The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

"I've never had control over my own life, but today I can finally take charge."

"If there is an afterlife, I will never live like this again. I ended my life with regret and remorse."

I was half asleep when I jolted awake. Looking around, this simple setting—wasn't this the inn where I'd stayed the day before the audition? Why was I here?

I remember clearly that we arrived in the capital very late that day, and many inns were closed. My father sent a servant and hired a carriage to bring me there. The journey to the capital was long, and we traveled for several days. After all the travel and exhaustion, we finally arrived. Although there wasn't even a maid, I was used to it.

Although I was a legitimate daughter, my mother was disliked by my father, and my life in the mansion was difficult. I often went hungry and suffered from the cold shoulder of others. My father knew of our plight but ignored it, allowing the concubines to bully my mother. I could only be cautious and do my best to protect my mother. I thought things would get better in the future, that once I got married and left this family, everything would be easier.

This kind of life has continued to this day. I heard that the court is holding a selection of women of appropriate age, regardless of whether they are Han or Manchu banners, and they must enter the palace to participate in the selection. I think this is my best chance. If I can really be selected, my mother and I will have a good life in the future.

My father agreed. My sisters were not happy about it, but since the candidate had to be the legitimate daughter of the family, they naturally didn't dare to say anything. My father simply told me to be careful and not to make any mistakes that would affect the family. I agreed to all his advice.

My mother was the most worried. I'd often heard that entering the palace was like entering a deep sea, a difficult situation, but there was no other way. If I were chosen, I was told to be cautious. The palace is different from home, and I must be more careful and cautious in everything. My mother was just like that. She spent her whole life thinking only of my father, never thinking of herself.

My aunt's gentle voice called me, bringing my thoughts back. Yes, I'm entering the palace tomorrow. In my last life, I almost arrived late because I couldn't get a fast carriage and lived far away. Fortunately, my aunt was kind and made it in time. This time, I have to prepare early. I asked my aunt to arrange the carriage and use my own savings to buy some good materials to avoid any mistakes tomorrow. My aunt understood immediately and went to make the arrangements.

Now I can rest well. I'll see my sister tomorrow. My sister was so good to me, and I've finally let her down. I hope I can make amends in this life and prevent this from happening again.

The next day, I rose early, washed, and dressed. My clothes weren't luxurious, but they were much better than in my previous life. I no longer worried. My last life, I wasn't selected, but because I was sensible and well-mannered, I didn't show any displeasure, which made the Empress Dowager feel more favorable towards me. Furthermore, the crabapple blossoms my sister had given me attracted a butterfly, which changed the Emperor's mind and allowed me to be selected.

I only understood this later. Crabapple blossoms don't have a scent; the butterflies that landed in my hair were only because I had blended the fragrance. But my sister was truly kind. In a previous life, she not only gave me her earrings and crabapple blossoms, but she also stood up for me. Perhaps from that moment on, I considered her my own sister. It was only later, due to numerous misunderstandings, that we drifted further and further apart.

Now that I have the chance to do it all over again, I should rewrite it all.

Everything went according to plan. This time, I arrived at the palace gate early and waited with the other young ladies from aristocratic families. After a while, I saw my elder sister arrive. She was still dressed in the same cool and understated style as before, but even so, her elegant demeanor couldn't be concealed. Later, Mei Jie arrived. She was beautiful, dignified, and had the demeanor of a lady from a noble family.

But my sisters didn't recognize me yet. In my previous life, I accidentally spilled tea on Miss Xia's clothes. My sisters couldn't stand her arrogant bullying, so they stood up for me and offended her. This time, I had to avoid the previous experience and stay away from her. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I spotted her not far away, still arrogant and domineering. I found an inconspicuous place and stayed away from her, which was always safe.

Seeing my elder sister and sister Mei talking together, I mustered up the courage to go over and say hello. My elder sister was very kind. Although a little surprised, she was still very happy. After a brief introduction and greeting, we agreed that if we were selected together, we would take care of each other in the palace and be as close as sisters.

The subsequent palace selection went very smoothly, and all three of us were selected. Before we left, my sister asked me where I was living now and whether I would like to come with her to the palace so that we could learn the palace etiquette together.

The next day, I went to the Zhen residence with my aunt. My uncle and aunt were always kind and happy to see me. But I knew I had let them down, and I felt guilty and uneasy. Only by making amends could I feel at ease.

I've been spending a lot of time with my sister these days. She often says we hit it off right away, as if we've known each other for years. I don't know where this strange idea comes from, but it makes me laugh.

"It's fate. My sister and I were destined to be together in our previous life. In this life, we will be sisters for life."

My elder sister is well-read and highly talented. Unfortunately, I haven't read much, and I often feel inferior. My elder sister senses my discomfort and often encourages me, even though I know so much more than she does. Everyone has their strengths, so how can we compare? Everything in the Zhen Mansion is excellent, something I've never seen before. My elder sister has no brothers, only a younger sister, Yu Rao, who is still very young but very cute and clever.

Thinking about it this way, Yu Rao was the only happy one after that, as she married the man she truly loved. She also had two personal maids, Liu Zhu, who was lively and lovely, and Huan Bi, who was smart and clever, and somewhat like her sister.

The palace announced that my sister had become a concubine, and I was only a concubine. Given my sister's family background, this was as it should be. Aunt Fangruo taught us palace etiquette. The palace had a strict hierarchy, with distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children.

The Emperor, deeply in love, has never forgotten Empress Chunyuan and holds the current Empress's sister in high esteem. The Empress is dignified and graceful, managing the harem with impeccable order. Concubine Hua enjoys considerable favor due to her brother's contributions to state affairs.

The women of the palace are like the flowers in full bloom in the imperial garden, eternally vibrant and vibrant. As some gain favor, others lose it. That square sky entraps us throughout our lives.

In the end, no one got what they wanted. True love is the most precious commodity in the palace. I know the Emperor never loved me, and those favors were just a temporary novelty. In my previous life, I was exploited for favors and alienated from my sister.

I've done so many wrong things, and Sister Mei died in childbirth. I regret that. The three of us used to be so close, like sisters. Sister Mei was a lady from a noble family, dignified and noble, and because of her, we got along so well.

Now, we can be together again. In this life, I will protect my sisters well.