An Lingrong's Rebirth: I will not offend others unless they offend me

After Zhen Huan and Cui Jinxi entered Yonghe Palace, they learned from the eunuch guarding the gate that Shen Meiyu was playing with Princess Longyue in the backyard.

She declined the young eunuch's offer to lead the way and walked back with Cui Jinxi's support.

Seeing that there was no one around, Zhen Huan sighed softly.

"Sister Mei and I have been friends for many years. In the past, we didn't need to notify each other when we visited each other's residences."

Cui Jinxi comforted him as she walked.

"Master, you have been away from the palace for over four years. This palace has changed a lot. The eunuch guarding the gate looks very unfamiliar to me. He must be new."

"Empress Hui has always been thinking of you. She sends your favorite poems and songs to Ganlu Temple almost every month. Baizhi and I packed a huge box. It seems that Empress Hui has been to Jingyang Palace looking for books quite often."

"Yes, Sister Mei is very thoughtful. She copied every book by hand."

Zhen Huan followed Cui Jinxi's words.

But every time a book was sent to her, she missed the leisurely days when she could never put down the book while being tortured by others.

Only Zhen Huan herself knew how sad she felt when she looked at those manuscripts in the dead of night.

Fortunately, Yunli healed the pain in her heart.

Unfortunately, life is so cruel that she is now back in the palace that she once wanted to escape from.

Before the two of them walked out of the platform corridor, they heard Longyue's clear and pleasant laughter.

Interspersed in between were Shen Meizhuang's gentle admonitions.

"Longyue, don't run too fast, be careful not to fall!"

Zhen Huan seemed to be infected by Longyue's smile and couldn't help but quicken her pace.

She came out of the platform corridor and looked up to see Shen Meizhuang sitting under a tree, smiling and watching Longyue flying a kite.

The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves, scattering mottled light on Shen Meizhuang, who looks gentle all over.

For a moment, Zhen Huan felt that Sister Mei seemed more suitable to be Longyue's mother than her.

This fleeting thought caused Zhen Huan to feel a sharp pain in her heart.

Cai Yue, who was focusing her attention on her master, glanced at the master and servant standing outside the platform corridor and quickly reminded them in a low voice.

"Master, Concubine Zhen is here!"

Shen Meizhuang turned her head and saw Zhen Huan walking towards her.

She quickly stood up and went over to greet him with a smile.

"Huan'er, you're here!"

"Sister Mei, Huan'er came uninvited, I hope you won't blame me."

Although Zhen Huan said this, she still grabbed the hand that Shen Meizhuang extended.

"Why do we sisters have to be so polite?"

Shen Meizhuang pulled Zhen Huan under the tree and explained in a gentle voice.

"Longyue got up early this morning and pestered Madam to teach her needlework. I was worried she might hurt her eyes, so I asked a palace maid to fly a kite with her."

She looked gently at the hazy moon in the distance and discussed with a smile.

"Huan'er, it's rare for Longyue to be so happy. Can you let her come and pay her respects to you later?"

Zhen Huan nodded slightly.

"Sister Mei really loves children. Huan'er doesn't know how to thank you."

"Longyue is well-behaved and obedient, a lovely child."

Shen Meizhuang stared at the running little man without blinking, and sighed sincerely.

"Life in the harem is lonely. Without Longyue, I don't know how I would go on."

"To others, it may seem like I'm taking care of Longyue, but in reality, this child gives me a reason to live."

Shen Meizhuang glanced at her belly out of the corner of her eye. Longyue was a talisman given to her by the emperor, and no one could take it away.

Zhen Huan could hear from her words that she was reluctant to part with Longyue.

She thought for a moment and continued with a smile.

"Sister Mei, you are too kind. Longyue is just a child..."

Before Zhen Huan could finish her words, she was interrupted by Longyue who came running over.

"Mother! My daughter's kite is tangled in a tree. What should I do?"

Shen Meizhuang hugged Longyue in her arms with heartache and comforted her softly.

"Don't worry, Mother will have someone take the kite down right away."

"Longyue, look who's here?"

Shen Meizhuang took Longyue's hand and turned her around, letting her face Zhen Huan.

Only then did Longyue see Zhen Huan in her sapphire blue palace dress. She thought for a moment and bowed in a formal manner.

"Longyue pays her respects to Empress Zhen!"

Zhen Huan smiled and held out her hand, "Okay! Get up!"

She pulled Longyue to her side and looked at Shen Meizhuang with gratitude.

"The day we returned to the palace, the people in Zhongcui Palace were full of gossip. Although we sisters don't say anything polite, Huan'er is really grateful to Sister Mei for taking care of Longyue and treating her like her own daughter over the years."

"Huan'er, you and I have a deep bond as sisters. If I were to thank you for this, it would truly be embarrassing for me."

Shen Meizhuang gently stroked Longyue's hair and reminded her softly.

"Longyue, Empress Zhen is your real mother, call her mother."

"No! She's not! You are my mother."

Longyue struggled hard to break free from Zhen Huan's hand, and rushed towards Shen Meiyu crying, holding her palace dress tightly and refusing to let go.

"Mother, don't you want me anymore? Longyue is your daughter."

Shen Meizhuang patted Longyue's back lovingly and comforted her.

"My dear Longyue, how could my mother not want you?"

"Do you remember what mother once said? Empress Zhen also likes you very much. From now on, besides mother, there is another person who loves you."

"Look, Madam Zhen made your favorite pink cloak. Why don't you go and call Madam, please?"

Longyue choked back her retort without even raising her head.

"Empress Zhen is not my mother!"

"I heard that Longyue's biological mother was punished in Ganlu Temple. How could she possibly return to the palace?"

Shen Meizhuang paused patting Longyue's back and coaxed her in a low voice.

"The kitchen has prepared Longyue's favorite pea yellow. Mother asked Aunt Caiyue to accompany you back to your room to eat. Is that okay?"

Longyue raised her tear-stained face and nodded heavily.

She choked up and said, "Mother, wipe Longyue."

Shen Meizhuang did as she was told, and then put Longyue's little hand into Caiyue's hand.

Longyue left, looking back every few steps. Her reluctant look made Zhen Huan feel sad.

She asked frustratedly.

"Sister Mei, has no one ever mentioned me in these four years?"

Otherwise, why would Longyue be so resistant to her?

Shen Meizhuang ignored the question in her words and explained helplessly.

"Huan'er, don't blame Longyue. Blame the Emperor for not letting Longyue know that you were his biological mother. Two years ago, a palace maid let slip that Longyue's biological mother was in Ganlu Temple, and the Emperor, in a rage, beat her to death."

"The emperor's order is hard to disobey, sister..."

"Your Majesty is right. How could Longyue have a mother like me who was born the daughter of a traitor?"

Zhen Huan closed her eyes in pain, and the tears that had been accumulating for a long time could not stop flowing out.

How cruel the emperor is!

Not only did they separate the mother and daughter, but they also completely covered up all traces of her existence.