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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came out of the emperor's palace. Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Lingrong, although I have heard the emperor's words, I am still very nervous."

An Lingrong frowned slightly. "Huan'er, don't worry. Since Concubine Duan has promised to help us, it will surely be of some use. We can't just rely on others; we have to find a solution ourselves."

Zhen Huan nodded. "You're right. I was thinking that Concubine Jing was so bold and reckless that she wouldn't be unprepared. The scented sachet we found on the young palace maid earlier, while the fragrance was unique to Concubine Jing's palace, she insisted it was a frame-up, so we can't be completely sure."

An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Huan'er, I think we can start with that nanny. She's close to Concubine Jing. If we can find her, perhaps we can get her to tell the truth."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "This is a very good plan! But that nanny must have been hidden very well by Concubine Jing. How can we find her?"

An Lingrong pondered and said, "We can have Baoque and Huanbi secretly monitor the movements in the various palaces, especially the comings and goings of those in Concubine Jing's palace. If that nanny were to make any move, she would be caught."

Zhen Huan agreed, "As you say. I hope we can find that nanny soon."

A few days later, Bao Que hurried in to report, "Your Majesty, I spotted the nanny accompanying Concubine Jing in a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden, chatting with a young eunuch."

Zhen Huan immediately stood up and said, "Let's go and take a look."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong approached quietly with their guards, only to hear the maid whisper, "If this matter is exposed, you must not betray me, otherwise even Concubine Jing will not be able to protect you and me."

The young eunuch trembled with fear: "Mammy, I'm scared. This matter is already dangerous, I don't want to get involved anymore."

Mammy scolded, "How dare you! If you quit now, you'll die."

Zhen Huan couldn't hold it in any longer and walked forward and shouted, "What are you planning?"

The nanny and the young eunuch were startled. Seeing that it was Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, the nanny pretended to be calm and said, "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, we were just chatting for a few minutes. There is nothing wrong."

An Lingrong sneered, "Idle chat? I heard everything you said, and you still dare to quibble! You said Concubine Jing ordered you to destroy the flowers and plants and spread rumors. Is that true?"

The maid fell to her knees with a plop. "Your Majesty, I am innocent! This is all framed by that little palace maid. I never did anything."

Zhen Huan said angrily, "You are still stubborn! Bring her back to the palace and interrogate her thoroughly."

The guards escorted the maid and the young eunuch back to Zhen Huan's palace. Zhen Huan sat in the upper seat and said sternly, "Mammy, if you tell the truth now, I can still give you a lighter sentence. If you continue to be stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The nanny hesitated for a moment, still refusing to speak.

An Lingrong whispered softly, "Madam, do you think Concubine Jing will truly protect you? Now that the truth has been revealed, she will definitely sacrifice you to save herself. If you tell the truth and testify against Concubine Jing, perhaps the Emperor will spare your life."

The nanny was shaken and gritted her teeth as she said, "Your Majesty, it was Concubine Jing who ordered me to have that little palace maid destroy the flowers and plants. She was jealous of Concubine Xi and Concubine An Lingrong's favor and wanted to use this to stir up trouble and make them lose favor."

Zhen Huan's face darkened. "Concubine Jing is truly despicable! Was she also responsible for spreading the rumors?"

Mammy nodded: "Yes. Madam, I know I was wrong."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, and Zhen Huan said, "Take her away and watch carefully. We will then confront Concubine Jing."

When they arrived at Concubine Jing's palace again, Concubine Jing's face changed slightly when she saw them coming.

Zhen Huan said bluntly, "Concubine Jing, that nanny has confessed that you ordered her to destroy the flowers and plants and spread rumors. What else do you have to say?"

Concubine Jing was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think you can bring me down like this? How can you trust that nanny's words? She must have been forced by you to say this."

An Lingrong said coldly, "Jing Fei, don't make such a desperate struggle. You've committed such a serious crime, do you think you can escape punishment?"

Concubine Jing snorted, "I've been in this palace for many years and have a strong foundation. You're naive to think you can convict me based solely on that nanny's one-sided statement."

Zhen Huan said, "Jing Fei, you have committed many evil deeds. We will report this matter to the Emperor and let him make the decision."

Concubine Jing said disdainfully, "Then go and report it. I want to see if the emperor will believe you."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came out of Concubine Jing's palace. Zhen Huan was worried: "Lingrong, Concubine Jing is so confident. What should we do?"

An Lingrong consoled her, "Huan'er, we have the nanny's confession and the sachet as evidence. As long as we present these to the Emperor, he will surely investigate."

Zhen Huan nodded helplessly, "This is the only way. I just hope the Emperor can handle this fairly."

Back at the palace, Concubine Chun came to visit. Seeing Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looking worried, she asked, "Sister Huan Huan, Sister Lingrong, what happened to you? Did someone bully you?"

Zhen Huan forced a smile: "Chun'er, it's okay. It's just some trivial matters in the palace."

Chun Changzai blinked her eyes and said, "Sisters, please don't hide it from me. Is it related to the withering flowers and plants? Chun'er has heard some rumors, but I believe that sisters will not do anything bad."

An Lingrong said with emotion, "Chun Changzai, we are very relieved to have your trust. This matter is indeed a bit troublesome, but we will resolve it."

Chun Changzai patted his chest and said, "Sisters, although Chun'er is young, I also want to help you. If there is anything you need Chun'er to do, just tell me."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong smiled at each other, and Zhen Huan said, "Chun'er, your trust in us is the greatest help to us."

However, while waiting for the emperor's decision, the palace was in turmoil again. Some concubines began to treat Zhen Huan and An Lingrong coldly, and even pointed fingers at them behind their backs.

While Zhen Huan was walking in the palace, she heard two concubines whispering.

"Look at Zhen Huan and An Lingrong. They appear kind on the surface, but they actually do such things behind the scenes."

"That's right, you even want to frame Concubine Jing. How cruel."

Zhen Huan was so angry that she was shaking all over. An Lingrong quickly held her back and said, "Huan'er, don't be impulsive. Arguing with them will only make things worse."

Zhen Huan gritted her teeth and said, "These people slander us without any reason. It's really infuriating!"

An Lingrong said, "We just need to wait patiently for the Emperor's order. The truth will eventually come out."

Finally, the emperor summoned Zhen Huan and An Lingrong to meet him.

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face solemn. "I have investigated this matter. Concubine Jing indeed had evil intentions. She instructed the maids to destroy the flowers and plants, spread rumors, and disrupt the harem."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were delighted, and Zhen Huan said, "The Emperor is wise."

The Emperor continued, "Concubine Jing's crimes are unforgivable. She will be demoted to the rank of concubine and confined to her residence for reflection. The nanny and the young eunuch will be given fifty strokes of the cane and expelled from the palace."

After Zhen Huan and An Lingrong thanked the Emperor, they left the palace. Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, the truth is out. Thanks to your idea, Lingrong, Concubine Jing was able to receive the punishment she deserved."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "This is also the result of our sisters' unity. I just hope that the harem can be peaceful for a while."

But Zhen Huan shook her head: "The peace in this harem may only be short-lived. We must always be careful."

An Lingrong nodded: "Huan'er is right. However, as long as we are together, we can handle any difficulties."