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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong bowed in thanks and slowly rose. Zhen Huan's gaze was resolute, and she raised her chin slightly. "Your Majesty, Concubine An and I will do our utmost to live up to your grace and ensure peace and prosperity in this harem." Her voice was clear and resolute, her eyes revealing an unquestionable determination. Her hands were elegantly folded in front of her.

An Lingrong also echoed softly: "Yes, Your Majesty. We are willing to set an example for the harem, exchange sincerity for sincerity, and make all the sisters live in harmony." She lowered her head slightly, her expression gentle, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, but the smile did not reach her eyes, as if she was thinking about something.

The emperor nodded with satisfaction: "I trust you. Please leave."

The two of them walked out of the hall. Chun'er had been waiting there for a long time. She came up to them with skipping steps and said, "Sisters, you are finally out! I have been waiting so anxiously." Her twin ponytails swayed gently with her movements, and her eyes were sparkling, full of concern and curiosity.

Zhen Huan smiled dotingly: "Chun'er, you are so impatient."

An Lingrong also smiled and said, "Sister Chun'er, what's the matter?"

Chun'er came closer mysteriously and said, "I heard that a drama troupe came outside the palace recently. It's so lively! There are so many new and interesting plays. Can we ask the emperor to summon them to the palace to perform?" Her eyes were wide open, and she looked at Zhen Huan and An Lingrong with anticipation.

Zhen Huan frowned slightly: "We have to be careful about this matter. After all, this troupe has a mixed crew. If something goes wrong..."

An Lingrong thought for a moment: "Sister, Chun'er also has good intentions and wants to add some fun to the harem. We might as well send someone to investigate the details of this opera troupe first. If there is no problem, we can report to the emperor, which will be a good thing." She tapped her chin lightly with her fingers, her eyes lively.

Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong is right. Let's do it this way."

So, they sent people to investigate outside the palace. A few days later, the people they sent returned with a report: "Your Majesty, this troupe has a very good reputation among the people and has no bad record, but..."

"Just what?" Zhen Huan asked.

"But there's a famous actress in this troupe who is said to be extremely beautiful and good at singing and dancing. I'm worried that if she enters the palace, she might cause unnecessary trouble."

An Lingrong's heart moved: "This is indeed a problem. However, as long as we control it well, it should be fine."

After a moment's contemplation, Zhen Huan decided to propose this to the Emperor, who readily agreed, allowing the troupe to enter the palace.

On the day the troupe arrived at the palace, all the concubines gathered before the stage. The actor, as soon as he appeared, was truly graceful, with a melodious voice and elegant dance.

Everyone in the audience was attracted, and Chun'er clapped her hands excitedly: "This dance is so good! It's more beautiful than the butterflies I saw in the imperial garden!" Her face was filled with an innocent smile, her eyes were fixed on the stage, and her body swayed gently to the rhythm.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and saw a hint of worry in each other's eyes.

After the performance, the emperor was very impressed with the actress and wanted to keep her in the palace to perform for a few more days.

Zhen Huan found the emperor and whispered to him, "Your Majesty, although this troupe is good, if we keep them for too long, things might change. The peace of the harem is the most important thing." There was a hint of worry in her eyes, and she bit her lower lip slightly.

The emperor disagreed: "Princess Wan, don't worry. I know what to do."

Seeing this, An Lingrong also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the situation outside the palace is complicated, and this opera troupe is often out and about. I'm afraid that some bad guys will take the opportunity to sneak in." Her expression was respectful and sincere, and her hands were slightly clasped in front of her.

The emperor frowned slightly after hearing this and pondered for a moment: "Since that's the case, then let them perform for three more days and then leave the palace."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief. However, during these three days, a series of minor accidents occurred in the harem.

First, a palace maid discovered some strange spices in the actor's makeup box backstage, which seemed to have aphrodisiac effects. When Zhen Huan and An Lingrong learned about it, they immediately went to check it out.

Zhen Huan picked up the spice, smelled it, and her face darkened: "This spice is definitely not ordinary. Lingrong, what do you think?" Her eyes became sharp and she stared at the spices in her hand.

After examining it carefully, An Lingrong said, "Sister, although this spice looks ordinary, its formula is extremely secret. I also need to study it carefully to confirm it. But no matter what, the appearance of this thing in the palace must be a conspiracy." Her brows were furrowed and her expression was serious.

The two decided to put the famous actor under house arrest first, and then conduct a deeper investigation. The actor cried out in injustice: "My Lady, this spice is not mine! Someone is deliberately framing me!" Her face was covered with tears, her eyes were filled with fear and grievance, and she kept kowtowing and begging for mercy.

Zhen Huan looked at her coldly: "Whether it is you or not, you will know after the investigation is complete. If you tell the truth now, perhaps you can get a lighter sentence."

An Lingrong carefully observed the famous actor's expression and thought about various possibilities in her mind.

Meanwhile, Meizhuang discovered some suspicious footprints in a secluded corner of the palace, suggesting someone was secretly spying on her. She quickly informed Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

"Sister, these footprints look like they belong to a man. Could it be that someone disguised themselves as a woman and sneaked into the troupe?" Mei Zhuang speculated. There was a hint of unease in her eyes, and her hand unconsciously touched the sachet at her waist.

Zhen Huan's eyes flashed: "Quickly search the entire harem, especially the residence of the opera troupe and their luggage!"

Everyone started searching but found nothing. Just when everyone was puzzled, Chun'er suddenly ran over and said, "Sisters, I found a package in the rockery cave in the Imperial Garden. There seem to be a lot of strange things in it!" Her little face was slightly red from running, and she said breathlessly.

Everyone rushed to the Imperial Garden and opened the package, which contained some letters related to the opera troupe and some palace confinement items.

Zhen Huan's face changed drastically: "It seems that there is indeed something wrong with this troupe. What on earth do they want to do?" Her voice was filled with a hint of anger, and her fists were clenched tightly.

An Lingrong carefully looked through the letters and found that they were exchanges with a minister in the court. It seemed that he was planning to use the opera troupe to create chaos in the palace, and then cooperate with the outside to seek personal gain.

"Sister, there's a serious conspiracy behind this. We must report this to the Emperor as soon as possible and strengthen the security of the harem," An Lingrong said. Her eyes were filled with determination, and her expression was serious and earnest.

Zhen Huan nodded: "There's no time to lose, let's go!"

They reported everything to the emperor, who was furious and ordered a thorough investigation of the minister. He also arrested and interrogated all the members of the troupe.

After a series of interrogations, the truth came to light: the minister had plotted to usurp the throne, and had devised a scheme to infiltrate the harem with the help of a troupe of actors, so as to create chaos and seize control of the harem to achieve his ulterior motives.

After this incident, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong became even more cautious. They knew that the peace of the harem was related to the stability of the entire court, and they could not slack off in the slightest.

One day, Zhen Huan was playing the piano in the palace when An Lingrong came to visit her.

An Lingrong listened to the piano music quietly for a while, and said slowly: "Sister, there seems to be worry in this piano music. Are you still troubled by the previous things?" She walked gently to Zhen Huan's side with concern in her eyes.

Zhen Huan sighed softly: "Lingrong, there are endless conspiracies and intrigues in this harem. Although we have resolved them time and time again, we don't know when it will end." Her fingers gently plucked the strings of the zither, her eyes somewhat empty.

An Lingrong held Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Sister, as long as we sisters are united, we can overcome any difficulties. Everything we do is not only for ourselves, but also for the sisters in the harem and for the emperor." Her eyes were firm and warm, giving Zhen Huan strength.

Zhen Huan looked at An Lingrong and nodded slightly: "Lingrong, you are right. We can't retreat."

At this moment, a young eunuch came running to report: "Your Majesty, Concubine Duan is not feeling well. Please go and see her."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong immediately got up and went to Concubine Duan's palace. Concubine Duan was lying on the bed, her face pale.

Zhen Huan sat on the edge of the bed and asked softly, "Empress Duan, what's wrong with you?" Her eyes were full of worry, and she reached out and gently touched Empress Duan's forehead.

Concubine Duan smiled weakly: "Concubine Wan, Concubine An, I'm afraid my body is useless. But there are some things I want to tell you."

An Lingrong approached: "Empress Duan, if you have anything to say, please feel free to speak."

Concubine Duan said slowly: "In this harem, only you two can uphold justice and safeguard peace. You must continue and don't be swallowed by this darkness." There was a hint of hope in her eyes, her breath was weak but every word was sonorous.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were deeply moved: "Empress Duan, don't worry. We will definitely live up to your trust."

After leaving Concubine Duan's palace, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong became more determined to protect the harem. They knew that the road ahead was still long and full of unknown challenges, but they were no longer afraid because they had each other and a common belief.

In the following days, they worked hard to improve the living conditions of the palace maids and eunuchs, and held various activities that were beneficial to the body and mind, such as calligraphy and painting competitions, so that the harem was full of cultural atmosphere and everyone's hearts were more cohesive.

However, beneath this seemingly peaceful surface, a new conspiracy is quietly brewing. A new concubine, seemingly obedient and docile, and respectful to Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, is secretly trying to win over the hearts of the people and challenge them. A new harem struggle seems to be about to begin...