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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong recovered from the incident of Yao Ji's confinement. Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, although we have resolved the crisis this time, the struggles in the harem are like the endless tide, one wave after another."

An Lingrong nodded slightly. "Huan'er, don't worry. We've come this far, and we've seen all sorts of storms. As long as you and I are united, no matter how turbulent the storm, it won't overturn our boat."

Zhen Huan's eyes were firm. "You're right. Although the matter of Yao Ji has been temporarily settled, I have a feeling she won't give up. We still have to find a way to completely put an end to her thoughts of stirring up trouble."

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, I think we can start with the palace maids around her. Since she has just entered the palace, she must rely on the palace maids to do many things. Maybe we can get some truth from them."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "This is a very good plan. Then we will immediately arrange for someone to keep an eye on it."

A few days later, An Lingrong's concubine Baoque came to report, "Your Majesty, Cuiyu, the young palace maidservant beside Yaoji, seems to be quite close to a young eunuch from the Imperial Household Department. The young eunuch often passes things to her."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, and Zhen Huan said, "There must be something fishy going on. Let's find an opportunity, call Cui Yu to a secluded corner, and interrogate her thoroughly."

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

In that secluded corner, Zhen Huan looked at Cui Yu and asked gently, "Cui Yu, do you know why I called you here?"

Cui Yu trembled slightly: "My lady, I don't know."

An Lingrong whispered, "Cui Yu, if you tell the truth, the Empress might forgive you. You're in frequent contact with that young eunuch from the Imperial Household Department. What was that you were passing on?"

Cui Yu slumped to her knees. "Your Majesty, I heard that it was Empress Yaoji who asked me to pass a letter to the young eunuch. The letter seemed to be about something planned with someone outside the palace. I don't know the specific content, but I know it's related to a kind of spice that can confuse people."

Zhen Huan frowned. "Bewitching spices? What on earth does Yao Ji want to do?"

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, it seems this matter is not simple. We must quickly inform the Emperor that this Yao Ji may have ulterior motives."

Zhen Huan nodded: "There is no time to lose, let's go see the emperor now."

Upon meeting the Emperor, Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, An Lingrong and I discovered that the maidservants around Yao Ji and the young eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department were secretly passing letters. It seems that they are related to a kind of confusing spice. I am afraid that they have evil intentions. Please investigate carefully."

The emperor's face darkened. "Is this really true? I will investigate thoroughly."

The emperor sent people to search Yao Ji's residence and found some suspicious spices and letters. The letters mentioned that Yao Ji wanted to use the spices to control the emperor and then control the harem.

The emperor was furious: "Yao Ji, you are so bold! I love you so much, yet you have ulterior motives!"

Yao Ji cried and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I was blinded by lard. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

The emperor finally ordered Yao Ji to be banished to the cold palace and never summoned again.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came out of the emperor's palace. Zhen Huan sighed, "Lingrong, true love is hard to find in this harem. Everyone will do anything for that empty favor and power."

An Lingrong held Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Huan'er, don't be afraid. With me by your side, we can hold on to our true selves in this turbid place."

At this time, Chun Chang came over and said, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, you are here! Chun'er heard that Yao Ji was banished to the cold palace. Did she do something bad?"

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Chun'er, matters in the harem are complicated. Don't ask too many questions. Just take good care of yourself."

Chun Changzai nodded: "Chun'er understands. Chun'er recently got some new gadgets from outside the palace and wanted to share them with my sisters."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Chun Changzai is always so innocent and lovely."

A few days later, news came from the palace that a chrysanthemum banquet was going to be held.

Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, I'm afraid this chrysanthemum banquet will be another battle without the smoke of gunpowder. We must prepare in advance and not let others plot against us."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I think we can display our handmade chrysanthemum sachets at the chrysanthemum banquet. It will be both appropriate to the occasion and show our ingenuity."

Zhen Huan agreed: "This is a good idea. Let's start making it now."

On the day of the Chrysanthemum Banquet, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought exquisite chrysanthemum sachets.

As soon as they entered the banquet, a Concubine Qi said sarcastically, "Oh, Concubine Xi and Concubine An Lingrong are really clever and skillful. They made these chrysanthemum sachets so beautifully. Are they trying to steal the limelight of today's chrysanthemum banquet?"

Before Zhen Huan could respond, An Lingrong said, "Empress Qi, this Chrysanthemum Banquet is a place for all the sisters to enjoy the chrysanthemums and share their friendship. How could Your Majesty misinterpret our feelings like this?"

Concubine Qi snorted, "Humph, who knows what you are planning."

Zhen Huan ignored her and found a place to sit down with An Lingrong.

At the banquet, everyone enjoyed flowers, recited poems and drank tea.

Suddenly, one of the concubines screamed, "Ah! Why are there bugs in these chrysanthemums?"

Suddenly, the banquet fell into chaos.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and both felt something was wrong.

Zhen Huan said calmly, "Don't panic, let's first see where this bug came from."

An Lingrong squatted down to examine the chrysanthemums. After a moment, she stood up and said, "Huan'er, it looks like someone deliberately put this insect in the chrysanthemums. The roots of the chrysanthemums show signs of being damaged."

Zhen Huan angrily asked, "Who is so cruel as to do such evil things at this Chrysanthemum Banquet?"

At this time, a little palace maid said tremblingly: "Your Majesty, I just saw Concubine Qi's maid sneaking around in the chrysanthemum bushes."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Qi's expression changed drastically. "You little maid, stop slandering me! How could I do such a thing?"

Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Qi and said, "Empress Qi, we'll know if it was you who did it. If it wasn't you, we won't wrongly accuse a good person."

When the emperor heard about this, he also came to check it out.

The emperor said majestically, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated. If anyone deliberately disrupts the Chrysanthemum Banquet, I will not show any mercy."

After a search, eggs of the same insect were found in the residence of Concubine Qi's maid.

Upon seeing this, Concubine Qi fell to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! It must have been that palace maid who did this behind my back. I was not aware of it."

The emperor's face was gloomy. "Concubine Qi, you are also to blame for not disciplining the palace maids. I punish you by confining you to your room for three months to reflect on your mistakes."

Concubine Qi cried and begged for mercy, but the emperor ignored her.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong successfully dealt with the crisis again, but they knew very well that the struggle in the harem would never stop.

Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, this journey has been incredibly difficult, but as long as you're by my side, I feel it's all worth it."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, we agreed to work together towards the throne of the Harem Master. No one can separate us."

Although the future is still full of unknowns and challenges, they do not flinch and continue to write their own legendary stories in this harem, moving step by step towards the supreme goal. In this world surrounded by palace walls, they use their wisdom and friendship to withstand endless storms and conspiracies.