The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

"Empress...what are you thinking about?" Baojuan called me softly, bringing my thoughts back.

I woke up with a start, as if I had just had a dream.

Looking at Baojuan's face, which was filled with worry and curiosity, I quickly forced a smile to hide the turmoil in my heart and said calmly, "It's nothing. I was just a little distracted."

However, only I know that the thoughts in my mind are surging like the tide, making it difficult for me to calm down.

"Your Majesty, I see that you are not in good health and you are feeling uneasy. Is there anything wrong with your body?" Wei Lin said to me.

"I'm fine, but I've been feeling a bit tired lately. I haven't been sleeping well and have been having a lot of dreams. Doctor Wei, it's a good opportunity for you to come today. Please help me take a look."

"Yes, I obey your order!"

After Wei Lin's careful examination, he said happily, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you are pregnant. However, it has only been a month, and the symptoms are not obvious."

"Do you really mean what Doctor Wei said?" I asked in disbelief.

"It's absolutely true, your majesty, don't worry." Wei Lin assured.

This kid, he came at the perfect time. I thought about it, and a bold plan emerged in my mind.

"Then according to Doctor Wei, is it possible for me to use that prescription now?"

"Your Majesty, that prescription is indeed effective, but the dosage of a few ingredients still needs to be carefully considered. The others are fine and suitable for your constitution."

"Then I'll have to trouble Doctor Wei to exchange this prescription for some similar herbs for me. This prescription may be useful to me in the future, but I'll have to trouble Doctor Wei."

"Your Majesty, you are too polite. I have been a mere apprentice since I entered the Imperial Hospital. I have been fortunate enough to learn from Imperial Doctor Wen and have come this far. This is all thanks to your grace, and I will never forget it for a single day."

"Please keep the fact that I am pregnant a secret for me, Doctor Wei," I instructed Wei Lindao again.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

"Baojuan, please go and see off Doctor Wei on my behalf."

"My child, your mother will protect you and make you grow up safely. Your Majesty, you won't be so proud for too long." I thought to myself.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Ning is here and said she wants to see you. Do you want to see her now?" Baoque came in and told me.

Concubine Ning? I've never had any contact with her. Why did she come to see me? I'm a little confused.

"A guest is a guest, Baoque, go and invite her in." I asked Baoque to go out and invite her in, then I tidied my clothes and sat down.

"I, the concubine Ye, pay my respects to the noble concubine Rong. I passed by the Yikun Palace today and came to pay my respects to the queen. I hope this may be a little presumptuous, but please forgive me."

Ye Lanyi bowed to me with grace, showing no sign of feeling inferior due to her background. This made me appreciate her even more.

"Sister, there's no need to be so polite. Please get up quickly." As I said that, I stood up and helped her up.

"Bao Que, go and pour tea for Concubine Ning."

"My sister has been in the palace for some time now. I wonder if she has adapted well to life here these days?" I asked her softly, my face showing concern.

"I am all alone here, without any relatives or friends. When I was in the Old Summer Palace, although it was located in a remote place, I was still free. But now I am trapped alone in this deep palace. Every day I live the same routine life, day after day. How can I say I am used to it or not?" Ye Lanyi looked indifferent, as if she didn't care about all this, and answered indifferently.

She raised her head slightly, her eyes empty and confused, as if she could see through the heavy palace walls in front of her and see the carefree time she once had.

However, at this moment, she was in this gorgeous yet cold palace, feeling only loneliness and helplessness in her heart.

"Sister, you shouldn't think like that. Since you've entered the palace, you should spend your days there well. In this world, there will always be people and things worth protecting. Living well is the most important thing."

"Yes, Your Majesty is right. I am grateful for your advice." Ye Lanyi stood up and bowed to me.

"I have been out for a while now, so I won't bother you any more and will go back first."

"Okay, if I have time someday, can I go visit my sister in the palace?"

"Your Majesty, please come when you are free. I'll take my leave!" After saying that, Ye Lan Yi strode away.

"Your Majesty, why is Concubine Ning so arrogant?" Baoque asked me after Ye Lanyi left.

"Ningpin treats everyone this way. I heard she's serious even with the Emperor, let alone with other people. To me, this is considered good. Let her be. She has no intention of harming anyone. Besides, I have no grudge against her."

"Your Majesty, Prince Guo has been guarding Yanming Pass for half a year, and Junggar has not made any attack. The prince guards the border and disciplines the army strictly. He drinks and sleeps with the soldiers, and does not show any arrogance because of his status as a prince. The soldiers love him and all of them obey him." Zhang Tingyu reported to the emperor in the imperial study.

The more the emperor listened, the gloomier his expression became.

"Is Prince Guo trying to win people's hearts by doing this?" The emperor was obviously displeased.

Since ancient times, it has been a taboo for a prince to lead troops. Prince Guo is both civil and military, and now he has made military achievements and is loved by the soldiers. Naturally, the emperor is worried that Prince Guo will have ulterior motives.

Zhang Tingyu looked at the emperor's expression and didn't dare to say anything. The emperor was very suspicious. When no one went to fight against Jungar, Prince Guo went without hesitation. Now that he was loved by the soldiers, the emperor was even more suspicious.

Zhang Tingyu just stood below, waiting for the emperor's orders.

After a long while, the emperor finally spoke: "Su Peisheng, announce the decree. Prince Guo has been awarded the title of Prince Guo for his meritorious service in defending Yanming Pass. Effective immediately, he is summoned back to the capital to report on his duties. No disobedience is allowed."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhang Tingyu knelt down respectfully and shouted.

On the other hand, the emperor's decree was issued, and the people responsible for delivering the imperial edict did not dare to be negligent in the slightest. They rode their horses at full speed, traveling day and night, just to deliver this important decree to Yanming Pass as soon as possible.

In this way, after two days and two nights of non-stop travel and hard work, they finally arrived outside Yanming Pass.

After receiving the imperial edict, Prince Guo decided to return to the capital immediately. After taking care of military affairs and arranging the soldiers, he and the messenger who had brought the edict set out for the capital.

Along the way, they rode non-stop, day and night, as if time had been left behind. For two whole days and two nights, they did not dare to slack off even a little, just to be able to return as soon as possible.

Fatigue and sleepiness follow them everywhere, but the persistence and sense of mission in their hearts keep them moving forward.

Finally, after a long and arduous journey, they saw the towering walls of the capital. The sky was just beginning to turn pale, and the dawn was just breaking.

As the first rays of morning sun shone upon the earth, Prince Guo led his people through the gates of the capital. At this moment, he was filled with emotion. After being away from home for so many days, he was finally back.