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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that the peace in the harem was only superficial and that crisis could strike at any time. On this day, Zhen Huan was discussing with An Lingrong in her own palace.

Zhen Huan frowned slightly, "Lingrong, although Concubine Xia has been quiet for a while, I still feel like there will be bigger trouble."

An Lingrong gently held Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Huan'er, don't worry too much. We should take precautions early."

As she was speaking, Zhen Huan's personal maid hurried in, looking panicked. "Your Majesty, this is bad! The Imperial Household Department has sent word that there's been a problem with the food supply in the palace recently, and many of the lower-ranking ladies have gotten stomach upset."

Zhen Huan was shocked: "How could this happen? We must find out who did this!"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "Huan'er, could it be that someone is trying to use this incident to cause chaos in the harem and then take advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters?"

Zhen Huan nodded: "It's very likely. Let's go check on those ladies first."

The two came to a palace and saw several ladies lying on the beds, looking pale and weak.

One of the young ladies cried, "Empress Xi, I don't know what I ate, but I had an unbearable stomachache last night. What should I do?"

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Don't be afraid, sister. I will definitely find out the truth and give everyone justice."

After leaving the palace, An Lingrong whispered, "Huan'er, I think this might be related to the Imperial Kitchen. We need to start there."

Zhen Huan replied, "Okay, then let's go to the imperial kitchen quietly to check."

Arriving at the imperial kitchen, the two were about to enter when they were stopped by a young eunuch: "Your Majesty, this imperial kitchen is a mess. You are a precious person, it is not appropriate for you to enter."

Zhen Huan's eyes turned cold: "I came here to check the ingredients, and you dare to stop me?"

The young eunuch was so frightened that he quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It's just... I was just following your orders."

An Lingrong asked, "On whose orders?"

The young eunuch hesitated and didn't dare to answer.

Zhen Huan said sternly, "If you don't tell the truth, I will punish you right now!"

The young eunuch then trembled and said, "Yes...it was the nanny beside Concubine Xia who ordered me not to let anyone enter the imperial kitchen."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and had the answer in their hearts.

Zhen Huan angrily said, "How dare Concubine Xia tamper with the ingredients!"

An Lingrong gritted her teeth and said, "Huan'er, we can't just let her go. We have to find a way to prevent her from doing evil."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and said, "Let's gather all the evidence first, and then report to the Emperor."

So, the two of them searched carefully in the imperial kitchen and finally found some replaced ingredients and suspicious spice bags.

Zhen Huan took the evidence and went straight to the emperor's study.

After paying her respects, Zhen Huan anxiously said, "Your Majesty, there has been a serious problem with the food in the palace recently. Many ladies have gotten sick from eating it. I have found out that someone did it on purpose. Here is the evidence. Please review it, Your Majesty."

The emperor took the evidence and his face darkened: "Who is so bold?"

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, it's Concubine Xia. She ordered someone to swap ingredients in the imperial kitchen, intending to disrupt the harem."

The emperor was furious: "Call Concubine Xia!"

When Concubine Xia was brought in and saw the evidence, she tried to argue: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! Someone must have framed me."

Zhen Huan scolded, "Xia Changzai, the evidence is irrefutable, yet you still dare to quibble! Your evil behavior shows that you don't respect the Emperor and the harem."

Concubine Xia knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I was confused for a moment."

The emperor snorted coldly, "Are you confused? You are deliberately plotting murder! I cannot let you off easily. From this day forward, you will be demoted to a concubine, confined to your home for six months, and required to copy the palace rules a hundred times!"

Xia Changzai cried out, "Your Majesty, please don't!"

But the emperor no longer paid any attention.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came out of the emperor's study and breathed a sigh of relief.

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, this trouble has finally been temporarily resolved."

Zhen Huan shook her head: "The fighting in the harem will never stop. We must be careful."

A few days later, a flower viewing banquet was held in the palace. All the concubines gathered in the garden, and the atmosphere seemed peaceful.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong walked side by side, admiring the spring scenery in the garden.

Suddenly, a newly arrived maid stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Zhen Huan, "Empress Xi, I have heard that you are intelligent and kind. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is truly well-deserved."

Zhen Huan smiled and replied, "Thank you for the compliment, sister."

The maid then said, "Your Majesty, I have just acquired some fine tea, and would like to invite you to taste it. Would you be so kind as to do me the honor?"

Zhen Huan was about to agree when An Lingrong quietly tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Huan'er, the origin of this tea is unknown. It's better to be careful."

Zhen Huan's heart moved, and she politely declined, "I appreciate your kindness, but I haven't been feeling well lately, so I shouldn't drink tea."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Nachang's eyes, and he retreated.

An Lingrong said softly, "Huan'er, this person who suddenly appeared in the harem to show goodwill might have some conspiracy behind it."

Zhen Huan nodded: "You are right, we can't trust anyone easily."

After returning to the palace, An Lingrong began to develop a new spice, which she hoped could have the effect of self-defense and early warning.

Zhen Huan strengthened her manpower deployment in the palace and increased vigilance.

However, troubles arise before one problem is solved. Zhen Huan receives a letter from home, and learns that her family's business is being maliciously suppressed, and it seems to be related to the struggle in the palace.

Zhen Huan was extremely anxious: "Lingrong, something happened in my family. Someone must be trying to put pressure on me from outside the palace."

An Lingrong consoled her, "Don't worry, Huan'er. Let's find a solution together. I can ask the spice shop outside the palace to help investigate."

Zhen Huan looked at An Lingrong gratefully: "Lingrong, it's all thanks to you."

An Lingrong immediately sent someone out of the palace to deliver the message, while she continued to pay attention to the movements of all parties in the palace.

Although Concubine Xia was under house arrest, her family was plotting revenge for her outside the palace. They bribed some ruffians to spread rumors about Zhen Huan in the capital, saying that Zhen Huan was arrogant and mistreated the servants.

These rumors gradually spread into the palace, and some concubines who did not know the truth began to point fingers at Zhen Huan.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan was furious: "These people slander me like this, how despicable!"

An Lingrong advised, "Huan'er, the innocent will be innocent. We should not be affected by these rumors. As long as we find the person behind these rumors, the truth will come out."

So, the two of them began to secretly investigate the source of the rumors. They knew very well that in this harem, every step was like walking on thin ice, and every new crisis was a severe test of their friendship and wisdom. Only by relying on each other could they find a ray of light in this endless darkness, and carve out a path to the future surrounded by numerous conspiracies and calculations. But what was waiting ahead was a more terrible trap, or an opportunity to completely escape from the predicament. Everything was still unknown, just like the fog in this harem, which refused to dissipate and was elusive.