Zhen Huan bowed slightly and said softly, "Don't worry, Lady Ning. Sister Lingrong and I have absolutely no ill intentions. We just wish for peace and harmony in the harem." She had a gentle smile on her face and looked at Lady Ning sincerely, with peace in her brows and eyes.

An Lingrong also followed suit and bowed, saying softly, "Lady Ning is extremely intelligent and will definitely be able to distinguish right from wrong. My sister and I only ask to live in peace with you." She lowered her head slightly, her eyes humble, a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, and gently waved the handkerchief in her hand.

Concubine Ning snorted softly, turned around and sat on the chair with a casual and unrestrained posture: "The hearts of people in this harem are unpredictable. Although the incident of the fabric a few days ago had nothing to do with me, it also made me see the complexity of it." There was a hint of sharpness in her eyes, as if she could see through all disguises, and her fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest.

Zhen Huan frowned slightly and sighed, "This incident was caused by Concubine Hua's clansmen who attempted to disrupt the harem. Their intentions were truly sinister. It took Lingrong and I quite a bit of trouble to find out the truth. Fortunately, the Emperor was wise and punished them severely." Her eyes revealed a hint of fatigue and relief as she shook her head slightly.

An Lingrong nodded and said, "Yes, the peace of the harem is always deliberately destroyed by some people. We can only be careful to avoid falling into the trap." There was a hint of worry in her eyes, and she subconsciously looked at Zhen Huan, as if seeking comfort and support.

At this time, Chun'er came in skipping and jumping with a box of snacks in her hand: "Sisters, I got a new box of snacks, they are delicious, come and try them!" Her eyes were shining, her face was filled with innocent joy, and her steps were as light as a deer.

Seeing Concubine Ning, Chun Er was slightly startled, then bowed: "Concubine Ning, how are you?"

Concubine Ning looked at Chun'er, a smile flashing in her eyes: "Chun Changzai is indeed innocent. It is rare to find someone with your temperament in the harem."

Chun'er giggled and said, "Lady Ning, this snack is so sweet. You should try it too." As she said that, she handed the snack to Lady Ning.

Lady Ning took the snack, tasted it, and praised it, "It tastes good."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Chun Er loves these little snacks. She can always find something new every day."

As everyone was talking, a little palace maid ran over in a panic and plopped down on the ground. "My ladies, this is bad! The flowers in the imperial garden have suddenly withered, and there's a strange smell!"

Zhen Huan and others' faces changed, and they hurriedly got up and went to the Imperial Garden.

When we arrived at the Imperial Garden, we saw that the originally flourishing scene had disappeared. The flowers were drooping listlessly, and a pungent smell filled the air.

An Lingrong squatted down and examined the flower carefully, frowning: "It looks like someone has poisoned it, but this poison is very strange, I have never seen it before." Her eyes were full of confusion and worry, and her fingers gently touched the petals.

Zhen Huan looked around with a serious expression: "Who is so bold as to poison the Imperial Garden? This is a place for everyone in the palace to enjoy." Her eyes were filled with anger, and her hands clenched unconsciously.

Concubine Ning's eyes flashed with sternness: "It seems that there is trouble in the harem again. I want to see who is behind this." Her eyes were full of fighting spirit, and her posture was upright, as if she was ready to meet the challenge at any time.

Mei Zhuang also hurried over and saw the scene in front of her. She said, "This must have been premeditated. We must quickly investigate to prevent the poison from spreading and hurting everyone." Her face was slightly pale, but her eyes were firm and her tone was steady and powerful.

So everyone began to look around the Imperial Garden for clues.

An Lingrong suddenly found some strange footprints in the flowers. She called everyone over: "Sisters, look at these footprints, it seems like someone left them intentionally." A hint of excitement flashed in her eyes, as if she had found the key to solving the case.

Zhen Huan observed the footprints carefully and pondered for a moment: "These footprints look like they belong to a man. Could it be that a man from outside the palace sneaked into the palace?" Her eyes were full of doubts and her brows were tightly furrowed.

Concubine Ning shook her head and said, "It's unlikely. The palace is heavily guarded and it's difficult for outsiders to sneak in. These footprints may have been deliberately disguised by someone to mislead us." Her eyes were calm and wise, and her analysis was very logical.

Mei Zhuang said, "No matter what, let's follow the direction of these footprints and see what we can find."

Everyone followed the direction of the footprints and came to a remote corner of the palace.

There was a small room with a closed door. Zhen Huan went up and knocked on the door: "Is anyone there?"

No one answered, so Zhen Huan signaled the guard to open the door.

When the door opened, a strong smell of medicine hit me. Various bottles, jars and herbs were placed in the room.

An Lingrong walked into the house, picked up a bottle and smelled it: "This is the poison that poisons the flowers in the imperial garden, but whose house does this belong to?" Her eyes were full of vigilance and she looked around carefully.

At this moment, a young eunuch came out from behind the house. When he saw everyone, he was so scared that his face turned pale and he turned and ran away.

Mei Zhuang shouted, "Stop him!"

The guards quickly captured the young eunuch and brought him before everyone.

Zhen Huan said sternly, "Tell me, who owns this house? Why are you here? Did you poison the flowers in the imperial garden?"

The young eunuch knelt down and begged for mercy: "My ladies, I am innocent! This room belongs to Eunuch Liu of the Imperial Household Department. I am only here to guard it. The other servants know nothing about it!"

Zhen Huan and the others looked at each other, and their doubts grew even greater.

An Lingrong asked, "What does this Eunuch Liu do on a daily basis? Why does he have this poison?"

The young eunuch trembled and said, "Eunuch Liu is in charge of the flowers and plants in the palace. I really don't know why he has this poison. Madams, please spare me!"

Zhen Huan said, "Let's keep this young eunuch under guard first. We'll go find Eunuch Liu."

When everyone arrived at the Imperial Household Department, they found that Eunuch Liu was missing.

The other eunuchs and palace maids in the Imperial Household Department all said they didn't know where Eunuch Liu had gone.

Zhen Huan was furious: "This eunuch Liu must have fled because he was afraid of his crime. Search the palace and find him!"

Just when everyone was searching for Eunuch Liu, the Queen suddenly sent someone to invite Zhen Huan and An Lingrong over.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong arrived at the Queen's palace. The Queen sat on the throne with a half-smile on her face. "I heard something happened in the Imperial Garden. As the head of the harem, I naturally care about it. Concubine Wan, Concubine An, have you found anything?"

Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is quite strange. We found that it was related to Eunuch Liu from the Imperial Household Department, but now Eunuch Liu has disappeared."

The Queen raised her eyebrows slightly. "Oh? Eunuch Liu is missing? What should we do? I hope you can find out the truth as soon as possible and don't let the people in the harem panic."

Coming out of the Queen's Palace, An Lingrong whispered, "Sister, the Queen's attitude is a little strange. She doesn't seem to be in a hurry to find Eunuch Liu."

Zhen Huan's eyes turned cold: "There must be something hidden in this. We can't be deceived by the Queen. We must find out the truth and find Eunuch Liu."

While searching for Eunuch Liu, they discovered that he had frequent contact with a mysterious palace maid.

After some investigation, the mysterious palace maid was finally found.

Zhen Huan looked at the maid and said coldly, "You'd better tell me the truth. What are you and Eunuch Liu planning? Why are you poisoning the flowers in the imperial garden?"

The maid was so frightened that she knelt on the ground and cried, "Your Majesty, it was the Empress who ordered Eunuch Liu to do this. The Empress said she wanted to teach Concubine Wan and Concubine An a lesson, so that everyone in the harem would know that she is still the master of this harem."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were shocked.

An Lingrong said angrily, "This queen is too cruel! For her own selfish desires, she didn't hesitate to poison the flowers in the imperial garden and disrupt the harem."

Zhen Huan took a deep breath and said, "Let's take this maid to see the emperor and let him make the final decision."

Everyone came to the emperor's palace, and Zhen Huan reported to the emperor what had happened in detail.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face darkened. "As the head of the harem, the Empress actually did such a thing! Pass on my decree that the Empress be confined to the palace to reflect on her mistakes. If Eunuch Liu catches her, he will punish her severely!"

After dealing with this matter, the harem temporarily returned to peace. But Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that this was only temporary and new conspiracies could emerge at any time.

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

An Lingrong saw Zhen Huan reading a book and said with a smile, "Sister, what are you reading? You look so engrossed."

Zhen Huan raised her head and smiled slightly: "Reading some poetry and songs can also make my mind calmer. The harem is full of constant fighting, and only in books can I find a moment of peace."

An Lingrong nodded: "Sister, you're right. But this peace is always short-lived. We must remain vigilant at all times."

At this moment, a young eunuch came running to report: "My ladies, a high monk has come from outside the palace and said he wants to pray for the harem."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, each a trace of doubt welling up in their hearts. This eminent monk's sudden arrival was uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse...

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like