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 at a stone table in the courtyard, a plate of translucent grapes on top. Zhen Huan gently picked up a grape and put it in her mouth, frowning slightly. "Lingrong, these grapes are sweet, but I've been feeling a strange aura permeating this palace lately. Have you noticed?"

An Lingrong also picked up a grape, but didn't rush to eat it. Instead, she examined it carefully and said slowly, "Huan'er, I've noticed something as well. Lately, the maids and eunuchs in each palace seem to be extra cautious. They move about with a sense of caution, as if they're afraid of something."

Zhen Huan put down the grapes in her hand, her expression solemn: "Is there some conspiracy brewing in secret? Please don't implicate us."

An Lingrong shook her head gently. "I hope not. But we can't let our guard down. I heard that a few days ago, Concubine Chun happened to see a young eunuch stealthily rummaging through something in a corner in the Imperial Garden. When she approached, the young eunuch fled in panic."

Zhen Huan's eyes glared. "Oh? Is that true? Did Concubine Chun see clearly which palace that young eunuch is from?"

An Lingrong sighed, "Chun Changzai was far away and didn't see clearly. But there's something strange about this matter."

As she was talking, Chun Chang came skipping over. Seeing the grapes on the table, her eyes lit up: "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, you are eating grapes, they are so sweet!"

Zhen Huan took Concubine Chun's hand, asked her to sit down, and asked, "Chun'er, have you noticed anything unusual in the palace recently?"

Chun Changzai tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "What's unusual? Chun'er feels that the sisters in the various palaces seem to be more serious than usual, and they don't smile as much. Oh, and the flowers in the imperial garden, some of which are clearly not due to wither yet, have inexplicably withered. It's really strange!"

An Lingrong and Zhen Huan exchanged a glance, each seeing worry in the other's eyes. An Lingrong said, "Every blade of grass, every brick, every tile in this palace seems to be hiding a secret. We must be careful and attentive."

Zhen Huan nodded, "Indeed. Lingrong, do you think someone is secretly plotting something bad, trying to destroy the peace in this palace?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "It's possible. Perhaps we can start with those withered flowers and plants and see if someone did it on purpose."

Chun Changzai asked curiously, "Sisters, what can you find out by checking the flowers and plants?"

An Lingrong patiently explained, "Chun Changzai, if the flowers and plants were tampered with, there would definitely be some clues left behind. For example, they might have been poisoned, or their roots might have been maliciously damaged. Through these traces, we might be able to find the person behind the incident."

Zhen Huan continued, "But there are so many flowers and plants in this palace that it's not easy to check them all. We need to find some reliable people to help."

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Bao Que, who is beside me, is quite clever. I can ask her to go and secretly investigate first."

Zhen Huan agreed: "That's great. If there's any news, we can respond quickly."

A few days later, Bao Que returned with a report: "Your Majesty, I have discovered that a young palace maid has appeared near those withered flowers and plants. It seems that she often serves in Concubine Li's palace."

Zhen Huan narrowed her eyes slightly. "Concubine Li? She usually keeps a low profile. How could she be involved in such things?"

An Lingrong said, "Don't jump to conclusions. Perhaps someone is deliberately using someone from her palace to conceal their activities. Let's first ask that young maid about this."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought their people to Concubine Li's palace. Seeing them coming, Concubine Li hurriedly stood up to greet them: "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, how come you have time to come to me today?"

Zhen Huan said straight to the point, "Lady Li, the young maids in your palace have been frequenting the Imperial Garden lately, causing many flowers and plants to wither. Are you aware of this?"

Concubine Li looked bewildered. "Your Majesty, I really don't know. The maids in my palace have always been well-behaved. How could they do such a thing?"

An Lingrong looked at Li Guiren and said softly, "Li Guiren, don't panic. We are only here to find out the truth. Could you please call that young palace maid out so we can question her?"

Concubine Li nodded: "Of course."

The little maid was brought out. Seeing Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, she was so frightened that she fell to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!"

Zhen Huan asked sternly, "Why are you destroying the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden? Did someone instruct you?"

The little maid trembled and said, "Your Majesty, it was...it was the maidservant beside Concubine Jing who asked me to do this. She said that as long as I did it, she would give me a large sum of money and let me leave the palace to reunite with my family."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were both shocked: "Jing Fei? Why would she do this?"

The young maid cried and said, "I don't know. The nanny only said that Concubine Jing couldn't stand the fact that some people in the palace were favored, and she wanted to use this to disrupt the harem."

An Lingrong sneered, "How bold Concubine Jing is! How dare you act so recklessly?"

Zhen Huan said, "This matter cannot be underestimated. We must confront Concubine Jing face to face."

Arriving at Concubine Jing's palace, she was leisurely sipping tea. Seeing Zhen Huan and An Lingrong approaching, a barely perceptible sneer crossed her face: "Oh, what brings you two ladies here?"

Zhen Huan angrily asked, "Concubine Jing, why did you order the young palace maids to destroy the flowers and plants in the imperial garden and disturb the peace of the harem?"

Concubine Jing put down her teacup and said calmly, "Zhen Huan, please stop slandering me. What evidence do you have to say that I ordered this?"

An Lingrong took out a scented sachet and waved it in front of Concubine Jing. "Concubine Jing, this is the scented sachet we found on that young palace maid. The fragrance in this sachet is unique to your palace. What else do you have to say?"

Concubine Jing's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "Hmph! What does this sachet mean? Maybe someone deliberately framed me and put this sachet on that little palace maid."

Zhen Huan scolded, "Princess Jing, please don't try to quibble. What is your real intention in doing this?"

Concubine Jing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think you are the only ones who enjoy unlimited glory in this harem? I have been in this palace for many years and have always been ignored. I just want to fight for a place for myself."

An Lingrong said coldly, "Jing Fei, your actions have violated palace rules. We will report this matter to the Emperor, and he will make the final decision."

Concubine Jing snorted disdainfully, "Then go and report it. I want to see whether the emperor will trust you more or me, an old man who has been in the palace for many years."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came out of Concubine Jing's palace. Zhen Huan sighed, "Why is there always constant conflict in this harem?"

An Lingrong held Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Huan'er, don't be afraid. As long as we sisters work together, we can handle this."

However, the matter did not end there. Soon after, rumors spread in the palace that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were secretly instructing the young palace maids to destroy the flowers and plants in an attempt to frame Concubine Jing.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's face turned pale with anger: "Who is maliciously slandering us behind our backs? This is simply outrageous!"

An Lingrong calmly analyzed, "Huan'er, this rumor spread so quickly, it must have been deliberately spread by someone. Perhaps Concubine Jing is unwilling to be exposed by us and wants to bite back."

Zhen Huan gritted her teeth and said, "Concubine Jing is truly despicable! We can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to find a way to dispel this rumor."

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "We can first find a few concubines with whom we have a good relationship, explain the truth to them, and ask them to help spread the word within the palace. Then, we can ask to see the emperor and report the whole story to him. I believe the emperor will be able to see everything clearly."

Zhen Huan nodded: "That's the only way. However, most people in this palace are opportunists. I don't know who will be willing to trust us."

An Lingrong consoled her, "Huan'er, don't be discouraged. There will always be someone who understands the situation. For example, Concubine Duan has always been a peaceful person. Perhaps you can ask her for help first."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Yes, how could I have forgotten Concubine Duan. Without further ado, let's go and pay our respects to Concubine Duan."

Arriving at Concubine Duan's palace, upon hearing the news, Concubine Duan sighed softly, "Concubine Xi, Concubine An Lingrong, this is indeed a difficult matter. However, I believe that you two concubines would never do such a thing. I will speak up for you both in the palace."

Zhen Huan said gratefully, "Thank you, Concubine Duan. With your help, we will definitely be able to overcome this difficult time."

After leaving Concubine Duan's palace, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong went to see the Emperor again. After listening to their story, the Emperor frowned slightly and said, "I will investigate this matter myself. If someone is deliberately spreading rumors and causing trouble, I will not forgive them!"

After receiving the emperor's reply, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong felt a little relieved. But they knew that the struggle in the harem had just begun, and they had to remain vigilant at all times to survive in this dangerous harem and protect their friendship and their own destiny.