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

Concubine Jing was silent for a long time, and finally raised her head, her eyes filled with determination: "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think I will bow to you so easily? I have been working in this harem for many years, how could I be frightened by your tricks!"

Zhen Huan frowned slightly and scolded, "Jing Fei, even now, you still don't repent! You have committed so many mistakes, aren't you afraid of the Emperor's severe punishment?"

Concubine Jing sneered, "Your Majesty? Has he ever truly cared about me? I'm just a poor person in this harem. If I don't make plans for myself, I'll just be trampled under your feet!"

An Lingrong sighed softly, "Jing Fei, you could have lived in peace with us, why did you keep plotting and framing us?"

Concubine Jing glared at An Lingrong: "Coexist peacefully? You two are enjoying all the favors in the palace, but what about me? I can only live out my days in this cold palace alone. I won't accept this!"

Zhen Huan stepped forward and said, "Jing Fei, if you truly repent, we can plead for mercy in front of the Emperor and grant you a lighter sentence. But if you persist in your wrongdoings and continue to be our enemy, then you will bear the consequences at your own risk!"

Concubine Jing was shocked. She knew very well the position that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong held in the Emperor's heart. If they really said something to the Emperor, she would not be able to bear it. But she did not want to give up the opportunity to win the Emperor's favor just like that, and she fell into a fierce struggle.

At this time, An Lingrong whispered to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, I think Concubine Jing is still hesitant at the moment. We might as well give her some time to think it over."

Zhen Huan nodded: "That's all we can do. I hope she can think it through and not go down the wrong path again."

The two turned to leave, but Concubine Jing suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong stopped and looked back at Concubine Jing. Concubine Jing gritted her teeth and said, "I can admit my mistakes to the Emperor, but you must promise me that you will leave me a little dignity in this harem and don't let me become a laughing stock."

An Lingrong looked at Zhen Huan, who thought for a moment and said, "As long as you truly change your ways, we will keep our promise."

Concubine Jing slowly lowered her head: "Okay, I'll believe you this time."

The matter came to an end for the time being, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to Zhen Huan's palace. Zhen Huan sat down on a chair tiredly: "Lingrong, when will this harem struggle end? I'm really tired."

An Lingrong sat beside her and held her hand. "Huan'er, I know you've been working hard. But we've come this far, we can't give up. As long as we sisters work together, there will always be a day when the clouds will clear and the moon will shine."

Zhen Huan forced a smile. "With you by my side, I feel much more at ease. By the way, Lingrong, why do you think Concubine Jing suddenly changed her mind?"

An Lingrong pondered, "I think she made her decision after weighing the pros and cons. She knows that if she continues to oppose us, her chances of success are slim, and if the Emperor learns the truth, she will be doomed."

Zhen Huan nodded: "I hope she has really thought it through. However, we still cannot let our guard down."

A few days later, the palace held a flower viewing banquet. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong went to the garden together. Along the way, Zhen Huan said, "I wonder what will happen at this flower viewing banquet."

An Lingrong said, "No matter what, we just need to be careful."

Arriving at the garden, all the concubines were already there. The emperor sat on the throne and saw Zhen Huan and An Lingrong coming. A smile appeared on his face: "Huan Huan, Lingrong, you are here."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong bowed and took their seats. At the flower viewing banquet, the concubines either admired the flowers or recited poems, and the atmosphere seemed peaceful.

However, Zhen Huan noticed a flicker of jealousy and resentment in Concubine Xia's eyes. Zhen Huan's heart moved, and she whispered to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, look at Concubine Xia. She seems to have evil intentions."

An Lingrong followed Zhen Huan's gaze and said softly, "Huan'er, don't alert the enemy. Let's wait and see what she does."

At this moment, Concubine Xia suddenly stood up, walked to the emperor, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I heard an interesting story recently and I want to share it with you."

The Emperor nodded slightly: "Oh? My beloved concubine, please feel free to speak."

Concubine Xia glanced at Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, a cold smile curling her lips. "I heard that the reason why Lady An Lingrong's spice shop is so prosperous is because Lady An added some banned substances to the spices, which gave them such strange effects."

Everyone was shocked when these words came out. Zhen Huan's face changed and she said angrily, "Xia Changzai, please stop slandering me! Lingrong's spice shop has always been law-abiding. How could there be anything prohibited in it?"

An Lingrong also stood up and said, "Xia Changzai, you are slandering me like this, do you have any evidence?"

Concubine Xia pretended to be surprised: "Oh, Master An, are you feeling guilty? I just heard what others said. If I have offended you, Master An, please don't blame me."

Zhen Huan sneered, "Listen to what others say? Tell me, who did you listen to?"

Xia Changzai hesitated, "This...I forgot for a moment."

An Lingrong knew this was another conspiracy. She took a deep breath and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, my spice shop has strict controls from the procurement of raw materials to the production process. There is absolutely no violation of prohibitions. Please be careful."

The Emperor looked at An Lingrong, then at Concubine Xia. "I will investigate this matter myself. If anyone deliberately spreads rumors and causes trouble, I will not forgive them lightly!"

The flower viewing banquet ended in a bad mood. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to the palace. Zhen Huan said angrily: "This Xia Changzai was obviously instructed by someone to deliberately slander you at the flower viewing banquet."

An Lingrong analyzed calmly, "That's right. I think the person behind this is definitely trying to use this to attack us. We need to find evidence as soon as possible to prove my innocence."

Zhen Huan nodded. "I'll have Jinxi investigate right away. Lingrong, have Baoque keep an eye on Concubine Xia."

An Lingrong replied, "Okay."

A few days later, Jinxi returned with a report: "Your Majesty, I have discovered that Concubine Xia has been in contact with a mysterious man from outside the family. Furthermore, that man seems to be involved in the spice business."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "It seems that Concubine Xia is a serious suspect. We must find a way to make her reveal her true identity."

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, I have a plan. We can pretend to have found evidence of the so-called banned spices and deliberately reveal the news to Concubine Xia to lure her into the trap."

Zhen Huan nodded: "This is a very good plan. I will do as you say."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong acted according to the plan. They asked the palace maids to spread the news in the palace that they had found the hiding place of the banned spices in An Lingrong's spice shop.

After hearing this, Concubine Xia fell into the trap. She secretly sent someone to investigate, but was caught on the spot by the guards arranged in advance by Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

Concubine Xia was brought before Zhen Huan and An Lingrong. Her face was pale, but she still pretended to be calm: "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, what do you mean by this? Why did you send people to arrest me?"

Zhen Huan angrily said, "Xia Changzai, you still dare to quibble! You deliberately slandered Lingrong at the flower viewing banquet, and now you send people to steal the so-called evidence. What do you want?"

When Concubine Xia saw that the matter was exposed, she thumped to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. It was...someone who instructed me to do this."

An Lingrong asked, "Who ordered you to do this?"

Xia Changzai hesitated for a moment and said, "It's...it's Concubine Xiang. Concubine Xiang said that if I can help her overthrow you, she will speak well of me in front of the emperor and help me get promoted."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a look, both surprised. Zhen Huan asked, "Xiangpin? Why would she do this?"

An Lingrong said, "It seems we have to go meet this Xiangpin again."

Arriving at Concubine Xiang's palace, she saw Zhen Huan and An Lingrong approaching, and a flash of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Empress Xi, Empress An Lingrong, what brings you here today? What brings you here?"

Zhen Huan said bluntly, "Xiangpin, why did you instruct Xia Changzai to slander Lingrong?"

Concubine Xiang feigned innocence: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! How could I do such a thing?"

An Lingrong took out a piece of evidence and waved it in front of Concubine Xiang: "Concubine Xiang, this is Concubine Xia's confession. Do you still want to quibble?"

When Concubine Xiang saw the evidence, her face changed drastically. After a moment of silence, she said, "Your Majesty, I was forced into this situation. I have never been favored in this harem, and seeing you all so prosperous, I became jealous and lost my mind for a moment."

Zhen Huan scolded, "Xiangpin, your jealousy almost harmed Lingrong. Do you know how great a sin this is?"

Xiangpin cried and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please have mercy on me."

An Lingrong said, "Xiangpin, if you truly repent, we can consider a lighter sentence. But you must confess everything to the Emperor."

Concubine Xiang nodded: "I understand."

Coming out of Concubine Xiang's palace, Zhen Huan sighed, "When will the jealousy and strife in this harem ever stop?"

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, as long as we stick to our original intentions and don't be influenced by these dark forces, one day we will be able to change the atmosphere in this harem."

Unbeknownst to them, a greater conspiracy lies ahead. In a corner of the harem, a pair of eyes coldly observe their every move, ready to launch a new attack at any moment. Can Zhen Huan and An Lingrong once again decipher the conspiracy, protect each other and their place in the harem? Everything remains uncertain. They can only rely on their wisdom and courage to navigate this bottomless harem quagmire, heading towards their unknown fate.