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

Sitting in the Empress Dowager's palace, Zhen Huan said to Hongli, "Emperor, it has been some time since you ascended the throne. The ceremony of conferring the title of Empress should be put on the agenda. Fucha is dignified and virtuous, and is worthy of the position of Empress."

Hongli responded respectfully, "Your Majesty is wise, and this is exactly what I wish for. Fucha and I have been together since childhood, and I know her virtues well."

An Lingrong nodded slightly: "Fucha is indeed a good choice. I hope she can work hand in hand with the Emperor to manage the harem in an orderly manner."

Concubine Hua whispered, "This is a big deal. We need to prepare carefully. We can't lose the dignity of the royal family."

Concubine Chun also joined in the fun and said, "Yes, it will definitely be very lively. I can't wait."

Soon after, the palace began to prepare for the queen's coronation ceremony.

Fucha came to pay her respects. She was graceful and gentle, "Old Buddha, Queen Mother, I am deeply moved. I am grateful to the Queen Mother and Old Buddha for your favor."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Queen, there's no need to be modest. This is what you deserve. From now on, the burden of the harem will fall on your shoulders. You must work hard."

Fucha said firmly: "I will do my best to live up to the expectations of the Queen Mother and the Buddha."

However, just before the ceremony of crowning the queen, something went wrong.

A female official in charge of preparing the ceremony came running over, looking panicked: "Empress Dowager, Lord Buddha, this is terrible! The Queen's phoenix crown is missing!"

Zhen Huan's expression changed. "What? How is this possible? How could the phoenix crown disappear?"

An Lingrong also stood up: "Go and check it out quickly! The ceremony is about to begin, and we can't let anything go wrong!"

Concubine Hua said anxiously, "Someone must have done this on purpose to sabotage the ceremony of crowning the empress!"

Everyone began to look for the phoenix crown.

At this time, a young palace maid trembled and said, "Empress Dowager, I think I saw a dark shadow heading towards the Imperial Garden. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Phoenix Coronet."

Zhen Huan immediately ordered: "Search the Imperial Garden! We must find the Phoenix Coronet!"

Everyone rushed to the Imperial Garden, only to see a eunuch hiding in a corner with a suspicious look on his face.

Concubine Hua stepped forward and shouted, "What are you doing here? Did you steal the phoenix crown?"

The eunuch knelt down with a plop: "Your Highness, it's not me. I was just ordered to wait for someone here. I really don't know anything about the phoenix crown."

An Lingrong looked at him closely: "On orders? On whose orders? Tell the truth!"

The eunuch hesitated for a moment, but still didn't dare to say anything.

Zhen Huan said coldly, "If you don't tell the truth, I will not let you off easily!"

The eunuch then trembled and said, "It was... a noble lady. She gave me some money and told me to wait here. She said she would give me something to take out of the palace. I really didn't know it was a phoenix crown."

Zhen Huan asked, "Which noble is it?"

The eunuch hesitated, "I dare not tell you, that noble will kill me."

Concubine Chun was getting impatient: "If you don't tell me, I'll take you to the Ministry of Punishment right now!"

The eunuch burst into tears, "It's...it's Consort Li. She's jealous of the Queen's upcoming coronation, so she wants to do something bad."

Zhen Huan angrily exclaimed, "How dare Consort Li ruin the coronation ceremony!"

An Lingrong said, "It's important to find the Phoenix Coronet first. Don't let her plot succeed."

Everyone continued searching and finally found the phoenix crown hidden in a bush.

After Fucha learned about this, she sighed softly: "There is such a sinister person in the harem."

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Don't worry, Queen. I and the Empress Dowager are here and will not let her do anything wrong."

The queen's coronation ceremony was held as scheduled.

Wearing a phoenix crown and gorgeous clothes, Fucha accepted the enthronement with great grace.

Hongli looked at Fucha, his eyes full of love and relief: "Empress, from now on, I will govern the harem and the world with you."

Fucha knelt slightly and said: "I am willing to accompany Your Majesty through life and death, and build a prosperous era together."

But Li Guiren’s story did not end there.

Zhen Huan summoned Concubine Li and asked with a cold look, "Why did you steal the Phoenix Coronet and disrupt the coronation ceremony?"

Concubine Li pretended to be calm and said, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, I am innocent. It was that eunuch who framed me."

An Lingrong said, "How dare you quibble! The eunuch has already confessed. You are jealous of the Queen and want to replace her. You deserve death!"

Concubine Hua said beside her: "This kind of person must not be allowed to stay in the harem, he should be deposed!"

Fucha said, "Empress Dowager, Lord Buddha, Concubine Dowager, I think Concubine Li was just confused for a moment. Perhaps you can give her a lighter sentence and give her a chance to reform."

Zhen Huan looked at Fu Cha and said, "The Queen may be kindhearted, but if such evil deeds are not severely punished, how can we convince the people?"

Hongli also said: "Empress, this matter cannot be tolerated. Concubine Li must be punished."

In the end, Concubine Li was demoted to a concubine and confined to the palace to reflect on her mistakes.

After this incident, everyone in the harem became aware of the determination of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and the others to maintain order within the harem, and the new Empress, Fucha, earned some praise for her kindness and tolerance. However, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong understood that the harem's struggles would never cease, and they must remain vigilant. Together with Concubine Hua and the others, they would assist the Emperor and Empress and continue to write their own legends on the stage of this palace. No matter how the storms change, they would remain steadfast in their hearts, safeguarding the royal honor and protecting the peace of the palace. This ensured that these palace stories would continue through the ages, bearing witness to the rise and fall, honor and disgrace, and endless legends of the Qing court.