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

Zhen Huan held An Lingrong's hand and said with emotion, "Lingrong, after this incident, I feel even more that in this harem, you are my only true support."

An Lingrong smiled faintly: "Huan'er, you and I have long been connected by the same fate. No matter what storms we face in the future, we will bear them together."

At this time, the personal maid came to report: "Your Majesty, I heard that the palace will hold a banquet soon, and all the concubines will be in attendance."

Zhen Huan's eyes glared. "A palace banquet? Who knows what kind of event this is. Lingrong, we must prepare in advance, or we won't be taken advantage of."

An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er is right. I think our costumes and makeup for this palace banquet must also be carefully considered. They should be outstanding, but not too ostentatious, so as not to arouse jealousy."

Zhen Huan thought for a moment. "As for clothing, my palace embroiderers have recently made a few new dresses. You can come and choose with me. As for makeup, Lingrong, you are always good at it. Do you have any good ideas?"

An Lingrong said softly, "I've developed a new scented powder. After applying it, your complexion will appear fairer and more delicate, and it has a light floral scent, very different from the rouge and powder used in this palace. Paired with a simple yet elegant eyebrow shape and lip color, it will definitely make us stand out at the palace banquet."

On the day of the palace banquet, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong dressed up and went. As soon as they stepped into the banquet hall, they felt the subtle atmosphere.

When Concubine Xia saw them, she couldn't help but sneer, "Oh, Concubine Xi and Concubine An Lingrong are really dazzling today! I wonder whose attention they are trying to attract?"

Before Zhen Huan could respond, An Lingrong whispered, "Xia Changzai, everyone is here to congratulate the Emperor. Your words are inappropriate."

Xia Changzai snorted, "I think you guys are just restless!"

Zhen Huan no longer paid attention to Concubine Xia and found a place to sit down with An Lingrong.

After a while, Chun Changzai came over, skipping and jumping. "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, you're here! Chun'er has been looking forward to seeing you for a long time."

Zhen Huan smiled and pulled Concubine Chun over: "Chun'er, you look very cute today."

Chun Changzai chuckled and said, "Chun'er heard that there will be a lot of delicious food at the palace banquet today, and there will also be singing and dancing performances!"

An Lingrong was also infected by Chun Changzai's innocence: "Chun Changzai, please don't be greedy. Be careful of indigestion."

As he was speaking, the Emperor and his concubines took their seats. The palace banquet officially began, with singing and dancing, and delicious food constantly being served.

However, Zhen Huan noticed that several palace maids kept glancing over here, intentionally or unintentionally, as they moved around the banquet. She whispered to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, look at those palace maids; there seems to be something wrong."

An Lingrong observed calmly for a moment, "Huan'er, I find this strange too. We must be careful."

After three rounds of drinking, one of the concubines suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out in pain, "Your Majesty, my stomach hurts so much!"

Soon after, several other concubines also showed the same symptoms.

The emperor frowned and said, "What's going on? Call the imperial physician!"

The banquet hall was in chaos. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged glances, both feeling a bad premonition.

An Lingrong whispered, "Huan'er, this might be another conspiracy. We must first stabilize the situation to avoid being framed."

Zhen Huan nodded: "Okay. Let's go check on the concubines first."

They walked over to a concubine, and Zhen Huan asked with concern, "Sister, how do you feel?"

The concubine said weakly, "Empress Xi, I don't know what happened. It suddenly became like this."

An Lingrong carefully checked her surroundings and found that the wine glasses and dishes on the table seemed normal. With a thought, she said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, could there be something wrong with the air?"

Zhen Huan suddenly realized: "You mean, someone poisoned the air? But how did they do that?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "I've heard there's a certain kind of incense that, when burned, emits a scent that can poison people. Could it be that someone has burned this incense somewhere in the banquet hall?"

Zhen Huan immediately ordered the palace maids and eunuchs: "Go and check around to see if there are any unusual spices burning."

Everyone searched carefully in the banquet hall and finally found some remaining spice ashes in a corner.

Zhen Huan held the ashes and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, take a look. Is this the poisonous spice you mentioned?"

An Lingrong sniffed it carefully, her expression changing. "Huan'er, that's right. But this spice is extremely rare. The person who could obtain it must be extraordinary."

At this time, the imperial physician came to report: "Your Majesty, the ladies have been poisoned by a chronic poisonous incense. Fortunately, it was discovered in time and they are not seriously ill. They just need some time to recuperate."

The emperor was furious: "Who is so bold as to poison the palace banquet? Investigate thoroughly!"

Zhen Huan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, An Lingrong and I discovered some suspicious spice ashes at the banquet. They might be related to the person who poisoned us."

The Emperor looked at Zhen Huan and An Lingrong and asked, "Do you have any clues?"

An Lingrong said, "Your Majesty, this poisonous incense is extremely rare. I believe that the person who obtained it must be quite powerful in the palace and very familiar with spices."

The emperor thought for a moment and said, "I understand. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. You should also be more careful."

After the palace banquet, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to Yongshou Palace.

Zhen Huan sat down on the chair, feeling somewhat exhausted. "Lingrong, who in this harem is so deliberate in trying to harm us?"

An Lingrong sat next to Zhen Huan and said, "Huan'er, no matter who it is, we cannot retreat. I think we can start by looking at the source of this poisonous incense and see if anyone has brought it in from outside the palace recently."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Yes! We can ask the people in the Imperial Household Department about the recent flow of spices into and out of the palace."

So, they began a new investigation. Someone from the Imperial Household Department came to report, "Your Majesty, in recent months, the palace has only received one batch of spices, which was ordered by Concubine Jing."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were both surprised: "Jing Fei? Why is it her again?"

Zhen Huan frowned. "Could it be that her previous confinement didn't make her behave better, but instead made her behave even worse?"

An Lingrong shook her head. "Huan'er, I don't think this is that simple. Perhaps someone is deliberately using Concubine Jing's name to buy spices to conceal their activities."

Zhen Huan nodded: "You have a point. Then we still need to find evidence to reveal the truth."

They decided to secretly monitor what was happening in Concubine Jing's palace to see if they could find any clues.

A few days later, a young maid from Concubine Jing's palace secretly left the palace, followed closely by people sent by Zhen Huan and An Lingrong. The maid came to a remote courtyard and met with a mysterious man.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong rushed over immediately after hearing the news. Hiding in the dark, they heard their conversation.

The young maid said, "Sir, the matter has been settled. Concubine Jing is completely unaware of this. The poisonous incense incident at the palace banquet will definitely put Zhen Huan and An Lingrong in trouble."

The mysterious man sneered, "Well done. When the emperor blames them, they will be dead without a burial place. By then, who in the harem will be able to oppose us?"

Zhen Huan couldn't hold it in any longer and rushed out, "How dare you! How dare you act so recklessly in the palace!"

The mysterious man and the young palace maid were shocked to see Zhen Huan and An Lingrong suddenly appear. The mysterious man tried to escape but was stopped by the guards brought by Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

Zhen Huan glared at the mysterious man: "Tell me! Who are you? Why are you framing us?"

The mysterious man refused to speak, so An Lingrong said, "If you don't tell me, today will be your death. We already know your conspiracy. Do you think you can escape?"

The mysterious man hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Your Majesty, I am a distant relative of Concubine Hua. After Concubine Hua was banished to the cold palace, I have always wanted to avenge her. So I came up with this plan. I used Concubine Jing's name to purchase poisonous incense, poisoned the palace banquet, and then pinned the blame on you."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong sighed in their hearts.

Zhen Huan said, "Concubine Hua has committed a grave error, yet you remain unrepentant and attempt to stir up trouble in the palace. Today, I will not let you off easily."

They brought the mysterious man and the little palace maid before the emperor. After learning the truth, the emperor severely punished the mysterious man and warned everyone again not to stir up trouble in the palace.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong overcame the crisis again. Their friendship grew deeper through these hardships, and it also strengthened their belief in moving forward in the harem. They continued to move forward step by step towards the throne of the master of the harem, although it was difficult, but they did not retreat, leaving their deep mark on the legendary road of this harem.