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

Zhen Huan had finished her dinner and was sitting by the window in a daze. Jin Xi asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you thinking about your lotus viewing with An Lingrong today?"

Zhen Huan came back to her senses and smiled faintly, "Today is truly a joyful day. I haven't had such a good time in a long time. I wonder what Lingrong is doing right now."

As he was speaking, the young eunuch Xiao Yunzi came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Empress An Lingrong is here."

Zhen Huan showed her delight: "Please come in."

An Lingrong walked in, bringing with her a faint floral scent. "Huan'er, I just got some flower petals that I can use to make incense and paint. I thought you might be interested, so I came over."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up. "Lingrong, you always come up with these new and interesting things. Let's not talk about making incense, but I've never tried painting with flower petals before. I really need to learn it."

An Lingrong placed the petals she had brought on the table. They were a dazzling display of color. "Huan'er, look at these petals, they're so vibrant, they'll definitely create something unique if used in a painting."

Zhen Huan curiously picked up a petal and examined it carefully: "But this petal is so delicate, how can I draw its shape on paper?"

An Lingrong explained with a smile, "Huan'er, you need to first mash the petals into juice, then use a special brush to dip into the juice and paint. Once the juice dries, the color of the petals will remain on the paper."

Zhen Huan nodded: "I see, that's interesting."

So, the two began to make the flower petal juice. Zhen Huan gently pounded the petals and said, "Lingrong, if this painting is finished, where should we hang it in the palace?"

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Hanging it in my bedroom, I can see it every day when I wake up. It will be a pleasant sight."

When the juice was ready, they picked up their brushes and began to paint. Zhen Huan first drew a blooming peony, saying as she did so, "Lingrong, do you think my peony looks good?"

An Lingrong praised, "Huan'er, your painting of the peony is so elegant and graceful, and quite charming!"

An Lingrong drew a few butterflies, which looked very lifelike. "Huan'er, it would be wonderful if my butterflies could fly among your peonies."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "That's truly a beautiful sight."

After finishing the painting, Zhen Huan looked at it and said with satisfaction: "Today's painting is the result of our joint efforts."

An Lingrong also smiled and said, "Yes, when I see this painting in the future, it will remind me of the happy times we had today."

At this time, Chun Changzai ran in again. Seeing the painting on the table, she exclaimed, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, did you draw this? It's so beautiful!"

Zhen Huan smiled and took Concubine Chun's hand: "Chun'er, if you like, you can paint with us someday."

Chun Changzai jumped up excitedly: "Really? That's great! Chun'er will definitely study hard."

A few days later, a small banquet was held in the palace to celebrate the birthday of a concubine. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong went together.

At the banquet, there was singing and dancing. A dancer danced gracefully.

Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, this dancer's dancing skills are superb."

An Lingrong nodded. "Yes, Huan'er. Every movement of this dancer seems to tell a story."

After the performance, everyone started playing the game of pitching arrows. Zhen Huan picked up an arrow and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, let's try it too."

An Lingrong responded, "Okay, Huan'er. Let's see who has the better skills."

Zhen Huan threw the first arrow, which grazed the edge of the pot. "Oops, that was a little off."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, don't be anxious, watch me." An Lingrong threw an arrow, which landed steadily in the pot.

"Lingrong, you are so amazing!" Zhen Huan exclaimed.

An Lingrong said modestly, "It's just luck."

Then, everyone played a game of guessing lantern riddles. Lanterns were hung in the hall, and under each lantern was a riddle.

Zhen Huan looked at a lantern riddle and read out: "A knife, floating on the water, with eyes but no eyebrows. (Guess an animal) What is this?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment, her eyes lighting up: "Huan'er, is it a fish?"

Zhen Huan suddenly realized: "Lingrong, you are so smart! It must be a fish."

In this joyful banquet, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong enjoyed themselves to the fullest. There were no worries about palace fighting, only laughter and joy between sisters.

After the banquet, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong walked side by side on the way back to the palace.

Zhen Huan sighed, "Lingrong, a banquet like this, without all the intrigue, is truly refreshing."

An Lingrong felt the same way: "Yes, Huan'er. I only hope that days like this can last longer."

Back in the palace, Zhen Huan sat on the couch and said to Jin Xi, "Being at the banquet with Ling Rong today, it felt like I was back in my carefree youth."

Jin Xi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this is all a blessing for you and Empress An Lingrong, to be able to find a moment of peace and joy in this harem."

In her own palace, An Lingrong also said to Baoque, "I am so happy today, Baoque. I hope we can have more moments like this in the future."

Bao Que nodded and said, "Your Majesty, it will definitely happen. You and Empress Zhen Huan have a deep friendship. You will definitely be able to support each other in this harem and spend more wonderful times together."