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

Zhen Huan nodded slightly and patted An Lingrong's hand. "Lingrong, you are absolutely right. But within this harem, there are undercurrents beneath the surface of a calm lake. Who knows when it will stir up a turbulent wave."

An Lingrong's eyes were firm: "Huan'er, don't be afraid. Even if there are thousands of waves, you and I can still survive together."

As she was speaking, Concubine Chun came running over, her face full of excitement: "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, the Imperial Household Department has just sent some new fabrics. The colors and patterns are so beautiful. Sisters, go and take a look!"

Zhen Huan smiled faintly and said, "Chun'er is always so anxious."

The three of them came to the place where the materials were delivered by the Imperial Household Department. Zhen Huan picked up a piece of lake blue silk and praised it, "This material has a high quality texture and the color is also simple and elegant."

An Lingrong echoed, "Huan'er has a unique eye. This color is just like the lake water under a clear spring sky, so refreshing and pleasant."

Chun Changzai was picking and choosing at the side, and picked up a piece of pink material. "Sisters, does this pink resemble the peach blossoms blooming in spring? Chun'er thinks it will make a beautiful dress."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Chun'er's description is just right. When you wear this pink dress, you will look like the most beautiful peach blossom fairy among the flowers."

A few days later, there was a rumor in the palace that a foreign country had presented a batch of rare treasures as tribute, among which was a night-shining pearl that was said to be able to illuminate the entire palace in the dark night. The emperor wanted to give it as a reward to his most favored concubine.

Upon hearing this, Xia Changzai said sourly, "Humph, who knows who will get this night-shining pearl. Some people shouldn't think they can get it for sure."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong heard the rumor. Zhen Huan said calmly, "Lingrong, this night-shining pearl is just a thing outside of my body. If I get it, I'm lucky. If I don't, it doesn't matter."

An Lingrong nodded: "Huan'er is open-minded, but Concubine Xia is full of jealousy and has lost her composure."

After the treasure was presented, the emperor glanced at the concubines and spoke slowly, "This night-shining pearl is extremely precious. I wish to give it to Huanhuan. I hope that she will shine with unique brilliance in my harem, just like this pearl."

Zhen Huan bowed in thanks: "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will cherish it."

Xia Changzai stood aside with an extremely ugly expression on her face, but she didn't dare to lose her temper.

But not long after, the Night Pearl in Zhen Huan's palace mysteriously disappeared. The maids and eunuchs frantically searched for it. Zhen Huan sat in the palace, brows furrowed, "How could this Night Pearl suddenly disappear? Someone must have done it on purpose."

An Lingrong rushed over and comforted her, "Huan'er, don't worry. Let's think carefully and see if there are any suspicious people entering or leaving the palace."

Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "In recent days, apart from the maids and eunuchs who serve me daily, there have been no outsiders. But it is also difficult to tell the true feelings of those in this palace."

At this time, a young palace maid trembled and said, "Your Majesty, I saw a dark shadow flash outside the palace, but it was too fast and I couldn't see who it was."

An Lingrong asked, "When did this happen? Where in the palace?"

The maid replied, "Just last night, in the corner of the garden behind the palace."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance and went to the corner of the garden to investigate. An Lingrong squatted down and carefully observed the ground, finding some light footprints: "Huan'er, look at these footprints, they look like men's footprints, and the pattern of these footprints looks like the boots of a guard."

Zhen Huan was shocked: "Guards? Could it be the guards who did this? But how could the guards be so bold?"

An Lingrong pondered, "There must be something fishy going on here. Perhaps someone is instructing the guards, or perhaps the guards are being used."

They decided to first ask the guards on duty that night. Finding the guard leader, Zhen Huan asked, "Who were the guards on duty that night? Did they notice anything unusual?"

The guard commander replied, "Your Majesty, guards Xiao Li, Xiao Zhang, and others were on duty that night. They did not report any unusual circumstances."

An Lingrong said, "Call them all here. I want to question them personally."

The guards arrived, and Zhen Huan examined them one by one. She said sternly, "My night-shining pearl is missing. Someone saw a dark figure outside my palace last night, and the footprints looked like those of a guard. Do you have anything to say?"

Xiao Li slumped to his knees, "My Lady, this is unjust! We honestly didn't notice anything unusual."

Xiao Zhang stood aside, his eyes flickering. An Lingrong noticed his strangeness and approached him, asking, "Are you hiding something from me?"

Xiao Zhang hesitated for a long time before speaking, "Your Majesty, I saw Eunuch Li wandering around the palace last night, but I didn't dare ask any more questions."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were both shocked: "Eunuch Li? Why is he near the palace?"

They hurried to find Eunuch Li. Seeing him, Zhen Huan asked directly, "Eunuch Li, why were you near my palace last night? Did you steal my night-shining pearl?"

Eunuch Li waved his hands hastily: "Your Highness, this is unjust! I was just passing by. How dare I steal your things?"

An Lingrong scrutinized him. "Eunuch Li, you'd better tell the truth. If this is discovered, you know the consequences."

Eunuch Li had cold sweat on his forehead, but he still insisted that he was just passing by.

Zhen Huan came up with a plan and whispered to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, let's trick him."

Zhen Huan turned and said to the palace maid, "Go and fetch the Emperor. Tell him that there has been significant progress regarding the Night Pearl, and that Eunuch Li is the most suspected."

When Li Gong heard this, his face turned pale. An Lingrong saw this and felt that there was something wrong with him.

Eunuch Li saw that the situation was not good and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I was ordered by Concubine Ning, and I dared not disobey!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were shocked once again: "Concubine Ning? Why is she like this?"

Eunuch Li cried, "Concubine Ning is jealous of the Empress's favor, and because the Night Pearl was not given to her, she is resentful and has ordered this old servant to steal the Night Pearl in order to make the Empress fall out of favor with the Emperor."

Zhen Huan angrily said, "Concubine Ning has such a vicious mind!"

An Lingrong said calmly, "Huan'er, we still have to find the Night Pearl before confronting Concubine Ning."

After some searching, the night pearl was finally found in Eunuch Li's residence.

Zhen Huan took the Night Pearl and went to Ningpin's palace with An Lingrong. When she saw Ningpin, Zhen Huan took out the Night Pearl and said, "Ningpin, did you ask Eunuch Li to steal this?"

When Concubine Ning saw the Night Pearl, she knew the truth was revealed, but she still insisted, "Zhen Huan, please stop slandering me. Someone is deliberately framing me."

An Lingrong asked, "Concubine Ning, Eunuch Li has confessed, are you still trying to argue?"

Ningpin was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Haha, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think you have won? The battle in the harem has just begun."

Zhen Huan scolded, "Ningpin, your evil deeds will be punished sooner or later."

Coming out of Ningpin's palace, Zhen Huan sighed, "Lingrong, why is this harem always filled with malice and calculation?"

An Lingrong comforted her, "Huan'er, don't worry about this. As long as we stick to our original intentions, those with ulterior motives will eventually suffer the consequences."

The days returned to peace for a while, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong enjoyed the scenery in the palace. Zhen Huan looked at the flowers in the garden and said, "Lingrong, sometimes I really wish that only this beautiful scenery could keep us company in this palace, without any more disputes."

An Lingrong smiled: "Huan'er, although this is just a luxury, but with you by my side, the years in the palace have become warmer."

But the peace did not last long. News came from the palace that a palace banquet would be held and all the concubines in the palace would have to perform to liven up the atmosphere.

Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, this palace banquet is another test. We need to prepare well."

An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er, you are skilled in poetry, singing, and dancing. You will surely shine at the palace banquet. I will prepare a new song and use my special spices to create the atmosphere."

On the day of the palace banquet, all the concubines attended in their best attire. First, several concubines performed songs and dances, which were wonderful, but did not attract much attention from the emperor.

When it was Zhen Huan's turn, she danced with her long sleeves, singing, "The moon shines on the palace walls, and my shadows feel pity for myself. Flowers bloom and fall, and another year has passed. I wish your heart was like mine, so that we could share the beauty of the moon hand in hand." Her voice was melodious, and her dance graceful. The Emperor watched, entranced, and praised, "This dance and this song by Huan Huan are very much to my liking."

An Lingrong then took the stage. She lit incense, sending curls of green smoke rising into the air. Along with the delicate fragrance, she began to play the pipa, a melodious melody: "The lingering string music expresses my heartfelt feelings, the mist of incense carries a lingering meaning. I wish to transform into a gentle breeze to accompany you, blowing away your sorrow and leaving you in peace and well-being." Everyone was immersed in this unique atmosphere, and the emperor praised her, "Lingrong's music and incense are unique and intoxicating."

However, at the climax of the palace banquet, one of the concubines suddenly fell to the ground, foaming at the mouth. Everyone was shocked and the scene was in chaos.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong hurried forward to investigate. An Lingrong squatted down and sniffed the food residue on the concubine's mouth, frowning: "Huan'er, this looks like a symptom of poisoning, and it's an extremely rare poison."

Zhen Huan asked, "Lingrong, do you know how to detoxify?"

An Lingrong shook her head. "I've only heard of this poison, and the antidote is hard to find. But the most urgent task is to find the person who poisoned it."

The emperor was furious: "How dare someone poison my palace banquet! Investigate immediately!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other, and they saw determination in each other's eyes. They knew that another difficult challenge was coming, and they must once again work together to find the truth in this harem full of dangers and conspiracies, and protect each other and the peace of this harem.