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

At the flower-viewing banquet, the breeze blew gently and the fragrance of flowers filled the air, but it failed to dispel the doubts in Zhen Huan and An Lingrong's hearts.

Zhen Huan gently waved her round fan, her eyes seemingly falling on Su Wanqing unintentionally. She whispered to Lingxi, "Lingxi, look at Su Wanqing. She seems innocent and curious about everything in the palace, but I always feel that there is a cleverness in her eyes, and she is not as innocent as she appears."

Lingxi blinked: "Old Buddha, are you saying that Sister Su is pretending? But she really looks very interesting."

An Lingrong curled her lips slightly, but with a hint of sarcasm: "Lingxi, who in this palace doesn't wear a few masks? Look at her. She seems carefree, but her words and actions seem to have other thoughts. Don't be fooled by appearances."

Lingxi was a little confused: "Empress Dowager An, what should we do then?"

Zhen Huan gently patted Lingxi's hand and said, "Don't worry, let's wait and see what she will do. In this palace, the fox's tail will be exposed sooner or later."

Su Wanqing seemed unaware of it and continued to move among the flowers, chatting with other beauties from time to time with her crisp laughter.

Tang agreed to stand quietly to the side. Although she didn't say much, she took in everyone's expressions. She sighed inwardly, thinking that the struggles in the palace were truly endless.

At this time, Su Wanqing walked up to Tang Da Ying and said with a smile, "Sister Tang, your dress is really beautiful today. The pattern is somewhat similar to the peony."

Tang agreed and knelt slightly in greeting: "Sister Su, you are too kind. There is no sister as smart and lovely as you. With my sister here, the palace will surely be much more lively."

Su Wanqing's eyes flickered, but she still smiled and said, "Sister Tang, please stop teasing me. I'm new here and I have to rely on you sisters."

Fu Heng watched the interaction between the concubines and whispered to Zhen Huan, "My Lord, Su Wanqing may seem enthusiastic, but I feel like her praise for Tang Yingying is a bit deliberate, like she's testing something."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly: "Yes, I feel the same way. This Su Wanqing is probably a restless person."

An Lingrong looked at Su Wanqing, and she had already made up her mind. She turned to Zhen Huan and said, "Huan'er, we might as well give her a chance and see what she really wants to do."

Zhen Huan understood: "That's fine. I'm just afraid she'll dig a hole and fall into it herself."

A few days later, news came from the palace that the emperor wanted to arrange some tasks for the newly selected beauties so that they could become familiar with palace affairs.

After hearing this, Su Wanqing's heart moved. She found Aunt Zhao from the Imperial Household Department and said in a sweet voice, "Aunt Zhao, I have learned some accounting skills outside the palace since I was a child. Can I go to the Imperial Household Department to help with the accounts?"

Aunt Zhao was a little embarrassed: "Lady Su, the affairs of the Imperial Household Department are complicated, and there is already a dedicated person in charge. Do you think it would be better to change the responsibilities?"

Su Wanqing was relentless, "Aunt Zhao, I really want to help the Emperor and contribute to the palace. Please help me speak for him."

Aunt Zhao had no choice but to report the matter. After Zhen Huan and An Lingrong learned about it, they smiled at each other.

Zhen Huan said, "She's trying to get her hands on the finances of the Imperial Household Department. She has quite a big appetite."

An Lingrong sneered, "Then let her go. I want to see how capable she is."

Lingxi listened from the side and said with some concern: "Old Buddha, Empress Dowager An, is this dangerous?"

An Lingrong patted Lingxi's head and said, "Lingxi, don't be afraid. With us here, she can't cause any big trouble. She won't be tolerated in this palace as she pleases."

When Tang Yun heard that Su Wanqing was going to the Imperial Household Department, she felt a sense of unease. She approached Zhen Huan, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I think Concubine Su has ulterior motives. The Imperial Household Department is responsible for the palace's expenses. Why is she, a newly arrived concubine, so eager to go?"

Zhen Huan looked at Tang Da Ying with a hint of approval in her eyes. "Tang Da Ying, it's rare that you have such a thoughtful thought. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on it."

After Su Wanqing entered the Imperial Household Department as she wished, she began to check the accounts everywhere and often asked some old eunuchs and palace maids about the palace's financial affairs. Her actions caused dissatisfaction among the people in the Imperial Household Department, but due to her status as a noble, they dared not speak out.

One day, while checking the accounts, Su Wanqing discovered some clues that a sum of money was missing. She was secretly delighted, thinking she had found an opportunity to exploit.

Su Wanqing found Zhen Huan and said in a panic, "My Lord, when I was sorting out the accounts of the Imperial Household Department, I discovered that a sum of money is missing. What should I do?"

Zhen Huan looked at her calmly, "Noble Lady Su, don't panic. The palace has a lot of accounts to keep, so perhaps there's some misunderstanding. Please explain in detail."

Su Wanqing then told Zhen Huan what she had discovered, and secretly observed Zhen Huan's expression from time to time.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan sighed softly, "Lady Su, it's good that you're so attentive. But matters like these should be left to the elders in the Imperial Household Department. You're new here, so don't overwork yourself."

Su Wanqing was a little unwilling: "Old Buddha, I also want to find out the pests in the palace. Please let me continue to track them down."

Zhen Huan frowned slightly. "Lady Su, I've already said that I'll take care of this matter. Please leave."

Su Wanqing had no choice but to retreat, still calculating her next move. Little did she know that her every move was being controlled by Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, and that her self-righteous cleverness might be pushing her further into danger. Within the palace, where hearts are unpredictable and power struggles crisscross, a storm is quietly brewing around her.