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

When the emperor came to his senses, Jiang Ruyin had already ordered someone to carry Hongxuan away. At this time, a pair of beautiful eyes were staring at him clearly.

The emperor held his forehead and looked at Jiang Ruyin seriously, "This is the first time I know that your singing voice is so moving." His mind was in turmoil. Sometimes he wondered if the singing of the Empress Dowager to comfort his fourteenth brother would be so tender and affectionate. Sometimes he wondered if Chunyuan and the child would still be there, and whether the scene would be as harmonious and warm as before.

Jiang Ruyin saw the trance in the emperor's eyes, and her heart sank. She narrowed her eyes with a smile and said shyly, "It's just a little tune that I use to entertain children in my hometown. Is the emperor interested in it?"

The room was filled with incense and a warm breeze. If you stayed there for a long time, your body would feel warm and you would feel sleepy.

The emperor, however, was very clear-headed. He was slightly startled when he heard this and reached out to hold Jiang Ruyin's hand. "The court has been in turmoil for a while now. I have only been to the Imperial Garden since I entered the harem. Are you missing your lover?"

Jiang Ruyin looked surprised and said shyly, "It was just some foolish words I said before, but the Emperor still keeps saying it."

The emperor laughed heartily and closed his eyes. Yes, he had unconsciously told Jiang Ruyin about his past private love conversations with Chunyuan.

If we were to talk about similarities, Jiang Ruyin would naturally resemble Chun Yuan more. It's just that Chun Yuan has a naturally gentle and charming temperament. Meanwhile, Jiang Ruyin's every frown and smile carries a certain allure. In comparison, Zhen Huan's elegant and calm demeanor is more like Chun Yuan's.

The emperor squeezed Jiang Ruyin's hand and said, "I will stay and have dinner with you."

Jiang Ruyin showed hesitation for the first time, "Your Majesty... Wan agreed to that..."

The emperor paused. "Now Concubine Wan is here. I'm sick with longing for you, and now I just want to be with you. I miss you too much for the soup you sent to the Yangxin Palace a few days ago."

Jiang Ruyin smiled, her eyes glowing with sweetness once again, and she no longer mentioned Zhen Huan, "I am always cooking for the Emperor."

In the east wing hall, the emperor carried Zhen Huan all the way back to the Yangxin Palace, and everyone in the palace witnessed it.

The people from the imperial kitchen sent a large number of delicious dishes to the east wing hall, all of which were in accordance with the emperor's etiquette.

Zhen Huan sat alone at the table, forcing a smile as she said to the leading eunuch who was delivering the food, "Eunuch, you delivered the wrong meal. Please take it back."

The father-in-law was also surprised and scratched his head. He really asked someone to remove all the dishes, leaving only the usual braised spring bamboo shoots, stuffed eggplant, eight-treasure duck and a dish of ginger honey water.

Outside the main hall,

The palace servants who delivered the meals came in one after another, carrying fresh soups and delicacies.

For the first time, Zhen Huan felt that the East Wing Hall was so small, so small that it was in full view and could not even accommodate these three dishes.

Huanbi stood in front of the door, pouted and said "Pooh" towards the main hall, then turned around and saw Zhen Huan staring at the main hall in a daze.

Liu Zhu was twisting her handkerchief aside.

The emperor stayed until the afternoon before leaving the main hall.

In the east wing hall, Zhen Huan lay on a couch, lost in thought, holding her favorite poetry collection in her hands.

I couldn't help but recall every detail of the two people's appreciation of Xiao Lunci, but the last thing that came to mind was the backs of the emperor and Jiang Ruyin.

"Wu Weiye's Plum Village Anthology."

Zhen Huan was startled and quickly came to her senses and bowed. She had just knelt when the emperor helped her up.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Huan murmured.

"Do you like this kind of poetry collection?" The emperor looked at Zhen Huan with amusement.

Zhen Huan was slightly startled. The look in the man's eyes seemed similar to the one they had seen in the corner of the Imperial Garden, yet also different. She replied, "A pavilion overlooks the stream, fish and algae seem to swim in the air. I was just browsing through it when I had nothing better to do."

"Oh." The emperor nodded and sat down on the opposite side of the small couch. Zhen Huan hesitated for a moment and sat opposite the emperor, but she kept her eyes down and did not dare to look him in the eye.

The emperor coughed lightly and said, "Hongxuan has had a fever recently, and Concubine Fang has been taking care of him by his side without taking off her clothes. I have to go and see him."

Zhen Huan blinked, "Empress Fang has a kind and motherly heart, I understand."

"Well, although Hongxuan is young now, he is well-behaved and cute. You have seen it."

There's no need to talk too much. Zhen Huan opened her mouth, thinking it would be hard to say that Concubine Fang didn't like to pay attention to her.

"Empress Fang probably likes quietness and doesn't like to talk to me and others, so I haven't met the little prince yet." Zhen Huan forced a smile and said tactfully.

Unexpectedly, the emperor nodded and said, "She has always been like this. If fate allows, we will meet again someday."

Zhen Huan choked and could only agree.

The atmosphere was frozen for a moment, as if all the tenderness and affection that Zhen Huan had felt while being held all the way had become a dream.

"Are those the only palace maids and eunuchs around you?" asked the emperor.

Zhen Huan lowered her head and said slowly, "Empress Li took a liking to several eunuchs around me. I didn't need so many people to recuperate, so she let them go."

As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, he thought of the time when Zhen Huan feigned illness and was demoted, and he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. He also heard Zhen Huan not mention a word about this matter, and even her tone was filled with a bit of dissatisfaction.

"If you are able to return to your permanent position, I will have the Ministry of Internal Affairs fill the vacancy you left here."

Hearing this, Zhen Huan lowered her eyes, hiding the bitterness in them.

“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Zhen Huan's voice was as soft as a mosquito, the emperor looked over and saw that she looked calm, neither sad nor happy. He suddenly felt a little pity for her.

He softened his tone and reached out to pull Zhen Huan's hand, "Are you feeling well?"

Zhen Huan trembled at the warmth on her hand. "The imperial physician came to check my pulse a few days ago and said I'm almost fully recovered."

Seeing that Zhen Huan did not resist, the Emperor used all his strength to pull Zhen Huan to his side, played with Zhen Huan's hand which was still not warm, and asked with concern, "Is the imperial physician still doing his best?"

Zhen Huan leaned on the emperor's shoulder, the sweet and intoxicating incense penetrated her nostrils, shocking her heart.

"The imperial doctors have done their best..."

Zhen Huan heard her own voice saying this.

Seeing that Zhen Huan was still distracted, the emperor comforted her gently, "The palace has strict rules and regulations. Every action is based on the ancestral rules. I can't bear to leave you."

Zhen Huan looked at the emperor and saw her image in his eyes, and finally felt a little comforted.

"I am young and unruly, and I have caused Your Majesty trouble. I am truly uneasy."

Zhen Huan was so considerate and gentle that the emperor was deeply moved, as if he had returned to his twenties when he was in love with Chun Yuan.

The two of them cuddled for a while longer, and the emperor stroked Zhen Huan's cheek soothingly. "I still have memorials to review. You should get some rest. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

After saying that, he left reluctantly.

After the emperor left, Zhen Huan held her forehead and closed her eyes.

Liu Zhu peeked in from the doorway, "Young Master...are you feeling unwell?"

Zhen Huan shook her head, her expression a mix of sweet shyness and bitterness. "Yesterday I asked you to inquire about Doctor Wen's situation. How is he doing?"

Liu Zhu lowered her head guiltily. "Doctor Wen is now doing some work as a medicine boy and seems quite frustrated. But he said that this matter has nothing to do with the young lady. Please take care of yourself."

These words made Zhen Huan even more uncomfortable.

(To be continued)