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

As time goes by, An Lingrong and Zhen Huan's positions in the palace become more and more stable, and their influence gradually expands. However, they do not become arrogant because of this. They still maintain kindness and caution. Because they know that in this bottomless harem, only by adhering to their original intentions and constantly strengthening themselves can they truly control their own destiny and write their own legendary chapters.

It was a sunny day and Zhen Huan was pruning flowers in the garden of her palace when An Lingrong came to visit her.

An Lingrong walked into the garden and called out softly, "Sister, the flowers are so beautiful today!"

Zhen Huan looked up and saw An Lingrong, a smile on her face: "Lingrong, you are here. Although these flowers are beautiful, they also need careful care, just like our days in this palace."

An Lingrong nodded. "Sister is right. The palace seems peaceful these days, but I still feel uneasy."

Zhen Huan put down the scissors in her hand: "I feel the same way. Although Concubine Xia has been punished, the people behind her may not let it go."

An Lingrong frowned. "Sister, I've asked my brother to keep an eye out near Ganlu Temple, but we've found no solid evidence yet. Young Master Xia hasn't appeared at the restaurant in ages. It's really worrying!"

Zhen Huan sighed softly, "Don't worry, Lingrong. This matter can't be rushed. We just need to be careful and take precautions. By the way, how is your spice shop these days?"

An Lingrong's eyes brightened slightly. "Don't worry, sister. The spice shop is still doing well. Mother and Aunt Xiao are also managing the shop in an orderly manner. However, I want to develop a new spice specifically for you, but I always feel that I lack some inspiration."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Lingrong, you are always so thoughtful. There are so many spices in this palace. If you want to create something unique, you might as well look through our memories."

An Lingrong's eyes lit up. "Sister, you're absolutely right! Perhaps we can use the scent of the flowers in the courtyard where we first met as a guide."

As she was speaking, Zhen Huan's personal maid Huanbi hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, this is bad! There are rumors that a batch of mysterious spices have flowed into the palace. These spices seem to be a bit strange, and the palace maids and eunuchs who smelled them are a bit dazed."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and saw worry in each other's eyes.

An Lingrong said, "Sister, I'm afraid this is directed at us. Who in the harem would go to such great lengths to use spices?"

Zhen Huan thought for a moment. "No matter who it is, we must investigate thoroughly. Lingrong, you are well versed in spices, so I'll need your attention on this matter."

An Lingrong nodded: "Don't worry, sister. I will get to the bottom of this. I will go to the Imperial Hospital to ask Doctor Wen and see if he knows anything."

An Lingrong rushed to the Imperial Hospital and met Doctor Wen.

An Lingrong asked anxiously, "Doctor Wen, do you know anything about the mysterious spices that have appeared in the palace recently?"

Imperial Physician Wen bowed and said, "Your Highness, I have just heard of this. I have examined several palace maids and eunuchs who have symptoms. This spice seems to contain a rare herb called the Ecstasy Grass, which can cause hallucinations. Long-term exposure to it may damage the mind."

An Lingrong was shocked. "It's so powerful! Doctor Wen, do you have an antidote?"

Doctor Wen shook his head. "I still need some time to research the antidote. However, Your Majesty, please first find the source of the spice to prevent more people from being harmed."

An Lingrong returned to Zhen Huan's palace and informed Zhen Huan of the situation.

Zhen Huan pondered, "This Soul-Loving Herb is no ordinary thing. The person who can get this kind of spice must be extraordinary. Lingrong, we need to start with the distribution channels of this spice."

An Lingrong suddenly thought, "Sister, could it be that Master Xia who previously had dealings with Concubine Xia? Perhaps he can get these rare spices from outside the palace."

Zhen Huan nodded: "It's possible. You can send someone to the restaurant to gather information. I will also keep an eye on any suspicious individuals in the palace."

An Lingrong sent a trusted person to the restaurant while she herself explored the palace. In a corner of the imperial garden, she spotted a young eunuch sneaking around, seemingly holding a package that exuded a faint fragrance.

An Lingrong shouted, "What's that in your hand? Stop!"

Upon hearing this, the young eunuch trembled with fear and turned to run. An Lingrong would not let him escape and chased him using her Qinggong skills.

An Lingrong caught up with the young eunuch, snatched the package, opened it and saw that it was the mysterious spice.

An Lingrong glared at the young eunuch. "Tell me! Where did this spice come from? Who ordered you to spread it in the palace?"

The young eunuch knelt on the ground, begging for mercy. "My Lady, spare me! This was given to me by a eunuch. He gave me money and told me to find opportunities to place this incense throughout the palace. I really don't know who ordered this, but I only know that eunuch often haunts the Imperial Household Department."

An Lingrong had a plan in mind: "Take me to find that eunuch! If you dare to tell even a single lie, I will not forgive you!"

The young eunuch brought An Lingrong to the inner chamber and pointed out the eunuch. An Lingrong approached quietly and heard the eunuch talking to someone.

The eunuch whispered, "This matter of spices must not be exposed. Master Xia is waiting to see Concubine An and Concubine Wan make a fool of themselves."

An Lingrong, seething with rage, appeared and shouted, "How dare you! You dare to use spices to harm people in the palace!"

The eunuch and the other man were horrified when they saw An Lingrong suddenly appear. The eunuch fell to his knees and said, "Your Highness, spare me! This was all Young Master Xia's orders. We were only following orders."

An Lingrong said coldly, "Do you think you can succeed like this? I will not let you go, nor will I let that Young Master Xia go!"

After Lingrong told Zhen Huan about this, Zhen Huan said, "It seems we must fight back. Lingrong, we can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to let them know that we are not to be trifled with."

An Lingrong's eyes were firm: "Sister, I listen to you. How should we fight back?"

Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "We can inform the emperor of this matter first, but the evidence must be solid. Then, we can find a way to deal with Master Xia."

An Lingrong nodded: "Okay, sister. I will go and collect the evidence, and then we will meet the emperor together."

In the process of collating evidence, An Lingrong discovered some letters about Master Xia's collusion with certain forces in the court. These letters were enough to put Master Xia in big trouble.

An Lingrong came to Zhen Huan's palace with the evidence: "Sister, look, these letters can prove that Master Xia not only used spices to harm people in the palace, but also colluded with the forces in the court with evil intentions."

Zhen Huan looked at the letter and said, "With this evidence, we are more confident. Lingrong, let's go see the emperor now."

After arriving at the emperor's study, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong bowed.

Zhen Huan spoke first: "Your Majesty, Ling Rong and I recently discovered a mysterious spice in the palace. This spice contains the soul-loving grass, which has caused the harm of many palace maids and eunuchs."

The emperor frowned. "How could this happen? Do you know who did it?"

An Lingrong presented evidence: "Your Majesty, this was done by someone in the palace under the orders of a certain Young Master Xia. This Young Master Xia is related to Concubine Xia, and he is also colluding with powerful forces within the court. These letters are evidence."

The emperor looked at the evidence and his face darkened. "How dare you do such a thing in my palace!"

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, if such evil deeds are not punished, I am afraid the harem will be in turmoil."

The Emperor nodded. "I will handle it myself. It's very thoughtful of you to discover it and inform me in time."

After coming out of the Emperor's study, An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief: "Sister, this time the crisis has finally been temporarily resolved."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Yes, but we still can't let our guard down. There are always new challenges waiting for us in this harem."

An Lingrong looked at Zhen Huan and said, "Sister, as long as we are united as sisters, we can handle any challenge."

Zhen Huan held An Lingrong's hand: "That's right, Lingrong. We must continue in this harem together and write our own legend."