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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were strolling leisurely in the imperial garden when they saw a group of palace maids and eunuchs surrounding a woman in gorgeous clothes in the distance. The woman had a heroic look in her eyebrows and eyes, and her graceful demeanor was evident as she moved her lotus steps lightly.

Chun'er's eyes lit up, and she asked curiously, "Sisters, that must be the new Lady Ning. She looks very unique."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly and said softly, "Judging from her aura, I'm afraid she is not easy to get along with." There was a trace of scrutiny in her eyes, and her gaze followed Ning Guiren's figure closely.

An Lingrong frowned slightly and whispered, "I hope she doesn't mean any harm." She unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

When Noble Lady Ning approached, Zhen Huan was the first to speak with a smile: "Noble Lady Ning, how are you? The flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom today. Would you like to enjoy them with me?"

However, Concubine Ning just glanced at her indifferently and snorted, "Your Highness Concubine Wan is too polite. I can enjoy the imperial garden on my own. There is no need to trouble your Highness to accompany me." Her tone was a little distant and arrogant, and there was not much respect in her eyes.

Chun Er couldn't help but pout, "How can you be so rude! My sisters invited me out of kindness."

Meizhuang hurriedly pulled Chun'er, signaling her not to say anything more.

An Lingrong stepped forward and said in a gentle voice, "Noble Lady Ning may have just arrived and is not familiar with the palace rules and the other sisters. She will get used to it after spending more time with them."

Noble Lady Ning sneered, "Are you lecturing me, Empress An? When I was at the frontier, I didn't understand all these twists and turns."

Zhen Huan still maintained her smile, but it held a deeper meaning. "My sisters and I have heard a little about Lady Ning's heroic deeds on the frontier. I suppose she's used to being straightforward. However, this palace is different from the frontier after all. There are still some etiquettes that must be observed to avoid gossip."

Concubine Ning's eyes were stern: "Is Concubine Wan threatening me?"

Zhen Huan gently shook her head: "Your Excellency has misunderstood. I was only giving you a kind reminder."

At this time, the maidservant beside the Queen came to announce the order: "The Queen has heard that Concubine Ning has entered the palace, so she has specially arranged a small banquet in the palace and invites all the ladies to gather and welcome the new bride."

Everyone arrived at the Queen's Palace and took their seats one by one. The Queen said with a smile, "Noble Lady Ning's arrival today is truly a joyous occasion for the palace. Noble Lady Ning, please share some interesting stories from the frontier to broaden the horizons of the sisters."

After paying her respects, Concubine Ning said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, although the frontier is windy and sandy, it also has vast grasslands and galloping horses. It's unlike this palace, which is full of restraint." Although her words were respectful, they hinted at a slight disdain for life in the palace.

At the banquet, there was singing and dancing. A dancer danced gracefully.

Lady Ning suddenly frowned, "Although this dancer's movements are beautiful, they lack some energy. How can they compare to the passionate and unrestrained dance of the women from the frontier?"

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Noble Lady Ning is well-informed. The dancers in the palace cannot compare to the frontier style. But each has its own charm."

An Lingrong also said, "Sister, you are right. The music this dancer is dancing to was also carefully choreographed by the palace musicians, and is designed to soothe the body and mind."

Lady Ning was unyielding: "Humph, relaxing the body and mind? I'm afraid it will only make people feel tired."

Mei Zhuang noticed the awkward atmosphere and raised her glass, saying, "Let's not let these little things ruin our fun when we get together today. Let's drink this together."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank. After three rounds of drinks, Lady Ning stood up and said, "I'm a little tired. I'll take my leave first."

After Lady Ning left, Chun'er angrily said, "Lady Ning is so rude, always finding fault with me!"

Zhen Huan sighed softly, "She's so outspoken, I'm afraid she has someone behind her. Let's not be impulsive and wait and see what she does next."

An Lingrong nodded: "Sister, you are absolutely right. I have a feeling that she is deliberately testing us today."

A few days later, news came from the palace that Concubine Ning scolded a palace maid in her own palace. Just because the palace maid made a slight mistake in her work, she was punished to kneel for most of the day.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Noble Lady Ning has a bad temper and is so harsh on the palace maids. We must be careful not to let her catch us."

An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "Sister, I want to visit Concubine Ning and find out her true intentions."

Zhen Huan was a little worried: "Lingrong, you must be careful when you go there. I'm afraid Concubine Ning will be difficult to deal with."

An Lingrong arrived at Concubine Ning's palace. Concubine Ning was pruning flowers. Seeing An Lingrong coming, she did not stand to greet her. "What brings you here today, Concubine An?"

An Lingrong smiled faintly and said, "I heard that the noble lady seemed to be feeling a little unwell in the palace recently, so I came to see you. By the way, I brought some homemade spices to help you calm your mind." As she spoke, she signaled the palace maid to present the spices.

Concubine Ning glanced at the spices and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Concubine An, but I don't need these."

An Lingrong remained unperturbed and continued, "Your Excellency has just entered the palace. If there is anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask me and Concubine Wan. We will certainly help you."

Concubine Ning put down the scissors in her hand and looked directly at An Lingrong: "Empress An, you and Empress Wan seem to have a deep sisterly love in this palace, but how much of the friendship in this palace is true?"

An Lingrong was startled, but remained calm. "Why do you say that, sir? My sister and I are truly sincere to each other."

Lady Ning sneered, "Sincerely? I want to see how long this sincerity can last."

An Lingrong returned to Zhen Huan's palace and told her about her conversation with Ning Guiren.

Zhen Huan's face was solemn. "It seems that Lady Ning is deliberately trying to sow discord between us. What is her purpose?"

An Lingrong said, "Sister, no matter what her intentions are, we just need to stick to our original intentions and not be deceived by her."

Zhen Huan nodded: "But I'm afraid this Concubine Ning won't give up easily, so we need to be more careful."

Another day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking in the palace garden, but they saw Concubine Ning arguing with a young lady.

Concubine Ning angrily said, "My young lady, why don't you show respect to me when you see me? Don't you think I'm serious?"

The young lady was so frightened that she quickly knelt down and said, "Please forgive me, Noble Ning. I was careless and didn't see you."

Zhen Huan stepped forward and tried to persuade him, "Lady Ning, calm down. This young lady probably didn't do it on purpose. She has only been in the palace for a short time and doesn't quite understand the etiquette."

Concubine Ning turned to look at Zhen Huan and said, "Empress Wan, you are always so nosy. Are you trying to be a good person in this harem and win people's hearts?"

Zhen Huan frowned slightly: "Lady Ning, I simply don't want to see the sisters in the palace quarreling. I have no other intentions."

An Lingrong also said, "Your Excellency has misunderstood me. I have always been kind-hearted."

Concubine Ning didn't listen at all: "Humph, kindness? In this harem, kind people are probably the easiest to be schemed against."

After saying this, Concubine Ning turned away.

Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Ning's departing figure and said helplessly, "This Concubine Ning is like a stone thrown into the tranquil lake of the harem, disturbing everyone's peace."

An Lingrong said, "Sister, we can't let her do what she wants. We have to find a way to deal with it."

Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "Let's start with the maids and eunuchs around her to see if we can find her weaknesses or the person behind her."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong secretly ordered the people around them to pay attention to the movements in Ning Guiren's palace.

Not long after, the person sent back reported: "Your Majesty, a young eunuch beside Lady Ning said that Lady Ning often sighs alone in the middle of the night and mutters about things related to the border and her family."

An Lingrong said, "It seems that Lady Ning is not as invincible as she appears to be. She may have her own worries and troubles."

Zhen Huan said, "We can start from this aspect and try to resolve the conflict with her. If we can turn the enemy into a friend, that would be the best. If not, at least we should make her stop opposing us in everything."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong decided to visit Concubine Ning again. This time, they brought some specialties from the frontier, trying to get closer to Concubine Ning.

When Lady Ning saw the specialties they brought, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "What do you mean by this?"

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Your Excellency comes from the frontier, so you must be missing your homeland. We stumbled upon these things and thought of giving them to you to ease your homesickness."

Lady Ning's attitude softened slightly: "You are really thoughtful."

An Lingrong took the opportunity to say, "Your Excellency, we are well aware that life in the palace is not easy. If we have offended you, we hope you will forgive us. We also hope to live in peace with you and serve the Emperor together."

Lady Ning was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Do you really think so?"

Zhen Huan nodded: "I am sincere and honest, no empty words."

Concubine Ning looked at them, her eyes filled with a hint of thought. "Then I will trust you for once, but if I discover that you have any ill intentions, don't blame me for being rude."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong smiled at each other and felt relieved, but they also knew that their relationship with Concubine Ning was still fragile and needed to be carefully maintained. The changes in the harem were still continuing, and they didn't know when a new crisis would come.