The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of An Lingrong: Counterattack to Become the Queen Mother

An Lingrong was in her palace residence, candlelight flickering as her brother quietly arrived to report.

The elder brother whispered, "Sister, I've been lurking outside Ganlu Temple for several days and discovered that those suspicious individuals are indeed in contact with Xia Changzai's brother, Master Xia. They seem to be waiting for an opportunity to harm Concubine Wan."

An Lingrong frowned, "Brother, can you see clearly what their plan is?"

The elder brother shook his head. "We don't know the full answer yet, but they are extremely secretive. I can only keep an eye on them."

An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "Brother, you have worked hard. You must be careful and not expose yourself."

The brother nodded and said, "Don't worry, sister. I will be cautious." After that, he left quietly.

An Lingrong was not idle in the palace either. She took the opportunity of attending a palace banquet to deliberately approach some officials' wives who had dealings with Master Xia.

An Lingrong smiled gently and spoke to an official's wife, "Madam, the arrangements for today's palace banquet are truly exquisite. Look at how gracefully the flowers are arranged."

The official's wife responded, "Your Majesty, I am too kind. I am just arranging it the same as before."

An Lingrong shook her head gently. "No, a lot of thought must have gone into this. Just like everything else in the palace, seemingly ordinary, but actually holding hidden secrets. I've heard that some people act very high-profile outside the palace, like Master Xia, who often entertains guests at restaurants. He's truly impressive!"

The official's wife's expression changed slightly: "Your Majesty, it's not right for us women to interfere in Mr. Xia's affairs."

An Lingrong feigned indifference and said, "Oh? I've said too much. I'm just curious. Isn't Mr. Xia afraid of bringing trouble to his family by acting this way? After all, the palace and the outside world are inextricably linked."

The official's wife hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "Your Majesty, you don't know that this Young Master Xia has someone backing him up, and they seem to be planning something big recently. It's related to a nobleman from Ganlu Temple. I've only heard about it, so I can't be sure."

An Lingrong's heart trembled, but her face remained calm. "So that's how it is. Thank you for telling me, Madam. I was just chatting casually. Please don't take it to heart."

Zhen Huan, who was at Ganlu Temple, also sensed the approaching danger. One day, a pilgrim came and seemed to be praying devoutly, but in fact his eyes were flickering and he kept circling around Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan stepped forward and asked softly, "Donor, are you here to worship Buddha?"

The pilgrim was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Yes, yes, Mr. Wan, I heard that you practice cultivation in Ganlu Temple, so I came to pay my respects."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Since you have come to pay homage to the Buddha, you should be respectful. However, I see that you are absent-minded. Is there anything on your mind?"

The pilgrim stammered, "No, nothing, please don't ask too many questions, sir."

Zhen Huan became more and more suspicious, and she decided to find an opportunity to test it out.

At night, Zhen Huan was walking alone on the path outside her Zen room. Suddenly, she heard a faint sound of footsteps. She stopped and whispered, "Who is it?"

The pilgrim walked out from the shadows and said, "My dear Wan, how are you?"

Zhen Huan looked at him warily: "Who are you? Why are you following me so stealthily?"

The pilgrim sneered, "Your Excellency does not need to know who I am. You only need to know that your days in Ganlu Temple are numbered."

Zhen Huan angrily said, "How dare you speak nonsense in this pure Buddhist place!"

The pilgrim snorted, "My dear sir, you'd better be obedient and don't struggle, otherwise your family will be in danger."

Zhen Huan was shocked, but still pretended to be calm: "You dare to threaten me? I, Zhen Huan, am not someone who can be bullied!"

The pilgrim was about to say something when suddenly an arrow shot out from the darkness and hit him in the shoulder. The pilgrim screamed and turned to run away.

Zhen Huan was startled. At this moment, An Lingrong's brother jumped out from the side and said, "Lady Wan, are you okay?"

Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for saving me, brave man. Who are you...?"

The elder brother said, "I was sent by Concubine An to protect you."

Zhen Huan was touched: "Lingrong is always so considerate."

An Lingrong, in the palace, finally discovered a secret of Master Xia through various inquiries. It turned out that Master Xia had secretly embezzled public funds and colluded with some underworld forces, intending to create chaos in the palace and take the opportunity to support Concubine Xia to the throne.

An Lingrong approached the Emperor's chief eunuch, Eunuch Su, and whispered to him, "Eunuch Su, you've been in the palace for many years and have seen a great deal. I've recently heard about some things going on outside the palace, and I'm deeply concerned about the Emperor's safety."

Eunuch Su asked doubtfully, "My Lady, what do you mean by that?"

An Lingrong lowered her voice, "I heard that Master Xia embezzled public funds and colluded with gangsters. What if something happens in the palace?"

Eunuch Su's expression changed: "Madam, this matter is very serious. Do you have any evidence?"

An Lingrong took out a secret letter and said, "Eunuch, this is evidence I accidentally obtained. Please present it to the Emperor and let him make the final decision."

Eunuch Su took the secret letter and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We will definitely handle this matter well."

An Lingrong looked at Eunuch Su's departing back and said silently in her heart: "Sister, we are one step closer to the truth. This conspiracy will soon be revealed." She knew that the battle with the dark forces had reached a critical moment. She and Zhen Huan must be more determined to completely smash the enemy's conspiracy and protect each other's peace and future in this dangerous harem.