pity that the glory falls from day to day. There are three thousand women in Weiyang Palace, but I only want beauty, not grace."

An Lingrong's heart stirred when she heard this. She looked up at Mu Jingqiu, her tone gentle yet somewhat tentative, "My sister is pregnant now, and the emperor's favor is increasing. When you give birth to the dragon baby, the emperor will surely dote on you even more. Why do you have such feelings?"

Mu Jingqiu lowered his head and stroked his slightly swollen belly. A faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips, but there was a hint of bitterness hidden in this smile: "The favor in this palace is like this hibiscus flower, blooming in the morning and withering in the evening. Who can predict what will happen tomorrow?"

An Lingrong's heart rippled after hearing this. Although she and Mu Jingqiu were not close friends, she understood that the women in the palace, whether favored or not, always had an unspeakable uneasiness in their hearts.

What's more, she is pregnant, so it's inevitable that she will have too many thoughts.

She was silent for a moment, but after all, she was not one to talk too much, so she could only say softly, "Since you can't predict what will happen tomorrow, just live well today. Take good care of yourself, and when you give birth to a child in the future, it will be your support."

After saying this, she looked outside the pavilion and said no more.

Fine raindrops, like smoke and fog, gently enveloped the entire palace. Raindrops hit the glazed tiles, making a crisp sound, and slowly flowed down the eaves, gathering into crystal-clear curtains of water.

The air is filled with the scent of damp earth, mixed with a few wisps of sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance, drifting in the wind, refreshing the heart.

Mu Jingqiu followed her gaze and sighed softly, "This rain is coming at the perfect time."

After saying this, he turned his gaze towards An Lingrong, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.

An Lingrong had been looking outside, not noticing her expression, and said casually, "Yes, the air after the rain is always especially fresh."

A quarter of an hour later, although the sky was still covered with dark clouds, the rain had gradually stopped.

An Lingrong stood up, straightened her sleeves, turned to Mu Jingqiu and said, "Sister, the rain has stopped. Do you want me to send someone to take you back?"

Mu Jingqiu shook her head and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will go back on my own and will not trouble you any more."

"Then I'll leave first."

After An Lingrong finished speaking, she turned around and was about to leave the pavilion.

Not far away, there were sounds of laughter, which gradually became clearer.

At this moment, Mu Jingqiu suddenly said, "My Lady, please stay!"

An Lingrong stopped, turned around to look at her, and asked suspiciously, "Sister, is there anything else?"

Mu Jingqiu took two steps forward and walked to An Lingrong's side.