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

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong smiled at each other, their smiles revealing both determination and a fearlessness of the unknown. Zhen Huan gently adjusted her sleeves and spoke first, "Lingrong, the harem is becoming increasingly turbulent, but as long as you and I work together, we can navigate even the most treacherous waves safely." Her eyes were bright and clear, as if twinkling with stars, and her slightly raised chin revealed a stubborn determination.

An Lingrong nodded slightly, unconsciously tightening the handkerchief in her hand, and replied softly: "Sister is right, but now that these conspiracies are coming one after another, where should we find the loopholes?" Her brows were slightly frowned, with a hint of worry in her eyes, and her pearly teeth lightly bit her lower lip.

As she was speaking, Chun'er came running over, holding a few freshly picked peach blossoms in her hand, her little face filled with joy: "Sisters, look at the peach blossoms I found in the imperial garden, they are so beautiful!" Her eyes were sparkling like a clear spring, and her steps were as light as a deer.

Zhen Huan took the peach blossom with a smile and sniffed it gently: "Chun'er, this girl, always finds these little beauties."

An Lingrong also smiled faintly: "Chun'er's heart is the purest, she is like a breath of fresh air in this harem."

Chun'er giggled, but seemed to suddenly remember something. She moved closer to Zhen Huan and An Lingrong and said mysteriously, "Sisters, I heard that a mysterious painter has come to the palace recently. It is said that he has extraordinary skills and can paint people's past and present lives!" Her eyes were wide open, full of curiosity and excitement, and her hands were gesturing unconsciously.

Zhen Huan was slightly startled and exchanged glances with An Lingrong, her eyes filled with confusion: "Past life, present life? How could such a strange person exist in this world?"

An Lingrong shook her head: "I haven't heard of it either. I'm afraid it's just an exaggeration."

Chun Er disagreed: "Sisters, no matter what, it's good to go and take a look! Maybe it will be really interesting!"

Zhen Huan thought for a moment and nodded: "In that case, let's go and take a look."

The three of them arrived at the painter's palace, only to find it filled with exquisite paintings. The figures in the paintings were so lifelike that they seemed to be walking out of the paintings. The painter was a middle-aged man with a thin face and deep, mysterious eyes.

Zhen Huan stepped forward and bowed, "Sir, are you the painter that was mentioned in the legend?"

The painter nodded slightly and saluted: "It is me."

An Lingrong asked, "Sir, can you really paint a person's past and present lives?" There was a hint of inquiry in her eyes, and she tilted her head slightly, examining the painter.

The painter smiled faintly and said, "Whether you believe it or not, you'll know once you try it."

Chun'er couldn't wait to say, "Then draw for me quickly, draw for me quickly!" She clapped her hands excitedly, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement.

The painter arranged his painting tools and motioned Chun'er to sit down. Chun'er sat upright, staring at the painter without blinking, full of anticipation.

The painter's brush flew, and soon, a portrait gradually took shape. Chun'er leaned forward to take a look, but suddenly frowned. "Why am I in this painting... wearing plain clothes, standing in an ancient temple? Could this be my past life?" Her face showed surprise and confusion, and her lips pouted slightly.

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong also came forward to watch. Zhen Huan said softly, "Although this scene is strange, it also reveals a sense of tranquility and peace."

An Lingrong, however, felt vaguely uneasy: "Is there any mystery in this?" A hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes.

The painter looked at their reactions and just smiled mysteriously.

After coming out from the painter, Chun'er was still chattering about the scene in the painting, while Zhen Huan and An Lingrong fell into deep thought.

Back at the palace, Mei Zhuang was already waiting. Seeing Zhen Huan and the others, she hurried over to greet them, "Sisters, you're finally back. I've heard some news about that painter. He seems to be connected to a mysterious organization outside the palace. I'm afraid his coming to the palace to paint isn't just a simple matter." Mei Zhuang's face was slightly pale, her eyes shone with worry, and her hand tightly grasped the sachet at her waist.

Zhen Huan's expression grew serious: "A mysterious organization? How is the harem involved in matters outside the palace?" Her eyes revealed anger and uneasiness, and her hands unconsciously clenched.

An Lingrong bit her lower lip and said, "It seems we have to be careful and not get dragged into any dangerous vortex." Her eyes were firm and she raised her chin slightly.

A few days later, some strange rumors spread in the palace, saying that the painter was seen entering and leaving the palaces of some concubines late at night, and his behavior was very suspicious.

Zhen Huan's heart tightened after hearing this: "What on earth is this painter planning? Is he trying to use those paintings to deceive people?"

An Lingrong said, "Sister, we can't just sit there and do nothing. I want to go to the painter's residence and investigate. Maybe we can find some clues." There was a hint of determination in her eyes, and she looked at Zhen Huan firmly.

Zhen Huan was a little worried: "Lingrong, it's too dangerous for you to go alone. I'll let Xiao Yunzi go with you."

An Lingrong nodded: "Thank you, sister."

An Lingrong and Xiao Yunzi quietly arrived at the painter's residence. As they approached the house, they heard a faint conversation coming from inside. An Lingrong gestured for silence, and the two slowly approached the window and peeked in through the gap. Besides the painter, they saw a mysterious figure in black.

The mysterious man whispered, "How are things going? Have the paintings aroused their suspicions?"

The painter sneered, "Those concubines have already begun to become curious about the paintings. With a little guidance, they will be thrown into confusion."

An Lingrong was shocked. It turned out to be a conspiracy! She signaled Xiao Yunzi not to act rashly and just continued to listen.

The mysterious man continued, "The leader instructed us to complete the mission as quickly as possible without making any mistakes."

The painter nodded: "Don't worry, I know what to do."

An Lingrong and Xiao Yunzi quietly retreated and hurriedly reported to Zhen Huan.

After hearing this, Zhen Huan was furious: "How dare these people stir up trouble in the harem! We must stop them." Her eyes burned with anger and her face turned red.

Mei Zhuang said, "But we still don't know what their purpose is. Will rash action alert the enemy?" There was a hint of hesitation in her eyes and she frowned slightly.

An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "I think they may want to use the painting to create conflicts between concubines and disrupt the order of the harem. We can first take advantage of their strategy and pretend to be confused by the painting, and then find their flaws." There was a glimmer of wisdom in her eyes, and she narrowed her eyes slightly.

Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong, this is a very good plan. Then we should wait and see what they will do next."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong deliberately showed great interest in the painter's paintings in front of everyone, and often discussed the contents of the paintings with other concubines.

The painter thought they had been tricked and became even more unscrupulous. He began to add suggestive elements to his paintings, trying to provoke fighting among the concubines.

However, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong had been secretly paying attention to everything. They found that the concubines who were affected by the paintings became more and more unstable in their emotions, and often quarreled over trivial matters.

An Lingrong said to Zhen Huan, "Sister, we can't let them go on like this. We have to find a way to make the other concubines wake up." There was a hint of anxiety in her eyes and her brows were tightly furrowed.

Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "We can hold a flower viewing banquet, invite all the concubines to attend, and expose the painter's conspiracy at the banquet."

At the flower-viewing banquet, all the concubines gathered. Zhen Huan stood before them and cleared her throat. "Sisters, rumors have been spreading throughout the palace lately because of that painter's work. Today, I will uncover the conspiracy behind it." Her eyes were firm and majestic, and her posture was upright, like a blooming peony.

An Lingrong took out a painting and showed it to everyone: "This painting looks exquisite, but it actually contains a mystery. The elements in this painting are carefully designed to provoke the relationship between us sisters." There was anger in her eyes, and she pointed to the details in the painting and explained them one by one.

After hearing this, all the concubines showed expressions of surprise and anger.

At this moment, the painter and the mysterious man realized that something was wrong and tried to escape, but were caught by the guards who had been lying in ambush.

Zhen Huan looked at the captured painter and the mysterious man and said coldly: "Do you think your conspiracy can succeed? How can this harem allow you to do whatever you want!" Her eyes were cold, as if they could penetrate people's hearts.

After this incident, the harem returned to a temporary state of peace. However, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that beneath this calm, there were still undercurrents.

One day, Zhen Huan was practicing calligraphy in the palace while An Lingrong was grinding ink beside her. Zhen Huan's brushstrokes were strong and powerful, revealing a sense of tenacity.

An Lingrong looked at Zhen Huan and said softly, "Sister, although we have experienced many hardships along the way, I feel at ease knowing that you are by my side." There was a hint of emotion in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

Zhen Huan stopped writing and held An Lingrong's hand: "Lingrong, you are also my most solid support in this harem. As long as we stick together, we will be able to find a way out of these difficulties." Her eyes were gentle and firm, giving An Lingrong endless strength.

But at this moment, a young eunuch came running in, his face full of fear: "My ladies, this is bad! There's a fire in Chuxiu Palace!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong's faces changed, they dropped their things and hurried to Chuxiu Palace. They knew that a new crisis had come...