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

The stone pavement was soaked deeper by the rain, and the moss on it was a warm dark green.

The emperor jumped onto a small path, winding down along the broken stone pavement. The wintersweet flowers were almost done blooming, but a few lingering scents lingered in the moist air.

In the mist after the light rain, the quiet and distant environment made the emperor unconsciously relax his shoulders and neck.

Seeing that the emperor looked more cheerful, Su Peisheng pointed to a pavilion not far away and said, "It looks like it won't rain for a while. Your Majesty, would you like to go and sit for a while?"

"Okay." The emperor said with narrowed eyes.

As he stepped into the pavilion, a gentle breeze blew by, and the emperor, who had been intoxicated by the sandalwood in the temple for a long time, looked into the distance with joy.

The scenery of lakes and mountains came into view, and the emperor suddenly raised his eyebrows and leaned forward.

Su Peisheng's eyebrows jumped. He had just sent a letter outside the palace that morning saying that she would accompany the emperor to Ganlu Temple. In the afternoon, Madam Mochou appeared at the foot of Lingyun Peak, still dressed like this.

Not far away, a clear stream meandered by. Zhen Huan was bent over washing clothes, her figure slender and delicate, like a willow swaying in the wind. Her dark hair was loosely tied up, as if she had been washing clothes here for a long time. A few strands of hair, wet with water, fell beside her fair cheeks. The nun's dress she wore seemed to be too hot, and it had been pulled open slightly, revealing her snow-white neck.

With a slight lift of her white hands, the splashes of water sparkled with crystal light in the sunlight, like scattered pearls.

A breeze blew by, and the willows by the stream swayed. Zhen Huan's dress, which was a little white from washing, fluttered slightly in the wind, and her sleeves danced.

This natural and lively scene caught the emperor's eyes deeply. Seeing that this person was Zhen Huan, the emperor felt relieved a lot.

He slowly stood up, walked down the pavilion and headed towards the stream.

With every step he took closer, he could see Zhen Huan's focused expression more clearly. Even though she was doing the most ordinary work, the corners of her mouth were curved, and her eyes were bright and beautiful.

The sound of falling leaves being trampled startled Zhen Huan. She stared at the person in front of her as if she were in another world.

The emperor also had mixed feelings, but looking at Zhen Huan, whose beauty could not be concealed even by the coarse linen clothes, the doubts in his heart were somewhat shaken by the impact of her beauty.

His eyes wandered over Zhen Huan. Although she was wearing plain nun's clothes, her natural beauty could not be concealed. Her fair skin was almost transparent in the sunlight, revealing a pitiful charm.

The emperor's Adam's apple rolled slightly, and all the beautiful memories of the past emerged involuntarily in his mind.

"Hanhuan," the emperor called softly, his voice tentative, "Have you ever thought of me while you're here at Lingyun Peak?"

Zhen Huan lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she was hesitating about how to answer.

After a moment, she knelt slightly and saluted, her voice soft but with just the right amount of grievance: "Your Majesty, I recite scriptures and pray day and night, how could I not have Your Majesty in my heart. But no matter inside or outside the palace, I have experienced the ups and downs of life." As she spoke, she raised her head, a thin layer of mist in her eyes, full of tears.

The emperor's heart softened, and he took another step forward, stretching out his hand as if wanting to hold Zhen Huan's hand, but stopped in mid-air.

The emperor hesitated for a moment, and his mind turned in a thousand circles. "Didn't you have a maid to accompany you out of the palace? Why are you here alone?"

Zhen Huan lowered her eyes again, her tone somewhat sad, "Lingyun Peak is bitterly cold with no stream water, and the well water is useless in this freezing weather. I cannot always make them travel so far to work."

A look of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes. "Lingyun Peak?"

Zhen Huan bit her lower lip lightly, revealing a look of sarcasm. "Last year, the nuns at Ganlu Temple insisted that I had tuberculosis. With heavy snow falling, we had no choice but to rush to Lingyun Peak, where we've been staying ever since."

"Is that so?" The emperor frowned, his suspicions growing in his heart about Ganlu Temple. "You are practicing with your hair uncut. If that is the case, I will punish you severely."

A barely perceptible joy flashed across Zhen Huan's eyes, but she pretended to be reserved and turned her head away, leaving only half of her profile exposed. "Your Majesty, I understand that the royal majesty cannot be challenged, but after practicing Buddhism for so long, I really can't bear to see it... What's more, I'm still alive..." Her voice gradually lowered, and she hesitated to speak.

"After all, this is a place of seclusion to nurture people. I am very pleased that Huanhuan has changed her character and morality." The emperor's pleased look made Zhen Huan choke. Zhen Huan opened her mouth with a stiff face, and a trace of humiliation flashed in her eyes. "Your Majesty is right. Praying for the country is of great importance. I always remind myself to be vigilant, so I dare not ask for your severe punishment. I only hope that my cautiousness can bring me peace."

As she spoke, Zhen Huan's eyes turned red, tears formed on her eyelashes, and she was about to cry.

Looking at Zhen Huan's charming appearance, the emperor's eyes became fiery. He took a step forward and held Zhen Huan's hand. The touch was cold, which made his heart ache: "Huan Huan, don't say such things again. You are my woman. I will give you the dignity you deserve."

Zhen Huan struggled slightly but couldn't break free. She raised her head and met the emperor's gaze, eyes filled with affection and expectation. "Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness, but..." She frowned slightly, her face showing difficulty. "But, I'm afraid that returning to the palace will cause a lot of trouble again."

The emperor paused, his expression blank for a moment, then he smiled warmly. "Since you have prayed for the country, I will not make your life difficult. There are many vacant firewood sheds in Ganlu Temple. I will have a few renovated and specially provided for you to live in."

"..." Zhen Huan opened her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief, but she quickly adjusted her expression and said calmly, "Ganlu Temple is a sacred Buddhist site. I understand why they wouldn't tolerate me. Lingyun Peak is lonely and deserted, perfect for me to practice meditation. I've done many wrong things in the past, and I have no face to stay in Ganlu Temple."

The emperor choked and nodded. "That's fine. Lingyun Peak is quiet, and I can visit you occasionally. Huanhuan, I haven't seen you for two years. You've lost a lot of weight."

The emperor stroked Zhen Huan's cold hands that were soaked in river water with an ambiguous look. Zhen Huan lowered her head, and the humiliation in her eyes was mixed with a hint of hatred.

"I wonder if you have carefully observed the scenery near Ganlu Temple. The scenery here is beautiful, especially after the rain, it is very refreshing and pleasant." The emperor took Zhen Huan to the pavilion and talked to her.

Zhen Huan followed the emperor obediently, one foot deep and one foot shallow. Su Peisheng had a complicated expression, with dissatisfaction, emotion and relief mixed in his eyes. In the end, he accepted his fate and waited outside.

The emperor took Zhen Huan's hand and sat down. They talked about everything from their first meeting to their long-awaited reunion, which was very touching. However, every time Zhen Huan talked for a few words, the emperor would bring up something new.

Zhen Huan's butterfly-like eyelashes trembled as she responded softly.

Seeing that the emperor had already hugged Zhen Huan in his arms while he was talking, Su Peisheng silently wrapped his outer robe tightly, wishing he was blind.

Shadows flashed by on the paths not far away, and Su Peisheng finally felt relieved a little.