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

An Lingrong nodded slightly, but her eyes were still on Concubine Wan. She smiled lightly and said, "Since Concubine Wan is not feeling well, you should take good care of yourself. There are constant disturbances in the harem. What will happen if you collapse?" She tilted her head slightly, and there seemed to be inquiry in her eyes.

Concubine Wan lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you, Empress An, for your concern. I understand." Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corners of her clothes, and she seemed a little uneasy.

Zhen Huan was watching from the side and was also suspicious. When An Lingrong came back to her side, she whispered, "Lingrong, don't you think Concubine Wan's behavior today was very strange? Although she was gentle in the past, she wouldn't be so panicked." Zhen Huan frowned slightly, her eyes full of thought.

An Lingrong responded, "Sister, you are absolutely right. I feel the same way. Perhaps we should send someone to keep an eye on her actions." She moved closer to Zhen Huan, her voice lowered to a very low level, a hint of caution in her eyes.

As she was speaking, Chun'er came over skipping and jumping, holding a few newly acquired palace flowers in her hands, her face filled with joy: "Sisters, look what good things I got! These palace flowers are so beautiful!" Her eyes sparkled as she handed the palace flowers to Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

Zhen Huan took it with a smile and praised, "Chun'er, this palace flower is so beautiful and suits you very well." She gently stroked Chun'er's head, her eyes full of pampering.

An Lingrong also said, "Chun'er always finds these interesting things." She had a smile on her lips and her eyes were gentle.

Chun Er laughed and said, "I specially saved two for you sisters, come and put them on!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong put on the palace flowers as instructed. As they were talking, a young eunuch suddenly ran over and knelt down in a panic, "My ladies, this is terrible! Concubine Wan suddenly fainted in her own palace and is now unconscious!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged glances, each seeing surprise and confusion in the other's eyes. Zhen Huan immediately said, "Quick, let's go and take a look!"

Everyone rushed to Concubine Wan's palace, only to find her lying on the bed, her face as pale as paper, her forehead beaded with sweat. An Lingrong approached the bedside and reached out to feel her pulse, her brow furrowed. "This pulse... is very strange, it doesn't seem like a normal illness." Her eyes were filled with confusion and worry, and her fingers gently pressed Concubine Wan's wrist.

Zhen Huan turned around and asked Concubine Wan's maid, "Has your concubine used anything special today? Or has she met any unusual people?" She stared at the maid with sharp eyes.

The maid replied tremblingly, "Your Highness, your Highness's meal was the same as usual today. She just had some snacks in the morning. There's nothing special about it. It's just... it's just that Eunuch Zhao from the Imperial Household Department came this morning and brought some freshly made spices."

An Lingrong's heart moved, and she hurriedly asked, "Where are the spices?"

The palace maid hurriedly found the spices and presented them to An Lingrong. She took them, sniffed them gently, and her face changed drastically: "There's something wrong with these spices! A rare poisonous grass is mixed in them. Although the fragrance is strong, it will cause poisoning and coma if you smell it for a long time." There was a hint of anger in her voice, and her hands unconsciously clenched the spice box.

Zhen Huan said angrily: "Why would the Imperial Household Department send poisonous spices to Concubine Wan? Someone must have deliberately murdered her!" Her eyes were cold, as if she could see through all the conspiracies.

An Lingrong calmed down and analyzed, "Sister, the person behind this must want to use the incident of Concubine Wan to cause panic in the harem. We must find the real culprit as soon as possible to prevent more innocent people from being harmed." She looked determined and raised her chin slightly.

Mei Zhuang also rushed over and after hearing about this, she said, "Who in the harem has a grudge against Concubine Wan? Could it be that she accidentally offended someone in her daily life?" She supported her chin with her hand, with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

An Lingrong shook her head: "Noble Lady Wan has always been kind to others and rarely makes enemies. I think this matter may be related to the previous incident in the Imperial Hospital, perhaps it was done by the same group of people." Her eyes were deep, as if she was recalling various clues from the past.

Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong is right. Xiao Yunzi, go and find out who Eunuch Zhao has close contacts with, and whether he is colluding with the remnants of Concubine Hua's brother." She gave Xiao Yunzi an order with a decisive look.

Xiao Yunzi took the order and left.

Zhen Huan and the others waited anxiously by Concubine Wan's bedside. After a long time, Concubine Wan gradually regained consciousness. Her eyes were dazed, and she said weakly, "I...what happened to me?"

An Lingrong comforted her softly: "Concubine Wan, you have been poisoned, but don't be afraid, we are already investigating the mastermind behind this. Think carefully, is there anything unusual today?" She gently held Concubine Wan's hand, her eyes full of concern.

Concubine Wan tried hard to recall, then suddenly said, "I remember... when Eunuch Zhao brought the spices, I asked about their formula, but he was evasive, as if hiding something. Also, I vaguely saw a strange jade pendant in his sleeve. The pattern on it looked like a symbol, but I was so dizzy at the time that I couldn't see it clearly."

Zhen Huan's eyes flashed: "Jade pendant? This may be a key clue."

An Lingrong said to Zhen Huan, "Sister, I think we can start with this jade pendant and find out which family's logo it is. Maybe we can find out the real culprit behind the scenes." There was a hint of excitement in her eyes, as if she saw hope of solving the case.

Zhen Huan agreed: "Lingrong is absolutely right. Let's go to the Imperial Household Department and ask Eunuch Zhao to identify the jade pendant."

When they arrived at the Imperial Household Department, they discovered that Eunuch Zhao had disappeared. The other eunuchs and palace maids in the Imperial Household Department all claimed they had no idea where Eunuch Zhao had gone.

Zhen Huan was furious: "This Eunuch Zhao must have fled for fear of punishment! Search everywhere in the palace and find him!" Her voice was majestic and angry, and her eyes were burning with rage.

Just when everyone was searching for Eunuch Zhao, 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 in the upper seat, a half-smile on her face. "I heard about Concubine Wan being poisoned. As the head of the harem, I am naturally very concerned. Concubine Wan, Concubine An, have you found anything?"

After bowing, Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, this matter is related to Eunuch Zhao from the Imperial Household Department, but now Eunuch Zhao is missing. But Concubine Wan once saw Eunuch Zhao with a strange jade pendant, and we are planning to investigate from this jade pendant." She looked at the Queen calmly, trying to find some clues from the Queen's expression.

The Queen raised her eyebrows slightly. "Oh? A jade pendant? That's an interesting clue. I hope you can find out the truth as soon as possible and not let the people in the harem panic."

Coming out of the Queen's Palace, An Lingrong whispered, "Sister, the Queen's attitude is still strange. She always seems to be watching from the sidelines and doesn't really want us to find out the truth." There was a hint of suspicion in her eyes and she frowned slightly.

Zhen Huan's eyes turned cold: "This queen must have some unspeakable secret. We can't let her disturb us, we must find out the truth." Her eyes were firm, revealing a sense of determination.

During their search for Eunuch Zhao, they discovered that he had frequent contact with a mysterious young lady. After some investigation, they finally found the residence of the mysterious young lady.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought their people to the young lady's palace. The young lady's face changed slightly when she saw them coming, but she quickly calmed down and said, "Empress Wan and Empress An, may I know what brings you here? What brings you here?"

Zhen Huan looked directly into the lady's eyes and said coldly, "You secretly colluded with Eunuch Zhao from the Imperial Household Department and poisoned Concubine Wan. Do you know your crime?" Her eyes were like knives, as if she could see through the lady's disguise.

The young lady fell to her knees, crying, "My Lady, I am innocent! Eunuch Zhao and I only met by chance. He gave me some small gifts. I had no idea he had done anything bad!"

An Lingrong walked forward, took out the jade pendant she got from the palace maid Wan Guiren, and asked, "Do you recognize this jade pendant? It was found in the sleeve of Eunuch Zhao." She stared at the young lady with sharp eyes.

When the young lady saw the jade pendant, her face turned pale instantly. She stammered, "I... I picked up this jade pendant by chance. I was just about to return it to Eunuch Zhao. I really don't know anything about it!"

Zhen Huan sneered: "Do you think you can hide this from the world like this? Xiao Yunzi, search the palace!"

Xiao Yunzi led the palace maids to search carefully in the young master's palace, and sure enough, they found some formulas and medicinal materials that were the same as those of the poisonous spice in a secret compartment.

Zhen Huan shouted angrily: "You still dare to quibble! The evidence is conclusive, why did you poison Concubine Wan? Who instructed you to do so?" Her voice resounded throughout the palace, and her eyes were full of anger and majesty.

The young lady knew she couldn't deny it, so she told the truth: "Your Majesty, I was threatened by the remnants of Hua Fei's brother. They said that if I didn't follow their orders, they would kill my whole family. I... I had no choice!"

After hearing this, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong felt angry and helpless.

An Lingrong sighed, "The remnants of Hua Fei's brother are really lingering around! In order to achieve their goals, they don't hesitate to threaten innocent people." There was a trace of sadness in her eyes, for the darkness and helplessness in the harem.

Zhen Huan took a deep breath and said, "Let's take this young lady 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. "How dare the remnants of Hua Fei's brother act so presumptuously! Pass on my decree; intensify the search for Hua Fei's brother and his remnants. Make sure they are all captured! Although this young lady was threatened, she also committed a grave offense. She will be banished to the cold palace and imprisoned for life!"

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 painting in the palace, and An Lingrong was watching. The landscape under Zhen Huan's brush gradually took shape, but it also revealed a sense of desolation.

An Lingrong said softly: "Sister, the struggle in the harem is just like the landscape in this painting. It seems calm, but in fact it is surging with undercurrents. When can we truly have peace?" There was a trace of fatigue and confusion in her eyes, and she sighed slightly.

Zhen Huan put down her paintbrush, held An Lingrong's hand, and said, "Lingrong, as long as we don't give up, we will be able to change all this one day. We must believe that justice will eventually triumph over evil." Her eyes were firm and warm, giving An Lingrong strength and hope.

However, at this seemingly peaceful moment, a young palace maid came to report: "My ladies, a Taoist priest has come from outside the palace. He claims to be able to exorcise evil spirits and pray for blessings. He also said that there is an ominous aura in the harem and he must perform a ritual for everyone in the harem."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, a sense of foreboding welling up in their hearts. They knew another crisis was approaching...