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

Without the teacher's daily examinations, Hongshi's academic deficiencies were not so obvious. Seeing that the emperor was still concerned about him even though the Yongshou Palace was closed, the empress became even more jealous of the prince's concubines.

The New Year's Eve banquet ended in a strange atmosphere, and the emperor got into the sedan chair, drunken.

Jianqiu supported the empress, who hadn't even touched her chopsticks, and gently comforted her, "Today is New Year's Eve. Your Majesty, please go back early to prepare."

The Queen lowered her eyes, then quickly raised her head again and nodded appropriately, "The Emperor is so happy today and has drunk too much. Don't forget to ask Huichun and the others to send some hangover soup to each palace."

"Your Majesty is sympathetic to the six palaces, but the concubines in the six palaces may not be sympathetic to Your Majesty." Huichun spoke a little later than Jianqiu, lowering her voice as if talking to herself.

Jianqiu frowned unhappily and turned back to glare at her, causing her to take several steps back.

I don’t know if the queen heard it, but she stopped by a lake.

The snow was as white as jade in the moonlight, and the layers of dead branches obscured the jade color in the distance.

The glazed jade body is filled with a warm color, and the shadows of the eaves and pavilions in the corners serve as a backdrop.

"Your Majesty, it's windy at night, let's go back." Jianqiu felt the Queen slowly loosening her grip, and took advantage of the Queen's relaxed mood to speak.

The queen came back to her senses, turned to the red walls and yellow tiles, and replied indifferently: "The wind is cold, and people's hearts are cold too."

Su Peisheng helped the emperor drink sobering soup in the Yangxin Palace. Several beautiful maids came up to wipe the emperor's body and changed him into warm clothes.

Su Peisheng listened to the noise inside. The maids seemed to leave one after another and went into the enclosure. Su Peisheng counted to three silently before pushing the door open and going in.

The emperor had changed into new clothes and was leaning on the couch, one hand pinching his brow and the other hand resting on his knees.

"Your Majesty, where should we go tonight?" Su Peisheng said softly.

"I'm going to see Concubine Fang." The emperor's hoarse voice came.

Su Peisheng was startled, thinking that the emperor had indeed drunk too much. He carefully reminded him, "Your Majesty, the Empress has sent sobering soup to all the palaces. I'm afraid Concubine Fang has gone to bed."

The emperor was silent for a moment and sighed.

"This wine is too strong. It gives me a headache."

Su Peisheng was slightly startled, then he was delighted, "Your Majesty and Miss Wan, the osmanthus wine brewed by Miss Wan is extremely mellow."

The emperor smacked his lips, as if recalling something. "Yes, that's right. It's just that wine is intoxicating by nature. Without its strong flavor, it loses its flavor. Let's go to Jingren Palace."

It was late at night and the lights in Yongshou Palace were turned off early.

Hongxuan secretly drank a cup before leaving and was now drowsy.

Jiang Ruyin knew that the emperor would not come today, so she relaxed and drank a few more cups, patting Hongxuan on the back from time to time.

After a long time, Hongxuan's red face calmed down and his breathing became much more stable. Jiang Ruyin yawned silently and left the side hall quietly.

"Just stew some white porridge tomorrow morning." After giving the order, Jiang Ruyin yawned indecently. Her cheeks were still red and her head was dizzy.

Hongxuan inherited Jiang Ruyin's temperament and his face turned red after taking a sip of wine.

......

It was still early, and the dewdrops in the imperial garden had just condensed when they were blown into a layer of white frost, reflecting fine light.

The gate of Yongshou Palace slowly opened. Jiang Ruyin was wearing an elegant Manchu dress, her hair neatly tied into a bun, and a set of jade jewelry on her head. The golden tassels swayed gently and silently with her movements.

Beside her, Hongxuan was wearing a brand new brocade robe. Although he was still young, he had a serious face and looked quite decent.

"From now on, when you go to the imperial study, you must listen to the teacher and don't act naughty. I will go to the South Third Building to prepare a room for you." Jiang Ruyin squatted down and gently adjusted Hongxuan's collar, with expectation and trust in her eyes.

Hongxuan nodded vigorously and answered crisply, "Don't worry, mother. I will study hard."

The two of them got into the sedan chair and drove along the palace road. Along the way, the palace maids and eunuchs bowed their heads respectfully and made way for them.

As we passed the Imperial Garden, the sky was a little pale.

Hongxuan looked out the window at the silence, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. He turned to Jiang Ruyin and said, "Mother, I will come to pay my respects to you often. When spring comes, I will bring you the most beautiful flowers."

Jiang Ruyin raised the corners of her mouth slightly and chuckled, "Okay, mother will wait for you."

When the carriage arrived in front of the Yanx Palace, there was a "dong" sound, and the gate of the Yanx Palace was opened. A woman dressed in plain palace clothes came out.

The woman came slowly and unhurriedly and said in a loud voice, "Sister Fang, can you give me a ride?"

"Lingrong." A clear female voice came from the carriage. Yuan Beishan lifted the thick curtain, and Jiang Ruyin smiled gently.

"Come in quickly, don't get cold."

The space was limited, so Hongxuan bowed.

An Lingrong smiled at him and sat down opposite him.

move on,

"After all, it will be Hongning next year, so it's a good opportunity for me to come and accompany my sister." An Lingrong looked at Jiang Ruyin and said.

Jiang Ruyin gave her a reproachful look and said, "I'm not a child. But you, have you made an agreement with Hongning?"

"Hongning was clamoring to listen to stringed instruments last night. I coaxed him for a long time, but he's still fast asleep now."

Jiang Ruyin looked at her expression carefully and said, "I see you are enjoying it."

"Ha," An Lingrong covered her mouth and laughed, "I used to worry that he'd grow up to be a dull person, but I didn't expect he'd just become mischievous now because he's not old enough. He may be making a fuss, but I'm happy inside."

"My younger brother had no energy when he was young, but now that he's older, he's showing some childish behavior." Hongxuan said suddenly.

An Lingrong gently pointed at Hongxuan and smiled at Jiang Ruyin, "Look at him, he's still a child."

Turn from the palace road next to the Yanx Palace and go straight ahead and you will find the Huangji Gate on the left.

Soon, they arrived at the imperial study.

The eunuch at the door hurriedly saluted when he saw her and said, "Greetings to Consort Fang and Consort Qian, and good luck to the Sixth Prince."

Concubines are generally not allowed to leave the inner palace, but today is Hongxuan's first time entering the imperial study, and no one dares to say anything wrong about Jiang Ruyin.

Jiang Ruyin nodded slightly and instructed, "Go ahead. Mother, go to the South Third House first."

Hongxuan looked at Jiang Ruyin deeply, then walked into the imperial study with a stiff body.

Jiang Ruyin stood at the door, watching Hongxuan's back. Seeing him take a few stiff steps, and then gradually regain his composure, Jiang Ruyin finally felt relieved.

An Lingrong also looked at her, then turned to look at Jiang Ruyin, "Sister."

After nodding silently, Jiang Ruyin turned around and the group headed towards the South Third Institute.

To the west of the South Three Buildings is the Outer Imperial Tea and Food Room. There is the Inner Imperial Tea and Food Room in the harem, and the Outer Imperial Tea and Food Room is dedicated to serving the outer court.

Jiang Ruyin tilted her head to look into the imperial tea and pantry. An Lingrong seemed to see through her thoughts and said with a smile, "Sister's small kitchen is always on fire. It wouldn't be a bad idea to send someone to deliver it every day."

Jiang Ruyin sighed, "Hongxuan likes sweet food. He thinks it's tasteless if it's not sweet, and he won't eat anything even slightly sweet. I'm afraid that apart from Jing'er's cooking skills, no one can satisfy Hongxuan's appetite."

An Lingrong recalled that when she got on the car just now, she seemed to see the palace maid named Jing'er.

"Sister, do you want to?"

Jiang Ruyin nodded and said, "I will promote Jing'er to a first-class maid and keep her by Hongxuan's side. Jing'er is a senior maid from Yongshou Palace. This way, she can take care of Hongxuan while also protecting herself."

"Sister, that's right. In that case, I should also get ready." An Lingrong seemed to be thinking about something.

Jiang Ruyin tilted her head. "If there's a palace maid or eunuch you value, tell me and I'll check it out for you to avoid unnecessary complications."

An Lingrong nodded heavily.

After a short distance, Jiang Ruyin continued to close his eyes and rest.

Jing'er's entire family was now under Jiang Ruyin's control, and other relatives were also under surveillance. From the moment Fu Qiu took a liking to Jing'er, he reported it to Jiang Ruyin. Jiang Ruyin ordered a thorough investigation of her entire ancestry, and only then did Fu Qiu feel comfortable bringing Jing'er up to his side to teach her. This had been going on for over seven years.

Staying with a prince as a maid could bring wealth and glory to the whole family, and Jing'er expressed her willingness to do so without hesitation.

"The young eunuch beside the prince is of utmost importance. How did you arrange it?" An Lingrong asked again.

"Xiao Chanzi and Xiao Tingzi are both Yuan Beishan. One is Yuan Beishan's apprentice and the other is his godson. They are both trustworthy." Jiang Ruyin said lightly.

An Lingrong nodded. She understood. Family connections were secondary; trustworthiness was the most important thing. This made her feel a little melancholy. She couldn't help but think of the young eunuch who had kowtowed at the door many years ago.

Xiao Chanzi was a young eunuch brought from Yinghua Palace by Yuan Beishan, four years older than Hongxuan. Xiao Tingzi was the godson given to Yuan Beishan by Jiang Ruyin, raised at home, and four years older than Xiao Chanzi.

With these three people around him, plus the two little palace maids sent by the chief steward of the South Third Institute, it will be enough at least until he is twelve years old.

There is no empress dowager in the palace, and the emperor, empress and imperial concubine will also send people down when the time comes.

Jiang Ruyin's minimum requirement is that his own people can monitor one person one-on-one, so he can send someone else later.

For example, when Hongshi first entered the prince's residence, Concubine Qi crammed six palace maids and eight eunuchs into Hongshi's yard at once, filling it up completely, and was even scolded by the emperor.

At this time, all the princes went to the Imperial Study to study, and only Dong E and a few others stayed in the prince's residence.

Dong E was the daughter of Shangshu Xilda. She was a well-educated woman. With her father's reputation, she was well-informed about everything the prince did.

She and Zhong were guarding the door. When they saw Jiang Ruyin and her group approaching, she saw that there was another woman beside Jiang Ruyin. Although she was dressed simply, her jewelry was very fine. She bowed gently and said, "My concubine greets Her Majesty Fang and Her Majesty Qian."

An Lingrong's eyes shifted slightly, feeling a little surprised.

Jiang Ruyin smiled gently, "No need to be polite, Third Lady."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. The children are still asleep. I hope to bring the children to visit you and apologize during the New Year's Day." Dong E smiled peacefully, while Zhong beside her lowered her eyes and stood quietly, very quiet.

"It's natural for me to pay you a visit, but there's no need to apologize, so that I don't have to prepare twice as many gifts." Jiang Ruyin said with a smile.

Dong E tilted her head, her eyes curved, "Your Majesty said so, and I saw it."

Jiang Ruyin chuckled lightly, and with just a turn of her head, Fu Qiu and the palace maids filed in, and countless brocade boxes, trays, and treasure chests were delivered to several courtyards.

The Third Lady bowed and thanked him with a smile.

An Lingrong's breath was slightly disordered, but she quickly smiled. "I will have a gift next year, so I must come early then. I can't bear to keep a beauty like Third Lady waiting for too long."

The Third Lady would not let her words fall on deaf ears. With a faint blush on her cheeks, she looked at An Lingrong and said, "Your Highness, Concubine Qian, you are too kind. If you had come any earlier, you would have seen me in such a state of confusion and panic."

Everyone laughed.

"Okay, I still have to go clean up Hongxuan's room." Jiang Ruyin only said this, and Dong E understood and saw her off respectfully.

The manager of the South Third Institute bent over and waited quietly, and walked to the front side again to lead the way at the right time.

Everyone came to the second row of courtyards.

After leaving Dong E's sight, An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief beside Jiang Ruyin. When she turned around, she saw Jiang Ruyin looking at her with admiration.

With a blush on her cheeks, An Lingrong's watery eyes met Jiang Ruyin's gaze. "I have done my best to not bring shame upon your Majesty."

"Yes, you are worthy of being my sister." Jiang Ruyin curled her lips.

The manager of the South Third Branch said nothing and only made gestures to lead the way. In fact, he might have gone over the conversation between the two people in his mind countless times.

Hongxuan's courtyard was in the middle of the second row, the center of the entire South Third Building. According to the steward, it was a place that was warm in winter and cool in summer, a perfect place for the right time, place, and people.

Jiang Ruyin's face was calm. Fu Qiu handed him a purse full of silver coins and said nothing.

The manager understood the elegant meaning of the music and left quietly.

After entering the courtyard, the palace servants brought by Jiang Ruyin each did their duties and rushed into various rooms.

In an instant, only Fu Qiu, An Lingrong and Baozhi were left by Jiang Ruyin's side.

An Lingrong finally relaxed. "Dong E is truly adept at dealing with people. She's neither humble nor overbearing to me, and she's always talking to me in a thoughtful and responsive manner. Her words are truly comforting."

Jiang Ruyin agreed very much. As she walked around the courtyard, she paused and looked around, saying, "Scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans, Dong E is talented and virtuous. What a pity..."

The rest of the words disappeared in the wind and An Lingrong didn't hear clearly.

The wind was cold and tiny snowflakes began to fall, covering the courtyard with a layer of cool gauze.

Jiang Ruyin gathered the red fox fur cape she was wearing.

"Be careful, don't bump into anything." Jing'er acted like a senior palace maid, instructing the busy eunuchs and palace maids beside her.

Her eyes slowly swept across the new residence, not missing any corner.

As soon as you enter the courtyard, what catches your eye is an exquisite Taihu stone rockery. Next to it are a few green bamboos standing tall in the cold wind, with snowflakes falling on the bamboo leaves, which adds a unique charm.

Jiang Ruyin pointed at the rockery and said, "This rockery is the finishing touch of the yard. Plant some wintersweets around it. When the flowers bloom, the fragrance will be everywhere. Hongxuan will feel relaxed just looking at the scenery in the snow."

After a pause, Jiang Ruyin continued, "Plant a peach tree every other tree. No, no, the bamboo on both sides of the rockery is eye-catching, so peach trees shouldn't be added. So, Yuan Beishan, you should pay more attention to this area during this period. Plant a few wintersweets in front of the rockery, and transplant chrysanthemums and orchids in the remaining space. The bonsai around the yard must be seasonal flowers and fruit trees that rotate throughout the year."