The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of Ling Rong

The Emperor saw that I hadn't spoken for a long time, so he asked softly, "Rong'er, what are you thinking about? I've noticed that you've been silent the entire time, and you seem to be troubled by something. Why is that?"

His voice was soft and concerned, as if he could see through my inner world. His eyes were fixed on me, as if he wanted to see through my eyes to see my true thoughts.

I suddenly felt guilty, afraid that the emperor would notice something, so I had to find an excuse: "I'm fine, I just miss home and my mother."

"Oh? So Rong'er misses home? That's not difficult. I can send someone to bring your mother over." The emperor thought for a moment and said to me slowly.

I didn't expect that the emperor would think of bringing my mother here.

Hearing the emperor say this, my heart sank suddenly. I hurriedly knelt down and lowered my head to apologize to the emperor: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I made the decision on my own and brought my mother and brother to the capital to recuperate." After saying this, I nervously waited for the emperor's reaction.

A hint of surprise crossed the emperor's face, but he showed no anger or reproach.

Instead, he looked at me with concern and asked gently, "Is your mother ill? Is she seriously ill?"

I raised my head gratefully, tears glistening in my eyes, and answered honestly, "Your Majesty, my mother's eye disease has persisted for several years and has not healed. I am deeply worried. This matter is truly my fault, and I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

The emperor frowned slightly, as if thinking about something, and then he said softly, "Rong'er is sincere and filial to your mother. How could I bear to blame you? Your concern and filial piety towards your mother are normal human emotions. What's wrong with you?"

The emperor gently helped me up and asked, "Where is your mother now? How is her condition? Has she received proper medical treatment?"

I replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have bought a small house outside the city and temporarily placed my mother there. Although the house is small, the environment is quiet and suitable for recuperation. She has seen many doctors before, but her condition has not improved."

The emperor nodded and after a moment's contemplation, he said, "I will send the imperial physician to treat your mother. I hope she will recover soon. Furthermore, once she feels better, she can come to the palace to visit you at any time."

I was so excited that tears welled up in my eyes, and I said with a choked voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing this, the Emperor quickly helped me up and said with a soothing smile, "Rong'er, there's no need to be so polite. Officials can buy and sell houses and freely choose where to live. This is all permitted by the court laws and there's nothing wrong with it."

He patted my hand gently, his eyes full of tenderness.

"You just said that you have a younger brother who came to Beijing with you, right? How old is he now?" the emperor asked casually.

"Your Majesty, my younger brother's name is Jinchuan. He is fifteen years old this year and is only a minor scholar. He just passed the provincial examination. He came to the capital this time to accompany my mother and take part in the Spring Examination."

I lowered my head and answered softly, but in my heart I was secretly trying to figure out the emperor's intentions, wondering why he suddenly asked about my brother.

The emperor nodded slightly, as if he understood Jinchuan's situation.

After a moment's silence, he slowly spoke, "He was already a Juren at the age of fifteen. Although he was a young scholar, he is still a rare talent. In that case, let him take part in the Spring Examination. I look forward to seeing his performance during the palace examination."

After saying this, the emperor showed an expression of appreciation on his face.

Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel happy.

She quickly thanked him and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty! My younger brother will definitely not let you down."

However, besides the joy, my heart is still full of doubts and confusion.

Why did the Emperor suddenly take an interest in Jinchuan and bestow such an honor upon him? Are there deeper reasons and intentions behind this?

This question plunged me into deep thought, my thoughts a tangle of confusion. Our An family came from a poor background, and my father was only a small county magistrate...

At this moment, the emperor's voice sounded again: "I have also heard of your father, the magistrate of Songyang County. Although his official position is not high, he governs the local area well. I am very pleased about this." His tone revealed his admiration for his father.

It turns out that the emperor's understanding of my father was not accidental. My father in the previous life was timid and mediocre. Maybe it was because I deliberately changed many things in this life.

"Rong'er, don't worry. I will send someone to treat your mother in the afternoon. Now you have to be in a good mood. It will be good for our child." The emperor comforted me carefully.

"Yes, I understand. It's my fault that the emperor has been worried about me." The emperor was so considerate to me that I felt a little uneasy.

After sitting for a while, the emperor hurried off to deal with government affairs and said he would come to see me again in the evening.

After the emperor left, my sister came.

"Lingrong, I just heard from Jinxi that the emperor said he would bring your mother to the palace to see you. That's great!"

When my sister heard the news, she was really happy for me.

"I have to thank my sister for her help, otherwise I would never have seen my mother." I felt a little sad.

"This is a good thing, you should be happy. Today is your birthday, you should be even happier." My sister tried to comfort me.

"Sister, it's something worth being happy about. We should be happy about it."

"Today is your birthday. I'm giving this to you. I hope you like it." My sister took out an exquisite makeup box and handed it to me.

I opened it gently, and what caught my eye was a pair of exquisitely crafted Hetian jade hairpins. They felt as smooth as jade in my hands and sparkled brightly. They were rare treasures.

"Sister? This is too expensive. I..."

"This is nothing. Our friendship is more precious." My sister looked at me firmly and said.

"Then I'll accept it. Thank you, sister." I looked at her gratefully.

"It's getting late, I'll go back first. Come find me when you have nothing to do." After my sister instructed me, she went back with Huanbi's support.

In the evening, the palace was quiet, with only the occasional footsteps of palace maids and the chirping of birds.

I listened quietly, bored.

At this time, Baojuan hurried over to tell me: "My lady, the lady has entered the palace and will be at Suiyuxuan soon."

"Baojuan, are you telling the truth?" I asked in disbelief.

"My lady, of course it's true. Please get ready to welcome the lady!" Baojuan said happily.

"Mother is here, mother is really here. Baojuan, please help me with my makeup and I'll change my clothes. Do you think there's anything inappropriate?"

I was so happy that I was overwhelmed.