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

An Lingrong felt warm in her heart and responded, "Sister, you are absolutely right. With you around, I feel much more at ease." The corners of her mouth rose slightly, revealing a grateful smile, and she looked at Zhen Huan with gentle eyes.

Chun'er clapped her hands happily on the side: "The sisters are so close, and there is a lot of warmth in the harem!" Her eyes were shining, and her two dimples were faintly visible when she smiled. She jumped around Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

Mei Zhuang also smiled and nodded: "Indeed, I just hope that this harem can always be so peaceful." There was a hint of relief in her eyes, and she gently smoothed the hair by her ears with her hand.

However, this peace did not last long. One day, Zhen Huan was embroidering in her palace when her maid Xiao He rushed in, looking panicked: "Your Majesty, this is bad! Concubine An's spices have been tampered with, and several palace maids have fainted after smelling them!"

Zhen Huan stood up suddenly, the embroidery in her hand fell to the ground, and her face suddenly changed: "What?! Take me to see it!"

When Zhen Huan arrived at An Lingrong's palace, she saw a pungent smell filling the room. An Lingrong was anxiously directing the maids to open the windows for ventilation. Her brows were furrowed, and her eyes were filled with worry and anger. "Sister, I just developed this spice. I wanted to give it to the Emperor to taste, but I didn't expect someone to do something bad with it!"

Zhen Huan approached to examine the spices, her face darkening. "Lingrong, this must have been done intentionally. Have you ever offended anyone?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment and shook her head. "I don't have any grudges against anyone, but the unique formula of this spice may have attracted the covetousness of others."

At this time, Chun'er said angrily: "No matter who it is, it is so hateful to do such a thing! We must find out!" Her little face turned red, and her little fists were clenched tightly and waved in the air.

Mei Zhuang calmly analyzed, "Don't panic. Let's start by investigating the production process of this spice and see where the problem lies."

So, everyone began to investigate the production of spices. An Lingrong carefully questioned the palace maids and eunuchs in charge of making spices. One of the young eunuchs said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I was away for a while while grinding the spices. When I came back, I felt that the taste of the spices was a little off, but I didn't dare to say anything."

Zhen Huan's eyes flashed: "Why don't you dare to speak out? Do you know how big a matter this is?" She stared at the young eunuch sternly, frightening him so much that he fell to his knees.

The young eunuch cried and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am afraid of being punished, and I am not sure if it is just my illusion."

An Lingrong squatted down and looked at the young eunuch: "Stand up and talk. When you left, did you see anyone suspicious approaching?"

The young eunuch stood up and wiped his tears: "I seemed to see a figure flash by, but it was too fast and I couldn't see who it was."

Mei Zhuang pondered for a moment and said, "It seems that there must be a traitor in this palace, and this person has some knowledge of spice making."

Zhen Huan nodded and said, "We need to secretly investigate in the palace to see who is particularly concerned about the spices."

During the investigation, they discovered that a new concubine named Qi often asked the palace maids about the production of spices and An Lingrong's spice shop.

Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and others came to Qi's palace.

Zhen Huan asked straight to the point, "Miss Qi, I heard that you are quite curious about spices?" She looked at Qi with sharp eyes, as if her gaze could penetrate Qi's mind.

Qi's face changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "Your Majesty, I am just slightly interested in spices and have no other intentions." She smiled with forced composure, but her eyes were a little evasive.

An Lingrong walked forward and picked up a sachet on the table: "Miss Qi, the spice formula of this sachet is very special. I wonder where it comes from?" She sniffed the sachet gently and frowned slightly.

Qi's eyes flashed with panic: "This... This is something I brought from my family. If Your Majesty likes it, I can give it to you."

Chun'er snorted at the side: "Miss Qi, don't quibble! The smell of the spices in this sachet is somewhat similar to the spices that were tampered with by Sister Lingrong. You must be involved!" She put her hands on her hips and glared at Qi angrily.

Qi quickly waved her hands: "Mrs. Chun'er, please stop slandering me. I am innocent!"

Mei Zhuang said in a cold voice: "Miss Qi, if you are wronged, why are you so panicked? You'd better tell the truth, otherwise when the emperor knows about this, you won't be so relaxed." She looked at Qi with a stern look, which made Qi feel pressured.

Qi hesitated for a moment, then finally told the truth: "Your Majesty, I was threatened to do these things. They are the old people of Concubine Hua. They are unwilling to see Concubine Hua lose power, and they want to frame Concubine An and stir up disputes in the harem again."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other, their eyes full of anger.

Zhen Huan said, "It's these remnants again! It seems we can't be soft-hearted with them!" Her eyes were filled with determination, and her hands clenched unconsciously.

An Lingrong also said: "Sister, we must catch these people in one fell swoop and never let them cause trouble again!" Her eyes were firm and she raised her chin slightly.

They followed the clues and found the hiding place of Concubine Hua's old lover. A group of guards surrounded the place, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong stood outside.

Zhen Huan shouted loudly: "You people, who are trying to disturb the harem, will end today!" Her voice was majestic and loud, echoing all around.

When Hua Fei's old friends saw that the plot was exposed, they rushed out to resist, but they were quickly subdued by the large number of guards.

The leading maid said viciously, "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think you can remain so proud forever? Sooner or later, the harem will turn sour!"

Zhen Huan sneered, "You've done so many evil things, and this is what you deserve!"

After dealing with these people, the harem temporarily returned to peace. But Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that this was only temporary, and there were more challenges waiting for them.

One day, the emperor held a flower-viewing banquet in the imperial garden, and all the concubines came to attend.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking together, admiring the flowers. Suddenly, a young palace maid came over with a tray of wine and said, "Empress Wan and Empress An, this is the fine wine that the Emperor has ordered me to bring. Please enjoy it, ladies."

Zhen Huan was about to take the wine glass when An Lingrong stopped her: "Wait a minute, sister." She looked at the wine warily, took a closer sniff, and frowned: "There seems to be something strange in this wine."

Zhen Huan's expression changed: "Are you sure?"

An Lingrong nodded: "Sister, you can't drink this wine."

At this time, the emperor came over and asked: "What's the matter with all the noise?"

Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this wine may have been drugged. Someone is trying to murder me and Ling Rong."

The emperor was furious: "Who is so bold?"

Zhen Huan looked at the young maid: "Where did you get this wine?"

The little maid was so frightened that she knelt down and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I brought this wine from the imperial kitchen. I didn't know there was something wrong with it!"

The emperor ordered a thorough investigation of the imperial kitchen, and found some suspicious medicinal powder in a corner of the room.

After some investigation, it was discovered that it was done by Lipin, who had been neglected for a long time. Lipin was jealous of the favor of Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, so she wanted to take this opportunity to poison them.

When the emperor learned of this, he banished Concubine Li to the cold palace: "Concubine Li has a vicious heart and is unworthy of being a concubine in the palace. She will be banished to the cold palace and will never be allowed to leave!"

After these events, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong became more cautious and prudent. They helped the palace maids and eunuchs to learn how to read and write, and to improve their lives.

Once, a palace maid said gratefully: "Empress Wan and Empress An, you are like the beacon of light in this harem, bringing warmth to us servants."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "It's not easy for you in the palace either. As long as everyone lives in harmony, this harem will naturally become more beautiful."

An Lingrong also nodded: "Yes, we all hope that this harem can become a warm place."

However, at a palace banquet, new troubles arose. A dancer who was a tribute from a foreign tribe suddenly pulled out a hidden dagger while dancing and rushed towards the emperor.

Zhen Huan exclaimed, "Your Majesty, be careful!" She rushed forward without thinking and stood in front of the emperor.

An Lingrong also reacted quickly and ordered the guards: "Quick, protect the emperor!"

The guards rushed forward and subdued the dancer.

The emperor looked at Zhen Huan with lingering fear: "Huan Huan, why are you so reckless? What should I do if anything happens to you?" He held Zhen Huan's hand tightly, his eyes full of concern and fear.

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, I cannot bear to see you get hurt."

An Lingrong came over and said, "Your Majesty, this dancer must have been instructed by someone. We must thoroughly investigate the person behind this."

After interrogation, the dancer confessed that it was a treacherous official in the court who colluded with the enemy country who instigated her to assassinate the emperor in an attempt to provoke a war between the two countries and seek personal gain.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong assisted the emperor in catching the treacherous minister and his cronies.

The Emperor doted on Zhen Huan and An Lingrong even more and trusted them even more: "Huan Huan, Lingrong, you have done a great service in protecting me this time. I will definitely reward you handsomely."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong bowed and thanked him: "Your Majesty, this is our duty."