The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

After returning to the bedroom, I watched the emperor leave.

"Your Majesty has sent my lady back. This is an unprecedented honor. Are you tired? Would you like to rest early?"

"I have to get up early tomorrow to pay my respects to the Queen, so I should get some rest. Go get a basin of water, and I'll wash and go to bed."

"Yes, slave, go right away."

The next morning, before daybreak, I got up early. After a quick wash, I sat in front of the bronze mirror, staring blankly at myself.

Try to be as low-key as possible. After all, being too outstanding will always arouse jealousy, especially since I just slept with the emperor.

So, I put on a simple and elegant dress, simple and elegant, without too many fancy decorations, and my makeup was also light, just a light layer of rouge to make my face look more energetic. This outfit not only suits my status, but also makes a good impression on others.

After packing everything up, I looked at myself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction. Then I stood up and went out to pay my respects to the Queen.

I paid my respects to the Queen and performed the ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows. The Queen repeatedly praised me for being sensible and coming to pay my respects so early.

"The emperor has told me that he wants to promote you to the rank of noble lady. Someone will go to announce the decree soon." The queen still looked kind.

"The Emperor and the Empress are so kind to me that I feel unworthy of their kindness." I bowed and saluted with a respectful tone.

"No need to be modest, Noble An. Among these new ladies, only Concubine Wan has not yet entered the emperor's bedchamber. I heard that you two are as close as sisters and visit each other frequently. It's truly a rare sisterly bond."

"Your Majesty, I have known Wan Chang before entering the palace. We have similar personalities, so we have a very close relationship. However, my sister was frightened and caught a cold last time, and she is still not well. I hope she will recover soon."

"That's great. Please sit down. Everyone will be here to pay their respects soon. I'll go and rest for a while."

"Congratulations, my dear wife."

Soon, all the ladies and young ladies from various palaces had arrived at the Queen's Palace. I was the first to arrive, so I stood up and paid my respects to each of them, not daring to be careless.

Hua Fei was naturally late, and no one dared to say anything.

"Isn't this An, the daughter of the county magistrate, who agreed? I heard that the emperor summoned you to his bedchamber yesterday, and then sent you back to the palace, and he wants to promote you to the rank of noble lady."

I knew Hua Fei was targeting me, so I quickly bowed and replied, "It is because of Your Majesty's love for me that I am of humble origin. It is because Your Majesty feels sorry for my humble origin and poor family background that he would do this. I dare not."

"Oh? Really? I heard that An agreed. No, now I should call you Noble Lady An."

"I've heard that Lady An's embroidery skills are incredible, even surpassing those of the palace embroiderers. I wonder if I'd be lucky enough to witness them?"

"I dare not, because my mother used to be an embroiderer in Suzhou, so I know a little embroidery and dare not compare myself with the embroiderers in the palace."

Sister Mei naturally wanted to speak for me at this time, but I signaled her not to say too much. She understood and hesitated to speak.

"No need to refuse, Noble An. Just go ahead and do your best. If you do well, I will reward you handsomely. If you don't, you won't be able to do it again."

"Yes, I will do my best to serve you, Your Majesty."

As expected, Concubine Hua is eager to get rid of anyone who enjoys her favor. Now I am weak and my position is not high. I can't compete with Concubine Hua, so I can only endure it.

The queen came out at this time, and everyone paid their respects to her and sat down.

"There are many more sisters in the palace now. The emperor has conferred the title of noble lady on An today. From now on, we have another sister. We must all work together to give birth to a prince for the emperor as soon as possible."

Everyone stood up and answered the Queen: "Yes, we will follow Her Majesty's instructions."

After everyone dispersed, I spoke to Sister Mei on the way back to the palace. She was also helpless. No matter who was favored by the emperor in the palace, they would be harassed by Concubine Hua.

If she needed any help, she told me to ask. I readily agreed. We agreed to go to my sister's place together later, and then I returned to the palace.

Although everyone disliked my divine favor, they all sent me gifts out of courtesy. In my previous life, I never had this honor. Anyway, who wouldn't want money?

I told Baojuan to accept them one by one and record them in detail, and then I went to my sister's place.

When I went there, my sister was sewing winter clothes for herself. Because the Imperial Household Department was flattering the powerful and bullying the weak, her daily allowance was deducted.

"Sister," I called softly.

My sister looked up and saw it was me, and hurriedly called to me, "Lingrong, you're here. Come and sit down. Yesterday I asked Huanbi to seal up some silver, and I thought I'd send it to you today."

"The weather is getting colder, and at least I still have some money. Spring is coming, and making clothes will be a big expense."

"Yes, Sister Xie has always been thinking about me."

Sister Mei came soon. Seeing that I came early, she teased me that I was always faster than her.

"Huan'er, judging by your expression, I don't think you know that Lingrong slept with you last night and has been promoted to a noble lady today."

"Really? This is such great news, Lingrong. Why didn't you tell me before you came? Seriously, I was worried about you for nothing."

"You can't use this money now, right?" said my sister pretending to be angry.

"How could that be? I saw my sister was busy making winter clothes, and before I could say anything, Mei Jie came."

"Huan'er, you don't know. Just now, when I paid my respects to the Queen, Concubine Hua gave Lingrong a hard time because of this matter. I wanted to say a few words on her behalf, but she didn't let me speak."

"Please tell me about her. I know she is doing this for my own good and is afraid of offending Concubine Hua, but it really makes me feel bad when I see her like this."

"Lingrong, although you are younger than me and Sister Mei, you are much more stable than us. But if there is anything, you should tell us and not bear it all by yourself." The elder sister said with some heartache.

"Don't worry about that, sister. Concubine Hua is just unhappy. I'll be careful and do what I should do, and everything will be fine."

As for Sister Mei, she has already made Concubine Hua unhappy a while ago, and she seems to be making things difficult for her again in the near future. I need to remind her.

I heard that Concubine Hua has been calling Noble Lady Fucha to her place lately, saying that she wants to teach her the rules so that she can better serve the Emperor. However, she spends two hours standing there grinding ink every day, and Noble Lady Fucha is angry but dares not speak out.

"Sister, you have to be careful recently. Try not to offend Concubine Hua. Be patient in everything. We are not of high status now, so we cannot offend Concubine Hua." I warned her worriedly.

"Don't worry, since you're thinking of me like this, I'll definitely be more careful."

Lingrong, have you heard? Yu had Concubine Xin imprisoned in the Ministry of Punishment last night because Chun'er and Concubine Xin's lanterns collided with her carriage. The Empress Dowager was furious and sentenced her to confinement for half a month and stripped her of her title of "Lady Miaoyin."

This Yu was arrogant and domineering. She suddenly gained favor, but soon fell out of favor.

I have to go back and prepare first, otherwise Concubine Hua will hold me accountable in two days. After all, she still has the power to assist in managing the six palaces.

Even if I were the Queen, I would have to give her some leeway. Right now, I couldn't be her enemy; feigning obedience and humility was the best strategy.