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

An Lingrong gently put down the handkerchief in her hand, sniffed, looked at Zhen Huan and said firmly: "Huan'er, we can't always be so passive. We have to think of a way to deal with these continuous calculations."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her eyes reflecting thoughtfully, "Lingrong, you're right. I'm thinking that since Concubine Jing dares to act this way, she must have something to rely on. We need to first find out what her purpose is."

An Lingrong frowned. "I guess she wants to use this incident to alienate us from the other concubines, and then reap the benefits. After all, our favor in the palace is bound to arouse jealousy."

Zhen Huan bit her lower lip lightly. "Then we must not let her succeed. I think we can find more clues from that little palace maid. Maybe we can dig out more of Concubine Jing's conspiracy."

An Lingrong hesitated a bit, "But the little maid is under the close watch of Concubine Jing now. It may be difficult for us to get close to her."

Zhen Huan paced back and forth for a moment and said, "We can find an excuse, such as sending something to Concubine Li under the pretext of concern, and by the way, find out about the little palace maid's situation. Concubine Li has always been timid and afraid of things. As long as we speak sincerely, she shouldn't refuse."

An Lingrong's eyes lit up. "Huan'er, this is a great idea. Let's prepare some gifts and head to Concubine Li's palace right away."

The two of them arrived at Li Guiren's palace with gifts. Li Guiren was flattered and said, "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, how can this be so? I'm bothering you to come in person."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Lady Li, we are worried about what's happened in the palace recently, so we came to see you."

An Lingrong also said, "Yes, Lady Li. I wonder how the little maid in your palace is doing now?"

Concubine Li sighed, "My two majesties, I haven't seen that little maid since she was taken away by Concubine Jing's men. I only heard that she was imprisoned in a side hall and was guarded every day."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, each seeing worry in the other's eyes. Zhen Huan said, "Lady Li, don't worry. We will definitely find out the truth and clear your name in the palace."

After leaving Li Guiren's palace, An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, it seems that starting directly with that little palace maid is a bit difficult. We have to find another way."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "I heard that Concubine Jing has been dealing with a spice merchant outside the palace recently. Perhaps we can investigate this aspect and see if we can find any evidence against her."

An Lingrong was surprised, "A spice merchant? Could she be involved in the spice business?"

Zhen Huan said, "This is just my guess. But no matter what, we have to give it a try. Lingrong, you know a lot about spices, so I'll have to rely on you to take care of this matter."

An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er, don't worry. I will do my best. I know some friends in the spice business. I can ask them to help find out about this merchant."

A few days later, An Lingrong received the news and came to tell Zhen Huan: "Huan'er, I've heard it. That spice merchant is indeed in collusion with Concubine Jing. He once sent some rare spices to Concubine Jing, and Concubine Jing used her power to help him establish some connections in the palace, allowing his spices to be sold here."

Zhen Huan's eyes turned cold. "I see. This Concubine Jing is indeed restless. Then we can report this matter to the Emperor. I believe the Emperor will not sit idly by."

An Lingrong was a little worried: "Huan'er, although we have evidence, Concubine Jing has been by the Emperor's side for many years and has earned his trust. If we go there rashly, what if the Emperor doesn't believe us? What will we do then?"

Zhen Huan clenched her fists. "We can't retreat because of fear. We can first organize the evidence and then find a suitable time to present it to the emperor. For example, when the emperor is in a good mood, or when he is holding a banquet in the palace. When all the concubines are present, it will be difficult for the emperor to show partiality."

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, you're right. Let's prepare first. However, during this time, we still have to be careful of Concubine Jing's counterattack."

As she was speaking, Concubine Chun came running over, panting, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, this is terrible! Concubine Jing is crying in front of the Emperor, saying that you deliberately framed her and that you ordered that little palace maid to destroy the flowers and plants just to suppress her."

Zhen Huan's expression changed. "This Concubine Jing is so cunning! She actually took the initiative to complain to the Emperor."

An Lingrong said calmly, "Huan'er, don't panic. We will go to see the Emperor now and tell him everything we know."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong hurried to the emperor, and Concubine Jing was kneeling beside him with a look of grievance on her face.

When the Emperor saw Zhen Huan and An Lingrong coming, he looked a little displeased: "What are you doing here?"

Zhen Huan quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I heard Concubine Jing crying before you, saying that Lingrong and I had framed her. But that is not the case. I have come here today to tell Your Majesty the truth."

An Lingrong also knelt down. "Your Majesty, there is irrefutable evidence that Concubine Jing ordered the young palace maid to destroy the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden. The sachet on the young palace maid's body was from Concubine Jing's palace. I have also discovered that Concubine Jing was colluding with spice merchants outside the palace, using her power to sell spices within the palace."

Concubine Jing hastily defended herself, "Your Majesty, these two are slandering me! They must have deliberately placed the sachet on the young palace maid to frame me. As for the spice merchant, I don't even know him."

The Emperor frowned and looked at Zhen Huan and An Lingrong: "Do you have any real evidence?"

Zhen Huan produced a stack of evidence. "Your Majesty, this is the evidence. There's the spice merchant's confession, and the correspondence between him and Concubine Jing. Please review it, Your Majesty."

The emperor took the evidence, examined it carefully, and his expression gradually became gloomy.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Concubine Jing cried and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! This must be fabricated evidence."

The emperor scolded, "Enough! Jing Fei, as a concubine, you don't care about sharing my worries, but instead stir up trouble in the palace. Do you know your crime?"

Concubine Jing collapsed to the ground: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on me."

The emperor said angrily, "You have committed such a grave offense that I cannot forgive you lightly. From this day forward, you will be demoted to a concubine and confined to your home for six months."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong smiled at each other, and the heavy stone in their hearts finally fell.

Zhen Huan said softly, "Lingrong, the truth is finally out."

An Lingrong nodded: "Yes, Huan'er. Thanks to you, we were able to get through this difficult time."

However, the peace in the harem did not last long. Soon after, a new concubine entered the palace. She was young, beautiful, and talented, and soon attracted the emperor's attention.

Zhen Huan looked at the favored new concubine and felt a little worried: "Lingrong, I'm afraid the struggle in the palace is about to stir up trouble again."

An Lingrong comforted her, "Huan'er, no matter what, as long as we stick to our hearts and support each other, we will be able to cope with everything."