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

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her eyes revealing determination: "Lingrong is right, the Imperial Household Department has been involved in trouble many times, and it must be the place where filth and evil are hidden. We must eradicate their conspiracy!" Her gaze was as firm as a torch, as if it could penetrate the heavy fog and reach the other side of the truth.

An Lingrong bit her lower lip lightly, her expression solemn: "Sister, this time we are going deep into the tiger's den, I'm afraid it will be very dangerous. Those people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs will definitely try to stop us in every possible way for their own interests, so we have to be careful." Her brows were slightly frowned, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes, and she subconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Mei Zhuang walked up and patted Zhen Huan on the shoulder: "Huan'er, I will go with you. One more person means one more strength. If we sisters work together, we will definitely make those evil spirits have nowhere to hide!" There was fearlessness in her eyes and her posture was upright, like a female general about to go to the battlefield.

Chun'er was jumping around and waving her little hands: "I want to go too! I want to go too! I'm not afraid of those bad guys, I want to protect the harem with my sisters!" Her eyes were shining, full of excitement and anticipation, and her cheeks were slightly flushed with excitement.

Zhen Huan looked at Chun'er and smiled helplessly, "Chun'er, this trip is dangerous. You should stay in the palace. If we all go, if something goes wrong, there won't be anyone to look after us. I'll tell you everything in detail when we come back."

Chun Er pouted, looking reluctant: "Okay, sisters must come back safely!"

Zhen Huan and others came to the Imperial Household Department. When the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department saw them, he hurriedly came forward with a smile on his face: "Empress Wan, Empress An, Empress Hui, what brings you to the Imperial Household Department today?" A trace of panic inadvertently flashed in his eyes. Although he tried his best to conceal it, Zhen Huan still caught it.

Zhen Huan looked directly into the eyes of the chief eunuch and said coldly, "Eunuch, I'm sure you've heard about what happened in the Imperial Hospital. I came here today just to ask you, what role did the Imperial Household Department play in this?" Her voice was not loud, but it was filled with majesty that made people shudder.

The chief eunuch fell to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, please be wise! I am innocent! Although I knew something about the affairs of the Imperial Household Department, I was only following orders. I really don't know the specific conspiracy!" His body trembled slightly, fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead, and his eyes were full of fear.

An Lingrong walked forward, squatted gently, took the chief eunuch's hand, and said gently: "Eunuch, if you tell the truth now, perhaps we can say a few good words for you in front of the emperor. But if we find out, you will be doomed." There was a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes, but a faint smile hung at the corner of her mouth. This contrast was chilling.

The chief eunuch hesitated for a moment, looked at Zhen Huan, then at An Lingrong, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Mei Zhuang scolded from the side: "You dog slave! You still dare to hesitate! Do you really want to wait for us to torture you?" Her eyes were burning with anger, and her hands were clenched into fists, as if she was about to punch out in the next second.

The eunuch in charge trembled with fear and finally spoke, "Your Majesty, all of this is orchestrated by Concubine Hua's brother. He wants to use the people in the Imperial Household Department to create chaos in the palace. He first poisoned the Imperial Hospital and then framed the concubines, hoping to cause them to fall from favor so that he could take control of the harem. I only helped him pass on information and arrange some minor matters. I really didn't participate too much!"

Zhen Huan frowned and asked, "What are his plans next? Do you know?"

The chief eunuch shook his head and said, "I really don't know, Your Majesty. He is always cautious and would not easily reveal too much to me."

An Lingrong stood up and said to Zhen Huan, "Sister, I don't think the chief eunuch is telling the truth. He must be hiding something." Her eyes were full of suspicion. She narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at the chief eunuch kneeling on the ground.

Zhen Huan nodded. "I also think this matter is not that simple. Lingrong, do you have any way to make him tell the truth?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment, then said to the chief eunuch, "Eunuch, you know that I am good at making spices. I have a spice called 'Soul-Loving Incense'. Just a little bit of it will make people involuntarily tell the secrets in their hearts. If you don't want to taste the power of this spice, you'd better tell me everything you know." There was a hint of cunning in her eyes. She took out an exquisite sachet from her sleeve and shook it gently in front of the chief eunuch.

When the chief eunuch saw the sachet, his face changed drastically, his eyes filled with fear: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, spare me! I'll tell you everything!"

He took a deep breath and continued, "Empress Hua's brother also planned to poison the palace well water, causing everyone in the harem to become seriously ill. Then, he would use the name of saving the emperor's life to regain his trust and position. Moreover, he has already arranged for people to act tonight."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan and others' expressions suddenly changed.

Zhen Huan hurriedly said, "Sister Meizhuang, please quickly inform the guards to increase patrols in the palace, especially around the wells. Lingrong, let's go find those who were arranged to poison us."

Mei Zhuang took the order and left. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong took Xiao Yunzi and others to search for clues in the palace.

Suddenly, Xiao Yunzi found a young eunuch wandering stealthily by a well, holding a package in his hand.

Xiao Yunzi shouted: "Stop! What are you doing?"

The little eunuch heard the shouting and turned and ran away in fright.

Zhen Huan shouted, "Chase him! Don't let him get away!"

A chase broke out among the people in the palace. The little eunuch fled desperately in front, and Zhen Huan and others were chasing him closely behind.

Finally, the little eunuch was caught up in a remote corner.

Zhen Huan stepped forward and glared at the young eunuch: "How dare you poison someone in the palace! Tell me, who ordered you to do that?"

The young eunuch fell to his knees, crying, "Your Majesty, it was Concubine Hua's brother who ordered this servant to do this. He paid me a large sum of money and told me to throw poison into the well tonight. I was forced to do this, Your Majesty, please spare my life!"

Zhen Huan said coldly, "You slave, how dare you murder the lives of everyone in the harem for money. Xiao Yunzi, take him away and wait for the emperor's decision."

Xiao Yunzi took the young eunuch away, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief.

But they knew the danger was not over yet. Although Hua Fei's brother's plot had been temporarily thwarted, he would certainly not give up.

Back in the palace, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, we must find a way as soon as possible to completely eliminate the hidden danger of Hua Fei's brother. Otherwise, there will be no peace in the harem."

An Lingrong nodded. "Sister, I think we can unite the ministers in the court and expose the crimes of Hua Fei's brother. Let the emperor know his evil ambitions. Only then can we solve the problem fundamentally."

Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "This is a very good plan. But who should we look for among the ministers in the court?"

An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Sister, I've heard that Lord Shen is a man of integrity and uprightness. Furthermore, Sister Meizhuang and Lord Shen have a long-standing friendship. We could talk to Sister Meizhuang and have her ask Lord Shen for help."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Yes! Why didn't I think of that? Sister Meizhuang's friendship with Lord Shen will definitely allow Lord Shen to lend us a hand."

So, Zhen Huan and others found Mei Zhuang and told her their idea.

Mei Zhuang readily agreed: "Leave it to me. I'll go see Lord Shen right away. I'm sure he will help me for the sake of peace in the harem."

Mei Zhuang met Lord Shen and told him everything that happened in the palace.

Upon hearing this, Lord Shen was filled with righteous indignation. "Brother Hua Fei is so audacious! I will not sit idly by. I will impeach him in court and let the Emperor see his true colors."

With the help of Lord Shen, the crimes of Hua Fei's brother were exposed. The emperor was furious and ordered the beheading of Hua Fei's brother and his accomplices as a warning to others.

After dealing with this matter, the harem finally returned to peace. The friendship between Zhen Huan and An Lingrong also became more indestructible in these crises.

One day, Zhen Huan was admiring flowers in the palace, and An Lingrong came to accompany her.

Zhen Huan looked at the blooming flowers and said with emotion: "Lingrong, after going through so many things, I understand that in this harem, only true companionship is the most precious." There was a hint of relief in her eyes, a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, and she reached out and gently stroked the flowers.

An Lingrong nodded: "Sister, our friendship will be able to withstand any test. No matter how many storms there are in the future, I will walk hand in hand with you." Her eyes were firm and warm, and she smiled at Zhen Huan.

However, at this seemingly peaceful moment, a young palace maid came to report: "My ladies, there is news from outside the palace that the war on the border has broken out again, and the court is discussing which general to send."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, a trace of worry welling up in their hearts. They knew this would bring new changes to the harem...