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

Zhen Huan held An Lingrong's hand, her eyes filled with determination and trust: "Lingrong, you are right. We sisters are united and will be able to face all difficulties. But the fact that this foreign princess is coming to marry will probably cause quite a stir in this harem." She raised her chin slightly, with a hint of worry on her face.

An Lingrong nodded slightly and said softly, "Sister, I heard that this foreign princess grew up on the grassland since she was a child. She has a bold and unrestrained personality, which is very different from the women in our palace. I wonder how she will deal with the rules and power struggles in this palace." Her brows were slightly frowned, and there was a hint of curiosity and vigilance in her eyes.

Mei Zhuang came over and sighed softly: "No matter what she does, we just need to do our best. But this matter of marriage has always involved many conflicts of interest, so we can't take it lightly." Her hand rested lightly on the sachet at her waist, her expression serious and steady.

Chun'er came over skipping and jumping, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Sisters, is the foreign princess very beautiful and wearing very strange clothes?" Her face was filled with an innocent smile and was full of anticipation.

Zhen Huan smiled and patted Chun'er's head: "Chun'er, you will know when the princess comes. But we can't just look at her appearance, we also have to pay attention to her words and actions."

A few days later, the foreign princess arrived at the palace. She was dressed in gorgeous foreign clothes, with an exquisite headdress on her head, and her figure was agile and her eyes were bright and fiery.

In the main hall, the emperor introduced to everyone: "This is the Rouran princess who came to marry."

Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and the others all bowed and said, "Greetings to the Rouran Princess."

The Rouran princess raised her head slightly and said in not very fluent Chinese: "I have long heard of the prosperity of your country. Seeing it today, I find that it is indeed worthy of its reputation." Her voice was clear and loud, with a unique charm, and her eyes swept across everyone boldly.

The Queen smiled and said, "Princess, you have come so far and have worked hard. The palace has already arranged accommodation for you. If you need anything, please let me know."

The Rouran princess glanced at the queen and nodded gently: "Thank you, Queen."

At the banquet, the Rouran princess was given a prominent seat. She looked at the delicacies on the table and ate without restraint, saying with a smile, "The food in this palace is very different from our grasslands, but it also has its own unique flavor."

Chun'er asked curiously, "Princess, what do you eat on the grassland?"

The Rouran princess put down her bowl and chopsticks and said excitedly: "We have roasted whole lamb and kumis on our grassland. The lamb is roasted until it is sizzling and oily, so fragrant! The kumis is even more delicious. One sip of it will warm your whole body!" As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, a proud smile on her face.

An Lingrong smiled and said, "That sounds really tempting. If Princess misses the taste of home, why not ask the imperial kitchen to try making some grassland delicacies?"

The Rouran princess glanced at An Lingrong, her eyes filled with inquiry. "You are Concubine An, right? I've heard you're an expert at making spices. Do you have any unique spices that could imbue this palace with the scent of the grassland?"

An Lingrong was slightly taken aback before replying, "If the princess needs anything, I will do my best. I can create a spice with the fragrance of grassland flowers and herbs, which may help ease your homesickness."

Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong's spices are always exquisite. The princess will definitely like them."

However, behind this seemingly harmonious exchange, Zhen Huan keenly sensed the occasional glint of cunning in the Rouran princess's eyes. Secretly wary, she whispered to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, this princess might not be as simple as she appears. We must pay more attention to her."

An Lingrong nodded gently: "Sister, I also feel that she seems to have other intentions."

After the banquet, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to the palace.

Mei Zhuang was already waiting. She said solemnly, "I've heard some news. This Rouran princess knew something about the situation in our palace before she came here, and she seemed to have some special mission."

Zhen Huan frowned. "A special mission? What could it be? Could it be that her country wants to gain some benefit from her in the harem?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "Whatever it is, we need to find out her background first. I want to visit her residence and see if I can find any clues."

Zhen Huan was a little worried: "Lingrong, will it be dangerous for you to go alone?"

An Lingrong shook her head: "Don't worry, sister. I will be careful. I will take Xiao Yunzi with me. With him, he can take care of me."

An Lingrong brought little Yunzi to the residence of the Rouran princess. The Rouran princess was sorting out the things she brought with her, and when she saw An Lingrong coming, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Empress An, how come you have time to come to me today?" asked the Rouran princess.

An Lingrong smiled faintly and said, "Princess, you've just arrived. I was afraid you might not be used to it, so I came to see you."

The Rouran princess smiled and said, "Your Highness, Concubine An is very thoughtful. Actually, there are some things I don't understand in this palace, and I would like to ask you for your advice."

An Lingrong's heart moved: "Princess, please speak."

The Rouran Princess looked at An Lingrong and said slowly, "I've heard that in the harem, all the ladies are vying for favor. Is that true?"

An Lingrong frowned slightly: "Princess, in this harem, the Emperor's favor is certainly important, but what is more important is to abide by the palace rules and live in harmony with your sisters."

The Rouran princess sneered, "Live in harmony? I don't think so. On our grasslands, if you want something, you have to fight for it."

An Lingrong was startled and said quickly, "Princess, this palace is different from the grasslands. If you compete for favor recklessly, it will only cause disputes and disturb the peace of the harem."

The Rouran princess disagreed: "Madam An, you are too cautious. This princess is not afraid of these things."

An Lingrong realized that her views differed greatly from those of the Rouran princess, so she said no more and stood up to take her leave. "Princess, if you need anything, please let me know. I'll take my leave now."

After returning to Zhen Huan's palace, An Lingrong told Zhen Huan about her conversation with the Rouran princess.

Zhen Huan's face was solemn. "This Rouran princess is quite ambitious. If she stirs up strife in the harem, the consequences will be disastrous. We must find a way to deal with it."

Mei Zhuang said, "We can first win over some of the young ladies and prevent them from being bewitched by the Rouran princess."

Zhen Huan nodded. "That's all we can do. Chun'er, go talk to those ladies who are on good terms with us and tell them to be careful."

Chun Er responded, "Okay, sister. I'll go right away!"

However, the Rouran princess also acted in secret. She used the jewelry she brought with her to bribe some palace maids and eunuchs, asking them to gather information and pass on intelligence for her.

One day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking in the palace garden. A young palace maid who was bribed by the Rouran princess deliberately bumped into Zhen Huan and the tea in her hand spilled on Zhen Huan's clothes.

The young maid quickly knelt down and begged for mercy: "Please forgive me, Concubine Wan, I didn't mean it!"

Before Zhen Huan could say anything, the Rouran Princess came over and pretended to scold the young palace maid: "How dare you, a servant, be so reckless! How dare you offend Concubine Wan!"

Then she said to Zhen Huan, "My Lady Wan, it's all because of my lack of discipline that I frightened you. If you don't mind, you can go to my palace and choose a dress to change into."

Zhen Huan knew that this was the Rouran princess's plan. She smiled slightly and said, "You are too polite, Princess. I will go back and change into another one."

An Lingrong whispered beside her, "Sister, this princess clearly did it on purpose."

Zhen Huan shook her head gently: "The more she acts like this, the more we must not panic. Let's go back to the palace and discuss countermeasures."

Back in the palace, Zhen Huan and others began to discuss how to deal with the provocation of the Rouran Princess.

Mei Zhuang said, "We can take advantage of her unfamiliarity with palace rules and set some traps for her so she won't be able to retreat."

An Lingrong thought for a moment: "Sister Meizhuang's idea is good. But we must also be careful not to get bitten back by her."

Zhen Huan said, "Let's start with some small things, let her embarrass herself in the palace, and dampen her arrogance."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong ordered the palace maids and eunuchs to deliberately make things difficult for the Rouran princess in accordance with the palace rules in some daily affairs.

For example, the timing and etiquette of paying respects were strictly required of the Rouran princess. She did not care at first, but as her mistakes were pointed out again and again, she began to get impatient.

"The rules in this palace are so complicated! I have never been subject to these restrictions on the grassland!" said the Rouran princess angrily.

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Princess, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. This is also to help you better integrate into palace life."

However, the Rouran princess was not easily defeated. She decided to fight back and complained to the emperor, saying that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were deliberately making things difficult for her and making her life difficult.

After hearing this, the emperor summoned Zhen Huan and An Lingrong for questioning.

Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we have no intention of making things difficult for the princess. We are simply teaching her according to the palace rules to prevent her from making mistakes."

An Lingrong also said, "Yes, Your Majesty. The princess has just arrived and is unfamiliar with the palace rules. I am waiting here for the princess's own good."

The emperor looked at them and thought for a moment: "I understand. Don't be too harsh. Let the princess adapt slowly."

After leaving the emperor's palace, Zhen Huan said helplessly: "This Rouran princess is really tricky. We have to find another way."

An Lingrong said, "Sister, I think we can start with the items she brought with her and see if we can find any evidence or weaknesses against her."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Lingrong, your idea is good. We will secretly send someone to investigate."

After some investigation, it was discovered that some of the spices brought by the Rouran princess contained a special ingredient that was prohibited from use in the palace.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came to the emperor's palace with evidence.

Zhen Huan presented the spices and said, "Your Majesty, these are spices brought by the Rouran princess. They contain banned ingredients. If used in the palace, I'm afraid it will be harmful to everyone's health."

The emperor's expression changed: "Is this really true?"

An Lingrong said, "Your Majesty, I discovered this problem out of concern for the safety of the harem."

The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "I will ask the princess about this. You may withdraw first."

When the Rouran princess was summoned by the emperor, she was startled by the sight of the spices, but she remained composed and said, "Your Majesty, these spices are commonly used on our grasslands. I was not aware that they are prohibited in your country."

The emperor said sternly, "Princess, since you have come to my harem, you must abide by my rules. I hope you can handle this matter of spices properly."

The Rouran princess lowered her head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. I know I was wrong."

After this incident, the Rouran princess restrained herself a lot, but Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that she would not give up and they still had to be careful and vigilant.

One day, a polo match was held in the palace, and the Rouran princess volunteered to participate.

On the field, the Rouran princess, with her superb riding skills and heroic demeanor, led her team in a fierce competition with other teams.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong watched from the side and couldn't help but admire the Rouran princess's riding skills.

However, during the competition, the Rouran princess's horse suddenly lost control and rushed towards the audience.

Everyone exclaimed, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were also shocked.

At this critical moment, a guard stepped forward and stopped the out-of-control horse.

The Rouran princess got off her horse, her face pale.

Zhen Huan walked forward and asked, "Princess, are you okay?"

Princess Rouran shook her head and said, "Thank you for your concern, Concubine Wan. I'm fine. It's just strange that this horse suddenly lost control."

An Lingrong was suspicious. She carefully checked the horse's reins and found signs that they had been tampered with.

She whispered to Zhen Huan, "Sister, this horse was deliberately thrown out of control. Someone wants to murder the princess."

Zhen Huan's eyes flashed: "Who could it be?"

An Lingrong said, "No matter who it is, let's take the princess away from here first, and then slowly investigate."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought the Rouran princess back to the palace and informed the emperor of the matter.

The Emperor was furious: "How dare you murder the princess at a polo match! I must investigate thoroughly!"

After some investigation, it was discovered that the act was committed by a neglected young lady who was jealous of the Rouran princess receiving the emperor's attention and wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of her.

The emperor banished the young lady to the cold palace: "I have treated you well, how dare you do such a thing!"

After this incident, Princess Rouran's attitude towards Zhen Huan and An Lingrong changed slightly.

She came to Zhen Huan's palace and said to her, "My Lady Wan, I have offended you many times before. I beg your forgiveness. I never thought that the harem would be so dangerous."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Princess, you're welcome. As long as you can abide by the palace rules and get along well with your sisters in the future, that would be the best."

An Lingrong also said: "Yes, Princess. We are all the emperor's concubines. We should serve the emperor together and keep the harem peaceful."

The Rouran princess nodded and said, "I understand. Please take good care of me from now on."

Although the conflict with the Rouran Princess was temporarily resolved, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that there would always be conspiracies and disputes in the harem. They still needed to remain vigilant and protect each other, and continue to write their own legendary stories in this harem full of intrigues and dangers.