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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong sat in the inner room of Zhen Huan's palace, their faces solemn.

Zhen Huan gently held An Lingrong's hand and said, "Lingrong, this rumor is spreading like wildfire. If we don't find the source quickly, I'm afraid you and I will both be doomed."

An Lingrong nodded, her eyes firm. "Huan'er, you're right. But there are so many people in the harem who want to frame us. Where should we start?"

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and said, "I think we can start with those who have had conflicts with us, such as Concubine Xia. She has always held a grudge against me. Maybe she is behind this."

An Lingrong frowned slightly. "Concubine Xia is indeed a strong suspect, but she seems reckless on a daily basis. If she could really set up such an elaborate rumor machine, is there someone behind the scenes directing her?"

At this time, Zhen Huan's personal maid Huanbi said, "My lady, could it be someone from the Imperial Household Department? After all, my lady investigated their charcoal corruption before, and they hold a grudge and want revenge."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up. "Huanbi, what you said makes sense. Those people in the Imperial Household Department have been operating in the palace for many years and have extensive connections. If they wanted to spread rumors, they certainly have the ability to do so."

An Lingrong stood up and paced back and forth. "Then we must first find a way to test the Imperial Household Department's attitude. I know a young eunuch who works there. He's received some small favors from my spice shop. Perhaps we can get some information from him."

Zhen Huan also stood up and said, "Lingrong, I'll leave this matter to you. I'll also keep an eye on the movements of other people in the palace. As soon as we have any news, we will immediately communicate."

An Lingrong replied, "Okay, Huan'er. I'll arrange it right away."

An Lingrong found the young eunuch and took him to a secluded corner.

An Lingrong asked softly, "Little Eunuch, are you aware of the recent rumors circulating in the palace regarding Concubine Xi and me?"

The young eunuch looked embarrassed: "Your Highness, this...this matter I have only heard a little bit about, I dare not say anything."

An Lingrong took out a silver ingot and stuffed it into his hand: "Young eunuch, please feel free to tell me. If you can help me, I will reward you handsomely in the future."

The young eunuch hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that this rumor seemed to have been spread by a close confidant of a general manager of the Imperial Household Department, but I really don't know whether it was specifically instructed by the Imperial Household Department."

An Lingrong's heart tightened. "Then do you know who that confidant is? Where can I find him?"

The young eunuch replied, "The confidant is called Xiao Shunzi, and he often hangs out near the side room east of the Imperial Household Department."

An Lingrong thanked the young eunuch and hurried back to tell Zhen Huan.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, now that we have a clue, we can't let it go. I'll find a way to lure Xiao Shunzi out and interrogate him thoroughly."

An Lingrong was a little worried: "Huan'er, you have to be careful with this. If you alert the enemy, it will be troublesome."

Zhen Huan smiled confidently, "Don't worry, Lingrong. I'll be cautious. I'll have Little Yunzi disguise himself as a young eunuch whose monthly allowance was withheld by the Imperial Household Department. I'll have him cry and complain nearby to attract Little Shunzi's attention. Then I'll find a chance to bring him here."

The plan went according to plan, and Xiao Yunzi's acting was very realistic, which soon led Xiao Shunzi into taking the bait. Xiao Yunzi took Xiao Shunzi to a side hall in Zhen Huan's palace.

Zhen Huan sat in the upper seat, looking at Xiao Shunzi with cold eyes: "Xiao Shunzi, do you know why I asked you to come here?"

Xiao Shunzi slumped to his knees and said, "Empress Xi, I didn't know. I have always been law-abiding and have done nothing wrong!"

An Lingrong sternly said, "Xiao Shunzi, you still dare to quibble! You spread rumors about Concubine Xi and me everywhere. Do you think we don't know?"

Xiao Shunzi's face turned pale. "My Lady, I'm innocent! I only heard a few words from others, and I didn't spread them!"

Zhen Huan shouted, "Who told you that? If you tell even a single lie, I will not forgive you!"

Xiao Shunzi trembled and said, "Your Majesty, it was... it was one of the staff members working for General Manager Zhao of the Imperial Household Department. I overheard them discussing how to teach Consort Xi and Consort Gui a lesson, so they made up those rumors. I was just confused for a moment and spread a few of them."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and understood what was going on.

Zhen Huan said to Xiao Shunzi, "If you want to live, tell me everything you know about Zhao Zongguan and that staff member. Otherwise, you know the consequences."

Xiao Shunzi hurriedly confessed everything he knew, including how Chief Steward Zhao colluded with some external officials to embezzle money in the Imperial Household Department, and how they usually suppressed the expenses of other concubines in the palace. This time, he spread rumors to take this opportunity to make Zhen Huan and An Lingrong fall out of favor so that he could continue their evil deeds.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, it seems the problems in the Imperial Household Department are even more serious than we imagined. We can't just let them pay the price for this rumor. We must thoroughly clean up the Imperial Household Department and restore a clean harem."

An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er, you're right. But this Chief Eunuch Zhao has been in the palace for many years, and his power is deeply entrenched. It would be difficult to bring him down."

Zhen Huan sneered, "So what if it's not easy? As long as we have solid evidence, the Emperor will definitely make the decision for us. This time, we'll let them know that those who dare to stir up trouble in the harem will never have a good end."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong then began a new round of busy work, secretly collecting more evidence against Zhao Zongguan, not only for spreading rumors, but also for his corruption, bribery, and selling inferior goods as good ones. In the process of collecting evidence, they encountered many obstacles. Some people secretly sabotaged their plans, and some tried to threaten those around them, but Zhen Huan and An Lingrong never backed down.

One day, An Lingrong was stopped by Concubine Xia on her way to see Zhen Huan.

Concubine Xia was smug. "An Lingrong, what do you think you can find out? Sooner or later, you will be schemed against and have nothing left in this harem!"

An Lingrong looked at her coldly: "Xia Changzai, if you are involved in this, Huan'er and I will never let you go!"

Xia Changzai snorted and said, "I've been waiting for you to come and see who will have the last laugh!" Then he walked away.

An Lingrong quickened her pace and went to Zhen Huan's palace and told her about this.

Zhen Huan frowned and said, "This Concubine Xia is so arrogant, she must be relying on something. We must speed up and not let them succeed."

After many days of hard work, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong finally presented detailed evidence to the emperor.

The emperor looked at the evidence and was furious: "My harem has been made into a mess by these people!"

Zhen Huan said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the evil deeds of the Imperial Household Department not only affect the lives of me and other concubines, but also the stability and justice of the harem. Your Majesty must punish them severely."

The Emperor nodded. "Hanhuan, Lingrong, you have performed a great service this time. I will deal with these people properly."

The emperor then ordered the capture of Zhao Zongguan, the head of the Imperial Household Department, and his followers, and severely punished them. Those who participated in spreading the rumors also received due punishment.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong smiled at each other, knowing that this time, they had successfully overcome another difficult situation. But they also knew that the struggles in the harem would never stop, and there would be more challenges waiting for them in the future. Their friendship would become more and more indestructible through each test. They would continue to move forward hand in hand, writing their own legend in this harem full of conspiracy and calculation, but they didn't know when and where the next crisis would quietly arrive.