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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong sat across from each other in Yongshou Palace. Zhen Huan's face was solemn. "Lingrong, all the incidents at the flower viewing banquet, coupled with the Emperor's previous poisoning, have left me feeling truly uneasy. Although the Emperor is no longer poisoned, the mastermind behind the incident is still at large, and now there's this chaos at the flower viewing banquet. It's truly a headache."

An Lingrong sighed softly, "Huan'er, the Emperor's poisoning is incredibly strange. The source of the poisonous incense remains unknown. Although that mysterious individual claims it was revenge for Concubine Hua, I still find it suspicious. Concubine Hua has fallen, and her followers have scattered. How could a distant relative suddenly appear with such great power and be able to use poisonous incense without anyone noticing at a palace banquet?"

Zhen Huan nodded. "I have the same suspicion. And Concubine Jing, although she was involved in the spice incident, she is a cautious person. Could she also be being plotted against and made a scapegoat?"

An Lingrong's eyes glared. "It's very likely. Then why not start with Concubine Jing and try to find out what she has to say again? Maybe we can find some new clues."

Zhen Huan stood up and said, "There's no time to lose, let's go now."

The two arrived at Concubine Jing's palace. Upon seeing them, Concubine Jing stood up to greet them: "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, how come you have time to come to me today?"

Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Jing and said slowly, "My Lady Jing, I always feel a little sorry for you regarding the spice incident. Now there are new developments. The Emperor was poisoned at the palace banquet, and the flower viewing banquet was not peaceful either. I would like to talk to you again to see if I can find out anything."

Concubine Jing frowned slightly. "Your Highness, your words are too serious. I've also been puzzled by the matter of the spices. Although I ordered the spices, I have absolutely no intention of harming anyone. Now that you've mentioned this, it reminds me of something. Before the spices arrived, a young eunuch came to my palace and furtively asked about their uses and storage. I didn't pay much attention at the time, but now I think there might be something fishy going on."

An Lingrong hurriedly asked, "Madam Jingfei, who is that young eunuch? What does he look like?"

Concubine Jing shook her head. "I'm not sure either. I just remember that he looked unfamiliar and spoke with an accent like someone from another place."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "Outsiders? Could it be that someone from outside the palace bribed the young eunuch and deliberately tampered with the spices, then pinned the blame on Concubine Jing?"

An Lingrong said, "That's very possible. Then we must hurry to the Imperial Household Department to investigate the background of that young eunuch."

The two said goodbye to Concubine Jing and went to the Imperial Household Department. When the Imperial Household Department's chief steward saw the two ladies coming, he hurriedly bowed and asked, "What can I do for you, my ladies?"

Zhen Huan said, "I want to investigate the background of a young eunuch. This young eunuch has appeared in Concubine Jing's palace and his behavior is suspicious. He may be related to the recent incidents in the palace."

The steward flipped through the book and said, "Your Majesty, there have been quite a few young eunuchs entering the palace recently. I wonder which one you are talking about?"

An Lingrong described the young eunuch's general appearance. The steward pondered for a moment, "Your Majesty, there seems to be a young eunuch who fits the description. He entered the palace with a group of new palace maids, and it is said that he was recommended by a minister. However, this young eunuch has been behaving strangely since entering the palace, often wandering around remote corners of the palace."

Zhen Huan's eyes turned cold: "Then do you know which minister recommended it?"

The steward shook his head. "That... I don't know. It's not stated in the recommendation document."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other, both feeling that the matter was becoming increasingly complicated.

After returning to Yongshou Palace, Chun Changzai came to visit: "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, I heard that you are investigating something. Is there anything I can help with?"

Zhen Huan smiled and pulled Concubine Chun over: "Chun'er, it's great that a little girl like you can have this kind of heart. This matter is too complicated and dangerous. You should stay in your own palace and don't run around."

Chun Changzai pouted: "Okay, Sister Huanhuan. But I don't want to see you working so hard."

An Lingrong said, "Chun Changzai, if you really want to do good for us, please take good care of yourself and don't distract us."

A few days later, An Lingrong's maid Bao Que brought news: "Your Majesty, I have heard that the young eunuch seems to have had contact with someone close to Concubine Xiang."

Zhen Huan was shocked: "Xiangpin? Her again? Why is she always involved in these things?"

An Lingrong said, "Looks like we have to go meet Concubine Xiang."

The two arrived at Concubine Xiang's palace. When Concubine Xiang saw them coming, a flash of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, what brings you here today? What brings you here?"

Zhen Huan said bluntly, "Princess Xiang, we've discovered a young eunuch who has been in contact with someone close to you. That eunuch might be involved in the Emperor's poisoning and a series of incidents in the palace. Are you aware of this?"

Concubine Xiang feigned surprise: "Your Majesty, how would I know? Someone must have deliberately framed me."

An Lingrong sneered, "Xiangpin, don't try to quibble. If you tell the truth now, perhaps we can still give you a lighter sentence. If you wait until the Emperor finds out, you won't be so lucky."

Concubine Xiang hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I... I do know that young eunuch. But I only asked him to help me deliver some letters. I didn't know he was involved in those bad things."

Zhen Huan pressed on, "A letter? What letter? Who was it delivered to?"

Concubine Xiang hesitated, "This... this is a matter between my family and has nothing to do with the palace."

An Lingrong said sternly, "Xiangpin, if you don't explain clearly, today will be the day you die."

Concubine Xiang knelt down in fear. "Your Majesty, let me tell you. Those letters were delivered to my brother outside the palace. My brother had a business dispute with someone and wanted me to inquire about some information in the palace to see if I could use my connections to help him. This is the only kind of contact I had with that young eunuch. I really didn't know he had done anything else bad."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at Concubine Xiang, half believing and half doubting.

Zhen Huan said, "Xiangpin, we will believe you for now. But if you tell even a single lie, we will not forgive you."

After coming out of Xiangpin's palace, Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, I don't think Xiangpin is telling the truth. She must be hiding something from us."

An Lingrong nodded: "That's right. We have to keep an eye on her. Maybe the mastermind behind this will reveal himself."

A few days later, news came from the palace that an imperial physician had discovered a new poison, which had symptoms somewhat similar to those of the emperor's poisoning.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong immediately went to see the imperial physician. Zhen Huan asked, "Doctor Li, what exactly is this new poison you mentioned?"

Doctor Li bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I stumbled upon the recipe for this poison in an ancient book and then experimented with it. I've discovered that the poison's toxicity develops slowly, and the initial symptoms are very similar to those Your Majesty experienced previously. I suspect Your Majesty may have been poisoned by this or a similar one."

An Lingrong asked, "Doctor Li, do you know what the ingredients of this poison are? Is it easy to obtain?"

Doctor Li replied, "The ingredients of this poison include several extremely rare herbs that are not available in the palace pharmacy. However, they may be found in some remote places outside the palace."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "That means, this poison might have been brought into the palace by someone outside the palace?"

Doctor Li nodded: "That's possible, Your Majesty."

After thanking Imperial Physician Li, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to Yongshou Palace.

Zhen Huan asked, "Lingrong, who is this person outside the palace? Why did he poison the emperor?"

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I think we can start by investigating the sources of those rare herbs. Perhaps we can find some clues."

So they began to send people outside the palace to secretly investigate the traces of those herbs.

During the investigation, they discovered that a mysterious man in black often appeared in the herbal medicine trading area. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong decided to set a trap to capture the man in black.

They arranged for an ambush at the places where the man in black often appeared. Finally, one night, the man in black appeared. When the man in black entered the ambush circle, the guards rushed forward and captured him.

Zhen Huan walked forward and took off the mask of the man in black, only to find it was a strange face.

Zhen Huan asked sternly, "Who are you? Why are you hanging around here where herbs are traded? Are you involved in the poisoning of the Emperor?"

The man in black sneered, "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, do you think you can find out the truth by arresting me? I am only following orders. You will never find the real mastermind."

An Lingrong said, "If you don't reveal the mastermind, today will be your death."

The man in black hesitated for a moment and said, "I can only tell you that the mastermind holds a very high position in the palace and is in collusion with forces outside the palace."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were shocked. A very high status in the palace? Could it be...

They dared not think further, knowing only that the conspiracy behind this was deepening, and that they must uncover the truth as soon as possible. Otherwise, not only would their lives be in jeopardy, but the harem, and indeed the entire imperial palace, would be plunged into endless darkness and danger. Yet, they stood firm, gazing at each other, each seeing a resolute resolve in the other's eyes. They continued to explore the truth hidden behind the thick fog in this perilous harem, steadily moving towards peace and a balance of power within the harem, writing their own legendary chapter.