The Legend of Zhen Huan Reborn: Overthrowing Zhen Huan to Become the Queen Mother

He sighed, "Xiao Liu is not only my son, but also the first child I have had since ascending the throne. He is priceless. Ruyin is too humble. Well, I will obey you."

Jiang Ruyin sneered in her heart, but she still raised her face, with affection and dependence in her eyes. She said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Ruyin broke free from the emperor's embrace and smiled contentedly, "The sun is getting late. The emperor hasn't eaten yet, has he?"

The emperor touched his stomach and nodded, "Serve the meal."

Roasted lamb, steamed chicken with wine, goose with five-flavor cheese, four-fresh soup, honey-pickled tofu, five-treasure vegetables, old duck soup, and Jiang Ruyin's favorite, lotus pastry.

The pastry, pink and white, is delicately shaped like petals, with a touch of red jam at the center for a finishing touch. While it may seem like a work of art, it actually has a savory, salty flavor, a stark contrast to the gentle and graceful demeanor of Jiang Ruyin, who grew up in the Jiangnan water town.

The emperor looked at the chicken soup and his eyes lit up. He then looked at the lotus cake and said, "You've been eating this lotus cake for so many years, and you don't seem to be tired of it."

Jiang Ruyin smiled vaguely, "New snacks are just a way to satisfy your taste buds. After all, the ones I'm used to still have a more flavorful and satisfying taste."

As he spoke, Jiang Ruyin stood up and personally served a bowl of old duck soup to the emperor.

The emperor took a sip in silence, sighed deeply, and said quietly, "The old duck soup in the Queen's palace has a clear and mellow broth, and is delicious, with tender and tender meat. Your soup is fresh and delicious, with a hint of sweetness and fragrance. It's an indispensable delicacy for me."

Jiang Ruyin knew that the emperor had heard it, and she curled her lips and said, "Everyone in the palace knows that Concubine Hua's small kitchen is the best in the palace. In order to appease me, the emperor even stopped praising Concubine Hua."

The emperor drank the whole bowl with a gulp and signaled Su Peisheng to add more soup.

Jiang Ruyin took the bowl and said that one bowl was just enough for a few mouthfuls.

"Of course everything from Concubine Hua is the best, but no matter how good everything is, it is not as mellow as the Queen's, and as delicious as yours." The emperor said leisurely.

Jiang Ruyin poured the duck soup and served herself a bowl of four-fresh soup, which she ate slowly.

"Your Majesty, I am completely confused by what you said."

The emperor was leisurely and contented. He ate another bowl of food and then gestured for more.

Jiang Ruyin gave the emperor a reproachful look, but still stood up. However, the emperor stopped her, saying, "The queen is right. You can't eat more than three meals a day. This rule cannot be broken."

Jiang Ruyin's smile faded. "The Queen is virtuous. As a concubine, I can only pamper her."

This made the emperor laugh out loud.

After dinner, the emperor wanted to stay overnight, but Jiang Ruyin refused on the grounds that she was not feeling well.

The emperor felt very sorry, but Jiang Ruyin ignored him.

As soon as the others left, Jiang Ruyin hurriedly called out to Suochun, "Quick, bring the Four Fresh Soup over. Don't let it get cold. That little bit is not enough for anyone."

Suochun brought the food in a large bowl with a smile, and Jiang Ruyin enjoyed it.

Suochun and the others also happily brought other delicious dishes that looked as if they had not been touched and went down to share them.

Until the bowl was empty, Jiang Ruyin lay on the bed, holding her stomach.

"Oh, I'm so full... My little six..." Jiang Ruyin pointed at the air, as if caressing a baby in swaddling clothes, and murmured to herself, "After all, we are destined to be mother and son. We have finally met in this life."

In her previous life, Jiang Ruyin lost her child, a boy everyone said was already born. Although Jiang Ruyin was always spoiled, she was no fool. Yet, after losing her child, she went mad, blaming the patronizing and overbearing Concubine Hua as the murderer.

Back then, the emperor was so captivated that he requested an imperial decree to take Jiang Ruyin as his concubine. Jiang Ruyin possessed the tenderness of a Jiangnan Han woman and the beauty of a young boudoir girl, and she also loved singing opera and dancing. The emperor was so captivated that he promoted her to a princess, but later, when he grew tired of her, he discarded her.

Jiang Ruyin was lost for a while, trapped in the Forbidden City for several years. At first, she resented the Emperor, hated Concubine Hua, and envied Zhen Huan. Later, after a long period of wandering, she saw the Empress's grief, Concubine Hua's helplessness, and Zhen Huan's despair, and finally had a great enlightenment. However, she did not expect that her soul would be reborn at the same time as it was dissipated.

But now, Jiang Ruyin looked up with a smile, and the tears in her eyes showed both relief and helplessness.

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Yikun Palace,

Hua Fei looked at the table full of cold food and waved her hand impatiently, "Everyone, please leave. Concubine Fang only has a child, so she has the emperor's mercy for a few days."

Songzhi looked at Concubine Hua worriedly, glanced at Zhou Ninghai, and stepped forward to help Concubine Hua take off her hairpins and jewelry.

Zhou Ninghai understood and limped to the small kitchen of Yiku Palace.

The beauty in the mirror is unparalleled in beauty without any makeup, but the sad look between her brows makes people feel pity for her.

Hua Fei stroked her face, "Your Majesty..."

Zhou Ninghai brought in some crab roe pastries. Songzhi took them and comforted her softly, "Your Majesty, please use some. If you hurt yourself, the Emperor will be worried."

Anger flashed across Concubine Hua's eyes, and just as she was about to explode, a familiar voice came from outside the room, "My beloved, are you being petty again?"

"emperor!"

Early the next morning,

Concubine Hua leaned lazily on the chair and glanced at Jiang Ruyin who was sitting below her. Seeing that she was in high spirits and obviously not sad, she snorted softly.

Jiang Ruyin now has the Sixth Prince Hongxuan, and her status is much higher than before. She has already sat in the second seat on the right, only below Concubine Duan, Concubine Hua, and Concubine Qi.

Seeing Concubine Hua looking at her, Jiang Ruyin smiled indifferently.

The Empress wore a benevolent face, smiling broadly as she congratulated Jiang Ruyin. "I heard the Emperor say long ago that he wanted a good name, and I heard the Emperor's decree this morning. 'Xuan' is a good character, representing brightness and harmony. Concubine Fang and the Sixth Prince are indeed favored by the Emperor."

Jiang Ruyin smiled and replied indifferently, praising the queen for her good leadership of the six palaces.

But the queen would not stop sowing discord just because of a few meaningless compliments.

As soon as Concubine Qi heard Jiang Ruyin finish speaking, she couldn't wait to say, "It's indeed a good name. The Emperor visited Concubine Fang yesterday, and the decree came down today. I think Concubine Fang is also satisfied with the name. But why did I hear that the Emperor stayed at Concubine Hua's place last night?"

Jiang Ruyin remained silent. Concubine Hua sat up straight, her phoenix eyes slightly raised as she stared directly at Concubine Qi. "Concubine Fang is blessed by heaven, so she is naturally a blessed person. Why? Where does the emperor want to go, Concubine Qi also want to give some advice?"

Concubine Qi was embarrassed, but still insisted on saying a few words, "I am only worried that my sister Fangpin will be sad, so I asked this question."

Hua Fei humphed and wanted to say something.

The Queen interrupted, "Well, we are all sisters, so don't talk about different things."

Concubine Qi lowered her head, and Concubine Hua stroked her luxuriously decorated hair, looking at the sky, the earth, and the air, but ignoring the queen.

Jiang Ruyin also lowered her head and played with the newly dyed nail polish on her fingertips.

(To be continued)