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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong sat opposite each other in the warm room and drank tea.

Zhen Huan opened her red lips and said, "Lingrong, this Ulanara has been granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort. She may seem submissive, but her eyes reveal a reluctance to be ordinary. We must pay attention."

An Lingrong nodded slightly. "Huan'er, you're right. However, she's just been appointed Imperial Noble Consort, so I don't think she'd dare to act rashly. And although Aunt Rong isn't a pushover, she does know her limits. I just hope she can persuade the Imperial Noble Consort to be more cautious in her words and actions."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Hua came forward and said, "Two Empress Dowagers, I have a feeling there must be undercurrents beneath this calm. We must not let our guard down."

Zhen Huan said, "What Concubine Hua said is absolutely right. Although we don't need to be paranoid, we still need to make plans early."

In the Ulanara Palace, Aunt Rong whispered, "Your Majesty, although you are now the Imperial Noble Consort, the situation in the palace is complicated. The two Empress Dowagers and Concubine Hua are both powerful figures. Your Majesty must keep a low profile and not give others an advantage."

Ulanara said lightly, "Madam, I know what you are talking about. There is no need for you to explain. But in the days ahead, I must find a way to win the Emperor's favor."

Rong Mama hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is right, but this matter of winning the Emperor's favor must be done slowly and not hastily."

One day, the palace held a flower viewing banquet, and all the concubines gathered in the imperial garden.

Empress Fucha had just recovered from her illness, but she also forced herself to come.

Concubine Chun smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are finally well again. Without you in charge, the palace has lost a lot of its luster."

Empress Fucha smiled faintly: "You are too kind, Concubine Chun. This is all thanks to the help of all the sisters, as well as the hard work of the two Empress Dowagers and Concubine Hua."

Ulanara also said: "The Empress is in good health, which is a blessing for the harem. I, your concubines, will do my best to assist you."

Zhen Huan looked at the concubines and thought to herself: I wonder how many thoughts are secretly intertwined beneath this apparent harmony.

During the flower-viewing banquet, a young eunuch presented a newly made snack.

An Lingrong looked at the snacks and said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, the spices in these snacks seem to be a little special, but I can't put my finger on it."

Zhen Huan frowned slightly: "Could it be that someone has tampered with the food again?"

When Concubine Hua heard this, her face darkened: "Quickly find the imperial chef who made the snacks!"

The imperial chef came tremblingly and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I am wronged. The spices for this pastry were newly delivered by the Imperial Household Department. I was just making it according to the recipe."

Zhen Huan said, "Go check the source of that spice!"

Not long after, a palace maid arrived to report, "Empress Dowager, the spices were delivered to the Imperial Household Department by a mysterious person, who claimed they were new tributes from the Western Regions. Without a thorough investigation, the Imperial Household Department distributed some to the Imperial Kitchen."

An Lingrong said, "There must be something fishy going on here. How could tribute from the Western Regions be brought into the palace so carelessly?"

Ulanara said, "Empress Dowager, could it be that someone did this on purpose, hoping to cause trouble at this flower viewing banquet?"

Zhen Huan looked at Ulanara and said, "What the Imperial Concubine said is not without reason, but we still need to investigate who is behind this."

At this time, the maidservant beside Empress Fucha suddenly covered her stomach with her hands, her face painful: "Your Majesty, my stomach hurts so much."

Everyone was shocked, and Empress Fucha said anxiously, "Quickly call the imperial physician!"

The imperial physician arrived and, after a brief examination, frowned and said, "Your Majesty, this maid seems to have been poisoned by a chronic poison. Fortunately, the poison is not strong and she will be fine after taking the antidote."

Zhen Huan's eyes were stern: "Someone poisoned this flower viewing banquet. This is absolutely lawless!"

An Lingrong said, "It seems this poison was meant for the Empress, and they were just using this palace maid to test it. What a close call!"

Concubine Hua angrily said, "We must find the person who poisoned us and punish him severely!"

Ulanara said, "Your Majesties, in my opinion, if we investigate the origin of these spices and the people who have come into contact with them, we will surely find some clues."

Zhen Huan nodded: "What the Imperial Concubine said is very true, I will act accordingly."

Everyone began to investigate in the palace, questioning the eunuchs and palace maids of the Imperial Household Department and checking where the spices were stored.

Rong Mama whispered to Ulanara, "Your Majesty, we must stay away from this matter and avoid getting involved in it."

Ulanara glared at her and said, "This is a major harem matter. How can I stay out of it? If I can really help the Queen Mother find the real culprit, it will be a great achievement."

During the investigation, a young eunuch was found to be acting suspiciously. He had been wandering around the spice storage area and had a private conversation with a guard from the outer palace.

Zhen Huan summoned the young eunuch and asked, "Why were you sneaking around the spice storage area? Did you conspire with that outer palace guard to poison me?"

The young eunuch was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, I am wronged! I was simply curious about the spices and was just chatting with the guard. I absolutely did not poison him."

An Lingrong asked, "If you don't tell the truth, do you know the consequences?"

The young eunuch cried, "Empress Dowager, I really don't know. The guard just asked me if there was anything new happening in the palace recently, and I told him about the flower viewing banquet. I didn't say anything else."

Concubine Hua said impatiently: "Take him to the Ministry of Punishment and interrogate him thoroughly!"

Ulanara said, "Empress Dowager, could there be something wrong with that guard? Send someone to investigate his background."

Zhen Huan said, "Alright, let's do as the Imperial Noble Consort says."

After some twists and turns, it was discovered that the guard had been bribed by the family of a deposed concubine, hoping to create chaos in the palace and make a comeback. The mysterious spice was also sneaked into the palace by them through special channels.

After Zhen Huan learned the truth, she said coldly, "How dare the deposed concubine's family poison the palace!"

An Lingrong said, "The family of the deposed concubine should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."

Concubine Hua said: "Yes, I will never let him off easily!"

Empress Fucha sighed, "When will this harem feud ever end?"

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Don't worry, Queen. We are here and will not let such evildoers do whatever they want."

Amidst the turmoil surrounding the flower-viewing banquet, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua face new challenges. With wit and courage, they navigate the shroud of mystery, seeking the truth and maintaining peace and order within the imperial harem. Ulanara and Madam Rong also play a role, offering strategic counsel or cautious responses, each displaying distinct perspectives and approaches. This harem story unfolds like a delicate and vast canvas, unfolding over the course of time. Every stroke is filled with calculation and tenderness, conspiracy and justice, bearing witness to the endless legends and complexities of human nature within the Qing imperial harem.