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

Before the two could ask, the Queen spoke first, looking at An Lingrong and showing her understanding: "I have done my best regarding your father's matter, but there is nothing I can do. The Emperor only said that it was a matter of state affairs and would not discuss anything else."

An Lingrong complained silently in her heart, what kind of nonsense literature is this? The emperor didn’t say anything, so what’s the point of you going to the Qinzheng Palace?

But she said helplessly: "Since your Majesty has said so, then this concubine can do nothing!"

"At this point, it depends on your father's fate, and secondly, whether there is room for maneuver from the emperor's side." The queen did not say anything final.

Zhen Huan sneered inwardly. This was a brilliant move by the Queen, aiming for the benefits without taking any responsibility. If An Bihuai was saved, it would be her achievement; if An Bihuai died, it would be his own fault. Either way, the Queen would reap the benefits without taking any risks.

An Lingrong also knew in her heart that the Queen did not plead with all her strength, but was just going through the motions in front of the Emperor.

In reality, the Empress knew that the Emperor disliked harem interference in state affairs, so she wouldn't anger him over this matter. She merely mentioned it to the Emperor to give An Lingrong some face, but she wouldn't actually contribute. Furthermore, the Empress's goal was simply to win over the Emperor's support, not to truly save An Bihuai. Now that the superficial work had been done, she was content. As for An Bihuai's life or death, it was of no concern to her.

An Lingrong quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Whether this succeeds or not, I am grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Seeing her tearful expression, the Queen softened her tone and soothed her, "Get up! Since you entered the palace, you have shouldered the family's honor. Prosperity and adversity are shared. As the mistress of the harem, I have a duty to look after you. Whenever I can help you, I will!"

After saying that, he looked at Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan also immediately stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, I am truly grateful for your words."

An Lingrong put on an expression of gratitude, as if looking up to a deity, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Empress, is the mother of the nation and loves the six palaces. Your humble concubine, your humble concubine..."

Before he could finish his words, he burst into tears.

The Queen showed a look of deep distress: "Lady Wan, Concubine Wen has been in poor health and is overwhelmed with worry. You must comfort her well."

"The Empress is kind and loving, and I feel the same way. But I am stupid and don't know how to repay the Empress." Zhen Huan also expressed her loyalty at the right time.

The queen finally heard what she wanted to hear.

"Nowadays, there are frequent disturbances in the harem, one after another. I have had severe headaches recently and I am really exhausted from dealing with them. The emperor often says that Concubine Wan is understanding. If she could understand what I am thinking, she would naturally be able to share my worries." After saying that, he winked at Jianqiu.

Jianqiu, who was standing by, calmly brought the incense burner in the corner to the queen.

"Alas, in such hot weather, the dead ashes in the incense burner have rekindled. What should I do?"

After saying this, he calmly picked up the tea and took a sip, then looked at the expressions of Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged glances, then nodded to each other imperceptibly.

Zhen Huan picked up the teacup, walked to the Queen, squatted down, opened the lid of the incense burner with her bare hands, and poured the water in the teacup into it.

"I am in the harem, and the Empress is the master of the harem. It is my duty to share the Empress's worries. As the saying goes, the wise work with their minds, but I am dull and incompetent, so I can only repay the Empress with my physical strength."

The Queen was very satisfied with Zhen Huan's answer. "Very good, you really didn't disappoint me." She then looked at An Lingrong, "What about you?"

An Lingrong finally stopped crying, "Your Majesty's kindness is like sending charcoal in the snow, naturally warming the branches."

Zhen Huan added fuel to the fire: "The moon is bright and the stars are sparse. The magpies fly south, circling the tree three times, wondering where to rest. Finally, they find a branch to rest on."

The Queen looked at Zhen Huan meaningfully. "In fact, there has only ever been one tree in this palace. The others are just a dazzling array of flowers. As long as you can clearly distinguish which is the tree and which is the flower, everything will be fine!"

"Thank you, Her Majesty, for your guidance. I will keep it in mind." Although Zhen Huan said this, in her heart, the Emperor was the tree.

After walking out of Louyue Kaiyun Pavilion, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

When they returned to the sky, Shen Meizhuang was already waiting anxiously, "What happened?"

"The Queen has already gone to the Qinzheng Palace. The rest depends on my father's fate." An Lingrong sighed. She must find a way to deal with this An Bihuai to prevent him from always being a drag on the team.

Zhen Huan said, "Today I have finally seen the Queen's true colors. If the Queen wanted to help Rong'er, she could have shown her responsibility as a superior and spoken up for Rong'er. But she is only using this incident to gain fame and win people's support. It is true that a gentleman is concerned with righteousness, while a villain is concerned with profit."

At this time, Jin Xi entered the palace and bowed, "Reporting to the three young ladies, news has come from the Qinzheng Palace that Concubine Hua has requested an audience with the Emperor."

"Concubine Hua must be asking the Emperor to severely punish my father!" An Lingrong mused. "Her actions are rather foolish! The Emperor already dislikes her involvement with Nian Gengyao. She wants to use this incident to suppress the concubines in the harem. The Emperor will definitely be displeased."

"This way, we'll save ourselves a lot of trouble." Zhen Huan had some understanding of Yongzheng's thoughts. "If Concubine Hua hadn't gone, I'd have worried that the Emperor would have been furious and punished Uncle An. But now that Concubine Hua is gone, given the Emperor's suspicious nature, he'll definitely think more about the intricacies of this matter. This way, Uncle has a chance of survival!"

An Lingrong nodded. "This was originally a small matter, but because it involved me, and by extension, my two sisters, the various forces in the harem were mobilized to seek benefits from it! Since my sister has been implicated by me, it's inevitable that she will help me to the end!"

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Rong'er. I know my limits. The Emperor doesn't need me to add fuel to the fire."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, sister!" An Lingrong stepped forward to help Zhen Huan massage her back.

Sure enough, not long after Zhen Huan entered the Qinzheng Palace, the emperor issued an edict, ordering Shen Zishan to carefully investigate the case of the missing military rations and to ensure that no one would be wronged.

A few days later, the emperor issued an edict to pardon An Bihuai and reinstate him to his original position.