The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

Since the death of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor has handed over the power of governing the harem back to the Empress, who is now in high spirits.

"No matter who is favored in this harem, they can never surpass the Empress." Jianqiu said proudly.

"Your Majesty is just being sentimental at the moment. This harem is naturally still my world. Even if Your Majesty favors someone else, she can only be a favorite concubine." The Queen smiled.

"It's a pity that after the Queen Mother passed away, I have one less person to protect me. Sister, sister, my good sister, even though you have been gone for so many years, whenever I mention you to the Emperor, the Emperor still favors you." When the Queen said this, she felt a little resentful again.

"Sister, you have the position of Concubine, the crown prince, and the emperor's favor, but what about me? I lost them all overnight, just because you are the legitimate daughter and I am the illegitimate daughter. How can I not hate you?" The queen was still talking to herself.

Jianqiu watched from the side, her eyes filled with heartache.

Jianqiu was one of the maids who served the queen personally when she first married into the palace. There were four maids: Huichun, Xiuxia, Jianqiu, and Fudong. Jianqiu was not the one who served the queen the longest, but she was the one the queen trusted the most.

Jianqiu understood the painful and heartbreaking days of the palace, having accompanied the queen all the way from her days in the palace to her high position in the harem. In Jianqiu's heart, the queen was not only her master, but also the most important person in her heart.

"I know that what Your Majesty wants is always simple, but things go against your wishes. You can't keep what you want."

"I still remember when you first entered the Forbidden City, I gave you the name Jianqiu, meaning that after autumn, there would be abundant fruits and we could look forward to the coming year." The queen thought of her days in the palace.

"I remember when I first entered the palace, the prince treated me very well. Although he had already married Qi Yuebin as his concubine when I entered the palace, he still took great care of me. On the day of our wedding, he even gave me a pair of jade bracelets and put them on me personally."

"He also vowed to me that he wished to be like this and see me day and night. At that moment, I felt so happy." The queen couldn't help laughing.

Then the queen lifted her sleeves and stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist.

"The jade bracelet is still there, but your love is no longer with me." The queen sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor still cares about you. He has respected you very much over the years." Jianqiu tried to comfort the Queen.

"Why should I respect her? Over the years, I've understood that there will always be enough women, whether it's the women in the palace or the concubines in the palace. But no matter what, I'm the queen, the only one who can be the mother of the country."

Jianqiu knew that the Queen's inner pain started in the palace, from the night the eldest prince died.

She would never forget that cold, rainy night. The eldest prince was seriously ill, yet no one cared. She ran all over the palace looking for him, only to hear his laughter at the wife's house.

The imperial doctors all went to the courtyard of the legitimate wife, and found out that she was pregnant. The prince was overjoyed and had no idea that the eldest prince was seriously ill.

Jianqiu tried to break in and tell the prince, but the guards refused to let her in. She tried to shout, but the guards pulled her away.

When she rushed back, the eldest prince had already left.

The concubine cried in the rain while holding the child. It rained heavily all night, and her master also walked in the rain all night while holding the child. When it was almost dawn, she finally couldn't hold on and fainted.

Later, the concubine was heartbroken and cried night after night, while the legitimate wife was in high spirits and pregnant, monopolizing the prince's favor. She was also Yixiu's biological sister. How could she not hate her?

Jianqiu knew that the Queen's journey had not been easy, and she had always been loyal and considerate of the Queen, doing many things that she shouldn't have done, but she was not afraid.

"As long as I can help you, my lady, I will do whatever I can."

"Jianqiu, I know you are loyal. You are the only one I can trust around me now. You must help me keep an eye on those people in the harem. If there is any movement, please tell me in time."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have made all the arrangements." Jianqiu had already arranged for someone to keep an eye on it.

"Go and find out which palace the emperor has been staying in recently?" the queen suddenly asked Jianqiu.

"Your Majesty, I have already inquired about it. The Emperor has been going to Suiyuxuan frequently recently to visit An Lingrong and Zhen Huan, and sometimes he also goes to see Shen Meiyu. Your Majesty can no longer tolerate these three people." Jianqiu was a little excited.

"We absolutely cannot act hastily at this moment. We need to take a long-term view. After all, Shen Meizhuang's father is the Assistant Commander of Jeju, commanding a large army. If we act rashly, it will only backfire. Let's not touch her for now. However, haven't the three of them always had a deep sisterly bond? Humph! I'd like to see how long this so-called sisterly bond can last."

"Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan both gave birth to princes and were born into good families. Only An Lingrong came from a humble background. I never expected her to rise to the position of Imperial Concubine. She must have some skills. If the three of them don't get along, then this sisterly love show won't work, right?"

"What does your Majesty mean...?" Jianqiu asked in confusion.

The queen possessed a spirit and told Jianqiu her plan, and Jianqiu immediately understood it.

"Go and invite the emperor to have dinner. I haven't seen him for several days." The queen ordered Jianqiu.

"I'll go right away!" Jianqiu responded excitedly, then turned and left, her steps so brisk that she seemed to be flying. She was filled with joy, thinking that this time she would definitely satisfy the Empress.

Not long after, Jianqiu arrived outside the Yangxin Palace. Just as she was about to go in, she ran into the eunuch from the Jingshifang coming out. The eunuch had a smug smile on his face, and seemed to be in a particularly good mood.

Seeing this, Jianqiu was moved and hurried forward to greet him, politely asking, "Hello, eunuch. I wonder which lady's name the emperor is turning over today?"

"It's a sign from Concubine Rong. I have to go back and prepare it, so I won't say any more to you, aunt." After saying this, he turned and left.

Watching his departing figure, Jianqiu felt very unhappy, but could only respond reluctantly: "Goodbye, eunuch!"

After the man had gone far away, Jianqiu turned around, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes. She took a deep breath and then walked towards the palace.

"Jianqiu? Why are you here at this time? Does the Queen have any instructions?" Just as Jianqiu was about to enter the palace, a voice suddenly rang out.

She looked up and saw Su Peisheng standing at the door, looking at her curiously.

Jianqiu stopped and bowed slightly, saying, "Greetings, Eunuch Su. The Empress does have something to instruct me on."

She continued, "The Empress invites the Emperor to dinner tonight. Please ask Eunuch Su to tell the Emperor."

Su Peisheng couldn't help but feel doubtful, but he still smiled and said, "Okay, I will send this news to the emperor as soon as possible."

Jianqiu nodded and said softly, "Nothing else, thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Su." Then she turned and left.

Looking at Jianqiu's departing figure, Su Peisheng frowned and thought to himself, "Why did the Empress suddenly invite the Emperor to dinner?"

Thinking of this, he decided to tell the emperor first and see how he would react...