The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

After I came back, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, thinking about what I could do to make Concubine Hua happy.

The gift was given to Concubine Hua and the Queen as well. If it was only given to Concubine Hua, the Queen, though kind-hearted, would definitely be unhappy.

Pearls and jade represent nobility and elegance, so they can be considered. However, the Queen dislikes burning incense, so spices are the most inappropriate.

If I embroider a beautiful dress and pair it with a pearl necklace, maybe it would work. I was talking to myself, not knowing whether Baojuan was asleep or not.

"My lady, what should we give to Concubine Hua?" Baojuan asked cautiously.

I was immediately startled, and casually lifted the curtain, and said, "Hua Fei has always been arrogant and conceited. If I don't prepare carefully, I'm afraid she will regard it as disrespectful."

"Baojuan, go to the storehouse tomorrow and find some fine satin and precious jewelry. I want to choose carefully. Concubine Hua loves luxury, so naturally the more extravagant, the better."

After a few days of preparation, it was finally almost done. After greeting my parents during the day, I came back and started working hard, not even having time to visit my sister.

Finally, she chose a dazzling pearl necklace, a beautifully made dress, and an exquisite makeup box, and went to the queen early in the morning.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen, may Her Majesty be blessed with good health!" I bowed respectfully.

The Queen's tone was a little surprised: "Noble Lady An, why did you come so early today? Is there anything you want to tell me?"

I handed over the gift box with a smile and said softly, "I have specially prepared a small gift for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will like it."

"I know that Your Majesty does not enjoy luxury and does not burn incense in the palace. It is thanks to Your Majesty's care that I am able to have this day in the palace."

"To express my gratitude, I am so presumptuous today. My hands and feet are clumsy, but I sincerely thank Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." After saying this, I knelt down.

"Hurry up and get up! It's amazing that you're so sensible. I'm so happy that I can't blame you. Jianqiu, take it!"

"Yes, madam!"

Jianqiu bowed to me and took it from my hand.

After paying my respects, I brought generous gifts to Hua Fei's bedroom, Yikun Palace. I explained my purpose to the eunuch, and someone was sent to inform her.

After a while, Zhou Ninghai came out.

I immediately spoke up, "Hello, Eunuch Zhou. I wonder if Concubine Hua is available to see me?"

"You are too polite, my lady. Our queen invites you. Lady An, please follow me in."

As soon as I entered the room, she was leaning lazily on the couch, looking at me with cold eyes.

"Greetings, Madam Hua!" I bowed respectfully. Madam Hua raised her eyebrows slightly and said in a cold tone, "Madam An, what are you doing here?"

I handed over the gift box with a smile and said softly, "I have specially prepared a small gift for Your Majesty. I hope You will accept it."

Concubine Hua glanced at the gift box but didn't open it. A hint of disdain flashed in her eyes, but she still let Songzhi accept it.

"I'm not feeling well today and don't want to waste any more time talking to you. Please go back." Then she waved her hand to signal me to leave.

I know Concubine Hua's attitude towards me hasn't changed, but at least this gift shows her my sincerity. Maybe one day, she might change her mind about me.

The dress was like a work of art, exquisite and every detail was exquisite. The colors were bright and vivid, just like flowers blooming in spring.

The fabric is soft and smooth, like silk, and the collar is inlaid with gems, which is dazzling and complements the clothes perfectly.

When Concubine Hua saw this, her eyes lit up immediately and she hurriedly called Song Zhi over: "I didn't expect that An Lingrong, who came from a humble family, could have such exquisite craftsmanship. I really underestimated her."

"If I wear this dress to see the emperor, he will definitely like it."

"Songzhi, go find out when the emperor is free and invite him to dinner."

"Yes, slave, go right away."

I've been so busy with these things these days that I didn't even know that my sister was promoted to a noble lady. Now I should go and congratulate her.

I asked Baojuan to take the winter clothes I had made earlier, and then I went to Suiyuxuan.

"Congratulations, sister, on your promotion to a noble lady. Why didn't you inform me so that I could be happy with you?" I started talking before I even entered the door.

"Sister An is here. I knew you were busy recently, so I didn't come to see you."

"The emperor has rewarded me with a bath in Tangquan Palace today and wants to take Huan'er to the temporary palace. Unlike you and me, we both sleep in the palace." Sister Mei's eyes seemed to be lonely.

"No matter where we are, as long as we are together as sisters, everything will be fine. Now that my sister has been favored by the emperor, we should be even happier."

I made some winter clothes a few days ago and brought them here today. Last time I saw my sister making them, I took the time to make two sets of clothes when I got home. I hope my sister doesn't mind.

It’s from Sister Mei. I’ll ask Baojuan to send it to you when I get back.

On the second day, Concubine Hua sent someone to deliver some snacks, probably because she was satisfied with the clothes.

At dinner time, I went to Sister Mei's place and was just sitting down when the eunuch came to report that Concubine Hua had invited the young lady to come over to learn the etiquette of the six palaces.

Since Concubine Hua has invited me, I have to go. Lingrong, you should go back first. I will be back soon.

Sister, please be careful. I'll go back first.

I knew that Concubine Hua was going to make things difficult for Sister Mei, but at the beginning, I was helpless.

Concubine Hua always made things difficult for her sister by making her copy the account books late at night, and said that her handwriting was sloppy.

One day later, she ordered her men to push her sister into the water. From then on, Sister Mei and Concubine Hua had a feud.

For several days in a row, the emperor stayed with my sister. Ever since she took a bath in Tangquan Palace, my sister has been favored by the emperor and attracted the attention of all the other harems.

The emperor has all the favor and resentment in one person. He must treat the court and the harem equally. The former court and the harem are interconnected and must check and balance each other to maintain peace.

That day, the Emperor went to Hua Fei's place. Hua Fei was waiting at the door early.

The emperor saw her exquisite dress from a distance and asked curiously, "Your dress is very nice today. It suits you perfectly."

"It just doesn't look like it was made by a palace embroiderer. You must have gotten it from outside the palace."

"Your Majesty has good taste, but I still have to ask you about the origin of this dress. If it weren't for Your Majesty's discerning eye and choosing Sister An, I wouldn't have the blessing to wear this dress." Concubine Hua said a little jealously.

It's Consort An, you're truly a skilled craftsman. If you like it, that's great.

"Since the emperor likes Sister An so much and has been staying at Concubine Wan's place recently, it would be better for him not to enter the Yiku Palace in the future." Concubine Hua walked in angrily.

"Look, you're throwing a tantrum again. I just said it casually, and you're already angry."

The Emperor loved Concubine Hua, and she was also sincere to him. It was a pity that she shouldn't have the surname Nian, otherwise, she could have had her own child, and raised him brightly and beautifully.

In the end, she did not die from grief after learning the truth, and ended her tragic life in the cold palace.

She was devoted to the emperor her entire life, but in the end, she was also in despair. How many women have been trapped by the square walls of the Forbidden City?