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

The emperor seemed to be lost in his memories and remained silent for a long time.

Jiang Ruyin accompanied him and softly called Su Peisheng over.

"Go cut out this calligraphy and send it to the Qinzheng Hall."

Su Peisheng seemed to hesitate and agreed in a low voice.

"No need." The emperor came back to his senses and sighed.

Pulling Jiang Ruyin over, the emperor walked slowly.

A faint rustling sound of wind blowing through the branches and leaves could be heard from the woods, and the shrill chirping of cicadas continued.

The emperor spoke quietly, "In the early years, I also had a period of harmony with Yixiu. If everyone wants to make amends later, where is the law and palace rules?"

"Yes, instead of reminiscing about the past, it's better to cherish the present." Jiang Ruyin smiled. "This year, the country is peaceful and the people are safe. The weather is good and the crops are good. With a wise ruler in power, there is no need to worry about the future. Why is the emperor hesitating?"

The emperor squeezed Jiang Ruyin's hand.

Yes, the reason why I get up earlier than the chickens and sleep later than the dogs is to make those rumors disappear and to prove that the emperor’s choice is correct.

"After all, she is my woman. Let Wan Changzai still enjoy the status of a concubine, and don't stop providing for her from the Empress."

Su Peisheng got the order and retreated quietly.

The emperor's leisurely words, "It's all over, I have you," disappeared on the lake with the cool breeze of the summer night.

......

Outside Xianfu Palace, the summer cicadas chirped clamorously, their relentless chirping threatening to shatter the stillness of the night. A stifling, sweltering air permeated the palace walls, with not a breath of wind, making the oppression even more unbearable.

Amidst the sweltering heat and the clamor, Shen Meizhuang bent over her desk, copying under the dim candlelight. The flickering candlelight cast a faint shadow of half-dried ink on the paper, a reflection of her melancholy.

She frowned slightly, the cicada chirping growing increasingly shrill, as if urging her on, yet also mocking the situation she was in. Though she kept writing, her thoughts couldn't help but drift away, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart.

Caiyue took the candlestick from the small couch and muttered softly, which brought Shen Meizhuang back to her senses. "Originally, there were tribute Western lamps. When they were sent here before, they couldn't be returned. As soon as they fell out of favor, they came to ask for them back immediately."

These words pierced Shen Meizhuang's heart like a needle. She smiled bitterly, rolled up the book and blew on it gently, "Forget it, just put out one and write again during the day. I can see from your expression that we don't have many red candles left. But this Sutra of the Past Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva should be copied as soon as possible and sent to the Empress Dowager together with the others." Her voice was flat, but revealed a hint of unspeakable helplessness.

The cicadas outside the window were still chirping loudly, seemingly without stopping. Shen Meizhuang stood up, and Caiyue quickly spread out the bed and came to help her take off her hairpins and rings.

Caiyue reluctantly put a few simple hairpins back into the treasure box, "I heard that Concubine Wan is pregnant, and the emperor has restored her status as a concubine."

Shen Meizhuang paused as she took off her tourmaline earrings. She opened her mouth and said, "The heir to the throne is the most important thing. This is what I should do."

After saying that, she looked out the window at the endless darkness, only to find that the chirping of the cicadas was becoming increasingly disturbing.

"Yes, the heir to the throne is the most important thing. She has a life-saving gold medal. What about you, my lady?"

Shen Meizhuang closed her eyes, stood up and undressed, "I see you've become more active and talkative lately."

Cai Yue tilted her head to look at Shen Meizhuang's expression, "My lady, you know that what I said is the truth. Madam left a letter for me this time, so I have to tell you. Look at Concubine Jing in the main hall. She used to come every two or three days, but now she hasn't come for ten days or half a month."

Shen Meizhuang lifted the quilt and Caiyue helped her make the bed.

The night was dark, and Caiyue's words echoed in my mind as I tossed and turned.

......

Zhen Yuandao was a man of high esteem, insisting that those poems were just ordinary collections. Seeing his persistence, when important officials such as Zhang Tingyu impeached Zhen Yuandao for his disloyalty, the emperor ordered his confidants to secretly collect evidence of Longkodo's crimes.

In mid-July, Zhen Yuandao was convicted and imprisoned.

In early September, the king and his ministers discussed Longkodo's 50 major crimes.

In late September, the Empress Dowager was suffering from a chronic illness, and the Emperor hurriedly led a group of people back to the palace.

The peach blossoms in Taohuawu at the end of September have long passed their peak bloom, but some of their lingering charm still stubbornly remains on the branches.

The queen was wearing a dark purple palace dress embroidered with gold. Although the fabric was no longer as luxurious as before due to her confinement, it was extremely smooth after being washed and ironed, without even a wrinkle.

There are only two peony-patterned head flowers on the top of the frame, and a cloud-patterned hairpin in the middle, which is simple yet dignified.

Jianqiu was serving beside her, holding a warm handkerchief in her hand. The queen gently took it and pressed it lightly against the corner of her mouth. Her movements were as elegant as when she was accepting the worship of the crowd in the Jingren Palace in the past.

Looking at the withered peach tree outside the window, the queen looked calm, without any sign of dejection.

"It's the season of flowers blooming and falling again. The Emperor must have already left for the palace."

"Yes, even Concubine Guo, who was five months pregnant, returned to the Forbidden City."

The Queen laughed sarcastically, "Your Majesty, you just don't trust me. Concubine Wan is pregnant, Concubine Guo is pregnant, these women are so blessed."

Jianqiu hesitated and added, "The Empress Dowager is ill and can barely get out of bed. Aunt Zhuxi has given her repeated warnings, and it seems to be working. Your Majesty, please be patient."

She tilted her head meaningfully towards a plate of round and shiny oriental pearls on the table.

The queen used her slender fingers to pick up a huge oriental pearl and looked at it in front of her eyes.

"Keep your composure? After all these years, why should I lose my composure?"

As she spoke, the queen raised her lips.

"Zhen Yuandao has been in prison for two months, right? Still no results?"

"It's said that the Dali Temple has been investigating. Everyone understands the emperor's dissatisfaction, but Zhen Yuandao has been working in the Dali Temple for many years. So if the emperor doesn't say anything, the Dali Temple official won't investigate thoroughly and give a result easily."

The Queen nodded. "It's better to keep them locked up, both father and daughter. That way they can be a family. Concubine Wan has been seriously ill several times, but Zhen Yuandao is in good health. But in prison, it's not uncommon for plague or tuberculosis to occur."

Jianqiu suddenly realized, "I'll do it right away."

......

On the official road leading to the Forbidden City, the concubines' carriages were moving slowly.

The leading carriage was beautifully decorated with swaying pearls and jade. Inside the carriage, Nian Shilan was half-leaning on a soft couch, looking a little lazy with a slightly frown on her brows, while Songzhi was fanning her beside her.

The sweet fragrance of the four-pillar gilded hand-held incense burner lacked a hint of exotic aroma. Nian Shilan frowned, "After my brother left, even the imperial gifts became perfunctory."

Song Zhi said hurriedly, "Perhaps because there is no general to expand the territory in the northwest, the tribute of spices and other things has decreased, which is different from the past."

Nian Shilan waved her hand and said, "I'm just used to it. It's not a big deal."

Jiang Ruyin's carriage followed closely behind. She looked through the gauze curtains at the mountain scenery passing by outside the window, and a trace of impatience flashed in her eyes.