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

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her eyes filled with determination. "Lingrong, the situation in the palace is becoming increasingly treacherous. Concubine Li and Concubine Jing are secretly plotting evil, and who knows who else is lurking in the background."

An Lingrong held Zhen Huan's hand, "Huan'er, don't be afraid. As long as you and I are united, no matter how the storm changes, we can handle it. As for the matter of Concubine Jing, although she has been punished and confined to her house, I still feel that it is not that simple. Do you think there is someone behind her who is directing her?"

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "That's not impossible. Although the eunuch's confession is supported by the letter, I still feel a little uneasy. Perhaps we should investigate further and not fall into someone else's trap."

An Lingrong's eyes lit up. "Huan'er, are you saying this might be part of a larger conspiracy? Then where do we start?"

Zhen Huan paced back and forth. "I think we should start by investigating the maids and eunuchs around Concubine Jing to see if we can find anything unusual. And the source of the spices. Since they are related to Concubine Jing, we must get to the bottom of it."

An Lingrong replied, "Okay, Huan'er. I'll have someone keep an eye out. I heard a new spice merchant has recently arrived in the palace; maybe he's connected to this matter."

A few days later, An Lingrong's maid came to report, "Madam, there's something strange about that new spice merchant. He often whispers with some young eunuchs and palace maids in secluded corners, and his spices seem to have a unique formula that's difficult for others to imitate."

Zhen Huan's expression froze when she heard this. "Lingrong, it seems there's something fishy going on here. We need to find a chance to meet this spice merchant."

Soon, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong arranged a palace banquet and invited the spice merchant to display his spices.

At the palace banquet, Zhen Huan asked seemingly nonchalantly, "Your spices are quite unique. Where do they come from?"

The spice merchant replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is made using a secret recipe passed down from my family. I offer this spice to you out of my desire to serve the ladies of the palace."

An Lingrong smiled softly, "Oh? A secret recipe passed down from generation to generation? Don't lie to me. You've been in frequent contact with people in this palace, isn't it just to sell spices?"

The spice merchant's expression changed slightly. "Your Majesty, you are joking. I have absolutely no such intention."

Zhen Huan gave a look, and the eunuch beside her immediately presented some remnants of spices found in Concubine Li's possession. "Do you recognize these spices? Do they have anything to do with you?"

The spice merchant saw the spices and sweat broke out on his forehead. "Your Majesty, this... this is a spice that someone asked me to improve. I only know that it is needed by a master in the palace, but I don't know what it is used for!"

An Lingrong pressed on, "Which master? If you don't tell the truth, today will be your death!"

The spice merchant sank to his knees with a plop. "Your Majesty, it's Concubine Duan. I've only seen her personal maid come to explain this matter, and I really don't know anything else!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were both shocked. Zhen Huan asked, "Concubine Duan? She has always lived a secluded life, so why would she be involved in this?"

An Lingrong frowned, "Huan'er, there must be a misunderstanding here. Concubine Duan has always been frail and often sickly, rarely participating in palace affairs. Could it be that someone is deliberately using her name?"

Zhen Huan nodded. "No matter what, we can't just rely on this merchant's words. Let's go and test Concubine Duan's attitude first."

The two of them arrived at Concubine Duan's palace, and Zhen Huan said tactfully, "Empress Duan, something has happened in the palace recently that involves you. I wonder if you have heard anything about it?"

Concubine Duan looked sick and said weakly, "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, I really don't know what's going on. I'm in such a state of health that I can barely take care of myself, how could I possibly get involved in such a conspiracy?"

An Lingrong carefully observed Concubine Duan's expression and said, "Your Majesty, some people say that you were the one who ordered this spice incident, but we also feel that something is fishy."

Concubine Duan sighed softly, "My two majesties, I have been in this palace for many years and have seen through everything. I have never considered the struggle for favor and profit. Someone must be trying to drag me into this. I hope you will be able to see clearly."

Zhen Huan pondered and said, "Your Majesty, we also want to believe you. But all the clues point to you. If we want to clear our suspicion, we need your help."

A trace of determination flashed in Concubine Duan's eyes: "As long as this can clear my name, I will fully cooperate."

After coming out of Concubine Duan's palace, An Lingrong said to Zhen Huan: "Huan'er, I don't think Concubine Duan is a liar. We need to sort out the clues again to see where the mistake was made."

Zhen Huan said, "That's right, Lingrong. Perhaps we were misled before. If we investigate the contact between the spice merchant and the young eunuch and palace maid, we might be able to find the truth."

So they began to secretly investigate the whereabouts of the spice merchant and the people he had contact with.

Finally, they discovered that the spice merchant had met with a mysterious man in black outside the palace wall. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong secretly sent people to follow the man in black and found that the man in black had entered Concubine Xin's palace.

Zhen Huan was surprised and asked, "Noble Lady Xin? She usually keeps quiet, how could she be involved in this matter?"

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, no matter what, let's go meet her."

Upon meeting Concubine Xin, Zhen Huan asked directly, "Concubine Xin, why are you colluding with that suspicious spice merchant?"

Concubine Xin's expression changed drastically. "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I am being wronged! I don't even know any spice merchant."

An Lingrong sneered, "Noble Lady Xin, we've already found out that the men in black entered your palace. Do you still dare to quibble?"

Concubine Xin fell to her knees and cried, "Your Majesty, someone is forcing me. If I don't do as they say, they will harm my family."

Zhen Huan asked, "Who is it? If you tell us, we can guarantee the safety of your family."

Concubine Xin hesitated for a moment: "It's...it's Concubine Cao. She secretly controls everything. I am just forced to do this!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged glances, and Zhen Huan angrily declared, "It's Concubine Cao again! She's been causing trouble time and time again, and this time, we won't let her off!"

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, don't worry. We need to think of a plan to deal with this. Concubine Cao is very cunning and we can't let her escape again."

Zhen Huan calmed down and said, "Lingrong, you are right. Let's collect evidence of Concubine Cao's crimes first so that she can't argue."

After some effort, they found letters and other evidence in which Concubine Cao instructed Concubine Xin to collude with spice merchants.

When Concubine Cao was brought before the emperor, she tried to argue: "Your Majesty, someone is framing me!"

An Lingrong stepped forward and presented the evidence: "Lady Cao, you have committed many evil deeds. The evidence is irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"

The Emperor looked at the evidence, his face darkening. "Noble Lady Cao, I am extremely disappointed in you. You are so cruel and vicious, and you have disturbed the harem. I cannot let you off lightly."

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Concubine Cao collapsed to the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I beg for mercy."

The emperor eventually demoted Concubine Cao to a concubine and confined her to the palace.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong successfully resolved the crisis again. Zhen Huan sighed, "Lingrong, the road to becoming an imperial concubine is truly difficult and full of obstacles. If you weren't by my side, I really don't know what I would do."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, if we work together, we will definitely be able to make a name for ourselves in this harem."

Although the future is still full of unknowns and challenges, they do not back down and continue to write their own legendary stories in this harem, moving step by step towards the throne of the harem master.