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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, each seeing deep worry in the other's eyes. Zhen Huan bit her lower lip slightly and whispered, "Lingrong, this princess has returned to the palace suddenly. I'm afraid she has ill intentions." Her hands unconsciously clutched the corners of her clothes, her eyes full of vigilance.

An Lingrong sighed softly, frowning: "Sister, we know nothing about this princess. I'm afraid there will be trouble in the harem again." She looked towards the palace where the princess lived, with a hint of uneasiness and doubt in her eyes.

Chun'er came over skipping and jumping, holding a bunch of freshly picked flowers in her hand: "Sisters, what are you talking about? Is there something interesting?" Her eyes were shining and her face was full of innocence.

Zhen Huan forced a smile and patted Chun'er's head: "Chun'er, this is not a joke. A princess has returned to the palace, and the situation in the harem may change."

Chun'er blinked her eyes and said nonchalantly, "So what if I'm a princess? I'm not afraid as long as my sisters are here!" She waved the flowers in her hand, her little face filled with trust in Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

Mei Zhuang also came over, her expression solemn: "This princess has been outside the palace for many years. Now she returns to the palace. There must be a reason behind it. We'd better be careful." Her hand rested lightly on the sachet at her waist, her expression serious and steady.

Soon, the story of this princess spread throughout the palace. It was said that she was quite powerful outside the palace, with a strong personality and ruthless methods.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong decided to visit the princess first to show their respect and to test the waters.

Arriving at the princess's palace, they walked in after the maid announced them. They saw the princess sitting on the upper seat, looking at them with a haughty look.

"Your servants Zhen Huan and An Lingrong greet Her Royal Highness the Princess." Zhen Huan and An Lingrong bowed.

The princess snorted softly: "Get up. I heard that you are quite famous in the harem, but after seeing you today, you are nothing special." A disdainful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were full of contempt.

An Lingrong was furious, but she suppressed her anger and said respectfully, "Your Highness, you are joking. We are just trying our best to do our duty."

Zhen Huan also smiled and said, "Your Highness Princess, your return to the palace will surely add glory to the harem. If we have any shortcomings, we hope Your Highness Princess will give us more guidance." Her eyes were calm, but her slightly clenched fists revealed her inner nervousness.

The princess sneered, "Teaching me? You'd better be obedient and don't play any tricks in front of me."

After coming out of the princess's palace, Chun'er stomped her feet in anger: "This princess is so arrogant! Sisters, how can she talk to you like this!" Her little face turned red and her eyes were full of anger.

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Chun'er, don't be impulsive. She is a princess after all, and we can't offend her easily. Let's see what she will do next."

An Lingrong nodded: "Sister is right. Let's go back to our palace first and then make a long-term plan."

Back in Zhen Huan's palace, several people sat together to discuss countermeasures.

Mei Zhuang pondered for a moment and said, "I think this princess might want to establish her authority in the harem, and since we have a certain status in the harem, she might start with us."

An Lingrong's eyes glared. "Then we can't just sit there and wait for death. We can first win over some young ladies, expand our own power, and make the princess wary."

Zhen Huan agreed: "Lingrong is right. Chun'er, go talk to those ladies who have a good relationship with us and ask them to be cautious. We can support each other when necessary."

"Okay, sister. I'll go right away!" Chun'er immediately stood up and ran out in a hurry.

The princess was also discussing with her confidants.

"Your Majesty, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong have deep roots in the harem. We must find a way to weaken their power," said the confidant.

The princess raised her lips, a fierce look flashing in her eyes. "Hmph! I have my own way. Go spread the word that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong are arrogant because of their favor and don't take me seriously."

"Yes, your majesty." The confidant took the order and left.

Soon, rumors spread throughout the palace. When Zhen Huan and An Lingrong heard these rumors, they knew it was the princess's doing.

"Sister, this princess is so despicable! She uses this method to slander us." An Lingrong said angrily, her hands tightly gripping the teacup, her knuckles turning white.

Zhen Huan said calmly, "Lingrong, don't panic. We can clarify the facts in front of the Emperor. However, before that, we must first find evidence to prove that these rumors were spread by the princess."

So they began a secret investigation. After some effort, they finally found the palace maid who spread the rumor. Faced with the evidence, the palace maid admitted that she was instructed by the princess.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought the palace maids to the emperor's palace and reported everything to him.

"Your Majesty, after the princess returned to the palace, she made things difficult for us and spread rumors to slander us. We are really wronged." Zhen Huan cried, tears flashing in her eyes, and she looked at the emperor pitifully.

The emperor frowned upon hearing this. "Is this really true? I will ask the princess about this."

After being summoned by the emperor, the princess remained arrogant and domineering.

"Father, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong are indeed arrogant in the harem. I am just stating the facts." The princess argued cunningly.

The emperor scolded, "That's enough! I have my own judgment. You just returned to the palace and you're already stirring up trouble. If you do it again, I won't let you off lightly!"

The princess felt resentful, but she did not dare to talk back, so she had to bow and leave.

After this incident, although the princess temporarily restrained herself, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that she would not give up.

One day, the palace held a flower viewing party. The princess also attended and deliberately made things difficult for Zhen Huan at the party.

"Zhen Huan, I heard that you are quite knowledgeable in poetry and literature. If you can compose an impromptu poem at today's flower viewing party, I will reward you." The princess looked at Zhen Huan provocatively, her eyes full of malice.

Zhen Huan bowed slightly and said, "I obey your command." She thought for a moment and then recited a poem.

"Spring blossoms adorn the green branches, a time for the harem sisters to enjoy together. Don't let trivial matters create discord; only harmony can bring rhyme to poetry."

After hearing this, the princess's face darkened. "Hmph! Are you mocking me with this poem?"

An Lingrong quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I've misunderstood. I was just expressing my feelings and hoping for harmony in the harem."

Mei Zhuang also said, "Yes, Your Highness. Zhen Huan has always been kind-hearted and has no such intentions."

Chun Er echoed from the side: "Your Highness, please don't bully your sister!"

Seeing that everyone was speaking for Zhen Huan, the princess became even more angry, but she couldn't get angry either. She could only snort coldly: "Hmph! I will remember what happened today!"

After the flower viewing party ended, Zhen Huan and others returned to the palace.

"Sister, this princess won't give up. We have to think of a more comprehensive solution." An Lingrong said worriedly.

Zhen Huan nodded: "We can't always respond passively. I think we can use the Queen Mother's help. The Queen Mother has always valued harmony in the harem. If the princess takes any excessive action, the Queen Mother will definitely not sit idly by."

"Sister, this is a great idea. We will go to visit the Queen Mother tomorrow." An Lingrong said.

The next day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came to the Queen Mother's palace.

"Your Majesty the Queen Mother, your servants pay their respects to you." They saluted.

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Get up. What brings you here today?"

Zhen Huan said respectfully, "Empress Dowager, since the princess returned to the palace, there have been constant disputes within the harem. We, the servants, do not want to see discord within the harem, but we do not know what to do. We hope for your guidance, Empress Dowager."

The Queen Mother frowned slightly. "I have also heard some things. The princess grew up outside the palace, so it's inevitable that she has a willful personality. You should be more tolerant. However, if she really does go too far, I will intervene."

"Thank you, Her Majesty the Queen." Zhen Huan and An Lingrong felt a little relieved.

With the Queen Mother's support, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong have more confidence when facing the princess. But the princess is also secretly plotting a new conspiracy, trying to give Zhen Huan and An Lingrong another fatal blow.

At a palace banquet, the princess ordered a song and dance performance. After the performance, the princess suddenly said, "Zhen Huan, I've heard that you're an expert at making spices. It would be wonderful if today's song and dance were accompanied by your special spices. Go and make some for me."

Zhen Huan's heart tightened. She knew this was a trap set by the princess. But she couldn't refuse, so she said, "Your Majesty, I obey your order."

An Lingrong quietly tugged at the corner of Zhen Huan's clothes and whispered, "Sister, be careful."

Zhen Huan came to the spice room and carefully selected spices. She deliberately slowed down and thought about what to do.

At this moment, a little maid ran in in a panic: "My Queen, something bad has happened! The spice room is on fire!"

Zhen Huan was horrified: "What? Why is there a fire?"

She hurried out of the spice room, only to see the princess standing not far away with a smug smile on her face.

"Zhen Huan, you can't even handle such a small thing, and you still dare to claim that you are good at making spices in the harem?" The princess sneered.

Zhen Huan knew that the fire was deliberately set by the princess. She said angrily, "Your Highness, why would you frame me like this?"

The princess sneered: "Humph! This is what happens when you go against me!"

After hearing the news, An Lingrong, Mei Zhuang and others rushed over.

"Sister, are you okay?" An Lingrong asked anxiously.

Zhen Huan shook her head: "I'm fine. But Her Royal Highness has framed us so maliciously, we can't just let it go!"

Mei Zhuang said calmly, "Let's put out the fire first, and then settle the score with the princess."

Everyone worked together and finally put out the fire. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came before the emperor and complained to him.

"Your Majesty, Her Royal Highness the Princess deliberately made things difficult for me at the palace banquet and even set fire to the spice room with the intention of murdering me. I beg Your Majesty to help me," Zhen Huan cried.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor was furious: "How dare the princess act so presumptuously! I will punish her severely!"

The princess was scolded by the emperor again, and her resentment towards Zhen Huan and An Lingrong deepened. But she also knew that she had indeed gone too far this time, so she could only lie dormant for the time being and wait for a new opportunity.

After this incident, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong become even more cautious. They continue to cultivate connections within the harem while strengthening their own strength to prevent the princess from launching another attack. Their friendship, tested time and again, grows stronger and more indestructible, becoming a formidable force within the harem, safeguarding its peace and harmony. In this harem rife with schemes and intrigues, they resolutely write their own legendary story. No matter how many hardships and obstacles lie ahead, they will forge ahead hand in hand, never retreating.