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

An Lingrong gently patted the back of Zhen Huan's hand, her eyes firm, "Huan'er, don't worry. You and I have been through so many ups and downs together, and every time we didn't get through it together?"

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her expression softening slightly. "Lingrong, you're right. But the situation in the palace is becoming increasingly complicated, as if there are traps everywhere, making it difficult to guard against them."

An Lingrong stood up and paced around the room. After a moment's thought, she said, "Huan'er, we must first find out who is behind this. I've asked Baoque to keep a close eye on things to see if they can find any clues."

Zhen Huan looked up, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I hope Bao Que will be able to gain something. I've also instructed Jin Xi to have her spies in the palaces keep an eye out for anyone behaving strangely."

At this moment, Concubine Chun came running over, her face filled with anxiety. "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, I heard that the Imperial Household Department has been conducting strict inspections of spices in all the palaces recently, and many of your spices have been confiscated. What should we do?"

An Lingrong's heart trembled. "A strict investigation of spices? Why did the Imperial Household Department suddenly take such action?"

Zhen Huan frowned. "There's definitely something fishy going on here. Lingrong, you're an expert in spices. Do you think someone is trying to use the Imperial Household Department to suppress you and me?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment and said, "It's possible. I need to find out who came up with this idea. Concubine Chun, don't panic for now. Return to your own palace and be careful."

Chun Chang nodded obediently: "Then Chun'er will go back first. The sisters should also be more careful."

An Lingrong turned to Zhen Huan and said, "Huan'er, I'm going to the Imperial Household Department to see if I can find out anything."

Zhen Huan was a little worried: "Lingrong, you must be careful on this trip. Those people in the Imperial Household Department are all very calculating."

An Lingrong smiled faintly: "Don't worry, Huan'er, I will be cautious."

An Lingrong arrived at the Imperial Household Department and met Eunuch Li, the general manager. She bowed and said, "Eunuch Li, I came here today to ask you something. I heard that the Imperial Household Department is strictly investigating spices in all palaces. Why is that?"

Eunuch Li said with a forced smile, "Young Master An, this is an order from above. They say that several concubines were careless with the use of spices, causing them to become unwell, so a strict investigation is required to prevent such incidents from happening again."

An Lingrong was suspicious. "Oh? Are there any ladies feeling unwell? Could you please let me know, Master?"

Eunuch Li waved his hand and said, "Young Master An, I am not in a position to speak any more. Please do not ask any more questions. I have many things to attend to."

An Lingrong realized she couldn't get anything out of Eunuch Li, so she said goodbye and left. Back at Zhen Huan's palace, Zhen Huan hurriedly came forward and asked, "Lingrong, how are you?"

An Lingrong shook her head. "Eunuch Li from the Imperial Household Department refused to tell the truth. He only said it was an order from above that the Empress was feeling unwell due to spices. But I have a feeling this is more complicated than that."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "Lingrong, do you think it could be Concubine Jing? She's had a grudge against us over flowers and plants before, so maybe she's thinking of making a move on the spices?"

An Lingrong bit her lip. "Huan'er, we can't rule out this possibility. But we don't have evidence, so we can't jump to conclusions. I think we can start with those ladies whose spices were taken away and see if we can find any clues."

Zhen Huan nodded: "That's the only way. I'll send someone to find out."

A few days later, the dispatched person returned with a report: "Your Majesty, I have learned that most of the concubines whose spices were taken were close to you and Miss An. Moreover, I have heard that Concubine Jing has recently been in contact with a mysterious person outside the palace."

An Lingrong and Zhen Huan exchanged a glance, and An Lingrong said, "It seems this Concubine Jing is becoming increasingly suspicious. Huan'er, we must think of a way to lure this snake out of its hole."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and whispered something in An Lingrong's ear. An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, this is a very good plan."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong acted according to the plan. They deliberately spread the news in the palace that An Lingrong had just made a unique spice that not only had a charming fragrance but also had health and beauty effects. However, the spice was precious and they only intended to present it to the emperor.

After the news spread, Concubine Jing could no longer sit still. She secretly sent people to investigate, hoping to find out the formula of the spice so that she could sabotage it.

One day, An Lingrong's maid Bao Que came running in and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Jing's maid Cui Yu has been sneaking around our spice room, looking for something."

An Lingrong was secretly delighted: "It seems the fish has taken the bait. Baoque, don't disturb her, just keep watching."

Zhen Huan also got the news and rushed over: "Lingrong, when will we close the net?"

An Lingrong said, "Wait a little longer until she reveals more."

Not long after, Cuiyu sneaked into the spice room. As she was rummaging around, An Lingrong walked in with her men: "Cuiyu, what are you doing?"

Cui Yu turned pale with fear and knelt down with a thud: "Master An, this servant... this servant was just passing by and came in to take a look."

An Lingrong sneered, "Just passing by? Then why are you rummaging through the spice room? Tell me, was it Concubine Jing who sent you here to look for the spice formula?"

Cuiyu hesitated and dared not speak. Zhen Huan scolded her from the side, "Cuiyu, if you don't tell the truth, I will not forgive you easily. In this harem, sneaking into someone else's perfume room is a serious crime."

Cui Yu was terrified and cried, "Your Majesty, it was Concubine Jing who ordered this servant. Your Majesty said that if we could get the spice formula for Lady An, she would fall out of favor and Your Majesty would gain more power in the harem."

An Lingrong and Zhen Huan smiled at each other. An Lingrong said, "Cui Yu, go back and tell Concubine Jing that her plot will not succeed. We will go see the Emperor and let him make the final decision."

Arriving before the Emperor, Zhen Huan spoke first, "Your Majesty, many strange things have been happening in the palace recently. The Imperial Household Department has been conducting a strict investigation into spices for no apparent reason. My sister Lingrong and I have discovered that Concubine Jing is behind this, intent on framing us two."

The emperor frowned. "Is this true? Do you have any evidence?"

An Lingrong stepped forward and told him everything about Cuiyu: "Your Majesty, this is what Cuiyu, the maidservant beside Concubine Jing, said herself. Concubine Jing is also secretly communicating with people outside the palace. I believe she is plotting a bigger conspiracy."

The Emperor's face darkened upon hearing this: "I will investigate. If Concubine Jing truly committed such an evil act, I will not forgive her."

Coming out of the Emperor's palace, Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Lingrong, this time the crisis has finally been temporarily resolved."

An Lingrong shook her head and said, "Huan'er, this is just the beginning. Concubine Jing will not give up easily. We must be careful and vigilant."

Zhen Huan nodded: "That's right. However, as long as we sisters are united, we are not afraid of her schemes."

However, before one thing is settled, another one arises. Rumors spread in the palace that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were trying to dominate the harem and were using spices to seduce the emperor.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan was so angry that she trembled all over: "Who is spreading rumors and causing trouble again? This is simply fabricated out of thin air!"

An Lingrong said calmly, "Huan'er, don't be angry yet. We must find the source of this rumor and crush it once and for all."

After discussing it, the two decided to start with the palace maids and eunuchs who were most active in spreading rumors in the palace. After some investigation, they found that most of these people had contact with people in Concubine Jing's palace.

An Lingrong said, "It seems this rumor was spread by Concubine Jing again. She has framed us time and again. We can no longer tolerate this."

Zhen Huan gritted her teeth and said, "Lingrong, let's go confront Concubine Jing. This time, we must leave her speechless."

Arriving at Concubine Jing's palace, Zhen Huan angrily said, "Concubine Jing, why do you keep framing us? First you ordered the maids to destroy the flowers and plants, then you made a fuss about the spices, and now you're spreading rumors. What do you want?"

Concubine Jing remained calm and composed: "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, please stop slandering me. Where is the evidence to prove that I did it? How can you trust the words of those palace maids and eunuchs?"

An Lingrong produced a piece of evidence and waved it in front of Concubine Jing. "Concubine Jing, this is Cuiyu's confession, as well as the records of the interactions between those who spread the rumors and those in your palace. Do you still want to quibble?"

When Concubine Jing saw the evidence, her expression finally changed. She was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think you are the only ones who can enjoy favor in this harem? I have been in this harem for many years and have always been ignored. I just want to fight for a place."

Zhen Huan scolded, "Jing Fei, you may strive for favor, but you should not resort to such despicable means. Your actions have violated palace rules."

An Lingrong said, "Jing Fei, if you are willing to admit your mistakes to the Emperor, perhaps you can be given a lighter sentence. Otherwise, we will pursue this matter to the end."

Concubine Jing fell into deep thought, wondering what choice she would make. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that this harem struggle was far from over. They must always remain vigilant, protect each other, and continue to move forward in this harem full of conspiracies and intrigues.