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

Zhen Huan gently tugged at the kite string, a rare, relaxed smile on her face as she said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, look at how high this kite is flying. I wish I could be as free as it is."

An Lingrong raised her head slightly, looked at the fluttering kite, and replied, "Huan'er, in this harem, a moment of freedom is hard to come by. But as long as you and I are together, even if there are storms, we can remain calm."

Concubine Chun clapped her hands and laughed happily, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, you are so happy today!"

Zhen Huan turned to look at Concubine Chun, her eyes full of doting: "Chun'er, you little girl always bring us joy."

As he was speaking, Su Peisheng hurried over and said after bowing, "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, the Emperor has ordered the two Empresses to proceed to the Yangxin Palace."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of doubt in the other's eyes. Zhen Huan asked, "Eunuch Su, do you know why the Emperor summoned us?"

Su Peisheng replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I don't know. The Emperor only ordered that the two ladies be summoned immediately."

Zhen Huan straightened her clothes and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, let's go for a walk."

Arriving at the Yangxin Palace, the Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his expression slightly gloomy. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong hurriedly saluted: "May the Emperor be blessed with good health."

The Emperor looked at them and said in a deep voice, "I have heard that there have been constant rumors in the palace recently, saying that there are ominous signs in the palace, causing panic among the concubines. Do you know anything about this?"

Zhen Huan was the first to respond: "Your Majesty, I have heard a little bit about this, but I think it is nonsense. Someone must have deliberately spread rumors to disturb the peace of the harem."

An Lingrong also said, "Your Majesty, Huan'er is absolutely right. The harem is originally peaceful, and these rumors have appeared out of nowhere. I'm afraid they are the work of someone with ulterior motives."

The Emperor frowned slightly. "I think so too. I order the two of you to investigate this matter secretly. Make sure to find the person who spread the rumor and restore peace to the harem."

Zhen Huan replied, "I will obey your order and do my best."

An Lingrong also said: "Your Majesty, rest assured. Huan'er and I will not let your trust down."

After leaving the Yangxin Palace, Zhen Huan sighed softly, "Lingrong, this is another troublesome matter. Who is this person who spread rumors? What is his purpose?"

An Lingrong pondered and said, "Huan'er, I think we should start with those palace maids and eunuchs who love to gossip. Maybe we can find some clues."

Zhen Huan nodded: "That's the only way."

The two returned to Yongshou Palace and began to discuss how to investigate. Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, we can first ask the kitchen to prepare some snacks, call some palace maids and eunuchs in under the pretext of rewarding them, and take this opportunity to test the waters."

An Lingrong agreed, "Huan'er, this is a very good plan."

Soon, the palace maids and eunuchs heard that there was a reward and came forward one after another. Zhen Huan sat in the upper seat and said with a smile, "I called you all here today because Empress An Lingrong and I have obtained some goodies and we want to share them with you."

Everyone hurried to express their gratitude. An Lingrong continued, "There have been some rumors in the palace recently. Have you heard about them?"

A palace maid said timidly, "Your Majesty, we heard something. There were strange noises at night, and some people saw dark shadows moving around the palace. It seemed like some ghost was haunting it."

Zhen Huan feigned surprise: "Is there such a thing? Do you know who first brought this up?"

A eunuch replied, "Your Majesty, it seems that a young eunuch in the Imperial Household Department first spread the news. He said he saw the black shadow with his own eyes."

An Lingrong asked, "What's the young eunuch's name? Where does he work?"

The eunuch replied, "The young eunuch's name is Xiao Dezi, and he's in charge of the storehouse at the Imperial Household Department."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, and Zhen Huan said, "Alright, all of you may leave. If you have any further news, please come and tell me."

After everyone left, Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, let's go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and ask this little Dezi."

Arriving at the Imperial Household Department, they found Xiao Dezi. Seeing the two empresses approaching, Xiao Dezi was so frightened that he fell to his knees and said, "Empress, spare my life!"

Zhen Huan said sternly, "Xiao Dezi, why are you spreading rumors in the palace? Is someone instructing you?"

Xiao Dezi trembled and said, "My Lady, it was... a eunuch who gave me money and told me to say this. I don't know why."

An Lingrong asked, "Which eunuch is this? Do you recognize him?"

Xiao Dezi said, "I only know that he is the eunuch of Yikun Palace, and I don't know anything else."

Zhen Huan was shocked: "Yikun Palace? Could it be..."

An Lingrong hurriedly tugged at Zhen Huan's sleeve, signaling her to keep quiet. An Lingrong said to Xiao Dezi, "Xiao Dezi, don't tell anyone about what happened today, or I will not forgive you."

Xiao Dezi said repeatedly: "Yes, yes, my lady."

After leaving the Imperial Household Department, An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, although there's no Concubine Hua in the Yikun Palace, the person living there now is probably no ordinary person. We must proceed with caution."

Zhen Huan nodded: "That's right. Let's go back and discuss it."

Back at Yongshou Palace, Concubine Chun came running over again, excitedly saying, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, I discovered another interesting place today. It's in the east corner of the Imperial Garden. There are so many beautiful butterflies there!"

Zhen Huan forced a smile and said, "Chun'er, go play by yourself for a while. The sisters have something to discuss."

Chun Changzai was a little disappointed: "Okay, sisters."

Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Chun's departing figure and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, I don't want Concubine Chun to be involved in these disputes. She is too naive."

An Lingrong sighed, "Huan'er, let's do our best to protect her. But who in this harem can truly remain unscathed?"

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and said, "Lingrong, we still need to find out the truth about the Yikun Palace as soon as possible. I think we can find an excuse to go to the Yikun Palace and find out the truth."

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, we can say we heard there are some rare flowers in Yikun Palace and we want to see them, and use that as an excuse to go."

Zhen Huan nodded: "Okay, let's do it."

The next day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong arrived at the Yikun Palace with several palace maids. The head of the Yikun Palace, Concubine Li, came out to greet them: "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, what brings you here today?"

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Sister Lipin, I heard that there are several rare flowers in Yikun Palace. My sister Lingrong and I have come here to see them. I wonder if you could give us a favor?"

A hint of doubt flashed across Lipin's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "If your Majesty wants to see it, of course you can. Please go ahead."

After entering the Yikun Palace, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked around, trying to find some clues. An Lingrong deliberately walked over to a palace maid and asked softly, "Maid, are you used to working in the Yikun Palace?"

The maid replied, "Your Majesty, I am used to it."

An Lingrong continued, "I've noticed something unusual happening in your Yikun Palace lately. Do you know anything?"

The palace maid's expression changed slightly, and she lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Seeing this, Zhen Huan came over and said to Lipin, "Sister Lipin, your maid doesn't seem to understand the rules. I asked her a question, but she didn't answer."

Lipin scolded the maid: "Why don't you answer the Queen's question quickly!"

The maid fell to her knees with a plop: "My Lady, I dare not speak."

An Lingrong said, "If you don't tell me, you'll be committing the crime of deceiving the emperor."

The maid hesitated for a long time before whispering, "Your Highness, the recent rumors in the palace were spread by... a maid from the Yikun Palace. She said she wanted to teach Empress Xi and Empress An Lingrong a lesson."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were both surprised: "Why? What grudge do we have with the Yikun Palace?"

The maid shook her head: "I don't know, I just heard the nanny say that we can't let the two ladies get too proud."

Zhen Huan looked at Lipin: "Sister Lipin, what's going on?"

Lipin waved her hands hurriedly: "Your Majesty, I don't know either. It must be that nanny who acted on her own. I will go find her and ask her to give the two ladies an explanation."

After waiting for a while, Lipin came back, looking a little panicked: "Your Majesty, that nanny... is gone."

An Lingrong sneered, "Sister Lipin, this nanny works in your Yikun Palace. How could she suddenly disappear? Are you protecting her?"

Lipin said anxiously: "Your Majesty, I really don't know! I just found out that she is missing."

Zhen Huan said in a deep voice, "Princess Li, you must give us an explanation for this matter. We will report this to the Emperor, and he will make the final decision."

After leaving Yikun Palace, Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, this matter is becoming increasingly complicated. Why is that nanny targeting us? Is there someone behind this?"

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, no matter what, let's first inform the Emperor of this matter and see how he handles it."

When the emperor learned about it, he ordered a search for the nanny in the palace. After a long search, the nanny was finally found in an abandoned palace.

The Emperor summoned everyone to the Yangxin Palace. Nanny was brought before the Emperor, trembling with fear.

The Emperor shouted angrily, "Why did you spread rumors in the palace with the intention of framing Concubine Xi and An Lingrong?"

The nurse trembled and said, "Your Majesty, it was...it was Concubine Li who ordered this old servant to do this. Concubine Li said that the two concubines had stolen her limelight and she wanted to teach them a lesson."

Lipin knelt down hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, this is unjust! I never ordered her to do anything. It was this nanny who framed me."

Zhen Huan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is full of doubts. But that nanny is from the Yikun Palace, and Concubine Li cannot escape the blame."

An Lingrong also said, "Your Majesty, please understand clearly."

The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Lipin was not disciplined strictly. She will be fined six months' salary and confined to her house for three months. That nanny spread rumors and caused trouble. She will be sent to the Ministry of Punishment."

After thanking An Lingrong, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to Yongshou Palace. Zhen Huan sighed, "Lingrong, when will this harem strife end?"

An Lingrong comforted her, "Huan'er, as long as we stick to our hearts and support each other, there will always be a day of peace."

However, they know that the turmoil in the harem will never subside, and new conspiracies may be quietly growing in the dark, but they are no longer afraid, because they have each other's company and trust. They will continue to move forward bravely towards the supreme peak of power in this harem full of calculations, and write their immortal legend.